10-Q: Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]
Published on
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
OR
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 033-18053
Pruco Life Insurance Company
of New Jersey
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| New Jersey | 22-2426091 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction, incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
213 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(973) 802-6000
(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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer x
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 November 13, 2007, 400,000 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock (par value $5), were outstanding. As of such date, Pruco Life Insurance Company, an Arizona company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc., a New Jersey Corporation, owned all of the Registrant’s Common Stock.
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H)(1)(a) and (b) on
Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including but not limited to those in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “includes,” “plans,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “will,” “shall” or variations of such words are generally part of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey will be those anticipated by management. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and there are certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates reflected in such forward-looking statements, including, among others: (1) general economic, market and political conditions, including the performance and fluctuations of stock, real estate and other financial markets; (2) interest rate fluctuations; (3) re-estimates of our reserves for future policy benefits and claims; (4) differences between actual experience regarding mortality, morbidity, persistency, surrender experience, interest rates, or market returns and the assumptions we use in pricing our products, establishing liabilities and reserves or for other purposes; (5) changes in our assumptions related to deferred policy acquisition costs and valuation of business acquired; (6) changes in our claims-paying or credit ratings; (7) investment losses and defaults; (8) competition in our product lines and for personnel; (9) changes in tax law; (10) regulatory or legislative changes; (11) adverse determinations in litigation or regulatory matters and our exposure to contingent liabilities; (12) domestic or international military actions, natural or man-made disasters including terrorist activities or pandemic disease, or other events resulting in catastrophic loss of life; (13) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing risks; (14) effects of acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings, including possible difficulties in integrating and realizing the projected results of acquisitions; (15) ) changes in statutory accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America or “U.S. GAAP”, accounting principles, practices or policies; and (16) changes in assumptions for retirement expense. Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey does not intend, and is under no obligation, to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this document. See “Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for discussion of certain risks relating to our businesses and investment in our securities
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Unaudited Interim Statements of Financial Position
As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (in thousands, except share amounts)
| September 30, 2007 |
December 31, 2006 | |||||
| ASSETS |
||||||
| Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost, 2007:$873,550; 2006: $912,692) |
$ | 875,752 | $ | 920,925 | ||
| Policy loans |
163,176 | 160,614 | ||||
| Short-term investments |
2,578 | 11,259 | ||||
| Commercial loans |
83,482 | 48,979 | ||||
| Other long-term investments |
10,057 | 9,446 | ||||
| Total investments |
1,135,045 | 1,151,223 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
46,809 | 59,543 | ||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs |
270,872 | 255,849 | ||||
| Accrued investment income |
13,728 | 13,599 | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverable from parent |
171,241 | 135,010 | ||||
| Receivables from parent and affiliates |
30,114 | 19,437 | ||||
| Deferred sales inducements |
20,695 | 19,013 | ||||
| Other assets |
2,808 | 8,618 | ||||
| Separate account assets |
2,924,306 | 2,619,586 | ||||
| TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 4,615,618 | $ | 4,281,878 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY |
||||||
| Liabilities |
||||||
| Policyholders’ account balances |
$ | 802,263 | $ | 836,980 | ||
| Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities |
292,138 | 250,053 | ||||
| Cash collateral for loaned securities |
24,902 | 28,212 | ||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
15,997 | 4,005 | ||||
| Income taxes |
86,345 | 87,478 | ||||
| Short-term debt from affiliates |
— | 25,348 | ||||
| Payable to parent and affiliates |
8,973 | 2,377 | ||||
| Other liabilities |
43,979 | 40,601 | ||||
| Separate account liabilities |
2,924,306 | 2,619,586 | ||||
| Total liabilities |
$ | 4,198,903 | $ | 3,894,640 | ||
| Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (See Note 2) |
||||||
| Stockholder’s Equity |
||||||
| Common stock, $5 par value 400,000 shares, authorized, issued and outstanding |
$ | 2,000 | $ | 2,000 | ||
| Additional paid-in capital |
168,689 | 168,689 | ||||
| Retained earnings |
244,215 | 212,518 | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
1,811 | 4,031 | ||||
| Total stockholder’s equity |
