form11klncemployees401.htm


 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE, SAVINGS
AND SIMILAR PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


(Mark One)

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

OR

[  ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to ________

Commission File Number 1-6028

A.  
Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION EMPLOYEES’
SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN

 
B.  Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:


Lincoln National Corporation
150 N. Radnor Chester Road
Radnor, PA  19087



 
 

 























 
  Audited Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
   
  Lincoln National Corporation
  Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan
  As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for the
  Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
  With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 



 

 
 

 

Lincoln National Corporation
Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan

Audited Financial Statements
and Supplemental Schedule

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for the
Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009




Contents

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   1
 

 
Audited Financial Statements

 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits  2
 
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits  3
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements   4
 

 
Supplemental Schedule

 
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)  15
 


 
 

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Plan Administrator
Lincoln National Corporation
Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole.  The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2010, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management.  The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
June 24, 2011

 
 

 
Lincoln National Corporation
Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

 
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
           
Investments:
           
Mutual funds (cost: 2010 - $321,146,403; 2009 - $279,278,725)
  $ 384,633,301     $ 300,236,307  
Collective investment trusts
               
(cost: 2010 - $107,607,401; 2009 - $100,947,199)
    139,567,353       117,445,139  
Common stock - Lincoln National Corporation
               
(cost: 2010 - $82,566,452; 2009 - $77,197,926)
    104,942,831       95,516,206  
Investment contracts - The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
    167,535,424       152,333,309  
Wilmington Trust money market fund
    7,499,673       6,644,587  
Brokerage account (cost: 2010 - $5,975,731)
    6,212,900       -  
Total investments
    810,391,482       672,175,548  
                 
Notes receivable from participants
    20,695,266       16,010,952  
Accrued interest receivable
    186,768       262,480  
Total assets
    831,273,516       688,448,980  
                 
Liabilities
               
Net pending trades
    3,798,012       3,509,253  
Total liabilities
    3,798,012       3,509,253  
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 827,475,504     $ 684,939,727  
                 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
 
                 
 
 
 
2

 
 
Lincoln National Corporation
Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
 

 
   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Investment income:
           
Cash dividends
  $ 13,343,211     $ 11,398,808  
Interest
    937,472       922,992  
Total investment income
    14,280,683       12,321,800  
                 
Net realized gain (loss) on sale and distribution of investments:
               
Mutual funds
    3,501,927       (7,051,370 )
Collective investment trusts
    2,955,128       (338,401 )
Common stock - Lincoln National Corporation
    7,593,903       (18,408,998 )
Brokerage account
    (201,595 )     -  
Total net realized gain (loss) on sale and distribution of investments
    13,849,363       (25,798,769 )
                 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    62,471,264       156,959,743  
                 
Contributions:
               
Participants
    41,210,000       41,345,261  
Rollovers
    6,815,564       2,922,379  
Employer
    62,877,589       62,649,584  
Total contributions
    110,903,153       106,917,224  
                 
Transfers from (to) affiliated plans
    (3,666,073 )     (787,886 )
                 
Distributions to participants
    (55,139,000 )     (56,371,079 )
Administrative expenses
    (163,613 )     (80,328 )
Total distributions and expenses
    (55,302,613 )     (56,451,407 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits
    142,535,777       193,160,705  
Net assets available for benefits at beginning-of-year
    684,939,727       491,779,022  
Net assets available for benefits at end-of-year
  $ 827,475,504     $ 684,939,727  
                 
 
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
 
 
 

 

 
Lincoln National Corporation
Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan

Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010


1.  Description of the Plan

The following description of the Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan (“Plan”) is a summary only and a detailed Plan document can be obtained from Lincoln National Corporation (“LNC”) Human Resources.  The Plan is intended to be qualified under Internal Revenue Code section 401(a) by the terms and provisions of the Plan document and in operation.

The Plan is a contributory, defined contribution plan that covers substantially all employees of LNC (“Employer”) and certain of its subsidiaries who meet the conditions of eligibility to participate as defined by the Plan document.

