Confidential Draft Registration Statement Submission No. 1 as confidentially submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July   , 2018

Registration No. 333-    ​

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

FEDERAL LIFE GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3750 West Deerfield Road
Riverwoods, Illinois 60015
(847) 520-1900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Joseph D. Austin
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
3750 West Deerfield Road
Riverwoods, Illinois 60015
(847) 520-1900
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of  “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

(1)

Includes shares to be offered to eligible members and directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual Holding Company and its subsidiaries, pursuant to Federal Life Mutual Holding Company’s plan of conversion.

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(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS Subject to Completion, dated            , 2018

[LOGO]

Federal Life Group, Inc.

We are offering up to 4,600,000 shares of our common stock for sale at a price of  $10.00 per share in connection with the conversion of Federal Life Mutual Holding Company, or Federal Life Mutual, from the mutual to stock form of organization. Immediately following the conversion, we will acquire all of the newly issued shares of Federal Life Mutual common stock. This is our initial public offering.

We are offering shares of our common stock in a subscription offering and a community offering. The subscription offering will be made to eligible members of Federal Life Mutual, who were the policyholders and holders of annuities of Federal Life Insurance Company, an Illinois life insurance company and indirect subsidiary of Federal Life Mutual, as of March 8, 2018, and to the directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual and its subsidiaries.

The subscription offering will end at noon, Central Time, on [•], 2018. Concurrently with the subscription offering and subject to the prior right of subscribers in the subscription offering, shares will be offered in a community offering to employees of Federal Life Mutual and its subsidiaries (who may purchase through their 401-K Plan accounts), to a limited number of persons identified by Federal Life Insurance Company as possible strategic partners, and to Insurance Capital Group, LLC, which has agreed to act as a standby purchaser pursuant to a standby stock purchase agreement dated March 8, 2018. This phase of the stock offering is referred to as the community offering. We refer to the subscription offering and the community offering as the offerings.

Our ability to complete this offering is subject to two conditions. First, a minimum of 3,400,000 shares of common stock must be sold to complete this offering. Second, Federal Life Mutual’s plan of conversion must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at the special meeting of members to be held on [•], 2018. Until such time as these conditions are satisfied, all funds submitted to purchase shares will be held in escrow with [escrow agent]. If the offering is terminated, purchasers will have their funds promptly returned without interest.

The standby purchaser has agreed to purchase in the community offering any shares not subscribed for in the offerings up to the offering minimum of 3,400,000 shares. The standby purchaser has the right and may purchase additional shares in the community offering up to the offering maximum of 4,600,000 shares.

Shares purchased by the standby purchaser and by directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual will be counted toward satisfaction of the minimum amount needed to complete this offering. If more orders are received than shares offered, shares will be allocated in the manner and priority described in this prospectus.

The minimum number of shares that a person may subscribe to purchase is 50 shares, and the maximum number of shares that any eligible member or annuity holder can purchase is 50,000 shares. Except for the standby purchaser and the directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual and its subsidiaries, the maximum number of shares that a person may purchase in the offering is 50,000 shares.

Griffin Financial Group LLC will act as our placement agent and will use its best efforts to assist us in selling our common stock in this offering, but Griffin Financial is not obligated to purchase any shares of common stock that are being offered for sale. Purchasers will not pay any commission to purchase shares of common stock in this offering.

There is currently no public market for our common stock. We intend to apply for the listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “FLF.”

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and will be eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”

OFFERING SUMMARY
Price: $10.00 per share

(1)

Represents the amount to be paid to Griffin Financial, based on 2.0% of the proceeds from shares sold in the subscription and community offerings and 6.5% of the proceeds from the shares sold to the standby purchaser. See “The Conversion and Offering — Marketing Arrangements” for a description of the placement agent compensation.

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(2)

Assumes (x) at the offering minimum, 700,000 shares are sold in the subscription and community offerings to persons other than the standby purchaser and 2,700,000 shares are sold to the standby purchaser; and (y) at the offering maximum, 1,900,000 shares are sold in the subscription and community offerings to persons other than the standby purchaser and 2,700,000 shares are sold to the standby purchaser.

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None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Illinois Department of Insurance or any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

For assistance, please call the Stock Information Center at [1-8 –     ].

Griffin Financial Group LLC

The date of this Prospectus is            , 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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CERTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and Griffin Financial has not, authorized any other person to provide information that is different from that contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and Griffin Financial are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy our common stock only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date. Information contained on our website, or any other website operated by us, is not part of this prospectus.

Frequently Used Terms

Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus:

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“Federal Life Mutual” refers to Federal Life Mutual Holding Company and its consolidated subsidiaries;

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•

“the stock holding company” refers to Federal Life Group, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation formed to be the holding company for Federal Life Mutual upon its conversion from mutual to stock form;

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“Federal Life” refers to Federal Life Insurance Company, an Illinois life insurance company and an indirect subsidiary of Federal Life Mutual;

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“the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Federal Life Mutual and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the conversion as described in this prospectus, and to Federal Life Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries after the conversion;

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“conversion” refers to a series of transactions by which Federal Life Mutual will convert from mutual to stock form and become a subsidiary of Federal Life Group, Inc. under the terms of the plan of conversion adopted by the board of directors of Federal Life Mutual;

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•

“exchangeable note” means the $2,000,000 promissory note issued by Federal Life Mutual to the standby purchaser upon the signing of the standby stock purchase agreement. The standby purchaser has agreed to loan up to $2,000,000 to Federal Life Mutual to fund costs incurred by Federal Life Mutual in connection with the conversion and the offerings. The outstanding principal balance of the exchangeable note will automatically convert to shares of the Company’s common stock upon the completion of the conversion and the offerings at a price of  $10.00 per share. Shares issued in connection with the exchangeable note will count towards the minimum number of shares that must be sold in the offerings;

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•

“fixed index annuity” means a contract issued and guaranteed by an insurance company that provides for a return on the amount invested tied to a specified stock index (such as the S&P 500 index) while guaranteeing no loss of the amount originally invested, and which in some cases can be converted to a guaranteed level of lifetime income;

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•

“variable annuity” means a contract issued and guaranteed by an insurance company that provides the holder with future payments based on the performance of the contract’s underlying securities. The insurer guarantees a minimum payment during the payout phase, but the rate of return on the underlying securities may vary. The performance of these securities, usually mutual funds, dictates the size of the eventual annuity payment;

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“mutual form” refers to an insurance company or its holding company organized as a mutual company, which is a form of organization in which the policyholders or members have certain membership rights in the mutual company, such as the right to vote with respect to the election of

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directors and approval of certain fundamental transactions, including the conversion from mutual to stock form; however, unlike shares held by stockholders, membership rights are not transferable and do not exist separately from the related insurance policy;

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“stock form” is a form of organization in which the only rights that policyholders have are contractual rights under their insurance policies and in which voting rights reside with stockholders under state corporate law;

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“subscription offering” refers to this offering of up to 4,600,000 shares of our common stock under the plan of conversion to eligible members and directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual;

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“community offering” refers to this offering of up to 4,600,000 shares of our common stock under the plan of conversion to employees of Federal Life Mutual and its subsidiaries (who may purchase shares through their 401-K plan accounts), a limited number of persons identified by Federal Life as possible strategic partners, and the standby purchaser;

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•

“offerings” refers to the subscription offering and the community offering;

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•

“standby purchaser” refers to Insurance Capital Group, LLC, which has agreed to stand by and purchase any shares not subscribed for in the subscription and community offerings up to the offering minimum of 3,400,000 shares, and which has the right to purchase additional shares, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the standby stock purchase agreement;

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•

“standby stock purchase agreement” refers to the standby stock purchase agreement dated March 8, 2018, by and among Federal Life Mutual, Federal Life Group, Inc., Federal Life, and Insurance Capital Group, LLC;

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•

“eligible member” refers to a person who was an owner of a policy issued by Federal Life and in-force on March 8, 2018, the date the plan of conversion was adopted by the board of directors of Federal Life Mutual;

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•

“policy” includes a life insurance policy, an annuity, or an accident and health policy;

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•

“member” refers to a person who is the owner of an in-force policy, or the holder of a certificate under a group policy, issued by Federal Life;

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“accidental death coverage” refers to insurance coverage for a cause of death that does not include illness, suicide in most circumstances, or natural causes;

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“affinity partner” refers to a company with whom we have a marketing relationship to provide insurance or annuity product services to that company’s customers or members under its brand or Federal Life’s brand;

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“term life insurance” refers to a type of life insurance that is pure life insurance that ordinarily does not build up cash value over time. Term life insurance coverage generally lasts for a specified time, generally 5, 10, 15, or 20 years or more, with level premiums over the period;

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“whole life insurance” refers to a type of life insurance that builds cash value over time;

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“universal insurance” refers to a type of flexible permanent life insurance that offers lower cost protection similar to term life insurance as well as a savings element similar to whole life insurance that builds cash value over time; and

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“final expense protection” means a permanent life insurance policy designed to cover immediate expenses related to an insured’s death, such as funeral, burial, and medical bills. These policies typically never expire and provide for level premiums.

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Market And Industry Data

Market data and other statistical information used throughout this prospectus are based on independent industry publications, government publications, publicly available information, reports by market research firms, or other published independent sources. Independent industry publications, government publications, and other published independent sources generally indicate that the information included therein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Some data are based upon good faith estimates derived from our management’s review of the independent sources referenced herein and from experience with partners, licensees, and other contacts in the markets in which the Company operates.

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Plan

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Individuals Eligible to Receive Awards

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Number of Shares

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Percentage of shares issued in the offering

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Value of shares Based on $10.00 Share Price

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Shares available under the stock-based incentive plan for restricted stock awards

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Selected officers

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140,000

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4.12%

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$

1,400,000

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Shares available under the stock-based incentive plan for stock options

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Directors and selected officers

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340,000

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10.0%

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(1 )

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a number of risks. Before making a decision to purchase our common stock, you should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information contained in this prospectus. Many factors, including the risks described below, could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If this were to happen, the price of our common stock could decline significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have incurred both statutory and GAAP net losses in recent years.

We have incurred both statutory and GAAP net losses in recent years, resulting in an aggregate of $3.9 million in GAAP net losses in 2016 and 2017. Our losses are due principally to operating expenses and corporate overhead exceeding revenues of our annuity and life insurance business and returns on our investment portfolio. We need to increase the sales of our life insurance and annuity products in order to achieve the size and scale necessary to become profitable.

If we cannot expand our distribution network and resulting sales of our products, our losses may continue.

Our ability to increase sales of our life insurance and annuity products will depend on our success in expanding our distribution network. We depend on our network of independent insurance agents to generate almost all of the sales of our life insurance and annuity products. If we are unable to increase direct sales to customers through our website or by establishing relationships with other distribution partners, it is unlikely that we will be able to increase sales of our products to the level necessary to become profitable.

Our results of operations have been adversely affected by the current low interest rate environment and will continue to be adversely affected if interest rates remain low or if interest rates should rapidly increase.

Although the Federal Reserve moved to marginally increase short-term interest rates since 2015, medium and long-term interest rates have remained at historically low levels. During a period of decreasing interest rates or a prolonged period of low interest rates, our investment earnings may decrease because the interest earnings on our recently purchased fixed income investments will likely have declined in parallel with market interest rates. In addition, callable fixed income securities in our investment portfolio will be more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Consequently, we may be required to reinvest the proceeds in securities bearing lower interest rates. In addition, during periods of declining interest rates, our financial performance may suffer as a result of a decrease in the spread between interest rates credited to our annuity contract holders and returns on our investment portfolio. An extended period of declining or prolonged low interest rates may also cause us to change our assumptions of the interest rates that we can earn on our investments and the long-term interest rate that we assume in our calculation of insurance assets and liabilities under GAAP. This revision would result in increased reserves, accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), and other unfavorable consequences. In addition, certain statutory capital and reserve requirements are based on formulas or models that consider interest rates, and an extended period of low interest rates may increase the statutory capital we are required to hold and the amount of assets we must maintain to support statutory reserves.

Conversely, an increase in market interest rates could also have a material adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio by, for example, decreasing the estimated fair values of the fixed income securities within our investment portfolio. In addition, in periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, withdrawals or surrenders under our annuity contracts may increase as policyholders choose to seek higher investment returns. Obtaining cash to satisfy these obligations may require us to liquidate fixed income investments at a time when market prices for those assets are depressed because of increases in interest rates. This may result in realized investment losses. Also, certain statutory reserve requirements are based on formulas or models that consider forward interest rates and an increase in forward interest rates may increase the statutory reserves we are required to hold thereby reducing statutory capital.

