CARMEL, Ind., July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced net income for the second quarter of 2017 of $83.4 million, or 48 cents per diluted share, compared to $59.9 million, or 33 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016. CNO also announced second quarter of 2017 net operating income (1) of $78.6 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, compared to $63.7 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016.

"In the second quarter, we grew the enterprise with meaningful increases in income and book value per share and returned significant capital to shareholders while maintaining strength in our key financial metrics," said Ed Bonach, CEO of CNO Financial.

"CNO's diverse business model focuses on profitable long-term growth and continued to demonstrate solid performance this quarter," added Gary Bhojwani, President and CEO successor. "We made progress on several key initiatives to serve our market more broadly and expand our reach, as demonstrated by steady growth in collected premiums and annuity account values."

Second Quarter 2017 Highlights


    --  First-year collected premiums: $352.3 million, up 16% from 2Q16
    --  Total collected premiums: $925.0 million, up 7% from 2Q16
    --  New annualized premium ("NAP") (2) for life and health products: $81.9
        million, down 9% from 2Q16
    --  Annuity collected premiums: $264.5 million, up 28% from 2Q16
    --  Annuity account values: $8.3 billion, up 4% from 2Q16
    --  Policies inforce of 3.5 million (including third party policies
        inforce), even with 2Q16
    --  Net income per diluted share: 48 cents in 2Q17 compared to 33 cents in
        2Q16
    --  Net operating income (1) per diluted share: 45 cents in 2Q17 compared to
        35 cents in 2Q16
    --  Book value per common share increased to $28.28 at June 30, 2017 from
        $25.28 at June 30, 2016
    --  Book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive
        income (loss) (3), increased to $22.74 at June 30, 2017 from $20.67 at
        June 30, 2016
    --  Unrestricted cash and investments held by our holding company were $278
        million at June 30, 2017 compared to $264 million at December 31, 2016
    --  Common stock repurchases of $68.9 million and dividends of $15.3 million
        in 2Q17

Six-month 2017 Highlights


    --  First-year collected premiums: $697.6 million, up 10% from the first six
        months of 2016
    --  Total collected premiums: $1,865.0 million, up 6% from the first six
        months of 2016
    --  NAP (2) (9) for life and health products: $169.8 million, down 7% from
        the first six months of 2016
    --  Annuity collected premiums: $522.2 million, up 18% from the first six
        months of 2016
    --  Net income per diluted share: 84 cents in the first six months of 2017
        compared to 58 cents in the first six months of 2016
    --  Net operating income (1) per diluted share: 80 cents in the first six
        months of 2017 compared to 63 cents in the first six months of 2016
    --  Common stock repurchases of $111.9 million and dividends of $29.3
        million in the first six months of 2017
    --  Consolidated risk-based capital ratio was estimated at 458% at June 30,
        2017, reflecting estimated statutory operating earnings of $166 million
        and insurance company dividends to the holding company of $177.0 million
        during the first six months of 2017


    Quarterly Segment
     Operating Results

                                  Three months ended

                                       June 30,

                                 2017                2016
                                 ----                ----

                               (Dollars in millions,
                              except per share data)

    Adjusted EBIT (4):

    Bankers Life                         $112.6                   $93.3

    Washington National          23.6                        21.5

    Colonial Penn:

    Inforce business (5)         17.4                        14.1

    New business (5)            (9.4)                     (11.1)
                                 ----                       -----

    Total Colonial Penn           8.0                         3.0
                                  ---                         ---

    Long-term care in run-off     1.7                           -
                                                             ---

    Adjusted EBIT from
     business segments          145.9                       117.8

    Corporate Operations,
     excluding corporate
     interest expense          (13.2)                      (7.0)
                                -----                        ----

    Adjusted EBIT               132.7                       110.8

    Corporate interest
     expense                   (11.6)                     (11.4)
                                -----                       -----

    Operating earnings before
     taxes                      121.1                        99.4

    Tax expense on operating
     income                      42.5                        35.7
                                 ----                        ----

    Net operating income (1)     78.6                        63.7
                                 ----                        ----

    Net realized investment
     gains (net of related
     amortization)               14.9                        12.0

    Fair value changes in
     embedded derivative
     liabilities (net of
     related amortization)      (5.9)                     (16.5)

    Fair value changes
     related to agent
     deferred compensation
     plan                           -                     (12.3)

    Other                       (1.6)                         .1

    Non-operating income
     (loss) before taxes          7.4                      (16.7)

    Income tax expense
     (benefit):

    On non-operating income
     (loss)                       2.6                       (5.9)

    Valuation allowance for
     deferred tax assets            -                      (7.0)

    Net non-operating income
     (loss)                       4.8                       (3.8)
                                  ---                        ----

    Net income                            $83.4                   $59.9
                                          =====                   =====


    Per diluted share:

    Net operating income                   $.45                    $.35

    Net realized investment
     gains (net of related
     amortization and taxes)      .06                         .04

    Fair value changes in
     embedded derivative
     liabilities (net of
     related amortization and
     taxes)                     (.02)                      (.06)

    Fair value changes
     related to agent
     deferred compensation
     plan (net of taxes)            -                      (.04)

    Valuation allowance for
     deferred tax assets            -                        .04

    Other                       (.01)                          -
                                 ----