Participants may make pre-tax contributions to the Plan.  All newly-hired or rehired employees are automatically enrolled in the Plan with pre-tax contributions being made at the rate of 6% of eligible earnings.  A participant may elect to not participate in the Plan or change the contribution rate from 6%.  A participant may also elect to reduce their earnings to make Roth 401(k) contributions to the Plan.  Roth 401(k) contributions are includable in the participant’s gross income at the time of deferral and must be irrevocably designated as Roth 401(k) contributions.  A participant may make a combination of pre-tax contributions and Roth 401(k) contributions not to exceed 50% of eligible earnings up to a maximum annual amount as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).  The Plan is subject to the provisions of ERISA.

Employer contributions are provided to the Plan.  The basic Employer match is $1.00 for each $1.00 that a participant contributes each pay period, up to 6% of eligible earnings.  The “core” or guaranteed Employer contribution is 4% of eligible earnings per pay period and is contributed to each eligible employee regardless of whether the employee elects to defer earnings into the Plan.  In addition, certain eligible employees are qualified for a “transition” Employer contribution between 0.2% and 8.0% of eligible earnings per pay period which will continue for a period of 10 years beginning on January 1, 2008.  Eligibility for transition Employer contributions is based on a combination of age and vesting years of service as provided in the Plan document with a minimum 10-year vesting service requirement for legacy LNC employees, and a minimum 5-year vesting service requirement for Legacy Jefferson-Pilot employees. Eligibility for transition Employer contributions and the applicable percentage used to determine a participant’s transition contribution was established on December 31, 2007, and applies only to those who were participants as of December 31, 2007.  A participant cannot grow into transition employer credits.  Transition employer contributions will cease on December 31, 2017.

Participants’ pre-tax contributions, Roth 401(k) contributions, Employer match contributions, transition Employer contributions, and earnings thereon are fully vested at all times.  The core Employer contributions vest based upon years of service as defined in the Plan document as follows:
 
   Years of Service  Percent Vested  
   Less than 2  0%  
   2 or more  100%  
 
As a result of changes in participants’ employment status, $3,666,073 and $787,886 of net transfers were made to affiliated Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (“LNL”) plans during 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Participants direct the Plan to invest their contributions and all Employer contributions in any combination of the investment options offered under the Plan.

The Employer has the right to discontinue contributions and to terminate the Plan at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA.  In the event of Plan termination, all non-vested amounts allocated to participant accounts would become fully vested.  Participants have the option of either receiving payment of dividends earned with respect to shares in the LNC common stock investment or having the dividends reinvested in the LNC common stock investment.
 
 
 
4

 
 

The Plan may make loans to participants in amounts up to 50% of the participant’s vested account value to a maximum of $50,000, but not more than the total value of the participants’ accounts less the highest outstanding loan balance in the previous 12-month period. Interest charged on new loans to participants is established monthly based upon a reasonable rate of interest at the then prevailing rate.  Investment income credited on loans was $937,472 and $922,992 in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Loans may be repaid over any period selected by the participant up to a maximum repayment period of 5 years except that the maximum repayment period may be 20 years for the purchase of a principal residence.

Upon termination of service due to disability, retirement, or job elimination, a participant may elect to receive either a lump-sum amount equal to the entire value of the participant’s account or an installment option if certain criteria are met; in case of death, the participant’s beneficiary makes that election. For termination of service due to other reasons, a participant may receive the value of the vested interest in his or her account as a lump-sum distribution. Vested account balances less than $1,000 are immediately distributable as a lump-sum under the terms of the Plan, without the participant’s consent, unless the participant has made a timely election of rollover to an Individual Retirement Account or other qualified arrangement.

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions, Employer contributions, and applicable investment results thereon, and is charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Forfeited non-vested amounts may be used to reduce future Employer contributions or pay administrative expenses of the Plan. Forfeitures of $751,056 and $3,043 were used to offset contributions in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Unallocated forfeitures were $489,574 and $832,363 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments Valuation and Income Recognition

As of January 1, 2010, the TD Ameritrade broker investments (“brokerage account”) were added to the Plan’s investment options available to the participants.  The brokerage account is administered by TD Ameritrade and allows participants to self-direct their contributions into mutual funds and securities within the brokerage account.  The brokerage account primarily consists of mutual funds, securities and a money market account, which are stated at fair value as discussed below.