416,715 | 387,238 | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY |
$ | 4,615,618 | $ | 4,281,878 | ||
See Notes to Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
3
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Unaudited Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands)
| Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||||
| REVENUES |
||||||||||||||||
| Premiums |
$ | 3,155 | $ | 1,763 | $ | 9,288 | $ | 6,202 | ||||||||
| Policy charges and fee income |
25,199 | 10,634 | 59,535 | 42,748 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income |
16,715 | 16,748 | 49,872 | 48,998 | ||||||||||||
| Realized investment gains (losses), net |
(1,380 | ) | (2,528 | ) | (1,559 | ) | (13,894 | ) | ||||||||
| Asset management fees |
1,765 | 1,512 | 5,141 | 4,396 | ||||||||||||
| Other income |
1,019 | 886 | 3,009 | 2,626 | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues |
46,473 | 29,015 | 125,286 | 91,076 | ||||||||||||
| BENEFITS AND EXPENSES |
||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders’ benefits |
3,425 | 2,452 | 12,242 | 12,383 | ||||||||||||
| Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances |
7,817 | 7,292 | 23,672 | 22,500 | ||||||||||||
| General, administrative and other expenses |
17,728 | (5,745 | ) | 44,283 | 20,315 | |||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses |
28,970 | 3,999 | 80,197 | 55,198 | ||||||||||||
| Income from operations before income taxes |
17,503 | 25,016 | 45,089 | 35,878 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
5,095 | 5,806 | 12,930 | 8,058 | ||||||||||||
| NET INCOME |
12,408 | 19,210 | 32,159 | 27,820 | ||||||||||||
| Change in net unrealized investment gains and changes in foreign currency, net of taxes (1) |
2,629 | 8,034 | (2,220 | ) | 2,563 | |||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
$ | 15,037 | $ | 27,244 | $ | 29,939 | $ | 30,383 | ||||||||
| (1) | Amounts are net of tax expenses of $(1.4) million and $(4.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and a tax benefit of $1.2 million and a tax expense of $(1.4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
See Notes to Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
4
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Unaudited Interim Statement of Stockholder’s Equity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands)
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Gain (Loss) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock |
Additional Paid–in Capital |
Retained Earnings |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Loss) |
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total Equity |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2006 |
$ | 2,000 | $ | 168,689 | $ | 212,518 | $ | 29 | $ | 4,002 | $ | 4,031 | $ | 387,238 | |||||||||||
| Net income |
— | — | 32,159 | 32,159 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net of taxes |
— | — | (462 | ) | — | — | — | (462 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes |
— | — | — | 56 | — | 56 | 56 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in net unrealized investment gains, net of taxes |
— | — | — | — | (2,276 | ) | (2,276 | ) | (2,276 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2007 |
$ | 2,000 | $ | 168,689 | $ | 244,215 | $ | 85 | $ | 1,726 | $ | 1,811 | $ | 416,715 | |||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
5
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Unaudited Interim Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands)
| Nine months ended, September 30 | ||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 32,159 | $ | 27,820 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
| Policy charges and fee income |
(13,076 | ) | (7,167 | ) | ||||
| Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances |
23,672 | 22,500 | ||||||
| Realized investment losses, net |
1,559 | 13,894 | ||||||
| Amortization and other non-cash items |
(667 | ) | 844 | |||||
| Change in: |
||||||||
| Future policy benefits and other insurance liabilities |
42,109 | 31,391 | ||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable |
(36,232 | ) | (27,767 | ) | ||||
| Accrued investment income |
(129 | ) | 1,656 | |||||
| Receivable from parent and affiliates |
(9,458 | ) | 5,614 | |||||
| Payable to parent and affiliates |
6,596 | (503 | ) | |||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs |
(11,577 | ) | (28,778 | ) | ||||
| Income taxes |
(73 | ) | 8,145 | |||||
| Deferred sales inducements |
(1,803 | ) | (4,178 | ) | ||||
| Other, net |
(22,955 | ) | (3,212 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
10,125 | 40,259 | ||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of: |
||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
219,264 | 977,765 | ||||||
| Policy loans |
14,788 | 13,915 | ||||||
| Commercial Loans |
754 | 471 | ||||||
| Payments for the purchase of: |
||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale |
(161,799 | ) | (946,235 | ) | ||||
| Policy loans |
(12,206 | ) | (11,678 | ) | ||||
| Commercial loans |
(35,631 | ) | (24,191 | ) | ||||
| Other long-term investments, net |
(1,813 | ) | (1,821 | ) | ||||
| Short-term investments, net |
8,668 | 3,355 | ||||||
| Change in: |
||||||||
| Notes receivable from parent and affiliates, net |
(1,369 | ) | (2,174 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities |
30,656 | 9,407 | ||||||
| CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
| Policyholders’ account deposits |
167,544 | 166,409 | ||||||
| Policyholders’ account withdrawals |
(214,228 | ) | (182,035 | ) | ||||
| Net change in securities sold under agreement to repurchase and cash collateral for loaned securities |
8,682 | (55,976 | ) | |||||
| Net change in financing arrangements (maturities 90 days or less) |
