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United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to           
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-49762
Triple-S Management Corporation
     
Puerto Rico   66-0555678
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)   (I.R.S. ID)
1441 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, San Juan, PR 00920
(787) 749-4949
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $40.00 Par Value
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES o NO þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  o  Accelerated filer  o  Non-accelerated filer  þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). o YES þ NO
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of December 31, 2005 was $356,160. *
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 15, 2006 was 8,904.
 
*  The Articles of Incorporation of Triple-S Management Corporation (TSM) provide for redemption of the common stock of TSM at the original amount paid by the shareholder. There is no established public trading market for TSM’s common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2006 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 

 


 

Triple-S Management Corporation
FORM 10-K
For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005
INDEX
             
           
  Business     3  
  Risk Factors     11  
  Unresolved Staff Comments     15  
  Properties     15  
  Legal Proceedings     15  
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     18  
 
           
           
  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     18  
  Selected Financial Data     19  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     19  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     40  
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     43  
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures     44  
  Controls and Procedures     44  
  Other Information     44  
 
           
           
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     44  
  Executive Compensation     44  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     44  
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     44  
  Principal Accounting Fees and Services     45  
 
           
Part IV
           
  Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules     45  
 
  Signatures     47  
  EX-10.14 REINSURANCE AGREEMENT, GREAT AMERICAN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF PUERTO RICO
  EX-10.15 PURCHASE AGREEMENT, 6.30% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES DUE SEPTEMBER 2019
  EX-10.16 PURCHASE AGREEMENT, 6.60% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES DUE DECEMBER 2020
  EX-31.1 TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
  EX-14.1 CODE OF ETHICS
  EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
  EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO
  EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
  EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO

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Part I
Item 1. Business.
General Description of Business and Recent Developments
Triple-S Management Corporation (we, TSM or the Corporation) is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on January 17, 1997. It is the holding company of several entities, through which it offers a wide range of insurance products and services. These products and services are offered through the following TSM wholly-owned subsidiaries:
    Triple-S, Inc. (TSI), a health insurance company serving two major segments: the Commercial Program and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Health Reform Program (the Reform);
 
    Seguros Triple-S, Inc. (STS), a property and casualty insurance company; and
 
    Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc. (SVTS), a life and disability insurance and annuity products company.
TSM’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the regulations and supervision of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the Commissioner of Insurance). The regulations and supervision of the Commissioner of Insurance consist primarily of: the approval of certain policy forms and rates, the standards of solvency that must be met and maintained by insurers and their agents, and the nature of and limitations on investments, deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders, methods of accounting, periodic examinations and the form and content of reports of financial condition required to be filed, among others. In general, such regulations are for the protection of policyholders rather than security holders.
In addition to the insurance subsidiaries mentioned above, TSM has the following other wholly-owned subsidiaries: Interactive Systems, Inc. (ISI) and Triple-C, Inc. (TCI). ISI provides data processing services to Triple-S Management Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Corporation). TCI is currently engaged as the third-party administrator in the administration of the Corporation’s Reform segment described under “Health Insurance – Reform Segment”. It also provides healthcare advisory and other health-related services to TSI and other third-parties.
All of the premiums generated by the insurance subsidiaries are generated from customers within Puerto Rico. In addition, all long-lived assets, other than financial instruments, including deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred tax assets of the Corporation, are located in Puerto Rico.
Effective January 31, 2006, TSM acquired 100% of the common stock of Great American Assurance Company of Puerto Rico (GA Life) for $37.5 million. As a result of this acquisition, the Corporation expects to be one of the leading providers of life insurance policies in Puerto Rico. During 2006, TSM expects to merge the operations of GA Life with those of its existing life insurance subsidiary, SVTS. The results of operations and financial condition of the Corporation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K do not reflect the acquisition or the operations of GA Life since the transaction was not completed until 2006.
On January 13, 2006 TSM announced that its Board of Directors (the Board) had authorized and directed management to start the process of transforming the Corporation from a privately-held entity into a publicly traded entity.
Also on January 13, 2006, the Board declared a cash dividend of $6.2 million distributed pro rata among the entire Corporation’s issued and outstanding common shares, excluding those shares issued to representatives of the community that are members of the Board (the qualifying shares). All shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 16, 2006, except those who only hold qualifying shares, received a dividend of $700.00 for each share held on that date. Historically, prior to January 2006, the Corporation had not declared or distributed dividends on its common stock.
TSI was exempt from 1979 through 2002 from Puerto Rico income taxes under a ruling issued by the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico. On June 18, 2003, the Department of the Treasury notified TSM and TSI that the ruling recognizing TSI’s exemption was terminated effective December 31, 2002. The termination of the ruling responded to a new public policy set by the Department of the Treasury according to which tax exemptions under Section 1101(6) of

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the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994 (the P.R. Code), as amended, will not apply to corporations organized as for-profit, which is TSI’s case.
On July 31, 2003, TSM and TSI executed a closing agreement with the Department of the Treasury. In general, the terms of the closing agreement established the termination of TSI’s tax exemption effective December 31, 2002 as stated in the ruling. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2003 TSI became subject to Puerto Rico income taxes as an other-than-life insurance entity, as defined in the P.R. Code.
The closing agreement also stipulated that TSM would pay taxes on TSI’s accumulated statutory net income, in accordance with the income recognition methodology applied by the Secretary of the Treasury in the closing agreement and the ruling mentioned above. This tax ruling established the following methodology for TSM to determine its tax liability:
    TSI’s accumulated statutory net income while operating under the tax exemption, amounting to $132.8 million, was deemed distributed to TSM.
    For tax purposes, TSM recognized the exempt accumulated statutory net income as gross income. On this amount, TSM recognized an income tax liability amounting to $51.8 million, which was determined by applying a tax rate of 39% to the exempt accumulated statutory net income deemed distributed to TSM. This income tax liability was recorded by TSM within the current income tax expense in the 2003 consolidated statements of earnings. Of this tax $37.0 million were paid on July 31, 2003, the date of the closing agreement, and $14.8 million on April 15, 2004.
The amount of TSM’s net income available for distribution to stockholders had excluded amounts derived from TSI’s results of operations for the year 2002 and prior years due to a prohibition on declaring dividends contained in the tax exemption ruling. Since TSI’s tax exemption ended effective December 31, 2002, its earnings are now available for distribution to TSM’s stockholders.
Separate disclosure about operating segments is required for any operating segment that meets any of the quantitative thresholds determined by FASB Statement No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, (SFAS No. 131). In determining whether information about segments is required for a particular year, the evaluation should be based on comparability between years. Thus, information would be required in the current period – even if immaterial pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 131 – if a segment has been significant in the immediate preceding period and is expected to be significant in the future. Based on the requirements of SFAS No. 131, as of December 31, 2005, the reportable segments for the Corporation are: the Health Insurance – Commercial, the Health Insurance – Healthcare Reform, the Property and Casualty Insurance and the Life and Disability Insurance segments. The Life and Disability Insurance segment was not presented as a reportable segment in previous filings since it did not meet any of the quantitative thresholds in the years 2004, 2003 and 2002. The segment information for the years 2004 and 2003 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been restated to present the results of operations and financial position of the Life and Disability Insurance segment separately.
Available Information
TSM files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports and other information that issuers (including TSM) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is www.sec.gov. TSM currently does not have an Internet website through which make available its SEC filings. The website address listed above is provided for the information of the reader and is not intended to be an active link. The Corporation will provide free of charge copies of its filings to any shareholder that requests them at the following address: Triple-S Management Corporation; Office of the Secretary of the Board; PO Box 363628; San Juan, P.R. 00936-3628.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other publicly available documents of TSM may include statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among other things, statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Corporation. These statements are not historical, but instead represent TSM’s belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Corporation’s control. These statements may address, among other things, future financial results, strategy for growth, and market position. It is possible that the Corporation’s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed throughout this Form 10-K. TSM is

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not under any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement (and expressly disclaims any such obligation), whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, rising healthcare costs, business conditions and competition in the different insurance segments, government action and other regulatory issues.
Puerto Rico’s Economy
Key economic indicators published by the government of Puerto Rico for 2005, showed growth in the local economy of 2.4%, which is 0.2 percentage points lower than the growth experienced during the year 2004. The indicators published by the government suggest that the modest economic recovery that appeared to have gained strength during 2004 had slowed down during the year 2005. Furthermore, the government forecasted that during 2006 economic growth would not exceed 2.2%, which is even lower than the growth experienced this year. The moderation in the economic growth in Puerto Rico during the last year is due to many factors. First, the decrease in growth rate of the United States economy this past year, as well as the increases in oil prices, have had a direct impact on the Puerto Rican economy. The real growth rate of the economy in Puerto Rico is directly affected by the expected U.S. economy growth. On a local level, the fiscal crisis of the government of Puerto Rico has led to tax increases as well as to increases in the costs of several basic services and utilities, such as electricity and water, which will negatively affect the purchasing power of consumers. In addition, also due to the fiscal crisis, the government of Puerto Rico is immersed in an analysis of alternatives to increase its revenues, including a proposed tax reform which would impose a tax based upon the consumption of goods and services. The fiscal crisis faced by the government of Puerto Rico, if correction measures are not implemented on a timely basis, could result in severe credit difficulties, which would in turn have an adverse effect on the Island’s already weakened economy.
The overall growth of the U.S. economy is the most important variable exerting an impact on Puerto Rico’s economy. The U. S. government reported that its economy grew 3.5% during 2005, following a growth of 4.2% during 2004, which was the fastest economic growth experienced since 1999. The Congressional Budget Office forecasts the U.S. economy will grow 3.6% during the year 2006 and 3.4% during the year 2007. The economists believe that the U.S. economy will keep growing but at lower rates than during the extraordinary expansion of the second half of the nineties. Even with this economic growth, high oil prices, rising interest rates, the possibility of another terrorist attack, continuing concerns with international politics and the value of the dollar might dampen the economic rebound in the U.S. and Puerto Rico economies.
Insurance Industry
The insurance industry in Puerto Rico is highly competitive and is comprised of both local and foreign entities. The approval of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, which applies to financial institutions domiciled in Puerto Rico, has opened the insurance market to new competition by allowing financial institutions such as banks to enter into the insurance business. At the moment, several banks in Puerto Rico have established subsidiaries that operate as insurance agencies.
The Corporation is the leader insurance group in Puerto Rico, as measured by the share of the total insurance premiums subscribed in Puerto Rico. The Corporation’s health insurance company, TSI, is the leader of the health insurance industry. TSI’s participation in the health insurance industry, considering both the Commercial and Reform segments, provide this subsidiary with a market share in terms of net premiums of approximately 33% as of December 31, 2005. Our property and casualty and life insurance subsidiaries also have important positions in their respective markets. As of December 31, 2005, STS had a market share in terms of net premiums of approximately 8% in the property and casualty insurance industry in Puerto Rico. During 2004 SVTS had a market share in terms of premiums written of approximately 25% in the group life insurance market in Puerto Rico.
Almost all of the Corporation’s business is done within Puerto Rico and as such, it is subject to the risks associated with Puerto Rico’s economy and its geographic location.
Health Insurance – Commercial Segment
The Corporation participates in the commercial health insurance marketplace through TSI. Total premiums in the Commercial segment represented 56.2%, 55.4% and 55.0% of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
TSI is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association large-affiliated licensee, which allows TSI to use the Blue Shield brand in Puerto Rico. TSI’s participation in the health insurance industry with the Commercial segment provides this

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subsidiary with a market share in terms of premiums written of approximately 31% as of December 31, 2005. TSI offers a variety of health insurance products, and is the leader by market share in almost every health insurance market sector, as measured by the share of premiums subscribed. Its market share is more than double that of its nearest competitor (Medical Card Systems, which has a market share of approximately 14%). In addition to the Reform segment described below, TSI offers its products to five distinct market sectors in Puerto Rico. During 2005, TSI had the following market share within each sector: Corporate Accounts (groups), 44%; Federal Employees, 92%; Local Government Employees, 8%; Individual Accounts, 56%; and approximately 80% in the Medicare supplemental sector. Within the Corporate Accounts sector, employer groups may choose various funding options ranging from fully insured to self-funded financial arrangements. While self-funded clients participate in TSI’s networks, the clients bear the claims risk. Through a contract with the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), TSI provides health benefits to federal employees in Puerto Rico under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. This contract is subject to termination in the event of noncompliance not corrected to the satisfaction of OPM. TSI also provides health insurance coverage to certain employees of the government of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities. Earned premium revenue related to government of Puerto Rico health plans amounted to $64.6 million, $67.1 million and $65.9 million for the three years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition, TSI processes and pays claims as carrier for the Medicare – Part B Program in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. As a carrier for Medicare-Part B, TSI allocates operating expenses to determine reimbursement due for services rendered in accordance with the contract.
During 2005 TSI entered into the Medicare Advantage program under the provisions of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). As a preferred provider organization under the Medicare Advantage program, effective January 1, 2005 TSI launched “ Medicare Optimo ”, its PPO Medicare Advantage policy. With this policy TSI provides extended health coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, during the third quarter of 2005, TSI launched “ Medicare Selecto ”, its managed care Medicare Advantage policy. During this first year, premiums for the Medicare Advantage program amounted to $34.2 million. With the addition of expanded Medicare health plan options and enhanced benefits for 2006, this business is expected to have a significant growth in the coming years. In the Medicare Advantage sector, TSI had a market share of 5% as of December 31, 2006.
As set forth in the MMA, the Federal government, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), will replace the current Title 18 fiscal intermediary (FI) and carrier contracts with competitively procured contracts that conform to the Federal Acquisition Regulation under the new Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) contracting authority. CMS has six years, between 2006 and 2011, to complete the transition of Medicare fee-for-service claims processing activities from the FI’s and carriers to the MAC’s. TSI is currently engaged in the analysis and evaluation of this transition process and the effect that it may have on its existing organizational structure as a Medicare carrier.
TSI’s premiums are generated from customers within Puerto Rico. The premiums for the Commercial segment are mainly originated through TSI’s internal sales force and a network of brokers and independent agents.
TSI’s business is subject to changing federal and local legal, legislative and regulatory environments. Some of the more significant current issues that may affect TSI’s business include:
    initiatives to increase healthcare regulation, including efforts to expand the tort liability of health plans,
 
    local government plans and initiatives, and
 
    Medicare reform legislation.
The U.S. Congress is continuing to develop legislation efforts directed toward patient protection, including proposed laws that could expose insurance companies to economic damages, and in some cases punitive damages, for making a determination denying benefits or for delaying members’ receipt of benefits as well as for other coverage determinations. Similar legislation has been proposed in Puerto Rico. Given the political process, it is not possible to determine whether any federal and/or local legislation or regulation will be enacted into law in 2006 or what form any such legislation might take.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue standards for administrative simplification, as well as privacy and security of medical records and other individually identifiable health information. The regulations under the HIPAA Administrative Simplification section impose a number of additional obligations on issuers of health insurance coverage and health benefit plan sponsors. HIPAA Administrative Simplification section requirements apply to self-funded group plans, health insurers and HMO’s, health care clearinghouses and health care providers who transmit health information electronically (“covered entities”). Regulations adopted to implement HIPAA Administrative Simplification also require that business associates acting for or on behalf of HIPAA-covered entities be contractually obligated to meet HIPAA standards. The regulations of the Administrative Simplification section establish significant criminal penalties and civil sanctions for noncompliance.