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The lack of a rating from A.M. Best limits our ability to attract agents and to sell rating sensitive products.

Federal Life is not rated by A.M. Best. Our lack of a rating adversely affects our ability to attract agents and sell our products because ratings assigned by A.M. Best are an important factor influencing the competitive position of insurance companies. Financial strength ratings are used by producers and customers as a means of assessing the financial strength and quality of insurers. A.M. Best ratings, which are reviewed at least annually, represent independent opinions of financial strength and ability to meet obligations to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Federal Life does not intend to request the assignment of a financial strength rating from A.M. Best immediately after completion of the conversion. Moreover, the assignment of an unfavorable rating to Federal Life by A.M. Best could impair our ability to grow our business. If we obtain a rating from A.M. Best, any future downgrade could negatively affect our ability to implement our strategy. See “Business — Competition and Ratings.”

Our operations are dependent on access to key technology tools; if we lose access to these tools, our ability to conduct business could be significantly impaired.

In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an epidemic, an industrial accident, a blackout, a computer virus, a terrorist attack, a cyber-attack, or a war that causes our data processing system to not function, unanticipated problems with our disaster recovery systems would have an adverse impact on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial position, particularly if those problems affect our internet access, computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and retrieval systems or destroy valuable data. Despite our implementation of security measures, disaster recovery plans, system backup plans, and offsite arrangements to reduce the risk of a loss of access to these critical systems, there is no assurance that these security measures and backup plans will work when needed or would protect the company in all circumstances that could arise. An interruption in our business because of our inability to access our key technology tools could result in the loss of revenue and damage to our reputation, and could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

If we are unable to protect sensitive consumer information, our reputation could be damaged and we could be subject to fines or litigation.

Our products and services involve the use, collection, and storage of confidential information of consumers and the transmission of this information. This information is used in the underwriting process. For example, we collect names, addresses, personal identity and financial information, and information regarding the medical history of consumers in connection with their applications for life insurance. We continue to maintain detailed information on our policyholders, including sensitive, non-public personal information.

While we take commercially reasonable measures to keep our systems and data secure, it is difficult or impossible to defend against all risks being posed by changing technologies as well as criminals intent on committing cybercrime. Increasing sophistication of cyber criminals and terrorists make keeping up with new threats difficult and could result in a breach. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate the type or manner of attempts to breach our security or to implement adequate preventative measures against these attempts. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect our technology infrastructure from attack or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches.

Changes in legislation relating to information security or changes in industry best practices may impose new requirements on us relating to data security and may present significant implementation costs and challenges. Changing our processes could be time consuming and expensive, and failure to timely implement required changes could result in our inability to sell certain insurance and annuity products in a particular jurisdiction, which could damage our business and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Any breach or perceived breach of our security could damage our reputation and our relationship with our policyholders and agents. Reputational damage of this kind could significantly harm our business. For example, consumers and agents may be less likely to use our products following a breach because of a

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perceived weakness in our information security measures. Additionally, we could be subject to significant liability as well as regulatory action, which would have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

In the ordinary course of our business we can face coverage disputes and lawsuits that are expensive and time consuming and may include claims for extra-contractual damages, which, if resolved adversely, could harm our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

From time to time, we are involved in coverage and other types of lawsuits in the ordinary course of our business. Defending these claims is costly and can impose a significant burden on our management and employees. We utilize reinsurance to limit our exposure on any one life under the insurance policies we issue. However, our reinsurance arrangements generally do not cover extra-contractual damages that we may incur in connection with coverage disputes. Accordingly, were we to be found liable for extra-contractual damages, we would be responsible for the full amount of extra-contractual damages. If we are found to be liable for significant extra-contractual damages in future cases, there could be a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Legal and regulatory investigations and actions are increasingly common in the life insurance business and may result in financial losses and harm our reputation.

We face a risk of litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating our businesses, including the risk of class action lawsuits. Federal Life may become subject to class actions and regulatory actions or may become subject to individual lawsuits relating, among other things, to sales or underwriting practices, payment of contingent or other sales commissions, claims payments and procedures, product design, disclosure, administration, additional premium charges for premiums paid on a periodic basis, interest crediting practices, denial or delay of benefits, and breaches of fiduciary or other duties to customers. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against Federal Life may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, which may remain unknown for substantial periods of time.

From time to time, Federal Life is subject to regulatory review and examination by state treasurers relating to our escheat practices for unclaimed life insurance death benefits. While we believe our practices comply with applicable law, these practices have come under increased scrutiny by state regulatory bodies. State insurance regulators, treasurers, and comptrollers are requesting life insurance companies to report on their escheat practices and procedures for tracking and identifying claims that became payable by death or other insured events but were not paid because no claim was presented to the company for payment. As a result of these investigations, regulators are routinely looking to adopt regulations that would require insurance companies to perform regular checks against the Social Security Death Master File, which we currently conduct, or review equivalent sources, as well as require insurance companies to collect more information needed to track policyholders, account holders, and beneficiaries. It is possible that these requests by the state regulators may result in payment to beneficiaries, escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws, and changes to our escheat practices and procedures.

Federal Life is also subject to various regulatory inquiries, such as information requests, subpoenas, market conduct exams, and books and record examinations, from state and federal regulators and other authorities, which may result in fines, recommendations for corrective action or other regulatory actions. Current or future investigations, proceedings, or regulatory actions could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the investigation, proceeding, or regulatory action, we could suffer significant reputational harm, which could have an adverse effect on our business. Increased regulatory scrutiny and any resulting investigations or proceedings could result in new legal actions or precedents and industry-wide regulations or practices that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

We rely on the leadership of the members of our executive management team. The loss of any of these executives could have an adverse impact on our business and our ability to implement our business strategy.

The success of our business is dependent, to a large extent, on our ability to attract and retain key employees including the following members of our executive management team: Joseph D. Austin,

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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; William S. Austin, President and Chief Operating Officer; Anders Raaum, Chief Financial Officer; and Michael S. Austin, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Our executive management team has extensive experience in the life insurance business. Were we to lose any of these employees, it may be challenging for us to attract a replacement employee with comparable skills and experience in our market niches. We have employment agreements with our executive officers, which are described under “Executive Compensation — Employment Agreements.” We do not currently maintain key man life insurance policies with respect to any member of our senior management team.

We may be required to establish an additional valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets if our business does not generate sufficient taxable income or if our tax planning strategies are modified, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Deferred income tax represents the tax effect of the differences between the financial accounting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards, and tax credit carryforwards. We periodically evaluate and test our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In assessing the more likely than not criteria, we consider future taxable income as well as prudent tax planning strategies. Future facts, circumstances, tax law changes, and financial accounting or GAAP developments may result in an increase in the valuation allowance. An increase in the valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

As of December 31, 2017, we had recorded net deferred tax assets of  $4.4 million and a valuation allowance of  $4.0 million. To the extent we are required to establish an additional valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets, the amount of such valuation allowance would be charged against our net income for the period in which that valuation allowance is established, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

We operate in a heavily state regulated industry, and the prospect exists for further federal involvement in the regulation of insurance companies.

Our business is regulated by government agencies in the states in which we do business, and we must comply with a number of state and federal laws and regulations. Most insurance regulations are intended to protect the interests of current and potential policyholders and customers rather than those of stockholders and other investors in insurance services companies.

State laws and regulations that apply to us include those governing the financial condition of insurers, including standards of solvency, risk-based capital requirements, types, quality and concentration of investments, establishment and maintenance of reserves, required methods of accounting, reinsurance and requirements of capital adequacy, and those governing the business conduct of insurers, including transactions with affiliates, sales and marketing practices, claim procedures and practices, and policy form content. In addition, state insurance laws require licensing of insurers and their agents. State insurance regulators have the power to grant, suspend, and revoke licenses to transact business and to impose substantial fines and other penalties.

We may be unable to comply fully with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations that are frequently undergoing revision. In addition, we follow practices based on our interpretations of laws and regulations that we believe are generally followed by the insurance industry. These practices may be different from interpretations of insurance regulatory agencies. Moreover, in order to enforce applicable laws and regulations or to protect policyholders, insurance regulatory agencies have relatively broad discretion to impose a variety of sanctions, including examinations, corrective orders, suspension, revocation or denial of licenses, and the takeover of insurance companies. As a result, if we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, state insurance departments can exercise a range of remedies from the imposition of fines to being placed in rehabilitation or liquidation. State insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual and other reports relating to financial condition, holding company issues and other matters. These regulatory requirements

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may adversely affect or inhibit our ability to achieve some or all of our business objectives. Changes in the level of regulation of the insurance industry or changes in laws or regulations or interpretations of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities could adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

We are subject to various accounting and financial requirements established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) as adopted by the states in which we operate. In addition, state regulators and the NAIC continually re-examine existing laws and regulations, with an emphasis on insurance company solvency issues and fair treatment of policyholders. Insurance laws and regulations could change or additional restrictions could be imposed that are more burdensome. Because these laws and regulations are for the protection of policyholders, any changes may not be in your best interest as a shareholder.

Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business. However, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) established a Federal Insurance Office (“FIO”) within the Department of the Treasury. The FIO initially is charged with monitoring all aspects of the insurance industry (other than health insurance, certain long-term care insurance, and crop insurance), gathering data, and conducting a study on methods to modernize and improve the insurance regulatory system in the United States. On December 12, 2013, the FIO issued a report entitled “How to Modernize and Improve the System of Insurance Regulation in the United States” (the “Report”), which stated that, given the “uneven” progress the states have made with several near-term state reforms, should the states fail to accomplish the necessary modernization reforms in the near term, “Congress should strongly consider direct federal involvement.” The FIO continues to support the current state-based regulatory regime, but will consider federal regulation should the states fail to take steps to greater uniformity (e.g., federal licensing of insurers). Each year the FIO also releases an annual report on the insurance industry (“Annual Report”), with its latest Annual Report released in September 2017. The Annual Report provided a set of recommendations along with providing an overview of the financial performance and condition of the U.S. insurance industry and outlining a number of insurance industry and regulatory developments from the past year. We cannot predict what impact, if any, this guidance or any new legislation would have on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly and adversely affect the insurance industry. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, pension regulation, privacy, and taxation. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time-consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may materially impact our business and increase our direct and indirect compliance and other expenses of doing business, thus having a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

The life insurance industry in which we operate is highly competitive, which may limit our ability to maintain and increase our share of our target market.

Our competition includes companies that are almost all larger and which have significantly more resources at their disposal. Competition in the life insurance industry is based on many factors. These factors include the perceived financial strength of the insurer, premiums charged, policy terms and conditions, services provided, reputation, financial ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, and the experience of the insurer in the line of insurance to be written.

Certain of the insurance companies we compete against have substantially greater financial, technical, and operating resources than we have. Many of the lines of insurance we write are subject to significant price competition. If our competitors price their products aggressively, our ability to grow or renew our business may be adversely affected. We pay producers on a commission basis to produce business. Some of our competitors may offer higher commissions or offer insurance products at lower premium rates. Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain business and thereby adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

We also compete for access to talented independent agents. Much of the competition for talent involves agent recruitment. If our competitors provide the agents with better technology, pay higher commissions, or provide access to products that are perceived to be better than those we can provide, our ability to attract and retain agents may be reduced, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

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We expect that our ability to use beneficial U.S. tax attributes will be subject to limitations.

Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), operates as an anti-abuse rule, the general purpose of which is to prevent trafficking in tax losses, but which can apply without regard to whether a “loss trafficking” transaction occurs or is intended. Similar rules apply to capital loss carryforwards. These rules are triggered when an “ownership change”—generally defined as when the ownership of a company, or its parent, changes by more than 50% (measured by value) on a cumulative basis in any three year period-occurs and the company is a “loss” corporation. A company is a loss corporation if, at the date of the ownership change, the company has a tax loss carryforward which may be used in a tax year after the ownership change. When triggered, the amount of the taxable income for any post-change year which may be offset by a pre-change loss is subject to an annual limitation. An annual limitation not used in one year may be carried over to a subsequent year. Generally speaking, the annual limitation is derived by multiplying the fair market value of the stock of the taxpayer immediately before the date of the ownership change by the applicable federal long-term tax-exempt rate. In addition, to the extent that a company has a net unrealized built-in loss or deduction at the time of an ownership change, Section 382 of the Code limits the utilization of any such loss or deduction which is realized and recognized during the 5-year period following the ownership change.

