CARMEL, Ind., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced first quarter of 2016 operating earnings (1) of $49.6 million, or 27 cents per diluted share, compared to $60.1 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2015.

"We are encouraged by the growth in our business," said Ed Bonach, CEO of CNO. "Our earnings were largely in line with seasonal expectations, with cash flow, capital, liquidity and returns to shareholders remaining strong. Our strategic investment in Tennenbaum Capital Partners is expected to increase non-life investment returns and allow us to more fully utilize our valuable tax assets."

First Quarter 2016 Highlights


    --  Sales, as defined by total new annualized premium ("NAP") (2): $107.8
        million, up 2% from 1Q15
    --  Policies in-force of 3.5 million (including third party policies
        in-force), up 1 percent from 1Q15
    --  Collected premiums: $896.3 million, up 11% from 1Q15
    --  Net income per diluted share: 25 cents in 1Q16 compared to 26 cents in
        1Q15
    --  Net operating income (1) per diluted share: 27 cents in 1Q16 compared to
        30 cents in 1Q15
    --  Investment income from general account assets decreased by $9.1 million
        primarily due to a reduction in income from alternative investments
    --  Unrestricted cash and investments held by our holding company were $375
        million at March 31, 2016
    --  Consolidated risk-based capital ratio was estimated at 441% at March 31,
        2016, reflecting estimated statutory operating earnings of $80 million
        and insurance company dividends to the holding company of $88.7 million
        during the first three months of 2016
    --  Common stock repurchases of $90.0 million and dividends of $12.7 million
        in 1Q16


    Quarterly Segment Operating Results


                                                                                                      Three months ended

                                                                                                          March 31,
                                                                                                          ---------

                                                                                                     2016                2015
                                                                                                     ----                ----

                                                                                                  (Dollars in millions,
                                                                                                  except per share data)

    EBIT (3):

    Bankers Life                                                                                             $77.6                    $82.2

    Washington National                                                                              26.3                        28.5

    Colonial Penn                                                                                   (6.8)                      (5.9)
                                                                                                     ----                        ----

    EBIT from business segments                                                                      97.1                       104.8

    Corporate Operations, excluding corporate interest expense                                      (8.1)                      (1.3)
                                                                                                     ----                        ----

    EBIT                                                                                             89.0                       103.5

    Corporate interest expense                                                                     (11.4)                     (10.5)
                                                                                                    -----                       -----

    Operating earnings before taxes                                                                  77.6                        93.0

    Tax expense on operating income                                                                  28.0                        32.9
                                                                                                     ----                        ----

    Net operating income (1)                                                                         49.6                        60.1

    Net realized investment losses (net of related amortization and taxes)                           (.6)                      (1.4)

    Fair value changes in embedded derivative liabilities (net of related amortization             (19.2)                      (8.3)
    and taxes)

    Fair value changes related to agent deferred compensation plan (net of taxes)                   (3.9)                          -

    Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets                                                      20.0                           -

    Other                                                                                            (.4)                        2.4

    Net income                                                                                               $45.5                    $52.8
                                                                                                             =====                    =====


    Per diluted share:

    Net operating income                                                                                      $.27                     $.30

    Net realized investment losses (net of related amortization and taxes)                              -                      (.01)

    Fair value changes in embedded derivative liabilities (net of related amortization and taxes)   (.11)                      (.04)

    Fair value changes related to agent deferred compensation plan (net of taxes)                   (.02)                          -

    Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets                                                       .11                           -

    Other                                                                                               -                        .01
                                                                                                      ---

      Net income                                                                                              $.25                     $.26
                                                                                                              ====                     ====

The following table summarizes the financial impact of significant items on our 1Q16 net operating income (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):



                                                                            Three months ended

                                                                              March 31, 2016*
                                                                              --------------

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

    Net Operating Income (1):

    Bankers Life                                                        $77.6                                    $(7.7)          $69.9

    Washington National                                            26.3                            -                       26.3

    Colonial Penn                                                 (6.8)                           -                      (6.8)
                                                                   ----                          ---                       ----

    EBIT from business segments                                    97.1                        (7.7)                       89.4

    Corporate Operations, excluding corporate interest expense    (8.1)                         3.0                       (5.1)
                                                                   ----                          ---                        ----