Wilmington Trust (“Trustee”) is the trustee for the Plan.  Lincoln Alliance (“recordkeeper”) is the recordkeeper for the Plan.

As of December 31, 2010, the assets of the Plan consisted primarily of mutual funds, collective investment trusts, LNC common stock, investment contracts issued by LNL, Wilmington Trust Money Market Fund (“money market fund”) and brokerage account.  Marketable securities are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market at the Plan’s year end.  The investment in LNC common stock is valued at the closing sales price reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Listing on the last business day of the year.  Securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the Plan year.  The fair value of ownership interest of the collective investment trusts is established by the Trustee using a net asset value based on fair values of the underlying investments on the last business day of the Plan year.  The money market fund, which approximates fair value, is also utilized by the Trustee to hold money that has been removed from the participants’ funds and is waiting for distribution to the appropriate participants.

As described in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“ASC”) Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Topic, investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan that are fully benefit responsive are required to be reported at fair value and an adjustment to total net assets is required to show net assets at contact value.  The investment contracts held by the Plan are fully benefit responsive; therefore, contract value reporting is required.  In this instance, contract value approximates fair value as a result of current interest rates credited to the contracts.  Contract value represents net contributions plus interest at the contract rate.

Notes receivable from participants are valued at unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.

The cost of investments sold, distributed, or forfeited is determined using the specific-identification method.  Investment purchases and sales are accounted for on a trade-date basis.  Interest and dividend income is recorded when earned.
 
Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

The accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).  Management is required to make estimates and assumptions affecting the amounts reported in the
 
 
 
5

 
 
 
financial statements and accompanying notes. Those estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurement

The measurement of fair value is based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset.  The estimate of an exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset (“exit price”) in the principal market, or the most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market, for that asset, as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset (“entry price”).  Pursuant to the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC, the financial instruments carried at fair value are categorized into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the priority of inputs to the respective valuation technique.  The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date;

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies; and

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.

Mutual funds, including those within the brokerage account, are public investment vehicles valued using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the fund and focused on accumulating earnings while maintaining the appropriate level of diversified risk.  The NAV is a quoted price in an active market; therefore, the mutual funds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Collective investment trusts are public investment vehicles valued using the NAV provided by the Trustee and focused on stability of maintaining principal and a steady growth of earnings while matching the appropriate level of risk to the type of trust.  Participant-directed redemptions have no restrictions; however, the Plan is required to provide 30 days redemption notice to liquidate its entire share in the collective investment trusts and 5 days redemption notice for withdrawals in excess of $1 million.  The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the trust, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding.  The NAV is not a quoted price in an active market; therefore, the trusts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

LNC common stock and common stock within the brokerage account are valued at the closing price reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Listing and is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Plan invests in an Unallocated Group Fixed Annuity Contract issued by LNL, who guarantees a fixed interest rate.  The NAV for the investment contracts is $1.  The contract value is derived based on the discounted cash flows as of the balance sheet date.  The investment contracts are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The money market fund, including the money market fund within the brokerage account, is a public investment vehicle valued using $1 for the NAV.  The money market fund is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

See “Fair Value of Financial Investments, Carried at Fair Value” in Note 4 for additional fair value disclosures.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In February 2008, the FASB amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC in order to delay the effective date of fair value measurement for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis
 
 
 
6

 
 
 
(at least annually).  We applied fair value measurement to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities beginning on January 1, 2009.  The application did not have a material impact on the Plan’s financial statements.
 
