Reinsurance (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Effects of reinsurance on premiums and benefits

The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and contract deposits; premiums and contract charges earned; and benefits, claims and settlement expenses were as follows:



($ in thousands)	Gross Amount		Ceded to Other Companies ⁽¹⁾		Assumed from Other Companies		Net Amount
Three months ended September 30, 2019
Premiums written and contract deposits⁽²⁾	$	374,598	$	5,968	$	2,586	$	371,216
Premiums and contract charges earned	245,200		8,181		2,662		239,681
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	154,718		2,310		1,783		154,191

Three months ended September 30, 2018
Premiums written and contract deposits⁽²⁾	$	342,268	$	5,370	$	1,199	$	338,097
Premiums and contract charges earned	210,953		5,385		1,252		206,820
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	163,912		3,207		1,141		161,846

Nine months ended September 30, 2019
Premiums written and contract deposits ⁽²⁾	$	988,588	$	17,844	$	7,557	$	978,301
Premiums and contract charges earned	671,871		22,158		7,849		657,562
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	450,206		9,399		5,460		446,267

Nine months ended September 30, 2018
Premiums written and contract deposits⁽²⁾	$	936,948	$	16,367	$	3,246	$	923,827
Premiums and contract charges earned	628,582		16,418		3,264		615,428
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	486,339		15,551		2,898		473,686

_____________


⁽¹⁾	Excludes the annuity reinsurance agreement accounted for under the deposit method that is discussed in Note 6.

⁽²⁾

This measure is not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (non-GAAP). An explanation of this non-GAAP measure is contained in the Glossary of Selected Terms included as an exhibit in the Company's reports filed with the SEC.