(15,513 | ) | (70,443 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows (Used in) Financing Activities |
(53,515 | ) | (142,045 | ) | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(12,734 | ) | (92,379 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
59,543 | 116,040 | ||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD |
$ | 46,809 | $ | 23,661 | ||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
||||||||
| Income taxes paid (refunded) |
$ | 13,003 | $ | (88 | ) | |||
| Interest paid |
$ | 263 | $ | 739 | ||||
See Notes to Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
6
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, or the “Company,” is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pruco Life Insurance Company, or “Pruco Life,” which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Prudential Insurance Company of America, or “Prudential Insurance.” Prudential Insurance is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc., or “Prudential Financial.”
The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or “U.S. GAAP,” on a basis consistent with reporting interim financial information in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These interim financial statements are unaudited but reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to provide a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
The Company has extensive transactions and relationships with Prudential Insurance and other affiliates. It is possible that the terms of these transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The most significant estimates include those used in determining deferred policy acquisition costs, investments, future policy benefits, provision for income taxes, embedded derivatives, reserves for contingent liabilities and reserves for losses in connection with unresolved legal matters.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
2. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND LITIGATION AND REGULATORY MATTERS
Contingencies
On an ongoing basis, our internal supervisory and control functions review the quality of our sales, marketing, administration and servicing, and other customer interface procedures and practices and may recommend modifications or enhancements. From time to time, this review process results in the discovery of administration, servicing or other errors, including errors relating to the timing or amount of payments or contract values due to customers. In these cases, we offer customers appropriate remediation and may incur charges and expenses, including the costs of such remediation, administrative costs and regulatory fines.
It is possible that the results of operations or the cash flow of the Company in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected as a result of payments in connection with the matters discussed above depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flow for such period. Management believes, however, that the ultimate payments in connection with these matters should not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
Litigation and Regulatory Matters
The Company is subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of its businesses, which may include class action lawsuits. Pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings relating to aspects of the businesses and operations that are specific to the Company and that are typical of the businesses in which the Company operates. Class action and individual lawsuits may involve a variety of issues and/or allegations, which include sales practices, underwriting practices, claims payment and procedures, premium charges, policy servicing and breach of fiduciary duties to customers. The Company may also be subject to litigation arising out of its general business activities, such as its investments and third party contracts and could be exposed to claims or litigation concerning business or process patents. In certain of these matters, the plaintiffs may seek large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages.
7
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
2. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND LITIGATION AND REGULATORY MATTERS (continued)
The Company’s litigation and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertainties, and given the complexity and scope, the outcomes cannot be predicted. It is possible that the results of operations or the cash flow of the Company in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable resolution of litigation and regulatory matters, depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flow for such period. Management believes, however, that the ultimate outcome of all pending litigation and regulatory matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, should not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
FIN 48
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. This interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. The Company adopted FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007, which resulted in an increase to its income tax liability and a decrease to retained earnings of $0.2 million as of January 1, 2007.
The Company had the following amounts of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption of FIN No. 48:
| Unrecognized tax benefits |
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate | |||||
| (in millions) | ||||||
| Amounts related to tax years prior to 2002 |
$ | 3.6 | $ | 3.6 | ||
| Amounts related to tax years 2002 and forward |
$ | 1.7 | $ | — | ||
| Total Unrecognized Tax Benefits all years |
$ | 5.3 | $ | 3.6 | ||
The Company classifies all interest and penalties related to tax uncertainties as income tax expense. As of the date of adoption of FIN No. 48, the Company had recorded $0.8 million in liabilities for tax-related interest and penalties.