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HHS has released rules mandating the use of new standard formats with respect to certain health care transactions (e.g. health care claims information, plan eligibility, referral certification and authorization, claims status, plan enrollment and disenrollment, payment and remittance advice, plan premium payments and coordination of benefits). HHS also has published rules requiring the use of standardized code sets and unique identifiers by employers and providers. TSI was required to comply with the transactions and code set standards by October 16, 2003 and with the employer identifier rules by July 2004 and believes that it is in material compliance with all relevant requirements. TSI is required to comply with provider identifier rules by May 2007 and currently expects to meet such deadline.
HHS also sets standards relating to the privacy of individually identifiable health information. In general, these regulations restrict the use and disclosure of medical records and other individually identifiable health information held by health plans and other affected entities in any form, whether communicated electronically, on paper or orally, subject only to limited exceptions. In addition, the regulations provide patients new rights to understand and control how their health information is used. HHS has also published security regulations designed to protect member health information from unauthorized use or disclosure. TSI is currently in material compliance with these security regulations.
The most significant challenge facing the healthcare industry continues to be the trend of rising healthcare costs, driven by the direct and indirect effect of legislative and regulatory actions. As such, the industry is becoming committed to a health care system that delivers efficient and high-quality care for insureds, as well as increased administrative efficiency for providers, payers and government. Insurance companies are focused on developing programs and new strategies that consider a combination of competitive premium pricing to sustain market share and cost reduction initiatives to achieve a satisfactory yield in the healthcare cost inflation scenario. Recently developed models strive for new products that essentially shift costs, and therefore the burden of decision making to the consumer. These new products, through higher deductible and co-payments, try to create consumer awareness and control the use of medical services. The development and consistent self-improvement of effectively-designed benefit management programs has become more relevant to the insurance industry profitability model. These trends have caused the health insurance industry to adopt strategies that emphasize benefits management (such as a defined contribution product) and to move away from more restrictive medical management strategies (such as the pre-authorization of certain procedures).
During past years, and as a result of increases in claims costs, TSI implemented procedures to seek to assure that all its businesses are priced with adequate premium rates that reflect the actual claims trend of each particular business. In spite of this, TSI has exceeded projected retention rates. The retention rate, which is the percentage of existing business retained in the renewal process, was 97.5% in 2005, 95.7% in 2004, and 95.0% in 2003. In addition, TSI has maintained its overall market share during the last three years.
TSI continues to enhance its management program strategies that seek to control claims costs while striving to fulfill the needs of highly informed and demanding healthcare consumers. Among these strategies is the reinforcement of disease and case management programs. These programs empower consumers by providing them with education and engaging them in actively maintaining or improving their own health. Early identification of patients and inter-program referrals are the milestones of these programs, which provide for integrated and optimal service. Other strategies include innovative partnerships and business alliances with other entities to provide new products and services such as: a 24-hour telephone based triage and health information service; an employee assistance program; and the promotion of evidence-based protocols and patient safety programs among our providers. TSI has also implemented a hospital concurrent review program, the goal of which is to monitor the appropriateness of high admission rate diagnoses and high cost stays. To stem the rising tide in pharmacy benefit costs, TSI has implemented a three-tier formulary product, which has proved to be very effective, an exclusive provider organization and benefits design changes.
Health Insurance –Reform Segment
The Corporation participates in the medically indigent health insurance market through TSI. The Health Insurance — Reform segment comprises TSI’s participation in the Reform. The Reform segment premiums represented 36.6%, 37.1%, and 37.5% of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
In 1994, the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the government) privatized the delivery of services to the medically indigent population in Puerto Rico, as defined by the government, by contracting with private health insurance companies instead of providing health services directly to such population. Mental health benefits are currently offered to Reform beneficiaries by behavioral healthcare and mental healthcare companies and are therefore not part of the benefits covered by the health insurance companies. The government divided the Island into geographical areas. By December 31, 2001, the Reform had been fully implemented in each of the geographical areas. Each geographical area is awarded to a health insurer doing business in Puerto Rico through a competitive process

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requesting proposals from the industry. As of December 31, 2005, the Reform provides healthcare coverage to over 1.5 million lives.
The government has adopted measures to control the increase of Reform expenditures, which represent approximately 15.0% of total government expenditures. Several measures have been undertaken by the government to control Reform costs. Some of these measures include closer and continuous scrutiny of participant’s (members) eligibility, decreasing the number of areas in order to take advantage of economies of scale and establishing disease management programs.
Effective July 1, 2003, the government began a pilot project whereby it contracts directly with a provider medical group, instead of through the health insurance companies. This project was not implemented in any of the areas served by TSI, but the government is not precluded from implementing a similar project in areas served by TSI in the future. In addition, the government has expressed its intention to evaluate different alternatives of providing health services to Reform beneficiaries.
TSI is the Reform insurance carrier for three of the eight geographical areas in Puerto Rico: North, Metro-North and Southwest. All Reform contracts contractually expired on June 30, 2005. However during February 2005, TSI was notified of the government’ interest in extending the contracts until December 31, 2005 or June 30, 2006. During April 2005, the government announced that each contract would be extended for a period of twelve (12) months, with an option to cancel on December 31, 2005, which was not exercised by the government. As a result of the negotiation of the contracts’ extension premium rates for the eleven-month contract period ending June 30, 2006 were increased by approximately 5.8%. The premium rates of each contract are negotiated annually. The contracts include a provision, however, that if the net income for any given contract year, as defined, resulting from the provision of services under the contract exceeds 2.5% of earned premiums, the insurance company is required to return 75.0% of the excess to the government. In case the contract renewal process is not completed by a contract’s expiration date, the contract may be extended by the government, upon acceptance by TSI, for any subsequent period of time if deemed to be in the best interests of the beneficiaries and the government. The terms of a contract, including premiums, can be renegotiated if the term of the contract is extended.
The contract for each geographical area is subject to termination in the event of non-compliance by the insurance company not corrected or cured to the satisfaction of the government entity overseeing the Reform, or in the event that the government determines that there is an insufficiency of funds to finance the Reform. For additional information please see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the section “Dependence on Large Contracts”.
As of December 31, 2005, three insurance companies were participating in the Reform. The three insurance companies and their related market shares as of June 30, 2005 were the following: TSI (40.4%), Medical Card System (33.5%) and Humana (26.1%). Since the full implementation of the Reform, any participating insurance company’s growth in this segment depends on winning a geographical area serviced by another insurance company or normal changes in membership. The health insurance companies that decide to participate in this business compete against each other during the contract adjudication process. Management believes that the Corporation’s Reform segment’s competitive strengths include TSI’s highly efficient administrative structure and quality of services.
To provide services to its Reform membership, TSI established a managed care program, similar to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), which integrates both the financing and delivery of services in order to manage the accessibility, cost and quality of care. The established managed care model includes disease and demand management as well as preventive healthcare services. Management believes that all of these programs and TSI’s effective administrative and pricing structure have made TSI one of the most attractive participants in the Reform.
TSI has established a network of Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) to provide service to its Reform beneficiaries in the Reform areas serviced by TSI. An IPA is a legal entity organized to provide health care services to members of a healthcare plan in return for a capitation fee. The risks covered by the Reform policy are divided among those assumed by the IPAs and those retained by TSI. The IPA receives an amount per capita, and it assumes the costs of primary care services provided and referred by its primary care physicians (PCPs), including procedures and in-patient services not related to risks assumed by TSI. As part of its services, TSI retains a portion of the capitation payments to the IPAs as a reserve to provide for incurred but not reported claims (IBNR) for services rendered by providers other than PCPs. TSI retains the risk associated with services provided to the beneficiaries with special healthcare needs, such as: neonatal, obstetrical, AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular, and dental services, among others. Mental healthcare and drug abuse services to Reform participants are not part of the coverage; these services are contracted by the government with other companies.
The government of Puerto Rico has a plan to move the enrollees of the Reform with Medicare parts A and B from the Healthcare Reform to a Medicare Advantage plan (known as “Medicare Platino” ) under which the government will assume the

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premiums rather than the insured. The government-sponsored Medicare Advantage plan will offer all of the Medicare benefits plus other benefits, as determined by the government. TSI was selected by the government to participate in this plan. All of the Healthcare Reform participants that qualify can begin moving to the government-sponsored plan beginning in January 2006. This situation could have the effect of increasing or decreasing the segment’s membership; however the extent of any increase or decrease cannot be estimated at this time.
Premiums are determined taking into consideration future costs and utilization of services. Since premium levels for this significant block of business are determined on an annual basis, TSI is exposed to a significant underwriting risk.
TSI entered into a service agreement with TCI for the administration of the Reform segment operations in exchange for a service fee that will cover TCI’s operating expenses plus a profit.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment
The Corporation participates in the property and casualty insurance market through STS. The property and casualty insurance segment premiums represented 6.2%, 6.6% and 6.2% of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
STS is a multiple line insurer that underwrites substantially all lines of property and casualty insurance. Its predominant lines of business are commercial multiple peril, auto physical damage, auto liability and dwelling insurance. The underwriting of the segment’s commercial lines targets small to medium size accounts with low to average exposures to catastrophe losses. The dwelling portfolio targets rate stability and a very low exposure to catastrophe losses. Business is exclusively subscribed in Puerto Rico through approximately twenty-two general agencies, including Signature Insurance Agency, Inc. (SIA), and independent insurance agents and brokers. SIA, which is STS’s wholly-owned subsidiary, placed approximately 52%, 53% and 46% of STS’s total premium volume during 2005, 2004 and 2003.
In 2005, STS’s was in the fifth position in the property and casualty market in Puerto Rico, as measured by net premiums, with a market share of approximately 8.0%. The segment’s nearest competitors and their market share of the property and casualty insurance market in Puerto Rico were: National Insurance Company (5.0%) and Integrand Assurance Company (5.0%). The market leaders in the property and casualty insurance industry in Puerto Rico are the Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples Group and Universal Insurance Group, with market shares of 18.0% and 17.0% in 2005, respectively.
The property and casualty insurance market in Puerto Rico is extremely competitive. In addition, soft market conditions prevailed during 2005 in the region, including the United States, Puerto Rico and Latin America. In the local market, such conditions mostly affected the commercial risks, precluding rate increases and even provoking lower premiums on both renewals and new business. Due to the slow growth in the economy, there are no new sources that provide continued growth; thus, property and casualty insurance companies tend to compete for the same accounts through price and/or more favorable policy terms and better quality of services. STS competes by reasonably pricing its products and providing efficient services to producers, agents and clients. Management believes that the knowledgeable, experienced personnel employed by the segment is also an incentive for professional producers to conduct business with STS.
The auto insurance market has also been affected by government regulation, with the Compulsory Auto Insurance Law, which was passed in 1995. This law requires vehicle owners to maintain a minimum of $3,000 in public liability insurance.
The property and casualty insurance market has been affected by increased costs of reinsurance. The international reinsurance market, although affected by catastrophes each year, has experienced stability on reinsurance premium rates in recent years. The year 2005 was severe for catastrophe losses that impacted the entire international reinsurance market. It is expected that reinsurance costs will increase in the near future.
Due to its geographical location, property and casualty insurance operations in Puerto Rico are subject to natural catastrophic activity. Puerto Rico is exposed to two major natural perils (hurricanes and earthquakes), which lead local insurers to rely on the international reinsurance market in order to provide sufficient capacity. Accordingly, the Puerto Rico property and casualty insurance market is significantly affected by reinsurance cost and must seek to pass on these additional costs to its customers. Other issues that have plagued the industry over the years, such as asbestos and pollution, have not affected the segment’s portfolio since STS is a young organization and existing policies exclude such hazards. STS maintains a comprehensive reinsurance program as a means of protecting its surplus in the event of a catastrophe.

