ALL 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2010 | Alphaminr

ALL 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2010

ALLSTATE CORP
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10-Q 1 a10-17601_110q.htm 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

/ X /  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-11840

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

36-3871531

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois

60062

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(847) 402-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes X No ___

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

Large accelerated filer

X

Accelerated filer

___

Non-accelerated filer

___  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ___                   No X

As of October 22, 2010, the registrant had 538,183,935 common shares, $.01 par value, outstanding.



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2010

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

Item 1.

Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009

2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

3

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

4

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

48

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Highlights

49

Consolidated Net Income

50

Property-Liability Highlights

51

Allstate Protection Segment

55

Discontinued Lines and Coverages Segment

66

Property-Liability Investment Results

67

Allstate Financial Highlights

68

Allstate Financial Segment

68

Investments Highlights

75

Investments

75

Capital Resources and Liquidity Highlights

104

Capital Resources and Liquidity

104

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

108

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

109

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

109

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

109

Item 6.

Exhibits

110



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

($ in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Revenues

Property-liability insurance premiums

$

6,499

$

6,535

$

19,515

$

19,677

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

548

482

1,637

1,460

Net investment income

1,005

1,084

3,104

3,368

Realized capital gains and losses:

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

(99)

(539)

(637)

(1,735)

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

(68)

147

(91)

301

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

(167)

(392)

(728)

(1,434)

Sales and other realized capital gains and losses

23

(127)

(215)

884

Total realized capital gains and losses

(144)

(519)

(943)

(550)

7,908

7,582

23,313

23,955

Costs and expenses

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

4,603

4,573

14,109

14,295

Life and annuity contract benefits

445

382

1,372

1,176

Interest credited to contractholder funds

445

496

1,358

1,636

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

1,006

1,023

2,969

3,649

Operating costs and expenses

828

744

2,446

2,247

Restructuring and related charges

9

35

33

112

Interest expense

91

106

275

291

7,427

7,359

22,562

23,406

Gain on disposition of operations

9

2

12

6

Income from operations before income tax expense

490

225

763

555

Income tax expense

123

4

131

219

Net income

$

367

$

221

$

632

$

336

Earnings per share:

Net income per share - Basic

$

0.68

$

0.41

$

1.17

$

0.62

Weighted average shares - Basic

540.9

539.9

540.6

539.5

Net income per share - Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.41

$

1.16

$

0.62

Weighted average shares - Diluted

543.0

541.5

542.7

540.5

Cash dividends declared per share

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.60

$

0.60

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

($ in millions, except par value data)

September 30,

December 31,

2010

2009

Assets

(unaudited)

Investments:

Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $80,786 and $81,243)

$

83,193

$

78,766

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $3,447 and $4,845)

3,707

5,024

Mortgage loans

6,961

7,935

Limited partnership interests

3,454

2,744

Short-term, at fair value (amortized cost $2,776 and $3,056)

2,776

3,056

Other

2,123

2,308

Total investments

102,214

99,833

Cash

500

612

Premium installment receivables, net

4,981

4,839

Deferred policy acquisition costs

4,671

5,470

Reinsurance recoverables, net

6,597

6,355

Accrued investment income

847

864

Deferred income taxes

670

1,870

Property and equipment, net

922

990

Goodwill

874

875

Other assets

1,799

1,872

Separate Accounts

8,459

9,072

Total assets

$

132,534

$

132,652

Liabilities

Reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

$

19,294

$

19,167

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

13,955

12,910

Contractholder funds

48,936

52,582

Unearned premiums

10,001

9,822

Claim payments outstanding

733

742

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

5,945

5,726

Long-term debt

5,909

5,910

Separate Accounts

8,459

9,072

Total liabilities

113,232

115,931

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10)

Equity

Preferred stock, $1 par value, 25 million shares authorized, none issued

Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized and 900 million issued, 538 million and 537 million shares outstanding

9

9

Additional capital paid-in

3,165

3,172

Retained income

31,781

31,492

Deferred ESOP expense

(45)

(47)

Treasury stock, at cost (362 million and 363 million shares)

(15,755)

(15,828)

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

Unrealized net capital gains and losses:

Unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with OTTI

(200)

(441)

Other unrealized net capital gains and losses

1,919

(1,072)

Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves

(427)

643

Total unrealized net capital gains and losses

1,292

(870)

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

54

46

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

(1,227)

(1,282)

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

119

(2,106)

Total shareholders’ equity

19,274

16,692

Noncontrolling interest

28

29

Total equity

19,302

16,721

Total liabilities and equity

$

132,534

$

132,652

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in millions)

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2010

2009

Cash flows from operating activities

(unaudited)

Net income

$

632

$

336

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items

55

(87)

Realized capital gains and losses

943

550

Gain on disposition of operations

(12)

(6)

Interest credited to contractholder funds

1,358

1,636

Changes in:

Policy benefits and other insurance reserves

143

(460)

Unearned premiums

172

6

Deferred policy acquisition costs

(138)

471

Premium installment receivables, net

(137)

(108)

Reinsurance recoverables, net

(229)

(101)

Income taxes

178

1,175

Other operating assets and liabilities

58

103

Net cash provided by operating activities

3,023

3,515

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sales

Fixed income securities

17,345

16,098

Equity securities

4,262

4,636

Limited partnership interests

387

293

Mortgage loans

121

140

Other investments

98

429

Investment collections

Fixed income securities

3,672

3,947

Mortgage loans

784

1,093

Other investments

96

99

Investment purchases

Fixed income securities

(20,712)

(22,694)

Equity securities

(2,721)

(5,991)

Limited partnership interests

(1,040)

(674)

Mortgage loans

(55)

(23)

Other investments

(99)

(54)

Change in short-term investments, net

104

5,437

Change in other investments, net

(464)

(144)

Disposition of operations

7

12

Purchases of property and equipment, net

(114)

(143)

Net cash provided by investing activities

1,671

2,461

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

1,003

Repayment of long-term debt

(1)

(1)

Contractholder fund deposits

2,297

3,252

Contractholder fund withdrawals

(6,779)

(9,485)

Dividends paid

(322)

(434)

Treasury stock purchases

(5)

(3)

Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net

26

2

Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements

(7)

(6)

Other

(15)

8

Net cash used in financing activities

(4,806)

(5,664)

Net (decrease) increase in cash

(112)

312

Cash at beginning of period

612

415

Cash at end of period

$

500

$

727

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.  General

Basis of presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Allstate Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, primarily Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”), a property-liability insurance company with various property-liability and life and investment subsidiaries, including Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Allstate”).

The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of September 30, 2010, and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited.  The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods.  These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Adopted accounting standards

Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance which expands disclosure requirements relating to fair value measurements.  The guidance adds requirements for disclosing amounts of and reasons for significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and requires gross rather than net disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements.  The guidance also provides clarification that fair value measurement disclosures are required for each class of assets and liabilities.  Disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3 are also required.  The Company adopted the provisions of the new guidance as of March 31, 2010, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010.  Disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes.  The new guidance affects disclosures only; and therefore, the adoption had no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires an entity to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether it holds a controlling financial interest (i.e., is a primary beneficiary) in a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  The analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the entity that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses, or the right to receive benefits, that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The Company adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2010.  The adoption resulted in the consolidation of four VIEs for which the Company concluded it is the primary beneficiary as of January 1, 2010.

Two of the consolidated VIEs hold investments managed by Allstate Investment Management Company (“AIMCO”), a subsidiary of the Company.  Consolidation as of January 1, 2010 resulted in an increase in total assets of $696 million, an increase in total liabilities of $679 million, an increase in retained income of $7 million and an increase in noncontrolling interest of $10 million.  During the first quarter of 2010, the Company sold substantially all its variable interests in these two VIEs.  As a result, the Company deconsolidated the VIEs as of March 26, 2010.  The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects the effect of the consolidation for the portion of the period the Company was the primary beneficiary, which was not material.

The adoption also resulted in the consolidation of two insurance company affiliates, Allstate Texas Lloyds and Allstate County Mutual Insurance Company, that underwrite homeowners and auto insurance polices, respectively, and reinsure all of their net business to AIC.  Consolidation as of January 1, 2010 resulted in an increase in total assets of $38 million, an increase in total liabilities of $34 million, an increase in retained income of $3 million and an increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses of $1 million.

4



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

In the normal course of investing activities, the Company invests in variable interests issued by VIEs.  These variable interests include structured investments such as residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities as well as limited partnerships, special purpose entities and trusts.  For these variable interests, the Company concluded it is not the primary beneficiary due to the amount of the Company’s interest in the VIEs and the Company’s lack of power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the VIEs.  The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these interests is limited to the amount of the Company’s investment, including future funding commitments, as applicable.

Embedded Credit Derivatives Scope Exception

In March 2010, the FASB issued accounting guidance clarifying the scope exception for embedded credit derivative features, including those in certain collateralized debt obligations and synthetic collateralized debt obligations.  Embedded credit derivative features related to the transfer of credit risk that is only in the form of subordination of one financial instrument to another continue to qualify for the scope exception.  Other embedded credit derivative features must be analyzed for potential bifurcation and separate accounting as a derivative, with periodic changes in fair value recorded in net income.  The adoption of the new guidance as of July 1, 2010 resulted in the bifurcation of the credit default swaps embedded in synthetic collateralized debt obligations purchased after January 1, 2007, and the related net unrealized capital losses were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained income.  The cumulative effect of adoption, net of related deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), deferred sales inducement costs (“DSI”) and tax adjustments, was a $19 million increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses, a $9 million decrease in total assets and a $28 million decrease in retained income.

Pending accounting standards

Consolidation Analysis Considering Investments Held through Separate Accounts

In April 2010, the FASB issued guidance clarifying that an insurer is not required to combine interests in investments held in a qualifying separate account with its interests in the same investments held in the general account when performing a consolidation evaluation.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses

In July 2010, the FASB issued guidance requiring expanded disclosures relating to the credit quality of financing receivables and the related allowances for credit losses.  The new guidance requires a greater level of disaggregated information, as well as additional disclosures about credit quality indicators, past due information and modifications of its financing receivables.  The new guidance is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2010.  The new guidance affects disclosures only; and therefore, the adoption will have no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts

In October 2010, the FASB issued guidance modifying the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts.  The guidance specifies that incremental direct costs of contract acquisition attributable to successful efforts should be included as deferred acquisition costs.  The guidance also specifies that deferred acquisition costs include advertising costs only when the direct-response advertising accounting criteria are met.  The new guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied prospectively, with retrospective application permitted.  If application of the guidance would result in the capitalization of acquisition costs that had not previously been capitalized prior to adoption, the entity may elect not to capitalize those additional costs.  The Company is in process of evaluating the impact of adoption on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

2.  Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including unvested participating restricted stock units.  Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted

5



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding.  For the Company, dilutive potential common shares consist of outstanding stock options and unvested non-participating restricted stock units.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented in the following table.

($ in millions, except per share data)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Numerator:

Net income

$

367

$

221

$

632

$

336

Denominator:

Weighted average common shares outstanding

540.9

539.9

540.6

539.5

Effect of dilutive potential common shares:

Stock options

1.9

1.6

2.0

1.0

Restricted stock units (non-participating)

0.2

--

0.1

--

Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding

543.0

541.5

542.7

540.5

Earnings per share - Basic

$

0.68

$

0.41

$

1.17

$

0.62

Earnings per share - Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.41

$

1.16

$

0.62

The effect of dilutive potential common shares does not include the effect of options with an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share because their exercise prices exceed the average market price of Allstate common shares during the period or for which the unrecognized compensation cost would have an anti-dilutive effect.  Options to purchase 27.6 million and 25.0 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $27.36 to $62.84 and $23.13 to $64.53, were outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods then ended.  Options to purchase 26.6 million and 26.2 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $27.36 to $64.53 and $23.13 to $65.38, were outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine-month periods then ended.

3.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Non-cash investment exchanges, including modifications of certain mortgage loans, fixed income securities, limited partnerships and other investments, as well as mergers completed with equity securities, totaled $544 million and $342 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

6



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Liabilities for collateral received in conjunction with the Company’s securities lending and over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives are reported in other liabilities and accrued expenses or other investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The accompanying cash flows are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows along with the activities resulting from management of the proceeds, which are as follows:

($ in millions)

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

Net change in proceeds managed

Net change in short-term investments

$

187

$

(190)

Operating cash flow provided (used)

187

(190)

Net change in cash

2

--

Net change in proceeds managed

$

189

$

(190)

Net change in liabilities

Liabilities for collateral, beginning of year

$

(658)

$

(340)

Liabilities for collateral, end of period

(469)

(530)

Operating cash flow (used) provided

$

(189)

$

190

4.  Investments

Fair values

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed income securities are as follows:

($ in millions)

Amortized

Gross unrealized

Fair

cost

Gains

Losses

value

At September 30, 2010

U.S. government and agencies

$

10,721

$

533

$

(1)

$

11,253

Municipal

16,366

803

(401)

16,768

Corporate

34,870

2,618

(284)

37,204

Foreign government

2,946

482

--

3,428

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

9,192

245

(938)

8,499

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

2,375

59

(441)

1,993

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

4,280

105

(375)

4,010

Redeemable preferred stock

36

2

--

38

Total fixed income securities

$

80,786

$

4,847

$

(2,440)

$

83,193

At December 31, 2009

U.S. government and agencies

$

7,333

$

219

$

(16)

$

7,536

Municipal

21,683

537

(940)

21,280

Corporate

32,770

1,192

(847)

33,115

Foreign government

2,906

306

(15)

3,197

RMBS

9,487

130

(1,630)

7,987

CMBS

3,511

30

(955)

2,586

ABS

3,514

62

(550)

3,026

Redeemable preferred stock

39

1

(1)

39

Total fixed income securities

$

81,243

$

2,477

$

(4,954)

$

78,766

7



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Scheduled maturities

The scheduled maturities for fixed income securities are as follows at September 30, 2010:

($ in millions)

Amortized

Fair

cost

value

Due in one year or less

$

3,338

$

3,389

Due after one year through five years

25,627

26,746

Due after five years through ten years

15,835

17,386

Due after ten years

22,514

23,163

67,314

70,684

RMBS and ABS

13,472

12,509

Total

$

80,786

$

83,193

Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of prepayments by the issuers.  Because of the potential for prepayment on RMBS and ABS, they are not categorized by contractual maturity.  CMBS are categorized by contractual maturity because they generally are not subject to prepayment risk.

Net investment income

Net investment income is as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Fixed income securities

$

926

$

987

$

2,840

$

3,022

Equity securities

17

15

63

50

Mortgage loans

92

121

295

389

Limited partnership interests

6

4

19

11

Short-term investments

2

4

6

23

Other

5

(4)

12

(7)

Investment income, before expense

1,048

1,127

3,235

3,488

Investment expense

(43)

(43)

(131)

(120)

Net investment income

$

1,005

$

1,084

$

3,104

$

3,368

Realized capital gains and losses

Realized capital gains and losses by security type are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Fixed income securities

$

84

$

(33)

$

(240)

$

89

Equity securities

83

(21)

142

(157)

Mortgage loans

(1)

(66)

(54)

(114)

Limited partnership interests

(20)

(20)

(15)

(443)

Derivatives

(286)

(364)

(779)

151

Other

(4)

(15)

3

(76)

Realized capital gains and losses

$

(144)

$

(519)

$

(943)

$

(550)

8



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Impairment write-downs

$

(137)

$

(381)

$

(599)

$

(1,292)

Change in intent write-downs

(30)

(11)

(129)

(142)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

(167)

(392)

(728)

(1,434)

Sales

319

201

552

882

Valuation of derivative instruments

(133)

(269)

(571)

201

Settlements of derivative instruments

(152)

(92)

(209)

(52)

EMA limited partnership income

(11)

33

13

(147)

Realized capital gains and losses

$

(144)

$

(519)

$

(943)

$

(550)

Gross gains of $387 million and $341 million and gross losses of $173 million and $144 million were realized on sales of fixed income securities during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Gross gains of $673 million and $1.12 billion and gross losses of $360 million and $303 million were realized on sales of fixed income securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

9



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses by asset type are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30, 2010

Nine months ended
September 30, 2010

Gross

Included
in OCI

Net

Gross

Included
in OCI

Net

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

(1

)

$

--

$

(1

)

$

(106

)

$

4

$

(102

)

Corporate

(14

)

(1

)

(15

)

(67

)

1

(66

)

RMBS

(56

)

(41

)

(97

)

(268

)

(43

)

(311

)

CMBS

(1

)

(26

)

(27

)

(44

)

(37

)

(81

)

ABS

--

--

--

(9

)

(16

)

(25

)

Total fixed income securities

(72

)

(68

)

(140

)

(494

)

(91

)

(585

)

Equity securities

(14

)

--

(14

)

(51

)

--

(51

)

Mortgage loans

(3

)

--

(3

)

(50

)

--

(50

)

Limited partnership interests

(10

)

--

(10

)

(42

)

--

(42

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

$

(99

)

$

(68

)

$

(167

)

$

(637

)

$

(91

)

$

(728

)

Three months ended
September 30, 2009

Nine months ended
September 30, 2009

Gross

Included
in OCI

Net

Gross

Included
in OCI

Net

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

(6

)

$

2

$

(4

)

$

(92

)

$

6

$

(86

)

Corporate

(112

)

(1

)

(113

)

(204

)

(10

)

(214

)

Foreign government

--

--

--

(17

)

--

(17

)

RMBS

(174

)

115

(59

)

(433

)

266

(167

)

CMBS

(90

)

62

(28

)

(142

)

61

(81

)

ABS

(10

)

(31

)

(41

)

(185

)

(22

)

(207

)

Total fixed income securities

(392

)

147

(245

)

(1,073

)

301

(772

)

Equity securities

(61

)

--

(61

)

(247

)

--

(247

)

Mortgage loans

(31

)

--

(31

)

(80

)

--

(80

)

Limited partnership interests

(53

)

--

(53

)

(296

)

--

(296

)

Other

(2

)

--

(2

)

(39

)

--

(39

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

$

(539

)

$

147

$

(392

)

$

(1,735

)

$

301

$

(1,434

)

The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, which were not included in earnings, are presented in the following table.  The amount excludes $330 million and $192 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.

($ in millions)

September 30,
2010

December 31,
2009

Municipal

$

(8)

$

(10)

Corporate

(48)

(51)

RMBS

(484)

(594)

CMBS

(58)

(127)

ABS

(40)

(89)

Total

$

(638)

$

(871)

10



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Rollforwards of the cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities held as of the end of the period are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Beginning balance

$

(1,309)

$

(1,506)

$

(1,187)

$

--

Beginning balance of cumulative credit loss for securities held at April 1, 2009

--

--

--

(1,357)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

81

--

81

--

Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired

(101)

(88)

(265)

(122)

Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired

(9)

(157)

(197)

(315)

Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected

104

396

330

439

Reduction in credit loss for securities other-than-temporarily impaired to fair value

42

--

43

--

Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows and time value of cash flows for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired

1

--

4

--

Ending balance

$

(1,191)

$

(1,355)

$

(1,191)

$

(1,355)

The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security, discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists.  The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security.  All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable assumptions and forecasts, are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected.  That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, foreign exchange rates, the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer, expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral, vintage, geographic concentration, available reserves or escrows, current subordination levels, third party guarantees and other credit enhancements.  Other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond insurer for insured fixed income securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered.  The estimated fair value of collateral will be used to estimate recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement.  If the estimated recovery value is less than the amortized cost of the security, a credit loss exists and an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the estimated recovery value and amortized cost is recorded in earnings.  The portion of the unrealized loss related to factors other than credit remains classified in accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the Company determines that the fixed income security does not have sufficient cash flow or other information to estimate a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and the loss is recorded in earnings.

11



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

($ in millions)

Fair

Gross unrealized

Unrealized net

At September 30, 2010

value

Gains

Losses

gains (losses)

Fixed income securities (1)

$

83,193

$

4,847

$

(2,440)

$       2,407

Equity securities

3,707

363

(103)

260

Short-term investments

2,776

--

--

--

Derivative instruments (2)

(12)

2

(19)

(17)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

2,650

Amounts recognized for:

Insurance reserves (3)

(608)

DAC and DSI (4)

(49)

Amounts recognized

(657)

Deferred income taxes

(701)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

$       1,292


(1) Unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities as of September 30, 2010 comprises $(308) million related to unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with OTTI and $2,715 million related to other unrealized net capital gains and losses.

(2) Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are $2 million classified as assets and $14 million classified as liabilities.

(3) The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency.  Although the Company evaluates premium deficiencies on the combined performance of life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.

(4) The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.

Fair

Gross unrealized

Unrealized net

At December 31, 2009

value

Gains

Losses

gains (losses)

Fixed income securities (1)

$

78,766

$

2,477

$

(4,954)

$      (2,477)

Equity securities

5,024

381

(202)

179

Short-term investments

3,056

--

--

--

Derivative instruments (2)

(20)

2

(25)

(23)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

(2,321)

Amounts recognized for:

Insurance reserves

--

DAC and DSI

990

Amounts recognized

990

Deferred income taxes

461

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

$         (870)


(1) Unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities as of December 31, 2009 comprises $(679) million related to unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with OTTI and $(1,798) million related to other unrealized net capital gains and losses.

(2) Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are $(2) million classified as assets and $18 million classified as liabilities.

12



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses

The change in unrealized net capital gains and losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:

($ in millions)

Fixed income securities

$

4,884

Equity securities

81

Derivative instruments

6

Total

4,971

Amounts recognized for:

Insurance reserves

(608)

DAC and DSI

(1,039)

Decrease in amounts recognized

(1,647)

Deferred income taxes

(1,162)

Increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses

$

2,162

Portfolio monitoring

The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired .

For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes.  If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.

If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  The Company calculates the estimated recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security.  If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in other comprehensive income.

For equity securities, the Company considers various factors, including whether it has the intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis.  Where the Company lacks the intent and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the equity security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.  For equity securities managed by a third party, the Company has contractually retained its decision making authority as it pertains to selling equity securities that are in an unrealized loss position.

The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost (for fixed income securities) or cost (for equity securities) is below established thresholds.  The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the security.  Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed income and equity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer.  Some of the factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost.

13



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed income and equity securities by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

($ in millions)

Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Total

Number

Fair

Unrealized

Number

Fair

Unrealized

unrealized

of issues

value

losses

of issues

value

losses

losses

At September 30, 2010

Fixed income securities

U.S. government and agencies

6

$

633

$

(1)

--

$

--

$

--

$

(1)

Municipal

84

338

(4)

431

3,003

(397)

(401)

Corporate

82

1,026

(42)

189

2,512

(242)

(284)

Foreign government

1

2

--

2

11

--

--

RMBS

266

358

(5)

370

2,050

(933)

(938)

CMBS

4

31

(1)

144

1,015

(440)

(441)

ABS

50

534

(17)

137

1,249

(358)

(375)

Redeemable preferred stock

--

--

--

1

--

--

--

Total fixed income securities (1)

493

2,922

(70)

1,274

9,840

(2,370)

(2,440)

Equity securities

1,427

992

(92)

11

71

(11)

(103)

Total fixed income and equity securities

1,920

$

3,914

$

(162)

1,285

$

9,911

$

(2,381)

$

(2,543)

Investment grade fixed income securities

439

$

2,621

$

(58)

868

$

7,111

$

(1,153)

$

(1,211)

Below investment grade fixed income securities

54

301

(12)

406

2,729

(1,217)

(1,229)

Total fixed income securities

493

$

2,922

$

(70)

1,274

$

9,840

$

(2,370)

$

(2,440)

At December 31, 2009

Fixed income securities

U.S. government and agencies

38

$

3,523

$

(16)

--

$

--

$

--

$

(16)

Municipal

761

3,646

(123)

747

5,024

(817)

(940)

Corporate

399

5,072

(178)

421

5,140

(669)

(847)

Foreign government

50

505

(15)

1

1

--

(15)

RMBS

387

1,092

(23)

453

2,611

(1,607)

(1,630)

CMBS

25

232

(4)

259

1,790

(951)

(955)

ABS

39

352

(20)

173

1,519

(530)

(550)

Redeemable preferred stock

1

--

--

1

21

(1)

(1)

Total fixed income securities (1)

1,700

14,422

(379)

2,055

16,106

(4,575)

(4,954)

Equity securities

1,665

1,349

(113)

28

450

(89)

(202)

Total fixed income and equity securities

3,365

$

15,771

$

(492)

2,083

$

16,556

$

(4,664)

$

(5,156)

Investment grade fixed income securities

1,587

$

13,891

$

(293)

1,561

$

13,127

$

(2,848)

$

(3,141)

Below investment grade fixed income securities

113

531

(86)

494

2,979

(1,727)

(1,813)

Total fixed income securities

1,700

$

14,422

$

(379)

2,055

$

16,106

$

(4,575)

$

(4,954)


(1) Gross unrealized losses resulting from factors other than credit on fixed income securities with other-than-temporary impairments for which the Company has recorded a credit loss in earnings total $4 million for the less than 12 month category and $428 million for the 12 months or greater category as of September 30, 2010 and $20 million for the less than 12 month category and $729 million for the 12 months or greater category as of December 31, 2009.

As of September 30, 2010, $728 million of unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of amortized cost or cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired.  Of the $728 million, $494 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities.  Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.  Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to widening credit spreads or, in some instances, rising interest rates since the time of initial purchase.

As of September 30, 2010, the remaining $1.81 billion of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost.  Investment grade securities comprising $717 million of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as expected cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate

14



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

resources to fulfill contractual obligations.  Of the $1.81 billion, $1.06 billion are related to below investment grade fixed income securities and $32 million are related to equity securities.  Of these amounts, $1.03 billion of the below investment grade fixed income securities had been in an unrealized loss position for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of September 30, 2010.  Unrealized losses on below investment grade securities are principally related to RMBS, CMBS and ABS and were the result of wider credit spreads resulting from larger risk premiums since the time of initial purchase, largely due to macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration, including the impact of declining residential and commercial real estate valuations.

RMBS, CMBS and ABS securities in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on actual and projected collateral losses relative to the securities’ positions in the respective securitization trusts, security specific expectations of cash flows, and credit ratings.  This evaluation also takes into consideration credit enhancement, measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security the Company owns, (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to the class of securities the Company owns, such as overcollateralization and excess spread, and (iii) for RMBS and ABS in an unrealized loss position, credit enhancements from reliable bond insurers, where applicable.  Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the quality of the underlying securities, taking into consideration credit enhancements from reliable bond insurers, where applicable.  Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to equity market fluctuations.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company has not made the decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company had the intent and ability to hold equity securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient for them to recover.

Limited partnership impairment

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying value of equity method limited partnership interests totaled $2.19 billion and $1.64 billion, respectively.  The Company recognizes an impairment loss for equity method investments when evidence demonstrates that it is other-than-temporarily impaired.  Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain a level of earnings that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.  The Company had no write-downs related to equity method limited partnership interests for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  The Company had write-downs related to equity method limited partnership interests of $1 million and $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying value for cost method limited partnership interests was $1.26 billion and $1.10 billion, respectively.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the Company evaluates whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.  Additionally, the Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all cost method limited partnerships to identify instances where the net asset value is below established thresholds for certain periods of time, as well as investments that are performing below expectations, for further impairment consideration.  If a cost method limited partnership is other-than-temporarily impaired, the carrying value is written down to fair value, generally estimated to be equivalent to the reported net asset value of the underlying funds.  The Company had write-downs related to cost method investments of $10 million and $53 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $41 million and $286 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

5.  Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The hierarchy for inputs used in

15



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

determining fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available.  Assets and liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1: Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.

Level 2: Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:

(a)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

(b)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or

(c)  Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.  Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the assets and liabilities.

The availability of observable inputs varies by instrument.  In situations where fair value is based on internally developed pricing models or inputs that are unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is typically greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.  In many instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market disruption.  In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments.

The Company has two types of situations where investments are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  The first is where quotes continue to be received from independent third-party valuation service providers and all significant inputs are market observable; however, there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset when compared to normal market activity such that the degree of market observability has declined to a point where categorization as a Level 3 measurement is considered appropriate.  The indicators considered in determining whether a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for a specific asset has occurred include the level of new issuances in the primary market, trading volume in the secondary market, the level of credit spreads over historical levels, applicable bid-ask spreads, and price consensus among market participants and other pricing sources.

The second situation where the Company classifies securities in Level 3 is where specific inputs significant to the fair value estimation models are not market observable.  This occurs in two primary instances.  The first relates to the Company’s use of broker quotes.  The second relates to auction rate securities (“ARS”) backed by student loans for which a key input, the anticipated date liquidity will return to this market, is not market observable.

Certain assets are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including investments such as mortgage loans, limited partnership interests, bank loans and policy loans.  Accordingly, such investments are only included in the fair value hierarchy disclosure when the investment is subject to remeasurement at fair value after initial recognition and the resulting remeasurement is reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  In addition, derivatives embedded in fixed income securities are not disclosed in the hierarchy as free-standing derivatives since they are presented with the host contracts in fixed income securities.  As of September 30, 2010, 74.4% of total assets are measured at fair value and 0.7% of total liabilities are measured at fair value.

In determining fair value, the Company principally uses the market approach which generally utilizes market transaction data for the same or similar instruments.  To a lesser extent, the Company uses the income approach which involves determining fair values from discounted cash flow methodologies.  For the majority of Level 2 and Level 3 valuations, a combination of the market and income approaches is used.

16



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Level 1 measurements

· Fixed income securities: Comprise U.S. Treasuries.  Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

· Equity securities: Comprise actively traded, exchange-listed U.S. and international equity securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

· Short-term: Comprise actively traded money market funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.

· Separate account assets: Comprise actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.  Net asset values for the actively traded mutual funds in which the separate account assets are invested are obtained daily from the fund managers.

Level 2 measurements

· Fixed income securities:

U.S. government and agencies: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

Municipal: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

Corporate, including privately placed: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  Also included are privately placed securities valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses market observable inputs and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.  The primary inputs to the discounted cash flow model include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets in markets that are not active that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

Foreign government: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

RMBS - U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”), Prime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Prime”) and Alt-A residential mortgage-backed securities (“Alt-A”); ABS - auto and student loans and other: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.

Redeemable preferred stock: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, underlying stock prices and credit spreads.

CMBS: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.

· Equity securities :  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.

· Short-term: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  For certain short-term investments, amortized cost is used as the best estimate of fair value.

· Other investments: Free-standing exchange listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued based on quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active.

17



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

OTC derivatives, including interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, and certain credit default swaps, are valued using models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves, currency rates, and counterparty credit spreads that are observable for substantially the full term of the contract.  The valuation techniques underlying the models are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not involve significant judgment.

· Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in certain annuity contracts are valued based on internal models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves and equity index volatility assumptions that are market observable for substantially the full term of the contract.  The valuation techniques are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not include significant judgment.

Level 3 measurements

· Fixed income securities:

Municipal: ARS primarily backed by student loans that have become illiquid due to failures in the auction market are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, including estimates of future coupon rates if auction failures continue, maturity assumptions and illiquidity premium.  Also included are municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies but are rated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), and other high-yield municipal bonds.  The primary inputs to the valuation of these municipal bonds include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

Corporate, including privately placed: Primarily valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Also included are equity-indexed notes which are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, such as volatility.  Other inputs include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

RMBS - Subprime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Subprime”) and Alt-A: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Also included are Subprime and Alt-A securities that are valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, Subprime and certain Alt-A securities are categorized as Level 3.

Foreign government: Valued based on non-binding broker quotes.

CMBS: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Also included are CMBS that are valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, certain CMBS are categorized as Level 3.

ABS - Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”): Valued based on non-binding broker quotes received from brokers who are familiar with the investments.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, all CDO are categorized as Level 3.

ABS - student loans and other: The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Also included are ABS that are valued based on non-binding broker quotes.  Due to the reduced availability of actual market prices or relevant observable inputs as a result of the decrease in

18



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

liquidity that has been experienced in the market for these securities, certain ABS are categorized as Level 3.

· Other investments: Certain OTC derivatives, such as interest rate caps and floors, certain credit default swaps and OTC options (including swaptions), are valued using models that are widely accepted in the financial services industry.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs such as volatility.  Other primary inputs include interest rate yield curves and credit spreads.

· Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in certain annuity contracts are valued internally using models widely accepted in the financial services industry that determine a single best estimate of fair value for the embedded derivatives within a block of contractholder liabilities.  The models use stochastically determined cash flows based on the contractual elements of embedded derivatives and other applicable market data.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

Mortgage loans written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing impairments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying collateral.  Limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments are valued using net asset values.