    EBIT (3)                                                       89.0                        (4.7)                       84.3

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

    Operating earnings before taxes                                77.6                        (4.7)                       72.9

    Tax expense on operating income                                28.0                        (1.7)                       26.3
                                                                   ----

        Net operating income                                            $49.6                                    $(3.0)          $46.6
                                                                        =====                                     =====           =====


    Net operating income per diluted share                               $.27                                    $(.01)           $.26
                                                                         ====                                     =====            ====

The significant items in 1Q16 included: (i) the $7.7 million release of long-term care reserves (net of the reduction in insurance intangibles) due to the impact of policyholder actions following rate increases; and (ii) $3 million of accelerated stock compensation expense related to retirement eligible employees.

* See page 9 for the table of Net Operating Income Excluding Significant Items for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

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. NAP in 1Q16 was $60.3 million, down $1.3 million from 1Q15. Sales results for the quarter primarily reflect lower sales of life and Medicare supplement products, partially offset by higher sales of annuities and long-term care products. It should be noted that 80 percent of the long-term care NAP in 1Q16 related to policies with maximum benefit periods of one year. Our recruiting results were relatively flat in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15. Average producing agents were down 6 percent from 1Q15, however, agent productivity (defined as NAP divided by the average producing agents) was up 4 percent.

Collected premiums were up 13 percent in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15, reflecting an increase in premiums from annuity products and strong persistency in the Medicare supplement and life blocks. Annuity account values, on which spread income is earned, increased 2 percent to $7.6 billion in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15, driven by sales and strong persistency. Total policies in-force increased 1 percent in 1Q16, including a 10 percent increase in third party policies in-force.

Pre-tax operating earnings in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15 were down $4.6 million, or 6 percent. Pre-tax operating earnings in 1Q16 reflected $7 million of lower investment income from alternative investments compared to 1Q15.

The long-term care interest-adjusted benefit ratio was 75.3 percent in 1Q16, lower than the 1Q15 ratio of 83.0 percent. The 1Q16 ratio was favorably impacted by $8 million of one-time reserve releases related to policyholder decisions to surrender or reduce coverage following rate increases. The 1Q16 long-term care interest-adjusted benefit ratio excluding the favorable reserve releases related to rate increases was 82.4 percent. We continue to expect the long-term care interest-adjusted benefit ratio to be in the range of 81 percent to 86 percent during 2016, excluding the reserve-related impacts of rate increase actions. We also expect that the impacts of rate increases will continue to favorably impact the interest-adjusted benefit ratio in 2016.

Pre-tax operating earnings in 1Q16 reflected a Medicare supplement benefit ratio of 71.1 percent, higher than the 1Q15 ratio of 67.4 percent. The benefit ratio for the first quarter of 2015 reflected favorable experience in a small block of other health policies that are aggregated with these policies due to their relative immateriality. We continue to expect the Medicare supplement benefit ratio to be in the range of 70 percent to 73 percent during 2016.

Washington National markets and distributes supplemental health and life insurance to middle-income consumers through a wholly-owned subsidiary and independent insurance agencies. NAP in 1Q16 was $23.4 million, up 4 percent from 1Q15, reflecting strong sales of our supplemental health products. The average number of producing agents was up 9 percent compared to 1Q15, driven by strong recruiting and steady retention.

Collected premiums from the segment's supplemental health block were up 6 percent in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15.

Pre-tax operating earnings in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15 were down $2.2 million, or 8 percent. Pre-tax operating earnings in 1Q16 reflected $3 million of lower investment income from alternative investments compared to 1Q15.

The supplemental health interest-adjusted benefit ratio was 57.7 percent and 57.6 percent in 1Q16 and 1Q15, respectively. We continue to expect the supplemental health interest-adjusted benefit ratio to be in the range of 56 percent to 59 percent during 2016.

Colonial Penn markets primarily graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance directly to customers through television advertising, direct mail, the internet and telemarketing. NAP in 1Q16 was $24.1 million, up 14 percent from 1Q15, benefiting from lead diversification and sales productivity initiatives.

Collected premiums were up 8 percent in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15, driven by increased sales and steady persistency.