The Tax Cut and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017 limits the deduction for net operating losses to 80% of current year taxable income and eliminates the deduction for net operating loss carrybacks. Following the completion of this offering, we expect that these limitations will apply, which could substantially limit our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards.

Risks Relating to our Insurance Business

The actual experience of our insurance products can differ from the assumptions used to develop and price our insurance products, which can cause us to experience losses from these products.

To develop our insurance products we make assumptions regarding policy persistency, mortality, and other benefit experience, the level of investment income that will be earned from investing the product cash flows, and our expenses to underwrite, sell, and service the policies. Additionally we make assumptions about the characteristics of our insureds, including age, sex, underwriting class, and coverage amounts purchased. These assumptions, along with our anticipated profit levels, are used to develop the premiums that we will charge customers for our products. In many cases, these premium rates are level and cannot be raised during the initial term of the policy. Our operating results may be materially adversely impacted by variances between our pricing assumptions and our actual experience.

Our key product pricing assumptions are based on a combination of industry studies and other third party data as well as our own experience. We regularly monitor our experience and can adjust premium rates on new business sales should the actual results indicate trends or results that we believe need to be reflected. If the actual product experience for any of these areas varies adversely from the assumptions used to price our products, it could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Because our acquisition costs for writing a policy exceed the premiums we receive in the first policy year, the early lapse or termination of a policy may cause us to suffer a loss on that policy.

The amount of commission, underwriting, and issue costs payable upon the sale of a life insurance policy typically exceed the amount of premiums receivable during the first policy year or longer. As a result, the sale of new policies in our industry generally results in higher first year costs as compared to the corresponding first year revenues. Because of high front loaded commissions and other expenses, it can take several years for new policies to become profitable. If a policy terminates or lapses before we are able to recover our costs for producing that policy, we will incur a loss on that policy. For example, we have in the past experienced higher lapse rates than expected on certain products, which caused us to incur losses on the policies that lapsed. If we experience higher than expected lapse rates, there could be a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

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We perform annual testing for premium deficiencies on our blocks of business, the results of which could require us to write down deferred acquisition cost balances or increase reserves.

For our traditional life business, a premium deficiency can exist if the discounted present value of future premiums plus the current reserve, reduced by unamortized acquisition expenses, is not sufficient to cover the present value of anticipated future claims and related settlement and maintenance costs. For our interest sensitive products, the test is whether estimated future gross profits are large enough to cover the current deferred acquisition cost. When a premium deficiency is indicated we will write down any deferred acquisition cost balance to the point where the premium deficiency is eliminated. If the deferred acquisition cost is fully written down but the premium deficiency is not eliminated, we will record additional reserves on that block of policies.

Our investment performance may suffer as a result of adverse capital market developments, which may adversely affect our financial results and ability to conduct business.

We allocate a portion of the insurance premiums we receive from policyholders to fund reserves, which are invested until these amounts are needed to pay insured claims. We invest in various securities to earn incremental income. As of December 31, 2017, we held fixed income and equity securities with an estimated fair value of  $194.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we had net investment income of $8.5 million.

Our investments are subject to a variety of risks that are outside of our control, including risks relating to general economic conditions, market volatility, the extended low interest environment that currently exists, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity risk, and credit risk. For example, an unexpected increase in the number or level of benefits incurred with claims may force us to liquidate securities in order to pay such claims. If the duration of our investments does not match our need for liquidity, we may be forced to liquidate investments prior to maturity at a significant loss to cover such payments. Investment losses could significantly decrease our asset base and capital position, thereby adversely affecting our ability to conduct business.

In the current economic environment, we are experiencing historically low interest rates across all fixed income investment markets. The effective yield or rate of our fixed income investments has declined as currently available interest rates on investments purchased are lower than the rates on our maturing investments. Low current interest rates have resulted in unrealized holding gains recorded as Other Comprehensive Income. However, if interest rates were to rise, it is possible that the market value of the securities and other investments we hold may decline, negatively affecting our earnings and capital level through realized and unrealized investment losses. In that event we could experience increased surrender of annuities, which we would have to fund through the sales of securities, possibly at a loss. If market interest rates remain at historically low levels our investment returns will continue to decline and our investment earnings will be reduced. This could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Some of our investments are relatively illiquid and are in asset classes that have been experiencing significant market valuation fluctuations.

We hold certain assets that lack liquidity, such as privately placed fixed income securities, policy loans, and oil and natural gas interests, and other illiquid assets. These asset classes represented a small percentage of the carrying value of our total cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2017. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both.

The reported fair values of our relatively illiquid types of investments do not necessarily reflect the current market price for the asset. If we were forced to sell certain of our assets in the current market, there can be no assurance that we would be able to sell them for the prices at which we have recorded them and we might be forced to sell them at significantly lower prices.

If we are unable to enter into reinsurance transactions on a cost-effective basis, we will be less profitable and subject to greater risk and we may be unable to expand our business because of capital limitations.

We rely on the availability of reinsurance to manage the risks of our insurance products and to manage the level of capital required to write new business. Reinsurance is the practice of transferring part of an

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insurance company’s liability under an insurance policy and the premium associated with that insurance policy to another insurance company. We enter into reinsurance contracts to limit and manage the amount of risk we retain relating to the insurance policies we issue. This reduction in risk is intended to reduce volatility in year-to-year operating results. For example, we generally limit our retention of exposure on any one life under any insurance policy or policies we issue to a maximum of  $250,000. Our ability to write policies in excess of this amount is therefore typically dependent on the availability of reinsurance for the excess amount of the issued policy at commercially reasonable rates. We also use reinsurance to manage the level of capital required to write new business.

The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to current market conditions and our experience and may vary significantly over time. Any decrease in the amount of reinsurance available will increase the amount of loss that we retain and could decrease our regulatory capital position. We currently rely on our reinsurance arrangement with Optimum Re to continue to write our new business. Should either or both of those reinsurers cease to reinsure our business, or should we be unable to obtain replacement reinsurance or otherwise be unable to obtain reinsurance coverage in desired amounts, our inability to obtain such reinsurance could increase the amount of risk that we retain, expose our financial results to more year-to-year variability, and limit the amount of new business that we can write. If the cost of reinsurance coverage increases, we may charge higher premiums and that could reduce future sales. Alternatively, we may decide to absorb all or a part of the increased reinsurance costs, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. See also “— A significant decline in Federal Life’s risk-based capital could limit its ability to write new business.”

Should any of our reinsurers fail to meet their contractual commitments to us, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The reinsurance contracts that we enter into to help manage our risks require us to pay premiums to the reinsurance carriers who will in turn reimburse us for a portion of covered policy claims. In many cases, a reinsurer will be called upon to reimburse us for policy claims many years after we paid insurance premiums to the insurer. We remain liable to each of our policyholders for their claims, and we rely on our reinsurers to reimburse us for that portion of a claim for which it is responsible. Accordingly, we are subject to loss and credit risk if our reinsurers are not capable of fulfilling their financial obligations to us. We purchase reinsurance coverage from a number of reinsurers. We have not entered into reinsurance agreements with companies that have an A.M. Best financial rating lower than “A-” (Excellent), which is the fourth highest of fifteen ratings.

The reinsurance contracts covering our life insurance policies are long-term contracts mirroring the term of the underlying life insurance contracts. During the contract term, the financial position of our reinsurers can deteriorate and our reinsurers could become insolvent or otherwise unable to reimburse us for ceded claims. Should the financial condition of a reinsurer to which we have ceded premiums deteriorate, it may be unable to reimburse us for losses under its contractual obligations to us. This could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

A significant decline in Federal Life’s risk-based capital could limit its ability to write new business.

Illinois imposes the risk-based capital requirements developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) that require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula. These risk-based capital requirements attempt to measure statutory capital and surplus needs based on the risks in an insurance company’s mix of products and investment portfolio.

Until statutory surplus rose modestly in 2017, Federal Life’s statutory surplus has declined as a result of losses in each of the previous nine years. Because the amount of commission, underwriting, and issue costs payable upon the sale of a life insurance policy typically exceed the amount of premiums receivable during the first policy year, it can take several years for new policies to become profitable. In addition, mandated statutory policy reserve methods require that we increase our reserves over the first several years of the policy term. Should statutory capital and surplus continue to decline relative to risk-based capital, we may have to slow the rate of new sales or enter into additional reinsurance arrangements, both steps that could reduce our ability to generate future profits.

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The failure of Federal Life to meet its applicable risk-based capital requirements or minimum capital and surplus requirements could also subject it to further examination or corrective action imposed by insurance regulators, including limitations on its ability to write additional business, supervision by regulators, or seizure or liquidation. Any corrective action imposed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. A decline in risk-based capital ratios could also limit the ability of Federal Life to make dividends or distributions to us. See “Business — Regulation —  Risk-Based Capital (RBC) Requirements.”

Risks Relating to this Offering

The Internal Revenue Service may disagree with our position that the subscription rights have no value, and therefore eligible members may be deemed to have taxable income as a result of their receipt of the subscription rights.

Generally, the federal income tax consequences of the receipt, exercise, and expiration of subscription rights are uncertain. We intend to take the position that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, eligible members will be treated as transferring their membership interests in Federal Life Mutual Holding Company in exchange for subscription rights to purchase Federal Life Group, Inc. common stock. Any gain realized by an eligible member as a result of the receipt of a subscription right that is determined to have ascertainable fair market value on the date of the deemed exchange must be recognized and included in the eligible member’s gross income for federal income tax purposes, whether or not the subscription right is exercised.

RP Financial, which we have engaged to provide us with a valuation of the consolidated pro forma market value of Federal Life Mutual, has advised us that it believes the subscription rights will not have any fair market value. RP Financial has based its view on the fact that the subscription rights are acquired by recipients without cost, are nontransferable, nonnegotiable, and of short duration, and will provide the recipient with the right only to purchase shares of our common stock at a price that is equal to the estimated pro forma market value of the Company, which will be the same price at which any unsubscribed shares will be sold to the standby purchaser. Nevertheless, RP Financial cannot assure us that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge its determination that the subscription rights will not have any fair market value or that such challenge, if made, would not be successful. You should consult your tax advisors with respect to the potential tax consequences to you of the receipt, exercise, and expiration of subscription rights. For more information see “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Consequences of Subscription Rights to Eligible Members.”

The broad valuation range of the subscription offering and the rights of the standby purchaser make your percentage ownership of Federal Life Group, Inc. uncertain.

The number of shares offered in the subscription offering is based on RP Financial’s valuation of the consolidated pro forma market value of Federal Life Mutual. RP Financial has determined that, as of December 22, 2017, the estimated consolidated pro forma market value of Federal Life Mutual is $40.0 million, and the range of value of the total number of shares of Federal Life Group, Inc. common stock to be issued in the offerings is between $34.0 million and $46.0 million. Shares issued to the standby purchaser upon the automatic conversion of the outstanding principal balance of the $2,000,000 exchangeable note issued to the standby purchaser when the standby stock purchase agreement was signed will be counted towards satisfaction of the minimum number of shares that must be sold in the offerings.

There is a difference of approximately $12.0 million between the minimum and maximum of the estimated valuation range. The aggregate dollar value of the shares sold in the subscription offering must be within this estimated valuation range. As a result, the percentage interest in Federal Life Group, Inc. that a subscriber acquires can vary based on the number of shares sold in the subscription offering. A subscriber for a fixed number of shares of our common stock will have approximately a 26% smaller ownership at the adjusted maximum level of the range than at the minimum level. See “The Conversion and Offering — Description of Standby Stock Purchase Agreement.”

The amount of the net proceeds from the offerings is uncertain, and we will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the offerings.

The amount of proceeds from the sale of common stock in the offerings will depend on the total number of shares actually sold in the subscription and community offerings, including shares sold to the

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standby purchaser, for which a higher commission percentage is applicable. As a result, the net proceeds from the sale of common stock cannot be determined until this offering is completed. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Although we expect to use the net proceeds of the offerings to support the growth of our business and potentially to make open market purchases of our shares for our stock-based incentive plan, our management will have broad discretion with respect to the use of net proceeds from these offerings. Except as specified above, we expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, purchasing investment securities.

Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock

Our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to delist our shares from trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market and end our reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

After the offering, we will be obligated for approximately one year to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We will also be required to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all SEC reporting requirements on a timely basis. This will require a significant commitment of additional expense and management resources. As result, our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to reduce the number of our shareholders of record to less than 300 by purchasing shares in the open market or directly from shareholders. This will permit the Company to cease filing annual and quarterly reports with the SEC after complying with our initial filing requirements. If the Company is no longer filing such reports with the SEC, we will not be eligible for listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market. This will substantially reduce the liquidity of our stock for any remaining shareholders.

We are an “emerging growth company,” and we intend to take advantage of reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, which could result in our common stock being less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, which we refer to as the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For example:

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We will not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirement on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting contained in Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

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We will be subject to reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements;

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We will not be required to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and golden parachute arrangements not previously approved;

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We will be exempt from certain audit requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, unless the SEC determines otherwise; and

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We will take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

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We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company, which in certain circumstances could be for up to five years. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”

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The stock-based incentive plan will increase our costs, which will reduce our net income.

We have adopted a stock-based incentive plan under which we may award participants restricted shares of our common stock or options to purchase shares of our common stock. Restricted stock awards will be made at no cost to the participants. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to restricted stock awards or upon exercise of stock option awards under the stock-based incentive plan may not exceed 140,000 and 340,000, respectively.

The costs associated with the grant of restricted stock awarded under the stock-based incentive plan will be recognized and expensed over their vesting period at the fair market value of the shares on the date they are awarded. We intend to issue 140,000 shares of restricted stock to our directors and officers upon the closing of the conversion from our authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

Finally, accounting rules require companies to recognize as compensation expense the award-date fair value of stock options. This compensation expense will be recognized over the appropriate vesting period. When we record an expense for the award of options using the fair value method, we will incur significant compensation and benefits expense, which will reduce our net income.

The implementation of the stock-based incentive plan may dilute your percentage ownership interest and may also result in downward pressure on the price of our stock.

The proposed stock-based incentive plan will be funded from the issuance of authorized but unissued shares and possibly in part through open market purchases. In the event that authorized but unissued shares are used to fund restricted stock awards and the exercise of stock option awards under the plan in an amount equal to 140,000 and 340,000, respectively, shareholders would experience a reduction in ownership interest of approximately 12.4%. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to restricted stock awards and upon exercise of stock option awards may be perceived by the market as having a dilutive effect, which could lead to a decrease in the price of our common stock.

The valuation of our common stock in this offering is not necessarily indicative of the future price of our common stock, and the price of our common stock may decline after this offering.

There can be no assurance that shares of our common stock will be able to be sold in the market at or above the $10.00 per share initial offering price in the future. The final aggregate purchase price of our common stock sold in this offering will be based upon an independent appraisal. The appraisal is not intended, and should not be construed, as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of common stock. The valuation is based on estimates and projections of a number of matters, all of which are subject to change from time to time. See “The Conversion and Offering — The Appraisal” for the factors considered by RP Financial in determining the appraised value.

The trading price of our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including:

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market conditions in the broader stock market in general;

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results;

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changes in interest rates;

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departure of key executives;

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possible delisting of our stock from NASDAQ;

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introduction of new services or announcements of significant contracts, acquisitions, or capital commitments by us or our competitors;

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regulatory or political developments;

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issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations, or our failure to obtain an A.M. Best rating or any negative change in such rating;

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availability of capital;

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litigation and government investigations;

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legislative and regulatory developments;

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future sales of our common stock;

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investor perceptions of us and the life insurance industry; and

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economic conditions.

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These and other factors may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock.

In addition, the stock market has in the past experienced substantial price and volume fluctuations that sometimes have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. As a result, the trading price of shares of our common stock may be below the initial public offering price, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price you pay to purchase them.

Anti-takeover provisions contained in our articles of incorporation, which we refer to as our articles, and our amended and restated bylaws, which we refer to as our bylaws, as they will be in effect upon completion of this offering, as well as provisions of Illinois law, may render more difficult or discourage takeover attempts on the Company that you may believe are in your best interests or that might result in a substantial profit to you.

The Illinois Insurance Code requires prior approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance for a change of control of an insurance holding company. Under Illinois law, the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of an insurer or its holding company is presumed to be a change in control. Approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance may be withheld even if the transaction would be in the shareholders’ best interest if the Illinois Department of Insurance determines that the transaction would be detrimental to policyholders. In addition, for 5 years following the effective date of the conversion, no person may acquire more than 5% of the capital stock of the Company in this offering or any other public offering without the approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance. The standby purchaser’s commitment to purchase shares of our stock in the standby offering was approved by the Illinois Director of Insurance on [        ], 2018.

Additionally, our articles and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging a change in control. These provisions:

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Prior to the end of the standstill period under the standby stock purchase agreement, create a classified board of directors, which permits the election of only one-third of the directors at each annual meeting of our shareholders;

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contain advance notice procedures with which shareholders must generally comply to nominate candidates to our board or to propose matters to be acted upon at a meeting of shareholders, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us; and

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authorize our board of directors, without shareholder approval, to amend our bylaws, which may allow our board of directors to take additional actions to prevent an unsolicited takeover and inhibit the ability of an acquiror to amend the bylaws to facilitate an unsolicited takeover attempt.

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These provisions of our articles and bylaws, alone or together with certain provisions of Illinois law and Pennsylvania, could serve to entrench management and may discourage a takeover attempt that you may consider to be in your best interest or in which you would receive a substantial premium over the current market price. These provisions may make it extremely difficult for any one person, entity, or group of affiliated persons or entities to acquire voting control of the Company, with the result that it may be extremely difficult to bring about a change in the board of directors or management. Some of these provisions also may perpetuate present management because of the additional time required to cause a change in the control of the board of directors.

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The standby purchaser may obtain control over us and may not always exercise its control in a way that benefits our public shareholders.

Upon completion of the offerings, the standby purchaser will likely obtain a majority interest in the Company. Subject to the provisions of the standby stock purchase agreement, so long as the standby purchaser continues to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding stock, the standby purchaser generally will be able to determine the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval.

The standby purchaser’s interests may differ from your interests, and therefore actions the standby purchaser takes with respect to us, as a controlling or significant shareholder, may not be favorable to you.

We may not be able to realize the expected benefits from our relationship with the standby purchaser.

One of the reasons that we entered into the standby purchase agreement with the standby purchaser is that we expect to benefit from the standby purchaser’s knowledge and experience in the life insurance industry and its ability to provide resources to us to enable us to further develop our distribution strategy and grow our business in our target Middle Market. Our failure to successfully realize these benefits may negatively impact our plans for growing our business and may prevent us from obtaining some of the anticipated benefits of our relationship with the standby purchaser.

Our ability to pay dividends will be limited.

Upon completion of this offering, the Company will be a holding company with no operations of its own. The Company’s primary assets will be its equity interest in Federal Life and any net proceeds of the offerings that are not contributed to Federal Life. Thus, the ability of the Company to pay dividends to our shareholders depends upon the cash and liquid investments held at the holding company and our subsidiaries ability to pay dividends to the Company. Federal Life’s ability to pay dividends to the Company is subject to limitations under Illinois insurance laws and regulations. See “Dividend Policy.”

There will not be an active, liquid trading market for our common stock.

Prior to the subscription offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which an active trading market with adequate liquidity will develop, but we believe that development of such a market is unlikely. The liquidity of our common stock will be impacted by the fact that the shares purchased by the standby purchaser and directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual will be purchased for investment and not for resale. The shares purchased by directors and officers will be subject to lockup periods for up to one year, and the shares purchased by the standby purchaser will be restricted securities and subject to trading limitations under the standby stock purchase agreement and under applicable law. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any of our common stock that you purchase and the value of your shares may be impaired.

As a public company, we will become subject to additional financial and other reporting and corporate governance requirements, which will require additional expense and management resources.

We have historically operated our business as a private company. After the subscription offering, we will become obligated to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 of the Exchange Act. We will also be required to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all SEC reporting requirements on a timely basis. Unless an exemption is available to us as an “emerging growth company,” we will also become subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements, including the requirements of NASDAQ and certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which will impose significant compliance obligations upon us. As a public company, we will be required to:

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prepare and distribute periodic public reports and other shareholder communications in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules;

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create or expand the roles and duties of our board of directors and committees of the board;

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institute more comprehensive financial reporting and disclosure compliance functions;

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involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the activities listed above;

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create or enhance our investor relations function;

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establish new internal policies, including those relating to disclosure controls and procedures; and

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comply with certain requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in particular Section 404 and Section 302.

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These changes will require a significant commitment of additional expense and other resources, and these expenses may increase after we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. We may not be successful in implementing these requirements and implementing them could adversely affect our business or operating results. In addition, if we fail to implement the requirements with respect to our internal accounting and audit functions, our ability to report our operating results on a timely and accurate basis could be impaired. Our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to delist our stock from the NASDAQ Stock Market in order to avoid these additional expenses. “See — Our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to delist our shares from trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market and end our reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.”

Our internal control over financial reporting may not meet the standards required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

As a privately held company, we have not been required to maintain internal control over financial reporting in a manner that meets the standards of publicly traded companies required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we do not de-register our shares, these standards will be required to be met in the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ending December 31, 2023, except for the auditor attestation requirements exempted under the JOBS Act. Although we have documentation of our internal controls and document and test our compliance with these controls on a periodic basis, our internal control design and effectiveness may not be consistent with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

If, as a public company, we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404(b) by the time that the exemption provided under the JOBS Act expires, or with adequate compliance, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to attest to the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, may suffer adverse regulatory consequences, or may violate applicable stock exchange listing rules. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in our financial statements is also likely to suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm report a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we will incur incremental costs in order to improve our internal control over financial reporting and comply with Section 404, including increased auditing and legal fees and costs associated with hiring additional accounting and administrative staff. For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company,” we intend to take advantage of the JOBS Act exemption from being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement.

“See — Our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to delist our shares from trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market and end our reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.”

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains “forward-looking” statements that are intended to enhance the reader’s ability to assess our future financial and business performance. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that represent our beliefs concerning future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and contain words and phrases such as “may,” “expects,” “should,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends” or similar expressions. In addition, statements that refer to our future financial performance, anticipated growth, trends in our business and in our industry, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different.

Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates, and beliefs with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. Except as required under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and do not undertake, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

The forward-looking statements include, among other things, the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and those listed below:

•

future economic conditions in the markets in which we compete that could be less favorable than expected and could have impacts on demand for our products and services;

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•

our ability to grow and develop our insurance business and successfully develop and market new products and new distribution channels;

​

•

our inability to maintain or grow our strategic partnerships or our inability to realize synergies from our relationship with the standby purchaser;

​

•

our inability to manage future growth and integration of any businesses that we may acquire;

​

•

our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities either through acquisitions or organically;

​

•

financial market conditions, including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and the level and trends of stock market prices causing a reduction of investment income or realized losses and reduction in the value of our investment portfolios;

​

•

increased competition in our business, including the potential impacts of aggressive price competition by other insurance companies, payment of higher commissions to agents that could affect demand for our insurance products and impact the ability to grow and retain agents, and the entry of new competitors and the development of new products by new or existing competitors, resulting in a reduction in the demand for our products and services;

​

•

the effect of legislative, judicial, economic, demographic and regulatory events in the jurisdictions where we do business;

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•

costs, availability and collectability of reinsurance;

​

•

the potential impact on our reported net income that could result from the adoption of future accounting standards issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard-setting bodies; and

​

•

changes in industry trends and financial strength ratings assigned by nationally recognized rating organizations.

​

You should review carefully the section captioned “Risk Factors” in this prospectus for a complete discussion of the material risks of an investment in our common stock.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial and other data for Federal Life Mutual prior to this offering. You should read this data in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. The balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the statement of operations data for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 are derived from our audited financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The balance sheet data as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, and the statement of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 are derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

These historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results.

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29

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate the net proceeds from the offerings will be between $31.1 million at the minimum of the offering range and $43.0 million at the adjusted maximum of the offering range. See the Offering Summary on the front cover of the prospectus for the assumptions used to arrive at these amounts. The amount of net proceeds from the sale of common stock in the offerings will depend on the total number of shares actually sold in the subscription and community offerings, including the shares sold to the standby purchaser. A higher sales commission applies to shares sold to the standby purchaser. In the event shares are sold to the standby purchaser, our commission expense will be higher with respect to those shares, and therefore our net proceeds from the offerings will be correspondingly lower. As a result, the net proceeds from the sale of common stock cannot be determined until the offerings are completed.