The Company’s liability for income taxes includes the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties which relate to tax years still subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service (“Service”) or other taxing jurisdictions. Audit periods remain open for review until the statute of limitations has passed. Generally, for tax years which produce net operating losses, capital losses or tax credit carryforwards (“tax attributes”), the statute of limitations does not close, to the extent of these tax attributes, until the tax year in which they are fully utilized. The completion of review or the expiration of the statute of limitations for a given audit period could result in an adjustment to our liability for income taxes. Any such adjustment could be material to our results of operations for any given quarterly or annual period based, in part, upon the results of operations for the given period. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
On January 26, 2006, the Service officially closed the audit of the Company’s consolidated federal income tax returns for the 1997 to 2001 periods. As a result of certain favorable resolutions, the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes an income tax benefit of $3 million, reflecting a reduction in the Company’s liability for income taxes. The statute of limitations has closed for these tax years; however, there were tax attributes which were utilized in subsequent tax years that remain open on statute of limitations.
In December 2006, the Service completed all fieldwork with regard to its examination of the consolidated federal income tax returns for tax years 2002-2003. The final report was submitted to the Joint Committee on Taxation for their review in April 2007. In July 2007, the Joint Committee returned the report to the Service for additional review of an industry issue regarding
8
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS (continued)
the methodology for calculating the dividend received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. The Company is responding to the Service’s request for additional information. In August 2007, the Service subsequently issued Revenue Ruling 2007-54. Revenue Ruling 2007-54 included among other items, guidance on the methodology to be followed in calculating the dividend received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. In September 2007, the Service released Revenue Ruling 2007-61. Revenue Ruling 2007-61 suspended Revenue Ruling 2007-54 and informs taxpayers that the U.S. Treasury Department and the Service intend to address through new regulations the issues considered in Revenue Ruling 2007-54, including the methodology to be followed in determining the dividends received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. These activities had no impact on the Company’s 2007 results.
SOP 05-1
In September 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee (“AcSEC”) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts.” SOP 05-1 provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in SFAS No. 97. SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract, and is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted SOP 05-1 effective January 1, 2007. The effect of initially adopting SOP 05-1 was a charge to the opening balance of retained earnings of $.2 million, net of $.1 million of taxes.
SFAS 155
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments.” This statement eliminates an exception from the requirement to bifurcate an embedded derivative feature from beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. The Company has relied upon this exception for certain investments that the Company has made in securitized financial assets in the normal course of operations, and thus has not previously had to consider whether such investments contain an embedded derivative. The new requirement to identify embedded derivatives in beneficial interests will be applied on a prospective basis only to beneficial interests acquired, issued, or subject to certain remeasurement conditions after the adoption of the guidance. This statement also provides an election, on an instrument by instrument basis, to measure at fair value an entire hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation, rather than measuring only the embedded derivative on a fair value basis. If the fair value election is chosen, changes in unrealized gains and losses are reflected in the Statements of Operations. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2007. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS 157
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but the application of this Statement could change current practices in determining fair value. The Company plans to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2008. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 157 on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
SFAS 159
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 159 on its financial position and results of operations.
9
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
4. REINSURANCE
The Company ceded reinsurance to Prudential Insurance, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, or “PARCC,” and other companies, in order to, provide additional capacity for future growth and limit the maximum net loss potential arising from large risks. Reinsurance of life contracts is accomplished through various plans of reinsurance, primarily yearly renewable term and coinsurance. Reinsurance ceded arrangements do not discharge the Company’s obligation as the primary insurer. Ceded balances would represent a liability of the Company in the event the reinsurers were unable to meet their obligations to the Company under the terms of the reinsurance agreements. The likelihood of a material reinsurance liability resulting from such inability of reinsurers to meet their obligation is considered to be remote.
Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements, benefits and reserves related to reinsured long-duration contracts are accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured contracts using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying contracts. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liabilities and policy benefits associated with the reinsured policies. The affiliated reinsurance agreements are described further in Note 5 of the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.
Reinsurance amounts included in the Company’s Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are presented below.