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Natural disasters, which have affected Puerto Rico greatly over the past ten years, have prompted local government to create property and casualty insurance reserves through legislation in order to provide coverage for catastrophic events. In addition to its catastrophic reinsurance coverage, STS is required by local regulatory authorities to establish and maintain a trust fund (the Trust) to protect STS from its dual exposure to hurricanes and earthquakes. The Trust is intended to be used as STS’s first layer of catastrophe protection whenever qualifying catastrophe losses exceed 5% of catastrophe premiums or when authorized by the Commissioner of Insurance. Contributions to the Trust are determined by a rate (1% in 2005 and 2004), imposed by the Commissioner of Insurance on the catastrophe premiums written in that year. As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, STS had $25.1 million and $23.4 million, respectively, invested in securities deposited in the Trust. The income generated by investment securities deposited in the Trust becomes part of the Trust fund balance. For additional details see note 19 of the audited consolidated financial statements.
Considering the significance of reinsurance in protecting its capital base and ensuring ongoing operations, STS is aware of the need to exercise careful business judgment in the selection and approval of its reinsurers. Management believes that a comprehensive and sound reinsurance program has been established to provide the level of protection that STS desires. These reinsurance arrangements do not relieve STS from its direct obligations to its insureds. However, STS believes that the credit risk arising from recoverable balances of reinsurance, if any, is low. STS’ policy is to enter into reinsurance agreements only with reinsurers considered to be financially sound, which STS considers to be those reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of A- or better or an equivalent rating from other rating agencies.
Management believes that STS’ commitment to sound underwriting practices, efficient claims reserve monitoring, extensive catastrophe reinsurance program, and underwriting expense controls, have enabled it to maintain one of the best combined ratios in the local industry. STS, as well as most of its property and casualty peers, uses the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the combined ratio as measures of performance. A controlled business expansion in the commercial market and better underwriting performance of its auto business, evidenced by declining loss ratios, have also contributed to such favorable results. In addition, prudent reinsurance utilization through a sound strategy to control exposures by means of a strict underwriting criteria and protection of retained exposures have also enhanced underwriting results.
Life and Disability Insurance Segment
The Corporation participates in the life and disability insurance market through SVTS. The property life and disability insurance segment premiums represented 1.2%, 1.3% and 1.2% of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
SVTS offers a wide variety of life, disability and investment products. Among these are group life insurance, group long and short-term disability insurance, credit life insurance, and the administration of individual retirement accounts and flexible premium deferred annuities. The group life insurance and the long-term disability businesses represent 36% and 33% of the segment’s business during the year 2005, respectively. SVTS offers its insurance products to consumers in Puerto Rico through its own network of brokers and independent agents. Also, the segment markets its group life coverage through TSI’s network of exclusive agents. Approximately 22%, 24% and 27% of the segment’s premiums during the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, was subscribed through TSI’s agents.
SVTS insures approximately 1,600 groups which represent approximately 286,000 lives. This makes SVTS the second largest provider of group life insurance in Puerto Rico, with a market share of approximately 24.7% in 2004, as measured by premiums written. The segment’s nearest competitors in the group life insurance market in Puerto Rico and their related market share as of December 31, 2004 are Cooperativa de Seguros de Vida de Puerto Rico (35.2%) and AIG Life Insurance Company of Puerto Rico (12.6%).
On December 22, 2005, SVTS entered into a coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance agreement with GA Life. Under the terms of this agreement SVTS will assume 69% of all the business written as of and after the effective date of the agreement. On the effective date of the agreement, SVTS paid an initial ceding commission of $60.0 million for its participation in the business written by GA Life as of and after the effective date of the agreement. The initial ceding commission paid by SVTS is considered a policy acquisition cost and was deferred and will amortize over time accordingly.
As previously mentioned, effective January 31, 2006, TSM acquired 100% of the common stock of GA Life. During the year 2006, TSM expects to merge the operations of GA Life with those of SVTS; both companies will compose the Corporation’s life and disability insurance segment. GA Life is one of the premier companies in life insurance products for individual consumers in Puerto Rico. As a result of this acquisition, the Corporation expects to position

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this segment as one of the leading providers of life insurance policies in Puerto Rico, in the individual and group life insurance businesses, and solidifies the Corporation as the leading insurance group in Puerto Rico.
Financial Information About Segments
Total revenue (with intersegment premiums/service revenues shown separately), net income and total assets attributable to the reportable segments are set forth in note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Trademarks
The Corporation considers its trademarks of “Triple-S” and “SSS” very important and material to all segments in which it is engaged. In addition to these, other trademarks used by TSM’s subsidiaries that are considered important have been duly registered with the Department of State of Puerto Rico and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It is the Corporation’s policy to register all its important and material trademarks in order to protect its rights under applicable corporate and intellectual property laws.
Human Resources and Labor Matters
As of February 28, 2006, the Corporation had 1,499 full-time employees and 361 temporary employees. TSI has a collective bargaining agreement with the Unión General de Trabajadores, which represents 373 of TSI’s 801 regular employees. The collective bargaining agreement expires on July 31, 2006. The Corporation considers its relations with employees to be good.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The Corporation must deal with several risk factors in its normal course of business. The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Corporation or that are currently deemed immaterial also may impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, the business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows of the Corporation could be materially affected.

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Reinsurance
The Corporation’s insurance segments seek to limit their exposure that may arise from catastrophes or other events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. The availability, amount and cost of reinsurance depend on market conditions and may vary significantly. Any decrease in the amount of reinsurance will increase the segment’s exposure to risk of loss and could materially affect the operations of the insurance segments, particularly the Property and Casualty Insurance segment. In addition, the Corporation, through its insurance segments, is subject to credit risk with respect to reinsurers. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve any of the insurance segments from their obligations to policyholders. In the event that all or any of the reinsuring companies might be unable to meet their obligations under existing reinsurance agreements, the insurance segments would be liable for such defaulted amounts. The insurance segments mitigate the credit risk related to reinsurers by reinsuring its business only with reinsurers considered financially sound.
Dependence on Large Contracts
The Health Insurance segments participate in government contracts that generate a significant amount of the Corporation’s consolidated premiums earned, net as follows:
Through TSI, the Corporation participates in the government’s Healthcare Reform to provide health coverage to medically indigent citizens in Puerto Rico. As of December 31, 2005 TSI has contracts to serve three of the eight geographical areas in which the medically indigent population was divided for purposes of the Healthcare Reform. The contract for each geographical area is subject to termination in the event of non-compliance by the insurance company not corrected or cured to the satisfaction of the government entity overseeing the Reform, or in the event that the government determines that there is an insufficiency of funds to finance the Reform. This last event will require prior written notice of at least ninety days. For the three year period ended December 31, 2005 total premiums generated from the Reform contracts represent 36.6%, 37.1% and 37.5%, respectively, of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums. The loss of any or all of TSI’s three Reform contracts would have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s operating results. This could include the downsizing of certain personnel, the cancellation of lease agreements of certain premises and of certain contracts, and severance payments, among others. Also, this would result in a significant decrease in TSI’s volume of premiums, claims and operating expenses.
TSI is a qualified contractor to provide health insurance coverage to federal government employees within Puerto Rico. Premiums generated under this contract represent 8.1%, 8.3% and 8.2% of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums for the three year period ended December 31, 2005. The contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is subject to termination in the event of noncompliance not corrected to the satisfaction of the OPM. Since the operations of the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) do not result in any excess or deficiency of revenue or expense, the loss of this contract does not have a significant effect in the operating results of the Corporation. However, the volume of premiums and claims and operating expenses of the segment would experience a significant decrease. In addition the segment would need to adjust its operations since the FEHBP would no longer participate in its fixed costs. Additional details on the operations and accounting of the FEHBP are included in note 9 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
TSI has a contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer coordinated care plans to Medicare beneficiaries, as described in a plan benefit package bid submission proposal as approved by CMS. TSI began offering Medicare Advantage policies during 2005. Premiums generated from this business during the year 2005

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amounted to $34.2 million, or 2.5% of the Corporation’s consolidated total premiums. As part of this contract TSI must comply with regulations established by CMS for the provision of benefits, enrollment requirements, beneficiary protection, provider protection, quality improvement program, compliance plan, program integrity, reporting requirements and marketing, among others. The contract provides for immediate termination by CMS in the event TSI is involved in false, fraudulent or abusive activities affecting the Medicare program. CMS and TSI may cancel the contract for other reasons specified in the contract; contract cancellation must be notified 90 days before the intended cancellation date. CMS and TSI have the right to appeal cancellations however; TSI cannot appeal cancellations due to its involvement in false, fraudulent or abusive activities. As of December 31, 2005, the loss of this contract would not have a material adverse effect in the Corporation’s operating results. However, TSI expects to increase its participation in the Medicare Advantage business; should this business grow as expected the loss of the contract could have a material adverse effect in the Corporation’s financial statements.
License Agreement with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
TSM and TSI are a party to license agreements with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association that entitle us to the exclusive use of the Blue Shield name and mark in our geographic territories. The termination of these license agreements or changes in the terms and conditions of these license agreements could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We use the Blue Shield name and mark as an identifier for our products and services under licenses from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Our license agreements with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association contain certain requirements and restrictions regarding our operations and our use of the Blue Shield name and mark. Failure to comply with any of these requirements and restrictions could result in a termination of the license agreements.
The standards under the license agreements may be modified in certain instances by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. For example, from time to time there have been proposals considered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to modify the terms of the license agreements to restrict various potential business activities of licensees. These proposals have included, among other things, a limitation on the ability of a licensee to make its provider networks available to insurance carriers or other entities not holding a Blue Cross or Blue Shield license. To the extent that such amendments to the license agreements are adopted in the future, they could have a material adverse effect on our future expansion plans or results of operations.
Upon the occurrence of an event causing termination of the license agreements, we would no longer have the right to use the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and marks in one or more of our geographic territories. Furthermore, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association would be free to issue a license to use the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and marks in these states to another entity. Events that could cause the termination of a license agreement with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association include failure to comply with minimum capital requirements imposed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a change of control or violation of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association ownership limitations on our capital stock, impending financial insolvency and the appointment of a trustee or receiver or the commencement of any action against a licensee seeking its dissolution. We believe that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and marks are valuable identifiers of our products and services in the marketplace. Accordingly, termination of the license agreements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations
Geographical Concentration
A substantial majority of the Corporation’s business activity is with insureds located throughout Puerto Rico, and as such, the Corporation is subject to the risks associated with the Puerto Rico economy. If economic conditions in Puerto

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Rico deteriorate, we may experience a reduction in existing and new business, which could have a material adverse effect the Corporation’s business, financial position and results of operations.
Litigation
The Corporation is a defendant in various lawsuits, some of which involve claims for substantial and/or indeterminate amounts and the outcome of which is unpredictable. The Corporation intends to defend these suits vigorously. A description of the legal proceeding in which the Corporation in which the Corporation is involved is included in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Because of the nature of the business, the Corporation may be subject to a variety of legal actions relating to its business operations, including the design, management and offering of products and services, among others.
Competition
The insurance industry in Puerto Rico is very competitive. If the insurance subsidiaries are unable to compete effectively while appropriately pricing the business subscribed, the Corporation’s business and financial condition could be materially affected. Competition in the insurance industry is based on many factors, including premiums charges, services provided, speed of claim payments and reputation.
Regulations
The Corporation is subject to general business regulations and laws (at the local and Federal level) and the insurance subsidiaries are also subject to the regulations of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico. General business regulations and laws may cover taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, among others. The regulations imposed by the Commissioner of Insurance, among other things, influence how the insurance subsidiaries conduct business and place limitations on investments and dividends.
The regulatory powers of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico are designed to protect policyholders, not stockholders. While we cannot predict the terms of future regulation, the enactment of new legislation could affect the cost or demand of insurance policies and may limit the segments’ ability to obtain rate increases in those cases where rates are regulated or expose the Corporation to expanded liability. In addition, the Corporation may incur in additional operating expenses in order to comply with new legislation and may be required to revise the way in which it conducts business.
The Corporation cannot assure that future regulatory action by the Commissioner of Insurance or other governmental agencies will not have a material adverse effect on the profitability or marketability of its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Dependence on Information Systems
The Corporation’s business depends significantly on effective information systems, and we have many different information systems for our various businesses. Information systems require an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain and enhance existing systems and develop new systems in order to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving industry and regulatory standards, and changing customer preferences. In addition, the Corporation may from time to time obtain significant portions of our systems-related or other services or facilities from independent third parties, which may make our operations vulnerable to such third parties’ failure to perform adequately. As a result of the acquisition of GA Life, the Corporation has acquired an additional system. The Corporation’s failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems, or the failure to efficiently and effectively consolidate information systems to eliminate redundant or obsolete applications, could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Business Acquisitions
In 2006 the Corporation acquired 100% of the common stock of GA Life and plans to merge the operations of SVTS with those of the acquired company. In addition, the Corporation may acquire additional companies if consistent with its strategic plan for growth. Acquisitions may create risks such as the following:
    Disruption of on-going business operations, distraction of management, diversion of resources and difficulty in maintaining current business standards, controls and procedures.
    Difficulty in integrating information technology of acquired entity and unanticipated expenses related to such integration.

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    Difficulty in the integration of the new company’s accounting, financial reporting, management, information, human resources and other administrative systems and the lack of control if such integration is delayed or not implemented.
 
    Difficulty in the implementation of controls, procedures and policies appropriate for filers with the Securities and Exchange Commission at companies that prior to acquisition lacked such controls, policies and procedures.
 
    Potential unknown liabilities associated with the acquired company or under-estimating know liabilities.
 
    Failure of acquired business to achieve anticipated revenues, earnings or cash flow.
 
    Incurrence of additional debt related to future acquisitions.
 
    Competition with other entities, some of which may have greater financial and other resources, to acquire attractive companies.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
There are no unresolved Commission staff comments that remain unresolved at the time of filing.
Item 2. Properties
TSM owns a seven story (including the basement floor) building located at 1441 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, in San Juan, Puerto Rico where the main offices of TSM, TSI and ISI are located, and two adjacent buildings that house TCI and certain offices of TSI, as well as the adjoining parking lot. In addition, TSM is the owner of five floors of a fifteen-story building located at 1510 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. These floors house the Internal Auditing Office of TSM, the main offices of SVTS and STS and some divisions of TSI. The Corporation is currently renovating the facilities in one of the two buildings adjacent to its main offices to house the operations of ISI, including its mainframe facilities, and some divisions of TSI. ISI’s mainframe facilities are currently located in a leased property that will be vacated once the renovation project is completed.
In addition to the properties described above, TSM or its subsidiaries are parties to operating leases that are entered into in the ordinary course of business.
TSM believes that the facilities of the Corporation are in good condition and that the facilities, together with capital improvements and additions currently underway, are adequate to meet its operating needs for the foreseeable future. The need for expansion, upgrading and refurbishment of facilities is continually evaluated in order to keep facilities aligned with planned business growth and corporate strategy.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
  (a)   As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation is a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes, based on the opinion of legal counsel, that the aggregate liabilities, if any, arising from such actions would not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
  (b)   Drs. Carlyle Benavent and Ibrahim Pérez (the plaintiffs) caused the initiation of an administrative proceeding before the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner against TSI and TSM alleging the illegality of the repurchase and subsequent sale of 1,582 shares of TSI’s common stock due to the fact that the ultimate purchasers of said shares were selected on an improper and selective basis by the Corporation in violation of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code. The plaintiffs alleged that they were illegally excluded from participation in the sale of shares by TSI due to the illegally selective nature of the sale of shares and that, consequently, the sale of shares should be eliminated.
 