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2010:

($ in millions)

Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets

Significant
other
observable
inputs

Significant
unobservable
inputs

Counterparty
and cash
collateral

Balance
as of
September 30,

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

netting

2010

Assets

Fixed income securities:

U.S. government and agencies

$

6,912

$

4,341

$

--

$

11,253

Municipal

--

14,624

2,144

16,768

Corporate

--

35,027

2,177

37,204

Foreign government

--

3,428

--

3,428

RMBS

--

6,615

1,884

8,499

CMBS

--

1,127

866

1,993

ABS

--

1,658

2,352

4,010

Redeemable preferred stock

--

37

1

38

Total fixed income securities

6,912

66,857

9,424

83,193

Equity securities

3,463

179

65

3,707

Short-term investments

253

2,523

--

2,776

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives

--

568

11

$

(263

)

316

Separate account assets

8,459

--

--

--

8,459

Other assets

--

--

2

--

2

Total recurring basis assets

19,087

70,127

9,502

(263

)

98,453

Non-recurring basis (1)

--

--

95

--

95

Total assets at fair value

$

19,087

$

70,127

$

9,597

$

(263

)

$

98,548

% of total assets at fair value

19.4

%

71.2

%

9.7

%

(0.3

) %

100.0

%

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

--

$

(145

)

$

(142

)

--

$

(287

)

Other liabilities:

Free-standing derivatives

(2

)

(652

)

(106

)

$

259

(501

)

Total liabilities at fair value

$

(2

)

$

(797

)

$

(248

)

$

259

$

(788

)

% of total liabilities at fair value

0.3

%

101.1

%

31.5

%

(32.9

) %

100.0

%


(1) Includes $55 million of mortgage loans, $34 million of limited partnership interests and $6 million of other investments written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

19



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2009:

($ in millions)

Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets

Significant
other
observable
inputs

Significant
unobservable
inputs

Counterparty
and cash
collateral

Balance
as of
December 31,

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

netting

2009

Assets

Fixed income securities:

U.S. government and agencies

$

4,415

$

3,121

$

--

$

7,536

Municipal

--

18,574

2,706

21,280

Corporate

--

30,874

2,241

33,115

Foreign government

--

3,177

20

3,197

RMBS

--

6,316

1,671

7,987

CMBS

--

1,182

1,404

2,586

ABS

--

1,025

2,001

3,026

Redeemable preferred stock

--

37

2

39

Total fixed income securities

4,415

64,306

10,045

78,766

Equity securities

4,821

134

69

5,024

Short-term investments

278

2,778

--

3,056

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives

--

882

146

$

(482

)

546

Separate account assets

9,072

--

--

9,072

Other assets

--

--

2

2

Total recurring basis assets

18,586

68,100

10,262

(482

)

96,466

Non-recurring basis (1)

--

--

235

235

Total assets at fair value

$

18,586

$

68,100

$

10,497

$

(482

)

$

96,701

% of total assets at fair value

19.2 %

70.4 %

10.9 %

(0.5) %

100.0 %

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

--

$

(217

)

$

(110

)

$

(327

)

Other liabilities:

Free-standing derivatives

(2

)

(596

)

(91

)

$

276

(413

)

Total liabilities at fair value

$

(2

)

$

(813

)

$

(201

)

$

276

$

(740

)

% of total liabilities at fair value

0.3 %

109.9 %

27.1 %

(37.3) %

100.0 %


(1) Includes $211 million of mortgage loans and $24 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

20



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Total realized and
unrealized gains (losses)
included in:

Balance as of
June 30, 2010

Net
income
(1)

OCI on
Statement of
Financial
Position

Purchases, sales,
issuances and
settlements, net

Transfers
into
Level 3

Transfers
out of
Level 3

Balance as
of September
30, 2010

Assets

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

2,197

$

13

$

18

$

(87

)

$

5

$

(2

)

$

2,144

Corporate

2,225

8

77

(96

)

192

(229

)

2,177

RMBS

2,010

(102

)

206

(230

)

--

--

1,884

CMBS

880

(66

)

134

(120

)

38

--

866

ABS

2,430

18

73

64

--

(233

)

2,352

Redeemable preferred stock

1

--

--

--

--

--

1

Total fixed income securities

9,743

(129

)

508

(469

)

235

(464

)

9,424

Equity securities

66

14

--

(15

)

--

--

65

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives, net

(99

)

(10

)

--

14

--

--

(95

) (2)

Other assets

2

--

--

--

--

--

2

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

9,712

$

(125

)

$

508

$

(470

)

$

235

$

(464

)

$

9,396

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(119

)

$

(23

)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(142

)

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(119

)

$

(23

)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(142

)


(1) The effect to net income totals $(148) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(136) million in realized capital gains and losses, $11 million in net investment income and $23 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2) Comprises $11 million of assets and $106 million of liabilities.

21



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Total realized and
unrealized gains (losses)
included in:

Balance as of
December 31,
2009

Net
income
(1)

OCI on
Statement of
Financial
Position

Purchases, sales,
issuances and
settlements, net

Transfers
into
Level 3

Transfers
out of
Level 3

Balance as
of September
30, 2010

Assets

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

2,706

$

(34

)

$

76

$

(539

)

$

21

$

(86

)

$

2,144

Corporate

2,241

(29

)

178

(62

)

355

(506

)

2,177

Foreign government

20

--

--

(20

)

--

--

--

RMBS

1,671

(271

)

549

(51

)

--

(14

)

1,884

CMBS

1,404

(173

)

434

(448

)

62

(413

)

866

ABS

2,001

36

172

536

--

(393

)

2,352

Redeemable preferred stock

2

--

--

(1

)

--

--

1

Total fixed income securities

10,045

(471

)

1,409

(585

)

438

(1,412

)

9,424

Equity securities

69

8

4

(12

)

--

(4

)

65

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives, net

55

(242

)

--

92

--

--

(95

) (2)

Other assets

2

--

--

--

--

--

2

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

10,171

$

(705

)

$

1,413

$

(505

)

$

438

$

(1,416

)

$

9,396

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(110

)

$

(35

)

$

--

$

3

$

--

$

--

$

(142

)

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(110

)

$

(35

)

$

--

$

3

$

--

$

--

$

(142

)


(1) The effect to net income totals $(740) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(767) million in realized capital gains and losses, $65 million in net investment income, $3 million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $35 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2) Comprises $11 million of assets and $106 million of liabilities.

Transfers between level categorizations may occur due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs, which generally are caused by changes in market conditions such as liquidity, trading volume or bid-ask spreads.  Transfers between level categorizations may also occur due to changes in the valuation source.  For example, in situations where a fair value quote is not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price is stale or has been replaced with a broker quote, the security is transferred into Level 3.  Transfers in and out of level categorizations are reported as having occurred at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurred.  Therefore, for all transfers into Level 3, all realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses in the quarter of transfer are reflected in the Level 3 rollforward table.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, certain CMBS and ABS were transferred into Level 2 from Level 3 as a result of increased liquidity in the market and the availability of market observable quoted prices for similar assets.  When transferring these securities into Level 2, the Company did not change the source of fair value estimates or modify the estimates received from independent third-party valuation service providers or the internal valuation approach.  Accordingly, for securities included within this group, there was no change in fair value in conjunction with the transfer resulting in a realized or unrealized gain or loss.

Transfers into Level 3 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, including those related to Corporate fixed income securities, included situations where a fair value quote was not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price was stale or had been replaced with a

22



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

broker quote resulting in the security being classified as Level 3.  Transfers out of Level 3 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, including those related to Corporate fixed income securities, included situations where a broker quote was used in the prior period and a fair value quote became available from the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider in the current period.  A quote utilizing the new pricing source was not available as of the prior period, and any gains or losses related to the change in valuation source for individual securities were not significant.

The following table provides the total gains and (losses) included in net income during the period for Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Three

Nine

months ended

months ended

Assets

September 30, 2010

September 30, 2010

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

1

$

(24

)

Corporate

(1

)

(42

)

RMBS

(83

)

(214

)

CMBS

(22

)

(42

)

ABS

28

53

Total fixed income securities

(77

)

(269

)

Equity securities

(1

)

(8

)

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives, net

28

(113

)

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

(50

)

$

(390

)

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(23

)

$

(35

)

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(23

)

$

(35

)

The amounts in the table above represent gains and losses included in net income during the period presented for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3.  These gains and losses total $(73) million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(57) million in realized capital gains and losses, $6 million in net investment income, $(1) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $23 million in life and annuity contract benefits.  These gains and losses total $(425) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(426) million in realized capital gains and losses, $41 million in net investment income, $5 million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $35 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

23



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

($ in millions)

Total realized and unrealized
gains (losses) included in:

Total
gains (losses)
included in

Balance as of
June 30, 2009

Net income (1)

OCI on
Statement
of Financial
Position

Purchases,
sales,
issuances and
settlements,
net

Net
transfers
in and/or
(out) of
Level 3

Balance as of
September
30, 2009

net income for
financial
instruments
still held at
September 30,
2009
(3)

Assets

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

2,513

$

(1

)

$

131

$

(72

)

$

136

$

2,707

$

--

Corporate

9,837

2

559

(370

)

(50

)

9,978

(10

)

Foreign government

--

--

--

80

--

80

--

RMBS

2,377

(46

)

267

(150

)

(738

)

1,710

(51

)

CMBS

944

(57

)

420

(56

)

136

1,387

(17

)

ABS

1,728

(6

)

388

(2

)

(333

)

1,775

(38

)

Redeemable preferred stock

2

--

--

--

--

2

--

Total fixed income securities

17,401

(108

)

1,765

(570

)

(849

)

17,639

(116

)

Equity securities

70

--

(2

)

--

--

68

--

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives, net

159

(151

)

--

(16

)

--

(8

) (2)

(128)

Other assets

2

--

--

--

--

2

--

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

17,632

$

(259

)

$

1,763

$

(586

)

$

(849

)

$

17,701

$

(244

)

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(155

)

$

36

$

--

$

(1

)

$

--

$

(120

)

$

36

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(155

)

$

36

$

--

$

(1

)

$

--

$

(120

)

$

36


(1) The effect to net income totals $(223) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(273) million in realized capital gains and losses, $13 million in net investment income, $(1) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $(36) million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2) Comprises $96 million of assets and $104 million of liabilities.

(3) The amounts represent gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3.  These gains and losses total $(208) million and are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(257) million in realized capital gains and losses, $11 million in net investment income, $(2) million in interest credited to contractholder funds, and $(36) million in life and annuity contract benefits.

24



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

($ in millions)

Total realized and
unrealized gains (losses)
included in:

Total
gains (losses)
included in

Balance as of
December 31,
2008

Net
income
(1)

OCI on
Statement of
Financial
Position

Purchases,
sales,
issuances
and
settlements,
net

Net
transfers in
and/or (out)
of Level 3

Balance as
of
September
30, 2009

net income
for financial
instruments
still held at
September 30,
2009
(3)

Assets

Fixed income securities:

Municipal

$

2,463

$

(4

)

$

192

$

(107

)

$

163

$

2,707

$

(5

)

Corporate

10,195

(50

)

1,197

(1,250

)

(114

)

9,978

(53

)

Foreign government

--

--

--

80

--

80

--

RMBS

2,988

(105

)

58

(293

)

(938

)

1,710

(84

)

CMBS

457

(163

)

592

(60

)

561

1,387

(131

)

ABS

1,714

(172

)

676

7

(450

)

1,775

(171

)

Redeemable preferred stock

2

--

--

--

--

2

--

Total fixed income securities

17,819

(494

)

2,715

(1,623

)

(778

)

17,639

(444

)

Equity securities

74

--

(6

)

3

(3

)

68

--

Other investments:

Free-standing derivatives, net

(101

)

68

--

25

--

(8

) (2)

126

Other assets

1

1

--

--

--

2

1

Total recurring Level 3 assets

$

17,793

$

(425

)

$

2,709

$

(1,595

)

$

(781

)

$

17,701

$

(317

)

Liabilities

Contractholder funds:

Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts

$

(265

)

$

141

$

--

$

4

$

--

$

(120

)

$

141

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

$

(265

)

$

141

$

--

$

4

$

--

$

(120

)

$

141


(1) The effect to net income totals $(284) million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(503) million in realized capital gains and losses, $78 million in net investment income, and $(141) million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2) Comprises $96 million of assets and $104 million of liabilities.

(3) The amounts represent gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3.  These gains and losses total $(176) million and are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(385) million in realized capital gains and losses, $65 million in net investment income, $(3) million in interest credited to contractholder funds, and $(141) million in life and annuity contract benefits.

Presented below are the carrying values and fair value estimates of financial instruments not carried at fair value on a recurring basis.

Financial assets

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

December 31, 2009

Carrying
value

Fair

value

Carrying
value

Fair
value

Mortgage loans

$

6,961

$

6,372

$

7,935

$

6,336

Limited partnership interests - cost basis

1,261

1,334

1,103

1,098

Bank loans

341

325

420

391

The fair value of mortgage loans is based on discounted contractual cash flows or, if the loans are impaired due to credit reasons, the fair value of collateral less costs to sell.  Risk adjusted discount rates are selected using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar characteristics, using similar types of properties as collateral.  The fair value of limited partnership interests accounted for on the cost basis is determined using reported net asset values of the underlying funds.  The fair value of bank loans, which are reported in other investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, are valued based on broker quotes from brokers familiar with the loans and current market conditions.

25



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Financial liabilities

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

December 31, 2009

Carrying
value

Fair
value

Carrying
value

Fair
value

Contractholder funds on investment contracts

$

36,927

$

36,859

$

40,943

$

39,328

Long-term debt

5,909

6,417

5,910

6,016

Liability for collateral

469

469

658

658

The fair value of contractholder funds on investment contracts is based on the terms of the underlying contracts utilizing prevailing market rates for similar contracts adjusted for the Company’s own credit risk.  Deferred annuities included in contractholder funds are valued using discounted cash flow models which incorporate market value margins, which are based on the cost of holding economic capital, and the Company’s own credit risk.  Immediate annuities without life contingencies and fixed rate funding agreements are valued at the present value of future benefits using market implied interest rates which include the Company’s own credit risk.

The fair value of long-term debt is based on market observable data (such as the fair value of the debt when traded as an asset) or, in certain cases, is determined using discounted cash flow calculations based on current interest rates for instruments with comparable terms and considers the Company’s own credit risk.  The liability for collateral is valued at carrying value due to its short-term nature.

6.  Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company primarily uses derivatives for risk management, to partially mitigate potential adverse impacts from changes in risk-free interest rates, negative equity market valuations and increases in credit spreads, and asset replication.  In addition, the Company has derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts that are required to be separated from the host contracts and accounted for at fair value.  With the exception of non-hedge derivatives used for asset replication and non-hedge embedded derivatives, all of the Company’s derivatives are evaluated for their ongoing effectiveness as either accounting hedge or non-hedge derivative financial instruments on at least a quarterly basis.  The Company does not use derivatives for trading purposes.  Non-hedge accounting is generally used for “portfolio” level hedging strategies where the terms of the individual hedged items do not meet the strict homogeneity requirements to permit the application of hedge accounting.

Property-Liability uses interest rate swaption contracts and exchange traded options on interest rate futures to offset potential declining fixed income market values resulting from potential rising interest rates.  Property-Liability also uses interest rate swaps to mitigate municipal bond interest rate risk within the municipal bond portfolio.  Exchange traded equity put options are utilized by Property-Liability for overall equity portfolio protection from significant declines in equity market values below a targeted level.  Equity index futures are used by Property-Liability to offset valuation losses in the equity portfolio during periods of declining equity market values.  Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio.

Portfolio duration management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Property-Liability wherein, depending on the current portfolio duration relative to a designated target and the expectations of future interest rate movements, financial futures and interest rate swaps are utilized to change the duration of the portfolio in order to offset the economic effect that interest rates would otherwise have on the fair value of its fixed income securities.

Property-Liability uses futures to hedge the market risk related to deferred compensation liability contracts and forward contracts to hedge foreign currency risk associated with holding foreign currency denominated investments and foreign operations.

Allstate Financial uses foreign currency swaps primarily to reduce the foreign currency risk associated with issuing foreign currency denominated funding agreements and holding foreign currency denominated investments.  Credit default swaps are also typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Allstate Financial fixed income portfolio.

Asset-liability management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Allstate Financial to balance the respective interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities.  Depending upon the attributes of the

26



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

assets acquired and liabilities issued, derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors, swaptions and futures are utilized to change the interest rate characteristics of existing assets and liabilities to ensure the relationship is maintained within specified ranges and to reduce exposure to rising or falling interest rates.  Allstate Financial uses financial futures and interest rate swaps to hedge anticipated asset purchases and liability issuances and futures and options for hedging the equity exposure contained in its equity indexed annuity product contracts that offer equity returns to contractholders.  In addition, Allstate Financial uses interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk inherent in funding agreements.

When derivatives meet specific criteria, they may be designated as accounting hedges and accounted for as fair value, cash flow, foreign currency fair value or foreign currency cash flow hedges.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts and certain investment risk transfer reinsurance agreements as fair value hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the risk of changes in the fair value of the hedged item.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its foreign currency swap contracts as cash flow hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the exposure of variations in cash flows for the hedged risk that could affect net income.  Amounts are reclassified to net investment income or realized capital gains and losses as the hedged item affects net income.

Asset replication refers to the “synthetic” creation of assets through the use of derivatives and primarily investment grade host bonds to replicate securities that are either unavailable in the cash markets or more economical to acquire in synthetic form.  The Company replicates fixed income securities using a combination of a credit default swap and one or more highly rated fixed income securities to synthetically replicate the economic characteristics of one or more cash market securities.  The Company also creates “synthetic” exposure to equity markets through the use of exchange traded equity index future contracts and an investment grade host bond.

The Company’s primary embedded derivatives are conversion options in fixed income securities, which provide the Company with the right to convert the instrument into a predetermined number of shares of common stock; equity options in Allstate Financial annuity product contracts, which provide equity returns to contractholders; equity-indexed notes containing equity call options, which provide a coupon payout that is determined using one or more equity-based indices; and credit default swaps in synthetic collateralized debt obligations, which provide enhanced coupon rates as a result of selling credit protection.

The notional amounts specified in the contracts are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are generally not representative of the potential for gain or loss on these agreements.  However, the notional amounts specified in credit default swaps where the Company has sold credit protection represent the maximum amount of potential loss, assuming no recoveries.

Fair value, which is equal to the carrying value, is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the derivative contracts at the reporting date.  The carrying value amounts for OTC derivatives are further adjusted for the effects, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements and are presented on a net basis, by counterparty agreement, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  For certain exchange traded derivatives, the exchange requires margin deposits as well as daily cash settlements of margin accounts.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company pledged $71 million of securities and cash in the form of margin deposits.

For those derivatives which qualify for fair value hedge accounting, net income includes the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged risk, and therefore reflects any hedging ineffectiveness.  For cash flow hedges, gains and losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income and are reported in net income in the same period the forecasted transactions being hedged impact net income.  For embedded derivatives in fixed income securities, net income includes the change in fair value of the embedded derivative and accretion income related to the host instrument.  For non-hedge derivatives, net income includes changes in fair value and accrued periodic settlements, when applicable.

27



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at September 30, 2010.

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

Asset derivatives

Volume (1)

Balance sheet location

Notional
amount

Number
of
contracts

Fair
value,
net

Gross
asset

Gross
liability

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate swap agreements

Other investments

$

35

n/a

$

(2

)

$

--

$

(2

)

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other investments

41

n/a

2

3

(1

)

Total

$

76

n/a

$

--

$

3

$

(3

)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

Interest rate swap agreements

Other investments

$

574

n/a

$

58

$

60

$

(2

)

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

Other investments

61

n/a

--

--

--

Financial futures contracts and options

Other investments

n/a

2,600

--

--

--

Financial futures contracts and options

Other assets

n/a

16,040

--

--

--

Equity and index contracts

Options, futures and warrants (2)

Other investments

66

43,050

258

258

--

Options, futures and warrants

Other assets

n/a

1,456

--

--

--

Foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other investments

40

n/a

--

--

--

Foreign currency forwards and options

Other investments

77

n/a

--

1

(1

)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

Conversion options

Fixed income securities

852

n/a

204

206

(2

)

Equity-indexed call options

Fixed income securities

325

n/a

47

47

--

Credit default swaps

Fixed income securities

181

n/a

(102

)

--

(102

)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

Other investments

1,000

n/a

2

2

--

Credit default contracts

Credit default swaps - buying protection

Other investments

146

n/a

--

1

(1

)

Other contracts

Other contracts

Other investments

13

n/a

--

--

--

Other contracts

Other assets

5

n/a

2

2

--

Total

$

3,340

63,146

$

469

$

577

$

(108

)

Total derivative assets

$

3,416

63,146

$

469

$

580

$

(111

)


(1) Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)

(2) In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 1,432,065 stock warrants.  Stock warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.

28



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Liability derivatives

Volume (1)

Balance sheet location

Notional
amount

Number
of
contracts

Fair
value,
net

Gross
asset

Gross
liability

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

3,621

n/a

$

(255

)

$

26

$

(281

)

Interest rate swap agreements

Contractholder funds

--

n/a

7

7

--

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

161

n/a

(14

)

1

(15

)

Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

435

n/a

44

44

--

Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

Contractholder funds

--

n/a

20

20

--

Total

$

4,217

n/a

$

(198

)

$

98

$

(296

)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

Interest rate swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

5,769

n/a

$

(70

)

$

132

$

(202

)

Interest rate swaption agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

8,750

n/a

8

8

--

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

3,514

n/a

(32

)

1

(33

)

Financial futures contracts and options

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

n/a

7,130

--

--

--

Equity and index contracts

Options and futures

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

57

25,184

(110

)

1

(111

)

Foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

50

n/a

3

3

--

Foreign currency forwards and options

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

682

n/a

(13

)

2

(15

)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

Guaranteed accumulation benefits

Contractholder funds

1,019

n/a

(87

)

--

(87

)

Guaranteed withdrawal benefits

Contractholder funds

720

n/a

(51

)

--

(51

)

Equity-indexed options in life and annuity product contracts

Contractholder funds

4,165

n/a

(145

)

--

(145

)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

Contractholder funds

85

n/a

(4

)

--

(4

)

Credit default contracts

Credit default swaps — buying protection

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

1,661

n/a

(3

)

9

(12

)

Credit default swaps — selling protection

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

707

n/a

(82

)

2

(84

)

Total

$

27,179

32,314

$

(586

)

$

158

$

(744

)

Total derivative liabilities

$

31,396

32,314

$

(784

)

$

256

$

(1,040

)

Total derivatives

$

34,812

95,460

$

(315

)


(1) Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)

29



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31, 2009.

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

Asset derivatives

Volume (1)

Balance sheet location

Notional
amount

Number
of
contracts

Fair
value,
net

Gross
asset

Gross
liability

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate swap agreements

Other investments

$

45

n/a

$

(3

)

$

$

(3

)

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other investments

23

n/a

(2

)

(2

)

Total

$

68

n/a

$

(5

)

$

$

(5

)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

Interest rate swap agreements

Other investments

$

1,206

n/a

$

49

$

62

$

(13

)

Interest rate swaption agreements

Other investments

8,500

n/a

95

95

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

Other investments

52

n/a

2

2

Financial futures contracts and options

Other investments

n/a

30,000

12

12

Financial futures contracts and options

Other assets

n/a

404

Equity and index contracts

Options, futures and warrants (2)

Other investments

62

43,850

435

435

Options, futures and warrants

Other assets

n/a

102

Foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other investments

53

n/a

1

1

Foreign currency forwards and options

Other investments

476

n/a

5

8

(3

)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

Conversion options

Fixed income securities

936

n/a

312

316

(4

)

Equity-indexed call options

Fixed income securities

475

n/a

89

89

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

Other investments

1,000

n/a

2

2

Credit default contracts

Credit default swaps – buying protection

Other investments

329

n/a

(6

)

2

(8

)

Credit default swaps – selling protection

Other investments

93

n/a

(8

)

2

(10

)

Other contracts

Other contracts

Other investments

75

n/a

Other contracts

Other assets

6

n/a

2

2

Total

$

13,263

74,356

$

990

$

1,028

$

(38

)

Total derivative assets

$

13,331

74,356

$

985

$

1,028

$

(43

)


(1) Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)

(2) In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 101,255 stock rights and 1,352,432 stock warrants.  Stock rights and stock warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.

30



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Liability derivatives

Volume (1)

Balance sheet location

Notional
amount

Number
of
contracts

Fair
value,
net

Gross
asset

Gross
liability

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

2,443

n/a

$

(230)

$

--

$

(230)

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

179

n/a

(18)

3

(21)

Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

870

n/a

231

231

--

Foreign currency and interest rate swap agreements

Contractholder funds

--

n/a

44

44

--

Total

$

3,492

n/a

$

27

$

278

$

(251)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

Interest rate swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

$

6,187

n/a

$

28

$

68

$

(40)

Interest rate swaption agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

2,000

n/a

34

34

--

Interest rate cap and floor agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

3,896

n/a

(16)

9

(25)

Equity and index contracts

Options, futures and warrants

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

45

21,098

(214)

3

(217)

Foreign currency contracts

Foreign currency swap agreements

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

54

n/a

3

3

--

Foreign currency forwards and options

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

185

n/a

2

2

--

Embedded derivative financial instruments

Guaranteed accumulation benefits

Contractholder funds

1,113

n/a

(66)

--

(66)

Guaranteed withdrawal benefits

Contractholder funds

810

n/a

(41)

--

(41)

Equity-indexed options in life and annuity product contracts

Contractholder funds

4,321

n/a

(217)

--

(217)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

Contractholder funds

85

n/a

(3)

--

(3)

Credit default contracts

Credit default swaps – buying protection

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

839

n/a

(40)

5

(45)

Credit default swaps – selling protection

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

1,195

n/a

(65)

7

(72)

Total

$

20,730

21,098

$

(595)

$

131

$

(726)

Total derivative liabilities

$

24,222

21,098

$

(568)

$

409

$

(977)

Total derivatives

$

37,553

95,454

$

417


(1) Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)

The following table provides a summary of the impacts of the Company’s foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  Amortization of net gains from accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges is expected to be $2 million during the next twelve months.

($ in millions)

Three months
ended

September 30,

Nine months
ended
September 30,

Effective portion

2010

2009

2010

2009

(Loss) gain recognized in OCI on derivatives during the period

$

(19)

$

(12 )

$

9

$

(36)

Loss recognized in OCI on derivatives during the term of the hedging relationship

(17)

(24 )

(17)

(24)

Gain reclassified from AOCI into income (net investment income)

--

1

1

2

(Loss) gain reclassified from AOCI into income (realized capital gains and losses)

--

(2 )

2

(1)

Ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing

Gain recognized in income on derivatives (realized capital gains and losses)

--

--

--

--

31



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following tables present gains and losses from valuation, settlements and hedge ineffectiveness reported on derivatives used in fair value hedging relationships and derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

($ in millions)

Three months ended September 30, 2010

Net
investment
income

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

Operating
costs and
expenses

Total gain
(loss)
recognized
in net
income on
derivatives

Derivatives in fair value accounting hedging relationships

Interest rate contracts

$

(57)

$

2

$

--

$

9

$

--

$

(46)

Foreign currency and interest rate contracts

--

--

--

25

--

25

Subtotal

(57)

2

--

34

--

(21)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

--

(183)

--

--

--

(183)

Equity and index contracts

--

(115)

--

70

13

(32)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

--

48

(22)

(39)

--

(13)

Foreign currency contracts

--

(41)

--

--

4

(37)

Credit default contracts

--

5

--

--

--

5

Other contracts

--

(1)

--

1

--

--

Subtotal

--

(287)

(22)

32

17

(260)

Total

$

(57)

$

(285)

$

(22)

$

66

$

17

$

(281)

Nine months ended September 30, 2010

Net
investment
income

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

Operating
costs and
expenses

Total gain
(loss)
recognized
in net
income on
derivatives

Derivatives in fair value accounting hedging relationships

Interest rate contracts

$

(170)

$

4

$

--

$

21

$

--

$

(145)

Foreign currency and interest rate contracts

--

(1)

--

(15)

--

(16)

Subtotal

(170)

3

--

6

--

(161)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

--

(621)

--

--

--

(621)

Equity and index contracts

--

(72)

--

34

5

(33)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

--

(71)

(30)

71

--

(30)

Foreign currency contracts

--

(21)

--

--

(2)

(23)

Credit default contracts

--

2

--

--

--

2

Other contracts

--

--

--

3

--

3

Subtotal

--

(783)

(30)

108

3

(702)

Total

$

(170)

$

(780)

$

(30)

$

114

$

3

$

(863)

32



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Three months ended September 30, 2009

Net
investment
income

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

Operating
costs and
expenses

Total gain
(loss)
recognized
in net
income on
derivatives

Derivatives in fair value accounting hedging relationships

Interest rate contracts

$

(55)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(55)

Foreign currency and interest rate contracts

--

(3)

--

12

--

9

Subtotal

(55)

(3)

--

12

--

(46)

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

--

(398)

--

--

--

(398)

Equity and index contracts

--

(47)

--

68

16

37

Embedded derivative financial instruments

--

88

36

(100)

--

24

Foreign currency contracts

--

4

--

--

3

7

Credit default contracts

--

(6)

--

--

--

(6)

Other contracts

--

--

--

2

--

2

Subtotal

--

(359)

36

(30)

19

(334)

Total

$

(55)

$

(362)

$

36

$

(18)

$

19

$

(380)

Nine months ended September 30, 2009

Net
investment
income

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

Operating
costs and
expenses

Total gain
(loss)
recognized
in net
income on
derivatives

Derivatives in fair value accounting hedging relationships

Interest rate contracts

$

23

$

10

$

--

$

(13)

$

--

$

20

Foreign currency and interest rate contracts

--

(6)

--

72

--

66

Subtotal

23

4

--

59

--

86

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

Interest rate contracts

--

181

--

--

--

181

Equity and index contracts

--

(132)

--

77

19

(36)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

--

117

146

(185)

--

78

Foreign currency contracts

--

(2)

--

--

(9)

(11)

Credit default contracts

--

(16)

--

--

--

(16)

Other contracts

(1)

--

--

1

--

--

Subtotal

(1)

148

146

(107)

10

196

Total

$

22

$

152

$

146

$

(48)

$

10

$

282

33



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following tables provide a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company’s fair value hedging relationships in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

($ in millions)

Three months ended September 30, 2010

Gain (loss) on derivatives

Gain (loss) on hedged risk

Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in net income on derivatives

Interest
rate
contracts

Foreign
currency &
interest rate
contracts

Contractholder
funds

Investments

Interest credited to contractholder funds

$

6

$

18

$

(24)

$

--

Net investment income

(32)

--

--

32

Realized capital gains and losses

2

--

--

--

Total

$

(24)

$

18

$

(24)

$

32

Nine months ended September 30, 2010

Gain (loss) on derivatives

Gain (loss) on hedged risk

Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in net income on derivatives

Interest
rate
contracts

Foreign
currency &
interest rate
contracts

Contractholder
funds

Investments

Interest credited to contractholder funds

$

14

$

(39)

$

25

$

--

Net investment income

(88)

--

--

88

Realized capital gains and losses

4

(1)

--

--

Total

$

(70)

$

(40)

$

25

$

88

Three months ended September 30, 2009

Gain (loss) on derivatives

Gain (loss) on hedged risk

Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in net income on derivatives

Interest
rate
contracts

Foreign
currency &
interest rate
contracts

Contractholder
funds

Investments

Interest credited to contractholder funds

$

--

$

1

$

(1)

$

--

Net investment income

(21)

--

--

21

Realized capital gains and losses

--

(3)

--

--

Total

$

(21)

$

(2)

$

(1)

$

21

Nine months ended September 30, 2009

Gain (loss) on derivatives

Gain (loss) on hedged risk

Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in net income on derivatives

Interest
rate
contracts

Foreign
currency &
interest rate
contracts

Contractholder
funds

Investments

Interest credited to contractholder funds

$

(26)

$

45

$

(19)

$

--

Net investment income

124

--

--

(124)

Realized capital gains and losses

10

(6)

--

--

Total

$

108

$

39

$

(19)

$

(124)

The Company manages its exposure to credit risk by utilizing highly rated counterparties, establishing risk control limits, executing legally enforceable master netting agreements (“MNAs”) and obtaining collateral where appropriate.  The Company uses MNAs for OTC derivative transactions, including interest rate swap, foreign currency swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, credit default swap, forward and certain option agreements (including swaptions).  These agreements permit either party to net payments due for transactions covered by the agreements.  Under the provisions of the agreements, collateral is either pledged or obtained when certain predetermined exposure limits are exceeded.  As of September 30, 2010, counterparties pledged $4 million in cash and $13 million in securities to the Company, and the Company pledged $364 million in securities to counterparties which includes $275 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent provisions that are in a liability position and $89 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts without credit-risk-contingent liabilities.  The Company has not incurred any losses on derivative financial instruments due to counterparty nonperformance.  Other derivatives, including futures and certain option contracts, are traded on

34



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

organized exchanges which require margin deposits and guarantee the execution of trades, thereby mitigating any potential credit risk.