The standby purchaser has agreed to loan up to $2,000,000 to Federal Mutual Life to fund expenses incurred by Federal Mutual Life in connection with the conversion and the offerings. In connection with that credit facility, Federal Life Mutual issued a $2,000,000 exchangeable note to the standby purchaser in connection with the signing of the standby stock purchase agreement. The outstanding principal balance of the exchangeable note will automatically convert into shares of our common stock at a price of  $10.00 per share upon completion of the conversion. See “The Conversion and Offering — Description of Standby Stock Purchase Agreement.” Shares issued in connection with the exchangeable note will be counted towards satisfaction of the minimum number of shares that must be sold in the offerings.

We plan to use the net proceeds from the offerings to support our insurance business and possibly to acquire other life insurance companies and related businesses. At least $12,500,000 will be contributed to Federal Life to (i) support organic growth of our life insurance business and annuity business; (ii) fund acquisitions of other life insurance and related businesses; (iii) fund new product launches, including variable rate annuities; and (iv) selectively deploy new capital to retain, acquire, and bolster talent in key areas.

We expect to retain any remaining net proceeds from the offering at Federal Life Group, Inc., to be used for general corporate purposes, including possible acquisitions of other life insurance companies and related businesses. On a short-term basis, the proceeds retained at the holding company will be invested primarily in U.S. government securities, other federal agency securities, and other securities consistent with our investment policy until utilized.

MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

We intend to apply for the listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “FLF.”

We have never issued any capital stock to the public. Consequently, there is no established market for our common stock. The development of a public market having the desirable characteristics of depth, liquidity, and orderliness depends upon the presence in the marketplace of a sufficient number of willing buyers and sellers at any given time. Neither we nor any market maker has any control over the development of such a public market. Although we have applied to have our stock listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, an active trading market is unlikely to develop. This is due, in part, to the fact that a majority of our stock will likely be held by the standby purchaser and our management. One of the requirements for initial listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market is that there are at least three market makers for the common stock. Griffin Financial has indicated that it intends to become a market maker in our common stock following this offering, but is under no obligation to do so. We cannot assure you that there will be three or more market makers for our common stock. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your shares of common stock for a price at or above $10.00 per share, or that approval for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market will be available as contemplated.

Our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to delist our shares from trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market. This would greatly reduce the market for our common stock. See “Risk Factors — Our management and the standby purchaser are likely to seek to delist our shares from trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market and end our reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.”

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Following completion of this offering, our board of directors will have the authority to declare dividends on our shares of common stock, subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. Any decision to pay a dividend will depend on many factors, including our financial condition and results of operations, liquidity requirements, market opportunities, capital requirements of our subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, dividends from our subsidiaries, and other factors as the board of directors deems relevant.

The Company initially will have no significant source of cash flow other than intercompany dividends from Federal Life, if any, and the investment earnings on any net proceeds of the offerings not contributed to Federal Life. Therefore, the payment of dividends by us to shareholders would depend significantly upon our receipt of dividends from Federal Life and the amount of net proceeds of the offerings retained by the Company that may be available for the declaration of dividends.

Federal Life’s ability to pay dividends is subject to restrictions contained in the insurance laws of Illinois, which require that ordinary dividends be reported to the Illinois Department of Insurance prior to payment of the dividend and that extraordinary dividends be submitted for prior approval. An extraordinary dividend is generally defined as a dividend that, together with all other dividends made within the past 12 months, exceeds the greater of 10% of its statutory policyholders’ surplus as of the preceding year end or the statutory net income of the company for the preceding year. Statutory policyholders’ surplus, as determined under statutory accounting principles, or SAP, is the amount remaining after all liabilities, including loss and loss adjustment expenses, are subtracted from all admitted assets. Admitted assets are assets of an insurer prescribed or permitted by a state insurance regulator to be recognized on the statutory balance sheet. Insurance regulators have broad powers to prevent the reduction of statutory surplus to inadequate levels, and there is no assurance that extraordinary dividend payments will be permitted. During the year ending December 31, 2018, Federal Life would be able to pay dividends in the aggregate amount of  $1.49 million without prior approval from the Illinois Department of Insurance.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table displays information regarding the consolidated historical capitalization of Federal Life Mutual and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. The table also displays the pro forma consolidated capitalization of the Company. The pro forma information gives effect to the sale of common stock at the minimum of the estimated valuation range of our consolidated pro forma market value, as determined by the independent evaluation of RP Financial, and the maximum of the estimated valuation range. The various capital positions are displayed based upon the assumptions set forth under “Use of Proceeds.” For additional financial information regarding Federal Life Mutual, see our consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus. The total number of shares to be issued in the conversion will range from 3,400,000 shares to 4,600,000 shares. See “Use of Proceeds” and the subsection entitled “The Conversion and Offering — Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued.”

Capitalization table footnotes (in thousands except share and per share data)

(1)

Pro forma shareholders’ equity is not intended to represent the fair market value of the common stock or the net fair market value of the Company’s assets and liabilities. The amounts indicated also are not intended to represent what would be available for distribution to shareholders, if any, in the event of liquidation. The pro forma data may be materially affected by a change in the number of shares sold in the conversion and by other factors.

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(2)

These pro forma amounts include the estimated net proceeds from the conversion.

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(3)

Does not reflect additional shares of common stock that could be issued pursuant to our stock-based incentive plan. The aggregate amount of common stock issuable under this plan is equal to 480,000 shares. We expect that grants of stock options and restricted stock will be made to our executive officers, directors, and certain employees relating to a total of 355,000 shares of our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan subject to completion of this offering. An undetermined portion of the remaining shares available for issuance under the stock-based incentive plan may be issued from any treasury shares purchased by the Company in the open market. Each of these methods and amounts would have different and varying effects on our shareholders’ equity. Your ownership percentage would decrease by approximately 12.4% if the remaining available shares were issued from our authorized but unissued shares upon the grant of all potential restricted stock awards and the exercise of all potential stock options, assuming 3,400,000 shares were sold in the offerings. No decrease in your ownership percentage will occur if such shares are purchased for the plan on the open market, but shareholders equity will be reduced. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information —  Additional Pro Forma Data” and “Executive Compensation — Equity Compensation in Connection With This Offering — Stock-Based Incentive Plan.”

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 gives effect to the conversion and completion of this offering, as if it had occurred as of December 31, 2017. The data is based on the assumption that 3,400,000 shares of common stock (the minimum number of shares required to be sold in this offering) are sold to eligible members of Federal Life Mutual, the directors and officers of Federal Life Mutual, and the standby purchaser. For information on the impact of transaction sizes above the minimum level, see Additional Pro Forma Data beginning on page 37.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, present our operating results as if this offering was completed as of January 1, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Completion of this offering is contingent on the sale of a minimum of 3,400,000 shares of common stock in this offering. If less than 3,400,000 shares are subscribed for in the subscription offering, the standby purchaser has agreed to purchase any shares not subscribed for in the offerings up to 3,400,000 shares. The standby purchaser currently intends to purchase approximately 2,800,000 shares in the community offering.

The unaudited pro forma information does not claim to represent what our financial position or results of operations would have been had this offering occurred on the dates indicated. This information is not intended to project our financial position or results of operations for any future date or period. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and certain assumptions that we believe are factually supportable and reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, the accompanying notes, and the other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The pro forma adjustments and pro forma amounts are provided for informational purposes only. Our financial statements will reflect the effects of this offering only from the date it is completed.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — Balance Sheet
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)

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Balance Sheet Footnotes (in thousands, except share and per share data):

(1)

The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet, as prepared, gives effect to the sale of the common stock at the minimum of the estimated range of our consolidated pro forma market value, as determined by the independent valuation of RP Financial. The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet is based on the assumptions set forth under “Use of Proceeds.”

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(2)

Pro forma additional paid in capital includes the net proceeds from the conversion as follows:

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(3)

No effect has been given to any issuances of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we have adopted. Under the stock-based incentive plan, we may issue 480,000 shares of our common stock. Of this, 140,000 shares may be granted as restricted stock awards and 340,000 shares may be used to award stock options under the stock-based incentive plan. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options or for purposes of making restricted stock awards under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.4% at the minimum of the offering.

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34

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2017

35

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

Statement of Operations Footnotes (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data):

(1)

We anticipate that we would earn approximately $1,015,000 and $501,500 of investment income, respectively, assuming the net proceeds were received and available for investment as of January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, respectively, and that they were invested with an average annual pre-tax rate of return of 3.23%. This income is not included as it is not “factually supportable” as that term is used in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations and therefore no pro forma adjustment of investment income or realized investment gains are reflected.

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(2)

Includes $350,000 of compensation expense in connection with the granting of 140,000 shares of restricted stock to the Company’s executive officers upon the closing of the offerings, one fourth of which will vest at the end of each year after the date of grant. No pro forma adjustment of general operating expenses has been made to reflect additional costs that we could incur operating as a public company as such amount would not be “factually supportable.” We expect to incur higher operating costs as a public company.

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(3)

No adjustment has been made to reflect any federal income tax effects of note (2) above because the Company has pro forma net loss before income taxes.

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36

(4)

Includes 140,000 shares expected to be granted as restricted stock awards to the Company’s executive officers at the closing of the offerings. No effect has been given to any issuances of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we have adopted. Under the stock-based incentive plan, we may issue 480,000 shares of our common stock. Of this, 140,000 shares may be granted as restricted stock awards and 340,000 shares may be used to award stock options under the stock-based incentive plan. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options or for purposes of making restricted stock awards under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.4% at the minimum of the offering.

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Additional Pro Forma Data

The actual net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in the offering cannot be determined until the offering is completed. However, the offering net proceeds are currently estimated to be between $31.1 million and $43.0 million, based on the following assumptions:

•

Expenses of the conversion and the offering will be $1.0 million; and

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•

Placement agent commissions will equal $1.960 million.

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We have prepared the following table which sets forth our historical net loss and retained earnings prior to the offering and pro forma net loss and shareholders’ equity following the offering. In preparing this table and in calculating the pro forma data, the following assumptions have been made:

•

Pro forma earnings have been calculated assuming the stock had been sold at the beginning of the period; and

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•

Pro forma shareholders’ equity amounts have been calculated as if our common stock had been sold in the offering on December 31, 2017, and, accordingly, no effect has been given to the assumed earning effect of the net proceeds from the offering.

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The following pro forma information may not be representative of the financial effects of the offering at the date on which the offering actually occurs and should not be taken as indicative of future results of operations. The pro forma shareholders’ equity is not intended to represent the fair market value of the common stock and may be different from amounts that would be available for distribution to shareholders in the event of liquidation.

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The following table summarizes historical data and our pro forma data at December 31, 2017, based on the assumptions set forth above and in the table and should not be used as a basis for projection of the market value of the common stock following the completion of the offering.

(1)

No effect has been given to any issuances of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we have adopted. Under the stock-based incentive plan, we may issue 480,000 shares of our common stock. Of this, 140,000 shares may be granted as restricted stock awards and 340,000 shares may be used to award stock options under the stock-based incentive plan. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options or for purposes of making restricted stock awards under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.4% at the minimum of the offering.

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(2)

Includes 35,000 shares that would vest after one year under the grant of 140,000 shares of restricted stock immediately after the closing of the offerings.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis and set forth elsewhere in this prospectus constitutes forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Please see “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” for more information. You should review “Risk Factors” for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained herein.

Overview

We provide life insurance protection targeted to middle class America. Industry data indicates there is a substantial unmet need for life insurance, particularly among domestic households with annual incomes of between $40,000 and $125,000, a market we refer to as the Middle Market. We also offer fixed interest and fixed index annuities, and we intend to introduce variable rate annuity products after completion of the conversion.

We conduct our business through our insurance company subsidiary, Federal Life Insurance Company, an Illinois-domiciled life insurance company. Federal Life sells its life insurance and annuity products through independent agents.

Insurance Business

Our business primarily consists of the operations of Federal Life. Federal Life underwrites primarily life insurance and annuity products through approximately 1,000 independent insurance agents.