The pre-tax operating loss in 1Q16 was $6.8 million compared to a loss of $5.9 million in 1Q15, primarily reflecting higher seasonal marketing costs and investments in new business. In-force EBIT was $12.7 million, up 20 percent from 1Q15, primarily reflecting growth in the block.

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 continue to expect this segment to report earnings in 2016 in the range of breakeven to $6 million. The range of earnings we expect to report in 2016 reflects uncertainty related to how the U.S. presidential election will impact the cost of television advertising.

Corporate Operations includes our investment advisory subsidiary and corporate expenses.

Pre-tax losses in 1Q16 were $8.1 million compared to $1.3 million of losses in 1Q15 primarily reflecting less favorable investment returns and higher expenses in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15, including $3 million of accelerated stock compensation expense related to retirement eligible employees.

Non-Operating Items
Net realized investment losses in 1Q16 were $.6 million (net of related amortization and taxes) including total other-than-temporary impairment losses of $10.0 million recorded in earnings. Net realized investment losses in 1Q15 were $1.4 million (net of related amortization and taxes) including total other-than-temporary impairment losses of $1.3 million recorded in earnings.

During 1Q16 and 1Q15, we recognized decreases in earnings of $19.2 million and $8.3 million, respectively, resulting from changes in the estimated fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to our fixed index annuities, net of related amortization and income taxes. Such amount includes the impacts of changes in market interest rates used to determine the derivative's estimated fair value.

During 1Q16, we recognized a decrease in earnings of $3.9 million, net of taxes, 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 1Q16, we reduced the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets by $20 million primarily related to higher expected non-life income from: (i) our recently announced investment in Tennenbaum Capital Partners ("TCP"); and (ii) $250 million of additional investments in various TCP managed funds and strategies we agreed to make over time.

Statutory (based on non-GAAP measures) and GAAP Capital Information
Our consolidated statutory risk-based capital ratio was estimated at 441% at March 31, 2016, reflecting estimated 1Q16 consolidated statutory operating earnings of $80 million and the payment of insurance company dividends to the holding company of $88.7 million during the first three months of 2016.

During the first quarter of 2016, we repurchased $90.0 million of common stock under our securities repurchase program. We repurchased 5.3 million common shares at an average cost of $16.88 per share. CNO anticipates repurchasing common stock in the range of $275 million to $375 million in 2016, absent compelling alternatives. As of March 31, 2016, we had 179.1 million shares outstanding and had authority to repurchase up to an additional $365.7 million of our common stock. During 1Q16, dividends paid on common stock totaled $12.7 million.

Book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (4), increased to $20.38 at March 31, 2016, compared to $20.05 at December 31, 2015.

Our debt-to-total capital ratio, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (5) at March 31, 2016, was 19.8 percent, an increase of 20 basis points from December 31, 2015. Unrestricted cash and investments held by our holding company were $375 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $382 million at December 31, 2015, reflecting dividends from subsidiaries, common stock repurchases and dividend payments.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss results on April 28, 2016 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)


                                                                                                                                                                         March 31,           December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                              2016
                                                                                                                                                                                                    2015
                                                                                                                                                                                                      ----

    ASSETS

    Investments:

    Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost:  March 31, 2016 -                                                                                         $20,105.1                  $19,882.9
                                                                                                                                      $18,765.4; December 31, 2015 - $18,947.0)

    Equity securities at fair value (cost: March 31, 2016 - $586.0; December 31, 2015 -                                                                                      610.7                      463.0
                                                                                                                                                                        $447.4)

    Mortgage loans                                                                                                                                                         1,700.8                    1,721.0

    Policy loans                                                                                                                                                             110.1                      109.4

    Trading securities                                                                                                                                                       285.2                      262.1

    Investments held by variable interest entities                                                                                                                         1,691.0                    1,633.6

    Other invested assets                                                                                                                                                    433.4                      415.1
                                                                                                                                                                             -----                      -----

      Total investments                                                                                                                                                   24,936.3                   24,487.1

    Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted                                                                                                                                 635.7                      432.3

    Cash and cash equivalents held by variable interest entities                                                                                                             190.1                      364.4

    Accrued investment income                                                                                                                                                247.7                      237.0

    Present value of future profits                                                                                                                                          432.2                      449.0

    Deferred acquisition costs                                                                                                                                               954.8                    1,083.3