In April 2009, the FASB amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic to provide additional guidance on estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability and additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate a transaction is not orderly.  The FASB provided illustrative examples of key considerations when applying fair value measurement principles to estimate fair value in non-active markets when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset.  Additional financial statement disclosures are also required about an entity’s fair value measurements in annual and interim reporting periods.  Any changes in valuation techniques resulting from the adoption of this amended guidance are accounted for as a change in accounting estimate in accordance with the FASB ASC guidance related to accounting changes and error corrections.  As permitted under the transition guidance, we adopted these amendments to the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic effective January 1, 2009.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-05, “Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value” (“ASU 2009-05”) which amends the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC to provide further guidance on the application of fair value measurements, due to the general lack of observable market information available for liabilities.  These amendments to the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic identify valuation techniques which can be used to measure the fair value of a liability when a quoted price in an active market is not available.  In addition, the amendments clarify that an entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs related to a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability and clarifies when a quoted price for a liability would be considered a Level 1 input.  ASU 2009-05 is effective for the reporting period ending December 31, 2009.  Any revisions resulting from a change in a valuation technique, or its application, must be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate and the specified disclosure for a change in accounting estimate must be included in the notes to the financial statements.  We adopted these amendments to the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic effective January 1, 2009.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB updated the Subsequent Events Topic of the FASB ASC in order to establish standards of accounting for the disclosure of events that take place after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued.  The effect of all subsequent events that existed as of the balance sheet date must be recognized in the financial statements.  For those events that did not exist as of the balance sheet date, but arose after the balance sheet date and before the financial statements are issued, recognition is not required, but depending on the nature of the event, disclosure may be required in order to keep the financial statements from being misleading.  We adopted these provisions, prospectively, as of December 31, 2009.  The adoption of these amendments to the Subsequent Event Topic did not have a material impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-12, “Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)” (“ASU 2009-12”), which amends the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC to permit the use of net asset value per share, without further adjustment, to estimate the fair value of investments in investment companies that do not have readily determinable fair values.  The net asset value per share must be calculated in a manner consistent with the measurement principles of the Financial Services – Investment Companies Topic of the FASB ASC and can be used by investors in investments such as hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds and real estate funds.  If it is probable the investment will be sold for an amount other than net asset value, the investor would be required to estimate the fair value of the investment considering all of the rights and obligations of the investment and any other market available data.  In addition, the amendments require enhanced disclosure for the investments within the scope of this accounting update.  The accounting guidance in ASU 2009-12 is effective for periods ending after December 15, 2009, and early adoption is permitted.  We adopted these amendments effective January 1, 2009.  The adoption did not have an impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU 2010-06”), which requires additional disclosure related to the three-level fair value hierarchy.  Entities are required to disclose significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  We adopted the amendments in ASU 2010-06 effective January 1, 2010, and have prospectively included the required disclosures in Note 4.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-25, “Plan Accounting – Defined Contribution Pension Plans” (“ASU 2010-25”), which requires disclosure and measurement changes related to participant loans.  For reporting purposes, participant loans shall be classified as notes receivable from participants and are no longer subject to fair value measurement disclosure requirements.  In addition, notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.  
 
 
 
 
7

 
 
 
We adopted the amendments in ASU 2010-25 effective January 1, 2010, and have retrospectively applied throughout the Plan’s financial statements.

Future Adoption of Accounting Standards

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, which requires additional disclosure related to the three-level fair value hierarchy.  Entities are required to separately present information related to purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation of fair value measurements classified as Level 3.  The disclosures related to purchases, sales, issuances and settlements for Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  We will adopt this amendment effective January 1, 2011.  The new guidance only requires new disclosure; we do not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU 2011-04”).  ASU 2011-04 amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC to converge the fair value measurement guidance in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  Some of the amendments clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle in ASC 820.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 requires additional fair value disclosures.  The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  Plan management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of ASU 2011-04 will have on the Plan’s financial statements.


 

 
 

3.  Investments

The fair value of individual investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets was as follows:


   
As of December 31, 2010
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Shares or Units
   
Fair Value
   
Shares or Units
   
Fair Value
 
Mutual funds:
                       
Columbia Acorn Z
    2,148,742.037     $ 64,870,522       1,950,037.161     $ 48,126,917  
Delaware Foundation Moderate Allocation I (1)
    4,320,805.133       46,967,152       3,292,262.154       32,889,699  
American Fund Growth Fund of
                               
America R-5
    1,871,228.357       56,866,630       1,697,372.917       46,304,333  
Harbor International Growth Institutional
    3,360,713.261       41,572,023       3,270,935.202       36,209,253  
Vanguard Institutional Index
    668,822.355       76,921,259       618,619.371       63,086,803  
                                 
Collective investment trusts:
                               
Delaware Diversified Income Trust
    4,074,402.180       57,082,375       4,076,803.592       52,713,070  
                                 
Common stock - LNC
    3,773,564.569       104,942,831       3,839,075.804       95,516,206  
                                 
Investment contracts - LNL
    167,535,423.720       167,535,424       152,333,309.000       152,333,309  

 
(1)  
The December 31, 2009, investment balance was less than 5% of the 2009 Plan’s net assets, but still presented for comparative purposes as the December 31, 2010, investment balance was greater than 5% of the 2010 Plan’s net assets.