    Net income                             $.48                    $.33
                                           ====                    ====

The following table summarizes the financial impact of significant items on our 2Q17 net operating income (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):



                                      Three months ended

                                        June 30, 2017*

                        Actual            Significant          Excluding
                        results              items             significant
                                                                  items
                                                                  -----

    Net Operating
     Income (1):

    Bankers Life                 $112.6                                    $(9.4)         $103.2

    Washington National     23.6                             -                       23.6

    Colonial Penn            8.0                             -                        8.0

    Long-term care in
     run-off                 1.7                             -                        1.7
                             ---                           ---                        ---

    Adjusted EBIT from
     business segments     145.9                         (9.4)                      136.5

    Corporate
     Operations,
     excluding
     corporate interest
     expense              (13.2)                            -                     (13.2)
                           -----                           ---                      -----

    Adjusted EBIT (4)      132.7                         (9.4)                      123.3

    Corporate interest
     expense              (11.6)                            -                     (11.6)
                           -----                           ---                      -----

    Operating earnings
     before taxes          121.1                         (9.4)                      111.7

    Tax expense on
     operating income       42.5                         (3.3)                       39.2
                            ----

    Net operating
     income                       $78.6                                    $(6.1)          $72.5
                                  =====                                     =====           =====


    Net operating
     income per diluted
     share                         $.45                                    $(.03)           $.42
                                   ====                                     =====            ====

The significant items in 2Q17 included the impacts of: (i) lower persistency (including the results of procedures performed to identify policies that had terminated prior to June 30, 2017 due to death); and (ii) policyholder actions following long-term care rate increases. These items resulted in a release of reserves of $9.4 million, primarily related to the long-term care business in the Bankers Life segment.

* See page 10 for the table of Net Operating Income Excluding a Significant Item for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Segment Results
Bankers Life
markets and distributes a variety of insurance products to middle-income Americans at or near retirement through a dedicated field force of career agents. First-year collected premiums in 2Q17 were $319.9 million, up 18 percent from 2Q16, primarily reflecting an increase in premiums from annuity products. NAP for life and health products in 2Q17 was $40.2 million, down 13 percent compared to 2Q16. Results for the quarter reflect lower sales. Average producing agents (over the last twelve months) were down 6 percent from 2Q16. Average agents in their third year of service or later (over the last twelve months) in 2Q17 were essentially flat compared to 2Q16.

Total collected premiums in 2Q17 were $680.6 million, up 8 percent from 2Q16, primarily reflecting an increase in premiums from annuity products. Annuity collected premiums in 2Q17 were $264.3 million, up 28 percent from 2Q16. Annuity account values, on which spread income is earned, increased 5 percent to $8.0 billion in 2Q17 compared to 2Q16, driven by strong sales and persistency. Total policies inforce (including third party policies inforce) decreased 1 percent in 2Q17; third party policies inforce increased 5 percent.

Pre-tax operating earnings in 2Q17 compared to 2Q16 were up $19.3 million, or 21 percent. Pre-tax operating earnings in 2Q17 reflected higher spread income on annuities due to growth in the block and favorable margins on the long-term care block. In addition, 2Q17 earnings reflected $5.9 million of higher income from call premiums and prepayments compared to 2Q16.

The long-term care interest-adjusted benefit ratio was 66.2 percent in 2Q17, lower than the 2Q16 ratio of 77.9 percent. The 2Q17 ratio was favorably impacted by $9.4 million of one-time reserve releases primarily related to lower persistency (including the results of procedures performed to identify policies that had terminated prior to June 30, 2017 due to death) and the impact of policyholder decisions to surrender or reduce coverage following rate increases. The 2Q16 ratio was impacted by $5 million of one-time reserve releases related to policyholder decisions to surrender or reduce coverage following rate increases. The 2Q17 long-term care interest-adjusted benefit ratio excluding these favorable reserve releases was 74.4 percent compared to 82.1 percent in 2Q16. The 2Q17 ratio also reflects no increase to the future loss reserve, given the outcome of the year-end 2016 actuarial review, compared to an $8.1 million increase in 2Q16. We currently expect the long-term care interest-adjusted benefit ratio to be in the range of 75 percent to 80 percent for the remainder of 2017, excluding the impacts of rate increase actions. We expect that the rate increases will have a minor impact on the interest-adjusted benefit ratio for the remainder of 2017.

Pre-tax operating earnings in 2Q17 reflected a Medicare supplement benefit ratio of 70.4 percent, lower than the 2Q16 ratio of 73.0 percent. The favorable earnings impact of the lower Medicare supplement benefit ratio in 2Q17 was substantially offset by higher amortization of insurance acquisition costs. We currently expect the Medicare supplement benefit ratio to be in the range of 70 percent to 73 percent for the remainder of 2017.

Washington National markets and distributes supplemental health and life insurance to middle-income consumers through a wholly-owned subsidiary and independent insurance agencies. First-year collected premiums in 2Q17 were $19.7 million, essentially flat with 2Q16. NAP from life and health products in 2Q17 was $25.6 million, up 6 percent from 2Q16, primarily reflecting higher sales of supplemental health products. The average number of producing agents (over the last twelve months) in 2Q17 was essentially flat compared to 2Q16.

Total collected premiums from the segment's supplemental health block were up 4 percent in 2Q17 compared to 2Q16.

