Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Marita Zuraitis: Yes, first what I would say is from an overall retirement standpoint, we had a very strong year last year. I think the nature of our customers again, we can say what we always say, insulated but not immune. If you’re asking the broader expense question as it relates to staffing and expenses, our plan remains relatively flat for expenses. We look at it, we focus on it, we’ll be thoughtful around it. We’ve got decent growth in our plan, but we set an expense target in P&C and are very clear about that target, and we’ll remain disciplined around expenses, as we always have. Bret, I don’t know if you want to–

Bret Conklin: Yes, just to add a couple comments, John, to Marita’s point, the L&R segment is actually–we even provided the guidance between the $67 million to $70 million, which has certainly increased significantly from the ’22 actual, and to Marita’s comment about managing expenses, certainly that’s something we pride ourselves on here as well as doing strategic spend with some of the growth initiatives we’ve been talking about for the last couple years. We typically target a percentage of total revenues with respect to expenses, and that actually is remaining around 28% between both our plan for ’22–or for ’23 and what the actual percentage was in ’22.

Marita Zuraitis: Yes, I mean, because of our size, we have to, and it makes sense to remain disciplined on overall expenses. We learned a lot as far as efficiency during the pandemic and didn’t run back to the way we always did things, and I think that’s really helpful for us to employ those learnings as far as how we interact with folks in the place, how we interact with our agents, how our agents do business, as well as lot of the major technology initiatives that we’ve funded for over the last three to five years, and those are starting to come through – I mean, building those products but also building the pipes for growth so that as this growth begins to build and we’re confident in that, we actually have the pipes that can handle it.

John Barnidge: Thanks.

Marita Zuraitis: Thanks John.

Operator: Again, if you’d like to ask a question, please press star then one at this time. Our next question comes from Derek Han with KBW. Please go ahead.

Derek Han: Thank you. My first question is on the supplemental and group benefit segment. Can you talk a little bit more about the infrastructure investments that you’re making, and just curious how you’re thinking about how these investments are going to contribute maybe through cross-sales or maybe better efficiency.

Marita Zuraitis: Hey Matt, I think it would be a great opportunity for you to talk about what you’re investing in and what you’re building, the additional sales folks that you’ve hired, so I’m going to turn it over to you.

Matt Sharpe: Okay, thanks Marita. Yes, the investments we’re making in the supplemental and group division are primarily people. We do have some systems modifications and system builds to support the distribution model, but mostly it’s people, so hiring sales leadership on the institutional side or the employer sponsored side was a key factor – we added a bunch of people there, and then growing our direct sales force as well. That’s where the bulk of the investment’s going.

Derek Han: Got it, that’s really helpful. Then my second question is on personal auto. It looks like you’re baking in an additional rate increase in California for this year. Is there increasing receptiveness within that state, and are you planning on filing for any additional rate increases aside from the one that you talked about last quarter, as well as this quarter?