The Plan holds investments in investment contracts.  The Plan invests in the Lincoln Stable Value Fund (“Investment Contracts – LNL”), which has a credited interest rate that is based upon the three-year average of the Barclays rate plus 20 basis points and can be changed quarterly.  The average crediting rate for the Investment Contract – LNL was 3.92% and 4.70% for 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Interest is credited at the same rate for the entire contract value.  The guaranteed minimum interest rate (“GMIR”) is 3.00%.  The guarantee is based on LNL’s ability to meet its financial obligations from the general assets of LNL.

For the Investment Contract – LNL, restrictions apply to the aggregate movement of funds to other investment options.  The fair value of the investment contracts approximate contract value.  Participants are allocated interest on the investment contracts based on the average rate earned on all Plan investments in the investment contracts.

The table below describes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments by category and in the aggregate.


   
For the Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Mutual funds
  $ 42,529,316     $ 75,867,624  
Collective investment trusts
    15,462,013       25,281,892  
Common stock - LNC
    4,242,407       55,810,227  
Brokerage account
    237,528       -  
Total
  $ 62,471,264     $ 156,959,743  
                 
                 



 

 
 

4.  Fair Value of Financial Investments, Carried at Fair Value

See Note 2 for discussions of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of the Plan’s investments.

We did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2010, or December 31, 2009, and we noted no changes in our valuation methodologies between these periods.  In addition, there were no significant transfers between Level 1 or 2 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The tables below are the Plan’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy levels described in Note 2.


   
As of December 31, 2010
 
   
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
   
Significant
       
   
Active Markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
   
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Total
 
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Mutual funds:
                       
Conservative
  $ 177,078,577     $ -     $ -     $ 177,078,577  
Moderate
    46,967,152       -       -       46,967,152  
Growth
    78,698,274       -       -       78,698,274  
International
    81,889,298       -       -       81,889,298  
Collective investment trusts:
                               
Delaware Large Cap Value Trust
    -       34,167,626       -       34,167,626  
Delaware International Equity Trust
    -       1,531,419       -       1,531,419  
Delaware SMID Cap Growth Trust
    -       25,984,925       -       25,984,925  
Delaware Diversified Income Trust
    -       57,082,375       -       57,082,375  
Delaware Large Cap Growth Trust
    -       20,801,008       -       20,801,008  
Common stock - LNC
    104,942,831       -       -       104,942,831  
Investment contracts - LNL
    -       -       167,535,424       167,535,424  
Money market fund
    -       7,499,673       -       7,499,673  
Brokerage account
    4,869,402       1,343,498       -       6,212,900  
Total assets
  $ 494,445,534     $ 148,410,524     $ 167,535,424     $ 810,391,482  
 
 

 

 
10

 
 
 
 
   
As of December 31, 2009
 
   
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
   
Significant
       
   
Active Markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
   
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Total
 
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Mutual funds:
                       
Conservative
  $ 137,024,646     $ -     $ -     $ 137,024,646  
Moderate
    32,889,699       -       -       32,889,699  
Growth
    62,903,909       -       -       62,903,909  
International
    67,418,053       -       -       67,418,053  
Collective investment trusts:
                               
Delaware Large Cap Value Trust
    -       30,027,313       -       30,027,313  
Delaware International Equity Trust
    -       762,223       -       762,223  
Delaware SMID Cap Growth Trust
    -       16,383,764       -       16,383,764  
Delaware Diversified Income Trust
    -       52,713,070       -       52,713,070  
Delaware Large Cap Growth Trust
    -       17,558,769       -       17,558,769  
Common stock - LNC
    95,516,206       -       -       95,516,206  
Investment contracts - LNL
    -       -       152,333,309       152,333,309  
Money market fund                             6,644,587              6,644,587  
        Total assets   $ 395,752,513     $ 124,089,726     $ 152,333,309     $  672,175,548  