    Reinsurance receivables                                                                                                                                                2,839.4                    2,859.3

    Income tax assets, net                                                                                                                                                   828.8                      898.8

    Assets held in separate accounts                                                                                                                                           4.6                        4.7

    Other assets                                                                                                                                                             388.4                      309.2
                                                                                                                                                                             -----                      -----

      Total assets                                                                                                                                                                 $31,458.0                  $31,125.1
                                                                                                                                                                                   =========                  =========

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Liabilities:

    Liabilities for insurance products:

       Policyholder account balances                                                                                                                                               $10,772.4                  $10,762.3

       Future policy benefits                                                                                                                                             10,768.7                   10,602.1

       Liability for policy and contract claims                                                                                                                              488.7                      487.8

       Unearned and advanced premiums                                                                                                                                        292.0                      286.3

       Liabilities related to separate accounts                                                                                                                                4.6                        4.7

    Other liabilities                                                                                                                                                        788.9                      707.8

    Investment borrowings                                                                                                                                                  1,548.0                    1,548.1

    Borrowings related to variable interest entities                                                                                                                       1,656.6                    1,676.4

    Notes payable - direct corporate obligations                                                                                                                             911.5                      911.1
                                                                                                                                                                             -----                      -----

      Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                   27,231.4                   26,986.6
                                                                                                                                                                          --------                   --------

    Commitments and Contingencies

    Shareholders' equity:

    Common stock ($0.01 par value, 8,000,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and                                                                                          1.8                        1.8
    outstanding:  March 31, 2016 - 179,098,447; December 31, 2015 - 184,028,511)

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                             3,304.3                    3,386.8

    Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                                                                   540.5                      402.8

    Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                        380.0                      347.1
                                                                                                                                                                             -----                      -----

     Total shareholders' equity                                                                                                                                            4,226.6                    4,138.5
                                                                                                                                                                           -------                    -------

     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                                                                                    $31,458.0                  $31,125.1
                                                                                                                                                                                   =========                  =========



                                CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                               (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

                                                (unaudited)


                                                 Three months ended

                                                    March 31,
                                                    ---------

                                                2016                    2015
                                                ----                    ----

    Revenues:

    Insurance
     policy
     income                                              $644.4                          $636.5

    Net investment income:

      General
       account
       assets                                  291.0                               300.1

       Policyholder
       and
       other
       special-
       purpose
       portfolios                               11.7                                16.6

    Realized investment gains
     (losses):

      Net
       realized
       investment
       gains
       (losses),
       excluding
       impairment
       losses                                    9.1                               (1.1)

       Impairment
       losses
       recognized
       (a)                                    (10.0)                              (1.3)

      Gain on
       dissolution
       of a
       variable
       interest
       entity                                      -                               11.3
                                                 ---                               ----

    Total
     realized
     gains
     (losses)                                   (.9)                                8.9
                                                 ---                                 ---

    Fee
     revenue
     and
     other
     income                                     14.2                                16.2
                                                ----                                ----

    Total
     revenues                                  960.4                               978.3
                                               -----                               -----

    Benefits and expenses:

    Insurance
     policy
     benefits                                  619.0                               606.0

     Transition
     expenses                                      -                                4.5

    Interest
     expense                                    27.7                                21.5

    Amortization                                62.1                                66.1

    Other
     operating
     costs
     and
     expenses                                  211.1                               197.9
                                               -----                               -----

    Total
     benefits
     and
     expenses                                  919.9                               896.0
                                               -----                               -----

      Income
       before
       income
       taxes                                    40.5                                82.3

    Income tax expense:

    Tax
     expense
     on
     period
     income                                     15.0                                29.5

    Valuation
     allowance
     for
     deferred
     tax
     assets                                   (20.0)                                  -
                                               -----                                 ---

    Net
     income                                               $45.5                           $52.8
                                                          =====                           =====

    Earnings per common share:

    Basic:

    Weighted
     average
     shares
     outstanding                         180,350,000                         200,491,000
                                         ===========                         ===========

    Net
     income                                                $.25                            $.26
                                                           ====                            ====

    Diluted:

    Weighted
     average
     shares
     outstanding                         182,128,000                         202,275,000
                                         ===========                         ===========

    Net
     income                                                $.25                            $.26
                                                           ====                            ====

______________
(a) No portion of the other-than-temporary impairments recognized in the periods was included in accumulated other comprehensive income.