Our revenues consist of insurance premiums, spreads on annuity contracts, net investment income, and net realized gains/(losses) on investments. Our distributors consist of the independent insurance agencies that we contract with to sell our insurance products to the ultimate customers (policyholders) who buy our insurance policies. We recognize premium revenue from our policyholders. We purchase reinsurance coverage to help manage the risk on our insurance policies by paying, or ceding, a portion of the policyholder premiums to the reinsurance company. Our net insurance premiums reflect amounts collected from policyholders, plus premiums assumed under reinsurance agreements, less premiums ceded to reinsurance companies. Net investment income represents primarily interest income earned on fixed maturity security investments that we purchase with cash flows from our premium revenues and royalties from oil and gas interests that we acquired in the 1930s and 1940s. These investments support our liability for policy reserves and provide the capital required to operate our insurance business. Capital requirements are primarily established by regulatory authorities. See “— Investments” and “Business — Regulation” and “Business — Risk-Based Capital (RBC) Requirements.”

Expenses consist of benefits paid to policyholders or their beneficiaries under life insurance policies and distributions on annuity contracts. Benefit expenses also include additions to the reserve for future policyholder and annuity holder benefits to recognize our estimated future obligations under the policies and annuity contracts. Insurance benefit expenses are shown net of amounts ceded under our reinsurance contracts. We also incur policy acquisition costs that consist of commissions paid to agents, policy underwriting and issue costs, and variable sales costs. A portion of these policy acquisition costs are deferred and expensed over the life of the insurance policies acquired during the period. Our insurance operations also incur overhead costs for functional and administrative staff to support insurance operations, financial reporting, and information technology. We recognize income (loss) on operations to the extent that premium revenues, net investment income, and realized gains (losses) exceed (are less than) benefit expenses and general operating expenses for the period.

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Strategic Goals

We have identified the following strategic goals to grow our business and achieve the size and scale necessary to return to profitability:

•

Enter into Strategic Partnerships to Expand our Sales and Distribution.   We currently distribute our life insurance and annuity products through approximately 1,000 independent agents. We intend to expand our distribution platform by entering into strategic partnerships with companies that can broaden our distribution channels. We are currently working on establishing an agreement with a leading exchange-traded fund provider that will enable us to introduce and distribute our variable rate annuity product upon its introduction. We believe the standby purchaser can provide assistance in expanding our distribution network. We continue to strive to provide all of our distribution partners with the highest quality service possible.

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•

Pursue Acquisitions of Life Companies and Related Businesses.   We intend to use the additional capital provided by this offering to explore possible acquisitions of other life insurance companies to grow our business and leverage our existing available administrative capacity. We will also explore opportunities to acquire related businesses, such as insurance agencies, that can expand our distribution network.

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•

Continue to Introduce Innovative and Competitive Products.   We intend to be at the forefront of the fixed index and fixed rate annuity industry in developing and introducing innovative and competitive products. We offer a fixed index annuity that allows a choice among interest crediting strategies including both equity indexes as well as a traditional fixed rate strategy. We include a lifetime income benefit rider with our fixed index annuities and have a lifetime income benefit rider with gender-based income payments. After the closing of the offerings, we intend to introduce a variable annuity product. We believe that our continued focus on anticipating and being responsive to the product needs of the ever-growing population of retirees will lead to increased customer loyalty, revenues, and profitability.

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•

Take Advantage of the Growing Popularity of Index Products.   Fixed index and single premium annuities have been profitable for us in both the short-term and long-term and impose minimal or no strain on our statutory surplus. We believe that the growing popularity of fixed index annuity products that allow equity and bond market participation without the risk of loss of the premium deposit presents an attractive opportunity to grow our business. The popularity of fixed index annuity products has increased in recent years with the availability of lifetime income benefit riders that provide an attractive alternative for converting accumulated retirement savings into lifetime income. We believe that there is a significant market for these products as the Baby Boomer generation continues to reach retirement age. We intend to capitalize on our reputation as a provider of fixed index annuities in this expanding segment of the annuity market.

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•

Target Niche Markets for Our Products.   We intend to focus on niche markets for our products, such as the Hispanic market, the direct-to-consumer market, and the senior and retirement planning markets. Federal Life currently has a presence in the Hispanic market and maintains an entirely separate Spanish-language website that features content and themes unique to that target market. Federal Life is also committing substantial resources to upgrade its digital platform and intends to leverage these new digital distribution and service applications to meet the needs of today’s consumers by promoting ease of access to information and efficient sales and customer service. We intend to target the senior and retirement planning markets with our existing fixed index annuity, flexible premium deferred annuity, and final expense plan insurance products.

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•

Focus on High Quality Service to Agents and Policyholders.   We have maintained high quality personal service as one of our highest priorities since the inception of our company and continue to strive for an unprecedented level of timely and accurate service to both our agents and policyholders. We believe high quality service is one of our strongest competitive advantages.

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•

Target Direct-to-Consumer Sales.   We are committing substantial resources to upgrade our digital platform to provide digital distribution and sales applications to meet the demands of today’s consumers by promoting ease of access to information and efficiency between sales and customer service. This permits us to generate more business from new and existing customers. We intend to provide access to our single premium deferred annuity, flexible premium deferred annuity, and single premium whole life products through the online platform that we are currently upgrading.

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Factors Affecting Our Results

Accuracy of Our Pricing Assumptions

In order for our life insurance operations to be profitable, we must achieve product experience consistent with our pricing assumptions. We price our products using a number of assumptions that are designed to support the desired level of profitability. The key assumptions made are investment return (the investment income that we will earn on the funds held to support reserves and capital requirements), persistency (the number of lapsed policies that we expect by each policy year), mortality (our future claims experience), and operating expenses, which includes the commission rate that we pay to the agents that market our insurance products. Additionally, we make assumptions about the characteristics of our insureds including age, sex, underwriting class, and coverage amounts purchased. Our operating results will be affected by variances between our pricing assumptions and our actual experience.

Investment Returns

We invest our free cash flow and funds that support our regulatory capital, surplus requirements, and policy reserves in investment securities that are included in our insurance and corporate segments. We earn income on these investments in the form of interest on fixed maturity securities (bonds and mortgage-backed securities) and dividends (equity holdings). Investment income is recorded net of investment related expenses as revenue. The amount of net investment income that we recognize will vary depending on the amount of invested assets that we own, the types of investments we own, the interest rates earned, and amount of dividends received on our investments.

Gains and losses on sales of investments and fair value changes in investments accounted for by the equity method are classified as “realized investment gains (losses)” and recorded as revenue. Capital appreciation and depreciation caused by changes in the market value of investments classified as “available for sale” is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amount of investment gains and losses that we recognize depends on the amount of and the types of invested assets we own and the market conditions related to those investments. Our cash needs can vary from time to time and could require that we sell invested assets to fund cash needs.

The low interest rate environment has resulted in our current reinvestment yields being lower than the overall portfolio yield, primarily for our investments in fixed maturity securities. Although the Federal Reserve has raised key short-term interest rates multiple times since the end of 2015, medium and long-term interest rates continue near historic lows. If medium and long-term interest rates remain at their current level, our portfolio yields can be expected to continue to decline in future periods. With the additional capital provided by the offering, we may rebalance our investment portfolio to seek higher yields on our securities investments. Higher yielding investments usually are associated with higher investment risks, which may result in us recognizing higher other than temporary impairments.

For our fixed maturity securities available for sale as of December 31, 2017, the annual scheduled payments through 2020, along with the average interest rate, are shown in the following schedule:

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As these assets mature, or are pre-paid, the current average book yield on fixed maturity securities available for sale of 3.98% at December 31, 2017 is expected to decline due to reinvesting in a lower interest rate environment. The average book yield that we would expect to receive on reinvesting in similar types and similarly rated securities was 3.23% as of December 31, 2017, which is equivalent to the market yield on our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2017, we had $219.7 million of insurance liabilities and policyholder and annuity account balances. Of this amount, $81.3 million represents contracts with guaranteed minimum crediting rates that are at the guaranteed minimum rate, as shown in the following schedule:

(1)

The table above is not adjusted for policy loans

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The reinvestment of scheduled payments and pre-payments at rates below the current average book yield will impact future operating results to the extent we are unable to reinvest at a rate at least equal to the crediting rate. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we also had $98.6 million of insurance liabilities representing participating contracts. The policyholder dividends for these contracts are determined annually, based on, among other factors, the experience, including investment experience, of the policies.

Assuming the investment rate is our average rate of 3.23%, as of December 31, 2017, for the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, and credit spreads remain unchanged from levels as of December 31, 2017, we estimate that the unfavorable impact to net interest margins compared to the average interest rate of securities maturing and prepaying would be $100,000 in 2018.

Persistency Experience

We use our historical experience to develop our assumptions as to the amount and timing of future policy lapses. If actual policy lapse rates exceed the lapse rates assumed in pricing our products, we will experience a faster write-off of our deferred acquisition costs and lower premium revenues. If a policy lapses within a few years after issuance, we may not receive enough premium to cover all of our acquisition costs for the policy.

Mortality Experience

We use our historical experience combined with industry experience to develop our assumptions for the level, frequency, and pattern of future claims experience. If our actual experience differs from historical industry experience, we may incur claims in excess of the reserves that we have established.

Operating Expenses

Our level of operating expenses affects our reported net income (loss). Our general operating expenses include expenses that vary based on the growth in our revenues. Policy acquisition costs vary with the amount of first year premium each period, and variable policy administration costs increase as our number of insurance policies in force increase. We also incur other expenses for projects and initiatives designed to increase growth or improve operational efficiency. Our expenses also include amounts spent on general and administrative expenses required to support our business operations, such as financial reporting, rent, information technology, and other costs. These expenses are fixed costs that do not vary directly with business growth.

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Income Taxes

We record federal income tax expense on our operating results. We file a consolidated federal income tax return.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies are described in Note 2 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The accounting policies discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in making estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. We regularly evaluate our estimates and judgments based on historical experience, market indicators, and other relevant factors and circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions and may affect our financial position and results of operations.

Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities

Our fixed maturity securities are classified as “available-for-sale” securities which are carried at fair value on the balance sheet. Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. For investments that are not actively traded, the determination of fair value requires us to make a significant number of assumptions and judgments. Fair value determinations include consideration of both observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. Security pricing is applied using a hierarchy approach.

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets the Company can access.

Level 2 — This Level includes fixed maturity securities priced principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments on inactive markets; and model-derived valuations for which all significant inputs are observable market data. Level 2 instruments include most corporate debt securities and U.S. government and agency mortgage-backed securities that are valued by models using inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Fair values are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. Level 3 instruments include less liquid securities for which significant inputs are unobservable in the market, such as structured securities and private placement bonds that require significant management assumptions or estimation in the fair value measurement. Level 3 hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. Level 3 instruments also include a private placement equity fund.

At December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of our investments by fair value hierarchy was as follows:

Level 1 securities include principally U.S. Treasury bonds and exchange-traded funds that are valued based on quoted market prices for identical assets.

All of the fair values of our fixed maturity and equity securities within Level 2 are based on prices obtained from independent pricing services. For fixed maturity securities that do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing services prepare estimates of fair value measurements using their pricing applications which

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incorporate a variety of inputs including, but not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/​dealer quotes, issuer spreads, and U.S. Treasury curves. Specifically for asset-backed securities, key inputs include prepayment and default projections based on past performance of the underlying collateral and current market data. Securities with validated quotes from pricing services are reflected within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as they generally are based on observable pricing for similar assets or other market significant observable inputs.

Level 3 fair value classification consists primarily of investments in commercial real estate funds where the fair value of the security is determined by the asset manager based on an independent appraisal.

If we believe the pricing information received from third party pricing services is not reflective of market activity or other inputs observable in the market, we may challenge the price through a formal process with the pricing service. Historically, we have not challenged or updated the prices provided by third-party pricing services. However, any such updates by a pricing service to be more consistent with the presented market observations, or any adjustments made by us to prices provided by third-party pricing services, would be reflected in the balance sheet for the current period.

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the Level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest Level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Thus, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Level 1 or Level 2) and unobservable (Level 3).

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Available-For-Sale Securities

Securities that are classified as available-for-sale are subject to market declines below amortized cost (a gross unrealized loss position). When a gross unrealized loss position occurs the security is considered impaired. Quarterly or more frequently when necessary, we review each impaired security to identify whether the impairment may be other-than-temporary (“OTTI”) and require the recognition of an impairment loss in the current period earnings. Indication of OTTI includes potential credit deterioration whether due to ratings downgrades, unexpected price variances, and/or other company or industry specific concerns. A number of factors are considered in determining whether or not a decline in a specific security is other-than-temporary, including our current intention or need to sell the security or an indication that a credit loss exists. An impairment loss will be recorded if our intention is to sell an impaired security or it is considered to be more likely than not we will be required to sell the security. An impairment loss will be recorded to the extent that we determine that the impaired security will experience a credit loss.