      In December 1996, the Commissioner of Insurance issued an order to annul the sale of the 1,582 shares that TSI had repurchased from the estate of deceased stockholders. TSI contested such order through an administrative and judicial review process. Consequently, the sale of 1,582 shares was cancelled and the purchase price was returned to each former stockholder. In the year 2000, the Commissioner of Insurance issued a pronouncement providing further clarification of the content and effect of the order. This order also required that all corporate decisions undertaken by TSI through the vote of its stockholders of record, be ratified in a stockholders’ meeting or in a subsequent referendum. In November 2000, TSM, as the sole stockholder of TSI, ratified all such decisions. Furthermore, on November 19, 2000, TSM held a special

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      stockholders’ meeting, where a ratification of these decisions was undertaken except for the resolution related to the approval of the reorganization of TSI and its subsidiaries. This resolution did not reach the two thirds majority required by the order because the number of shares that were present and represented at the meeting was below such amount (total shares present and represented in the stockholders’ meeting was 64%). As stipulated in the order, TSM began the process to conduct a referendum among its stockholders in order to ratify such resolution. The process was later suspended because upon further review of the scope of the order, the Commissioner of Insurance issued an opinion in a letter dated January 8, 2002 which indicated that the ratification of the corporate reorganization was not required.
 
      In another letter dated March 14, 2002, the Commissioner of Insurance stated that the ratification of the corporate reorganization was not required and that TSI had complied with the Commissioner’s order of December 6, 1996 related to the corporate reorganization. Thereafter, the plaintiffs filed a petition for review of the Commissioner’s determination before the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals. Such petition was opposed by TSI and by the Commissioner of Insurance.
 
      Pursuant to that review, on September 24, 2002, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order requiring the Commissioner of Insurance to order that a meeting of shareholders be held to ratify TSI’s corporate reorganization and the change of name of TSI from Seguros de Servicios de Salud de Puerto Rico, Inc. to Triple-S, Inc. The Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals based its decision on administrative and procedural issues directed at the Commissioner of Insurance. The Commissioner of Insurance filed a motion of reconsideration with the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals on October 11, 2002. TSM and TSI also filed a motion of reconsideration.
 
      On October 25, 2002, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Commissioner of Insurance’s Motion for Reconsideration and ordered the plaintiffs to reply to TSI’s Motion of Reconsideration.
 
      On May 18, 2003, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals granted TSI’s and TSM’s Motion of Reconsideration. The Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Commissioner of Insurance had the authority to waive the celebration of a referendum to ratify TSI’s reorganization and that therefore the reorganization of TSI, inasmuch as the 1,582 shares annulled were not decisive, was approved by the stockholders.
 
      On June 26, 2003, the plaintiffs presented a writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. TSI and TSM filed a motion opposing the issuance of the writ. The writ was issued by the Supreme Court on August 22, 2003 when it ordered the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals to transmit the record of the case. On December 1, 2003, the plaintiffs filed a motion submitting their case on the basis of their original petition. TSI and TSM filed its brief on December 30, 2003, while the Commissioner of Insurance, in turn, filed a separate brief on December 31, 2003. On June 24, 2004 the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ordered the plaintiffs to file a brief in support of their allegations. The case is still pending before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. It is the opinion of the management and its legal counsels that the corporate reorganization as approved is in full force and effect.
 
  (c)   On September 4, 2003, José Sánchez and others filed a putative class action complaint against the Corporation, present and former directors of TSM and TSI, and others, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, alleging violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as the RICO Act. The suit, among other allegations, alleges a scheme to defraud the plaintiffs by acquiring control of TSI through illegally capitalizing TSI and later converting it to a for-profit corporation and depriving the stockholders of their ownership rights. The plaintiffs base their later allegations on the supposed decisions of TSI’s board of directors and stockholders, allegedly made in 1979, to operate with certain restrictions in order to turn TSI into a charitable corporation, basically forever. On March 4, 2005 the Court issued an Opinion and Order. In this Opinion and Order, of the twelve counts included in the complaint, eight counts were dismissed for failing to assert an actionable injury; six of them for lack of standing and two for failing to plead with sufficient particularity in compliance with the Rules. All shareholder allegations, including those described above, were dismissed in the Opinion and Order. The remaining four counts were found standing, in a limited way, in the Opinion and Order. Finally, the Court ordered that by March 24, 2005 one of the counts left standing be replead to conform to the Rules and that by March 28, 2005 a proposed schedule for discovery and other submissions be filed. The count was amended and accepted by the Court and the discovery schedule was submitted. The parties have finished class certification discovery. The parties fully briefed the issue of class certification and are awaiting the Court’s decision. In addition, the defendants are evaluating the dismissal of the surviving claims. This case is still pending before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

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  (d)   On April 24, 2002, Octavio Jordán, Agripino Lugo, Ramón Vidal, and others filed a suit against TSM, TSI and others in the Court of First Instance for San Juan, Superior Section, alleging, among other things, violations by the defendants of provisions of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, anti-monopolistic practices, unfair business practices and damages in the amount of $12.0 million. They also requested that TSM sell shares to them. After a preliminary review of the complaint, it appears that many of the allegations brought by the plaintiffs have been resolved in favor of TSM and TSI in previous cases brought by the same plaintiffs in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and by most of the plaintiffs in the local courts. The defendants, including TSM and TSI answered the complaint, filed a counterclaim and filed several motions to dismiss this claim. On February 18, 2005 the plaintiffs informed their intention to amend the complaint and the Court granted them 45 days to do so and 90 days to the defendants to file the corresponding motion to dismiss. On May 9, 2005 the plaintiffs amended the complaint and the defendants are preparing the corresponding motions to dismiss this amended complaint. The plaintiffs amended the complaint to allege causes of action similar to those dismissed by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in the Sánchez case. Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. Plaintiffs have notified their opposition to some of the defendants’ motion to dismiss, and the defendants filed the corresponding replies. On January 25, 2006, the court held a hearing to argue the dispositive motions.
 
  (e)   On May 22, 2003 a putative class action suit was filed by Kenneth A. Thomas, M.D. and Michael Kutell, M.D., on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated and the Connecticut State Medical Society against the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and multiple other insurance companies including TSI. The case is pending before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami District.
 
      The individual plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated physicians seeking redress for alleged illegal acts of the defendants, which they allege have resulted in a loss of their property and a detriment to their business, and for declaratory and injunctive relief to end those practices and prevent further losses. Plaintiffs alleged that the defendants, on their own and as part of a common scheme, systematically deny, delay and diminish the payments due to doctors so that they are not paid in a timely manner for the covered, medically necessary services they render.
 
      The class action complaint alleges that the health care plans are the agents of BCBSA licensed entities, and as such have committed the acts alleged above and acted within the scope of their agency, with the consent, permission, authorization and knowledge of the others, and in furtherance of both their interest and the interests of other defendants.
 
      Management believes that TSI was brought to this litigation for the sole reason of being associated with the BCBSA. However, on June 18, 2004 the plaintiffs moved to amend the complaint to include the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Puerto Rico (a compulsory association grouping all physicians in Puerto Rico), Marissel Velázquez, MD, President of the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Puerto Rico, and Andrés Meléndez, MD, as plaintiffs against TSI. Later Marissel Velázquez, MD voluntarily dismissed her complaint against TSI.
 
      TSI, along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint on multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act.
 
      The Court issued a 90-day stay to allow the parties to discuss their differences and come to amicable agreement. The stay expired on March 7, 2006. Upon the expiration of the stay, both plaintiffs and defendants agreed to request the Court to extend the stay until April 21, 2006.
 
  (f)   On December 8, 2003 a putative class action was filed by Jeffrey Solomon, MD and Orlando Armstrong, MD, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated and the American Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, California Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, Texas Podiatric Medical Association, and Independent Chiropractic Physicians, against the BCBSA and multiple other insurance companies, including TSI and all members of the BCBSA. The case is still pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami District.
 
      The lawsuit challenges many of the same practices as the litigation described in the immediately preceding item.
 
      Management believes that TSI was made a party to this litigation for the sole reason that TSI is associated with the BCBSA.

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      On June 25, 2004, plaintiffs amended the complaint but the allegations against TSI did not vary. TSI along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint on multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act.
 
      The Court issued a 90-day stay to allow the parties to discuss their differences and come to an amicable agreement. The stay expired on March 7, 2006. Although the parties are still in the process of discussing their differences, they have not moved the Court to extend the stay. The defendants suggested that plaintiffs join in a request to extend the stay, but the plaintiffs have not reacted to the defendants’ invitation.
Item 4. Submissions of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholders Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
There is no established public trading market for TSM’s common stock. Sporadic transfers of TSM’s common stock have been limited to redemptions to TSM at the greater of the shares’ $40.00 par value or at the amount originally paid for the stock, since the common stock of TSM is not transferable to the general public. In determining the market value of common stock disclosed in the facing page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Corporation used the shares’ $40.00 par value, which is the per share amount at which the last sales of common stock have been made.
TSM’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws establish that only physicians, dentists and certain specified healthcare organizations shall be shareholders of the Corporation. In addition, the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws establish that no person may own more than 21 shares, or five percent (5%) or more, of the Corporation’s Voting Shares issued and outstanding.
Holders
The only outstanding voting securities of TSM are shares of its common stock, par value $40.00 per share. As of March 15, 2006, there were 8,904 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The number of holders of TSM’s common stock as of March 15, 2006 was 1,766.
Dividends
The Company did not declare any dividends during the years 2005 and 2004.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Not applicable.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
Not applicable.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
                                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001
 
Statement of Earnings Data
                                       
Years ended December 31,
                                       
 
Premiums earned, net
  $ 1,380,204       1,298,959       1,264,395       1,236,647       1,155,399  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    210,905       179,166       160,127       150,684       134,374  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (196,460 )     (169,924 )     (151,806 )     (141,138 )     (126,295 )
 
Premiums earned, net and fee revenue
    1,394,649       1,308,201       1,272,716       1,246,193       1,163,478  
Net investment income
    29,029       26,499       24,679       24,778       25,405  
Net realized investments gains
    7,161       10,968       8,365       185       4,655  
Net unrealized investment gain (loss) on trading securities
    (4,709 )     3,042       14,893       (8,322 )     (3,625 )
Other income, net
    3,732       3,360       4,703       2,075       483  
 
Total revenue
  $ 1,429,862       1,352,070       1,325,356       1,264,909       1,190,396  
 
 
Net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229       48,249       21,715  
 
 
Basic net income per share (1):
  $ 3,193       5,135       2,857       1,085       1,052  
 
 
                                       
Balance Sheet Data
                                       
December 31,
                                       
 
Total assets
  $ 1,137,462       919,657       834,623       721,892       656,058  
 
Long-term borrowings
  $ 150,590       95,730       48,375       50,015       55,650  
 
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 308,703       301,433       254,255       231,664       186,028  
 
(1)   Further details of the calculation of basic earnings per share are set forth in notes 2 and 22 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This financial discussion contains an analysis of the consolidated financial position and financial performance as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and consolidated results of operations for 2005, 2004 and 2003. This analysis should be read in its entirety and in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes and tables included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
General
The Corporation (on a consolidated basis and for each reportable segment), similar to most insurance entities, uses the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the combined ratio as measures of performance. The loss ratio is the claims incurred divided by the premiums earned, net and fee revenue multiplied by 100. The expense ratio is the operating expenses divided by the premiums earned, net and fee revenue multiplied by 100. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. These ratios are relative measurements that describe for every $100 of premiums earned, net and fee revenue, the costs of claims and operating expenses, respectively. The combined ratio represents the total cost per $100 of premium production. A combined ratio below 100 demonstrates underwriting profit; a combined ratio above 100 demonstrates underwriting loss.

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Consolidated Operating Results
The analysis in this section is included to provide an overall view of certain information, the consolidated statements of operations, and key financial information. Further details of the results of operations of each reportable segment are included in the respective segment’s section.
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Years ended December 31,
                       
 
                       
Consolidated premiums earned, net and fee revenue:
                       
Health insurance — Commercial Program
  $ 779,913       720,789       699,365  
Health insurance — Reform Program
    510,839       484,742       477,614  
Property and casualty
    86,767       86,228       78,334  
Life and disability
    17,130       16,442       17,403  
 
Consolidated premiums earned, net and fee revenue
  $ 1,394,649       1,308,201       1,272,716  
 
 
                       
Consolidated claims incurred
  $ 1,208,367       1,115,793       1,065,350  
Consolidated operating expenses
    181,703       171,879       165,149  
 
Consolidated underwriting costs
  $ 1,390,070       1,287,672       1,230,499  
 
 
                       
Consolidated loss ratio
    86.6 %     85.3 %     83.7 %
Consolidated expense ratio
    13.0 %     13.1 %     13.0 %
 
Consolidated combined ratio
    99.6 %     98.4 %     96.7 %
 
 
                       
Consolidated net investment income
  $ 29,029       26,499       24,679  
Consolidated net realized gain on sale of securities
    7,161       10,968       8,365  
Consolidated net unrealized gain (loss) on trading securities
    (4,709 )     3,042       14,893  
 
Consolidated net investment income
  $ 31,481       40,509       47,937  
 
 
Consolidated income tax expense
  $ 3,764       14,014       65,397  
 
 
                       
Net income (loss) per segment:
                       
Health insurance — Commercial Program
  $ 15,384       23,757       49,071  
Health insurance — Reform Program
    (43 )     9,250       14,034  
Property and casualty
    9,863       11,085       9,677  
Life and disability
    2,098       996       3,716  
Other operating segments and TSM
    1,131       715       (50,269 )
 
Consolidated net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
 
Year ended December 31, 2005 compared with the year ended December 31, 2004
Consolidated premiums earned, net and fee revenue during the year 2005 increased by $86.4 million, or 6.6 %, when compared to the premiums earned, net and fee revenue during 2004. This increase is mostly due to the fluctuation in premiums earned, net of both Health Insurance segments.
    The premiums earned, net and fee revenue corresponding to the Health Insurance – Commercial Program presented an increase of $59.1 million, or 8.2%, during this period. The increase in premiums earned, net of this segment is due to a 1.2% increase in average enrollment together with a 6.0% increase in average premium rates in 2005.
 