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | |||||||
| Direct premiums and policy charges and fee income |
$ | 173,979 | $ | 133,520 | ||||
| Reinsurance ceded |
(105,156 | ) | (84,570 | ) | ||||
| Premiums and policy charges and fee income |
$ | 68,823 | $ | 48,950 | ||||
| Policyholders’ benefits ceded |
$ | 36,720 | $ | 37,301 | ||||
| Realized capital gains (Losses) ceded, net |
$ | (861 | ) | $ | 39 | |||
Reinsurance premiums ceded for interest-sensitive life products is accounted for as a reduction of policy charges and fee income. Reinsurance ceded for term insurance products is accounted for as a reduction of premiums.
Realized capital gains ceded include the reinsurance of the Company’s derivatives under SFAS No. 133. Changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized through “Realized investment gains”.
Reinsurance recoverables included in the Company’s Statements of Financial Position, at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $171 million and $135 million, respectively.
The gross and net amounts of life insurance in force the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
| 2007 | 2006 | |||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| Life insurance face amount in force |
$ | 75,252,925 | $ | 60,146,526 | ||||
| Ceded |
(65,196,893 | ) | (53,096,367 | ) | ||||
| Net amount of life insurance in force |
$ | 10,056,032 | $ | 7,050,159 | ||||
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has extensive transactions and relationships with Prudential Insurance and other affiliates. It is possible that the terms of these transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties.
Expense Charges and Allocations
Many of the Company’s expenses are allocations or charges from Prudential Insurance or other affiliates. These expenses can be grouped into the following categories: general and administrative expenses and agency distribution expenses.
The Company’s general and administrative expenses are charged to the Company using allocation methodologies based on business processes. Management believes that the methodology is reasonable and reflects costs incurred by Prudential Insurance
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Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)
to process transactions on behalf of the Company. The Company operates under service and lease agreements whereby services of officers and employees, supplies, use of equipment and office space are provided by Prudential Insurance. The Company reviews its allocation methodology periodically which it may adjust accordingly. General and administrative expenses include allocations of stock compensation expenses related to a stock option program and a deferred compensation program issued by Prudential Financial. The expense charged to the Company for the stock option program was less than $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The expense charged to the Company for the deferred compensation program was $.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The Company receives a charge for its share of employee benefits expenses. These expenses include costs for funded and non-funded contributory and non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. Benefits are based on final average earning and length of service, while benefits for other employees are based on an account balance, which takes into consideration age, service and earnings during career.
Prudential Insurance sponsors voluntary savings plans for the Company’s employee’s 401(k) plans. The plans provide for salary reduction contributions by employees and matching contributions by the Company of up to 4% of annual salary. The expense charged the Company for the matching contribution to the plans was $0.3 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
The Company’s share of net expense for the pension plans was $1 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
The Company is charged distribution expenses from Prudential Insurance’s agency network for both its domestic life and annuity products through a transfer pricing agreement, which is intended to reflect a market based pricing arrangement.
Affiliated Asset Management Fee Income
In accordance with a servicing agreement with Prudential Investments LLC, the Company receives fee income from policyholders’ account balances invested in the Prudential Series Funds. These revenues are recorded as “Asset management fees” in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, net of related investment management expenses paid to Prudential Investments LLC, under this agreement.
Corporate Owned Life Insurance
The Company has sold two Corporate Owned Life Insurance, or “COLI”, policies to Prudential Insurance and one in the third quarter of 2007 to Prudential Financial. The cash surrender value included in separate accounts was $521 million and $508 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Fees related to the COLI policies in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $15 million and $4 million, respectively.
Reinsurance with Affiliates
Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company (PARCC)
The Company reinsures 90% of the risks under its term life insurance policies through an automatic and facultative coinsurance agreement with PARCC. The Company is not relieved of its primary obligation to the policyholder as a result of this agreement. Reinsurance recoverables related to this agreement were $165 million and $128 million as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Premiums ceded to PARCC for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $79 million and $62 million, respectively. Benefits ceded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $19 million and $14 million, respectively. Reinsurance expense allowances, net of capitalization and amortization for the six months ended September 30, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $16 million and $15 million, respectively.
Prudential Insurance
The Company has a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement with Prudential Insurance and reinsures the majority of all mortality risks not otherwise reinsured. The reinsurance recoverables related to this agreement were $6 million and $7 million as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Premiums and fees ceded to Prudential Insurance for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $25 million and $22 million, respectively. Benefits ceded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 were $17 million, and $23 million, respectively. The Company is not relieved of its primary obligation to the policyholder as a result of this agreement.