Our review of our available-for-sale securities for impairment includes an analysis of impaired securities in terms of severity and/or age of the gross unrealized loss. Additionally, we consider a wide range of factors about the security issuer and use our best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the likelihood of near-term recovery. Inherent in our evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential that includes the evaluation of the financial condition and expected near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer, collateral position, the relevant industry conditions and trends, and whether expected cash flows will be sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.

The credit loss component of fixed maturity security impairment is calculated as the difference between amortized cost of the security and the present value of the expected cash flows of the security. The present value is determined using the best estimate of cash flows discounted at the effective rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or prior impairment. The methodology and assumptions for estimating the cash flows vary depending on the type of security. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates, including prepayment assumptions, are based on data from widely accepted third-party sources or internal estimates. In addition to prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates vary based on assumptions regarding the underlying collateral characteristics, expectations of delinquency and default rates, and structural support, including subordination and guarantees. If the present value of the modeled expected cash flows equals or exceeds the amortized cost of a security, no credit loss exists and the security is considered to be temporarily impaired. If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, the security may be determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons and recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The portion of the OTTI that is not considered a credit loss is recognized as OTTI in accumulated comprehensive income.

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We had no other-than-temporarily impaired securities at December 31, 2017 or 2016.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (DAC)

For our insurance and annuity business, the costs of acquiring new business are deferred to the extent that they are directly related to the successful acquisition of insurance or annuity contracts. Deferred acquisition costs include commissions paid in the first policy year that are in excess of the ultimate renewal commissions payable on the policy. We also defer costs associated with policy underwriting and issuance related to the successful acquisition of insurance contracts. Non-deferred first year acquisition costs that are expensed as incurred include expenses that do not meet the definition of a deferrable cost, which includes the acquisition costs incurred on insurance applications that do not result in an in-force policy (unsuccessful efforts).

The amortization of DAC for traditional life insurance products is determined as a level proportion of premiums based on actuarial methods and assumptions about mortality, morbidity, lapse rates, expenses, and future yield on related investments, established by us at the time the policy is issued. GAAP requires that assumptions for these types of products not be modified while the policy is outstanding. Amortization is adjusted each period to reflect policy lapse or termination rates compared to anticipated experience. Accordingly, acceleration of DAC amortization could occur if policies terminate earlier than originally assumed. We establish the assumptions used to determine DAC amortization based on estimates using company experience and other relevant information that is used to price the products. We monitor our actual experience and will update the actuarial factors applied to future policy issues if warranted. The selection of actuarial assumptions requires considerable judgment and has inherent uncertainty. Should actual policy lapse experience be higher than that assumed during a reporting period, we will amortize our DAC balance faster and report lower net income.

We evaluate the recoverability of our DAC asset as part of our premium deficiency testing. If a premium deficiency exists, we reduce DAC by the amount of the deficiency through a charge to current period earnings (loss). If the deficiency is more than the recognized DAC balance, we reduce the DAC balance to zero and increase the reserve for future policy benefits by the excess with a corresponding charge to current period earnings (loss). See “Future Policy Benefit Reserves” below for more information on premium deficiency testing.

For annuity products, DAC is amortized generally in proportion to expected gross profits from investment spreads, including the cost of hedging the fixed indexed annuity obligations, and, to a lesser extent, from product charges net of expected excess payments for lifetime income benefit riders, and mortality and expense margins. Current and future period gross profits/margins for fixed index annuities also include the impact of amounts recorded for the change in fair value of derivatives and the change in fair value of embedded derivatives. That amortization is adjusted retrospectively through an unlocking process when estimates of current or future gross profits/margins (including the impact of net realized gains on investments and net OTTI losses recognized in operations) to be realized from a group of products are revised. Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements are also adjusted for the change in amortization that would have occurred if available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities had been sold at their aggregate fair value at the end of the reporting period and the proceeds reinvested at current yields. The impact of this adjustment is included in accumulated other comprehensive income within consolidated stockholders’ equity, net of applicable taxes. See Note 2 to our audited financial statements at page F-1 for more information on deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements.

Future Policy Benefit Reserves

We calculate and maintain reserves for estimated future claims payments to policyholders using actuarial assumptions in accordance with industry practice and GAAP. Many factors affect these reserves, including mortality trends, policy persistency, and investment returns. We establish our reserves based on estimates, assumptions, and our analysis of historical experience.

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The calculation of future policy reserves requires the use of significant judgment and is inherently uncertain. If our actual experience differs from the experience assumed in establishing our reserves, the impact of these differences is reflected in the results of operations in each period. If actual claims are higher than assumed claims experience, our reported income (loss) will be reduced (increased) for the periods in which this experience occurs. If actual policy lapses are higher than that assumed, our future policy benefit reserves will be reduced for the period in which this experience occurs.

The primary reserve method that is used in calculation of our future policy benefit reserves is the net level premium method. The net level premium method requires that the future policy benefit reserves are accrued as a level proportion of the premium paid by the policyholder. In applying this method, we use a number of actuarial assumptions that represent management’s best estimate at the time the contract was issued with the addition of a margin for adverse deviation. Actuarial assumptions include estimates of morbidity, mortality, policy persistency, discount rates, and expenses over the life of the contracts.

A premium deficiency can exist if the discounted present value of future net premiums is not sufficient to cover anticipated future claims and future DAC amortization. To assess the adequacy of our benefit reserves, we annually perform premium deficiency testing for each of our product groups. In performing our premium deficiency testing we compute our reserves using best estimate assumptions as of the date of the test without provision for adverse deviation. We then compare the results of the recomputed reserves to the recorded reserves net of the DAC asset. If reserves determined using best estimate assumptions are lower than the recorded net GAAP liability, no premium deficiency exists and no adjustments are recorded. If reserves determined based on management’s current best estimate assumptions are greater than the existing reserves net of the deferred acquisition costs asset, we first reduce the amount of recorded DAC to eliminate the premium deficiency. If DAC is reduced to zero but the premium deficiency has not been eliminated, reserves are increased to eliminate the premium deficiency. Recording a premium deficiency will reduce our reported net income, or increase our reported loss, for the period.

In connection with our premium deficiency testing on our most significant business lines, we performed sensitivity analyses on our life and annuities business lines to capture the effect that certain key assumptions have on expected future cash flows and the impact of those assumptions on the adequacy of DAC balances and GAAP benefit reserves. The sensitivity tests are performed independently, without consideration for any correlation among the key assumptions.

We performed the following sensitivity tests as of December 31, 2017:

•

future lapse assumptions increased by a multiplicative factor of 1.10,

​

•

future mortality increased by a multiplicative factor of 1.10 for all blocks except direct annuities; for direct annuities, mortality was decreased by multiplying baseline mortality by a multiplicative factor of 0.90, and

​

•

future investment yield assumptions were lowered by 10 basis points.

​

Under all tests described above, the DAC was still recoverable on the life and the annuity lines. Additionally, the benefit reserve under these tests was demonstrated to be adequate.

Income Taxes

We record federal income tax expense in our consolidated statements of earnings based on pre-tax income as determined using GAAP accounting. The timing of the recognition of certain income and expense items for GAAP accounting can differ from the timing of recognition of the same income and expense items in our federal tax returns. The timing of recognition in the federal tax return is based on tax laws and regulations. As a result, the annual tax expense reflected in our consolidated statements of earnings is different than that reported in the tax returns. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred taxes for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in future years for which we have already recorded the tax benefit in our income statement. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized in our financial statements for which payment has been deferred, or expenditures for which we have already taken a deduction in our tax return but have not yet been recognized in our financial statements. Under

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GAAP we are required to evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and establish a valuation allowance if necessary to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining whether valuation allowances should be established, as well as the amount of such allowances.

We establish or adjust valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when we estimate that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be insufficient to fully use a deduction or credit. In assessing the need for the recognition of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized and adjust the valuation allowance accordingly. We evaluate all significant available positive and negative evidence as part of our analysis. Negative evidence includes the existence of losses in recent years. Positive evidence includes the forecast of future taxable income, tax-planning strategies that would result in the realization of deferred tax assets, and the presence of taxable income in prior carryback years. The underlying assumptions we use in forecasting future taxable income require significant judgment and take into account our recent performance. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences are deductible or creditable. If actual experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, the recorded deferred tax asset may not be fully realized, resulting in an increase to income tax expense in our results of operations.

With the current valuation allowance, the current tax benefit is limited.

Principal Revenue and Expense Items

Revenues

Our primary revenue sources are life insurance premiums, net spreads on annuity contract deposits, net investment income, realized investment gains and losses, and other income.

Net Premiums

Net premiums consist of direct life insurance premiums due and collected from our policyholders on in-force insurance policies, less reinsurance premiums paid to reinsurers. Direct premiums are recorded in our insurance segment and classified as first year premiums when they relate to the first calendar year coverage period. Premiums for policies outside their first calendar year are called renewal premiums.

Net Spreads on Annuity Contract Deposits

We recognize income on the difference between the crediting rate on annuity contracts that we have issued and the return on the investments underlying the annuity contract, less the cost of hedging the return on such investments in the case of index annuities.

Net Investment Income

Investment income consists of income generated from our investment portfolio and is recorded net of related expenses incurred to manage our investments. Investment income primarily consists of interest income earned on fixed maturity investments and dividends earned on our equity holdings, net of related expenses incurred to manage our investments, and royalties received with respect to oil and gas rights that we hold.

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Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

Net realized investment gains (losses) result from sales of investment securities and OTTI for estimated credit losses of fixed income investments.

Other Revenue

Other revenue consists of fee income from the separate account business.

Benefits and Expenses

This category consists of benefits to policyholders, which include policyholder dividends and policyholder dividend obligations (PDO), interest credited to policyholder and contract holder balances, general operating expenses and amortization of DAC.

•

Life Insurance Benefits

​

Benefit expenses include claims paid or payable on in-force insurance policies, as well as the change in our reserves for future policy benefits during the period. Benefit expenses are reduced by amounts ceded to reinsurance companies with whom we contract to share policy risks.

•

Interest Credited to Policyholder and Contractholder Account Balances

​

The interest credited primarily relates to amounts that contractholders earn on any contractholder deposits from our annuity contracts and other amounts left on deposit with us. Our universal life policies and annuity contracts require Federal Life to periodically establish the crediting rate to be paid on policyholder and contractholder deposits.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating expenses include policy acquisition costs in excess of amounts that qualify for deferral, ceding commissions received on ceded reinsurance in excess of amounts deferred, variable policy administration costs, general overhead and administration costs, and insurance premium taxes and assessments paid to various states. Overhead and administrative expenses include employee costs (salaries, bonuses, and benefits), information technology, and costs of third party administrators and other contractors.

Amortization of DAC

DAC amortization represents the actuarially determined reduction in the DAC asset for the period. The amount of acquisition cost amortization recognized each period is based on actual factors established when the insurance contracts were written.

Amortization of Sales Inducement Costs

Sales inducements such as bonuses on index annuity products are capitalized and amortized over the expected term of the product.

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Results of Operations

The major components of operating revenues, benefits and expenses, and net (loss) income are as follows (in thousands):

FLMHC Consolidated Results of Operations
(dollars in thousands)

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2017, revenues were $23.0 million compared to $25.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease of  $2.2 million (8.7%) results primarily from decreases in net insurance premiums and net investment income, which was partially offset by an increase in realized investment gains. Net insurance premiums decreased by $2.4 million primarily due to lower sales of the Company’s life insurance products and more ceded premium, and net investment income decreased by $298,000 as a result of an overall decrease in the effective yield due to investment asset base mix. Realized investment gains increased by $445,000 primarily due to the increased sales of mineral rights by Americana Realty Company.

Benefits and Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2017, total benefits and expenses were $24.9 million compared to $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease of  $2.3 million (8.5%) was due primarily to a decrease in life claims of  $700,000 and lower annuity surrenders of  $500,000 and lower operating costs of  $200,000.

Net Loss Before Taxes

For the year ended December 31, 2017, we had a loss before taxes of  $1.9 million, which was an improvement of  $89,000 from 2016.

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Tax Expense

Our income tax expense was $34,000 for both 2017 and for 2016.