    The premiums earned, net of the Health Insurance – Reform segment presented an increase of $26.1 million, or 5.4%, in 2005, as compared to the premiums earned, net in 2004. This increase is the result of a 4.5% increase in average premium rates together with a 0.9% increase in the average membership of the segment.
Consolidated claims incurred during the year 2005 reflected an increase of $92.6 million, or 8.3%, when compared to the consolidated claims incurred for the year 2004. The loss ratio reflects an increase of 1.3 percentage points during the same period. This increase is mostly driven by the fluctuations in the claims incurred and the loss ratio of the Health Insurance – Commercial Program and Reform segments, which are attributable primarily to the following:

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    During 2005, the claims incurred of the Health Insurance – Commercial segment increase of $57.1 million, or 9.2%, is primarily attributed to an increase in utilization and costs of services as well as to an increase in average enrollment.
    The claims incurred of the Health Insurance –Reform segment increased $40.2 million, or 9.2%, when comparing the amounts incurred in the years 2005 and 2004. The increase in the claims incurred of this segment results mostly from higher utilization trends and costs, particularly in the risks assumed by the segment, such as cardiovascular services, dialysis and obstetrics and HIV, among others. In addition, this segment also experienced an increase in claims incurred that is attributed to the increase in its average enrollment.
The amount of claims incurred in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment decreased $2.4 million, or 5.2%, during the year 2005. This decrease is primarily due to incurred losses from Tropical Storm Jeanne in September 2004, which resulted in net losses of $2.1 million.
Consolidated operating expenses increased $9.8 million, or 5.7%, during the year 2005. The increase in the operating expenses is basically attributed to the increased volume of business of its reportable segments. The consolidated expense ratio decreased 0.1 percentage points during the year 2005, from 13.1% in 2004 to 13.0% in 2005.
The consolidated realized gain on sale of securities is the result of the management of the investment portfolio in accordance with corporate investment policies and from normal portfolio turnover of the trading and available-for-sale securities. The decrease of $3.8 million in the realized gain during 2005 when compared to the year 2004 is mostly due to the sale of common stock of Popular, Inc. during 2004, which generated a realized gain of approximately $6.2 million. In addition, in the year 2005 the Corporation realized gains of $1.7 million in the sale of its corporate bonds trading portfolio.
The unrealized (loss) gain on trading securities is related to investments held by segments in corporate bonds and equity securities. The unrealized loss experienced during the year 2005 is mostly attributed to losses in the portfolios held by segments in equity securities that seek to replicate the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Russell 1000 Growth Index and the Russell 1000 Value Index. These Indexes experienced positive returns in 2005, however; the Corporation has recognized unrealized losses since during the second quarter of the year 2005 certain investments with unrealized gains within the equity securities portfolio were sold. This caused the realization of such gains, thus reducing the unrealized gains of the portfolios.
The consolidated income tax expense during the year 2005 decreased by $10.2 million when compared to the year 2004. This decrease is mostly due to a decrease in the taxable income when comparing the years 2005 and 2004. This was offset in part by an increase in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment’s deferred tax expense of approximately $1.6 million in 2005. This increase was the result of an update by the segment of the tax rate at which certain deferred taxes were accounted for in order to reflect the tax rate at which deferred taxes are expected to reverse.
Year ended December 31, 2004 compared with the year ended December 31, 2003
Consolidated premiums earned, net and fee revenue increased by $35.5 million, or 2.8 %, during the year 2004 when compared to the premiums earned, net and fee revenue during 2003. This increase is mostly due to the fluctuation in premiums earned, net of both Health Insurance segments and the property and casualty insurance segment.
    The premiums earned, net and fee revenue corresponding to the Health Insurance – Commercial Program increased $21.4 million, or 3.1%, during this period. The increase in premiums earned, net of this segment is due to increases in premium rates and an increase in the average enrollment of Self-funded Employers accounts.
 
    The premiums earned of the property and casualty insurance segment increased by $7.9 million, or 10.1%, during the year 2004. This increase is mostly the result of the segment’s increased volume of business, particularly in the Dwelling and Auto Physical Damage lines of business.
 
    The premiums earned, net of the Health Insurance – Reform segment increased $7.1 million, or 1.5%, in 2004, as compared to the premiums earned, net in 2003. The increase in the premiums earned, net of this segment is due to increases in premium rates during the contract renegotiation process, net of a decrease in membership.
The consolidated claims incurred during the year 2004 were $50.4 million, or 4.7%, higher than the consolidated claims incurred for the year 2003. The loss ratio reflects an increase of 1.6 percentage points during the same period. This increase is mostly driven by the fluctuations in the claims incurred and the loss ratio of the Health Insurance – Commercial Program and Reform segments. During 2004, the Health Insurance – Commercial and Reform segments

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experienced higher costs per service and utilization trends when compared to the prior period. The increase was mainly noted in the cost and utilization of prescription drugs, X-rays, and emergency room services as well as to an increase in the cost of surgical procedures and laboratory services.
In addition, claims incurred in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment also increased during 2004. The increase in the claims incurred of this segment is mostly due to an increase in its volume of business and to approximately $2.0 million of net losses from claims incurred related to the passage of Tropical Storm Jeanne through Puerto Rico.
Consolidated operating expenses increased $6.7 million, or 4.1%, during 2004 when compared to 2003, which is primarily attributable to the increased volume of business of its reportable segments. The consolidated expense ratio increased 0.1 percentage points during the year 2004, from 13.0% in 2003 to 13.1% in 2004.
The consolidated realized gain on sale of securities is the result of the management of the investment portfolio in accordance with corporate investment policies and from normal portfolio turnover of the trading and available-for-sale securities. The consolidated realized gain during 2004 is mostly due to the sale of common stock of Popular, Inc., which generated a realized gain of approximately $6.2 million and also to normal portfolio turnover of the trading and available for sale securities.
The unrealized gain on trading securities is related to investments held by segments in corporate bonds and equity securities. The unrealized gain experienced during the year 2004 is mostly attributed to gains in the portfolios held by segments in equity securities that replicate the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Russell 1000 Growth Index and the Russell 1000 Value Index. All Indexes experienced positive returns in 2004.
The consolidated income tax expense during the year 2004 decreased $51.4 million when compared to 2003 primarily as a result of the termination of TSI’s tax ruling in July 2003. As a result, TSM recognized an income tax expense in 2003 amounting to $51.8 million.
Health Insurance – Commercial Program Operating Results
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Years ended December 31,
                       
 
                       
Average enrollment:
                       
Corporate accounts
    305,362       302,634       305,100  
Self-funded employers
    152,194       141,009       128,803  
Individual accounts
    86,628       84,807       84,407  
Federal employees
    49,244       51,917       53,993  
Local government employees
    34,910       40,257       43,177  
 
Total average enrollment
    628,338       620,624       615,480  
 
 
                       
Premiums earned, net
  $ 768,672       714,442       693,645  
Amount attributable to self-funded arrangements
    211,975       180,216       161,014  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (196,460 )     (169,924 )     (151,806 )
 
Premiums earned, net and fee revenue
  $ 784,187       724,734       702,853  
 
 
                       
Claims incurred
  $ 677,870       620,751       584,448  
Operating expenses
    103,562       94,930       92,264  
 
Total underwriting costs
  $ 781,432       715,681       676,712  
 
 
                       
Underwriting income
  $ 2,755       9,053       26,141  
 
 
Loss ratio
    86.4 %     85.7 %     83.2 %
Expense ratio
    13.2 %     13.1 %     13.1 %
 
Combined ratio
    99.6 %     98.8 %     96.3 %
 
General
The Health Insurance — Commercial Program segment’s total revenues are primarily generated from premiums earned for risk-based healthcare services provided to its members, revenues generated from self-funded arrangements and investment income. Claims incurred include healthcare services and other benefit expenses consisting primarily of

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payments to physicians, hospitals and other service providers. A portion of the claims incurred for each period consists of an actuarial estimate of claims incurred but not reported to the segment during the period. Operating expenses are comprised of general, selling, commissions, depreciation, payroll and other related expenses. The segment’s results of operations depend largely on its ability to accurately predict and effectively manage healthcare costs.
Year ended December 31, 2005 compared with the year ended December 31, 2004
During 2005, the Health Insurance – Commercial Program segment reported an increase of $59.5 million, or 8.2%, in the amount of premiums earned, net and fee revenue. This increase in the amount of premiums earned, net and fee revenue is the result of the following:
    Premiums for the segment’s Medicare Advantage program, which was launched in the year 2005, amounted to $34.2 million. No Medicare Advantage premiums were reflected in the 2004 period.
 
    In 2005, the segment’s average enrollment increased 7,714 members, or 1.2%, when compared to the year 2004. The increase in the average enrollment is mostly reflected in the self-funded employers and corporate accounts businesses, which membership increased by 11,185, or 7.9%, and 2,728, or 0.9%, during this period, respectively. This increase in average enrollment is mostly attributed to new groups acquired throughout 2005. The average enrollment of the local government employees and Federal employees businesses, on the other hand, decreased by 5,347, or 13.3%, and 2,673, or 5.1%, during this year, respectively.
 
    On average, this segment increased premium rates by approximately 6% during the year 2005.
Approximately 84% of the increase in total premiums is due to increases in premium rates. The remaining 16% is attributable to an increase in the segment’s volume of business.
The claims incurred for the year 2005 were $57.1 million, or 9.2%, higher than 2004. The segment’s loss ratio reflects an increase of 0.7 percentage points during the same period. The increase in the loss ratio is attributed to an increase in claims experience trends from 5.7% in 2004 to 6.7% in 2005, mostly due to higher utilization levels and higher costs per service. The segment experienced an increase in utilization and costs of service for office visits, prescription drugs, laboratory services and specialized procedures, such as MRIs and CT scans, which contributed to the increased loss ratio for the period.
The segment continues to enhance cost containment initiatives that control claims trends and maintains them at levels consistent with pricing and margin objectives.
Operating expenses increased by $8.6 million, or 9.1%, during 2005 when compared to the 2004 period. This increase is principally attributed to expenses amounting to $9.4 million related to the launching of the new Medicare Advantage program and approximately $1.0 million of commission expense related to the new business generated during the year. On the other hand, the segment experienced a reduction of approximately $3.0 million in the amount expensed related to several operating projects. The expense ratio experienced an increase of 0.1 percentage points during the year 2005.
Year ended December 31, 2004 compared with the year ended December 31, 2003
The Health Insurance – Commercial Program segment reported an increase of 3.1% in the amount of premiums earned, net and fee revenue during the year 2004. This increase is due to the following:
    The segment constantly monitors claims trends, particularly in the rated corporate accounts and Individual lines of business. This practice assures adequate premium rates that reflect the actual claims trend of each particular business. On average, this segment increased premium rates by 4.5% during the year 2004.
 
    The increase in total average enrollment of 5,144 members, or 0.8%, during the year 2004 when compared to 2003 is mainly the result of flat employment levels in Puerto Rico during the last three years. The most significant increase in enrollment is in the Self-funded Employers, which presents an increase of 12,206 members, or 9.5%, since during this period certain large corporate accounts groups shifted from the rated business to self-funded arrangements, assuming the risk associated with insuring their employees. The increase experienced in this business is mitigated by the decrease experienced in 2004 in the Local government employees and Federal employees businesses, which present a decrease of 2,920 members, or 6.8%, and 2,076, or 3.8%, respectively.
Approximately 73% of the increase in total premiums is due to increases in premium rates. The remaining 27% is attributable to an increase in the segment’s volume of business.

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The claims incurred for the year 2004 were $36.3 million, or 6.2%, higher than 2003, mostly as a consequence of an increase in claims experience trends. The claims experience trends increased 5.7% and 3.9% during 2004 and 2003, respectively, mostly due to higher costs per service and higher utilization levels. The segment’s loss ratio reflects an increase of 2.5 percentage points during the same period. The increase in the loss ratio is the result of increases in the cost and utilization of prescription drugs, emergency room services, X-ray services and major medical services experienced by the segment in the 2004 period. Total claims paid during 2004 for both medical services and prescription drug coverage increased by 8.6% and 8.2%, respectively, when compared to 2003. Claims paid during 2004 on major medical services present an increase $11.3 million, or 55.0%, when compared to 2003.
Operating expenses increased by $2.7 million, or 2.9%, during 2004, sustaining an expense ratio of 13.1% in 2004. The increase in operating expenses is mostly due to the effect of the following:
    The business growth experienced in 2004 resulted in an increase of $2.3 million in payroll expenses and commissions due to agents and brokers.
 
    The increase in technology related expenses of $1.5 million is directly related to the segment’s commitment to continuously enhance services to its members and service providers.
 
    During 2004, the segment experienced an increase in legal expenses of $1.3 million and an increase in professional services and consulting fees of $1.5 million mostly as a result of assistance related to legal, governmental and regulatory matters related to its business.
 