Counterparty credit exposure represents the Company’s potential loss if all of the counterparties concurrently fail to perform under the contractual terms of the contracts and all collateral, if any, becomes worthless.  This exposure is measured by the fair value of OTC derivative contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date reduced by the effect, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements.

The following table summarizes the counterparty credit exposure by counterparty credit rating as it relates to interest rate swap, foreign currency swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, free-standing credit default swap, forward and certain option agreements (including swaptions).

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

December 31, 2009

Rating (1)

Number
of
counter-
parties

Notional
amount
(2)

Credit
exposure
(2)

Exposure,
net of
collateral
(2)

Number
of
counter-
parties

Notional
amount
(2)

Credit
exposure
(2)

Exposure,
net of
collateral
(2)

AA-

1

$

672

$

23

$

11

2

$

3,269

$

26

$

1

A+

2

190

3

--

5

12,359

204

57

A

3

932

5

5

3

2,551

62

30

A-

1

89

34

34

1

145

23

23

Total

7

$

1,883

$

65

$

50

11

$

18,324

$

315

$

111


(1) Rating is the lower of S&P or Moody’s ratings.

(2) Only OTC derivatives with a net positive fair value are included for each counterparty.

Market risk is the risk that the Company will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices.  Market risk exists for all of the derivative financial instruments the Company currently holds, as these instruments may become less valuable due to adverse changes in market conditions.  To limit this risk, the Company’s senior management has established risk control limits.  In addition, changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments that the Company uses for risk management purposes are generally offset by the change in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged risk component of the related assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions.

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-contingent termination events, cross-default provisions and credit support annex agreements.  Credit-risk-contingent termination events allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative on certain dates if AIC’s, ALIC’s or Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York’s (“ALNY”) financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P fall below a certain level or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by both Moody’s and S&P. Credit-risk-contingent cross-default provisions allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative instruments if the Company defaults by pre-determined threshold amounts on certain debt instruments.  Credit-risk-contingent credit support annex agreements specify the amount of collateral the Company must post to counterparties based on AIC’s, ALIC’s or ALNY’s financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P, or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by both Moody’s and S&P.

The following summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments with termination, cross-default or collateral credit-risk-contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as the fair value of assets and collateral that are netted against the liability in accordance with provisions within legally enforceable MNAs.

($ in millions)

September
30, 2010

December
31, 2009

Gross liability fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features

$

566

$

429

Gross asset fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features and subject to MNAs

(248)

(265)

Collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features

(275)

(122)

Maximum amount of additional exposure for contracts with credit-risk-contingent features if all features were triggered concurrently

$

43

$

42

Credit derivatives - selling protection

Free-standing credit default swaps (“CDS”) are utilized for selling credit protection against a specified credit event.  A credit default swap is a derivative instrument, representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a specified entity (or a group of entities), or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities

35



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), in return for a periodic premium.  In selling protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities and to complement the cash market when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when the derivative alternative is less expensive than the cash market alternative.  CDS typically have a five-year term.

The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold as of September 30, 2010:

($ in millions)

Notional amount

AA

A

BBB

BB and
lower

Total

Fair
value

Single name

Investment grade corporate debt

$

50

$

146

$

150

$

20

$

366

$

(9)

High yield debt

--

--

--

6

6

--

Municipal

170

--

--

--

170

(15)

Subtotal

220

146

150

26

542

(24)

Baskets

Tranche

Investment grade corporate debt

--

--

--

65

65

(22)

First-to-default

Municipal

--

100

--

--

100

(36)

Subtotal

--

100

--

65

165

(58)

Total

$

220

$

246

$

150

$

91

$

707

$

(82)

The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold as of December 31, 2009:

($ in millions)

Notional amount

AA

A

BBB

BB and
lower

Total

Fair
value

Single name

Investment grade corporate debt

$

63

$

86

$

84

$

30

$

263

$

(12)

High yield debt

--

--

--

10

10

--

Municipal

135

--

--

--

135

(10)

Subtotal

198

86

84

40

408

(22)

Baskets

Tranche

Investment grade corporate debt

--

--

--

65

65

(27)

First-to-default

Investment grade corporate debt

--

45

15

--

60

--

Municipal

20

135

--

--

155

(28)

Subtotal

20

180

15

65

280

(55)

Index

Investment grade corporate debt

14

159

408

19

600

4

Total

$

232

$

425

$

507

$

124

$

1,288

$

(73)

In selling protection with CDS, the Company sells credit protection on an identified single name, a basket of names in a first-to-default (“FTD”) structure or a specific tranche of a basket, or credit derivative index (“CDX”) that is generally investment grade, and in return receives periodic premiums through expiration or termination of the agreement.  With single name CDS, this premium or credit spread generally corresponds to the difference between

36



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

the yield on the reference entity’s public fixed maturity cash instruments and swap rates at the time the agreement is executed.  With a FTD basket or a tranche of a basket, because of the additional credit risk inherent in a basket of named reference entities, the premium generally corresponds to a high proportion of the sum of the credit spreads of the names in the basket and the correlation between the names.  CDX index is utilized to take a position on multiple (generally 125) reference entities.  Credit events are typically defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, or restructuring, depending on the nature of the reference entities.  If a credit event occurs, the Company settles with the counterparty, either through physical settlement or cash settlement.  In a physical settlement, a reference asset is delivered by the buyer of protection to the Company, in exchange for cash payment at par, whereas in a cash settlement, the Company pays the difference between par and the prescribed value of the reference asset.  When a credit event occurs in a single name or FTD basket (for FTD, the first credit event occurring for any one name in the basket), the contract terminates at the time of settlement. When a credit event occurs in a tranche of a basket, there is no immediate impact to the Company until cumulative losses in the basket exceed the contractual subordination.  To date, realized losses have not exceeded the subordination.  For CDX index, the reference entity’s name incurring the credit event is removed from the index while the contract continues until expiration.  The maximum payout on a CDS is the contract notional amount.  A physical settlement may afford the Company with recovery rights as the new owner of the asset.

The Company monitors risk associated with credit derivatives through individual name credit limits at both a credit derivative and a combined cash instrument/credit derivative level.  The ratings of individual names for which protection has been sold are also monitored.

In addition to the CDS described above, the Company’s synthetic collateralized debt obligations contain embedded credit default swaps which sell protection on a basket of reference entities.  The synthetic collateralized debt obligations are fully funded; therefore, the Company is not obligated to contribute additional funds when credit events occur related to the reference entities named in the embedded credit default swaps.  The Company’s maximum amount at risk equals the amount of its aggregate initial investment in the synthetic collateralized debt obligations.

7.  Reserve for Property - Liability Insurance Claims and Claims Expense

The Company establishes reserves for claims and claims expense (“loss”) on reported and unreported claims of insured losses. The Company’s reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including the Company’s experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, changes in law and regulation, judicial decisions, and economic conditions.  In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, and other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims.  The effects of inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.

Because reserves are estimates of unpaid portions of losses that have occurred, including incurred but not reported losses, the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, is an inherently uncertain and complex process.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimates.  The highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for losses incurred in the current reporting period as it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled.  The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims.  Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported in property-liability insurance claims and claims expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period such changes are determined.

Management believes that the reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, net of reinsurance recoverables, is appropriately established in the aggregate and adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported claims arising from losses which had occurred by the date of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.

37



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

8.  Reinsurance

Property-liability insurance premiums and life and annuity premiums and contract charges have been reduced by the reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table:

($ in millions)

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Property-liability insurance premiums earned

$

270

$

269

$

811

$

798

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

192

206

585

612

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense and life and annuity contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds have been reduced by the reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

$

11

$

64

$

202

$

242

Life and annuity contract benefits (1)

267

(1)

616

617

Interest credited to contractholder funds

8

9

24

24


(1) The three months ended September 30, 2009 include a $166 million decrease in the reinsurance recoverables related to the ceded variable annuity contract guarantees as a result of improved equity market conditions during 2009.

9.  Company Restructuring

The Company undertakes various programs to reduce expenses.  These programs generally involve a reduction in staffing levels, and in certain cases, office closures.  Restructuring and related charges include employee termination and relocation benefits, and post-exit rent expenses in connection with these programs, and non-cash charges resulting from pension benefit payments made to agents in connection with the 1999 reorganization of Allstate’s multiple agency programs to a single exclusive agency program.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, restructuring programs primarily relate to Allstate Protection’s claim and field sales office consolidations and realignment of litigation services.  The expenses related to these activities are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring and related charges, and totaled $9 million and $35 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $33 million and $112 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Employee
costs

Exit
costs

Total
liability

Balance at December 31, 2009

$

45

$

6

$

51

Expense incurred

19

1

20

Adjustments to liability

(6)

--

(6)

Payments applied against liability

(24)

(2)

(26)

Balance at September 30, 2010

$

34

$

5

$

39

The payments applied against the liability for employee costs primarily reflect severance costs, and the payments for exit costs generally consist of post-exit rent expenses and contract termination penalties.  As of September 30, 2010, the cumulative amount incurred to date for active programs totaled $170 million for employee costs and $46 million for exit costs.

10.  Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities

State facility assessments

The Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations in various states that provide insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to

38



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

purchase such coverage from private insurers.  Because of the Company’s participation, it may be exposed to losses that surpass the capitalization of these facilities and/or to assessments from these facilities.

Shared markets

As a condition of maintaining its licenses to write personal property and casualty insurance in various states, the Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations that provide various types of insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers.  Underwriting results related to these arrangements, which tend to be adverse, have been immaterial to the Company’s results of operations.

Guarantees

The Company owns certain fixed income securities that obligate the Company to exchange credit risk or to forfeit principal due, depending on the nature or occurrence of specified credit events for the reference entities.  In the event all such specified credit events were to occur, the Company’s maximum amount at risk on these fixed income securities, as measured by the amount of the aggregate initial investment, was $111 million at September 30, 2010.  The obligations associated with these fixed income securities expire at various dates on or before July 26, 2016.

Related to the disposal through reinsurance of substantially all of Allstate Financial’s variable annuity business to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (collectively “Prudential”) in 2006, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, ALIC and ALNY, have agreed to indemnify Prudential for certain pre-closing contingent liabilities (including extra-contractual liabilities of ALIC and ALNY and liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction) that ALIC and ALNY have agreed to retain.  In addition, the Company, ALIC and ALNY will each indemnify Prudential for certain post-closing liabilities that may arise from the acts of ALIC, ALNY and their agents, including in connection with ALIC’s and ALNY’s provision of transition services.  The reinsurance agreements contain no limitations or indemnifications with regard to insurance risk transfer, and transferred all of the future risks and responsibilities for performance on the underlying variable annuity contracts to Prudential, including those related to benefit guarantees.  Management does not believe this agreement will have a material adverse effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.

The Company provides residual value guarantees on Company leased automobiles.  If all outstanding leases were terminated effective September 30, 2010, the Company’s maximum obligation pursuant to these guarantees, assuming the automobiles have no residual value, would be $11 million at September 30, 2010.  The remaining term of each residual value guarantee is equal to the term of the underlying lease that ranges from less than one year to three years.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these guarantees.

In the normal course of business, the Company provides standard indemnifications to contractual counterparties in connection with numerous transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures.  The types of indemnifications typically provided include indemnifications for breaches of representations and warranties, taxes and certain other liabilities, such as third party lawsuits.  The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business based on an assessment that the risk of loss would be remote.  The terms of the indemnifications vary in duration and nature.  In many cases, the maximum obligation is not explicitly stated and the contingencies triggering the obligation to indemnify have not occurred and are not expected to occur.  Consequently, the maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications is not determinable.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these obligations.

The aggregate liability balance related to all guarantees was not material as of September 30, 2010.

Regulation and Compliance

The Company is subject to changing social, economic and regulatory conditions.  From time to time, regulatory authorities or legislative bodies seek to influence and restrict premium rates, require premium refunds to policyholders, require reinstatement of terminated policies, restrict the ability of insurers to cancel or non-renew policies, require insurers to continue to write new policies or limit their ability to write new policies, limit insurers’ ability to change coverage terms or to impose underwriting standards, impose additional regulations regarding agent and broker compensation, regulate the nature of and amount of investments, and otherwise expand overall regulation

39



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

of insurance products and the insurance industry.  The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations, to foster prudent business operations, and to support financial reporting.  The Company routinely reviews its practices to validate compliance with laws and regulations and with internal procedures and policies.  As a result of these reviews, from time to time the Company may decide to modify some of its procedures and policies.  Such modifications, and the reviews that led to them, may be accompanied by payments being made and costs being incurred.  The ultimate changes and eventual effects of these actions on the Company’s business, if any, are uncertain.

A multi-state market conduct examination of Allstate’s claims handling practices has been underway with Florida, Illinois, Iowa, and New York serving as lead states.  The Illinois Department of Insurance issued the official notice of the examination on March 30, 2009.  The exam concluded with the state regulatory authorities finding no institutional issues involving underpayment of claims. Moreover, no violations were cited regarding Allstate’s claims adjusting practices, and no fines or penalties were assessed.  Allstate has agreed to adopt certain enhancements to its business practices such as undertaking certain work in connection with its claim processes including, for example, consolidating materials detailing the primary functions of its bodily injury practices into a single manual and centralizing the oversight of some practices.   Allstate has also agreed to contribute a non-material amount towards the development and training of insurance department examination personnel to support the review and evaluation of the insurance industry’s use of software technology in adjusting claims.  Forty-five states have agreed with the conclusions and resolution of this exam.

Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries

Background

The Company and certain subsidiaries are involved in a number of lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings arising out of various aspects of its business.  As background to both the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections below, please note the following:

· These matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including the underlying facts of each matter; novel legal issues; variations between jurisdictions in which matters are being litigated, heard, or investigated; differences in applicable laws and judicial interpretations; the length of time before many of these matters might be resolved by settlement, through litigation, or otherwise; the fact that some of the lawsuits are putative class actions in which a class has not been certified and in which the purported class may not be clearly defined; the fact that some of the lawsuits involve multi-state class actions in which the applicable law(s) for the claims at issue is in dispute and therefore unclear; and the current challenging legal environment faced by large corporations and insurance companies.

· The outcome of these matters may be affected by decisions, verdicts, and settlements, and the timing of such decisions, verdicts, and settlements, in other individual and class action lawsuits that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities and by other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities. The outcome may also be affected by future state or federal legislation, the timing or substance of which cannot be predicted.

· In the lawsuits, plaintiffs seek a variety of remedies which may include equitable relief in the form of injunctive and other remedies and monetary relief in the form of contractual and extra-contractual damages.  In some cases, the monetary damages sought may include punitive or treble damages.  Often specific information about the relief sought, such as the amount of damages, is not available because plaintiffs have not requested specific relief in their pleadings.  When specific monetary demands are made, they are often set just below a state court jurisdictional limit in order to seek the maximum amount available in state court, regardless of the specifics of the case, while still avoiding the risk of removal to federal court. In Allstate’s experience, monetary demands in pleadings bear little relation to the ultimate loss, if any, to the Company.

· In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution, and changes in business practices.  The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding.

40



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

· For the reasons specified above, it is often not possible to make meaningful estimates of the amount or range of loss that could result from the matters described below in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections.  The Company reviews these matters on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions.  When assessing reasonably possible and probable outcomes, the Company bases its decisions on its assessment of the ultimate outcome following all appeals.

· Due to the complexity and scope of the matters disclosed in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections below and the many uncertainties that exist, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be reasonably predicted.  In the event of an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters, the ultimate liability may be in excess of amounts currently reserved, if any, and may be material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period.  However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described below, as they are resolved over time, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.

Claims related proceedings

The Company is vigorously defending a number of matters in various stages of development filed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, including individual lawsuits and a statewide putative class action in Louisiana.  The Louisiana Attorney General filed a putative class action lawsuit in state court against Allstate and other insurers on behalf of Road Home fund recipients alleging that the insurers have failed to pay all damages owed under their policies.  The insurers removed the matter to federal court.  The district court denied plaintiffs’ motion to remand the matter to state court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (“Fifth Circuit”) affirmed that ruling.  The defendants filed a motion to dismiss and the plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the claims involving a Road Home subrogation agreement.  In March 2009, the district court denied the State’s request that its claims be remanded to state court.  As for the defendant insurers’ motion, the judge granted it in part and denied it in part.  Dismissal of all of the extra-contractual claims, including the bad faith and breach of fiduciary duty claims, was granted.  Dismissal also was granted of all claims based on the Valued Policy Law and all flood loss claims based on the levee breaches finding that the insurers flood exclusions precluded coverage. The remaining claims are for breach of contract and for declaratory relief on the alleged underpayment of claims by the insurers.  The judge did not dismiss the class action allegations.  The defendants also had moved to dismiss the complaint on grounds that the State had no standing to bring the lawsuit as an assignee of insureds because of anti-assignment language in the insurers’ policies.  The judge denied the defendants’ motion for reconsideration on the assignment issue but found the matter was ripe for consideration by the federal appellate court.  The defendants have filed a petition for permission to appeal to the Fifth Circuit.  The Fifth Circuit has accepted review.  After the Fifth Circuit accepted review, plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to state court, asserting that the class claims on which federal jurisdiction was premised have now effectively been dismissed as a result of a ruling in a related case. The Fifth Circuit has denied the motion for remand, without prejudice to plaintiffs’ right to refile the motion for remand after the Fifth Circuit disposes of the pending appeal.  On July 28, 2010, the Fifth Circuit issued an order stating that since there is no controlling Louisiana Supreme Court precedent on the issue of whether an insurance policy’s anti-assignment clause prohibits post-loss assignments, the Fifth Circuit is certifying that issue to the Louisiana Supreme Court.  The Louisiana Supreme Court may rule based on the pleadings that have been filed with the Fifth Circuit, or it may request additional briefing as well as oral argument.

There are one nationwide and several statewide class action lawsuits pending against Allstate alleging that it failed to properly pay general contractors overhead and profit on many homeowner structural loss claims.  Most of these lawsuits contain counts for breach of contract, as well as one or more counts asserting other theories of liability such as bad faith, fraud, unjust enrichment, or unfair claims practices.  General contractors overhead and profit is an amount that is added to payments on claims where the services of a general contractor are reasonably likely to be required.  To a large degree, these lawsuits mirror similar lawsuits filed against other carriers in the industry, some of which have settled.  These lawsuits are pending in various state and federal courts, and they are in different stages of development.  No classes have been certified against Allstate.  The Company has extended an offer of settlement on a 48-state basis in the nationwide class action that appears acceptable to the plaintiffs.  Many terms and conditions of such a settlement are still to be worked out, and any final agreement to settle will be subject to the approval of the court.  The settlement was accrued as a prior year reserve reestimate in property-liability insurance claims and claims expense in the third quarter of 2010.

41



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Allstate has been vigorously defending a lawsuit involving worker classification issues.  This lawsuit is a certified class action challenging a state wage and hour law.  In this case, plaintiffs sought monetary relief, such as penalties and liquidated damages, and non-monetary relief, such as injunctive relief.  In December 2009, the liability phase of the case was tried and, on July 6, 2010, the court issued its decision finding in favor of Allstate on all claims.  The plaintiffs are appealing the decision.

Other proceedings

The Company is defending certain matters relating to the Company’s agency program reorganization announced in 1999.  These matters are in various stages of development.

· These matters include a lawsuit filed in 2001 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) alleging retaliation under federal civil rights laws (the “EEOC I” suit) and a class action filed in 2001 by former employee agents alleging retaliation and age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), breach of contract and ERISA violations (the “Romero I” suit).  In 2004, in the consolidated EEOC I and Romero I litigation, the trial court issued a memorandum and order that, among other things, certified classes of agents, including a mandatory class of agents who had signed a release, for purposes of effecting the court’s declaratory judgment that the release is voidable at the option of the release signer.  The court also ordered that an agent who voids the release must return to Allstate “any and all benefits received by the [agent] in exchange for signing the release.”  The court also stated that, “on the undisputed facts of record, there is no basis for claims of age discrimination.”  The EEOC and plaintiffs asked the court to clarify and/or reconsider its memorandum and order and in January 2007, the judge denied their request.  In June 2007, the court granted the Company’s motions for summary judgment.  Following plaintiffs’ filing of a notice of appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (“Third Circuit”) issued an order in December 2007 stating that the notice of appeal was not taken from a final order within the meaning of the federal law and thus not appealable at this time.  In March 2008, the Third Circuit decided that the appeal should not summarily be dismissed and that the question of whether the matter is appealable at this time will be addressed by the Third Circuit along with the merits of the appeal.  In July 2009, the Third Circuit vacated the decision which granted the Company’s summary judgment motions, remanded the cases to the trial court for additional discovery, and directed that the cases be reassigned to another trial court judge.  In January 2010, the cases were assigned to a new judge for further proceedings in the trial court.

· A putative nationwide class action has also been filed by former employee agents alleging various violations of ERISA, including a worker classification issue.  These plaintiffs are challenging certain amendments to the Agents Pension Plan and are seeking to have exclusive agent independent contractors treated as employees for benefit purposes.  This matter was dismissed with prejudice by the trial court, was the subject of further proceedings on appeal, and was reversed and remanded to the trial court in 2005.  In June 2007, the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the case.  Following plaintiffs’ filing of a notice of appeal, the Third Circuit issued an order in December 2007 stating that the notice of appeal was not taken from a final order within the meaning of the federal law and thus not appealable at this time.  In March 2008, the Third Circuit decided that the appeal should not summarily be dismissed and that the question of whether the matter is appealable at this time will be addressed by the Third Circuit along with the merits of the appeal.  In July 2009, the Third Circuit vacated the decision which granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the case, remanded the case to the trial court for additional discovery, and directed that the case be reassigned to another trial court judge.  In January 2010, the case was assigned to a new judge for further proceedings in the trial court.

In these agency program reorganization matters, plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, and equitable relief.  Allstate has been vigorously defending these lawsuits and other matters related to its agency program reorganization.

Other Matters

Various other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions, including state market conduct exams, and other governmental and regulatory inquiries are currently pending that involve the Company and specific aspects of its conduct of business.  Like other members of the insurance industry, the Company is the target of a number of class action lawsuits and other types of proceedings, some of which involve claims for substantial or indeterminate

42



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

amounts.  These actions are based on a variety of issues and target a range of the Company’s practices.  The outcome of these disputes is currently unpredictable.

One or more of these matters could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period.  However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described in this “Other Matters” subsection, in excess of amounts currently reserved, if any, as they are resolved over time, is not likely to have a material effect on the operating results, cash flows or financial position of the Company.

Asbestos and environmental

Allstate’s reserves for asbestos claims were $1.13 billion and $1.18 billion, net of reinsurance recoverables of $565 million and $600 million, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Reserves for environmental claims were $205 million and $198 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $47 million and $49 million, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Approximately 59% and 62% of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, were for incurred but not reported estimated losses.

Management believes its net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines exposures are appropriately established based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.  However, establishing net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is subject to uncertainties that are much greater than those presented by other types of claims.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimate. Among the complications are lack of historical data, long reporting delays, uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds with potential exposure and unresolved legal issues regarding policy coverage; unresolved legal issues regarding the determination, availability and timing of exhaustion of policy limits; plaintiffs’ evolving and expanding theories of liability; availability and collectability of recoveries from reinsurance; retrospectively determined premiums and other contractual agreements; estimates of the extent and timing of any contractual liability; the impact of bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants; and other uncertainties.  There are also complex legal issues concerning the interpretation of various insurance policy provisions and whether those losses are covered, or were ever intended to be covered, and could be recoverable through retrospectively determined premium, reinsurance or other contractual agreements.  Courts have reached different and sometimes inconsistent conclusions as to when losses are deemed to have occurred and which policies provide coverage; what types of losses are covered; whether there is an insurer obligation to defend; how policy limits are determined; how policy exclusions and conditions are applied and interpreted; and whether clean-up costs represent insured property damage.  Management believes these issues are not likely to be resolved in the near future, and the ultimate costs may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded resulting in material changes in loss reserves.  In addition, while the Company believes that improved actuarial techniques and databases have assisted in its ability to estimate asbestos, environmental, and other discontinued lines net loss reserves, these refinements may subsequently prove to be inadequate indicators of the extent of probable losses.  Due to the uncertainties and factors described above, management believes it is not practicable to develop a meaningful range for any such additional net loss reserves that may be required.

43



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

11 .  Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate on income from operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:

($ in millions)

2010

2009

Statutory federal income tax rate - expense

$

267

35.0 %

$

194

35.0 %

Tax-exempt income

(139)

(18.2)

(197)

(35.6)

Dividends received deduction

(13)

(1.7)

(11)

(2.1)

Deferred foreign tax credit

4

0.5

12

2.1

Adjustment to prior year tax liabilities

(4)

(0.5)

(21)

(3.7)

Other

16

2.1

(6)

(1.1)

Valuation allowance

--

--

248

44.7

Effective income tax rate - expense

$

131

17.2 %

$

219

39.3 %

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included expense of $254 million attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset on capital losses.

12 .  Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs

The components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Pension benefits

Service cost

$

38

$

32

$

113

$

95

Interest cost

80

83

240

248

Expected return on plan assets

(83)

(100)

(248)

(298)

Amortization of:

Prior service credit

(1)

(1)

(2)

(2)

Net actuarial loss

40

5

119

13

Settlement loss

13

15

39

47

Net periodic pension cost

$

87

$

34

$

261

$

103

Postretirement benefits

Service cost

$

3

$

3

$

9

$

10

Interest cost

10

13

30

42

Amortization of:

Prior service credit

(6)

(2)

(17)

(1)

Net actuarial gain

(5)

(7)

(16)

(23)

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

$

2

$

7

$

6

$

28

44



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

13.  Business Segments

Summarized revenue data for each of the Company’s business segments are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Revenues

Property-Liability

Property-liability insurance premiums

Standard auto

$

4,134

$

4,167

$

12,425

$

12,493

Non-standard auto

224

237

688

730

Total auto

4,358

4,404

13,113

13,223

Homeowners

1,526

1,504

4,554

4,562

Other personal lines

614

627

1,847

1,893

Allstate Protection

6,498

6,535

19,514

19,678

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

1

--

1

(1

)

Total property-liability insurance premiums

6,499

6,535

19,515

19,677

Net investment income

284

326

898

1,004

Realized capital gains and losses

(107

)

(290

)

(403

)

(403

)

Total Property-Liability

6,676

6,571

20,010

20,278

Allstate Financial

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

Traditional life insurance

107

103

317

303

Immediate annuities with life contingencies

26

15

84

83

Accident and health

157

114

464

340

Total life and annuity premiums

290

232

865

726

Interest-sensitive life insurance

249

238

740

699

Fixed annuities

9

12

32

35

Total contract charges

258

250

772

734

Total life and annuity premiums and contract charges

548

482

1,637

1,460

Net investment income

707

744

2,161

2,327

Realized capital gains and losses

(38

)

(234

)

(553

)

(156

)

Total Allstate Financial

1,217

992

3,245

3,631

Corporate and Other

Service fees

2

3

8

7

Net investment income

14

14

45

37

Realized capital gains and losses

1

5

13

9

Total Corporate and Other before reclassification of service fees

17

22

66

53

Reclassification of service fees (1)

(2

)

(3

)

(8

)

(7

)

Total Corporate and Other

15

19

58

46

Consolidated revenues

$

7,908

$

7,582

$

23,313

$

23,955


(1) For presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, service fees of the Corporate and Other segment are reclassified to operating costs and expenses.

45



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Summarized financial performance data for each of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Net income

Property-Liability

Underwriting income (loss)

Allstate Protection

$

287

$

363

$

571

$

578

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

(21

)

(17

)

(27

)

(27

)

Total underwriting income

266

346

544

551

Net investment income

284

326

898

1,004

Income tax expense on operations

(154

)

(170

)

(391

)

(346

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

(69

)

(188

)

(261

)

(373

)

Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax

4

--

4

--

Property-Liability net income

331

314

794

836

Allstate Financial

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

548

482

1,637

1,460

Net investment income

707

744

2,161

2,327

Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative financial instruments

10

2

38

--

Contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds

(891

)

(879

)

(2,731

)

(2,735

)

Operating costs and expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

(219

)

(207

)

(554

)

(672

)

Restructuring and related charges

--

(4

)

1

(24

)

Income tax expense on operations

(47

)

(43

)

(180

)

(111

)

Operating income

108

95

372

245

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

(25

)

(151

)

(360

)

(239

)

DAC and DSI accretion (amortization) related to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

7

18

9

(132

)

DAC and DSI unlocking related to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

--

--

(18

)

(224

)

Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge financial instruments, after-tax

(7

)

(1

)

(25

)

--

Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax

2

1

4

4

Allstate Financial net income (loss)

85

(38

)

(18

)

(346

)

Corporate and Other

Service fees (1)

2

3

8

7

Net investment income

14

14

45

37

Operating costs and expenses (1)

(97

)

(112

)

(301

)

(309

)

Income tax benefit on operations

31

37

96

105

Operating loss

(50

)

(58

)

(152

)

(160

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

1

3

8

6

Corporate and Other net loss

(49

)

(55

)

(144

)

(154

)

Consolidated net income

$

367

$

221

$

632

$

336


(1) For presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, service fees of the Corporate and Other segment are reclassified to operating costs and expenses.

46



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

14.  Other Comprehensive Income

The components of other comprehensive income on a pre-tax and after - tax basis are as follows:

($ in millions)

Three months ended September 30,

2010

2009

Pre-tax

Tax

After-
tax

Pre-tax

Tax

After-
tax

Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets

$

1,593

$

(557

)

$

1,036

$

3,354

$

(1,185

)

$

2,169

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses

140

(49

)

91

(85

)

30

(55

)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

1,453

(508

)

945

3,439

(1,215

)

2,224

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

17

(6

)

11

39

(14

)

25

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

26

(9

)

17

122

(67

)

55

Other comprehensive income

$

1,496

$

(523

)

973

$

3,600

$

(1,296

)

2,304

Net income

367

221

Comprehensive income

$

1,340

$

2,525

Nine months ended September 30,

2010

2009

Pre-tax

Tax

After-
tax

Pre-tax

Tax

After-
tax

Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets

$

3,134

$

(1,096

)

$

2,038

$

6,168

$

(2,156

)

$

4,012

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses

(161

)

56

(105

)

(640

)

224

(416

)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

3,295

(1,152

)

2,143

6,808

(2,380

)

4,428

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

12

(4

)

8

57

(20

)

37

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

83

(28

)

55

109

(63

)

46

Other comprehensive income

$

3,390

$

(1,184

)

2,206

$

6,974

$

(2,463

)

4,511

Net income

632

336

Comprehensive income

$

2,838

$

4,847

47



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The Allstate Corporation

Northbrook, IL 60062

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  These interim financials statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 25, 2010, which report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in the Company’s recognition and presentation for other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities in 2009, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, Illinois

October 27, 2010

48



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

OVERVIEW

The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated financial position and results of operations of The Allstate Corporation (referred to in this document as “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Allstate”).  It should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found under Part I. Item 1. contained herein, and with the discussion, analysis, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I. Item 1. and Part II. Item 7. and Item 8. of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009.  Further analysis of our insurance segments is provided in the Property-Liability Operations (which includes the Allstate Protection and the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segments) and in the Allstate Financial Segment sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”).  The segments are consistent with the way in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine the allocation of resources.

Allstate is focused on three priorities:  improve customer loyalty, reinvent protection and retirement for the consumer and grow our businesses.

HIGHLIGHTS

· Consolidated net income was $367 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $221 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $632 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $336 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Net income per diluted share was $0.68 in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $0.41 in the third quarter of 2009, and $1.16 in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $0.62 in the first nine months of 2009.

· Property-Liability net income was $331 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $314 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $794 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $836 million in the first nine months of 2009.

· The Property-Liability combined ratio was 95.9 in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 94.7 in the third quarter of 2009, and 97.2 in the first nine months of both 2010 and 2009.

· Allstate Financial had a net income of $85 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $38 million in the third quarter of 2009, and a net loss of $18 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to a net loss of $346 million in the first nine months of 2009.