The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s Level 3 investment assets:


   
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010
 
         
Items Included
   
Gains (Losses)
   
Sales,
             
         
in Statement of
   
in Statement of
   
Issuances,
             
         
Changes in Net
   
Net Assets
   
Maturities,
   
Transfers In
       
   
Beginning
   
Assets Available
   
Available for
   
Settlements,
   
or Out of
   
Ending
 
   
Fair Value
   
for Benefits
   
Benefits
   
Calls, Net
   
Level 3, net
   
Fair Value
 
Investment contracts - LNL
  $ 152,333,309     $ -     $ -     $ 15,202,115     $ -     $ 167,535,424  
                                                 



   
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009
 
         
Items Included
   
Gains (Losses)
   
Sales,
             
         
in Statement of
   
in Statement of
   
Issuances,
             
         
Changes in Net
   
Net Assets
   
Maturities,
   
Transfers In
       
   
Beginning
   
Assets Available
   
Available for
   
Settlements,
   
or Out of
   
Ending
 
   
Fair Value
   
for Benefits
   
Benefits
   
Calls, Net
   
Level 3, net
   
Fair Value
 
Investment contracts - LNL
  $ 122,921,075     $ -     $ -     $ 29,412,234     $ -     $ 152,333,309  
                                                 

5.  Income Tax Status

The Plan received a determination letter from the IRS dated April 30, 2004, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended and restated. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The Plan Administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended and restated, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.  Federal (and most states) income tax is deferred on participants’ pre-tax contributions, the Employer’s contributions, and income earned in the Plan until actual distribution or withdrawal from the Plan.  However, the participants’ Roth 401(k) contributions are includable in the participant’s gross income at the time of deferral and must be irrevocably designated as Roth 401(k) contributions.
 
 
 
11

 

 
The Plan Administrator has concluded that as of December 31, 2010, there are no uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken.  The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.  The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.  The Plan Administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to the applicable statute of limitations.

6.  Related Party Transactions

The Plan has investments in LNC common stock and investment contracts with LNL.  The Plan invests in mutual funds and collective investment trusts managed by Delaware Management Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of LNC through January 4, 2010.  Lincoln Alliance is the recordkeeper for the Plan.  All administrative expenses were paid by LNC.

7.  Concentrations of Credit Risks

As of December 31, 2010, the Plan had investments in LNC common stock and investment contracts with LNL of $104,942,831 and $167,535,424, respectively (12.68% and 20.24% of net assets, respectively).  As of December 31, 2009, the Plan had investments in LNC common stock and investment contracts with LNL of $95,516,206 and $152,333,309, respectively (13.95% and 22.24% of net assets, respectively).  LNC and LNL operate predominately in the insurance industry in 2010 and the insurance and investment management industries in 2009.

The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks including, but not limited to, interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements.

8.  Reconciliation to Form 5500

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500:


   
As of December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
  $ 827,475,504     $ 684,939,727  
Amounts allocated to withdrawn participants
    (152,471 )     (445,135 )
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
  $ 827,323,033     $ 684,494,592  

The following is a reconciliation of distributions to participants per the financial statements to the Form 5500:


   
As of December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Distributions to participants per the financial statements
  $ 55,139,000     $ 56,371,079  
Amounts allocated to withdrawn participants at end of year     152,471       445,135  
Amounts allocated to withdrawn participants at prior end of year
    (445,135 )     (405,959 )
 Distributions to participants per the Form 5500
  $ 54,846,336     $ 56,410,255  
                 
                 

Amounts allocated to withdrawn participants are recorded on the Form 5500 for benefit payments that have been processed and approved for payment prior to year-end but not yet paid; however, the financial statements do not reduce assets until paid.