    All of these increases in 2004 were offset by a reduction in pension expense due to non-recurring pension settlements of $4.6 million in 2003, resulting from the number of retirees selecting lump-sum benefits instead of annuities.
Health Insurance — Reform Program Operating Results
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Years ended December 31,
                       
 
                       
Average enrollment:
                       
North Area
    235,738       232,956       236,766  
Metro-North Area
    220,517       217,441       224,903  
Southwest Area
    163,807       164,357       168,109  
 
Total average enrollment
    620,062       614,754       629,778  
 
 
                       
Premiums earned, net
  $ 510,839       484,742       477,614  
 
 
                       
Claims incurred
  $ 478,008       437,834       428,045  
Operating expenses
    36,432       35,777       34,637  
 
Total underwriting costs
  $ 514,440       473,611       462,682  
 
 
                       
Underwriting (loss) income
  $ (3,601 )     11,131       14,932  
 
 
                       
Loss ratio
    93.6 %     90.3 %     89.6 %
Expense ratio
    7.1 %     7.4 %     7.3 %
 
Combined ratio
    100.7 %     97.7 %     96.9 %
 
General
The Health Insurance — Reform segment’s total revenues are primarily generated from premiums earned according to the provisions of the Government’s Reform contracts and investment income. Claims incurred include health services and other benefit expenses consisting primarily of payments to physicians, hospitals and other service providers. A portion of the claims incurred for each period consists of an actuarial estimate of claims incurred but not reported during the period. Operating expenses consist of a disease management program and general, depreciation, payroll and other related expenses. The segment’s results of operations depend largely on its ability to accurately predict and effectively manage healthcare costs.
Year ended December 31, 2005 compared with the year ended December 31, 2004
Premiums earned, net of the Reform segment increased $26.1 million, or 5.4%, during the year 2005. This increase is the result of the net effect of the following:

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    Premium rates for this segment were increased, effective August 1 st , 2005, by approximately 5.8% during the Healthcare Reform contract renegotiation process for the eleven-month period ending June 30, 2006. In addition, premium rates were increased by approximately 4.4% for the thirteen-month period ended July 31, 2005. On average the increase in premium rates during 2005 was 4.5%.
    The average enrollment for this segment increased by 5,308 members, or 0.9%, when comparing the 2005 and 2004 periods.
Approximately 84% of the increase in total premiums is due to increases in premium rates. The remaining 16% is attributable to an increase in the segment’s volume of business.
Claims incurred during the 2005 period increased by $40.2 million, or 9.2%, when compared to the 2004 period. The segment’s loss ratio also experienced an increase (3.3 percentage points) when comparing the year 2005 with 2004. This increase results mostly from higher utilization trends and costs as well as to the segment’s increased average enrollment during 2005. In the 2005 period the segment experienced higher utilization trends and costs, particularly in the risks assumed by the segment, such as cardiovascular services, dialysis and obstetrics and HIV, among others. In addition, the ultimate liability for the year 2004 exceeded the amount originally provided by the segment by approximately $7.0 million.
Operating expenses for the year 2005 were $655 thousand, or 1.8%, higher than the operating expenses for the year 2004. This increase is due to the normal inflationary effect of higher operational costs. The expense ratio decreased by 0.3 percentage points during the year 2005.
Year ended December 31, 2004 compared with the year ended December 31, 2003
The premiums earned, net of the Reform segment increased $7.1 million, or 1.5%, during the year 2004. This increase is the result of the following:
    During the Reform contract renegotiation process, premium rates were increased by approximately 4.4% and 4.2% for the twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004, respectively. On average the increase in premium rates during 2004 was 4.4%.
    The average enrollment for this segment decreased by 15,024 members, or 2.4%, during the year 2004. This decrease is attributed to the continuous review and screening performed by the Government of Puerto Rico over the lists of persons eligible to participate in the Reform.
The increase experienced in premiums earned, net is attributable primarily to increases in premium rates.
The increase of $9.8 million, or 2.3%, in claims incurred during the year 2004 is attributed to the higher utilization and costs experienced by the segment. The segment experienced an increase in utilization in some of the risks it assumes, particularly catastrophe risks such as cardiovascular services, dialysis and obstetrics, among others. Also, during 2004, the capitation payments to IPAs increased when compared to the prior year. The segment’s loss ratio also experienced an increase (0.7 percentage points) when comparing the year 2004 with 2003.
Operating expenses for the year 2004 were $1.1 million, or 3.3%, higher than the operating expenses for the year 2003. The expense ratio also increased, from 7.3% during 2003 to 7.4% during 2004. This fluctuation is due to the normal inflationary effect of operational costs.

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Property and Casualty Insurance Operating Results
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Years ended December 31,
                       
 
                       
Premiums written:
                       
Commercial multi-peril
  $ 65,649       56,506       54,986  
Dwelling
    26,094       28,323       22,624  
Auto physical damage
    20,690       18,922       15,821  
Commercial auto liability
    14,520       14,082       12,753  
Other liability
    8,541       8,485       6,522  
Medical malpractice
    6,504       6,499       5,986  
All other
    9,129       9,057       9,435  
 
Total premiums written
    151,127       141,874       128,127  
 
Premiums ceded
    (59,244 )     (52,215 )     (43,771 )
Change in unearned premiums
    (5,116 )     (3,431 )     (6,022 )
 
Net premiums earned
  $ 86,767       86,228       78,334  
 
 
                       
Claims incurred
  $ 43,587       45,977       43,390  
Operating expenses
    39,642       40,182       37,354  
 
Total underwriting costs
  $ 83,229       86,159       80,744  
 
 
                       
Underwriting income (loss)
  $ 3,538       69       (2,410 )
 
Loss ratio
    50.2 %     53.3 %     55.4 %
Expense ratio
    45.7 %     46.6 %     47.7 %
 
Combined ratio
    95.9 %     99.9 %     103.1 %
 
General
The property and casualty insurance segment’s total revenues are primarily generated from net premiums earned and investment income. Claims incurred are composed of losses and loss-adjustment expenses. A portion of the claims incurred for each period consists of an estimate of unreported losses to the segment during the period. Operating expenses consist of general, commissions, depreciation, payroll and other related expenses.
Year ended December 31, 2005 compared with the year ended December 31, 2004
Total premiums written for the 2005 period increased by $9.3 million, or 6.5%, when compared to the total premiums written for the year 2004. This increase is mostly reflected in the premiums written for the commercial multi-peril package and auto physical damage lines of business, which experienced an increase in premiums of $9.1 million, or 16.2%, and $1.8 million, or 9.3%, during this period, respectively. Other lines of business reported modest increases in production, except for the dwelling business, which reported a decrease in premiums written of $2.2 million, or 7.9%, during the year 2005. The market in the year 2005 was characterized by strong and aggressive competition for commercial lines, with premiums rates at lower level than previous years. However, the segment’s focus on business retention and relationships with general agents resulted in growth in the premium volume of package policies. The reported decrease in premiums written for the dwelling business is attributed to policy retention efforts of competitors and lower originations of mortgage loans.
The increase experienced in net premiums earned is mainly attributable to an increase in the segment’s volume of business since the segment has been successful in attracting new accounts and increasing insurance coverage for existing accounts. The property and casualty insurance market has been in soft market conditions since 2004; this soft market affects primarily the commercial lines. Premiums for commercial lines have been subject to strong competition and a reduction in premium rates. Personal lines premium rates have remained steady during the 2005 period.
Premiums ceded to reinsurers during the year 2005 increased by $7.0 million, or 13.5%, when compared to 2004. The increase noted in the premiums ceded is mostly due to the segment’s increased volume of business. The ratio of premiums ceded to total premiums written reflects an increase of 2.4 percentage points, from 36.8% in 2004 to 39.2% in 2005. The ceding risk transfer percentages in the commercial and personal lines quota share arrangements increased from 37.5% to 42.5% and from 7.5% to 10.0%, respectively. In addition, the catastrophe coverage was increased during the 2005 period.

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Claims incurred decreased by $2.4 million, or 5.2%, when comparing the claims incurred during 2005 with the claims incurred in the year 2004. The loss ratio experienced a decrease of 3.1 percentage points during the year 2005 as compared to the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to incurred losses from the passing of Tropical Storm Jeanne in September 2004. Net incurred losses reported for Tropical Storm Jeanne amounted to $2.1 million. In addition, the segment’s focus on quality underwriting has also resulted in an improvement in loss experience, particularly in the auto and medical malpractice lines of business.
The operating expenses for the year 2005 decreased by $540 thousand, or 1.3%, when compared to the operating expenses for the year 2004. The expense ratio decreased by 0.9 percentage points during the year 2005.
Year ended December 31, 2004 compared with the year ended December 31, 2003
Total premiums written during 2004 increased by $13.7 million, or 10.7%, when compared to the total premiums written for the year 2003. This increase is mostly reflected in the premiums written for the dwelling, auto physical damage and other liability lines of business, which experienced an increase in premiums of $5.7 million, or 25.2%, $3.1 million, or 19.6%, and $2.0 million, or 30.1%, during this period, respectively. The strengthening of business relationships with financial institutions has resulted in additional growth in the dwelling line of business. The commercial auto, including auto physical damage coverage, and other liability lines of business have been targeted for growth through new business.
The increase experienced in net premiums earned is mainly attributable to an increase in the segment’s volume of business.
Premiums ceded to reinsurers during the year 2004 increased by $8.4 million, or 19.3%, when compared to 2003. The ratio of premiums ceded to total premiums written reflects an increase of 2.6 percentage points, from 34.2% in 2003 to 36.8% in 2004. The increase in the ratio of premiums ceded to total premiums written is the net result of several factors:
    In 2004, the segment experienced increased costs for catastrophe coverage as well as the need to compensate for the coverage increase in the property business.
 
    The amount of premiums ceded in the 2003 period was reduced as a result of the cancellation of the property surplus treaty. This cancellation resulted in a reinsurance portfolio transfer resulting in net incoming business and a reduction in the amount of premiums ceded.
 
    During 2003 the segment increased its retention in the personal lines quota share treaty from 70% to 95%. In addition, as a result of the increased retention, the segment received an incoming reinsurance portfolio transfer causing a reduction in the premiums ceded in the 2003 period.
The decrease in the change in unearned premiums of $2.6 million is also primarily due to the effect of the reinsurance portfolio transfers done during the year 2003 as well as to the changes in the mix of the business subscribed.
Claims incurred increased by $2.6 million, or 6.0%, when comparing the claims incurred during 2004 with the claims incurred in the year 2003. This increase is primarily due to incurred losses from the passing of Tropical Storm Jeanne in September 2004, which amounted to $2.1 million. The loss ratio, on the other hand, experienced a decrease of 2.1 percentage points during the year 2004 as compared to the prior year since the segment’s loss experience was lower in the commercial multi-peril and auto insurance lines of business. The auto insurance lines of business experienced an improvement in its loss ratio in both the physical damage and liability business.
The operating expenses for the year 2004 increased by $2.8 million, or 7.6%, when compared to the operating expenses for the year 2003. The expense ratio, however, experienced a decrease of 1.1 percentage points during the year 2004. The increase in the operating expenses and the decrease in the expense ratio is due to, among other things:
    The effect of an increase in commission expense due to the segment’s increased volume of business
 
    During 2004, the segment recorded a guaranty fund assessment to cover liabilities of insolvent companies. This assessment, which amounted to $871 thousand, was charged to operations during 2004.
 
    The experience refund received from the Compulsory Vehicle Liability Insurance Joint Underwriting Association increased by $202 thousand, from $633 thousand during 2003 to $840 thousand during 2004. This refund is recorded as a decrease to the operating expenses for the period.

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Life and Disability Insurance Operating Results
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Years ended December 31,
                       
 
                       
Net earned premiums and commission income:
                       
Earned premiums:
                       
Group disability
  $ 13,681       13,392       14,115  
Group life
    8,768       10,138       10,588  
Cancer and other dreaded diseases
    1,746       179        
 
Total earned premiums
    24,195       23,709       24,703  
 
Earned premiums ceded
    (8,006 )     (7,966 )     (7,816 )
Assumed earned premiums
    400              
 
Net earned premiums
    16,589       15,743       16,887  
 
Commission income on reinsurance
    541       699       516  
 
Net premiums earned
  $ 17,130       16,442       17,403  
 
 
                       
Claims incurred
  $ 8,902       11,231       9,467  
Operating expenses
    8,201       7,347       6,036  
 
Total underwriting costs
  $ 17,103       18,578       15,503  
 
 
                       
Underwriting income (loss)
  $ 27       (2,136 )     1,900  
 
 
                       
Loss ratio
    52.0 %     68.3 %     54.4 %
Expense ratio
    47.9 %     44.7 %     34.7 %
 
Combined ratio
    99.9 %     113.0 %     89.1 %
 
General
The life and disability insurance segment’s total revenues are primarily generated from net premiums earned and investment income. Claims incurred are composed of losses and loss-adjustment expenses. A portion of the claims incurred for each period consists of an estimate of unreported losses to the segment during the period. Operating expenses consist of general, commissions, depreciation, payroll and other related expenses.
Year ended December 31, 2005 compared with the year ended December 31, 2004
Earned premiums during the year 2005 presented an increase of $486 thousand, or 2.0%, when compared to the earned premiums for 2004. The increase in earned premiums during this year is the result of the following factors:
    The earned premiums of the cancer and other dreaded diseases line of business increased by $1.6 million during the year 2005. This fluctuation is attributed to an increase in the average certificates in force of this business by 8,221 during this year. This line of business was introduced during the latter part of the year 2004.
    The earned premiums of the group life line of business decreased by $1.4 million, or 13.5%, during the year 2005. This fluctuation is attributed to the loss of one major group in the group life business, effective December 31, 2004. This particular group had annualized premiums of $1.4 million and an average loss ratio of 92.0%. The segment is closely monitoring claims experience and considering this experience upon each group’s renewal process. This practice has resulted in the loss during the renewal process of several groups with higher than expected claims experience once the premiums were adjusted to reflect actual claims experience.
The increase experienced in earned premiums is primarily attributed to the increase in volume in the cancer and other dreaded diseases line of business.
On December 22, 2005, SVTS entered into a coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance agreement with GA Life. Under the terms of this agreement SVTS will assume 69% of all the business written as of and after the effective date of the agreement. During December 2005 the segment recorded assumed premiums related to this agreement amounting to $400 thousand.