· Total revenues were $7.91 billion in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $7.58 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $23.31 billion in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $23.96 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

· Property-Liability premiums earned in the third quarter of 2010 totaled $6.50 billion, a decrease of 0.6% from $6.54 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $19.52 billion in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 0.8% from $19.68 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

· Net realized capital losses were $144 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $519 million in the third quarter of 2009, and net realized capital losses were $943 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $550 million in the first nine months of 2009.

· Investments as of September 30, 2010 totaled $102.21 billion, an increase of 2.4% from $99.83 billion as of December 31, 2009.  Net investment income in the third quarter of 2010 was $1.01 billion, a decrease of 7.3% from $1.08 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $3.10 billion in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 7.8% from $3.37 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

· Book value per diluted share (ratio of shareholders’ equity to total shares outstanding and dilutive potential shares outstanding) was $35.48 as of September 30, 2010, an increase of 9.9% from $32.29 as of September 30, 2009 and an increase of 15.0% from $30.84 as of December 31, 2009.

· For the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, return on the average of beginning and ending period shareholders’ equity was 6.3%, an increase of 10.9 points from (4.6)% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009.

· At September 30, 2010, we had $19.27 billion in capital.  This total included $3.53 billion in deployable invested assets at the parent holding company level.

49



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Revenues

Property-liability insurance premiums

$

6,499

$

6,535

$

19,515

$

19,677

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

548

482

1,637

1,460

Net investment income

1,005

1,084

3,104

3,368

Realized capital gains and losses:

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

(99

)

(539

)

(637

)

(1,735

)

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

(68

)

147

(91

)

301

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

(167

)

(392

)

(728

)

(1,434

)

Sales and other realized capital gains and losses

23

(127

)

(215

)

884

Total realized capital gains and losses

(144

)

(519

)

(943

)

(550

)

Total revenues

7,908

7,582

23,313

23,955

Costs and expenses

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

(4,603

)

(4,573

)

(14,109

)

(14,295

)

Life and annuity contract benefits

(445

)

(382

)

(1,372

)

(1,176

)

Interest credited to contractholder funds

(445

)

(496

)

(1,358

)

(1,636

)

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

(1,006

)

(1,023

)

(2,969

)

(3,649

)

Operating costs and expenses

(828

)

(744

)

(2,446

)

(2,247

)

Restructuring and related charges

(9

)

(35

)

(33

)

(112

)

Interest expense

(91

)

(106

)

(275

)

(291

)

Total costs and expenses

(7,427

)

(7,359

)

(22,562

)

(23,406

)

Gain on disposition of operations

9

2

12

6

Income tax expense

(123

)

(4

)

(131

)

(219

)

Net income

$

367

$

221

$

632

$

336

Property-Liability

$

331

$

314

$

794

$

836

Allstate Financial

85

(38

)

(18

)

(346

)

Corporate and Other

(49

)

(55

)

(144

)

(154

)

Net income

$

367

$

221

$

632

$

336

50



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

PROPERTY-LIABILITY HIGHLIGHTS

· Premiums written, an operating measure that is defined and reconciled to premiums earned in the Property-Liability Operations section of the MD&A, decreased 0.6% to $6.77 billion in the third quarter of 2010 from $6.81 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and 0.1% to $19.67 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $19.69 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

Allstate brand standard auto premiums written decreased 0.5% to $4.03 billion in the third quarter of 2010 from $4.05 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and increased 0.8% to $12.00 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $11.90 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

Allstate brand homeowners premiums written increased 2.4% to $1.61 billion in the third quarter of 2010 from $1.57 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and increased 2.1% to $4.36 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $4.28 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

Encompass brand premiums written decreased 16.7% to $290 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $348 million in the third quarter of 2009, and 19.4% to $841 million in the first nine months of 2010 from $1.04 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

· Premium operating measures and statistics contributing to overall Allstate brand standard auto premiums written   were the following:

1.7% decrease in policies in force (“PIF”) as of September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009

1.4% increase in the six month policy term average gross premium before reinsurance to $441 in the third quarter of 2010 from $435 in the third quarter of 2009, and 2.5% increase in the six month policy term average gross premium before reinsurance to $443 in the first nine months of 2010 from $432 in the first nine months of 2009

0.4 point decrease in the six month renewal ratio to 88.7% in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 89.1% in the third quarter of 2009, and the six month renewal ratio of 88.8% in the first nine months of 2010 was comparable to the first nine months of 2009

2.5% increase in new issued applications in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, and 2.7% decrease in new issued applications in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009

· Premium operating measures and statistics contributing to overall Allstate brand homeowners premiums written increase were the following:

4.1% decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009

7.2% increase in the twelve month policy term average gross premium before reinsurance to $953 in the third quarter of 2010 from $889 in the third quarter of 2009, and 6.7% increase in the twelve month policy term average gross premium before reinsurance to $937 in the first nine months of 2010 from $878 in the first nine months of 2009

0.1 point increase in the twelve month renewal ratio to 88.6% in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 88.5% in the third quarter of 2009, and 0.3 point increase in the twelve month renewal ratio to 88.3% in the first nine months of 2010 compared to 88.0% in the first nine months of 2009

5.4% and 2.4% decrease in new issued applications in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same period of 2009

$15 million decrease in catastrophe reinsurance costs to $127 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $142 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $24 million decrease in catastrophe reinsurance costs to $398 million in the first nine months of 2010 from $422 million in the first nine months of 2009

· Factors comprising the Allstate brand standard auto loss ratio increase of 0.1 points to 68.7 in the third quarter of 2010 from 68.6 in the third quarter of 2009, and an increase of 0.1 points to 69.5 in the first nine months of 2010 from 69.4 in the first nine months of 2009 were the following:

3.7% and 1.8% increase in standard auto claim frequency (rate of claim occurrence per policy in force) for property damage in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

7.5% and 5.7% increase in standard auto claim frequency for bodily injury in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

1.0% increase and 0.1% decrease in auto paid claim severities (average cost per claim) for property damage in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

1.1% increase and 0.4% decrease in auto paid claim severities for bodily injury in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

51



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

· Factors comprising the Allstate brand homeowners loss ratio, which includes catastrophes, an increase of 5.1 points to 80.5 in the third quarter of 2010 from 75.4 in the third quarter of 2009, and a decrease of 1.0 points to 83.5 in the first nine months of 2010 from 84.5 in the first nine months of 2009 were the following:

0.8 point increase in the effect of catastrophe losses to 23.1 points in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 22.3 points in the third quarter of 2009, and 0.3 point decrease in the effect of catastrophe losses to 31.6 points in the first nine months of 2010 compared to 31.9 points in the first nine months of 2009

2.3% decrease and 1.2% increase in homeowner claim frequency, excluding catastrophes, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

2.1% and 0.6% increase in paid claim severity, excluding catastrophes, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

· Factors comprising the $21 million decrease in catastrophe losses to $386 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $407 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $71 million decrease to $1.67 billion in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $1.74 billion in the first nine months of 2009 were the following:

$42 million of favorable prior year reserve reestimates in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $80 million favorable prior year reserve reestimates in the third quarter of 2009, primarily related to recovered subrogation, and $140 million favorable prior year reserve reestimates in the first nine months of 2010 which is comparable to 2009

$57 million of unfavorable prior quarter reserve reestimates in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $86 million unfavorable prior quarter reserve reestimates in the third quarter of 2009

29 events with $371 million of losses in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 24 events with losses of $401 million in the third quarter of 2009, and 70 events with losses of $1.81 billion in the first nine months of 2010 compared to 69 events with losses of $1.88 billion in the first nine months of 2009

· Factors comprising prior year reserve reestimates of $11 million unfavorable in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $52 million favorable in the third quarter of 2009, and prior year reserve reestimates of $162 million favorable in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $87 million favorable in the first nine months of 2009 included:

prior year reserve reestimates related to auto, homeowners and other personal lines in the third quarter of 2010 contributed $40 million favorable, $67 million unfavorable and $38 million favorable, respectively, compared to prior year reserve reestimates in the third quarter of 2009 of $11 million unfavorable, $75 million favorable and $3 million favorable, respectively. Prior year reserve reestimates related to auto, homeowners and other personal lines in the first nine months of 2010 contributed $120 million favorable, $2 million favorable and $65 million favorable, respectively, compared to prior year reserve reestimates in the first nine months of 2009 of $28 million favorable, $118 million favorable and $38 million unfavorable, respectively.

prior year reserve reestimates in the third quarter of 2010 are attributable to a $70 million litigation settlement largely offset by favorable prior year catastrophe reestimates and severity development that was better than expected. Prior year reestimates in the first nine months of 2010 are attributable to favorable prior year catastrophe reestimates and severity development that was better than expected, partially offset by the litigation settlement.

· Our 2010 annual review resulted in asbestos reserve reestimates of $5 million unfavorable in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $8 million favorable in the third quarter of 2009, and environmental reserve reestimates of $18 million unfavorable in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $13 million unfavorable in the third quarter of 2009.

· Property-Liability underwriting income was $266 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $346 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $544 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $551 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Underwriting income, a measure not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), is defined below.

· Property-Liability investments as of September 30, 2010 were $35.75 billion, an increase of 3.5% from $34.53 billion as of December 31, 2009.  Net investment income was $284 million in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 12.9% from $326 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $898 million in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 10.6% from $1.00 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

· Net realized capital losses were $107 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $290 million in the third quarter of 2009, and net realized capital losses were $403 million in the first nine months of both 2010 and 2009.

52



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

PROPERTY-LIABILITY OPERATIONS

Overview Our Property-Liability operations consist of two business segments: Allstate Protection and Discontinued Lines and Coverages.  Allstate Protection comprises two brands, the Allstate brand and Encompass ® brand.  Allstate Protection is principally engaged in the sale of personal property and casualty insurance, primarily private passenger auto and homeowners insurance, to individuals in the United States and Canada.  Discontinued Lines and Coverages includes results from insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  These segments are consistent with the groupings of financial information that management uses to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of resources.

Underwriting income, a measure that is not based on GAAP and is reconciled to net income below, is calculated as premiums earned, less claims and claims expense (“losses”), amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), operating costs and expenses and restructuring and related charges, as determined using GAAP.  We use this measure in our evaluation of results of operations to analyze the profitability of the Property-Liability insurance operations separately from investment results.  It is also an integral component of incentive compensation.  It is useful for investors to evaluate the components of income separately and in the aggregate when reviewing performance.  Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to underwriting income.  Underwriting income should not be considered as a substitute for net income and does not reflect the overall profitability of the business.

The table below includes GAAP operating ratios we use to measure our profitability.  We believe that they enhance an investor’s understanding of our profitability.  They are calculated as follows:

· Claims and claims expense (“loss”) ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  Loss ratios include the impact of catastrophe losses.

· Expense ratio - the ratio of amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

· Combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense, amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.  The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.  The difference between 100% and the combined ratio represents underwriting income as a percentage of premiums earned.

We have also calculated the following impacts of specific items on the GAAP operating ratios because of the volatility of these items between fiscal periods.

· Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio - the percentage of catastrophe losses included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.

· Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio - the percentage of prior year reserve reestimates included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.

· Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio - the percentage of restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

· Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense and other costs and expenses in the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment to Property-Liability premiums earned.  The sum of the effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on the combined ratio and the Allstate Protection combined ratio is equal to the Property-Liability combined ratio.

53



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Summarized financial data, a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income, and GAAP operating ratios for our Property-Liability operations are presented in the following table.

($ in millions, except ratios)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Premiums written

$

6,767

$

6,810

$

19,665

$

19,694

Revenues

Premiums earned

$

6,499

$

6,535

$

19,515

$

19,677

Net investment income

284

326

898

1,004

Realized capital gains and losses

(107

)

(290

)

(403

)

(403

)

Total revenues

6,676

6,571

20,010

20,278

Costs and expenses

Claims and claims expense

(4,603

)

(4,573

)

(14,109

)

(14,295

)

Amortization of DAC

(915

)

(943

)

(2,754

)

(2,832

)

Operating costs and expenses

(706

)

(642

)

(2,074

)

(1,911

)

Restructuring and related charges

(9

)

(31

)

(34

)

(88

)

Total costs and expenses

(6,233

)

(6,189

)

(18,971

)

(19,126

)

Gain on disposition of operations

5

--

5

--

Income tax expense

(117

)

(68

)

(250

)

(316

)

Net income

$

331

$

314

$

794

$

836

Underwriting income

$

266

$

346

$

544

$

551

Net investment income

284

326

898

1,004

Income tax expense on operations

(154

)

(170

)

(391

)

(346

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

(69

)

(188

)

(261

)

(373

)

Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax

4

--

4

--

Net income

$

331

$

314

$

794

$

836

Catastrophe losses (1)

$

386

$

407

$

1,670

$

1,741

GAAP operating ratios

Claims and claims expense ratio

70.8

70.0

72.3

72.6

Expense ratio

25.1

24.7

24.9

24.6

Combined ratio

95.9

94.7

97.2

97.2

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio (1)

5.9

6.2

8.6

8.8

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio (1)

0.2

(0.7

)

(0.9

)

(0.4

)

Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio

0.1

0.5

0.2

0.4

Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio

0.3

0.3

0.1

0.1


(1) Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $42 million and $140 million favorable in the three months and nine months ended September 30 2010, respectively, compared to $80 million and $139 million favorable in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

54



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Premiums written , an operating measure, is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during a fiscal period.  Premiums earned is a GAAP measure.  Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro-rata basis over the policy period.  The portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of the policies is recorded as unearned premiums on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

A reconciliation of premiums written to premiums earned is shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Premiums written:

Allstate Protection

$

6,767

$

6,810

$

19,665

$

19,695

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

--

--

--

(1

)

Property-Liability premiums written

6,767

6,810

19,665

19,694

Increase in unearned premiums

(319

)

(315

)

(184

)

(48

)

Other

51

40

34

31

Property-Liability premiums earned

$

6,499

$

6,535

$

19,515

$

19,677

Premiums earned:

Allstate Protection

$

6,498

$

6,535

$

19,514

$

19,678

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

1

--

1

(1

)

Property-Liability

$

6,499

$

6,535

$

19,515

$

19,677

ALLSTATE PROTECTION SEGMENT

Premiums written by brand are shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended September 30,

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Allstate Protection

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Standard auto

$

4,028

$

4,049

$

166

$

208

$

4,194

$

4,257

Non-standard auto

223

235

1

6

224

241

Homeowners

1,610

1,573

98

110

1,708

1,683

Other personal lines (1)

616

605

25

24

641

629

Total

$

6,477

$

6,462

$

290

$

348

$

6,767

$

6,810

Nine months ended September 30,

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Allstate Protection

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Standard auto

$

11,999

$

11,903

$

495

$

629

$

12,494

$

12,532

Non-standard auto

680

708

5

19

685

727

Homeowners

4,364

4,276

272

319

4,636

4,595

Other personal lines (1)

1,781

1,764

69

77

1,850

1,841

Total

$

18,824

$

18,651

$

841

$

1,044

$

19,665

$

19,695


(1) Other personal lines include commercial, condominium, renters, involuntary auto and other personal lines.

Allstate brand premiums written, excluding Allstate Canada, by the direct channel increased 15.4% to $195 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $169 million in the third quarter of 2009, and 21.7% to $561 million in the first nine months of 2010 from $461 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Both periods are impacted by profitability management actions taken in New York, Florida, California and North Carolina.  The direct channel includes call centers and the internet.

55



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Premiums earned by brand are shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended September 30,

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Allstate Protection

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Standard auto

$

3,961

$

3,946

$

173

$

221

$

4,134

$

4,167

Non-standard auto

222

231

2

6

224

237

Homeowners

1,430

1,396

96

108

1,526

1,504

Other personal lines

591

601

23

26

614

627

Total

$

6,204

$

6,174

$

294

$

361

$

6,498

$

6,535

Nine months ended September 30,

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Allstate Protection

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Standard auto

$

11,873

$

11,791

$

552

$

702

$

12,425

$

12,493

Non-standard auto

680

708

8

22

688

730

Homeowners

4,262

4,222

292

340

4,554

4,562

Other personal lines

1,775

1,811

72

82

1,847

1,893

Total

$

18,590

$

18,532

$

924

$

1,146

$

19,514

$

19,678

Premium operating measures and statistics that are used to analyze the business are calculated and described below.  Measures and statistics presented for Allstate brand exclude Allstate Canada, loan protection and specialty auto.

· PIF:  Policy counts are based on items rather than customers.  A multi-car customer would generate multiple item (policy) counts, even if all cars were insured under one policy.

· Average premium-gross written:  Gross premiums written divided by issued item count.  Gross premiums written include the impacts from discounts and surcharges, and exclude the impacts from mid-term premium adjustments, ceded reinsurance premiums, and premium refund accruals.  Allstate brand average gross premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line, which is 6 months for standard and non-standard auto and 12 months for homeowners.  Encompass brand average gross premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line, which is 12 months for standard auto and homeowners and 6 months for non-standard auto.

· Renewal ratio: Renewal policies issued during the period, based on contract effective dates, divided by the total policies issued 6 months prior for standard and non-standard auto (12 months prior for Encompass brand standard auto) or 12 months prior for homeowners.

· New issued applications:  Item counts of automobiles or homeowners insurance applications for insurance policies that were issued during the period.  Does not include automobiles that are added by existing customers.

Standard auto premiums written totaled $4.19 billion in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 1.5% from $4.26 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $12.49 billion in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 0.3% from $12.53 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Standard Auto

2010

2009

2010

2009

Three months ended September 30,

PIF (thousands)

17,479

17,774

710

921

Average premium-gross written (1)

$

441

$

435

$

974

$

981

Renewal ratio (%) (1)

88.7

89.1

67.4

69.1

Nine months ended September 30,

PIF (thousands)

17,479

17,774

710

921

Average premium-gross written (1)

$

443

$

432

$

986

$

968

Renewal ratio (%) (1)

88.8

88.9

67.7

69.6


(1) Policy term is six months for Allstate brand and twelve months for Encompass brand.

56



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Allstate brand standard auto premiums written totaled $4.03 billion in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 0.5% from $4.05 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $12.00 billion in the first nine months of 2010, an increase of 0.8% from $11.90 billion in the first nine months of 2009.  Contributing to the Allstate brand standard auto premiums written were the following:

decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, due to fewer policies available to renew and impacts from industry trends reflecting declines in vehicle registrations and vehicle sales per households

2.5% increase in new issued applications on a countrywide basis to 537 thousand in the third quarter of 2010 from 524 thousand in the third quarter of 2009. A 2.7% decrease to 1,499 thousand in the first nine months of 2010 from 1,541 thousand in the first nine months of 2009 impacted by decreases in Florida and California, due in part to rate actions that were approved in 2009 in these markets and other actions to improve profitability.  Excluding Florida and California, new issued applications on a countrywide basis increased 13.5% to 428 thousand in the third quarter of 2010 from 377 thousand in the third quarter of 2009, and increased 11.1% to 1,185 thousand in the first nine months of 2010 from 1,067 thousand in the first nine months of 2009. New issued application increased in 39 states, most of which offer an auto discount (the Preferred Package Discount) for our target customer (multi-car residence owner).

increased average gross premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009, primarily due to rate changes, partially offset by customers electing to lower coverage levels of their policy

0.4 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, primarily due to profitability management actions in California, Georgia, New York and North Carolina, and the renewal ratio in the first nine months of 2010 was comparable to the same period of 2009

The level of Encompass premiums written continues to be impacted by comprehensive actions designed to improve Encompass brand profitability.

Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued.  The following table shows the rate changes that were approved for standard auto and does not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges, that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.  These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a state.

Three months ended September 30,

# of States

Countrywide(%) (1)

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand

21 (5)

15

0.5

1.4

2.8

6.5

Encompass brand

12

13

(0.1)

1.6

(1.3)

9.6

Nine months ended September 30,

# of States

Countrywide(%) (1)

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand (4)

43 (5)

33

1.0

3.1

2.0

6.1

Encompass brand

22

35

1.2

6.1

2.6

9.1


(1)

Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

(2)

Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

(3)

Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for standard auto totaled $80 million and $163 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $238 million and $544 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

(4)

Includes Washington D.C.

(5)

Includes targeted rate decreases in certain markets to improve our competitive position for target customers (multi-car residence owners) .

57



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Non-s tandard auto premiums written totaled $224 million in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 7.1% from $241 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $685 million in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 5.8% from $727 million in the first nine months of 2009.

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Non-Standard Auto

2010

2009

2010

2009

Three months ended September 30,

PIF (thousands)

671

733

6

25

Average premium-gross written

$

630

$

613

$

387

$

470

Renewal ratio (%)

70.8

72.6

42.5

70.5

Nine months ended September 30,

PIF (thousands)

671

733

6

25

Average premium-gross written

$

623

$

613

$

425

$

480

Renewal ratio (%)

71.7

72.5

44.6

69.5

Allstate brand non-standard auto premiums written totaled $223 million in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 5.1% from $235 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $680 million in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 4.0% from $708 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Contributing to the Allstate brand non-standard auto premiums written decrease in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 were the following:

decrease in PIF as of September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, due to a decline in the number of polices available to renew and fewer new issued applications

23.1% decrease in new issued applications to 70 thousand in the third quarter of 2010 from 91 thousand in the third quarter of 2009, and 11.8% decrease to 246 thousand in the first nine months of 2010 from 279 thousand in the first nine months of 2009

increase in average gross premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009

1.8 point and 0.8 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

58



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued.  The following table shows the rate changes that were approved for non-standard auto and does not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges, that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.  These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a state.

Three months ended September 30,

# of States

Countrywide(%) (1)

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand

4

4

0.7

1.2

5.8

5.5

Encompass brand

--

--

--

--

--

--

Nine months ended September 30,

# of States

Countrywide(%) (1)

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand

10 (4)

9

4.2

1.5

10.5

4.5

Encompass brand

--

1

--

0.9

--

31.7


(1)

Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

(2)

Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

(3)

Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for non-standard auto totaled $6 million and $38 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $12 million and $15 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

(4)

Includes Washington D.C.

Homeowners premiums written totaled $1.71 billion in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 1.5% from $1.68 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $4.64 billion in the first nine months of 2010, an increase of 0.9% from $4.60 billion in the first nine months of 2009.  Excluding the cost of catastrophe reinsurance, premiums written increased 0.5% and 0.3% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009.

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Homeowners

2010

2009

2010

2009

Three months ended September 30,

PIF (thousands)

6,740

7,027

322

391

Average premium-gross written (12 months)

$

953

$

889

$

1,311

$

1,279

Renewal ratio (%)

88.6

88.5

76.5

79.3

Nine months ended September 30,

PIF (thousands)

6,740

7,027

322

391

Average premium-gross written (12 months)

$

937

$

878

$

1,304

$

1,262

Renewal ratio (%)

88.3

88.0

76.7

79.4

59



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Allstate brand homeowners premiums written totaled $1.61 billion in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 2.4% from $1.57 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $4.36 billion in the first nine months of 2010, an increase of 2.1% from $4.28 billion in the first nine months of 2009.  Contributing to the Allstate brand homeowners premiums written increase in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 were the following:

decrease in PIF of 4.1% as of September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, due to fewer policies available to renew and fewer new issued applications

5.4% decrease in new issued applications to 140 thousand in the third quarter of 2010 from 148 thousand in the third quarter of 2009 and 2.4% decrease to 410 thousand in the first nine months of 2010 from 420 thousand in the first nine months of 2009.  Our Castle Key Indemnity Company subsidiary continues to have a favorable impact on new issued applications, due to a 2008 regulatory consent decree to sell 50,000 new homeowners policies in Florida by November 2011.  Excluding Florida, new issued applications on a countrywide basis decreased 16.2% to 124 thousand in the third quarter of 2010 from 148 thousand in the third quarter of 2009, and 10.7% to 375 thousand in the first nine months of 2010 from 420 thousand in the first nine months of 2009.

increase in average gross premium in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009, primarily due to rate changes

0.1 point and 0.3 point increase in the renewal ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009

decrease in the net cost of our catastrophe reinsurance program in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009

As of September 30, 2010, an increased Home and Auto discount is now available in 38 states.  This has successfully shifted our mix of new business towards multi-line customers.

Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued.  The following table shows the rate changes that were approved for homeowners, including rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance, and does not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges, that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.

Three months ended September 30,

# of States

Countrywide(%) (1)

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand

15

19 (4)

1.0

2.4

4.2

6.9

Encompass brand

8 (4)

17

--

2.0

(0.1)

4.8

Nine months ended September 30,

# of States

Countrywide(%) (1)

State Specific(%) (2) (3)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand (4)

26

33

3.8

6.6

9.4

9.9

Encompass brand (4)

18

33

0.6

4.1

1.8

6.0


(1)

Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

(2)

Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

(3)

Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for homeowners totaled $59 million and $233 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $158 million and $420 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

(4)

Includes Washington D.C.

60



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Underwriting results are shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Premiums written

$

6,767

$

6,810

$

19,665

$

19,695

Premiums earned

$

6,498

$

6,535

$

19,514

$

19,678

Claims and claims expense

(4,582)

(4,557)

(14,085)

(14,274)

Amortization of DAC

(915)

(943)

(2,754)

(2,832)

Other costs and expenses

(705)

(641)

(2,070)

(1,906)

Restructuring and related charges

(9)

(31)

(34)

(88)

Underwriting income

$

287

$

363

$

571

$

578

Catastrophe losses

$

386

$

407

$

1,670

$

1,741

Underwriting income (loss) by line of business

Standard auto

$

258

$

284

$

688

$

743

Non-standard auto

23

24

48

64

Homeowners

(63)

27

(312)

(293)

Other personal lines

69

28

147

64

Underwriting income

$

287

$

363

$

571

$

578

Underwriting income (loss) by brand

Allstate brand

$

292

$

364

$

611

$

576

Encompass brand

(5)

(1)

(40)

2

Underwriting income

$

287

$

363

$

571

$

578

Allstate Protection experienced underwriting income of $287 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $363 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $571 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to $578 million in the first nine months of 2009.  The decrease in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was primarily due to decreases in homeowners and standard auto underwriting income, partially offset by increases in other personal lines underwriting income.  Homeowners underwriting loss was $63 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to an underwriting income of $27 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to increases in expenses and catastrophe losses, including prior year reserve reestimates for catastrophes, and a $70 million unfavorable prior year reserve reestimate related to a litigation settlement, partially offset by average earned premiums increasing faster than loss costs.  Standard auto underwriting income decreased 9.2% to an underwriting income of $258 million in the third quarter of 2010 from an underwriting income of $284 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to increases in auto claim frequency and expenses, partially offset by favorable reserve reestimates and decreases in catastrophe losses.  Other personal lines underwriting income increased 146.4% to an underwriting income of $69 million in the third quarter of 2010 from an underwriting income of $28 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to increases in favorable reserve reestimates.

The Allstate Protection underwriting income decreased in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 primarily due to decreases in standard auto underwriting income, increases in homeowners underwriting losses and decreases in non-standard auto underwriting income, partially offset by increases in other personal lines underwriting income.  Standard auto underwriting income decreased 7.4% to an underwriting income of $688 million in the first nine months of 2010 from an underwriting income of $743 in the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to increases in auto claim frequency and expenses, partially offset by favorable reserve reestimates and decreases in catastrophe losses.  Homeowners underwriting loss increased 6.5% to an underwriting loss of $312 million in the first nine months of 2010 from an underwriting loss of $293 million in the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to a $70 million unfavorable prior year reserve reestimate related to a litigation settlement and increases in expenses and catastrophe losses, including prior year reestimates, partially offset by average earned premiums increasing faster than loss costs.  Non-standard auto underwriting income decreased 25.0% to an underwriting income of $48 million in the first nine months of 2010 from an underwriting income of

61



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

$64 million in the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to decreases in premiums earned and increases in auto claim frequency, partially offset by favorable reserve reestimates and decreases in catastrophe losses.  Other personal lines underwriting income increased 129.7% to an underwriting income of $147 million in the first nine months of 2010 from an underwriting income of $64 million in the first nine months of 2009 primarily due to increases in favorable reserve reestimates.

Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 were $386 million and $1.67 billion, respectively, as detailed in the table below.  This compares to catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 of $407 million and $1.74 billion, respectively.

We define a “catastrophe” as an event that produces pre-tax losses before reinsurance in excess of $1 million and involves multiple first party policyholders, or an event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event.  Catastrophes are caused by various natural events including high winds, winter storms, tornadoes, hailstorms, wildfires, tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes.  We are also exposed to man-made catastrophic events, such as certain acts of terrorism or industrial accidents.  The nature and level of catastrophes in any future period cannot be reliably predicted.

Catastrophe losses related to events that occurred by the size of the event are shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30, 2010

Number
of events

Claims
and
claims
expense

Combined
ratio
impact

Average
catastrophe
loss per event

Size of catastrophe

$50 million to $100 million

1

3.4%

$

66

17.1%

1.0

$

66

Less than $50 million

28

96.6

305

79.0

4.7

11

Total

29

100.0%

371

96.1

5.7

13

Prior year reserve reestimates

(42)

(10.9)

(0.6)

Prior quarter reserve reestimates

57

14.8

0.8

Total catastrophe losses

$

386

100.0%

5.9

Nine months ended
September 30, 2010

Number
of events

Claims
and
claims
expense

Combined
ratio
impact

Average
catastrophe
loss per event

Size of catastrophe

$101 million to $250 million

3

4.3%

$

485

29.1%

2.5

$

162

$50 million to $100 million

8

11.4

538

32.2

2.8

67

Less than $50 million

59

84.3

787

47.1

4.0

13

Total

70

100.0%

1,810

108.4

9.3

26

Prior year reserve reestimates

(140)

(8.4)

(0.7)

Total catastrophe losses

$

1,670

100.0%

8.6

62



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Catastrophe losses incurred by the type of event are shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

Number
of events

2009

Number
of events

2010

Number
of events

2009

Number
of events

Hurricanes/Tropical storms

$

18

1

$

--

--

$

18

1

$

--

--

Tornadoes

5

1

--

--

138

6

332

4

Wind/Hail

327

25

384

22

1,384

55

1,334

57

Other events

21

2

17

2

270

8

214

8

Prior year reserve reestimates

(42)

(80)

(140)

(139)

Prior quarter reserve reestimates

57

86

--

--

Total catastrophe losses

$

386

29

$

407

24

$

1,670

70

$

1,741

69

Combined ratio Loss ratios are a measure of profitability.  Loss ratios by product, and expense and combined ratios by brand, are shown in the following table.  These ratios are defined in the Property-Liability Operations section of the MD&A.

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

Loss ratio (1)

Effect of
catastrophe
losses on the
loss ratio

Effect of
pre-tax reserve
reestimates
on the
combined ratio

Loss ratio (1)

Effect of
catastrophe
losses on the
loss ratio

Effect of
pre-tax reserve
reestimates
on the
combined ratio

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Allstate brand loss ratio:

Standard auto

68.7

68.6

0.4

1.3

(0.6)

0.3

69.5

69.4

1.0

1.7

(0.9)

(0.1)

Non-standard auto

61.7

63.6

--

0.4

(6.8)

(3.9)

66.5

66.4

0.3

0.8

(4.3)

(2.3)

Homeowners

80.5

75.4

23.1

22.3

5.2

(5.2)

83.5

84.5

31.6

31.9

0.2

(2.4)

Other personal lines

61.4

64.1

4.4

4.0

(6.3)

(0.8)

63.5

67.5

6.6

7.2

(3.6)

1.7

Total Allstate brand loss ratio

70.5

69.5

6.0

6.3

--

(1.2)

72.0

72.5

8.5

9.1

(1.0)

(0.6)

Allstate brand expense ratio

24.8

24.6

24.7

24.4

Allstate brand combined ratio

95.3

94.1

96.7

96.9

Encompass brand loss ratio:

Standard auto

75.7

76.9

0.6

0.5

(1.7)

3.6

75.2

74.8

0.7

0.6

1.8

1.0

Non-standard auto

100.0

66.7

--

--

--

(16.7)

100.0

72.7

--

--

--

(9.1)

Homeowners

63.5

67.6

13.5

15.7

(7.3)

(1.9)

77.4

68.6

25.3

16.2

(3.4)

(4.4)

Other personal lines

60.9

65.4

--

--

(4.3)

7.7

72.2

72.0

4.2

1.2

(1.4)

9.8

Total Encompass brand loss ratio

70.7

73.1

4.8

5.0

(3.7)

1.9

75.9

72.7

8.8

5.2

(0.1)

(0.2)

Encompass brand expense ratio

31.0

27.2

28.4

27.1

Encompass brand combined ratio

101.7

100.3

104.3

99.8

Allstate Protection loss ratio

70.5

69.7

5.9

6.2

(0.2)

(1.0)

72.2

72.6

8.6

8.8

(1.0)

(0.5)

Allstate Protection expense ratio

25.1

24.7

24.9

24.5

Allstate Protection combined ratio

95.6

94.4

97.1

97.1


(1) Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.