Pre-tax operating earnings in 2Q17 compared to 2Q16 were up $2.1 million, or 10 percent. Pre-tax operating earnings in 2Q17 primarily reflect higher margins on the supplemental health block compared to 2Q16. The supplemental health interest-adjusted benefit ratio was 60.4 percent and 61.6 percent in 2Q17 and 2Q16, respectively. In addition, 2Q17 earnings reflected $1.6 million of higher investment income from call premiums and prepayments compared to 2Q16. We continue to expect the supplemental health interest-adjusted benefit ratio to be in the range of 58 percent to 61 percent for the remainder of 2017.

Colonial Penn markets primarily graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance directly to customers through television advertising, direct mail, the internet and telemarketing. First-year collected premiums were $12.7 million and NAP was $16.1 million in 2Q17 down 8 percent and 16 percent, respectively, from 2Q16. Such decreases reflect lower lead volume primarily due to reduced marketing expenses.

Total collected premiums were up 4 percent in 2Q17 compared to 2Q16, reflecting both recent sales activity and steady persistency.

The pre-tax operating earnings in 2Q17 were $8.0 million compared to $3.0 million in 2Q16 principally due to favorable mortality and reduced marketing expenses. Inforce Adjusted EBIT was $17.4 million, up 23 percent from 2Q16, primarily reflecting growth in the block and favorable mortality.

Recognizing the accounting standard related to deferred acquisition costs, the amount of our investment in new business during a particular period will have a significant impact on this segment's results. We currently expect this segment to report earnings in 2017 in the range of $15 million to $20 million.

Long-term care in run-off only includes the long-term care business that was recaptured in September 2016. This segment recognized pre-tax earnings of $1.7 million in 2Q17. The interest-adjusted benefit ratio for this long-term care block was 104.6 percent in 2Q17 compared to 128.1 percent in 1Q17, reflecting favorable claim experience in 2Q17. We expect this segment to report normalized earnings before net realized investment gains (losses) of approximately breakeven over the long-term. However, this segment's quarterly results can be volatile given its loss recognition status.

Corporate Operations includes our investment advisory subsidiary and corporate expenses.

Pre-tax losses in 2Q17 were $13.2 million compared to $7.0 million of losses in 2Q16 primarily reflecting higher expenses, partially offset by favorable investment returns.

Non-Operating Items
Net realized investment gains in 2Q17 were $14.9 million (net of related amortization) including other-than-temporary impairment losses of $5.1 million which were recorded in earnings. Net realized investment gains in 2Q16 were $12.0 million (net of related amortization) including total other-than-temporary impairment losses of $13.6 million recorded in earnings and a $7.3 million loss on the dissolution of a variable interest entity.

During 2Q17 and 2Q16, we recognized decreases in earnings of $5.9 million and $16.5 million, respectively, resulting from changes in the estimated fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to our fixed index annuities, net of related amortization. Such amount includes the impacts of changes in market interest rates used to determine the derivative's estimated fair value.

During 2Q16, we recognized a decrease in earnings of $12.3 million, for the mark-to-market change in the agent deferred compensation plan liability which was impacted by changes in interest rates used to value the liability. We recognize the mark-to-market change in the estimated value of this liability through earnings as assumptions change.

In 2Q16, we reduced the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets by $7.0 million due to the utilization of capital loss carryforwards.

Statutory (based on non-GAAP measures) and GAAP Capital Information
Our consolidated statutory risk-based capital ratio was estimated at 458% at June 30, 2017, reflecting estimated 2Q17 statutory operating earnings of $95 million and the payment of insurance company dividends to the holding company of $48.6 million during 2Q17 and $177.0 million during the first six months of 2017.

During the second quarter of 2017, we repurchased $68.9 million of common stock under our securities repurchase program (including $3.0 million of repurchases settled in 3Q17). We repurchased 3.3 million common shares at an average cost of $20.61 per share. During the first six months of 2017, we repurchased 5.4 million common shares at a total cost of $111.9 million. CNO anticipates repurchasing common stock in the range of $200 million to $275 million in 2017, absent compelling alternatives. As of June 30, 2017, we had 169.0 million shares outstanding and had authority to repurchase up to an additional $440.8 million of our common stock. During 2Q17, dividends paid on common stock totaled $15.3 million.

Unrestricted cash and investments held by our holding company were $278 million at June 30, 2017, compared to $264 million at December 31, 2016, reflecting dividends from subsidiaries, partially offset by common stock repurchases and dividend payments.

Book value per common share was $28.28 and $25.82 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (3), increased to $22.74 at June 30, 2017, compared to $22.02 at December 31, 2016.

The debt-to-capital ratio was 16.1 percent and 16.9 percent at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Our debt-to-total capital ratio, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (6) was 19.0 percent at June 30, 2017 compared to 19.1 percent at December 31, 2016.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss results on July 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The webcast can be accessed through the Investors section of the company's website: http://ir.CNOinc.com. Participants should go to the website at least 15 minutes before the event to register and download any necessary audio software. During the call, we will be referring to a presentation that will be available the morning of the call at the Investors section of the company's website.

About CNO Financial Group
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) is a holding company. Our insurance subsidiaries - principally Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company and Washington National Insurance Company - primarily serve middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans by helping them protect against financial adversity and provide for a more secure retirement. For more information, visit CNO online at www.CNOinc.com.