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Claims incurred during the year 2005 decreased by $2.3 million, or 20.7%, when compared to the claims incurred during 2004. The loss ratio decreased by 16.3 percentage points during 2005. The fluctuation in the amount of claims incurred and in the loss ratio is the direct result of the segment’s strategy to concentrate on the profitability of the business rather than on its volume. As previously mentioned, the segment close monitoring of claims experience upon each group’s renewal process has resulted in the loss in the renewal process of several groups with higher than expected claims experience, thus improving the profitability of the segment.
Operating expenses increased by $854 thousand, or 11.6% during the year 2005. The expense ratio increased by 3.2 percentage points during this period, from 44.7% in 2004 to 47.9% in 2005. This increase is mostly expenses related to the cancer and other dreaded diseases line of business, which was launched during the year 2004.
Year ended December 31, 2004 compared with the year ended December 31, 2003
Total earned premiums in the 2004 period presented a decrease of $994 thousand, or 4.0%, when compared to the 2003 period. This decrease is the result of the following:
    The earned premiums of the group disability line of business decreased by $723 thousand, or 5.1%, during the year 2004. This decrease is mostly attributed to the fact that during the first quarter of 2003, the segment revised its methodology for estimating the premiums of its short-term disability business. This revision resulted in a non-recurring adjustment increasing earned premiums of this line of business by approximately $1.1 million during the year 2003. The average certificates in force of the group disability line of business increased by 3,996 certificates, or 2.3%, during the year 2004.
    The earned premiums of the group life line of business decreased by $450 thousand, or 4.3%, during the 2004 period is attributed to a decrease in the average certificates in force of 9,802, or 6.6%. This decrease is attributed to the loss of several groups with higher than expected claims experience since the segment is closely monitoring claims experience and considering this experience upon each group’s renewal process.
Excluding the effect of the above mentioned adjustment to the 2003 earned premiums, premiums increased by $139 thousand in 2004 as compared to 2003, approximately 98% of which is attributed to increased volume of business. The remaining 2% of the increase experienced is attributed to increased premium rates.
The claims incurred during the year 2004 presented an increase of $1.8 million, or 18.6%, when compared to the claims incurred during the year 2003. The loss ratio presented an increase of 13.9 percentage points during this period. This increase is attributed to the segment’s continued growth in the disability line of business since this particular line of business has a higher loss ratio than the life business. In addition, the segment has experienced an increased claims trend in the disability and group life lines of business when compared to the 2003 period. These factors contributed to the increased claims incurred and loss ratio in the 2004 period. During the year 2004, the segment implemented several corrective measures in order to improve its loss ratio, such as adjusting premiums to reflect each group’s actual claims experience during the group’s renewal process.
Operating expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 21.7%, during the 2004 period. The expense ratio increased by 10.0 percentage points during the same period. This increase is mostly the result of an increase in legal and professional services, commissions and advertising expenses. Most of these expenses are related to corporate projects in the area of technology and compliance.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The Corporation maintains good liquidity measures due to the quality of its assets, the predictability of its liabilities, and the duration of its contracts. The liquidity of the Corporation is primarily derived from the operating cash flows of its insurance subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to $49.0 million and $35.1 million, respectively. Sources of funds considered in meeting the objectives of the Corporation’s operations include cash provided from operations, maturities and sales of securities classified within the trading and available-for-sale portfolios, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and issuance of long and short-term debt.
Net cash flows from operations are expected to sustain operations for the next year and thereafter, as long as the operations continue showing positive results. In addition, the Corporation monitors its premium rates and its claims

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incurred to ascertain proper cash flows and has the ability to increase premium rates throughout the year in the monthly renewal process.
Cash Flows from Operations
Most of the cash flows from operating activities are generated from the insurance subsidiaries. The basic components of the cash flows from operations are premium collections, claims payments less reinsurance premiums, maturities or sales and purchases of trading securities, and payment of operating expenses.
Net cash flows provided by operating activities amounted to $49.1 million, $8.8 million and $10.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, an increase (decrease) of $40.3 million and $(1.3) million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The fluctuation in cash flows provided by operating activities is mainly attributed to the net effect of the following:
    Increase in collections of premiums of $86.2 million in 2005 and $35.3 million in 2004. The increase in premium collections is the result of the increased premium rates and increased volume of business of the operating segments.
 
    Increase of $75.5 million in 2005 and $13.2 million in 2004 in the amount of cash paid to suppliers and employees. This increase is principally attributed to the initial ceding commission of $60.0 million paid by SVTS to GA Life on the effective date of the coinsurance funds withheld agreement (described in “Item 1. Business” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section corresponding to the Life and Disability Insurance segment). The initial ceding commission was recorded by the Corporation within the deferred policy acquisition costs. Also, the Corporation has incurred additional commission expense generated from the acquisition of new business and general operating expenses.
 
    Increase of $100.7 million and $26.3 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively, in the amount of claims losses and benefits paid. In both years the increase in the amount of claims losses and benefits paid is mostly the result of the segment’s increased volume of business as well as to increased utilization trends in both Health Insurance segments.
 
    Decrease in income taxes paid of $35.6 million in 2005 and an increase in income taxes paid of $5.4 million in 2004. The decrease in the amount of income taxes paid in 2005 is mostly due to the fact that the 2004 period includes the payment of $14.8 million of the last installment of the $51.8 million income tax liability related to the closing agreement with the PRTD upon the termination of TSI’s tax exemption. In addition, on April 15, 2004 TSI paid $22.1 million corresponding to its income tax liability for the year 2003 and the first installment of the estimated tax corresponding to the year 2004. In the 2005 period, the Corporation paid its regular estimated income tax installments.
 
    The net proceeds of investments in the trading portfolio increased by $98.9 million during the 2005 period. This fluctuation during 2005 is due to the sale of the corporate bonds portfolio, which was considered as a trading portfolio. In addition, in 2004, the amount of net acquisitions of investments in the trading portfolio decreased by $12.3 million.
 
    The amount of interest paid increased by $1.8 million in 2005 and $712 thousand in 2004. This increase is principally attributed to the interest paid related to the 6.3% senior unsecured notes issued and sold by TSI in September 2004.
 
    The contingency reserve funds payment from the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan decreased by $4.1 million in 2005 and $7.8 million in 2004. The amount collected from the contingency reserve funds of the FEHBP was $1.1 million, $5.2 million and $13.0 million during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This fluctuation is related to the results of operations of the program during each particular year.
This excess liquidity is available, among other things, to invest in high quality and diversified fixed income securities and, to a lesser degree, to invest in marketable equity securities.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
The basic components of the cash flows from investing activities is derived from acquisitions and proceeds from investments in the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity portfolios, and capital expenditures. The Corporation monitors the duration of its investment portfolio and executes purchases and sales of these investments with the objective of having adequate asset allocation within different sectors and to have funds available, when necessary, to satisfy any maturing liability.
Net cash flows used in investing activities amounted to $100.5 million, $45.0 million and $90.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The cash flows used in investing activities during these years were mainly due to the investment of the excess cash generated from the operations and reinvestment of securities sold, called or matured during the same period. Also, in 2005 the proceeds from sale of the corporate bonds trading portfolio

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were invested in fixed income securities, which are accounted for as available-for-sale securities. Total acquisition of investments exceeded the proceeds from investments sold or matured by $92.9 million and $41.5 million during the years 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, capital expenditures increased by $4.1 million during the year 2005. The increase in capital expenditures is basically attributed to the following:
    The Corporation is currently rehabilitating facilities in one of the two buildings adjacent to the Corporation’s main offices, on which the Corporation incurred costs of approximately $1.6 million during the year 2005 (see “Item 2. Properties” and section “Planned Capital Expenditures” for additional details).
 
    In 2005, TSI acquired approximately $1.0 million of telephone equipment and services for the operation of the Medicare business call center.
 
    During the year 2005, STS has incurred expenses of approximately $1.0 million related to the acquisition of a new computer system to manage its insurance operations (see section “Planned Capital Expenditures” for additional details.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by financing activities amounted to $65.3 million, $23.5 million and $45.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase of $42.0 million during the year 2005 and the decrease of $22.0 million during the year 2004 in the cash flows from financing activities are due to the effect of the following fluctuations:
    The change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances decreased by $2.8 million during the year 2005 and increased by $9.5 during the year 2004. This represents a timing difference between the issuance of checks and the cash balance in the bank account at one point in time.
 
    In the 2005 period the proceeds from short-term borrowings exceeded payments of short-term borrowings by $40 thousand. On the other hand, in the year 2004 the payment of short-term borrowings exceeded the proceeds of short-term borrowings by $37.0 million. Short-term borrowings are used to address timing differences between cash receipts and disbursements.
 
    The repayments of long-term borrowings increased by $2.5 million during the year 2005 and by $1.0 million in the year 2004. The fluctuations in the repayments of long-term borrowings are due to additional repayments to one of the Corporation’s credit agreements amounting to $3.5 in 2005 and $1.0 million in 2004.
 
    Total long-term borrowings proceeds amounted to $60.0 million and $50.0 million during the years 2005 and 2004. There were no long-term borrowings proceeds during the year 2003. In 2005, the Corporation received proceeds from the 6.6% senior unsecured notes amounting to $60.0 million. In 2004, the Corporation received proceeds from the 6.3% senior unsecured notes amounting to $50.0 million. This represents an increase of $10.0 million in the amount of proceeds received from the issuance of long-term borrowings during the year 2005.
 
    The amount of net proceeds from annuity contracts during the years 2005, 2004 and 2003 amounted to $6.4 million, $6.4 million and $11.2 million, respectively. This fluctuation noted between the years 2004 and 2003 is primarily due to the Corporation’s new deferred annuity product introduced in late 2002.
Financing and Financing Capacity
The Corporation has significant short-term liquidity supporting its businesses. It also has available short-term borrowings that from time to time address timing differences between cash receipts and disbursements. These short-term borrowings are mostly in the form of securities sold under repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation had $227.5 million in available credit on these agreements. Outstanding short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2005 amount to $1.7 million. The amount due under outstanding short-term borrowings is expected to be paid out of the operating and investing cash flows of the Corporation.
As of December 31, 2005 the Corporation has the following senior unsecured notes payable:
    On September 30, 2004 TSI issued and sold $50.0 million of its 6.3% senior unsecured notes due September 2019 (the 6.3% notes). The 6.3% notes are unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest by the Corporation. The notes were privately placed to various institutional accredited investors. The notes pay interest semiannually beginning on March 2005, until such principal becomes due and payable. These notes can be prepaid after five years at par, in total or partially, as determined by the Corporation. Most of the proceeds obtained from this issuance were used to repay $37.0 million of short-term borrowings made by TSI. The remaining proceeds were used for general business purposes.

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    On December 21, 2005 TSM issued and sold $60.0 of its 6.6% senior unsecured notes due December 2020 (the 6.6% notes). The 6.6% notes were privately placed to various institutional accredited investors. The notes pay interest each month beginning on January 2006, until such principal becomes due and payable. These notes can be prepaid after five years at par, in full or in part, as determined by the Corporation. The proceeds obtained from this issuance were used to pay the initial ceding commission to GA Life on the effective date of the coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance agreement (described in “Item 1. Business” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section corresponding to the Life and Disability Insurance segment).
Both the 6.3% and the 6.6% notes contain certain covenants with which TSI and the Corporation have complied with at December 31, 2005.
In addition to the two senior unsecured notes described above, on January 31, 2006 the Corporation issued and sold $35.0 million of its 6.7% senior unsecured notes payable due January 2021 (the 6.7% notes). The 6.7% notes were privately placed to various accredited institutional investors. The notes pay interest each month beginning on March 1, 2006, until such principal becomes due and payable. These notes can be prepaid after five years at par, in full or in part, as determined by the Corporation. The proceeds obtained from this issuance were used to finance the acquisition of 100% of the common stock of GA Life effective January 31, 2006.
In addition, the Corporation has two credit agreements with a commercial bank, FirstBank Puerto Rico. These credit agreements bear interest rates determined by the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin specified at the time of the agreement. As of December 31, 2005, the two credit agreements have outstanding balances of $29.1 million and $11.5 million and average annual interest rates of 4.36% and 4.65%, respectively. The first agreement stipulates monthly principal repayment of $137 thousand. The second agreement stipulates repayments of principal amounts of not less than $250 thousand and in integral multiples of $50 thousand. The aggregate principal amounts of this credit agreement shall be reduced annually to the amounts specified on or before the dates described below:
         
    Required Principal
    Outstanding
Date   Balance
    (amounts in thousands)
August 1, 2006
  $ 12,000  
August 1, 2007
     
These credit agreements are guaranteed by a first position on the Corporation’ land, building, and substantially all leasehold improvements, as collateral for the term of the agreements under a continuing general security agreement. These credit facilities contain certain covenants which are normal in this type of facility. As of December 31, 2005, management believes the Corporation is in compliance with these covenants. Failure to meet these covenants may trigger the accelerated payment of the credit agreements’ outstanding balances. Principal repayments on these loans are expected to be paid out from the operating and investing cash flows of the Corporation.
The Corporation has an interest-rate swap agreement which changes the variable rate of one of its credit agreements and fixes the rate at 4.72%. For additional details regarding the interest rate swap agreement refer to note 12 of the audited consolidated financial statements and to “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the section “Other Risk Measurement”.
The Corporation continually monitors existing and alternative financing sources to support its capital and liquidity needs.
Planned Capital Expenditures
The Corporation is currently renovating the facilities in one of the two buildings adjacent to its main offices to house the operations of ISI, including its mainframe facilities, and some divisions of TSI. ISI’s mainframe facilities are currently located in a leased property that will be vacated once the renovation project is completed. During the year 2005 the Corporation incurred costs of approximately $1.6 million in the renovation of these facilities. Estimated costs to complete the renovation of these facilities amount to $3.8 million and are expected to be paid out of the available cash of the Corporation. The Corporation expects to complete the re-habilitation of these facilities by November 2006.
In addition, STS is currently in the process of changing the computer system that manages its insurance operations. During the year 2005, STS incurred costs of approximately $1.0 million on the software and hardware related to