Standard auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 0.1 points in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 due to higher claim frequency, partially offset by favorable reserve reestimates and lower catastrophe losses.  In the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, claim frequencies in the bodily injury and physical damage coverages have increased compared to the same periods of

63



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

2009, but remain within historical norms.  Bodily injury and physical damage coverages severity results increased in line with historical Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) trends.

Non-standard auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand decreased 1.9 points in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due to higher favorable reserve reestimates and lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by higher claim frequencies.  Non-standard auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 0.1 points in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 due to higher claim frequencies, partially offset by higher favorable reserve reestimates and lower catastrophe losses.  Bodily injury and physical damage coverages severity results increased in line with historical CPI trends.

Homeowners loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 5.1 points to 80.5 in the third quarter of 2010 from 75.4 in the third quarter of 2009, and decreased 1.0 points to 83.5 in the first nine months of 2010 from 84.5 in the first nine months of 2009.  The increase in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was due to a $70 million unfavorable prior year reserve reestimate related to a litigation settlement and higher catastrophe losses including prior year reserve reestimates for catastrophes, partially offset by average earned premiums increasing faster than loss costs.  The decrease in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was due to average earned premiums increasing faster than loss costs and lower catastrophe losses including prior year reserve reestimates for catastrophes, partially offset by a $70 million unfavorable prior year reserve reestimate related to a litigation settlement.

Expense ratio for Allstate Protection increased 0.4 points in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.  Restructuring costs decreased 0.4 points and 0.2 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009, driven by costs associated with claim office consolidations and technology prioritization and efficiency efforts.  Excluding restructuring, the expense ratio for Allstate Protection increased 0.8 points and 0.6 points in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009.  Improved operational efficiencies were offset by increased investments in marketing and increases in the net costs of employee benefits.

The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are included in the following table.

Three months ended September 30,

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Allstate Protection

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Amortization of DAC

13.9

14.2

18.1

18.3

14.1

14.4

Other costs and expenses

10.8

9.9

11.6

8.6

10.9

9.8

Restructuring and related charges

0.1

0.5

1.3

0.3

0.1

0.5

Total expense ratio

24.8

24.6

31.0

27.2

25.1

24.7

Nine months ended September 30,

Allstate brand

Encompass brand

Allstate Protection

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Amortization of DAC

13.9

14.1

18.2

18.5

14.1

14.4

Other costs and expenses

10.7

9.8

9.4

8.3

10.6

9.7

Restructuring and related charges

0.1

0.5

0.8

0.3

0.2

0.4

Total expense ratio

24.7

24.4

28.4

27.1

24.9

24.5

64



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Allstate Protection Reinsurance

Our catastrophe reinsurance program was designed, utilizing our risk management methodology, to address our exposure to catastrophes nationwide.  Our program provides reinsurance protection for catastrophes including storms named or numbered by the National Weather Service, fires following earthquakes, earthquakes and wildfires, including California wildfires. These reinsurance agreements are part of our catastrophe management strategy, which is intended to provide our shareholders an acceptable return on the risks assumed in our property business, and to reduce variability of earnings while providing protection to our customers.

Our reinsurance program coordinates coverage under various agreements and comprises agreements that provide coverage for the occurrence of:

· certain qualifying catastrophes in specific states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and California for multiple perils (“multi-peril”).  The California contracts that expire May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2012, provide coverage only for fires following earthquakes, and the California contract, expiring May 31, 2013, reinsures multiple perils, including earthquakes and fires following earthquakes, resulting in the classification of the California agreement as a “multi-peril” agreement;

· hurricane catastrophe losses in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama (“Gulf States”) and Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware and the District of Columbia (“Atlantic States”);

· hurricane catastrophe losses in the state of Texas (“Texas Hurricane”); and for earthquakes and fires following earthquakes losses in the state of Kentucky (“Kentucky”); and

· the aggregate or sum of qualifying losses nationwide, excluding Florida, in excess of an annual retention associated with storms named or numbered by the National Weather Service, fires following earthquakes and California wildfires (“aggregate excess”).

During the second quarter of 2010, we placed reinsurance contracts for the state of Florida.  The Florida component of the reinsurance program is designed separately from the other components of the program to address the distinct needs of our separately capitalized legal entities in that state.  See The Allstate Corporation Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 for additional details on our current Florida program.

We estimate that the total annualized cost of all catastrophe reinsurance programs for the year beginning June 1, 2010 will be approximately $560 million or $140 million per quarter compared to $640 million annualized cost for the year beginning June 1, 2009.  The total cost of our reinsurance programs during 2009 was $158 million in the first quarter, $156 million in the second quarter, $162 million in the third quarter and $153 million in the fourth quarter.  The total cost of our property catastrophe reinsurance programs during the first, second and third quarter of 2010 was $151 million, $152 million and $142 million, respectively.  We continue to attempt to capture our reinsurance cost in premium rates as allowed by state regulatory authorities.

65



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Reserve reestimates The tables below show Allstate Protection net reserves representing the estimated cost of outstanding claims as they were recorded at the beginning of years 2010 and 2009, and the effect of reestimates in each year.

($ in millions)

January 1 reserves

2010

2009

Auto

$

10,606

$

10,220

Homeowners

2,399

2,824

Other personal lines

2,145

2,207

Total Allstate Protection

$

15,150

$

15,251

($ in millions, except ratios)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

Reserve
Reestimates
(1) (2)

Effect on
combined ratio
(2)

Reserve
reestimates
(1) (2)

Effect on
combined ratio
(2)

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Auto

$

(40)

$

11

(0.6)

0.2

$

(120)

$

(28)

(0.6)

(0.1)

Homeowners

67

(75)

1.0

(1.2)

(2)

(118)

--

(0.6)

Other personal lines

(38)

(3)

(0.6)

--

(65)

38

(0.4)

0.2

Total Allstate Protection (3)

$

(11)

$

(67)

(0.2)

(1.0)

$

(187)

$

(108)

(1.0)

(0.5)

Allstate brand

$

--

$

(74)

--

(1.1)

$

(186)

$

(106)

(1.0)

(0.5)

Encompass brand

(11)

7

(0.2)

0.1

(1)

(2)

--

--

Total Allstate Protection (3)

$

(11)

$

(67)

(0.2)

(1.0)

$

(187)

$

(108)

(1.0)

(0.5)


(1) Favorable reserve reestimates are shown in parentheses.

(2) Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment reserve reestimates totaled $22 million and $25 million unfavorable in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $15 million and $21 million unfavorable in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  The effect on the combined ratio totaled 0.4 and 0.3 in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 0.1 in both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

(3) Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $42 million and $140 million favorable in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $80 million and $139 million favorable in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

DISCONTINUED LINES AND COVERAGES SEGMENT

Overview The Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment includes results from insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  Our exposure to asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is reported in this segment.  We have assigned management of this segment to a designated group of professionals with expertise in claims handling, policy coverage interpretation, exposure identification and reinsurance collection.  As part of its responsibilities, this group is also regularly engaged in policy buybacks, settlements and reinsurance assumed and ceded commutations.

Summarized underwriting results are presented in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Premiums written

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(1)

Premiums earned

$

1

$

--

$

1

$

(1)

Claims and claims expense

(21)

(16)

(24)

(21)

Operating costs and expenses

(1)

(1)

(4)

(5)

Underwriting loss

$

(21)

$

(17)

$

(27)

$

(27)

Underwriting losses of $21 million and $27 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, were primarily related to our annual review using established industry and actuarial best practices resulting in a $18 million unfavorable reestimate of environmental reserves and a $5 million unfavorable reestimate of asbestos reserves, partially offset by a $4 million favorable reestimate of other reserves.  Underwriting losses of $17 million and $27 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, were primarily related to a $13 million unfavorable reestimate of environmental reserves, a $2 million unfavorable reestimate of

66



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

other reserves and a $4 million increase of our allowance for future uncollectible reinsurance, partially offset by an $8 million favorable reestimate of asbestos reserves.

Reserve additions for environmental claims totaling $18 million in the third quarter of 2010 were primarily related to site-specific remediations where the clean-up cost estimates and responsibility for the clean-up were more fully determined.  Reserves for environmental claims were $205 million and $198 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $47 million and $49 million, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  Incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) represents 62% of total net environmental reserves, 3 points lower than at December 31, 2009.  In the third quarter of 2009, reserve additions for environmental claims totaling $13 million were primarily related to site-specific remediations where the clean-up cost estimates and responsibility for the clean-up were more fully determined.

For asbestos exposures, our 2010 annual review resulted in an increase in estimated reserves of $5 million for products related coverage.  Reserves for asbestos claims were $1.13 billion and $1.18 billion, net of reinsurance recoverables of $565 million and $600 million, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  We continue to be encouraged that the pace of industry claim activity has slowed, reflecting various state legislative actions and increased legal scrutiny of the legitimacy of claims.  IBNR represents 58% of total net asbestos reserves, 4 points lower than at December 31, 2009.  IBNR provides for estimated probable future unfavorable reserve development of known claims and future reporting of additional unknown claims from current and new policyholders and ceding companies.  In the third quarter of 2009, our review resulted in a decrease in estimated reserves of $8 million.

As of September 30, 2010, the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance was $142 million, or approximately 17.3% of total recoverables from reinsurers in the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment, compared to $142 million or 16.2% of total recoverables as of December 31, 2009.

We believe that our reserves are appropriately established based on assessments of pertinent factors and characteristics of exposure (i.e. claim activity, potential liability, jurisdiction, products versus non-products exposure) presented by individual policyholders, assuming no change in the legal, legislative or economic environment.

PROPERTY-LIABILITY INVESTMENT RESULTS

Net investment income decreased 12.9% or $42 million to $284 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $326 million in the third quarter of 2009, and 10.6% or $106 million to $898 million in the first nine months of 2010 from $1.00 billion in the first nine months of 2009.  The decreases in both periods were primarily due to lower yields and duration shortening actions taken to protect the portfolio from rising interest rates, partially offset by higher average asset balances.  Net investment income was $304 million and $310 million in the first quarter of 2010 and second quarter of 2010, respectively.

Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Impairment write-downs

$

(57)

$

(100)

$

(232)

$

(443)

Change in intent write-downs

(10)

(10)

(29)

(83)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

(67)

(110)

(261)

(526)

Sales

228

91

390

234

Valuation of derivative instruments

(143)

(209)

(378)

(1)

Settlements of derivative instruments

(118)

(99)

(164)

(82)

EMA limited partnership income

(7)

37

10

(28)

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

(107)

(290)

(403)

(403)

Income tax benefit

38

102

142

30

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(69)

$

(188)

$

(261)

$

(373)

For a further discussion of net realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.

67



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

ALLSTATE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

·

Net income of $85 million and net loss of $18 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to net losses of $38 million and $346 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.

·

Premiums and contract charges on underwritten products, including traditional life, interest-sensitive life and accident and health insurance, increased 12.7% or $58 million and 13.3% or $179 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2009.

·

Net realized capital losses totaled $38 million and $553 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to $234 million and $156 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.

·

Investments as of September 30, 2010 totaled $62.92 billion, reflecting an increase in carrying value of $699 million from $62.22 billion as of December 31, 2009. Net investment income decreased 5.0% to $707 million in the third quarter and 7.1% to $2.16 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $744 million and $2.33 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.

·

Contractholder funds as of September 30, 2010 totaled $48.94 billion, reflecting a decrease of $3.64 billion from $52.58 billion as of December 31, 2009.

ALLSTATE FINANCIAL SEGMENT

Summary analysis Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Revenues

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

$

548

$

482

$

1,637

$

1,460

Net investment income

707

744

2,161

2,327

Realized capital gains and losses

(38)

(234)

(553)

(156)

Total revenues

1,217

992

3,245

3,631

Costs and expenses

Life and annuity contract benefits

(445)

(382)

(1,372)

(1,176)

Interest credited to contractholder funds

(445)

(496)

(1,358)

(1,636)

Amortization of DAC

(91)

(80)

(215)

(817)

Operating costs and expenses

(118)

(99)

(354)

(325)

Restructuring and related charges

--

(4)

1

(24)

Total costs and expenses

(1,099)

(1,061)

(3,298)

(3,978)

Gain on disposition of operations

4

2

7

6

Income tax (expense) benefit

(37)

29

28

(5)

Net income (loss)

$

85

$

(38)

$

(18)

$

(346)

Investments at September 30

$

62,915

$

61,891

Net income in the third quarter of 2010 was $85 million compared to a net loss of $38 million in the same period of 2009.  The favorable change of $123 million was primarily due to lower net realized capital losses, higher premiums and contract charges, and lower interest credited to contractholder funds, partially offset by increased contract benefits and lower net investment income.

Net loss in the first nine months of 2010 was $18 million compared to $346 million in the first nine months of 2009.  The improvement of $328 million was primarily due to lower amortization of DAC, decreased interest credited to contractholder funds and higher premiums and contract charges, partially offset by increased net realized capital losses, higher contract benefits and lower net investment income.  Additionally, the first nine months of 2009 included expense of $142 million attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset on capital losses.

68



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Analysis of revenues Total revenues increased 22.7% or $225 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to lower net realized capital losses and higher premiums and contract charges, partially offset by lower net investment income.  Total revenues decreased 10.6% or $386 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to higher net realized capital losses and lower net investment income, partially offset by higher premiums and contract charges.

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges Premiums represent revenues generated from traditional life insurance, immediate annuities with life contingencies, and accident and health insurance products that have significant mortality or morbidity risk.  Contract charges are revenues generated from interest-sensitive and variable life insurance and fixed annuities for which deposits are classified as contractholder funds or separate account liabilities.  Contract charges are assessed against the contractholder account values for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance and surrender prior to contractually specified dates.  As a result, changes in contractholder funds are considered in the evaluation of growth and as indicators of future levels of revenues.

The following table summarizes life and annuity premiums and contract charges by product.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Premiums

Traditional life insurance

$

107

$

103

$

317

$

303

Immediate annuities with life contingencies

26

15

84

83

Accident and health insurance

157

114

464

340

Total premiums

290

232

865

726

Contract charges

Interest-sensitive life insurance

249

238

740

699

Fixed annuities

9

12

32

35

Total contract charges (1)

258

250

772

734

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges (2)

$

548

$

482

$

1,637

$

1,460


(1)

Total contract charges include contract charges related to the cost of insurance totaling $161 million and $156 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $476 million and $458 million in the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(2)

Premiums and contract charges on underwritten products, including traditional life, interest-sensitive life and accident and health insurance, totaled $513 million and $455 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $1.52 billion and $1.34 billion in the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Total premiums increased 25.0% and 19.1% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to higher sales of accident and health insurance through the Allstate Workplace Division, with a significant portion of the increase resulting from sales to employees of one large company.  In addition, increased traditional life insurance premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 were primarily due to lower reinsurance premiums resulting from higher retention.

Total contract charges increased 3.2% and 5.2% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to higher cost of insurance and maintenance contract charges on interest-sensitive life insurance products resulting from a shift in the mix of policies in force.

69



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Contractholder funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of individual and institutional products, such as interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities, funding agreements and bank deposits.  The balance of contractholder funds is equal to the cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract maturities, benefits, surrenders, withdrawals and contract charges for mortality or administrative expenses.  The following table shows the changes in contractholder funds.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Contractholder funds, beginning balance

$

49,443

$

53,999

$

52,582

$

58,413

Deposits

Fixed annuities

224

343

752

1,613

Interest-sensitive life insurance

363

355

1,149

1,054

Bank and other deposits

262

208

748

903

Total deposits

849

906

2,649

3,570

Interest credited

445

498

1,355

1,544

Maturities, benefits, withdrawals and other adjustments

Maturities and retirements of institutional products

(3)

(212)

(1,784)

(4,715)

Benefits

(397)

(379)

(1,187)

(1,235)

Surrenders and partial withdrawals

(1,295)

(1,184)

(3,898)

(3,632)

Contract charges

(247)

(232)

(731)

(680)

Net transfers from separate accounts

3

2

8

8

Fair value hedge adjustments for institutional products

24

1

(173)

31

Other adjustments (1)

114

(63)

115

32

Total maturities, benefits, withdrawals and other adjustments

(1,801)

(2,067)

(7,650)

(10,191)

Contractholder funds, ending balance

$

48,936

$

53,336

$

48,936

$

53,336


(1)

The table above illustrates the changes in contractholder funds, which are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The table above is intended to supplement our discussion and analysis of revenues, which are presented net of reinsurance on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result, the net change in contractholder funds associated with products reinsured to third parties is reflected as a component of the other adjustments line.

Contractholder funds decreased 1.0% and 6.9% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to a decrease of 1.2% and 8.7% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  Average contractholder funds decreased 8.3% and 9.2% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009.

Contractholder deposits decreased 6.3% and 25.8% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to lower deposits on fixed annuities.  Deposits on fixed annuities decreased 34.7% and 53.4% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009 due to our strategic decision to discontinue distributing fixed annuities through banks and broker-dealers and our goal to reduce our concentration in spread based products and improve returns on new business.

Maturities and retirements of institutional products decreased 98.6% to $3 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 62.2% to $1.78 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $212 million and $4.72 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  The third quarter and first nine months of 2009 included the retirement of $9 million and $1.45 billion, respectively, of extendible institutional market obligations, all of which were retired during 2009.  In addition, the first nine months of 2009 included the redemption of $1.39 billion of institutional product liabilities in conjunction with cash tender offers.

Surrenders and partial withdrawals on deferred fixed annuities, interest-sensitive life insurance products and Allstate Bank products (including maturities of certificates of deposit) increased 9.4% to $1.30 billion in the third quarter of 2010 and 7.3% to $3.90 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $1.18 billion and $3.63 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  The increase in the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due

70



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

to higher surrenders and partial withdrawals on fixed annuities.  In the first nine months of 2010, the increase was primarily due to higher surrenders and partial withdrawals on fixed annuities, partially offset by lower surrenders and partial withdrawals on Allstate Bank products.   The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities, interest-sensitive life insurance products and Allstate Bank products, based on the beginning of period contractholder funds, was 12.2% in the first nine months of 2010 compared to 11.1% in the first nine months of 2009.

Net investment income decreased 5.0% or $37 million to $707 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 7.1% or $166 million to $2.16 billion in the first nine months of 2010 from $744 million and $2.33 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, primarily due to reduced average asset balances, lower yields and actions to reduce the portfolio’s exposure to commercial real estate .  Net investment income was $731 million and $723 million in the first quarter of 2010 and second quarter of 2010, respectively.

Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Impairment write-downs

$

(80)

$

(281)

$

(367)

$

(842)

Change in intent write-downs

(20)

(1)

(100)

(59)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

(100)

(282)

(467)

(901)

Sales

89

106

151

628

Valuation of derivative instruments

10

(60)

(193)

202

Settlements of derivative instruments

(34)

7

(45)

30

EMA limited partnership income

(3)

(5)

1

(115)

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

(38)

(234)

(553)

(156)

Income tax benefit (expense)

13

83

193

(83)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(25)

$

(151)

$

(360)

$

(239)

For further discussion of realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.

Analysis of costs and expenses Total costs and expenses increased 3.6% or $38 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to higher contract benefits and operating costs and expenses, partially offset by lower interest credited to contractholder funds.  Total costs and expenses decreased 17.1% or $680 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to lower amortization of DAC and interest credited to contractholder funds, partially offset by higher contract benefits.

Life and annuity contract benefits increased 16.5% or $63 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 16.7% or $196 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.  In the third quarter of 2010, higher contract benefits on accident and health insurance business were proportionate to growth in premiums and an increase in contract benefits on immediate annuities was due to favorable mortality experience in the third quarter of 2009.

The increase in contract benefits in the first nine months of 2010 primarily reflects higher contract benefits on interest-sensitive life insurance due to the re-estimation of reserves for certain secondary guarantees on universal life insurance policies and unfavorable mortality experience as well as increased contract benefits on accident and health insurance business, partially offset by lower contract benefits on immediate annuities with life contingencies due to the re-estimation of reserves for benefits payable to certain annuitants to reflect current contractholder information.

The reserve re-estimations utilized more refined policy level information and assumptions in the second quarter of 2010.  The increase in reserves for certain secondary guarantees on universal life insurance policies resulted in a charge to contract benefits of $68 million and a related reduction in amortization of DAC of $50 million.  The decrease in reserves for immediate annuities resulted in a credit to contract benefits of $26 million.  The net impact was an increase to income of $8 million, pre-tax.

We analyze our mortality and morbidity results using the difference between premiums and contract charges earned for the cost of insurance and life and annuity contract benefits excluding the portion related to the implied

71



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies (“benefit spread”).  This implied interest totaled $135 million and $413 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to $139 million and $418 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.

The benefit spread by product group is disclosed in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Life insurance

$

93

$

96

$

204

$

295

Accident and health insurance

65

50

189

149

Annuities

(17)

(1)

(11)

(18)

Total benefit spread

$

141

$

145

$

382

$

426

Benefit spread decreased 2.8% or $4 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 10.3% or $44 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.  The decrease in the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to favorable mortality experience on annuities in the third quarter of 2009, partially offset by growth in accident and health insurance business sold through the Allstate Workplace Division.  The decrease in the first nine months of 2010 was primarily due to re-estimations of reserves that increased contract benefits for interest-sensitive life insurance and decreased contract benefits for immediate annuities and unfavorable mortality experience on interest-sensitive life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, partially offset by growth in accident and health insurance business sold through the Allstate Workplace Division.

Interest credited to contractholder funds decreased 10.3% or $51 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 17.0% or $278 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to lower average contractholder funds and management actions to reduce interest crediting rates on deferred fixed annuities.  In addition, the decline in the first nine months of 2010 also reflects lower amortization of deferred sales inducement costs (“DSI”).

Amortization of DSI in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was $3 million and $14 million, respectively, compared to $4 million and $114 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively.  The decline in amortization of DSI in the first nine months of 2010 was primarily due to a $44 million decrease in amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses and a $38 million reduction in amortization acceleration for changes in assumptions.

In order to analyze the impact of net investment income and interest credited to contractholders on net income, we monitor the difference between net investment income and the sum of interest credited to contractholder funds and the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies, which is included as a component of life and annuity contract benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (“investment spread”).

The investment spread by product group is shown in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Annuities and institutional products

$

44

$

44

$

148

$

81

Life insurance

11

(2)

24

2

Allstate Bank products

8

8

24

21

Accident and health insurance

5

5

13

13

Net investment income on investments supporting capital

59

54

181

156

Total investment spread

$

127

$

109

$

390

$

273

Investment spread increased 16.5% or $18 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 42.9% or $117 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009 as lower net investment income was more than offset by decreased interest credited to contractholder funds, which includes lower amortization of DSI.  Excluding amortization of DSI, investment spread increased 15.0% or $17 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 4.4% or $17 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009.

72



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

To further analyze investment spreads, the following tables summarize the weighted average investment yield on assets supporting product liabilities and capital, interest crediting rates and investment spreads.

Three months ended September 30,

Weighted average
investment yield

Weighted average
interest crediting rate

Weighted average
investment spreads

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Interest-sensitive life insurance

5.5

%

5.4

%

4.4

%

4.7

%

1.1

%

0.7

%

Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products

4.4

4.3

3.3

3.4

1.1

0.9

Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies

6.3

6.4

6.3

6.4

--

--

Investments supporting capital, traditional life and other products

3.7

3.9

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Nine months ended September 30,

Weighted average
investment yield

Weighted average
interest crediting rate

Weighted average
investment spreads

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Interest-sensitive life insurance

5.5

%

5.4

%

4.4

%

4.6

%

1.1

%

0.8

%

Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products

4.4

4.5

3.2

3.4

1.2

1.1

Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies

6.4

6.3

6.4

6.4

--

(0.1)

Investments supporting capital, traditional life and other products

3.7

3.8

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

The following table summarizes our product liabilities and indicates the account value of those contracts and policies in which an investment spread is generated.

($ in millions)

September 30,

2010

2009

Immediate fixed annuities with life contingencies

$

8,651

$

8,419

Other life contingent contracts and other

5,304

4,430

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

$

13,955

$

12,849

Interest-sensitive life insurance

$

10,578

$

10,166

Deferred fixed annuities

30,071

32,977

Immediate fixed annuities without life contingencies

3,809

3,856

Institutional products

2,678

4,394

Allstate Bank products

1,103

1,067

Market value adjustments related to fair value hedges and other

697

876

Contractholder funds

$

48,936

$

53,336

73



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Amortization of DAC increased 13.8% or $11 million in the third quarter of 2010 and decreased 73.7% or $602 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.  The components of amortization of DAC are summarized in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Amortization of DAC before amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses and changes in assumptions

$

(101)

$

(108)

$

(240)

$

(382)

Accretion (amortization) relating to realized capital gains and losses (1)

10

28

13

(158)

Amortization deceleration (acceleration) for changes in assumptions (“DAC unlocking”)

--

--

12

(277)

Total amortization of DAC

$

(91)

$

(80)

$

(215)

$

(817)


(1)

The impact of realized capital gains and losses on amortization of DAC is dependent upon the relationship between the assets that give rise to the gain or loss and the product liability supported by the assets. Fluctuations result from changes in the impact of realized capital gains and losses on actual and expected gross profits.

The increase of $11 million in the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to a decline in accretion relating to realized capital gains and losses.  The decrease of $602 million in the first nine months of 2010 was primarily due to a favorable change in amortization acceleration/deceleration for changes in assumptions, a favorable change in amortization/accretion relating to realized capital gains and losses, a decreased amortization rate on fixed annuities and lower amortization from decreased benefit spread on interest-sensitive life insurance due to the re-estimation of reserves.

During the first quarter of 2010, we completed our annual comprehensive review of the profitability of our products to determine DAC balances for our interest-sensitive life, fixed annuities and other investment contracts, which covers assumptions for investment returns, including capital gains and losses, interest crediting rates to policyholders, the effect of any hedges, persistency, mortality and expenses in all product lines.  In the first quarter of 2010, the review resulted in a deceleration of DAC amortization (credit to income) of $12 million.  Amortization deceleration of $45 million related to variable life insurance and was primarily due to appreciation in the underlying separate account valuations.  Amortization acceleration of $32 million related to interest-sensitive life insurance and was primarily due to an increase in projected realized capital losses and lower projected renewal premium (which is also expected to reduce persistency), partially offset by lower expenses.

In the first quarter of 2009, our annual comprehensive review resulted in the acceleration of DAC amortization (charge to income) of $277 million.  $289 million related to fixed annuities, of which $210 million was attributable to market value adjusted annuities, and $18 million related to variable life insurance.  Partially offsetting these amounts was amortization deceleration (credit to income) for interest-sensitive life insurance of $30 million.  The principal assumption impacting fixed annuity amortization acceleration was an increase in the level of expected realized capital losses in 2009 and 2010.  For interest-sensitive life insurance, the amortization deceleration was due to a favorable change in our mortality assumptions, partially offset by increased expected capital losses.

Operating costs and expenses increased 19.2% and 8.9% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009.  The following table summarizes operating costs and expenses.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Non-deferrable acquisition costs

$

43

$

38

$

128

$

118

Other operating costs and expenses

75

61

226

207

Total operating costs and expenses

$

118

$

99

$

354

$

325

Restructuring and related charges

$

--

$

4

$

(1)

$

24

Non-deferrable acquisition costs increased 13.2% or $5 million and 8.5% or $10 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009 primarily due to higher non-

74



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

deferrable commissions related to accident and health insurance business sold through the Allstate Workplace Division.  Other operating costs and expenses increased 23.0% or $14 million and 9.2% or $19 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009 due primarily to higher product distribution and marketing costs, increases in the net cost of employee benefits and lower reinsurance expense allowances resulting from higher retention.  In the first nine months of 2010, these increased costs were partially offset by our expense reduction actions, which resulted in lower employee, professional services and sales support expenses. Through reductions in workforce positions combined with other actions completed as of September 30, 2010, we anticipate that we will exceed our targeted annual savings of $90 million beginning in 2011.

Income tax expense of $37 million and benefit of $28 million were recognized for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to an income tax benefit of $29 million in the third quarter of 2009 and expense of $5 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Income tax expense for the first nine months of 2009 included expense of $142 million attributable to an increase in the valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset on capital losses.

INVESTMENTS HIGHLIGHTS

· Investments as of September 30, 2010 totaled $102.21 billion, an increase of 2.4% from $99.83 billion as of December 31, 2009.

· Unrealized net capital gains totaled $2.65 billion as of September 30, 2010, improving from unrealized net capital losses of $2.32 billion as of December 31, 2009.

· Net investment income was $1.01 billion in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 7.3% from $1.08 billion in the third quarter of 2009, and $3.10 billion in the first nine months of 2010, a decrease of 7.8% from $3.37 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

· Net realized capital losses were $144 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to net realized capital losses of $519 million in the third quarter of 2009.  Net realized capital losses were $943 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to net realized capital losses of $550 million in the first nine months of 2009.

· Derivative net realized capital losses totaled $285 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to net realized capital losses of $361 million in the third quarter of 2009, and net realized capital losses of $780 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to net realized capital gains of $149 million in the first nine months of 2009.  Derivative net realized capital losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 resulted primarily from our risk mitigation (“macro hedge”) and other risk management actions.

· During the first nine months of 2010, our fixed income and mortgage loan portfolio generated $7.43 billion of cash flows from interest and maturities.

INVESTMENTS

We continue to focus our strategic risk mitigation efforts towards managing interest rate, equity, credit and real estate investment risks, while our return optimization efforts focus on investing in new opportunities to generate income and capital appreciation.  As a result, during the first nine months of 2010 we took the following actions:

·

Reduced our municipal bond exposure by 24.5% or $5.32 billion of amortized cost primarily through scheduled maturities, prepayments and targeted dispositions.

·

Reduced our commercial real estate exposure by 16.7% or $2.06 billion of amortized cost primarily through targeted dispositions and principal repayments from borrowers.

·

Reduced our exposure to equity markets by $1.40 billion of cost as a result of our asset allocation strategy, which takes into consideration our risk-return analysis.

·

Hedges remain in place to protect our portfolio, primarily against higher interest rates and lower equity prices, and performed consistently with our positions in relation to the movement in the underlying market indices. The resulting realized capital losses from our interest rate and equity hedges were offset by the increase in fair value of our fixed income and equity securities, which is reflected in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).

75



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

The composition of the investment portfolios at September 30, 2010 is presented in the table below.

($ in millions)

Property-Liability (5)

Allstate Financial (5)

Corporate
and Other
(5)

Total

Percent
to total

Percent
to total

Percent
to total

Percent
to total

Fixed income securities (1)

$

29,422

82.3%

$

51,540

81.9%

$

2,231

62.8%

$

83,193

81.4%

Equity securities (2)

3,499

9.8

208

0.3

--

--

3,707

3.6

Mortgage loans

28

0.1

6,933

11.0

--

--

6,961

6.8

Limited partnership interests (3)

2,289

6.4

1,128

1.8

37

1.0

3,454

3.4

Short-term (4)

454

1.3

1,038

1.7

1,284

36.1

2,776

2.7

Other

53

0.1

2,068

3.3

2

0.1

2,123

2.1

Total

$

35,745

100.0%

$

62,915

100.0%

$

3,554

100.0%

$

102,214

100.0%


(1) Fixed income securities are carried at fair value.  Amortized cost basis for these securities was $28.75 billion, $49.87 billion and $2.17 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial and Corporate and Other, respectively.

(2) Equity securities are carried at fair value.  Cost basis for these securities was $3.27 billion and $181 million for Property-Liability and Allstate Financial, respectively.

(3) We have commitments to invest in additional limited partnership interests totaling $702 million and $668 million for Property-Liability and Allstate Financial, respectively.

(4) Short-term investments are carried at fair value.  Amortized cost basis for these investments was $454 million, $1.04 billion and $1.28 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial and Corporate and Other, respectively.

(5) Balances reflect the elimination of related party investments between segments.

Total investments increased to $102.21 billion at September 30, 2010, from $99.83 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to higher valuations for fixed income securities, partially offset by net reductions in contractholder obligations.  Valuations of fixed income securities are typically driven by a combination of changes in relevant risk-free interest rates and credit spreads over the period.  Risk-free interest rates are typically defined as the yield on U.S. Treasury securities, whereas credit spread is the additional yield on fixed income securities above the risk-free rate that market participants require to compensate them for assuming credit, liquidity and/or prepayment risks.  The increase in valuation for fixed income securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was mainly due to declining risk-free interest rates, partially offset by widening credit spreads in certain sectors.

