LIABILITY FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENTS EXPENSES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Activity in Liability [Abstract]

Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Schedule [Text Block]

11. LIABILITY FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses, which is related to the Company's and its subsidiaries' group life, group disability insurance, group dental and group stop loss products is summarized below:

			2011		2010		2009
Balance at January 1		$	76,181	$	72,953	$	71,316
Less: reinsurance recoverable			(7,316)		(5,710)		(5,347)
Net balance at January 1			68,865		67,243		65,969
Incurred related to:
	Current year		73,573		83,384		86,905
	Prior years		468		(1,823)		(5,817)
Total incurred			74,041		81,561		81,088
Paid losses related to:
	Current year		(46,861)		(54,312)		(58,598)
	Prior years		(22,618)		(25,627)		(21,216)
Total paid			(69,479)		(79,939)		(79,814)
Balance at December 31			80,594		76,181		72,953
Less: reinsurance recoverable			(7,167)		(7,316)		(5,710)
Net balance at December 31		$	73,427	$	68,865	$	67,243

The Company regularly updates its estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses as new information becomes available and events occur which may impact the resolution of unsettled claims. Changes in prior estimates are recorded in results of operations in the year such changes are made. As a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, the liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses increased (decreased)by $0.5 million, $(1.8) million and $(5.8) million, during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.