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Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey
Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)
Pruco Reinsurance Ltd. (Pruco Re)
During 2005 and 2006, the Company entered into reinsurance agreements with Pruco Re as part of its risk management and capital management strategies for annuities. Effective July 1, 2005, the Company entered into a coinsurance agreement with Pruco Re providing for the 100% reinsurance of its Lifetime Five benefit feature sold on its annuities on or after May 6, 2005.
Effective March 20, 2006, the Company entered into a coinsurance agreement with Pruco Re providing for the 100% reinsurance of its Lifetime Five benefit feature sold on its annuities.
Debt Agreements
The Company and its parent, Pruco Life, have an agreement with Pru Funding, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Insurance, which allows it to borrow funds for working capital and liquidity needs. The borrowings under this agreement are limited to $100 million. The Company had no debt outstanding to Pru Funding, LLC as of September 30, 2007 compared to $25 million at December 31, 2006. Interest expense related to this agreement was less than $1 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The related interest was charged at a variable rate ranging from 4.81% to 5.86% for 2007 and 4.28% to 5.42% for 2006.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) on Form 10-Q and therefore is filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis, or “MD&A,” of Financial Condition and Results of Operations addresses the financial condition of Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, or the “Company,” as of September 30, 2007, compared with December 31, 2006, and its results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006. You should read the following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” section, the MD&A and the audited Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as well as the Forward-Looking Statements and the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
General
The Company sells interest-sensitive individual life insurance and variable life insurance, term life insurance and individual variable annuities, primarily through Prudential Insurance’s sales force in New Jersey and New York. These markets are subject to regulatory oversight, with particular emphasis placed on company solvency and sales practices. These markets are also subject to increasing competitive pressure as the legal barriers, that have historically segregated the markets of the financial services industry, have been changed. Regulatory changes have opened the insurance industry to competition from other financial institutions, particularly banks and mutual funds that are positioned to deliver competing investment products through large, stable distribution channels.
Products
Generally, the Company’s universal and variable life products offer the option of investing in separate accounts, segregated funds for which investment risks are borne by the customer, or the Company’s portfolio, referred to as the “general account.” The Company earns its profits through policy fees charged to separate account annuity and life policyholders and through the interest spread for general account annuity and life products. Policy charges and fee income consist mainly of three types: sales charges or loading fees on new sales, mortality and expense charges, or “M&E,” assessed on fund balances, and mortality and related charges based on total life insurance in force business. Policyholder fund values are affected by net sales (sales less withdrawals), changes in interest rates, and investment returns. The interest spread represents the difference between the investment income earned by the Company on its investment portfolio and the amount of interest credited to the policyholders’ accounts. Products that generate interest-spread primarily include general account life insurance products, fixed annuities and the fixed-rate option of variable annuities.
In addition to policy charges and fee income, the Company earns revenues from insurance premiums from term life insurance and asset management fees from separate account fund balances. The Company’s benefits and expenses principally consist of insurance benefits provided, general business expenses, commissions and other costs of selling and servicing the various products we sell and interest credited to policyholders’ account balances.
1. Changes in Financial Position
September 30, 2007 versus December 31, 2006
Total assets increased by $334 million, from $4.282 billion at December 31, 2006 to $4.616 billion at September 30, 2007. Separate account assets increased by $304 million from $2.620 billion at December 31, 2006 to $2.924 billion at September 30, 2007 due to market performance and net sales in the first nine months of 2007. Commercial loans increased $34 million, from $49 million at December 31, 2006 to $83 million at September 30, 2007, as additional funds were invested in commercial loans. Cash and cash equivalents are lower by $13 million as cash used in financing activities exceeded cash provided from operating and investing activities in the first nine months of 2007. Deferred policy acquisition costs increased by $15 million from $256 million at December 31, 2006, to $271 million at September 30, 2007, primarily driven by capitalization of acquisition costs from continued growth of term sales. Reinsurance recoverables increased by $36 million as a result of continued growth in term in force covered in the PARCC coinsurance agreement.
Fixed maturities decreased by $45 million, from $921 million at December 31, 2006 to $876 million at September 30, 2007. The decrease is primarily driven by the movement of contractholder assets from the fixed rate general account options to the variable separate account investment options, and re-investment in commercial loans, mentioned above.