The Property-Liability investment portfolio increased to $35.75 billion at September 30, 2010, from $34.53 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to higher valuations for fixed income and equity securities and positive operating cash flows, partially offset by dividends paid by Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”) to its parent, The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”).

The Allstate Financial investment portfolio increased to $62.91 billion at September 30, 2010, from $62.22 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to higher valuations for fixed income securities, partially offset by net reductions in contractholder obligations of $3.64 billion.

The Corporate and Other investment portfolio increased to $3.55 billion at September 30, 2010, from $3.09 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily due to dividends of $600 million paid by AIC to the Corporation, and higher valuations for fixed income securities, partially offset by dividends paid to shareholders and interest paid on debt.

76



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Fixed income securities by type are listed in the table below.

($ in millions)

Fair value at
September 30, 2010

Percent to
total
investments

Fair value at
December 31,
2009

Percent to
total
investments

U.S. government and agencies

$

11,253

11.0%

$

7,536

7.6%

Municipal

16,768

16.4

21,280

21.3

Corporate

37,204

36.4

33,115

33.2

Foreign government

3,428

3.4

3,197

3.2

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

8,499

8.3

7,987

8.0

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

1,993

2.0

2,586

2.6

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

4,010

3.9

3,026

3.0

Redeemable preferred stock

38

--

39

--

Total fixed income securities

$

83,193

81.4%

$

78,766

78.9%

At September 30, 2010, 92.3% of the consolidated fixed income securities portfolio was rated investment grade, which is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a, or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.

77



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

The following table summarizes the fair value and unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities by credit rating as of September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Aaa

Aa

A

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

U.S. government and agencies

$

11,253

$

532

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

Municipal

Tax exempt

1,512

117

4,682

242

2,916

130

Taxable

189

12

2,506

160

1,177

19

Auction rate securities (“ARS”)

940

(47)

92

(12)

116

(16)

Corporate

Public

1,792

54

2,776

184

7,210

628

Privately placed

1,158

74

1,672

104

3,632

268

Hybrid

35

5

44

5

402

(48)

Foreign government

2,057

357

431

32

548

57

RMBS

U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”)

5,025

180

--

--

--

--

Prime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Prime”)

505

4

74

(2)

213

1

Alt-A residential mortgage-backed securities (“Alt-A”)

43

(1)

66

(6)

125

(7)

Subprime residential mortgage-backed securities  (“Subprime”)

92

(3)

292

(123)

93

(25)

CMBS

1,205

34

219

(28)

217

(63)

ABS

Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)

28

--

608

(21)

507

(69)

Consumer and other asset-backed securities  (“Consumer and other ABS”)

1,253

37

349

4

309

--

Redeemable preferred stock

--

--

1

--

2

--

Total fixed income securities

$

27,087

$

1,355

$

13,812

$

539

$

17,467

$

875

Baa

Ba or lower

Total

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

U.S. government and agencies

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

11,253

$

532

Municipal

Tax exempt

1,277

(8)

581

(57)

10,968

424

Taxable

471

(52)

166

(59)

4,509

80

ARS

42

(8)

101

(19)

1,291

(102)

Corporate

Public

8,561

688

1,692

64

22,031

1,618

Privately placed

6,307

312

1,326

53

14,095

811

Hybrid

462

(67)

135

10

1,078

(95)

Foreign government

392

36

--

--

3,428

482

RMBS

U.S. Agency

--

--

--

--

5,025

180

Prime

20

(5)

533

(9)

1,345

(11)

Alt-A

40

(5)

404

(106)

678

(125)

Subprime

100

(26)

874

(560)

1,451

(737)

CMBS

230

(183)

122

(142)

1,993

(382)

ABS

CDO

240

(91)

430

(123)

1,813

(304)

Consumer and other ABS

266

(3)

20

(4)

2,197

34

Redeemable preferred stock

34

2

1

--

38

2

Total fixed income securities

$

18,442

$

590

$

6,385

$

(952)

$

83,193

$

2,407

78



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Municipal Bonds , including tax exempt, taxable and ARS securities, totaled $16.77 billion as of September 30, 2010 with an unrealized net capital gain of $402 million.

Included in our municipal bond holdings at September 30, 2010 are $1.02 billion of municipal securities which are not rated by third party credit rating agencies, but are rated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) and are also internally rated.  These holdings include $525 million of below investment grade municipal bonds, most of which were purchased to provide the opportunity to achieve incremental returns.  Our initial investment decisions and ongoing monitoring procedures for these securities are based on a thorough due diligence process which includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the credit quality, sector, structure, and liquidity risks of each issue.

As of September 30, 2010, 47.5% or $7.96 billion of our municipal bond portfolio is insured by nine bond insurers and 46.1% of these securities have a credit rating of Aaa or Aa.  48.0% of our insured municipal bond portfolio was insured by National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, Inc., 22.8% by Ambac Assurance Corporation, 21.5% by Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation and 3.2% by Assured Guaranty Ltd.  Given the effects of the economic crisis on bond insurers, the value inherent in this insurance has declined.  We believe the fair value of our insured municipal bond portfolio substantially reflects the decline in the value of the insurance, and further related valuation declines, if any, are not expected to be material.  We expect to receive all of the contractual cash flows as our practice for acquiring and monitoring municipal bonds is predominantly based on the underlying credit quality of the primary obligor.

Corporate bonds , including publicly traded, privately placed and hybrid securities, totaled $37.20 billion as of September 30, 2010 with an unrealized net capital gain of $2.33 billion.  Privately placed securities primarily consist of corporate issued senior debt securities that are in unregistered form or are directly negotiated with the borrower.  53.7% of the privately placed corporate securities in our portfolio are rated by an independent rating agency and substantially all are rated by the NAIC.

The following table shows details of our hybrid securities as of September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Public

Privately placed

Total

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

United Kingdom (“UK”)

$

88

$

(2)

$

43

$

2

$

131

$

--

Europe (non-UK)

126

6

249

(18)

375

(12)

Asia/Australia

11

(1)

51

(3)

62

(4)

North America

316

(45)

194

(34)

510

(79)

Total

$

541

$

(42)

$

537

$

(53)

$

1,078

$

(95)

Hybrid securities have attributes most similar to those of fixed income securities such as stated interest rates and mandatory redemption dates.  Additionally, some hybrids may have an interest rate step-up feature which is intended to incent the issuer to redeem the security at a specified call date.  While hybrid securities are generally issued by investment grade-rated financial institutions, they have structural features, such as the ability to defer principal and interest payments, which make them more sensitive to credit market deterioration.  $908 million of our hybrid securities with $93 million of unrealized net capital losses are Tier 1 securities, and $170 million with $2 million of unrealized net capital losses are Tier 2 securities.  Tier 1 securities are lower in the capital structure than Tier 2 securities.

RMBS, CMBS and ABS are structured securities that are primarily collateralized by residential and commercial real estate related loans and other consumer related borrowings.  The cash flows from the underlying collateral paid to the securitization trust are generally applied in a pre-determined order and are designed so that each security issued by the trust, typically referred to as a “class”, qualifies for a specific original rating.  For example, the “senior” portion or “top” of the capital structure, or rating class, which would originally qualify for a rating of Aaa typically has priority in receiving principal repayments on the underlying collateral and retains this priority until the class is paid in full.  In a sequential structure, underlying collateral principal repayments are directed to the most senior rated Aaa class in the structure until paid in full, after which principal repayments are directed to the next most senior Aaa class in the structure until it is paid in full.  Senior Aaa classes generally share any losses from the underlying collateral on a pro-rata basis after losses are absorbed by classes with lower original ratings.  The payment priority and class subordination included in these securities serves as credit enhancement for holders of the senior or top portions of the structures.  These securities continue to retain the payment priority features that existed at the origination of the securitization trust.  Other forms of credit enhancement may include structural features embedded in the securitization trust, such as overcollateralization, excess spread and bond insurance.  The

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Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

underlying collateral can have fixed interest rates, variable interest rates (such as adjustable rate mortgages (“ARM”)) or may contain features of both fixed and variable rate mortgages.

RMBS , including U.S. Agency, Prime, Alt-A and Subprime, totaled $8.50 billion, with 78.7% rated investment grade, at September 30, 2010.  The RMBS portfolio is subject to interest rate risk, but unlike other fixed income securities, is additionally subject to significant prepayment risk from the underlying residential mortgage loans.  The credit risk associated with our RMBS portfolio is mitigated due to the fact that 59.1% of the portfolio consists of securities that were issued by or have underlying collateral guaranteed by U.S. government agencies.  The unrealized net capital loss of $693 million at September 30, 2010 was the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase on the non-U.S. Agency portion of our RMBS portfolio, largely due to increased risk premiums caused by macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration, including the impact of real estate valuations, which continue to persist.  The following table shows our RMBS portfolio at September 30, 2010, based upon vintage year of the issuance of the securities.

($ in millions)

U.S. Agency

Prime

Alt-A

Subprime

Total RMBS

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized

gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

2010

$

378

$

2

$

243

$

7

$

66

$

1

$

--

$

--

$

687

$

10

2009

854

19

87

1

9

--

--

--

950

20

2008

858

22

--

--

--

--

--

--

858

22

2007

482

9

259

1

106

(64)

350

(270)

1,197

(324)

2006

340

10

224

(5)

202

(21)

417

(201)

1,183

(217)

2005

676

25

210

(16)

134

(17)

420

(173)

1,440

(181)

Pre-2005

1,437

93

322

1

161

(24)

264

(93)

2,184

(23)

Total

$

5,025

$

180

$

1,345

$

(11)

$

678

$

(125)

$

1,451

$

(737)

$

8,499

$

(693)

Prime are collateralized by residential mortgage loans issued to prime borrowers.  As of September 30, 2010, $1.02 billion of the Prime were fixed rate and $330 million were variable rate.

Alt-A includes securities collateralized by residential mortgage loans issued to borrowers who do not qualify for prime financing terms due to high loan-to-value ratios or limited supporting documentation, but have stronger credit profiles than subprime borrowers.  As of September 30, 2010, $495 million of the Alt-A were fixed rate and $183 million were variable rate.

Subprime includes securities that are collateralized by residential mortgage loans issued to borrowers that cannot qualify for Prime or Alt-A financing terms due in part to weak or limited credit history.  It also includes securities that are collateralized by certain second lien mortgages regardless of the borrower’s credit history.  The Subprime portfolio consisted of $1.18 billion and $271 million of first lien and second lien securities, respectively.  Subprime included $718 million of fixed rate and $733 million of variable rate securities.

CMBS totaled $1.99 billion, with 93.9% rated investment grade, at September 30, 2010.  The CMBS portfolio is subject to credit risk, but unlike certain other structured securities, is generally not subject to prepayment risk due to protections within the underlying commercial mortgage loans.  Of the CMBS investments, 93.8% are traditional conduit transactions collateralized by commercial mortgage loans, broadly diversified across property types and geographical area.  The remainder consists of non-traditional CMBS such as small balance transactions, large loan pools and single borrower transactions.

The following table shows our CMBS portfolio at September 30, 2010 based upon vintage year.

($ in millions)

Fair
value

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

2010

$

24

$

--

2007

277

(43)

2006

593

(279)

2005

300

(60)

Pre-2005

799

--

Total CMBS

$

1,993

$

(382)

The unrealized net capital loss of $382 million at September 30, 2010 on our CMBS portfolio was the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase, largely due to the macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration, including the impact of declining real estate valuations, which continue to persist.  While CMBS

80



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

spreads tightened during 2009 and 2010, credit spreads in most rating classes remain wider than at initial purchase, which is particularly evident in our 2005-2007 vintage year CMBS.

ABS , including CDO and Consumer and other ABS, totaled $4.01 billion, with 88.8% rated investment grade, at September 30, 2010.  Credit risk is managed by monitoring the performance of the underlying collateral.  In addition, many of the securities in the ABS portfolio have credit enhancement with features such as overcollateralization, subordinated structures, reserve funds, guarantees and/or insurance.  The unrealized net capital loss of $270 million at September 30, 2010 on our ABS portfolio was the result of wider credit spreads than at initial purchase.

CDO totaled $1.81 billion, with 76.3% rated investment grade, at September 30, 2010.  CDO consist primarily of obligations collateralized by high yield and investment grade corporate credits including $1.43 billion of cash flow collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”) with unrealized losses of $151 million.  The remaining $383 million of securities consisted of synthetic CDO, trust preferred CDO, market value CDO, project finance CDO, collateralized bond obligations and other CLO with unrealized losses of $153 million.

Cash flow CLO are structures collateralized primarily by below investment grade senior secured corporate loans.  The underlying collateral is actively managed by external managers that monitor the collateral’s performance and is well diversified across industries and among issuers.  A transaction will typically issue notes with various capital structure classes (i.e. Aaa, Aa, A, etc.) as well as equity-like tranches.  In general, these securities are structured with overcollateralization ratios and performance is impacted primarily by defaults and recoveries of the underlying collateral within the structures, which reduce overcollateralization ratios over time.  A violation of the senior overcollateralization test could result in an event of default of the structure.

Consumer and other ABS totaled $2.20 billion, with 99.1% rated investment grade, at September 30, 2010.  Consumer and other ABS consists of $1.40 billion of auto and $801 million of other ABS securities with unrealized gains of $16 million and $18 million, respectively.

Mortgage loans Our mortgage loan portfolio, which is primarily held in the Allstate Financial portfolio, totaled $6.96 billion at September 30, 2010, compared to $7.94 billion at December 31, 2009, and primarily comprise loans secured by first mortgages on developed commercial real estate.  Key considerations used to manage our exposure include property type and geographic diversification.  Our exposure to any metropolitan area is highly diversified, with the largest exposure not exceeding 10.4% of the portfolio.  The portfolio is also diversified across several property types, with the largest concentrations of 33.7% in office buildings and 26.3% in retail property.  Debt service coverage ratios represent the amount of cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations.  For fixed rate mortgage loans, which comprise 90.6% and 89.9% of the total portfolio at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, the average debt service coverage ratios as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were 1.6 and 1.7, respectively.  Mortgage loans with debt service coverage ratios below 1.0 generally have a higher level of risk.  5.6% and 5.8% of the mortgage loan portfolio had a debt service coverage ratio under 1.0 as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  As of September 30, 2010, 28.4% or $112 million of these mortgage loans are impaired and have valuation allowances totaling $50 million compared to 18.4% or $85 million which had valuation allowances totaling $26 million as of December 31, 2009.  Mortgage loans with debt service coverage below 1.0 which are not impaired primarily relate to instances where the borrower has the financial capacity to fund the revenue shortfalls from the properties for the foreseeable term, the decrease in occupancy is considered temporary, or there are other risk mitigating circumstances such as additional collateral, escrow balances or borrower guarantees.

In the first nine months of 2010, $828 million of mortgage loans were contractually due.  Of these, 41% were paid as due, 14% were extended, 42% were refinanced for an average of six years at market rates using our standard underwriting criteria and 3% were real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of mortgage loans.  In addition, $388 million of mortgage loans that were not contractually due in the first nine months of 2010 were paid in full.

The net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $235 million and $383 million, respectively.  Total valuation allowances of $75 million were held on impaired mortgage loans at September 30, 2010, compared to $95 million at December 31, 2009.  We recognized $3 million and $44 million of realized capital losses related to net increases in the valuation allowances on impaired mortgage loans for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.  The net increases in both periods were primarily due to deteriorating debt service coverage resulting from a decrease in occupancy and the risk

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Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

associated with refinancing near-term maturities due to declining underlying collateral valuations.  Realized capital losses recognized on mortgage loans held for sale totaled $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  There were no realized capital losses recognized on mortgage loans held for sale for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

In total, we have seven mortgage loans totaling $64 million in the process of foreclosure, reflecting an increase from five mortgage loans totaling $49 million as of December 31, 2009.  Real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of mortgage loans during the first nine months of 2010 totaled $92 million and is included in other investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.  We recognized $2 million of realized capital losses for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to sales of real estate assets with an active plan to sell.  There were no impairment write-downs recognized on real estate for either the three or nine month periods ended September 30, 2010.

Limited partnership interests consist of investments in private equity/debt funds, real estate funds and hedge funds.  The limited partnership interests portfolio is well diversified across a number of characteristics including fund sponsors, vintage years, strategies, geography (including international), and company/property types.  The following table presents information about our limited partnership interests as of September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Private
equity/debt
funds

Real estate
funds

Hedge
funds

Total

Cost method of accounting (“Cost”)

$

894

$

290

$

77

$

1,261

Equity method of accounting (“EMA”)

641

347

1,205

2,193

Total

$

1,535

$

637

$

1,282

$

3,454

Number of sponsors

86

44

11

Number of individual funds

134

89

100

Largest exposure to single fund

$

41

$

33

$

84

Our aggregate limited partnership exposure represented 3.4% and 2.8% of total invested assets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

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Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

The following table shows the results from our limited partnership interests by fund type and accounting classification.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

Cost

EMA

Total
income

Impairment
write-downs
(1)

Cost

EMA

Total
income

Impairment
write-downs
(1)

Private equity/debt funds

$

6

$

(2)

$

4

$

(3)

$

4

$

10

$

14

$

(1)

Real estate funds

--

(6)

(6)

(6)

--

(22)

(22)

(52)

Hedge funds

--

(3)

(3)

(1)

--

45

45

--

Total

$

6

$

(11)

$

(5)

$

(10)

$

4

$

33

$

37

$

(53)

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

Cost

EMA

Total
income

Impairment
write-downs
(1)

Cost

EMA

Total
income

Impairment
write-downs (1)

Private equity/debt funds

$

20

$

33

$

53

$

(5)

$

11

$

(75)

$

(64)

$

(78)

Real estate funds

(1)

(42)

(43)

(35)

--

(141)

(141)

(214)

Hedge funds

--

22

22

(2)

--

69

69

(4)

Total

$

19

$

13

$

32

$

(42)

$

11

$

(147)

$

(136)

$

(296)


(1) Impairment write-downs related to Cost limited partnerships were $10 million and $41 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $53 million and $286 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  There were no impairment write-downs related to EMA limited partnerships in both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.  Impairment write-downs related to EMA limited partnerships were $1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $10 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Limited partnership interests, excluding impairment write-downs, produced losses of $5 million and income of $32 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to income of $37 million and losses of $136 million in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  Income on EMA limited partnerships is recognized on a delay due to the availability of the related financial statements.  The recognition of income on hedge funds is primarily on a one-month delay and the income recognition on private equity/debt funds and real estate funds are generally on a three-month delay.  Income on Cost limited partnerships is recognized only upon cash distributions by the partnership.

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Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Unrealized net capital gains totaled $2.65 billion as of September 30, 2010 compared to unrealized net capital losses of $2.32 billion as of December 31, 2009.  The improvement since December 31, 2009 for fixed income securities was primarily a result of declining risk-free interest rates, partially offset by widening credit spreads in certain sectors.  The following table presents unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax and after-tax.

($ in millions)

September 30,
2010

June 30,
2010

March 31,
2010

December 31,
2009

U.S. government and agencies

$

532

$

512

$

218

$

203

Municipal

402

89

(256)

(403)

Corporate

2,334

1,445

914

345

Foreign government

482

350

306

291

RMBS

(693)

(954)

(1,231)

(1,500)

CMBS

(382)

(553)

(768)

(925)

ABS

(270)

(390)

(387)

(488)

Redeemable preferred stock

2

1

2

--

Fixed income securities (1)

2,407

500

(1,202)

(2,477)

Equity securities

260

(102)

371

179

Short-term investments

--

--

--

--

Derivatives

(17)

2

(18)

(23)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

2,650

400

(849)

(2,321)

Amounts recognized for:

Insurance reserves (2)

(608)

(292)

--

--

DAC and DSI (3)

(49)

403

726

990

Amounts recognized

(657)

111

726

990

Deferred income taxes

(701)

(183)

39

461

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

1,292

$

328

$

(84)

$

(870)


(1)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities as of September 30, June 30, 2010, March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 comprise $(308) million, $(510) million, $(590) million and $(679) million, respectively, related to unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with other-than-temporary impairment and $2.72 billion, $1.01 billion, $(612) million and $(1.80) billion, respectively, related to other unrealized net capital gains and losses.

(2)

The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency. Although we evaluate premium deficiencies on the combined performance of our life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.

(3)

The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized. Only the unrealized net capital gains and losses on the Allstate Financial fixed annuity and interest-sensitive life product portfolios are used in this calculation. The reduction in unrealized net capital losses in the first, second and third quarter of 2010 for these product portfolios was less than the reduction in unrealized net capital losses for the total Allstate Financial and consolidated portfolios. The DAC and DSI adjustment balance, subject to limitations, is determined by applying the DAC and DSI amortization rate to unrealized net capital gains or losses. Recapitalization of the DAC and DSI balances is limited to the originally deferred costs plus interest.

The unrealized net capital gains for the fixed income portfolio totaled $2.41 billion and comprised $4.85 billion of gross unrealized gains and $2.44 billion of gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2010.  This is compared to unrealized net capital losses for the fixed income portfolio totaling $2.48 billion, comprised of $2.47 billion of gross unrealized gains and $4.95 billion of gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2009.

84



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Gross unrealized gains and losses as of September 30, 2010 on fixed income securities by type and sector are provided in the table below.

($ in millions)

Gross unrealized

Amortized
cost as a

Fair value
as a percent

Par
value
(1)

Amortize
cost

Gains

Losses

Fair
value

percent of
par value
(2)

of
par value
(2)

Corporate:

Banking

$

4,273

$

4,142

$

187

$

(126)

$

4,203

96.9

%

98.4

%

Consumer goods (cyclical and non-cyclical)

5,885

5,943

458

(30)

6,371

101.0

108.3

Financial services

3,601

3,506

206

(30)

3,682

97.4

102.2

Utilities

6,181

6,186

619

(24)

6,781

100.1

109.7

Transportation

1,774

1,792

151

(21)

1,922

101.0

108.3

Capital goods

3,650

3,647

340

(19)

3,968

99.9

108.7

Basic industry

1,542

1,564

116

(7)

1,673

101.4

108.5

Energy

2,308

2,324

191

(6)

2,509

100.7

108.7

Technology

1,404

1,421

99

(6)

1,514

101.2

107.8

Communications

2,151

2,129

156

(4)

2,281

99.0

106.0

FDIC guaranteed

951

957

8

--

965

100.6

101.5

Other

1,394

1,259

87

(11)

1,335

90.3

95.8

Total corporate fixed income portfolio

35,114

34,870

2,618

(284)

37,204

99.3

106.0

U.S. government and agencies

11,306

10,721

533

(1)

11,253

94.8

99.5

Municipal

20,514

16,366

803

(401)

16,768

79.8

81.7

Foreign government

3,400

2,946

482

--

3,428

86.6

100.8

RMBS

9,913

9,192

245

(938)

8,499

92.7

85.7

CMBS

2,424

2,375

59

(441)

1,993

98.0

82.2

ABS

4,686

4,280

105

(375)

4,010

91.3

85.6

Redeemable preferred stock

37

36

2

--

38

97.3

102.7

Total fixed income securities

$

87,394

$

80,786

$

4,847

$

(2,440)

$

83,193

92.4

95.2


(1) Included in par value are zero-coupon securities that are generally purchased at a deep discount to the par value that is received at maturity.  These primarily included corporate, municipal, foreign government and U.S. government and agencies zero-coupon securities with par value of $728 million, $5.90 billion, $1.36 billion and $1.71 billion, respectively.

(2) Excluding the impact of zero-coupon securities, the percentage of amortized cost to par value would be 99.8% for corporates, 99.6% for municipals, 103.9% for foreign governments and 101.5% for U.S. government and agencies.  Similarly, excluding the impact of zero-coupon securities, the percentage of fair value to par value would be 106.4% for corporates, 102.7% for municipals, 114.0% for foreign governments and 104.4% for U.S. government and agencies.

The banking, consumer goods, financial services, utilities and transportation sectors had the highest concentration of gross unrealized losses in our corporate fixed income securities portfolio at September 30, 2010.  In general, credit spreads remain wider than at initial purchase for most of the securities with gross unrealized losses in these categories.

The unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaled $260 million and comprised $363 million of gross unrealized gains and $103 million of gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2010.  This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaling $179 million, comprised of $381 million of gross unrealized gains and $202 million of gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2009.  Within the equity portfolio, the losses were primarily concentrated in consumer goods, financial services, banking, technology and capital goods sectors.  The unrealized losses in these sectors were company and sector specific.  As of September 30, 2010, we have the intent and ability to hold our equity securities with unrealized losses until recovery.

85



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

We have a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost (for fixed income securities) or cost (for equity securities) is below established thresholds.  The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which we may have a concern, are evaluated based on facts and circumstances for inclusion on our watch-list.  All investments in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2010 were included in our portfolio monitoring process for determining whether declines in value were other than temporary.

The extent and duration of a decline in fair value have become less indicative of actual credit deterioration with respect to an issue or issuer.  While we continue to use declines in fair value and the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position as indicators of potential credit deterioration, our determination of whether a security’s decline in fair value is other than temporary has placed greater emphasis on our analysis of the underlying credit and collateral and related estimates of future cash flows.

The following table summarizes the fair values and gross unrealized losses of fixed income securities by type and investment grade classification as of September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Investment grade

Below investment grade

Total

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Unrealized
losses

U.S. government and agencies

$

633

$

(1)

$

--

$

--

$

633

$

(1)

Municipal

2,759

(252)

582

(149)

3,341

(401)

Corporate

2,810

(231)

728

(53)

3,538

(284)

Foreign government

13

--

--

--

13

--

RMBS

1,169

(218)

1,239

(720)

2,408

(938)

CMBS

935

(298)

111

(143)

1,046

(441)

ABS

1,413

(211)

370

(164)

1,783

(375)

Total

$

9,732

$

(1,211)

$

3,030

$

(1,229)

$

12,762

$

(2,440)

We have experienced declines in the fair values of fixed income securities primarily due to wider credit spreads resulting from larger risk premiums since the time of initial purchase, largely due to macroeconomic conditions and credit market deterioration, including the impact of declining residential and commercial real estate valuations, which continue to persist.  Consistent with their ratings, our portfolio monitoring process indicates that investment grade securities have a relatively low risk of default.  Securities rated below investment grade, comprising securities with a rating of Ba, B and Caa or lower, have a higher risk of default.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade gross unrealized losses were primarily concentrated in RMBS, specifically Alt-A and Subprime, CMBS and ABS, specifically cash flow CLO.  The fair value of these securities totaled $1.39 billion, an increase of 8.1%, compared to $1.29 billion as of December 31, 2009.  Gross unrealized losses on these securities totaled $ 913 million as of September 30, 2010, a decrease of 28.8%, compared to $1.28 billion as of December 31, 2009.

Fair values for our structured securities are obtained from third-party valuation service providers and are subject to review as disclosed in our Application of Critical Accounting Estimates.  In accordance with GAAP, when fair value is less than the amortized cost of a security and we have not made the decision to sell the security and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, we evaluate if we expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  We calculate the estimated recovery value by discounting our best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compare this to the amortized cost of the security.  If we do not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors (“non-credit-related”) recognized in OCI.

The non-credit-related unrealized losses for our structured securities, including our below investment grade Alt-A, Subprime, CMBS and cash flow CLO, are heavily influenced by risk factors other than those related to our best estimate of future cash flows.  The difference between these securities’ original or current effective rates and the yields implied by their fair value indicates that a larger risk premium is included in the valuation of these securities than existed at initial issue or purchase.  This risk premium represents the return that a market participant requires as compensation to assume the risk associated with the uncertainties regarding the future performance of the

86



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

underlying commercial and residential real estate collateral.  The risk premium is comprised of: default risk, which reflects the probability of default and the uncertainty related to collection of contractual principal and interest; liquidity risk, which reflects the risk associated with exiting the investment in an illiquid market, both in terms of timeliness and cost; and volatility risk, which reflects the potential valuation volatility during an investor’s holding period.  Other factors reflected in the risk premium include the costs associated with underwriting, monitoring and holding these types of complex securities.  Certain aspects of the default risk are included in the development of our best estimate of future cash flows, as appropriate.  Other aspects of the risk premium are considered to be temporary in nature and are expected to reverse over the remaining lives of the securities as future cash flows are received.

Other-than-temporary impairment assessment for below investment grade Alt-A and Subprime RMBS

Gross unrealized losses for our below investment grade Alt-A and Subprime portfolios totaled $124 million and $567 million, respectively, while gross unrealized gains for these portfolios totaled $18 million and $7 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2010.  For our below investment grade Alt-A and Subprime securities with gross unrealized gains, we have recognized cumulative write-downs in earnings totaling $55 million and $144 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2010.  Gross unrealized losses for our below investment grade Alt-A and Subprime portfolios as of December 31, 2009 totaled $212 million and $849 million, respectively.

The credit loss evaluation for Alt-A and Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses is performed in two phases.  The first phase estimates the future cash flows of the entire securitization trust from which our security was issued.  A critical part of this estimate involves forecasting default rates and loss severities of the residential mortgage loans that collateralize the securitization trust.  The factors that affect the default rates and loss severities include, but are not limited to, historical collateral performance, collateral type, transaction vintage year, geographic concentrations, borrower credit quality, origination practices of the transaction sponsor, and practices of the mortgage loan servicers.  Current loan-to-value ratios of underlying collateral are not consistently available and accordingly they are not a primary factor in our impairment evaluation. While our projections are developed internally and customized to our specific holdings, they are informed by and benchmarked against credit opinions obtained from third parties, such as industry analysts, nationally recognized credit rating agencies and an RMBS loss modeling advisory service. The default rate and loss severity forecasts result in a trust-level projected additional collateral loss estimate.

We then analyze the actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date by the securitization trust, our projected additional collateral losses expected to be incurred and the position of the class of securities we own in the securitization trust relative to the trust’s other classes to determine whether any of the collateral losses will be applied to our class.  If our class has remaining credit enhancement sufficient to withstand the projected additional collateral losses, no collateral losses will be realized by our class and we expect to collect all contractual principal and interest of the security we own.  Remaining credit enhancement is measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security we own and (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to our class, such as overcollateralization and excess spread.

For securities where there is insufficient remaining credit enhancement for the class of securities we own, a recovery value is calculated based on our best estimate of future cash flows specific to that security.  This estimate is based on the contractual principal payments and current interest payments of the securities we own, adjusted for actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date and the projected additional collateral losses expected to be incurred.  This estimate also takes into consideration additional secondary sources of credit support, such as reliable bond insurance.  For securities without secondary sources of credit support or for which the secondary sources do not fully offset the actual and projected additional collateral losses applied to them, a credit loss is recorded in earnings to the extent amortized cost exceeds recovery value.

95.8% and 0.9% of the fair value of our below investment grade Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses were issued with Aaa and Aa original ratings and capital structure classifications, respectively.  86.3%, 11.5% and 1.7% of the fair value of our below investment grade Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses were issued with Aaa, Aa and A original ratings and capital structure classifications, respectively.  As described previously, Alt-A and Subprime securities with higher original ratings typically have priority in receiving the principal repayments on the underlying collateral compared to those with lower original ratings.  While the projected cash flow assumptions for our below investment grade Alt-A and Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses have deteriorated since the securities were originated, as reflected by their current credit ratings, these securities continue to retain the payment priority features that existed at the origination of the securitization trust.

87



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

The following tables show trust-level, class-level and security-specific detailed information for our below investment grade Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses, by credit rating.