                                  CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                            (Dollars in millions)

                                                 (unaudited)


                                                    June 30,                 December 31,
                                                          2017                         2016
                                                          ----                         ----

    ASSETS

    Investments:

    Fixed
     maturities,
     available
     for sale, at
     fair value
     (amortized
     cost:                                                       $22,071.4                    $21,096.2
    June 30, 2017 -
     $20,128.9; December
     31, 2016 -
     $19,803.1)

    Equity
     securities
     at fair
     value (cost:
     June 30,
     2017 -
     $598.2;
     December 31,
     2016 -
     $580.7)                                             622.6                          584.2

    Mortgage
     loans                                             1,734.7                        1,768.0

    Policy loans                                         112.1                          112.0

    Trading
     securities                                          308.0                          363.4

    Investments
     held by
     variable
     interest
     entities                                          1,309.6                        1,724.3

    Other
     invested
     assets                                              722.6                          589.5
                                                         -----                          -----

    Total
     investments                                      26,881.0                       26,237.6

    Cash and cash
     equivalents
     -
     unrestricted                                        548.8                          478.9

    Cash and cash
     equivalents
     held by
     variable
     interest
     entities                                            391.1                          189.3

    Accrued
     investment
     income                                              240.9                          239.6

    Present value
     of future
     profits                                             377.8                          401.8

    Deferred
     acquisition
     costs                                             1,012.4                        1,044.7

    Reinsurance
     receivables                                       2,217.9                        2,260.4

    Income tax
     assets, net                                         594.2                          789.7

    Assets held
     in separate
     accounts                                              4.7                            4.7

    Other assets                                         573.0                          328.5
                                                         -----                          -----

    Total assets                                                 $32,841.8                    $31,975.2
                                                                 =========                    =========

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
     EQUITY

    Liabilities:

    Liabilities for insurance
     products:

    Policyholder
     account
     balances                                                    $11,037.3                    $10,912.7

    Future policy
     benefits                                         11,271.7                       10,953.3

    Liability for
     policy and
     contract
     claims                                              506.3                          500.6

    Unearned and
     advanced
     premiums                                            282.5                          282.5

    Liabilities
     related to
     separate
     accounts                                              4.7                            4.7

    Other
     liabilities                                         866.5                          611.4

    Investment
     borrowings                                        1,647.0                        1,647.4

    Borrowings
     related to
     variable
     interest
     entities                                          1,532.6                        1,662.8

    Notes payable
     - direct
     corporate
     obligations                                         913.9                          912.9
                                                         -----                          -----

    Total
     liabilities                                      28,062.5                       27,488.3
                                                      --------                       --------

    Commitments and Contingencies

    Shareholders' equity:

    Common stock
     ($0.01 par                                   169,018,890;
     value,                                       December 31,
     8,000,000,000                                2016 -
     shares                                       173,753,614)
     authorized,
     shares
     issued and
     outstanding:
      June 30,
      2017 -                                               1.7                            1.7

    Additional
     paid-in
     capital                                           3,116.7                        3,212.1

    Accumulated
     other
     comprehensive
     income                                              894.5                          622.4

    Retained
     earnings                                            766.4                          650.7
                                                         -----                          -----

    Total
     shareholders'
     equity                                            4,779.3                        4,486.9
                                                       -------                        -------

    Total
     liabilities
     and
     shareholders'
     equity                                                      $32,841.8                    $31,975.2
                                                                 =========                    =========



                                                                   CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                                                                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

                                                                                   (unaudited)


                                                Three months ended                                  Six months ended

                                                   June 30,                                        June 30,

                                               2017                    2016                        2017                      2016
                                               ----                    ----                        ----                      ----

    Revenues:

    Insurance policy income                             $664.1                                             $653.6                   $1,327.9  $1,298.0

    Net investment income:

    General account assets                    322.4                                 295.8                                  634.4        586.8

    Policyholder and other
     special-purpose portfolios                43.9                                  27.9                                  119.1         39.6

    Realized investment gains (losses):

    Net realized investment
     gains, excluding impairment
     losses                                    24.0                                  33.5                                   40.3         42.6

    Other-than-temporary impairments:

    Total other-than-temporary
     impairment losses                        (4.2)                               (13.6)                                (12.6)      (23.6)

    Change in other-than-
     temporary impairment losses               (.9)                                    -                                  (.9)           -
    recognized in accumulated other
     comprehensive income
                                                                                                                                       ---

    Net impairment losses
     recognized                               (5.1)                               (13.6)                                (13.5)      (23.6)
                                               ----                                 -----                                  -----        -----

    Loss on dissolution of a
     variable interest entity                 (3.7)                                (7.3)                                 (3.7)       (7.3)
                                               ----                                  ----                                   ----         ----

    Total realized gains                       15.2                                  12.6                                   23.1         11.7
                                               ----                                  ----                                   ----         ----

    Fee revenue and other income               11.5                                  14.0                                   23.3         28.2
                                               ----                                  ----                                   ----         ----

    Total revenues                          1,057.1                               1,003.9                                2,127.8      1,964.3
                                            -------                               -------                                -------      -------

    Benefits and expenses:

    Insurance policy benefits                 634.2                                 632.4                                1,303.5      1,251.4

    Interest expense                           31.4                                  28.9                                   62.2         56.6

    Amortization                               59.6                                  54.8                                  123.1        116.9

    Other operating costs and
     expenses                                 203.4                                 205.1                                  413.8        416.2
                                              -----                                 -----                                  -----        -----

    Total benefits and expenses               928.6                                 921.2                                1,902.6      1,841.1
                                              -----                                 -----                                -------      -------

    Income before income taxes                128.5                                  82.7                                  225.2        123.2

    Income tax expense (benefit):

    Tax expense on period income               45.1                                  29.8                                   79.5         44.8

    Valuation allowance for
     deferred tax assets                          -                                (7.0)                                     -      (27.0)
                                                ---                                 ----                                    ---       -----

    Net income                                           $83.4                                              $59.9                     $145.7    $105.4
                                                         =====                                              =====                     ======    ======

    Earnings per common share:

    Basic:

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding                        170,556,000                           178,323,000                            171,994,000  179,337,000
                                        ===========                           ===========                            ===========  ===========

    Net income                                            $.49                                               $.34                       $.85      $.59
                                                          ====                                               ====                       ====      ====

    Diluted:

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding                        172,352,000                           180,267,000                            173,708,000  181,198,000
                                        ===========                           ===========                            ===========  ===========

    Net income                                            $.48                                               $.33                       $.84      $.58
                                                          ====                                               ====                       ====      ====



                             CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                      SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS

                            (Dollars in millions, except per share data)


                                                   Six months ended

                                                       June 30,

                                                 2017                   2016
                                                 ----                   ----

    Adjusted EBIT (4):

    Bankers Life                                         $202.3                      $170.9

    Washington
     National                                    47.1                           47.8

    Colonial Penn:

    Inforce business
     (5)                                        31.5                           26.8

    New business (5)                           (23.8)                        (30.6)
                                                -----                          -----

    Total Colonial
     Penn                                         7.7                          (3.8)
                                                  ---                           ----

    Long-term care
     in run-off                                   2.1                              -


    Adjusted EBIT
     from business
     segments                                   259.2                          214.9

    Corporate
     Operations,
     excluding
     corporate
     interest expense                          (22.1)                        (15.1)
                                                -----                          -----

    Adjusted EBIT                               237.1                          199.8

    Corporate
     interest expense                          (23.1)                        (22.8)
                                                -----                          -----

    Operating
     earnings before
     taxes                                      214.0                          177.0

    Tax expense on
     operating income                            75.6                           63.7
                                                 ----                           ----

    Net operating
     income (1)                                 138.4                          113.3
                                                -----                          -----

    Net realized
     investment gains
     (net of related
     amortization)                               22.8                           11.0

    Fair value
     changes in
     embedded
     derivative
     liabilities (net
     of related
     amortization)                             (10.3)                        (46.0)

    Fair value
     changes related
     to agent
     deferred
     compensation
     plan                                           -                        (18.3)

    Other                                       (1.3)                          (.5)

    Non-operating
     income (loss)
     before taxes                                11.2                         (53.8)

    Income tax expense (benefit):

    On non-operating
     income (loss)                                3.9                         (18.9)

    Valuation
     allowance for
     deferred tax
     assets                                         -                        (27.0)

    Net non-
     operating income
     (loss)                                       7.3                          (7.9)
                                                  ---                           ----

    Net income                                           $145.7                      $105.4
                                                         ======                      ======


    Per diluted share:

    Net operating
     income                                                $.80                        $.63

    Net realized
     investment gains
     (net of related
     amortization and
     taxes)                                       .09                            .04

    Fair value
     changes in
     embedded
     derivative
     liabilities (net
     of related
     amortization and
     taxes)                                     (.04)                         (.17)

    Fair value
     changes related
     to agent
     deferred
     compensation
     plan (net of
     taxes)                                         -                         (.07)

    Valuation
     allowance for
     deferred tax
     assets                                         -                           .15

    Other                                       (.01)                             -
                                                 ----

    Net income                                             $.84                        $.58
                                                           ====                        ====




    CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    NET OPERATING INCOME EXCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT ITEM*
    (Dollars in millions, except per share data)


                                                            Three months ended

                                                              June 30, 2016*

                                            Actual              Significant               Excluding
                                            results                 item                  significant
                                                                                             item
                                                                                             ----

    Net Operating
     Income (1):

    Bankers Life                                        $93.3                                            $(4.5)                                 $88.8

    Washington National                         21.5                                   -                               21.5

    Colonial Penn                                3.0                                   -                                3.0
                                                 ---                                 ---                                ---

    Adjusted EBIT from
     business segments                         117.8                               (4.5)                              113.3

    Corporate
     Operations,
     excluding
     corporate interest
     expense                                   (7.0)                                  -                              (7.0)
                                                ----                                 ---                               ----

    Adjusted EBIT (4)                          110.8                               (4.5)                              106.3

    Corporate interest
     expense                                  (11.4)                                  -                             (11.4)
                                               -----                                 ---                              -----

    Operating earnings
     before taxes                               99.4                               (4.5)                               94.9

    Tax expense on
     operating income                           35.7                               (1.6)                               34.1
                                                ----

    Net operating
     income                                             $63.7                                            $(2.9)                                 $60.8
                                                        =====                                             =====                                  =====


    Net operating
     income per diluted
     share                                               $.35                                            $(.01)                                  $.34
                                                         ====                                             =====                                   ====

* This table summarizes the financial impact of a significant item (as described in the segment results section of this press release) on our 2Q16 net operating income.