Total liabilities increased by $304 million from $3.895 billion at December 31, 2006, to $4.199 billion at September 30, 2007, primarily due to separate account liabilities growth of $304 million as described above. Future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities increased by $42 million, from $250 million at December 31, 2006 to $292 million at September 30, 2007, as a result of growth in the term insurance business. Policyholder account balances decreased by $35 million, primarily due to the movement of contractholder assets from the fixed rate general account options to the variable separate account
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investment options in annuity products. The Company’s short-term borrowings from an affiliate used to provide short-term working capital was $25 million at December 31, 2006 and was repaid in 2007. Total securities lending activity increased by $9 million. The relative amounts of cash collateral for loaned securities and securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased $3 million and decreased $12 million, respectively.
2. Results of Operations
September 30, 2007 to September 30, 2006 Three Month Comparison
Net Income
Net income of $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 decreased $7 million, from $19 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Results for both periods include the impact of an annual review of our estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition and other costs and unearned revenue reserves for our variable and universal life products. The current quarter included a $1 million benefit before taxes resulting from this annual review. The prior year quarter reflected an $11 million benefit before taxes related to the annual review, primarily resulting from improvement in expected investment spreads. Absent the impacts of the annual reviews conducted in the third quarter of both periods after tax net income was $2 million higher than the prior year quarter mainly driven by the sale of a large COLI case to an affiliate and higher fees from growth in separate account assets resulting from market appreciation.
Revenues
Revenues increased by $17 million, from $29 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006, to $46 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Policy charges and fee income, consisting primarily of mortality and expense charges, loading and other insurance charges assessed on general and separate account policyholders’ fund balances, increased by $14 million, from $11 million in 2006, to $25 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, including $7 million due to updates in both periods of our assumptions related to the amortization of unearned revenue reserves based on the annual reviews, as discussed above. Absent this item policy charges and fee income increased $7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007, reflecting growth in our universal life insurance in force, the sale of a large COLI case to an affiliate and higher fees from growth in separate account assets resulting from market appreciation. Premiums increased slightly from the prior year due to growth in Term Life business.
Benefits and Expenses
Total benefits and expenses increased $25 million, from $4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006, to $29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, driven by higher general, administrative, and other expenses which increased by $23 million from ($6) million in the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. General, administrative, and other expenses in the third quarter of 2006 was primarily driven by the annual review, discussed above, which resulted in a reduction in amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $15 million. In the third quarter of 2007, the annual review resulted in an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $3 million. Absent the impacts of the annual reviews conducted in the third quarter of both periods, general, administrative, and other expenses increased $6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 primarily due to higher business related expenses.
Income Tax Expense
The income tax provision amounted to $5 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $6 million in the third quarter of 2006, representing 29% of income from continuing operations before income taxes in the third quarter of 2007 and 23% in the third quarter of 2006.
We employ various tax strategies, including strategies to minimize the amount of taxes resulting from realized capital gains.
We adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 on January 1, 2007. For additional information regarding the adoption of this guidance, (see Note 3 of the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.)
The dividends received deduction reduces the amount of dividend income subject to tax and is a significant component of the difference between our periodic effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. In August 2007, the Internal Revenue Service, or (“Service”), released Revenue Ruling 2007-54, which included, among other items, guidance on the methodology to be followed in calculating the dividends received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. In September 2007, the Service released Revenue Ruling 2007-61. Revenue Ruling 2007-61 suspends Revenue Ruling 2007-54 and informs taxpayers that the U.S. Treasury Department and the Service intend to address through new regulations the issues considered in Revenue Ruling 2007-54, including the methodology to be followed in determining the dividends received deduction related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. These activities had no impact on our 2007 results.
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September 30, 2007 to September 30, 2006 Nine Month Comparison
Net Income
Net income of $32 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased $4 million, from $28 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Results for both periods include the impact of an annual review of our estimate of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing deferred policy acquisition and other costs and unearned revenue reserves for our variable and universal life products. The first nine months of 2007, included a $1 million benefit before taxes resulting from this annual review. The first nine months of 2006, reflected an $11 million benefit before taxes related to the annual review, primarily resulting from improvement in expected investment spreads. Absent the impacts of the annual reviews conducted in both periods after tax net income was $19 million higher than prior year mainly driven by the sale of a large COLI case to an affiliate and higher fees from growth in separate account assets resulting from market appreciation.