Insurance Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2017, net insurance premiums were $12.1 million compared to $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease of  $2.3 million (16.4%) was attributable mainly to a $2.3 million decrease in life net premiums (16.4%). The decrease in life net premium revenue was due primarily to a $1.1 million decrease in premiums from our single premium whole life product and higher ceded premiums of  $656,000 as a result of a new reinsurance treaty.

Net Investment Income

For the year ended December 31, 2017, net investment income was $8.5 million compared to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease of  $300,000 (3.4%) is due to lower yields on invested assets as maturing investments were reinvested at lower interest rates.

Net Realized Investment Gains

For the year ended December 31, 2017, realized investment gains were $2.2 million compared with realized investment gains of  $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase of  $445,000 (24.7%) was mainly due to larger gains from sales of mineral rights, partially offset by lower gains on equity securities.

Other Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2017, other revenues were $194,000 compared with $173,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase of  $21,000 (12.1%) is primarily due to higher fee income from our separate account business in 2017.

Policyholder Benefits

For the year ended December 31, 2017, policyholder benefits were $13.7 million compared with $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease of  $2.4 million (14.7%) resulted mainly from reduced claim benefits of  $687,000 (6.7%) and a $1.1 million (1.5%) decrease in life benefit reserves due to ceding more business under our reinsurance treaty. The decrease in incurred claims benefits were due to lower life claims.

Interest Credit to Policyholders

For the year ended December 31, 2017, interest credited was $386,000 compared to $315,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase of  $71,000 (22.5%) is due to lower account balances in 2016.

Operating Costs and Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2017, operating costs and expenses were $7.9 million compared to $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease of  $210,000 (2.6%) was mainly due to an increase in deferrable expenses.

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs

For the year ended December 31, 2017, amortization of deferred acquisition and sales inducement costs was $2.1 million compared to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase of $232,000 (12.4%) resulted primarily from amortization of a higher deferred acquisition balance at the end of 2016 than at the end of 2015.

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Change in fair value of derivatives

Our derivatives consist of call options and call option spreads purchased to fund annual index credits on fixed index annuities. The components of change in fair value of derivatives are as follows:

The differences between the change in fair value of derivatives between years for call options are primarily due to the performance of the indices upon which our call options are based. A substantial portion of our call options are based upon the S&P 500 Index. The range of index appreciation (after applicable caps and participation rates) for options expiring during these years is as follows:

The change in fair value of derivatives is also influenced by the aggregate cost of options purchased. The aggregate cost of options has increased primarily due to an increased amount of fixed index annuities in force. The aggregate cost of options is also influenced by the amount of policyholder funds allocated to the various indices and market volatility which affects option pricing. See Note 5 to our audited financial statements at page F-18 “Derivative Instruments”

Annuity product charges

Annuity product charges (surrender charges assessed against policy withdrawals and fees deducted from policyholder account balances for lifetime income benefit riders) increased 340% to $102,584 in 2017 from $23,308 in 2016. The components of annuity product charges are set forth in the table that follows:

The increases in annuity product charges were primarily attributable to growth and aging of the business attributable to higher volume of business on which lifetime income benefit rider charges were assessed and increased surrenders for which surrender charges were imposed. See “— Interest sensitive and index benefit products” below for corresponding expense recognized on lifetime income benefit riders. Surrender charges increased in 2017 and 2016 due to an increase in withdrawals from annuity policies subject to surrender charges as compared to prior years.

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Interest sensitive and index benefit products

Account values for interest sensitive and index benefit products increased 10.2% to $109.5 million in 2017 from $99.4 million in 2016. The components of interest sensitive and index benefit products are summarized as follows:

The changes in index credits were attributable to changes in the level of appreciation of the underlying indices (see discussion above under “— Change in fair value of derivatives”) and the amount of funds allocated by policyholders to the respective index options. Total net proceeds received upon expiration of the call options purchased to fund the annual index credits were $154,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, while there were no net proceeds received in 2016. The increase in interest credited in 2017 was primarily due to an increase in the amount of annuity liabilities outstanding receiving a fixed rate of interest. The average amount of annuity liabilities outstanding (net of annuity liabilities ceded under coinsurance agreements) increased 11.7% to $63.7 million in 2017 from $57.0 million in 2016. See “— Annuity product charges.”

Net loss

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the net loss was $1.9 million compared to a net loss of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Lower insurance revenues and investment income in 2017 were mostly offset by higher realized gains on investments and lower policyholder benefits expense from a reduction in the reserve for future benefit claims.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

Revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenues were $[•] million compared to $[•] million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $[•] million ([•]%) results from partially offsetting revenue increases and decreases in certain lines. Net insurance premiums increased by $[•] million primarily due to higher renewal premiums in the Company’s life insurance products and net investment income increased by $[•] million as a result of an overall increase in the effective yield due to investment asset base mix. Realized investment losses decreased by $[•] million primarily due to the increased market value of equity securities in 2017.

Benefits and Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, total benefits and expenses were $[•] million compared to $[•] million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $[•] million ([•]) was due to increases in net life insurance benefits of  $[•] million due to higher incurred death claims as well as the growth of the amount of in-force life insurance and aging of our in-force blocks of business, partially offset by lower interest credited on the assumed annuities block and lower DAC amortization mainly due to improved policy persistency.

Loss Before Income Taxes

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we had a loss before taxes of  $[•] million compared to a loss before taxes of  $[•] million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increased loss of  $[•] million ([•]%) was due to higher life and annuity claim benefits, partially offset by higher net insurance premiums and realized investment gains.

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Tax Expense

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, income tax benefit was $[•] million compared to an income tax benefit of  $[•] million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase of  $[•] million reflects the recognition of an operating loss tax benefit in 2017 as a result of the pre-tax operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Income Taxes.”

Insurance Revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net insurance premiums were $     million compared to $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $     million (    %) was comprised of a $     million increase in life net premiums (    %). The increase in life net premium revenue was due primarily to higher premium renewals and increased sales.

Net Investment Income

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net investment income was $     million compared to $      million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $     million (    %) is partially due to a $    million increase in     , partially offset by a $    million decrease in interest income from bonds. Further contributing to the increase is a decline in investment related expenses.

Net Realized Investment Gains

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, realized investment gains were $     million compared with realized investment losses of  $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $    million (    %) was due to increased fair value of common stock held of  $    million, a $    million increase in mark to market losses on      and     .

Other Revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, other revenues were $    million compared with $      million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This decrease of  $    million (    %) is primarily due to     .

Benefits and Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, life and annuity claim benefits were $     million compared with $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $     million (    %) resulted from higher incurred claim benefits of  $    million (    %), and increased reserve charges of $      million (    %). The increase in incurred claims benefits were due to higher incurred claims in life insurance of  $     million, resulting primarily from growth in the amount of insurance in force and aging of the block of business. The reserve charge increase of  $     million is also due to growth in the amount of in-force insurance and aging of the block of business.

Interest Credit to Policyholders

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, interest credited was $     million compared to $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This decrease of  $     million (    %) is due to reduced interest credited on lower annuity contractholder account balances and lower deposit type account balances.

Operating Costs and Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, operating costs and expenses were $     million compared to $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase of  $    million (    %) was mainly due to a $     million increase in salaries and benefits million primarily due to the higher additional head count in 2018. Also contributing to the increased salaries and benefits is $     million in increased incentive compensation payout for 2017. Partially offsetting the increase in salaries and benefits are decreased variable policy administrative costs resulting predominantly from     .

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Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $     million compared to $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. This decrease of  $     million (    %) resulted primarily from lower DAC amortization in 201__. This decrease is partially offset by increased DAC amortization in      of  $     million resulting primarily from higher deferred acquisition cost balances due to overall sales growth of       products and higher policy lapses.

Change in fair value of derivatives

Our derivatives consist of call options purchased to fund annual index credits on fixed index annuities. The components of change in fair value of derivatives are as follows:

The differences between the change in fair value of derivatives between years for call options are primarily due to the performance of the indices upon which our call options are based. A substantial portion of our call options are based upon the S&P 500 Index with the remainder based upon other equity and bond market indices. The range of index appreciation (after applicable caps, participation rates and asset fees) for options expiring during these years is as follows:

The change in fair value of derivatives is also influenced by the aggregate costs of options purchased. The aggregate cost of options has increased primarily due to an increased amount of fixed index annuities in force. The aggregate cost of options is also influenced by the amount of policyholder funds allocated to the various indices and market volatility which affects option pricing. See Note 5 to our audited financial statements at page F-1 “Critical Accounting Policies — Policy Liabilities for Fixed Index Annuities.”

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Annuity product charges

Annuity product charges (surrender charges assessed against policy withdrawals and fees deducted from policyholder account balances for lifetime income benefit riders) increased     % to $     in 2018 from $     in 2017. The components of annuity product charges are set forth in the table that follows:

The increases in annuity product charges were primarily attributable to increases in fees assessed for lifetime income benefit riders due to a larger volume of business in force subject to the fee and an increase in the average fees being charged due to higher fees on new products as compared to prior periods. See “— Interest sensitive and index product benefits” below for corresponding expense recognized on lifetime income benefit riders. Surrender charges increased in 2018 and 2017 due to an increase in withdrawals from annuity policies subject to surrender charges as compared to prior years.

Interest sensitive and index product benefits

Interest sensitive and index benefit products increased     % to $     million in 2018 from $      million in 2017. The components of interest sensitive and index product benefits are summarized as follows:

The changes in index credits were attributable to changes in the level of appreciation of the underlying indices (see discussion above under “— Change in fair value of derivatives”) and the amount of funds allocated by policyholders to the respective index options. Total proceeds received upon expiration of the call options purchased to fund the annual index credits were $     million and $     million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in interest credited in 2018 was primarily due to a decrease in the average rate credited to the annuity liabilities outstanding receiving a fixed rate of interest. The average amount of annuity liabilities outstanding (net of annuity liabilities ceded under coinsurance agreements) increased     % to $     million in 2018 from $     million in 2017. The decrease in benefits recognized for lifetime income benefit riders in 2018 was due to the impact of revisions to assumptions used in determining reserves held for lifetime income benefit riders being less in 2018 than it was in 2017 which was partially offset by an increase in the number of policies with lifetime income benefit riders which correlates to the increase in fees discussed in “— Annuity product charges.”

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Net (loss) income

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the net loss was $     million compared to a net loss of $    million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in the net loss of  $     million (    %) resulted primarily from increases in life and annuity benefits and general operating expenses and a decrease in tax benefit, partially offset by increased revenues and lower DAC amortization.

Investments

Investment Guidelines

Our investment strategy and guidelines are developed by management and approved by our board of directors. Our investment strategy is designed to maintain a well-diversified, high quality fixed income portfolio that will provide adequate levels of net investment income and liquidity to meet our policyholder obligations under our life insurance policies and our annuity deposits. To help maintain liquidity we establish the duration of invested assets within a tolerance to the policy liability duration. The investments are managed with an emphasis on current income within quality and diversification constraints. The focus is on book yield of the fixed income portfolio as the anticipated portfolio yield is a key element used in pricing our insurance products and establishing policyholder crediting rates on our annuity contracts. We also maintain a small equity portfolio consisting of investments in exchange-traded funds. With the additional capital provided by the offering, we may rebalance our investment portfolio to seek higher yields on our securities investments. Higher yielding investments usually are associated with higher investment risks, which may result in us recognizing higher other-than-temporary impairments.

We apply our overall investment strategy and guidelines on a consolidated basis for purposes of monitoring compliance with our overall guidelines. All of our investments are owned by Federal Life and are maintained in compliance with insurance regulations. Critical guidelines of our investment plan include:

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Asset concentration guidelines that limit the amount that we hold in any one issuer of securities;

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Asset quality guidelines applied on a portfolio basis and for individual issues that establish a minimum asset quality standard for portfolios and establish minimum asset quality standards for investment purchases and investment holding;

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Liquidity guidelines that limit the amount of illiquid assets that can be held at any time; and

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Diversification guidelines that limit the exposure of the total portfolio to investment sectors.

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Our investment portfolios are managed by our internal investment staff. We contract with an investment management firm to provide overall assistance with certain types of investment products. This investment management firm reports to our Chief Financial Officer and to Federal Life’s Board of Directors. On a quarterly basis, or more frequently if circumstances require, we review the performance of all portfolios with the Federal Life Board of Directors.

The following table shows the distribution of the fixed maturity securities by quality rating using the rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Over the periods presented, we have maintained a consistent weighted average bond quality rating of  “A.” Ratings assigned by Moody’s have been used for securities not rated by Standard & Poor’s.

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