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

With other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Without other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Total

Trust-level

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date (1)

0.4

%

12.3

%

7.0

%

7.3

%

0.1

%

3.6

%

3.2

%

2.7

%

n/a

Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred (2)

9.9

%

38.1

%

23.4

%

24.2

%

4.6

%

22.2

%

13.1

%

12.2

%

n/a

Class-level

Average remaining credit enhancement (3)

11.2

%

37.5

%

5.1

%

7.2

%

5.3

%

38.7

%

14.2

%

14.3

%

n/a

Security-specific

Number of positions

1

2

26

29

2

3

9

14

43

Par value

$

4

$

27

$

390

$

421

$

16

$

6

$

71

$

93

$

514

Amortized cost

$

4

$

23

$

276

$

303

$

16

$

6

$

70

$

92

$

395

Fair value

$

1

$

15

$

185

$

201

$

13

$

3

$

54

$

70

$

271

Gross unrealized losses

Total

$

(3)

$

(8)

$

(91)

$

(102)

$

(3)

$

(3)

$

(16)

$

(22)

$

(124)

12-24 months (4)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

Over 24 months (5)

$

(3)

$

(8)

$

(90)

$

(101)

$

(3)

$

(3)

$

(16)

$

(22)

$

(123)

Cumulative write-downs recognized (6)

$

--

$

(3)

$

(85)

$

(88)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(88)

Principal payments received during the period (7)

$

--

$

3

$

47

$

50

$

1

$

1

$

5

$

7

$

57

December 31, 2009

With other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Without other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Total

Trust-level

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date (1)

0.2

%

4.3

%

4.2

%

4.2

%

0.8

%

1.4

%

2.5

%

1.6

%

n/a

Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred (2)

12.1

%

26.1

%

25.7

%

25.6

%

3.9

%

23.8

%

16.1

%

10.6

%

n/a

Class-level

Average remaining credit enhancement (3)

11.3

%

24.7

%

7.6

%

9.7

%

7.1

%

29.2

%

16.6

%

12.8

%

n/a

Security-specific

Number of positions

1

4

24

29

6

5

5

16

45

Par value

$

4

$

56

$

413

$

473

$

90

$

12

$

79

$

181

$

654

Amortized cost

$

4

$

52

$

289

$

345

$

88

$

12

$

78

$

178

$

523

Fair value

$

1

$

32

$

158

$

191

$

62

$

5

$

53

$

120

$

311

Gross unrealized losses

Total

$

(3)

$

(20)

$

(131)

$

(154)

$

(26)

$

(7)

$

(25)

$

(58)

$

(212)

12-24 months (4)

$

(3)

$

(4)

$

(33)

$

(40)

$

(20)

$

--

$

(24)

$

(44)

$

(84)

Over 24 months (5)

$

--

$

(16)

$

(98)

$

(114)

$

(6)

$

(7)

$

(1)

$

(14)

$

(128)

Cumulative write-downs recognized (6)

$

--

$

(4)

$

(92)

$

(96)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(96)

Principal payments received during the period (7)

$

--

$

5

$

43

$

48

$

9

$

2

$

23

$

34

$

82


(1) Weighted average actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date as of period end are based on the actual principal losses incurred as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.  Actual losses on the securities we hold are less than the losses on the underlying collateral as presented in this table.  Actual cumulative realized principal losses on the below investment grade Alt-A securities we own, as reported by the trust servicers, were $2 million as of September 30, 2010.

(2) Weighted average projected additional collateral losses to be incurred as of period end are based on our projections of future losses to be incurred by the trust, taking into consideration the actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date, as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust.  Our projections are developed internally and customized to our specific holdings and are informed by and benchmarked against credit opinions obtained from third parties, such as industry analysts, nationally recognized credit rating agencies and an RMBS loss modeling advisory service.  Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred are compared to average remaining credit enhancement for each security.  For securities where the projected additional collateral losses exceed remaining credit enhancement, a recovery value is calculated to determine whether impairment losses should be recorded in earnings.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.

(3) Weighted average remaining credit enhancement as of period end is based on structural subordination and the expected impact of other structural features existing in the securitization trust beneficial to our class and reflects our projection of future principal losses that can occur

88



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust before the class of the security we own will incur its first dollar of principal loss.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.

(4) Includes total gross unrealized losses on securities in an unrealized loss position for a period of 12 to 24 consecutive months.

(5) Includes total gross unrealized losses on securities in an unrealized loss position for a period more than 24 consecutive months.  As of September 30, 2010, $69 million of unrealized losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings and $11 million of unrealized losses on securities without other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings have been greater than or equal to 20% of those securities’ amortized cost for a period of more than 24 consecutive months.  As of December 31, 2009, there were no Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses greater than or equal to 20% for a period of more than 24 consecutive months.

(6) Includes cumulative write-downs recorded in accordance with GAAP.

(7) Reflects principal payments for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or the year ended December 31, 2009, respectively.

The above tables include information about our below investment grade Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses as of each period presented.  The par value and composition of securities included can vary significantly from period to period due to changes in variables such as credit ratings, purchases, principal payments, sales and realized principal losses.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses and without other-than-temporarily impairments recorded in earnings had incurred actual cumulative collateral losses of 2.7%.  Our impairment evaluation forecasts more severe assumptions than the trusts are actually experiencing, including a projected weighted average underlying default rate of 30.4% and a projected weighted average loss severity of 41.8%, which resulted in projected additional collateral losses of 12.2%.  As the average remaining credit enhancement for these securities of 14.3% exceeds the projected additional collateral losses of 12.2%, these securities have not been impaired.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses and with other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings had incurred actual cumulative collateral losses of 7.3%.  Our impairment evaluation forecasts more severe assumptions than the trusts are actually experiencing, including a projected weighted average underlying default rate of 44.6% and a projected weighted average loss severity of 52.7%, which resulted in projected additional collateral losses of 24.2%.  As the average remaining credit enhancement for these securities of 7.2% is insufficient to withstand the projected additional collateral losses, we have recognized cumulative write-downs in earnings on these securities as reflected in the table above using our calculated recovery value at the time of impairment.  The current average recovery value of these securities as a percentage of par was 75.2% and exceeded these securities’ current average amortized cost as a percentage of par of 72.0%, which demonstrates our conclusion that the nature of the remaining unrealized loss on these securities is temporary and will reverse over time.  The comparison indicates that recovery value exceeds amortized cost based on a comprehensive evaluation of financial, economic and capital markets assumptions developed for this reporting period.

The following table shows actual trust-level key metrics specific to the trusts from which our below investment grade Alt-A securities with gross unrealized losses were issued, as reported by the trust servicers.

September 30,
2010

June 30,
2010

March 31,
2010

December 31,
2009

September 30,
2009

Trust-level statistics

Delinquency rates

28.0

%

27.9

%

28.1

%

25.9

%

24.4

%

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date

6.5

%

5.5

%

4.3

%

3.5

%

3.0

%

We believe the unrealized losses on our Alt-A securities, including those over 24 months, result from the current risk premium on these securities, which should reverse over the securities’ remaining lives.  We expect to receive our estimated share of contractual principal and interest collections used to determine the securities’ recovery value.  As of September 30, 2010, we do not have the intent to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.  We believe that our valuation and impairment processes are comprehensive, employ the most current views about collateral and securitization trust financial positions, and demonstrate our recorded impairments and that the remaining unrealized losses on these positions are temporary in nature.

89



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

For our below investment grade Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses that are not reliably insured, by credit rating, the following tables show trust-level, class-level and security-specific detailed information.

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

With other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Without other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Total

Trust-level

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date (1)

--

%

10.3

%

16.7

%

16.5

%

13.7

%

9.7

%

9.8

%

10.2

%

n/a

Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred (2)

--

%

32.9

%

41.8

%

41.5

%

45.2

%

36.0

%

36.2

%

37.3

%

n/a

Class-level

Average remaining credit enhancement (3)

--

%

26.2

%

26.7

%

26.7

%

58.2

%

52.4

%

43.1

%

46.0

%

n/a

Security-specific

Number of positions

--

3

69

72

11

10

57

78

150

Par value

$

--

$

27

$

883

$

910

$

71

$

70

$

453

$

594

$

1,504

Amortized cost

$

--

$

24

$

623

$

647

$

71

$

70

$

450

$

591

$

1,238

Fair value

$

--

$

16

$

367

$

383

$

54

$

47

$

258

$

359

$

742

Gross unrealized losses

Total

$

--

$

(8)

$

(256)

$

(264)

$

(17)

$

(23)

$

(192)

$

(232)

$

(496)

12-24 months (4)

$

--

$

--

$

(29)

$

(29)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(29)

Over 24 months (5)

$

--

$

(8)

$

(227)

$

(235)

$

(17)

$

(23)

$

(192)

$

(232)

$

(467)

Cumulative write-downs recognized (6)

$

--

$

(3)

$

(253)

$

(256)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(256)

Principal payments received during the period (7)

$

--

$

2

$

42

$

44

$

14

$

2

$

12

$

28

$

72

December 31, 2009

With other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Without other-than-temporary
impairments recorded in earnings

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Ba

B

Caa or
lower

Total

Total

Trust-level

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date (1)

15.0

%

13.8

%

17.2

%

16.9

%

8.8

%

8.1

%

9.5

%

9.1

%

n/a

Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred (2)

41.2

%

33.5

%

46.2

%

45.2

%

36.5

%

35.3

%

40.0

%

38.2

%

n/a

Class-level

Average remaining credit enhancement (3)

38.1

%

30.1

%

38.6

%

38.0

%

49.6

%

45.4

%

42.6

%

45.4

%

n/a

Security-specific

Number of positions

1

4

53

58

20

13

37

70

128

Par value

$

30

$

52

$

798

$

880

$

213

$

59

$

315

$

587

$

1,467

Amortized cost

$

24

$

48

$

581

$

653

$

213

$

59

$

314

$

586

$

1,239

Fair value

$

10

$

28

$

230

$

268

$

112

$

32

$

144

$

288

$

556

Gross unrealized losses

Total

$

(14)

$

(20)

$

(351)

$

(385)

$

(101)

$

(27)

$

(170)

$

(298)

$

(683)

12-24 months (4)

$

--

$

(4)

$

(53)

$

(57)

$

(2)

$

(1)

$

--

$

(3)

$

(60)

Over 24 months (5)

$

(14)

$

(12)

$

(294)

$

(320)

$

(99)

$

(26)

$

(170)

$

(295)

$

(615)

Cumulative write-downs recognized (6)

$

(6)

$

(4)

$

(217)

$

(227)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(227)

Principal payments received during the period (7)

$

--

$

13

$

40

$

53

$

17

$

11

$

33

$

61

$

114


(1) Weighted average actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date as of period end are based on the actual principal losses incurred as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.  Actual losses on the securities we hold are less than the losses on the underlying collateral as presented in this table.  Actual cumulative realized principal losses on the below investment grade Subprime securities we own, as reported by the trust servicers, were $16 million as of September 30, 2010.

(2) Weighted average projected additional collateral losses to be incurred as of period end are based on our projections of future losses to be incurred by the trust, taking into consideration the actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date, as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust.  Our projections are developed internally and customized to our specific holdings and are informed by and benchmarked against credit opinions obtained from third parties, such as industry analysts, nationally recognized credit rating agencies and an RMBS loss modeling advisory service. Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred are compared to average remaining credit enhancement for each security.  For securities where the projected additional collateral losses exceed remaining credit enhancement, a recovery value is calculated to determine whether impairment losses should be recorded in earnings.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.

(3) Weighted average remaining credit enhancement as of period end is based on structural subordination and the expected impact of other structural features existing in the securitization trust beneficial to our class and reflects our projection of future principal losses that can occur

90



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust before the class of the security we own will incur its first dollar of principal loss.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.

(4) Includes total gross unrealized losses on securities in an unrealized loss position for a period of 12 to 24 consecutive months.

(5) Includes total gross unrealized losses on securities in an unrealized loss position for a period more than 24 consecutive months.  As of September 30, 2010, $183 million of unrealized losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings and $170 million of unrealized losses on securities without other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings have been greater than or equal to 20% of those securities’ amortized cost for a period of more than 24 consecutive months, and as of December 31, 2009, $95 million of unrealized losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings and $50 million of unrealized losses on securities without other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings had been greater than or equal to 20% of those securities’ amortized cost for a period of more than 24 consecutive months.

(6) Includes cumulative write-downs recorded in accordance with GAAP.

(7) Reflects principal payments for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or the year ended December 31, 2009, respectively.

The above tables include information only about below investment grade Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses that are not reliably insured as of each period presented.  As such, the par value and composition of securities included can vary significantly from period to period due to changes in variables such as credit ratings, purchases, principal payments, sales and realized principal losses.

As of September 30, 2010, our Subprime securities that are reliably insured include ten below investment grade Subprime securities with a total fair value of $79 million and aggregate gross unrealized losses of $71 million, all of which are rated B.  These securities are insured by one bond insurer rated B that we estimate has sufficient claims paying capacity to service its obligations on these securities.  The securitization trusts from which our securities were issued are currently receiving contractual payments from the bond insurer and considering the combination of expected future payments from the bond insurer and cash flows available from the underlying collateral, we expect the trust to have adequate cash flows to make all contractual payments due to the class of securities we own.  As a result, our security-specific estimates of future cash flows indicate that these securities’ estimated recovery values equal or exceed their amortized cost.  Accordingly, no other-than-temporary impairments have been recognized on these securities.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses that are not reliably insured and without other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings had incurred actual cumulative collateral losses of 10.2%.  Our impairment evaluation forecasts more severe assumptions than the trusts are actually experiencing, including a projected weighted average underlying default rate of 55.8% and a projected weighted average loss severity of 66.2%, which resulted in projected additional collateral losses of 37.3%.  As the average remaining credit enhancement for these securities of 46.0% exceeds the projected additional collateral losses of 37.3%, these securities have not been impaired.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses that are not reliably insured and with other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings had incurred actual cumulative collateral losses of 16.5%.  Our impairment evaluation forecasts more severe assumptions than the trusts are actually experiencing, including a projected weighted average underlying default rate of 55.9% and a projected weighted average loss severity of 76.8%, which resulted in projected additional collateral losses of 41.5%.  As the average remaining credit enhancement for these securities of 26.7% is insufficient to withstand the projected additional collateral losses, we have recognized cumulative write-downs in earnings on the securities as reflected in the table above using our calculated recovery value at the time of impairment.  The current average recovery value of these securities as a percentage of par was 73.7% and exceeded these securities’ current average amortized cost as a percentage of par of 71.1%, which demonstrates our conclusion that the nature of the remaining unrealized loss on these securities is temporary and will reverse over time.  The comparison indicates that recovery value exceeds amortized cost based on a comprehensive evaluation of financial, economic and capital markets assumptions developed for this reporting period.

The following table shows actual trust-level key metrics specific to the trusts from which our below investment grade Subprime securities with gross unrealized losses were issued, as reported by the trust servicers.

September 30,
2010

June 30,
2010

March 31,
2010

December 31,
2009

September 30,
2009

Trust-level statistics

Delinquency rates

28.6

%

29.3

%

31.7

%

30.9

%

29.2

%

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date

15.4

%

14.7

%

14.4

%

13.5

%

12.2

%

91



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

We believe the unrealized losses on our Subprime securities, including those over 24 months, result from the current risk premium on these securities, which should reverse over the securities’ remaining lives.  We expect to receive our estimated share of contractual principal and interest collections used to determine the securities’ recovery value.  As of September 30, 2010, we do not have the intent to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.  We believe that our valuation and impairment processes are comprehensive, employ the most current views about collateral and securitization trust financial positions, and demonstrate our recorded impairments and that the remaining unrealized losses on these positions are temporary in nature.

Other-than-temporary impairment assessment for below investment grade CMBS

Gross unrealized losses for our below investment grade CMBS portfolio totaled $143 million, while gross unrealized gains for this portfolio were $1 million as of September 30, 2010.  Gross unrealized losses for our below investment grade CMBS portfolio totaled $122 million as of December 31, 2009.  For our below investment grade CMBS with gross unrealized gains, we have recognized cumulative write-downs in earnings totaling $18 million as of September 30, 2010.

The credit loss evaluation for CMBS securities with gross unrealized losses is performed in two phases.  The first phase estimates the future cash flows of the entire securitization trust from which our security was issued.  A critical part of this estimate involves forecasting the collateral losses of the commercial mortgage loans that collateralize the securitization trust.  Factors affecting these estimates include, but are not limited to, estimates of current and future property prices, current and projected rental incomes, the propensity of the commercial mortgage loans to default under these assumptions and loss severities in cases of default.  Estimates of future property prices and rental incomes consider specific property-type and geographic economic trends such as employment, property vacancy and rental rates, and forecasts of new supply in the commercial real estate markets.  Estimates of default rates and loss severities consider factors such as borrower payment history, the origination practices of the transaction sponsor, overall collateral quality and diversification, transaction vintage year, maturity date, overall transaction structure and other factors that may influence performance.  Realized losses in the CMBS market have historically been low and, we believe, are not predictive of future losses.  Therefore, our projections of collateral performance rely on probability-weighted scenarios informed by credit opinions obtained from third parties, such as nationally recognized credit rating agencies, industry analysts and CMBS loss modeling advisory services.

We then analyze the actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date by the securitization trust, our projected additional collateral losses expected to be incurred and the position of the class of securities we own in the securitization trust relative to the trust’s other classes to determine whether any of the collateral losses will be applied to our class.  If our class has remaining credit enhancement sufficient to withstand the projected additional collateral losses, no collateral losses will be realized by our class and we expect to collect all contractual principal and interest of the security we own.  Remaining credit enhancement is measured in terms of subordination from other classes of securities in the trust being contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security we own.

For securities where there is insufficient remaining credit enhancement for the class of securities we own, a recovery value is calculated based on our best estimate of future cash flows specific to that security.  This estimate is based on the contractual principal payments and current interest payments of the securities we own, adjusted for actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date and the projected additional collateral losses expected to be incurred.  In instances where the recovery value of the security is less than its amortized cost, a credit loss is recorded in earnings.

40.6%, 51.4% and 5.8% of the fair value of our below investment grade CMBS with gross unrealized losses were issued with Aaa, Aa and A original ratings and capital structure classifications, respectively.  As described previously, CMBS with higher original ratings typically have priority in receiving the principal repayments on the underlying collateral compared to those with lower original ratings.  Commercial property prices have deteriorated substantially during the last 24 months and property rental incomes are declining as the commercial real estate sector adjusts to lower macroeconomic activity.  In addition, tight credit markets and conservative underwriting standards continue to stress commercial mortgage borrowers’ ability to refinance obligations.  While the projected cash flow assumptions for our below investment grade CMBS securities with gross unrealized losses have deteriorated since the securities were originated, as reflected by their current credit ratings, these securities continue to retain the payment priority features that existed at the origination of the securitization trust.

92



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FI NANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

The following tables show trust-level, class-level and security-specific detailed information for our below investment grade CMBS securities with gross unrealized losses, by credit rating.

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

With other-than-temporary

impairments recorded in earnings

Without other-than-temporary

impairments recorded in earnings

Ba

B

Caa or lower

Total

Ba

B

Caa or lower

Total

Total

Trust-level

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date (1)

--

%

--

%

5.7

%

5.4

%

0.7

%

1.7

%

--

%

0.8

%

n/a

Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred (2)

4.3

%

--

%

23.9

%

22.9

%

5.6

%

5.4

%

5.9

%

5.6

%

n/a

Class-level

Average remaining credit enhancement (3)

8.4

%

--

%

17.0

%

16.6

%

8.6

%

7.8

%

6.6

%

8.4

%

n/a

Security-specific

Number of positions

1

--

6

7

14

3

1

18

25

Par value

$

7

$

--

$

139

$

146

$

139

$

32

$

6

$

177

$

323

Amortized cost

$

7

$

--

$

64

$

71

$

143

$

35

$

5

$

183

$

254

Fair value

$

3

$

--

$

28

$

31

$

66

$

13

$

1

$

80

$

111

Gross unrealized losses

Total

$

(4)

$

--

$

(36)

$

(40)

$

(77)

$

(22)

$

(4)

$

(103)

$

(143)

12-24 months (4)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

Over 24 months (5)

$

(4)

$

--

$

(36)

$

(40)

$

(77)

$

(22)

$

(4)

$

(103)

$

(143)

Cumulative write-downs recognized (6)

$

(1)

$

--

$

(80)

$

(81)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(81)

Principal payments received during the period (7)

$

--

$

--

$

3

$

3

$

1

$

--

$

--

$

1

$

4

December 31, 2009

With other-than-temporary

impairments recorded in earnings

Without other-than-temporary

impairments recorded in earnings

Ba

B

Caa or lower

Total

Ba

B

Caa or lower

Total

Total

Trust-level

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date (1)

1.4

%

0.6

%

--

%

0.8

%

--

%

--

%

--

%

--

%

n/a

Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred (2)

20.1

%

13.5

%

--

%

15.0

%

6.1

%

7.7

%

--

%

6.7

%

n/a

Class-level

Average remaining credit enhancement (3)

17.4

%

9.8

%

--

%

11.5

%

9.1

%

8.5

%

--

%

8.9

%

n/a

Security-specific

Number of positions

1

5

--

6

6

6

--

12

18

Par value

$

20

$

69

$

--

$

89

$

87

$

49

$

--

$

136

$

225

Amortized cost

$

14

$

41

$

--

$

55

$

84

$

50

$

--

$

134

$

189

Fair value

$

9

$

16

$

--

$

25

$

29

$

13

$

--

$

42

$

67

Gross unrealized losses

Total

$

(5)

$

(25)

$

--

$

(30)

$

(55)

$

(37)

$

--

$

(92)

$

(122)

12-24 months (4)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(13)

$

--

$

--

$

(13)

$

(13)

Over 24 months (5)

$

(5)

$

(25)

$

--

$

(30)

$

(42)

$

(37)

$

--

$

(79)

$

(109)

Cumulative write-downs recognized (6)

$

(7)

$

(34)

$

--

$

(41)

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

--

$

(41)

Principal payments received during the period (7)

$

1

$

--

$

--

$

1

$

1

$

--

$

--

$

1

$

2


(1) Weighted average actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date as of period end are based on the actual principal losses incurred as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.  Actual losses on the securities we hold are less than the losses on the underlying collateral as presented in this table.  Actual cumulative realized principal losses on the below investment grade CMBS securities we own, as reported by the trust servicers, were $1 million as of September 30, 2010.

(2) Weighted average projected additional collateral losses to be incurred as of period end are based on our projections of future losses to be incurred by the trust, taking into consideration the actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date, as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust.  Our projections are developed internally and customized to our specific holdings and are informed by and benchmarked against credit opinions obtained from third parties, such as industry analysts, nationally recognized credit rating agencies and CMBS loss modeling advisory services. Projected additional collateral losses to be incurred are compared to average remaining credit enhancement for each security.  For securities where the projected additional collateral losses exceed remaining credit enhancement, a recovery value is calculated to determine whether impairment losses should be recorded in earnings.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.

(3) Weighted average remaining credit enhancement as of period end is based on structural subordination and reflects our projection of future principal losses that can occur as a percentage of the remaining principal amount of the loans in the trust before the class of the security we own will incur its first dollar of principal loss.  The weighting calculation is based on the par value of each security.

93



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

(4) Includes total gross unrealized losses on securities in an unrealized loss position for a period of 12 to 24 consecutive months.

(5) Includes total gross unrealized losses on securities in an unrealized loss position for a period more than 24 consecutive months.  As of September 30, 2010, $21 million of unrealized losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings and $90 million of unrealized losses on securities without other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings have been greater than or equal to 20% of those securities’ amortized cost for a period of more than 24 consecutive months.  As of December 31, 2009, there were no CMBS securities with gross unrealized losses greater than or equal to 20% for a period of more than 24 consecutive months.

(6) Includes cumulative write-downs recorded in accordance with GAAP.

(7) Reflects principal payments for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or the year ended December 31, 2009, respectively.

The above tables include information about below investment grade CMBS with gross unrealized losses as of each period presented.  The par value and composition of securities included can vary significantly from period to period due to changes in variables such as credit ratings, purchases, principal payments and sales.

Our impairment evaluation for CMBS forecasts more severe assumptions than the trusts are actually experiencing.  We assume that all loans delinquent 60 days or more default and project default rates on otherwise performing loans. Projected loss severities are then applied against the resulting default rates, arriving at our projected additional collateral loss rates. The projected additional collateral loss rates by vintage year of our CMBS portfolio range from a low of 2.0% for holdings with a vintage year of 2003 to a high of 10.6% for holdings with a vintage year of 2007.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade CMBS securities with gross unrealized losses and without other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings had incurred actual cumulative collateral losses of 0.8%, and the projected additional collateral loss rate for these securities at September 30, 2010 was 5.6%.  As the average remaining credit enhancement for these securities of 8.4% exceeds the projected additional collateral losses of 5.6%, these securities have not been impaired.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade CMBS securities with gross unrealized losses and with other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings had incurred actual cumulative collateral losses of 5.4%.  The projected additional collateral loss rate for these securities at September 30, 2010 was 22.9%.  As the average remaining credit enhancement for these securities of 16.6% is insufficient to withstand the projected additional collateral losses, we have recognized cumulative write-downs in earnings on these securities as reflected in the table above using our calculated recovery value at the time of impairment.  The current average recovery value of these securities as a percentage of par was 48.5% and equaled these securities’ current average amortized cost as a percentage of par, which demonstrates our conclusion that the nature of the remaining unrealized loss on these securities is temporary and will reverse over time.  The comparison indicates that recovery value is in line with amortized cost as impairment write-downs were recorded in the reporting period and based on a comprehensive evaluation of financial, economic and capital markets assumptions developed for this reporting period.

The following table shows actual trust-level key metrics specific to the trusts from which our below investment grade CMBS with gross unrealized losses were issued, as reported by the trust servicers.

September 30,
2010

June 30,
2010

March 31,
2010

December 31,
2009

September 30,
2009

Trust-level statistics

Delinquency rates

8.3

%

8.5

%

8.6

%

5.2

%

4.9

%

Actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date

2.9

%

1.6

%

0.8

%

0.3

%

0.1

%

We believe the unrealized losses on our CMBS securities, including those over 24 months, result from the current risk premium on these securities, which should reverse over the securities’ remaining lives.  We expect to receive our estimated share of contractual principal and interest collections used to determine the securities’ recovery value.  As of September 30, 2010, we do not have the intent to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.  We believe that our valuation and impairment processes are comprehensive, employ the most current views about collateral and securitization trust financial positions, and demonstrate our recorded impairments and that the remaining unrealized losses on these positions are temporary in nature.

Other-than-temporary impairment assessment for below investment grade cash flow CLO ABS

As of September 30, 2010, the fair value for our below investment grade cash flow CLO portfolio with gross unrealized losses totaled $189 million compared to $188 million as of December 31, 2009.  The gross unrealized losses for these securities totaled $79 million as of September 30, 2010, a decrease of 20.2%, compared to $99 million as of

94



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

December 31, 2009. Gross unrealized gains for these securities were $36 million as of September 30, 2010.  For below investment grade cash flow CLO with gross unrealized gains, we have recognized cumulative write-downs in earnings totaling $85 million.

As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade cash flow CLO portfolio with gross unrealized losses and without other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings have a fair value of $186 million and gross unrealized losses of $79 million, all of which is aged over 24 months.  As of September 30, 2010, our below investment grade cash flow CLO portfolio with gross unrealized losses and with other-than-temporary impairments recorded in earnings have a fair value of $3 million, gross unrealized losses of less than $1 million, all of which is aged over 24 months, and cumulative write downs recorded in earnings of $1 million.

Cash flow CLO are collateralized primarily by below investment grade senior secured corporate loans and are structured with overcollateralization which serves as credit enhancement for the class of securities we own.  Overcollateralization ratios are based on the par value of the collateral in the underlying portfolio as a percentage of the notes issued as cash flow CLO securities.  The performance of these securities is impacted primarily by defaults and recoveries of the underlying collateral within the structures, which reduce overcollateralization ratios over time.  A violation of the senior overcollateralization test could result in an event of default of the structure which would give the controlling class, generally defined as the majority of the senior lenders, certain rights, including the ability to divert cash flows or liquidate the underlying portfolio to pay off the senior liabilities.

The credit loss evaluation for cash flow CLO is performed in two phases.  The first phase evaluates the overcollateralization that exists for the class of securities we own.  A critical part of this estimate involves projections of future losses formulated through our assessment of the corporate loan markets, and considers opinions from third parties, such as industry analysts and strategists, credit rating agencies, our own participation in these markets, as well as our overall economic outlook for indicators such as unemployment and GDP.  The expected performance of each security considers anticipated collateral losses and credit enhancement levels, as well as factors including default rates, anticipated recoveries, prepayment rates, changes in interest rates and other characteristics.  In addition, the performance of collateral underlying certain of our securities is actively monitored by external managers, allowing for enhanced collateral management actions which help mitigate the risk of loss.  If the overcollateralization that exists for our class exceeds 100%, our class has remaining credit enhancement sufficient to withstand the projected future losses, and we expect to collect all contractual principal and interest of the security we own.

For securities where there is insufficient remaining credit enhancement for the class of securities we own, a recovery value is calculated based on our best estimate of future cash flows specific to that security.  This estimate is based on the contractual principal payments and current interest payments of the securities we own, adjusted for actual cumulative collateral losses incurred to date and the projected future losses expected to be incurred.  If we do not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, a credit loss is recorded to the extent amortized cost exceeds recovery value.

The overcollateralization ratios for our below investment grade cash flow CLO securities with gross unrealized losses have improved over the past several periods and averaged 116.0% at September 30, 2010, compared to 117.1% at original issuance.  At December 31, 2009, the average overcollateralization ratio for our below investment grade cash flow CLO securities was 113.6%.  As the average overcollateralization ratio of 116.0% at September 30, 2010 exceeds the minimum average overcollateralization ratio of 100%; this indicates that recovery value exceeds amortized cost based on a comprehensive evaluation of financial, economic and capital markets assumptions developed for this reporting period.  Our best estimate of future cash flows, supported by the applicable overcollateralization, indicates that the nature of the unrealized loss on these securities is temporary.  We believe the unrealized losses on our cash flow CLO securities, including those over 24 months result from the current risk premium on these securities, which should reverse over the securities’ remaining lives.  We expect to receive our estimated share of contractual principal and interest collections used to determine the securities’ recovery value.  As of September 30, 2010, we do not have the intent to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis.  We believe that our valuation and impairment processes are comprehensive, employ the most current views about collateral and securitization trust financial positions, and demonstrate our recorded impairments and that the remaining unrealized losses on these positions are temporary in nature.

95



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Problem, restructured, or potential problem securities

We also monitor the quality of our fixed income and bank loan portfolios by categorizing certain investments as “problem,” “restructured,” or “potential problem.”  Problem fixed income securities and bank loans are in default with respect to principal or interest and/or are investments issued by companies that have gone into bankruptcy subsequent to our acquisition or loan.  Fixed income and bank loan investments are categorized as restructured when the debtor is experiencing financial difficulty and we grant a concession.  Potential problem fixed income or bank loan investments are current with respect to contractual principal and/or interest, but because of other facts and circumstances, we have concerns regarding the borrower’s ability to pay future principal and interest according to the original terms, which causes us to believe these investments may be classified as problem or restructured in the future.

The following table summarizes problem, restructured and potential problem fixed income securities and bank loans, which are reported in other investments.

($ in millions)

September 30, 2010

Par
value
(1)

Amortized
cost
(1)

Amortized
cost as a
percent of
par value

Fair
value
(2)

Fair value as a
percent of
par value

Percent of
total fixed
income and
bank loan
portfolios

Restructured

$

99

$

83

83.8

%

$

84

84.8

%

0.1

%

Problem

849

283

33.3

241

28.4

0.3

Potential problem

2,360

1,399

59.3

1,038

44.0

1.2

Total

$

3,308

$

1,765

53.4

$

1,363

41.2

1.6

%

Cumulative write- downs recognized (3)

$

1,153

December 31, 2009

Par
value
(1)

Amortized
cost
(1)

Amortized
cost as a
percent of
par value

Fair
value
(2)

Fair value as a
percent of
par value

Percent of
total fixed
income and
bank loan
portfolios

Restructured

$

107

$

85

79.4

%

$

75

70.1

%

0.1

%

Problem

823

321

39.0

221

26.9

0.3

Potential problem

2,630

1,651

62.8

977

37.1

1.2

Total

$

3,560

$

2,057

57.8

$

1,273

35.8

1.6

%

Cumulative write-downs recognized (3)

$

1,188


(1) The difference between par value and amortized cost of $1.54 billion at September 30, 2010 and $1.50 billion at December 31, 2009 is primarily attributable to write-downs.  Par value has been reduced by principal payments.

(2) Bank loans are reflected at amortized cost.

(3) Cumulative write-downs recognized only reflect impairment write-downs related to investments within the problem, potential problem and restructured categories.

At September 30, 2010, amortized cost for the problem category was $283 million and comprised $108 million of Subprime, $41 million of Alt-A, $9 million of CMBS, $5 million of CDO and $4 million of Consumer and other ABS.  Also included were $80 million of municipal bonds, $35 million of corporates (primarily privately placed) and $1 million of bank loans.  The amortized cost of problem investments with a fair value less than 80% of amortized cost totaled $108 million with unrealized losses of $46 million and fair value of $62 million.

At September 30, 2010, amortized cost for the potential problem category was $1.40 billion and comprised $593 million of Subprime, $366 million of Alt-A, $120 million of Prime, $83 million of CMBS, $75 million of CDO and $9 million of Consumer and other ABS.  Also included were $98 million of municipal bonds, $43 million of corporates (primarily privately placed) and $12 million of bank loans.  The amortized cost of potential problem investments with a fair value less than 80% of amortized cost totaled $852 million with unrealized losses of $410 million and fair value of $442 million.