                                      CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                             FIRST-YEAR COLLECTED PREMIUMS

                                                 (Dollars in millions)


                                                     Three months ended

                                                          June 30,

                                                          2017                        2016
                                                          ----                        ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare
     supplement                                                          $17.6                $19.1

    Long-term
     care                                                  4.1                         4.4

     Supplemental
     health                                                1.3                         1.4

    Other
     health                                                 .2                           -

    Life                                                  34.4                        40.4

    Annuity                                              262.3                       205.1
                                                         -----                       -----

    Total                                                319.9                       270.4
                                                         -----                       -----

    Washington National:

     Supplemental
     health and
     other
     health                                               18.4                        18.4

    Life                                                   1.3                         1.4

    Annuity                                                  -                          -
                                                           ---                        ---

    Total                                                 19.7                        19.8
                                                          ----                        ----

    Colonial Penn:

    Life                                                  12.7                        13.8
                                                          ----                        ----

    Total                                                 12.7                        13.8
                                                          ----                        ----

    Total
     first-
     year
     collected
     premiums
     from
     segments                                                           $352.3               $304.0
                                                                        ======               ======



                                            TOTAL COLLECTED PREMIUMS

                                              (Dollars in millions)


                                                   Three months ended

                                                        June 30,

                                                          2017                        2016
                                                          ----                        ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare
     supplement                                                         $179.7               $179.0

    Long-term
     care                                                112.1                       118.0

     Supplemental
     health                                                5.6                         5.3

    Other
     health                                                1.5                         1.6

    Life                                                 117.4                       117.9

    Annuity                                              264.3                       206.4
                                                         -----                       -----

    Total                                                680.6                       628.2
                                                         -----                       -----

    Washington National:

     Supplemental
     health and
     other
     health                                              147.4                       142.2

    Medicare
     supplement                                           12.6                        15.1

    Life                                                   7.3                         7.4

    Annuity                                                 .2                          .5
                                                           ---                         ---

    Total                                                167.5                       165.2
                                                         -----                       -----

    Colonial Penn:

    Life                                                  71.9                        69.0

    Medicare
     supplement
     and other
     health                                                 .6                          .6
                                                           ---                         ---

    Total                                                 72.5                        69.6
                                                          ----                        ----

    Long-term care in run-off:

    Long-term
     care                                                  4.4                         N/A
                                                           ---                         ---

    Total                                                  4.4                         N/A
                                                           ---                         ---

    Total
     collected
     premiums
     from
     segments                                                           $925.0               $863.0
                                                                        ======               ======



                                   CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                            NEW ANNUALIZED PREMIUMS FOR LIFE AND HEALTH PRODUCTS (2)

                                              (Dollars in millions)


                                                   Three months ended

                                                        June 30,

                                                          2017                        2016
                                                          ----                        ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare
     supplement                                                          $15.4                $16.7

    Long-term
     care                                                  5.2                         6.0

     Supplemental
     health and
     other
     health                                                1.4                         1.7

    Life                                                  18.2                        21.8
                                                          ----                        ----

    Total                                                 40.2                        46.2
                                                          ----                        ----

    Washington National:

     Supplemental
     health                                               23.9                        22.4

    Life                                                   1.7                         1.8
                                                           ---                         ---

    Total                                                 25.6                        24.2
                                                          ----                        ----

    Colonial Penn:

    Life                                                  16.1                        19.2
                                                          ----                        ----

    Total                                                 16.1                        19.2
                                                          ----                        ----

    Total new
     annualized
     premiums                                                            $81.9                $89.6
                                                                         =====                =====


                                             ANNUITY ACCOUNT VALUES

                                              (Dollars in millions)


                                                        June 30,
                                                        --------

                                                          2017                        2016
                                                          ----                        ----

    Bankers
     Life                                                             $7,954.7             $7,589.4

    Washington National                                                393.4                440.4
                                                                       -----                -----

         Total                                                        $8,348.1             $8,029.8
                                                                      ========             ========



                         CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      BENEFIT RATIOS ON MAJOR HEALTH LINES OF BUSINESS


                                                                                  Three months ended

                                                                                       June 30,

                                                                               2017                2016
                                                                               ----                ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare
     supplement:

    Earned premium                                                     $194 million       $194 million

    Benefit ratio (7)                                                         70.4%                      73.0%

    Long-term care:

    Earned premium                                                     $114 million       $118 million

    Benefit ratio (7)                                                        126.9%                     134.7%

    Interest-
     adjusted benefit
     ratio (a non-
     GAAP measure)
     (8)                                                                     66.2%                      77.9%

    Washington
     National:

    Medicare
     supplement:

    Earned premium                                                      $14 million        $16 million

    Benefit ratio (7)                                                         70.4%                      74.0%

    Supplemental
     health:

    Earned premium                                                     $146 million       $141 million

    Benefit ratio (7)                                                         84.5%                      85.7%

    Interest-
     adjusted benefit
     ratio (a non-
     GAAP measure)
     (8)                                                                     60.4%                      61.6%