                                CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                       EBIT FROM BUSINESS SEGMENTS

                               SUMMARIZED BY IN-FORCE AND NEW BUSINESS (6)

                                          (Dollars in millions)


                                               Three months ended

                                                  March 31,
                                                  ---------

                                              2016                   2015
                                              ----                   ----

    EBIT (3) from In-force and
     New Business

    Bankers Life:

    In-Force
     Business                                         $118.4                        $122.3

    New Business                            (40.8)                         (40.1)
                                             -----                           -----

       Total                                           $77.6                         $82.2
                                                       =====                         =====


    Washington National (7):

    In-Force
     Business                                          $31.3                         $34.9

    New Business                             (5.0)                          (6.4)
                                              ----                            ----

       Total                                           $26.3                         $28.5
                                                       =====                         =====


    Colonial Penn:

    In-Force
     Business                                          $12.7                         $10.6

    New Business                            (19.5)                         (16.5)
                                             -----                           -----

       Total                                          $(6.8)                       $(5.9)
                                                       =====                         =====


    Total Business segments:

    In-Force
     Business                                         $162.4                        $167.8

    New Business                            (65.3)                         (63.0)

       Total EBIT
        from
        business
        segments                                       $97.1                        $104.8
                                                       =====                        ======



                                                                   CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                               NET OPERATING INCOME EXCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT ITEM*

                                                                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)


                                                                                                                      Three months ended

                                                                                                                        March 31, 2015*
                                                                                                                        --------------

                                                                                                      Actual results          Significant
                                                                                                                                  item         Excluding
                                                                                                                                             significant
                                                                                                                                                item
                                                                                                                                                  ----

    Net Operating Income (1):

    Bankers Life                                                                                                     $82.2                                $   -         $82.2

    Washington National                                                                                         28.5                        -                      28.5

    Colonial Penn                                                                                              (5.9)                       -                     (5.9)
                                                                                                                ----                      ---                      ----

    EBIT from business segments                                                                                104.8                        -                     104.8

    Corporate Operations, excluding corporate interest expense                                                 (1.3)                       -                     (1.3)
                                                                                                                ----                      ---                      ----

    EBIT (3)                                                                                                   103.5                        -                     103.5

    Corporate interest expense                                                                                (10.5)                       -                    (10.5)
                                                                                                               -----                      ---                     -----

    Operating earnings before taxes                                                                             93.0                        -                      93.0

    Tax expense on operating income                                                                             32.9                        -                      32.9
                                                                                                                ----

       Net operating income                                                                                          $60.1                                $   -         $60.1
                                                                                                                     =====                              === ===         =====


    Net operating income per diluted share                                                                            $.30                                $   -          $.30
                                                                                                                      ====                              === ===          ====

* We had previously included one significant item in our 1Q15 net operating income analysis which represented the $1.9 million after tax impact of unfavorable supplemental health reserve developments in the Washington National segment related to claims incurred in prior periods. After a comprehensive review of claims conducted in 2Q15, it was ultimately determined that the claims liability at March 31, 2015 for supplemental health claims incurred in 1Q15 was deficient by a similar amount. Accordingly, we are no longer reporting this as a significant item.


                           CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                       COLLECTED PREMIUMS

                                     (Dollars in millions)


                                             Three months ended

                                                 March 31,
                                               ---------

                                            2016                 2015
                                            ----                 ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare supplement                             $186.9                  $180.3

    Long-term care                         119.6                      118.1

    Other health                             1.6                        1.8

    Supplemental health                      5.0                        4.4

    Life                                   114.0                      107.9

    Annuity                                233.6                      171.7
                                           -----                      -----

       Total                               660.7                      584.2
                                           -----                      -----

    Washington National:

    Supplemental health
     and other health                      141.6                      133.2

    Medicare supplement                     16.4                       18.2

    Life                                     7.2                        6.9

    Annuity                                   .3                         .4
                                             ---                        ---

       Total                               165.5                      158.7
                                           -----                      -----

    Colonial Penn:

    Life                                    69.5                       64.4

    Medicare supplement
     and other health                         .6                         .7
                                             ---                        ---

        Total                               70.1                       65.1
                                            ----                       ----