Revenues
Revenues increased by $34 million, from $91 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $125 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Policy charges and fee income, consisting primarily of mortality and expense loading and other insurance charges assessed on general and separate account policyholders’ fund balances, increased by $17 million from $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, to $60 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, including $7 million due to updates in both periods of our assumptions related to the amortization of unearned revenue reserves based on the annual reviews as discussed above. Absent this item policy charges and fee income increased $10 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 reflecting growth in our universal life insurance in force, the sale of a large COLI case to an affiliate and higher fees from growth in Separate account assets resulting from market appreciation. Also contributing to this increase is lower realized losses of $12 million due to additional realized losses from the sales of fixed maturities in a rising interest rate environment in 2006. Premiums increased by $3 million, from $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, to $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, due to increased term sales, net of reinsurance.
Net investment income increased by $1 million, from $49 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, to $50 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in investment income is primarily due to higher yields driven by investment activities.
Benefits and Expenses
Total benefits and expenses increased $25 million, from $55 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, to $80 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Primarily driven by general, administrative, and other expenses which increased by $24 million from $20 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $44 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. General, administrative, and other expenses in the first nine months of 2006 was primarily driven by the annual review, discussed above, which resulted in a reduction in amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $15 million. In the first nine month of 2007, the annual review resulted in an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $3 million. Absent the impacts of the annual reviews conducted in both periods, general, administrative, and other expenses increased $6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 primarily due to higher business related expenses.
Income Tax Expense
The income tax provision amounted to $13 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to $8 million in the first nine months of 2006, representing 29% of income from continuing operations before income taxes in the first nine months of 2007 and 22% in the first nine months of 2006. (Also see accounting pronouncement above in 3-month comparison)
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
In order to ensure that the information we must disclose in our filings with the Securities Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d–15(e), as of September 30, 2007. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us required to be included in our periodic SEC filings. No change in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f), occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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We are subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our businesses, which may include class action lawsuits. Legal and regulatory actions may include proceedings relating to aspects of the businesses and operations that are specific to us and that are typical of the businesses in which we operate. Class action and individual lawsuits may involve a variety of issues and/or allegations, which include sales practices, underwriting practices, claims payment and procedures, premium charges, policy servicing and breach of fiduciary duties to customers. We are also subject to litigation arising out of its general business activities, such as its investments and third party contracts and could be exposed to claims or litigation concerning business or process patents. In certain of these matters, the plaintiffs may seek large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages.
Our litigation and regulatory matters are subject to many uncertainties, and given the complexity and scope, the outcomes cannot be predicted. It is possible that our results of operations or the cash flow in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable resolution of pending litigation and regulatory matters, depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flow for such period. Management believes, however, that the ultimate outcome of all pending litigation and regulatory matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
The foregoing discussion is limited to recent developments concerning our legal and regulatory proceedings. See Note 2 to the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements included herein for additional discussion of our litigation and regulatory matters.
You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition, or cause our actual results to differ materially from those expected or those expressed in any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. These risks are not exclusive, and additional risks to which we are subject include, but are not limited to, the factors mentioned under “Forward-Looking Statements” above and the risks of our businesses described elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the immediately following paragraph and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The third quarter of 2007 was characterized by adverse capital market conditions generally affecting the value and liquidity of certain fixed maturity securities, as well as other investments. Regardless of market conditions, certain investments we hold, including private bonds and commercial mortgages, are relatively illiquid. While we have various sources of liquidity other than selling these investments, if we needed to sell these investments we may have difficulty doing so in a timely manner at a price we would realize if we otherwise held the investments. Adverse capital market conditions could impact the liquidity of our investments, affecting their value and potentially resulting in higher realized and/or unrealized losses.
| 31.1 | Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer. | |
| 31.2 | Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer. | |
| 32.1 | Section 906 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer. | |
| 32.2 | Section 906 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer. | |
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SIGNATURES
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.
| Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey | ||
| By: | /s/ Tucker I. Marr | |
| Tucker I. Marr | ||
| Chief Accounting Officer | ||
| (Authorized Signatory and Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) | ||
Date: November 13, 2007
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number and Description
| 31.1 | Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer. | |
| 31.2 | Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer. | |
| 32.1 | Section 906 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer. | |
| 32.2 | Section 906 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer. | |