    Long-term care
     in run-off:

    Long-term care:

    Earned premium                                                       $4 million                N/A

    Benefit ratio (7)                                                        268.2%                        N/A

    Interest-
     adjusted benefit
     ratio (a non-
     GAAP measure)
     (8)                                                                    104.6%                        N/A

NOTES



            (1)    Management believes that an analysis of Net
                    income applicable to common stock before:
                    (i) net realized investment gains or losses,
                    net of related amortization and taxes; (ii)
                    fair value changes due to fluctuations in
                    the interest rates used to discount embedded
                    derivative liabilities related to our fixed
                    index annuities, net of related amortization
                    and taxes; (iii) fair value changes related
                    to the agent deferred compensation plan, net
                    of taxes, (iv) changes in the valuation
                    allowance for deferred tax assets; and (v)
                    other non-operating items consisting
                    primarily of earnings attributable to
                    variable interest entities, net of taxes
                    ("Net operating income," a non-GAAP
                    financial measure) is important to evaluate
                    the financial performance of the company,
                    and is a key measure commonly used in the
                    life insurance industry.  Management uses
                    this measure to evaluate performance because
                    the items excluded from net operating income
                    can be affected by events that are unrelated
                    to the company's underlying fundamentals.
                    Net realized investment gains or losses
                    include: (i) gains or losses on the sales of
                    investments; (ii) other-than-temporary
                    impairments recognized through net income;
                    and (iii) changes in fair value of certain
                    fixed maturity investments with embedded
                    derivatives.  A reconciliation of Net
                    operating income to Net income applicable to
                    common stock is provided in the tables on
                    pages 2 and 9.  Additional information
                    concerning this non-GAAP measure is
                    included in our periodic filings with the
                    Securities and Exchange Commission that are
                    available in the "Investors - SEC Filings"
                    section of CNO's website, www.CNOinc.com.

            (2)    Measured by new annualized premium for life
                    and health products, which includes 10% of
                    single premium whole life deposits and 100%
                    of all other premiums (excluding annuities).
                     Medicare Advantage sales are not comparable
                     to other sales and are therefore excluded in
                    all periods.

            (3)    Book value per diluted share reflects the
                    potential dilution that could occur if
                    outstanding stock options were exercised,
                    restricted stock and performance units were
                    vested and convertible securities were
                    converted.  The dilution from options,
                    restricted shares and performance units is
                    calculated using the treasury stock method.
                    Under this method, we assume the proceeds
                    from the exercise of the options (or the
                    unrecognized compensation expense with
                    respect to restricted stock and performance
                    units) will be used to purchase shares of
                    our common stock at the closing market price
                    on the last day of the period.  The dilution
                    from convertible securities is calculated
                    assuming the securities were converted on
                    the last day of the period.  In addition,
                    the calculation of this non-GAAP measure
                    differs from the corresponding GAAP measure
                    because accumulated other comprehensive
                    income (loss) has been excluded from the
                    value of capital used to determine this
                    measure.  Management believes this non-GAAP
                    measure is useful because it removes the
                    volatility that arises from changes in the
                    unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
                    our investments.

            (4)    Management believes that an analysis of
                    earnings before net realized investment
                    gains (losses), fair value changes due to
                    fluctuations in the interest rates used to
                    discount embedded derivative liabilities
                    related to our fixed index annuities, fair
                    value changes related to the agent deferred
                    compensation plan, other non-operating
                    items, corporate interest expense and taxes
                    ("Adjusted EBIT," a non-GAAP financial
                    measure) provides a clearer comparison of
                    the operating results of the company
                    quarter-over-quarter because these items
                    are unrelated to the company's underlying
                    fundamentals.  A reconciliation of Adjusted
                    EBIT to Net Income applicable to common
                    stock is provided in the tables on pages 2
                    and 9.

            (5)    Management believes that an analysis of
                    Adjusted EBIT for Colonial Penn, separated
                    between inforce and new business, provides
                    increased clarity for this segment as the
                    vast majority of the costs to generate new
                    business in this segment are not deferrable
                    and Adjusted EBIT will fluctuate based on
                    management's decisions on how much marketing
                    costs to incur in each period.  Adjusted
                    EBIT from new business includes pre-tax
                    revenues and expenses associated with new
                    sales of our insurance products during the
                    first year after the sale is completed.
                    Adjusted EBIT from inforce business includes
                    all pre-tax revenues and expenses
                    associated with sales of insurance products
                    that were completed more than one year
                    before the end of the reporting period.  The
                    allocation of certain revenues and expenses
                    between new and inforce business is based on
                    estimates, which we believe are reasonable.

            (6)    The calculation of this non-GAAP measure
                    differs from the corresponding GAAP measure
                    because accumulated other comprehensive
                    income (loss) has been excluded from the
                    value of capital used to determine this
                    measure.  Management believes this non-GAAP
                    measure is useful because it removes the
                    volatility that arises from changes in the
                    unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
                    our investments.

            (7)    The benefit ratio is calculated by dividing
                    the related product's insurance policy
                    benefits by insurance policy income.