 
12 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the reported net appreciation (depreciation) of Common Stock – LNC per the financial statements to the Form 5500:


   
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Common Stock – LNC net appreciation (depreciation) per the financial statements
  $ 11,836,310     $ 37,401,229  
Difference in realized gain (loss) basis
    1,846,193       4,064,685  
 Common Stock – LNC net appreciation (depreciation) per the Form 5500
  $ 9,990,117     $ 33,336,544  
                 
                 
 

 
The Form 5500 reports the realized gains and losses on common stock as the difference between the proceeds of assets sold during the year and the fair value of those assets at the beginning of the year; however, the financial statements report the realized gains and losses on common stock as the difference between historical cost and fair value.


 
13 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Supplemental Schedule
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 
Lincoln National Corporation
 
Employees' Savings and Retirement Plan
 
                         
Plan Number: 009
 
EIN: 35-1140070
 
                         
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held At End of Year)
 
                         
December 31, 2010
 
                         
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
   
(e)
 
       
Description of Investment
           
       
Including Maturity Date,
           
   
Identity of Issue, Borrower,
 
Rate of Interest,
       
Current
 
   
Lessor or Similar Party
 
Par or Maturity Value
 
Cost
   
Value
 
                         
   
Mutual funds:
                   
   
Columbia Acorn Z
    2,148,742.037  
participation units
    **     $ 64,870,522  
   
Delaware Foundation Conservative Allocation I
    837,848.262  
participation units
    **       8,244,427  
   
Delaware Foundation Moderate Allocation I
    4,320,805.133  
participation units
    **       46,967,152  
   
Delaware Foundation Growth Allocation I
    1,196,349.749  
participation units
    **       11,843,863  
   
Delaware Mid Cap Value I
    1,071,650.375  
participation units
    **       9,987,781  
   
Dodge & Cox International Stock
    1,129,019.179  
participation units
    **       40,317,275  
   
American Fund Growth Fund of America R-5
    1,871,228.357  
participation units
    **       56,866,630  
   
Harbor International Growth Institutional
    3,360,713.261  
participation units
    **       41,572,023  
   
Vanguard Institutional Index
    668,822.355  
participation units
    **       76,921,259  
   
Vanguard Extended Market Index Institutional
    655,254.903  
participation units
    **       27,042,369  
   
Total mutual funds
                      384,633,301  
                               
   
Collective investment trusts:
                         
   
Delaware Large Cap Value Trust
    2,849,676.922  
participation units
    **       34,167,626  
   
Delaware International Equity Trust
    191,188.433  
participation units
    **       1,531,419  
   
Delaware SMID Cap Growth Trust
    1,784,678.885  
participation units
    **       25,984,925  
   
Delaware Diversified Income Trust
    4,074,402.180  
participation units
    **       57,082,375  
   
Delaware Large Cap Growth Trust
    1,630,173.076  
participation units
    **       20,801,008  
   
Total collective investment trusts
                      139,567,353  
                               
  *  
Common stock - LNC
    3,773,564.569  
shares
            104,942,831  
                                 
  *  
Investment contracts - LNL
    167,535,423.720  
3.92% interest rate (annualized)
    **       167,535,424  
                                 
     
Wilmington Trust Money Market Fund W Class
    4,360,576  
par value
    **       7,499,673  
                                 
     
Brokerage account
    6,212,900  
par value
    **       6,212,900  
                                 
  *  
Notes receivable from participants
    20,695,266  
Various loans at interest rates varying from 4.25% to 9.50%  Maturity through April 2031
               
                               
                    -       20,695,266  
     
Total
                    $ 831,086,748  
                                 
  *  
Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan.
                         
  **  
Indicates a participant-directed account. The cost disclosure is not required.
               

 

 
15 

 


SIGNATURE


THE PLAN:  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Administrator of The Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
The Lincoln National Corporation
 
Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan
   
 
By:  /s/ George A. Murphy
Date:  June 24, 2011
George A. Murphy on behalf of The Lincoln National
 
Corporation Benefits Committee


 
 
 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Forms S-8 No. 333-126020 and 333-161989) pertaining to Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan of our report dated June 24, 2011, with respect to the financial statements and schedule of The Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Retirement Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
 
 

 
  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  June 24, 2011