96



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Net investment income The following table presents net investment income.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Fixed income securities

$

926

$

987

$

2,840

$

3,022

Equity securities

17

15

63

50

Mortgage loans

92

121

295

389

Limited partnership interests

6

4

19

11

Short-term

2

4

6

23

Other

5

(4

)

12

(7

)

Investment income, before expense

1,048

1,127

3,235

3,488

Investment expense

(43

)

(43

)

(131

)

(120

)

Net investment income

$

1,005

$

1,084

$

3,104

$

3,368

Net investment income decreased 7.3% or $79 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 7.8% or $264 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods of 2009.  These declines were primarily due to lower yields, duration shortening actions taken to protect the portfolio from rising interest rates and lower average asset balances.  Net investment income was $1.08 billion in both the third and fourth quarter of 2009 and $1.05 billion in both the first and second quarter of 2010.

Realized capital gains and losses The following table presents the components of realized capital gains and losses and the related tax effect.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Impairment write-downs

$

(137

)

$

(381

)

$

(599

)

$

(1,292

)

Change in intent write-downs

(30

)

(11

)

(129

)

(142

)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

(167

)

(392

)

(728

)

(1,434

)

Sales

319

201

552

882

Valuation of derivative instruments

(133

)

(269

)

(571

)

201

Settlements of derivative instruments

(152

)

(92

)

(209

)

(52

)

EMA limited partnership income

(11

)

33

13

(147

)

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

(144

)

(519

)

(943

)

(550

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

51

183

330

(56

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

(93

)

$

(336

)

$

(613

)

$

(606

)

Impairment write-downs are presented in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Fixed income securities

$

(110

)

$

(245

)

$

(462

)

$

(670

)

Equity securities

(14

)

(51

)

(51

)

(219

)

Mortgage loans

(3

)

(31

)

(44

)

(74

)

Limited partnership interests

(10

)

(53

)

(42

)

(296

)

Other investments

--

(1

)

--

(33

)

Impairment write-downs

$

(137

)

$

(381

)

$

(599

)

$

(1,292

)

Impairment write-downs for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were primarily driven by RMBS, which experienced deterioration in expected cash flows; investments with commercial real estate exposure, including CMBS, limited partnership interests, and mortgage loans, which were impacted by declines in real estate valuations or experienced deterioration in expected cash flows; and privately placed corporate bonds impacted by issuer specific circumstances.  Impairment write-downs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 also included municipal bonds.  Impairment write-downs on below investment grade RMBS and CMBS for the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $69 million and $26 million, respectively.  There were no impairment

97



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

write-downs related to below investment grade ABS for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  Impairment write-downs on below investment grade RMBS, CMBS and ABS for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $249 million, $79 million and $25 million, respectively.

$86 million or 78.9% and $290 million or 74.4% of the fixed income security write-downs for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, related to impaired securities that were performing in line with anticipated or contractual cash flows but were written down primarily because of expected deterioration in the performance of the underlying collateral or our assessment of the probability of future default.  For these securities, as of September 30, 2010, there were either no defaults or defaults only impacted classes lower than our position in the capital structure.  $23 million and $98 million of the fixed income security write-downs for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, related to securities experiencing a significant departure from anticipated cash flows; however, we believe they retain economic value.  $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to fixed income securities for which future cash flows are not anticipated.  $1 million and $72 million of the fixed income security write-downs for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, related to securities that were subsequently disposed and synthetic collateralized debt obligations that were no longer considered impaired upon the bifurcation of their embedded credit derivatives required by the Company’s adoption of new accounting guidance.

Equity securities were written down primarily due to the length of time and extent to which fair value was below cost, considering our assessment of the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends.

Limited partnership impairment write-downs related to Cost limited partnerships, which experienced declines in portfolio valuations and we could not assert the recovery period would be temporary.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred related to a Cost limited partnership, we evaluate whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by the limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other recent adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.

Change in intent write-downs are presented in the following table.

($ in millions)

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended
September 30,

2010

2009

2010

2009

Fixed income securities

$

(30

)

$

--

$

(123

)

$

(102

)

Equity securities

--

(10

)

--

(28

)

Mortgage loans

--

--

(6

)

(6

)

Other investments

--

(1

)

--

(6

)

Change in intent write-downs

$

(30

)

$

(11

)

$

(129

)

$

(142

)

The change in intent write-downs in the three months ended September 30, 2010 related primarily to below investment grade Subprime RMBS for which we have the intent to sell.  The change in intent write-downs in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related primarily to below investment grade Subprime RMBS and municipal bonds.

Sales generated $319 million and $552 million of net realized gains for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.  Net realized gains for the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily related to $97 million of net gains on sales of equity securities and $279 million of net gains on sales of corporate, U.S. government and municipal fixed income securities, partially offset by $69 million of net losses on sales of CMBS and ABS securities.  Net realized gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily related to $193 million of net gains on sales of equity securities and $480 million of net gains on sales of corporate, U.S. government, foreign government and municipal fixed income securities, partially offset by $114 million of net losses on sales of CMBS securities.

Valuation and settlement of derivative instruments recorded as net realized capital losses totaling $285 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 included $133 million of losses on the valuation of derivative

98



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

instruments and $152 million of losses on the settlement of derivative instruments.  Valuation and settlement of derivative instruments recorded as net realized capital losses totaling $780 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included $571 million of losses on the valuation of derivative instruments and $209 million of losses on the settlement of derivative instruments.

Net realized capital gains and losses from our risk management derivative programs are primarily driven by changes in risk-free interest rates, equity market valuations, volatility and credit spreads during a given period.  Net realized capital gains and losses from our income generation derivative programs are primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the reference entities or indices underlying the derivative instruments.

A changing interest rate environment will drive changes in our portfolio duration targets at a tactical level.  A duration target and range is established with an economic view of liabilities relative to a long-term investment portfolio view.  Tactical duration management is accomplished through both cash market transactions, sales and new purchases, and derivative activities that generate realized gains and losses.  As a component of our approach to managing portfolio duration, realized gains and losses on certain derivative instruments are most appropriately considered in conjunction with the unrealized gains and losses on the fixed income portfolio.  This approach mitigates the impacts of general interest rate changes to our overall financial condition.

At September 30, 2010, our securities with embedded derivatives totaled $1.26 billion, a decrease in fair value of $147 million from December 31, 2009, comprising realized capital losses on valuation of $72 million, net sales activity of $255 million, unrealized net capital gains reported in OCI of $132 million for the host securities and an increase of $48 million due to the adoption of new accounting guidance.  Unrealized net capital gains were further decreased by $27 million due to amortization of the host securities.  The change in fair value of embedded derivatives is bifurcated from the host securities, separately valued and reported in realized capital gains and losses, while the change in the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of the host securities is reported in OCI.  Total fair value exceeded total amortized cost by $61 million at September 30, 2010.  Valuation gains and losses for securities with embedded derivatives are converted into cash upon our election to sell these securities.  In the event the economic value of the embedded options is not realized, we will recover the par value if held to maturity unless the issuer of the security defaults.  In the event there are defaults by the referenced credit entities of the embedded credit default swap, our loss is limited to the par value of the combined fixed income security, net of applicable recoveries.  Total par value exceeded fair value by $97 million at September 30, 2010.

99



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

The table below presents the realized capital gains and losses (pre-tax) on the valuation and settlement of derivative instruments shown by underlying exposure and derivative strategy.

($ in millions)

Nine months ended September 30,

2010

2009

2010 Explanations

Valuation

Settlements

Total

Total

Risk management

Property-Liability

Portfolio duration management (1)

$

(126)

$

(72)

$

(198)

$

51

Interest rate swaps, municipal interest rate swaps and short interest rate futures are used to offset the effects of changing interest rates on a portion of the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio that is reported in unrealized net capital gains or losses in OCI. The futures contracts are exchange traded, daily cash settled and can be exited at any time for minimal additional cost. The 2010 losses, resulting from decreasing interest rates are offset in unrealized net capital gains and losses in OCI to the extent it relates to changes in risk-free rates.

Interest rate spike exposure (1)

(167)

(44)

(211)

(35)

Interest rate swaption contracts, with terms of less than one year, and exchange traded options on interest rate futures, with three to six month terms, provide an offset to declines in fixed income market values resulting from potential rising interest rates. As of September 30, 2010, the notional of our over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaption positions totaled $8.00 billion and the notional of our exchange traded options totaled $260 million. Exchange traded options on interest rate futures are utilized to supplement the protection provided by swaption contracts without increasing the counterparty risk associated with OTC contracts. The 2010 losses on swaptions and options on interest rate futures contracts relates to a decrease in interest rates and a decline in volatility. Volatility represents the measure of variation of average value over a specified time period. If interest rates do not increase above the strike rate, the maximum loss on swaptions and options on interest rate futures is limited to the amount of the premium paid. The program is routinely monitored and revised as capital market conditions change.

Hedging unrealized gains on equity securities (1)

(34)

(38)

(72)

(181)

Exchange traded put options and short equity index futures provide an offset to significant declines in our equity portfolio from equity market declines below a targeted level. Options can expire, terminate early or the option can be exercised. If the price level of the equity index does not fall below the put’s strike price, the maximum loss on purchased puts is limited to the amount of the premium paid. The futures contracts are exchange traded, daily cash settled and can be exited at any time for minimal additional cost. The 2010 losses on futures and options were primarily the result of an increase in the price levels of the equity indices and an increase in volatility and were partially offset by unrealized net capital gains and losses of our equity portfolio reflected in OCI to the extent it relates to changes in price levels of the equity indices.

Foreign currency contracts

(11)

(14)

(25)

(3)

Currency forwards are used to protect our foreign bond and equity portfolios from changes in currency rates. The 2010 losses on foreign currency contracts are primary driven by the weakening of the U.S. currency versus the foreign currency.

Credit risk reduction (1)

2

(4)

(2)

(37)

Valuation gain is the result of widening credit spreads on referenced credit entities.

Other

--

1

1

--

Allstate Financial

Duration gap management

(171)

(55)

(226)

175

Interest rate caps, floors, swaptions and swaps are used by Allstate Financial to balance interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities. The contracts settle based on differences between current market rates and a contractually specified fixed rate through expiration. The contracts can be terminated and settled at any time with minimal additional cost. The maximum loss on caps, floors and swaptions is limited to the amount of premiums paid. The change in valuation reflects the changing value of expected future settlements from changing interest rates, which may vary over the period of the contracts. The 2010 losses, resulting from decreasing interest rates, are offset in unrealized capital gains and losses of our fixed income securities in OCI to the extent it relates to changes in risk-free rates.

Anticipatory hedging

26

6

32

(16)

Futures and interest rate swaps are used to protect investment spread from interest rate changes during mismatches in the timing of cash flows between product sales and the related investment activity. The futures contracts are exchange traded, daily cash settled and can be exited at any time for minimal additional cost. If the cash flow mismatches are such that a positive net investment position is being hedged, there is an offset for the related investment’s unrealized loss in OCI. The 2010 gains were caused by a decrease in risk-free interest rates over the life of the net short position as liability issuances exceeded asset acquisitions.

Hedging of interest rate exposure in annuity contracts

(18)

--

(18)

6

Value of expected future settlements on interest rate caps and the associated value of future credited interest, which is reportable in future periods when incurred, decreased due to a decrease in interest rates.

Hedge ineffectiveness

3

--

3

1

The hedge ineffectiveness of $3 million includes $110 million in realized capital losses on swaps that were offset by $113 million in realized capital gains on the hedged risk.

Foreign currency contracts

(2)

6

4

1

Currency forwards are used to protect our foreign bond portfolio from changes in currency rates.

Credit risk reduction (1)

8

(10)

(2)

(41)

Valuation gain is the result of widening credit spreads on referenced credit entities.

Total Risk management

$

(490)

$

(224)

$

(714)

$

(79)

100



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

($ in millions)

Nine months ended September 30,

2010

2009

2010 Explanations

Valuation

Settlements

Total

Total

Income generation

Asset replication – credit exposure

Property-Liability

$

3

$

7

$

10

$

12

The 2010 changes in valuation on the Property-Liability segment are due to the tightening of credit spreads on referenced credit entities. The gains are primarily on single name credit default swaps (“CDS”). The 2010 changes in valuation on the Allstate Financial segment are due to the widening credit

Allstate Financial

(12)

8

(4)

50

Total

(9)

15

6

62

spreads on referenced credit entities. The losses are primarily on first-to-default CDS and credit derivative index CDS. The changes in valuation would only be converted to cash upon disposition, which can be done at any time, or if the credit event specified in the contract occurs. For further discussion on CDS, see Note 6 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Asset replication – equity exposure

Property-Liability

--

--

--

49

Total Income generation

$

(9)

$

15

$

6

$

111

Accounting

Equity indexed notes – Allstate Financial

$

(20)

$

--

$

(20)

$

19

Equity-indexed notes are fixed income securities that contain embedded options. The changes in valuation of the embedded equity indexed call options are reported in realized capital gains and losses. The results generally track the performance of underlying equity indices. Valuation gains and losses are converted into cash upon sale or maturity. In the event the economic value of the options is not realized, we will recover the par value of the host fixed income security if held to maturity unless the issuer of the note defaults. Par value exceeded fair value by $20 million at September 30, 2010. Equity-indexed notes are subject to our comprehensive portfolio monitoring and watchlist processes to identify and evaluate when the carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired. The following table compares the September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 holdings, respectively.

($ in millions)

September 30,
2010

Change in
fair value

Change due
to net sale
activity

December 31,
2009

Par value

$

325

$

--

$

(150)

$

475

Amortized cost of host contract

$

240

$

12

$

(116)

$

344

Fair value of equity- indexed call option

47

(20)

(22)

89

Total amortized cost

$

287

$

(8)

$

(138)

$

433

Total fair value

$

305

$

24

$

(149)

$

430

Unrealized gain/loss

$

18

$

32

$

(11)

$

(3)

Conversion options in fixed income securities

Convertible bonds are fixed income securities that contain embedded options.  Changes in valuation of the embedded option are reported in realized capital gains and losses.  The results generally track the performance of underlying equities.  Valuation gains and losses are converted into cash upon our election to sell these securities.  In the event the economic value of the options is not realized, we will recover the par value of the host fixed income security if held to maturity unless the issuer of the note defaults. Fair

Property-Liability

(45)

--

(45)

61

Allstate Financial

(29)

--

(29)

37

Total

(74)

--

(74)

98

value exceeded par value by $49 million at September 30, 2010.  Convertible bonds are subject to our comprehensive portfolio monitoring and watchlist processes to identify and evaluate when the carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The following table compares the September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 holdings, respectively.

($ in millions)

September 30,
2010

Change in
fair value

Change due
to net sale
activity

December 31,
2009

Par value

$

852

$

--

$

(84)

$

936

Amortized cost of host contract

$

630

$

15

$

(49)

$

664

Fair value of conversion option

204

(74)

(34)

312

Total amortized cost

$

834

$

(59)

$

(83)

$

976

Total fair value

$

901

$

29

$

(106)

$

978

Unrealized gain/loss

$

67

$

88

$

(23)

$

2

101



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

($ in millions)

Nine months ended September 30,

2010

2009

2010 Explanations

Valuation

Settlements

Total

Total

CDS in fixed income securities

Synthetic CDO’s are fixed income securities that contain embedded credit default swaps.  Effective July 1, 2010, when new accounting guidance requiring bifurcation of these derivatives was adopted, changes in valuation of the embedded credit default swap are reported in realized capital gains and losses.  The embedded credit default swap increases or decreases in value as referenced credit entities’ credit spreads tighten or widen, respectively.  Credit events, changes in interest rates, correlations of the referenced entities and assumed recovery rates are among some of the other factors affecting the value of the embedded credit default swap.  In the event a referenced credit entity experiences a credit event, our loss

Property-Liability

--

--

--

--

Allstate Financial

22

--

22

--

Total

22

--

22

--

is limited to the par value of the fixed income security.  Losses on credit events are net of recovery.  Par value exceeded fair value by $126 million at September 30, 2010.  Synthetic CDO’s are subject to our comprehensive portfolio monitoring and watchlist processes to identify and evaluate when the carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.  The following table compares the September 30, 2010 and July 1, 2010 holdings, respectively.

($ in millions)

September 30,
2010

Change in
fair value

Change due
to net sale
activity

July 1,
2009

Par value

$

181

$

--

$

--

$

181

Amortized cost of host contract

$

181

$

--

$

--

$

181

Fair value of credit default swap

(102)

22

--

(124)

Total amortized cost

$

79

$

22

$

--

$

57

Total fair value

$

55

$

7

$

--

$

48

Unrealized gain/loss

$

(24)

$

(15)

$

--

$

(9)

Total Accounting

$

(72)

$

--

$

(72)

$

117

Total

$

(571)

$

(209)

$

(780) (2)

$

149

Total Property- Liability

$

(378)

(164)

$

(542)

$

(83)

Total Allstate Financial

(193)

(45)

(238)

232

Total

$

(571)

$

(209)

$

(780)

$

149


(1) A portion of the macro hedge program is contained within this line item.

(2) Does not include $1 million of derivative gains related to the termination of fair value and cash flow hedges which are included in sales and reported with the hedged risk.

102



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Included in the risk management section of the table above are net realized capital gains and losses on the valuation and settlement of derivative instruments related to our macro hedge program.  Additional information regarding our macro hedge program, including these realized capital gains and losses, is included in the following table.

($ in millions)

Fair value at
December 31,
2009

Net cash
paid
(received)

for
premiums

Net cash
paid
(received)
for
settlement

Gain (loss) on
valuation
(1)

Gain (loss) on
settlement
(2)

Fair value at
September 30,
2010

Premium based instruments

Interest rate hedges

Swaptions

$

114

$

91

$

(13)

$

(143)

$

(43)

$

6

Options on interest rate futures

12

16

(3)

(24)

(1)

--

Equity hedges

Equity index options

50

50

(26)

(34)

(29)

11

176

157

(42)

(201)

(73)

17

Non-premium based instruments

Interest rate hedges

Futures

--

--

44

--

(44)

--

Interest rate swaps

(12)

--

(8)

21

--

1

Credit hedges

Purchased CDS

(40)

--

33

6

(5)

(6)

(52)

--

69

27

(49)

(5)

Total

$

124

$

157

$

27

$

(174)

$

(122)

$

12


(1) In general, for premium based instruments, valuation gains and losses represent changes in fair value on open contracts and contracts that expired by their contractual terms during the period.  If a premium based instrument terminates prior to expiration, the inception to date change in fair value is reversed out of valuation and reclassified to settlement gain or loss.  For non-premium based instruments, valuation gains and losses represent changes in fair value that occurred while the contract was open but do not include gains and losses on termination (represented by the change in fair value of a terminated contract since its last month-end valuation).

(2) In general, for premium based instruments, settlement gains and losses represent the inception to date change in fair value for early-terminated contracts.  For non-premium based instruments, settlement gains and losses represent the net realized capital gain or loss resulting from periodic payments required by the contracts during the period, as well as any gain or loss on contract termination (represented by the change in fair value of a terminated contract since its last month-end valuation).

Our current macro hedge program consists of derivatives for which we pay a premium at inception and others that do not require an up front premium payment.  The premium payment component includes over-the-counter interest rate swaptions, exchange traded options on interest rate futures, and options on equity indices.  These programs are designed to protect against the “tail risk” associated with both interest rate spikes above, and equity market declines below, targeted thresholds, so that derivative valuation gains will be realized to partially offset corresponding declines in value for our fixed income and equity portfolios, respectively.

Premiums paid are reflected in realized capital losses as changes in valuation over the life of the derivative.  The maximum loss on our premium based instruments is limited to the remaining fair value as of September 30, 2010.  Scheduled expirations for our premium based instruments are $11 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, $2 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $4 million in the third quarter of 2011.

The derivatives in our current macro hedge program that do not require an up front premium payment are related to interest rate and credit risk hedging.  These positions currently include municipal interest rate swaps, Eurodollar futures, and purchased CDS.  Although interest rate swaps and purchased CDS typically do not require up front premiums, they do involve periodic payments throughout the life of the contract.  The fair value and resulting gains and losses from these instruments are dependent on the size of the notional amounts and direction of our positions relative to the performance of the underlying markets and credit-referenced entities.  As of September 30, 2010, our non-premium based interest rate hedges had aggregate outstanding notional amounts of $125 million, decreasing from $200 million at December 31, 2009.  As of September 30, 2010, our non-premium based credit hedges had aggregate outstanding notional amounts of $125 million, decreasing from $678 million at December 31, 2009.  At September 30, 2010, we had 21,000 Eurodollar futures contracts outstanding.  Futures contracts were not utilized in our macro hedge program in 2009.

The macro hedge program is routinely monitored and revised as capital market conditions change.

103



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY HIGHLIGHTS

· Shareholders’ equity as of September 30, 2010 was $19.27 billion, an increase of 15.5% from $16.69 billion as of December 31, 2009.

· Deployable invested assets at the parent holding company level totaled $3.53 billion at September 30, 2010 compared to $3.07 billion at December 31, 2009.

· At September 30, 2010, we held 36.5% of our total consolidated cash and investment portfolio, or $37.49 billion, in cash and liquid investments that are saleable within one quarter without significant additional net realized capital losses.

· On January 5, 2010, April 1, 2010, July 1, 2010 and October 1, 2010, we paid a quarterly shareholder dividend of $0.20, respectively.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Capital resources consist of shareholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations or for general corporate purposes.  The following table summarizes our capital resources.

($ in millions)

September 30,
2010

December 31,
2009

Common stock, retained income and other shareholders’ equity items

$

19,155

$

18,798

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

119

(2,106)

Total shareholders’ equity

19,274

16,692

Debt

5,909

5,910

Total capital resources

$

25,183

$

22,602

Ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity

30.7%

35.4%

Ratio of debt to capital resources

23.5%

26.1%

Shareholders’ equity increased in the first nine months of 2010, due primarily to unrealized net capital gains on investments and net income, partially offset by dividends paid to shareholders.

Debt Except for $42 million in long-term debt related to the synthetic leases scheduled to mature in 2011, we do not have any required principal payments until 2012 when the $350 million of 6.125% Senior Notes is due.

Financial ratings and strength Our ratings are influenced by many factors including our operating and financial performance, asset quality, liquidity, asset/liability management, overall portfolio mix, financial leverage (i.e., debt), exposure to risks such as catastrophes and the current level of operating leverage.  There have been no changes to our debt, commercial paper and insurance financial strength ratings from Moody’s, S&P and A.M. Best since December 31, 2009.

Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”), AIC and the Corporation are party to the Amended and Restated Intercompany Liquidity Agreement (“Liquidity Agreement”) which allows for short-term advances of funds to be made between parties for liquidity and other general corporate purposes.  The Liquidity Agreement does not establish a commitment to advance funds on the part of any party.  ALIC and AIC each serve as a lender and borrower and the Corporation serves only as a lender.  AIC also has a capital support agreement with ALIC.  Under the capital support agreement, AIC is committed to provide capital to ALIC to maintain an adequate capital level.  The maximum amount of potential funding under each of these agreements is $1.00 billion.

In addition to the Liquidity Agreement, the Corporation also has an intercompany loan agreement with certain of its subsidiaries, which include, but are not limited to, AIC and ALIC.  The amount of intercompany loans available to the Corporation’s subsidiaries is at the discretion of the Corporation.  The maximum amount of loans the Corporation will have outstanding to all its eligible subsidiaries at any given point in time is limited to $1.00 billion.  The Corporation may use commercial paper borrowings, bank lines of credit and repurchase agreements to fund intercompany borrowings.

Liquidity sources and uses We actively manage our financial position and liquidity levels in light of changing market, economic, and business conditions.  Liquidity is managed at both the entity and enterprise level across the Company, and is assessed on both base and stressed level liquidity needs.  We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet these needs, with $37.49 billion of cash and liquid investments saleable within 90 days without generating

104



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

significant additional capital losses (36.5% of the total cash and investment portfolio).  We expect $11.08 billion of investment portfolio cash flows from maturities, calls, and interest receipts over the next 12 months.  Additionally, we have existing intercompany agreements in place that facilitate liquidity management across the Company to enhance flexibility.

Parent company capital capacity At the parent holding company level, we have deployable invested assets totaling $3.53 billion as of September 30, 2010.  These assets include investments that are generally saleable within one quarter totaling $3.21 billion.  This provides funds for the parent company’s relatively low fixed charges.

The Corporation has access to additional borrowing to support liquidity as follows:

· A commercial paper facility with a borrowing limit of $1.00 billion to cover short-term cash needs.  As of September 30, 2010, there were no balances outstanding and therefore the remaining borrowing capacity was $1.00 billion; however, the outstanding balance can fluctuate daily.

· Our primary credit facility is available for short-term liquidity requirements and backs our commercial paper facility.  Our $1.00 billion unsecured revolving credit facility has an initial term of five years expiring in 2012 with two optional one-year extensions that can be exercised at the end of any of the remaining anniversary years of the facility upon approval of existing or replacement lenders providing more than two-thirds of the commitments to lend.  The program is fully subscribed among 11 lenders with the largest commitment being $185 million.  The commitments of the lenders are several and no lender is responsible for any other lender’s commitment if such lender fails to make a loan under the facility.  This facility contains an increase provision that would allow up to an additional $500 million of borrowing provided the increased portion could be fully syndicated at a later date among existing or new lenders.  This facility has a financial covenant requiring that we not exceed a 37.5% debt to capital resources ratio as defined in the agreement.  This ratio at September 30, 2010 was 19.6%.  Although the right to borrow under the facility is not subject to a minimum rating requirement, the costs of maintaining the facility and borrowing under it are based on the ratings of our senior, unsecured, nonguaranteed long-term debt.  There were no borrowings under the credit facility during the third quarter and first nine months of 2010.  The total amount outstanding at any point in time under the combination of the commercial paper program and the credit facility cannot exceed the amount that can be borrowed under the credit facility.

· A universal shelf registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2009.  We can use our current shelf registration to issue an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock (including 362 million shares of treasury stock as of September 30, 2010), preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and securities of trust subsidiaries.  The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

Liquidity exposure Contractholder funds as of September 30, 2010 were $48.94 billion.  The following table summarizes contractholder funds by their contractual withdrawal provisions at September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

Percent
to total

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

$

7,045

14.4%

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustments:

Specified surrender charges (1)

20,318

41.5

Market value adjustments (2)

8,068

16.5

Subject to discretionary withdrawal without adjustments (3)

13,505

27.6

Total contractholder funds (4)

$

48,936

100.0%


(1) Includes $9.71 billion of liabilities with a contractual surrender charge of less than 5% of the account balance.

(2) $6.71 billion of the contracts with market value adjusted surrenders have a 30-45 day period at the end of their initial and subsequent interest rate guarantee periods (which are typically 5 or 6 years) during which there is no surrender charge or market value adjustment.

(3) 67% of these contracts have a minimum interest crediting rate guarantee of 3% or higher.

(4) Includes $1.31 billion of contractholder funds on variable annuities reinsured to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc. effective September 1, 2006.

While we are able to quantify remaining scheduled maturities for our institutional products, anticipating retail product surrenders is less precise.  Retail life and annuity products may be surrendered by customers for a variety of

105



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

reasons.  Reasons unique to individual customers include a current or unexpected need for cash or a change in life insurance coverage needs.  Other key factors that may impact the likelihood of customer surrender include the level of the contract surrender charge, the length of time the contract has been in force, distribution channel, market interest rates, equity market conditions and potential tax implications.  In addition, the propensity for retail life insurance policies to lapse is lower than it is for fixed annuities because of the need for the insured to be re-underwritten upon policy replacement.  Surrenders and partial withdrawals for our retail annuities increased 5.2% and 13.0% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2009.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred annuities, interest-sensitive life insurance and Allstate Bank products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 12.2% and 11.1% for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Allstate Financial strives to promptly pay customers who request cash surrenders, however, statutory regulations generally provide up to six months in most states to fulfill surrender requests.

Our institutional products are primarily funding agreements sold to unaffiliated trusts used to back medium-term notes.  As of September 30, 2010, total institutional products outstanding were $2.64 billion.  The following table presents the remaining scheduled maturities for our institutional products outstanding as of September 30, 2010.

($ in millions)

2010

$

--

2011

760

2012

40

2013

1,750

2016

85

$

2,635

Our asset-liability management practices limit the differences between the cash flows generated by our investment portfolio and the expected cash flow requirements of our life insurance, annuity and institutional product obligations.

The following table summarizes consolidated cash flow activities by business segment for the nine months ended September 30.

($ in millions)

Property-Liability (1)

Allstate Financial (1)

Corporate

and Other (1)

Consolidated

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Net cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

$

1,009

$

1,547

$

1,935

$

1,824

$

79

$

144

$

3,023

$

3,515

Investing activities

(443)

(2,097)

2,527

4,244

(413)

314

1,671

2,461

Financing activities

(8)

(6)

(4,498)

(6,223)

(300)

565

(4,806)

(5,664)

Net (decrease) increase in consolidated cash

$

(112)

$

312


(1) Business unit cash flows reflect the elimination of intersegment dividends, contributions and borrowings.

Property-Liability Lower cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009 was primarily due to income tax payments in the first nine months of 2010 compared to income tax refunds in the first nine months of 2009.  Both periods were also impacted by claim payments as a result of catastrophes.

Lower cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009 was primarily due to decreased funds available to invest from operating activities and in the prior year period the investment of funds totaling $750 million that were advanced to AIC from the Corporation under the Liquidity Agreement.

Cash flows were impacted by dividends paid by AIC to its parent, the Corporation, totaling $600 million in the first nine months of 2010.  AIC has the capacity to pay a total of $1.50 billion in dividends in 2010 without obtaining prior approval from the Illinois Department of Insurance.

106



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AND 2009

Allstate Financial Operating cash flows for Allstate Financial in the first nine months of 2010 were higher than the same period in 2009 as higher premiums and tax refunds received were partially offset by higher contract benefits paid and lower investment income.

Lower cash flows provided by investing activities in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009 were primarily related to lower net reductions in short-term investments to fund reductions in contractholder funds.

Lower cash flows used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009 were primarily due to decreased maturities and retirements of institutional products, partially offset by lower deposits on fixed annuities and higher surrenders and partial withdrawals on fixed annuities.

Corporate and Other Fluctuations in the Corporate and Other operating cash flows were primarily due to the timing of intercompany settlements.  Investing activities primarily relate to investments in the portfolios of Kennett Capital Holdings, LLC. Financing cash flows of the Corporate and Other segment reflect actions such as fluctuations in short-term debt, repayment of debt, proceeds from the issuance of debt, dividends to shareholders of The Allstate Corporation and share repurchases; therefore, financing cash flows are affected when we increase or decrease the level of these activities.

107



Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act is made known to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

108



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussion under the heading “Regulation and Compliance” and under the heading “Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries” in Note 10 of the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

This document contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty.  These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings.  These statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, catastrophe exposure management, product development, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, expenses, financial results, litigation and reserves.  We believe that these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans.  However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements.  Risk factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to those discussed or identified in this document, in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and those incorporated by reference in Part I, Item 1A of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

Total number of
shares
(or units)
purchased
(1)

Average price
paid per share
(or unit)

Total number
of shares
(or units) purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
(2)

Maximum numbe
(or approximate dollar
value) of shares
(or units) that may yet
be purchased under
the plans or programs

July 1, 2010 - July 31, 2010

--

$

--

--

$

--

August 1, 2010 - August 31, 2010

469

$

28.6059

--

--

September 1, 2010 - September 30, 2010

698

$

28.7444

--

--

Total

1,167

$

28.6887

--


(1) In accordance with the terms of its equity compensation plans, Allstate acquired the following shares in connection with stock option exercises by employees and/or directors.  The stock was received in payment of the exercise price of the options and in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon exercise or vesting.

July:                 none

August:            469

September:       698

(2) Repurchases under our programs are, from time to time, executed under the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

None

109



Item 6.  Exhibits

(a)           Exhibits

An Exhibit Index has been filed as part of this report on page E-1.

110



SIGNATURE

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

The Allstate Corporation

(Registrant)

October 27, 2010

By

/s/ Samuel H. Pilch

Samuel H. Pilch

(chief accounting officer and duly

authorized officer of Registrant)

111



Exhibit No.

Description

4

Registrant hereby agrees to furnish the Commission, upon request, with the instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries.

10.1

Resolutions regarding Non-Employee Director Compensation adopted by The Allstate Corporation Board of Directors on September 27, 2010.

15

Acknowledgment of awareness from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated October 27, 2010, concerning unaudited interim financial information.

31 (i)

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

31 (i)

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

32

Section 1350 Certifications

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

E-1


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