	Life Marketing		Acquisitions			Asset Protection		Corporate and Other		Total Consolidated

	(Dollars In Thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2009	$	10,192	$	44,910		$	62,671	$	83	$	117,856
Tax benefit of excess tax goodwill		—		(3,098	)		—		—		(3,098	)

Balance as of December 31, 2010		10,192		41,812			62,671		83		114,758
Tax benefit of excess tax goodwill		—		(3,099	)		—		—		(3,099	)

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	10,192	$	38,713		$	62,671	$	83	$	111,659

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company decreased its goodwill balance by approximately $3.1 million. The decrease was due to an adjustment in the Acquisitions segment related to tax benefits realized during 2011 on the portion of tax goodwill in excess of GAAP basis goodwill. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had an aggregate goodwill balance of $111.7 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company decreased its goodwill balance by approximately $3.1 million. The decrease was due to an adjustment in the Acquisitions segment related to tax benefits realized during 2010 on the portion of tax goodwill in excess of GAAP basis goodwill. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had an aggregate goodwill balance of $114.8 million.

Accounting for goodwill requires an estimate of the future profitability of the associated lines of business to assess the recoverability of the capitalized acquisition goodwill. The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill at the segment (or reporting unit) level at least annually and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: 1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, 2) unanticipated competition, or 3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, the Company first determines through qualitative analysis whether relevant events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that segment goodwill balances are impaired as of the testing date. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that impairment exists, the Company compares its estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company utilizes a fair value measurement (which includes a discounted cash flows analysis) to assess the carrying value of the reporting units in consideration of the recoverability of the goodwill balance assigned to each reporting unit as of the measurement date. The Company's material goodwill balances are attributable to certain of its operating segments (which are each considered to be reporting units). The cash flows used to determine the fair value of the Company's reporting units are dependent on a number of significant assumptions. The Company's estimates, which consider a market participant view of fair value, are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results and cash flows, which are impacted by such things as policyholder behavior, competitor pricing, capital limitations, new product introductions, and specific industry and market conditions. Additionally, the discount rate used is based on the Company's judgment of the appropriate rate for each reporting unit based on the relative risk associated with the projected cash flows. As of December 31, 2011, the Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill and determined that no adjustment to impair goodwill was necessary.

The Company also considers its market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the fair values estimated for its reporting units in connection with its goodwill impairment testing. The Company believes that its market capitalization at December 31, 2011 is not representative of the underlying fair value of its reporting units, due primarily to the following:

While the concerns outlined above continue to negatively affect the Company's market capitalization, it is the Company's belief that the following factors support the underlying stability and growth potential of its reporting units:

While continued deterioration of or adverse market conditions for certain businesses may have a significant impact on the fair value of the Company's reporting units, in the Company's view, the key assumptions used in its estimates of fair value of its reporting units continue to be adequate, and market capitalization being below book value did not result in a triggering or impairment event