            (8)    The interest-adjusted benefit ratio (a non-
                    GAAP measure) is calculated by dividing the
                    product's insurance policy benefits less
                    imputed interest income on the accumulated
                    assets backing the insurance liabilities by
                    insurance policy income.  Interest income is
                    an important factor in measuring the
                    performance of longer duration health
                    products.  The net cash flows generally
                    cause an accumulation of amounts in the
                    early years of a policy (accounted for as
                    reserve increases), which will be paid out
                    as benefits in later policy years (accounted
                    for as reserve decreases).  Accordingly, as
                    the policies age, the benefit ratio will
                    typically increase, but the increase in the
                    change in reserve will be partially offset
                    by the imputed interest income earned on the
                    accumulated assets.  The interest-adjusted
                    benefit ratio reflects the effects of such
                    interest income offset (which is equal to
                    the tabular interest on the related
                    insurance liabilities).  Since interest
                    income is an important factor in measuring
                    the performance of these products,
                    management believes a benefit ratio, which
                    includes the effect of interest income, is
                    useful in analyzing product performance.
                    Additional information concerning this non-
                    GAAP measure is included in our periodic
                    filings with the Securities and Exchange
                    Commission that are available in the
                    "Investors - SEC Filings" section of CNO
                    Financial's website, www.CNOinc.com.

            (9)    The NAP for Bankers Life's Medicare
                    supplement, long-term care, supplemental
                    health and other health, and life policies
                    in 1Q17 have been revised as we determined
                    that the previously disclosed amounts were
                    overstated by $1.6 million, $1.2 million,
                    $.2 million and $.4 million, respectively.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. Our statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this press release relative to markets for CNO Financial's products and trends in CNO Financial's operations or financial results, as well as other statements, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "contemplate," "possible," "attempt," "seek," "should," "could," "goal," "target," "on track," "comfortable with," "optimistic," "guidance," "outlook" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should consider statements that contain these words carefully because they describe our expectations, plans, strategies and goals and our beliefs concerning future business conditions, our results of operations, financial position, and our business outlook or they state other ''forward-looking'' information based on currently available information. Assumptions and other important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements include, among other things: (i) changes in or sustained low interest rates causing reductions in investment income, the margins of our fixed annuity and life insurance businesses, and sales of, and demand for, our products; (ii) expectations of lower future investment earnings may cause us to accelerate amortization, write down the balance of insurance acquisition costs or establish additional liabilities for insurance products; (iii) general economic, market and political conditions and uncertainties, including the performance and fluctuations of the financial markets which may affect the value of our investments as well as our ability to raise capital or refinance existing indebtedness and the cost of doing so; (iv) the ultimate outcome of lawsuits filed against us and other legal and regulatory proceedings to which we are subject; (v) our ability to make anticipated changes to certain non-guaranteed elements of our life insurance products; (vi) our ability to obtain adequate and timely rate increases on our health products, including our long-term care business; (vii) the receipt of any required regulatory approvals for dividend and surplus debenture interest payments from our insurance subsidiaries; (viii) mortality, morbidity, the increased cost and usage of health care services, persistency, the adequacy of our previous reserve estimates and other factors which may affect the profitability of our insurance products; (ix) changes in our assumptions related to deferred acquisition costs or the present value of future profits; (x) the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and the effect of potential ownership changes and tax rate changes on their value; (xi) our assumption that the positions we take on our tax return filings will not be successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service; (xii) changes in accounting principles and the interpretation thereof; (xiii) our ability to continue to satisfy the financial ratio and balance requirements and other covenants of our debt agreements; (xiv) our ability to achieve anticipated expense reductions and levels of operational efficiencies including improvements in claims adjudication and continued automation and rationalization of operating systems, (xv) performance and valuation of our investments, including the impact of realized losses (including other-than-temporary impairment charges); (xvi) our ability to identify products and markets in which we can compete effectively against competitors with greater market share, higher ratings, greater financial resources and stronger brand recognition; (xvii) our ability to generate sufficient liquidity to meet our debt service obligations and other cash needs; (xviii) our ability to maintain effective controls over financial reporting; (xix) our ability to continue to recruit and retain productive agents and distribution partners; (xx) customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing initiatives; (xxi) our ability to achieve additional upgrades of the financial strength ratings of CNO Financial and our insurance company subsidiaries as well as the impact of our ratings on our business, our ability to access capital and the cost of capital; (xxii) regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of the financial affairs of our insurance companies, such as the payment of dividends and surplus debenture interest to us, regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of products, and health care regulation affecting health insurance products; (xxiii) changes in the Federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect or eliminate the relative tax advantages of some of our products or affect the value of our deferred tax assets; (xxiv) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance arrangements, as well as the impact of any defaults or failure of reinsurers to perform; (xxv) the amount we may need to pay to a reinsurer and the earnings charge we may incur in connection with a long-term care reinsurance transaction; (xxvi) the performance of third party service providers and potential difficulties arising from outsourcing arrangements; (xxvii) the growth rate of sales, collected premiums, annuity deposits and assets; (xxviii) interruption in telecommunication, information technology or other operational systems or failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data on such systems; (xxix) events of terrorism, cyber attacks, natural disasters or other catastrophic events, including losses from a disease pandemic; (xxx) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing risks; and (xxxi) the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other factors and assumptions not identified above are also relevant to the forward-looking statements, and if they prove incorrect, could also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statement. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE CNO Financial Group, Inc.