           Total collected
            premiums from
            segments                                $896.3                  $808.0
                                                    ======                  ======



                            NEW ANNUALIZED PREMIUMS (2)

                               (Dollars in millions)


                                       Three months ended

                                           March 31,
                                           ---------

                                      2016                2015
                                      ----                ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare supplement                        $16.4                 $17.7

    Long-term care                     6.1                      5.3

    Supplemental health                1.5                      2.0

    Life                              22.4                     26.4

    Annuity                           13.9                     10.2
                                      ----                     ----

       Total                          60.3                     61.6
                                      ----                     ----

    Washington National:

    Supplemental health               22.0                     21.4

    Life                               1.4                      1.2

       Total                          23.4                     22.6
                                      ----                     ----

    Colonial Penn:

    Life                              24.1                     21.1
                                      ----                     ----

       Total                          24.1                     21.1
                                      ----                     ----

       Total new annualized
        premiums                              $107.8                $105.3
                                              ======                ======



             CNO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

          BENEFIT RATIOS ON MAJOR HEALTH LINES OF BUSINESS


                                            Three months ended

                                                 March 31,
                                                 ---------

                                                 2016                   2015
                                                 ----                   ----

    Bankers Life:

    Medicare Supplement:

    Earned premium                       $193 million          $193 million

    Benefit ratio (8)                           71.1%                 67.4%

    Long-Term Care:

    Earned premium                       $118 million          $123 million

    Benefit ratio (8)                          132.9%                137.8%

    Interest-adjusted benefit ratio
     (a non-GAAP measure) (9)                   75.3%                 83.0%

    Washington National:

    Medicare Supplement:

    Earned premium                        $16 million           $19 million

    Benefit ratio (8)                           65.1%                 63.2%

    Supplemental health:

    Earned premium                       $139 million          $133 million

    Benefit ratio (8)                           81.2%                 82.4%

    Interest-adjusted benefit ratio
     (a non-GAAP measure) (9)                   57.7%                 57.6%

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) loss on extinguishment of
                     debt, net of taxes; (v) changes in the
                     valuation allowance for deferred tax assets;
                     and (vi) other non-operating items
                     consisting primarily of equity in earnings of
                     certain non-strategic investments and
                     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 table on page
                     2.  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, which
                     includes 6% of annuity and 10% of single
                     premium whole life deposits and 100% of all
                     other premiums.  Medicare Advantage sales are
                     not comparable to other sales and are
                     therefore excluded in all periods.

    (3)              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, loss on extinguishment of
                     debt, other non-operating items, corporate
                     interest expense and taxes ("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
                     EBIT to Net Income applicable to common stock
                     is provided in the table on page 2.

    (4)              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.  The
                     corresponding GAAP measures for book value
                     per common share were $23.60 and $22.49 at
                     March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015,
                     respectively.

    (5)              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.  The corresponding GAAP measures
                     for debt-to-total capital were 17.7% and
                     18.0% at March 31, 2016 and December 31,
                     2015, respectively.

    (6)              Management believes that an analysis of EBIT,
                     separated between in-force and new business
                     provides increased clarity around the value
                     drivers of our business, particularly since
                     the new business results are significantly
                     impacted by the rate of sales, mix of
                     business and the distribution channel through
                     which new sales are made.  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.  EBIT from in-
                     force 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 in-force
                     business is based on estimates, which we
                     believe are reasonable.

    (7)              Adjustments between insurance policy benefits
                     allocated to new and in-force business in
                     the Washington National segment were made to
                     2015 reported amounts to conform to our
                     current method.  This change had no impact on
                     total insurance policy benefits.

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

    (9)              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.
                     ---------------------------------------------

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, 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 any defaults or failure of reinsurers to perform; (xxv) the performance of third party service providers and potential difficulties arising from outsourcing arrangements; (xxvi) the growth rate of sales, collected premiums, annuity deposits and assets; (xxvii) interruption in telecommunication, information technology or other operational systems or failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data on such systems; (xxviii) events of terrorism, cyber attacks, natural disasters or other catastrophic events, including losses from a disease pandemic; (xxix) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing risks; and (xxx) 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.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cno-financial-group-reports-first-quarter-2016-results-300258653.html

SOURCE CNO Financial Group, Inc.