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this new system. STS estimates that it will incur additional costs of approximately $1.3 million dollars before the expected completion date; this amount is expected to be paid out of excess operating cash flows of the Corporation. STS expects to complete the installation of the new system during the year 2006.
Contractual Obligations
The Corporation’s contractual obligations impact its short and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. However, the Corporation’s future cash flow prospects cannot be reasonably assessed based on such obligations. Future cash outflows, whether contractual or not, will vary based on our future needs. While some cash outflows are completely fixed (such as commitments to repay principal and interest on borrowings), most are dependent on future events (such as the payout pattern of claim liabilities which have been incurred but not reported).
The following table includes the aggregated information about the Corporation’s contractual obligations. The information presented in the table includes payments due under specified contractual obligations, aggregated by type of contractual obligation, including the maturity profile of the Corporation’s debt, operating leases and other long-term liabilities. The table below excludes an estimate of the future cash outflows related to the following long-term liabilities:
    Annuity contracts – The cash outflows related to these instruments are not included since these annuities do not have defined maturities, such that the timing of payments and withdrawals is uncertain. There are currently no annuities in paying status. As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation has $41.7 million in annuity contracts.
    Other long-term liabilities – Due to the indeterminate nature of their cash outflows, certain categories of other long-term liabilities are not included in the following table. These include miscellaneous long-term liabilities amounting to $22.4 million.
                                                         
            Contractual obligations by year
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   Total   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   Thereafter
 
Long-term borrowings (1)
  $ 267,991       10,900       22,094       10,069       9,982       9,896       205,050  
Operating leases
    4,717       1,600       1,370       771       415       371       190  
Purchase obligations (2)
    23,646       22,433       1,030       183                    
Claim liabilities (3)
    268,843       198,939       32,398       12,117       8,898       7,558       8,933  
 
 
  $ 565,197       233,872       56,892       23,140       19,295       17,825       214,173  
 
(1)   As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation’s long-term borrowings consist of $50.0 million of the 6.3% senior unsecured notes payable, $60.0 million of the 6.6% senior unsecured notes payable and $40.6 million of loans payable to a commercial bank. Total contractual obligations for long-term borrowings include the current maturities of long term debt. For the $50.0 million 6.3% senior unsecured notes; scheduled interest payments (amounting to $43.3 million) were included in the total contractual obligations for long-term borrowings until the maturity date of the notes in 2019. For the $60.0 million 6.6% senior unsecured notes, scheduled interest payments (amounting to $59.4 million) were included in the total contractual obligations for long-term borrowings until the maturity date of the notes in 2020. According to the terms of the senior notes, prepayments can be made five years after issuance; however no prepayment is considered in this schedule. The interest payments related to the Corporation’s loans payable were estimated using the interest rate outstanding as of December 31, 2005 for each of the loans. The actual amount of interest payments of the loans payable will differ from the amount included in this schedule due to the loans’ variable interest rate structure. See the “Financing and Financing Capacity” section for additional information regarding the Corporation’s long-term borrowings.
 
(2)   Purchase obligations represent payments required by the Corporation under material agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and where all significant terms are specified, including: quantities to be purchased, price provisions and the timing of the transaction. Other purchase orders made in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the table above. Any amounts for which the Corporation is liable under purchase orders are reflected in the audited consolidated balance sheets as accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Estimated pension plan contributions amounting to $6.0 million were included within the total purchase obligations. However, this amount is an estimate which may be subject to change in view of the fact that contribution decisions are affected by various factors such as market performance, regulatory and legal requirements and plan funding policy.
 
(3)   Claim liabilities represent the amount of claims processed and incomplete of the Corporation as well as an estimate of the amount of incurred but not reported claims and loss-adjustment expenses. This amount does not include an estimate of claims to be incurred subsequent to December 31, 2005. The expected claims payments of

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    the health insurance, property and casualty insurance and group life insurance were estimated using claims payment experience. The expected claims payments of the long-term disability insurance were estimated using actuarial estimates of expected pay-outs of those policies on which we are currently making periodic payments. The expected claims payments are an estimate and may not necessarily present the actual claims payments to be made by the Corporation. Also, the estimated claims payments included in the table above do not include $28.7 million of reserves ceded under reinsurance contracts. As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation’s ceded reserves are included within the reinsurance recoverable balance in the audited consolidated financial statements. Since reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Corporation from its obligations to policyholders, in the event that any of the reinsurance companies is unable to meet its obligations under the existing reinsurance agreements, the Corporation would be liable for such defaulted amounts. The Corporation monitors the solvency of its reinsurance carriers and does not believe the risk of insolvency is significant.
As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation had $227.5 million in available credit from various financial institutions, all of which expire within one year. These arrangements mainly provide for borrowings in the form of securities sold under repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2005, outstanding short-term borrowings under these agreements amounted to $1.7 million and are expected to be paid out of the operating and investing cash flows of the Corporation.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Corporation does not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements, trading activities involving non-exchange related contracts accounted for at fair value or relationships with persons or entities that derive benefits from a non-independent relationship with the Corporation or the Corporation’s related parties.
Restriction on Certain Payments by the Corporation’s Subsidiaries
TSM’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the regulations of the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These regulations, among other things, require insurance companies to maintain certain levels of capital, thereby, restricting the amount of earnings that can be distributed by the insurance subsidiaries to TSM. As of December 31, 2005, the insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with such minimum capital requirements. These regulations are not directly applicable to TSM, as a holding company, since it is not an insurance company. The regulations applicable to insurance subsidiaries are not currently expected to affect their ability to distribute dividends to TSM.
The credit agreements restrict the amount of dividends that TSM and its subsidiaries can declare or pay to stockholders. According to the credit agreements, the dividend payment cannot exceed the accumulated retained earnings of the paying entity.
None of the previously described dividend restrictions are expected to have a significant effect on TSM’s ability to meet its cash obligations.
Solvency Regulation
To monitor the solvency of the operations, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) requires TSM and TSI to comply with certain specified levels of Risk Based Capital (RBC). RBC is designed to identify weakly capitalized companies by comparing each company’s adjusted surplus to its required surplus (RBC ratio). The RBC ratio reflects the risk profile of insurance companies. At December 31, 2005, both entities had an RBC ratio above the level required by BCBSA.
Other Contingencies
  (1)   Legal Proceedings – Various litigation claims and assessments against the Corporation have arisen in the course of the Corporation’s business, including but not limited to, its activities as an insurer and employer. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as other Federal and Puerto Rico government authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct audits concerning the Corporation’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.
 
      Based on the information currently known by the Corporation’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have an adverse effect on the Corporation’s operating results and/or cash flows (see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

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  (2)   Guarantee Association – To operate in Puerto Rico, insurance companies, such as TSM’s insurance subsidiaries, are required to participate in guarantee associations, which are organized to pay policyholders contractual benefits on behalf of insurers declared to be insolvent. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on a proportional basis, to all member insurers in the line of business in which the insolvent insurer was engaged. During the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Corporation paid assessments in connection with insurance companies declared insolvent in the amount of $965 thousand, $1.1 million and $500 thousand, respectively. It is the opinion of management that any possible future guarantee association assessments will not have a material effect on the Corporation’s operating results and/or cash flows.
 
      Pursuant to the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, the property and casualty insurance segment is a member of Sindicato de Aseguradores para la Suscripción Conjunta de Seguros de Responsabilidad Profesional Médico-Hospitalaria (SIMED) and of the Sindicato de Aseguradores de Responsabilidad Profesional para Médicos. Both syndicates were organized for the purpose of underwriting medical-hospital professional liability insurance. As a member, the segment shares risks with other member companies and, accordingly, is contingently liable in the event the previously mentioned syndicates cannot meet their obligations. During 2005, 2004 and 2003, no assessment or payment was made for this contingency.
 
      In addition, pursuant to Article 12 of Rule LXIX of the Insurance Code, the property and casualty insurance segment is a member of the Compulsory Vehicle Liability Insurance Joint Underwriting Association (the Association). The Association was organized in 1997 to underwrite insurance coverage of motor vehicle property damage liability risks effective January 1, 1998. As a participant, the segment shares the risk proportionally with other members based on a formula established by the Insurance Code. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, the Association distributed good experience refunds. The segment received refunds amounting to $918, $840, and $638 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on consistent basis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
The Corporation continually evaluates the accounting policies and estimates it uses to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In general, management’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates made by management.
The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of the Corporation’s financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimation about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. For all these policies, management cautions that future events may not necessarily develop as forecasted, and that the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Management believes that the amounts provided for these critical accounting estimates are adequate.
Claim Liabilities
The detail of the claim liabilities as of December 31, 2005 by subsidiary is as follows:
                                 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   TSI   STS   SVTS   Consolidated
 
Claims processed and incomplete
  $ 74,654       47,416       17,624       139,694  
Unreported losses
    101,184       37,186       4,854       143,224  
Unpaid loss-adjustment expenses
    3,140       11,505             14,645  
 
 
  $ 178,978       96,107       22,478       297,563  
 

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Management continually evaluates the potential for changes in its claim liabilities estimates, both positive and negative, and uses the results of these evaluations both to adjust recorded claim liabilities and to adjust underwriting criteria. The Corporation’s profitability depends in large part on accurately predicting and effectively managing the amount of claims incurred, particularly those of the health insurance segments and the losses arising from the property and casualty insurance segment. Management regularly reviews its premiums and benefits structure to reflect the Corporation’s underlying claims experience and revised actuarial data; however, several factors could adversely affect the Corporation’s underwriting. Some of these factors are beyond management control and could adversely affect its ability to accurately predict and effectively control claims incurred. Examples of such factors include changes in health practices, economic conditions, change in utilization trends, healthcare costs, the advent of natural disasters, and malpractice litigation. Costs in excess of those anticipated could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations.
The Corporation recognizes claim liabilities as follows:
Health Insurance segments
At December 31, 2005, claim liabilities for the Health Insurance segments amounted to $179.0 million and represented 60% of the total consolidated claim liabilities and 22% of the total consolidated liabilities.
Liabilities for unreported losses are determined employing actuarial methods that are commonly used by health insurance actuaries and meet Actuarial Standards of Practice. Actuarial Standards of Practice require that the claim liabilities be adequate under moderately adverse circumstances. The segment determines the amount of the liability for unreported losses by following a detailed actuarial process that entails using both historical claim payment patterns as well as emerging medical cost trends to project a best estimate of claim liabilities. Under this process, historical data of paid claims is formatted into claim triangles which compare claim incurred dates to the dates of claim payments. This information is analyzed to create “completion (or development) factors” that represent the average percentage of total incurred claims that have been paid through a given date after being incurred. Completion factors are applied to claims paid through the financial statement date to estimate the ultimate claim expense incurred for the current period. Actuarial estimates of claim liabilities are then determined by subtracting the actual paid claims from the estimate of the total expected claims incurred.
The majority of claims unpaid are related to the most recent incurred months. Since the percentage of claims paid for claims incurred in those months is generally very low, the completion factor methodology is less reliable for such months. Therefore, historical completion and payment patterns are applied to incurred and paid claims for the most recent twelve months and each prior twelve month period. Incurred claims for the most recent twelve months are also projected by estimating the claims expense for those months based on recent claims expense levels and health care trend levels, or “trend factors”.
Because the reserve methodology is based upon historical information, it must be adjusted for known or suspected operational and environmental changes. These adjustments are made by the actuaries based on their knowledge and their estimate of emerging impacts to benefit costs and payment speed. Circumstances to be considered in developing our best estimate of reserves include changes in utilization levels, unit costs, mix of business, benefit plan designs, provider reimbursement levels, processing system conversions and changes, claim inventory levels, regulatory and legislative requirements, claim processing patterns and claim submission patterns. A comparison of prior period liabilities to re-estimated claim liabilities based on subsequent claims development is also considered in making the liability determination. In the actuarial process, the methods and assumptions are not changed as reserves are recalculated, but rather the availability of additional paid claims information drives our changes in the re-estimate of the unpaid claim liability. To the extent appropriate, changes in such development are recorded as a change to current period benefit expense. The re-estimates or recasts are done monthly for the previous four calendar quarters. On average, about 75% of the claims are paid the first quarter following incurrence date and about 10% are paid during the second quarter, for a total of 85% paid during the first six months following the incurrence date. This is the principal information used to re-evaluate reserve estimates with a higher degree of accuracy.
Management regularly reviews its assumptions regarding the claim liabilities and makes adjustments to claims incurred when necessary. If it is determined that management’s assumptions regarding cost trends and utilization are significantly different than actual results, our statement of earnings and financial position could be impacted in future periods. Changes of prior year estimates may result in an increase in claims incurred or a reduction of claims incurred in the period the change is made. Further, due to the considerable variability of health care costs, adjustments to claims liabilities occur each period and are sometimes significant as compared to the net income recorded in that period. Prior year development of claim liabilities is recognized immediately upon the actuary’s judgment that a portion of the prior year liability is no longer needed or that an additional liability should have been accrued. Health care trends are monitored in conjunction with the claim reserve analysis. Based on these analyses, rating trends are adjusted to

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anticipate future changes in health care cost or utilization. Thus, the segments incorporate those trends as part of the development of premium rates to keep premium rating trends in line with claims trends. In general, management’s policy has been to use conservative rating trends trying to avoid negative impacts to capital from changes in health care cost or utilization.
As described above, the completion factors and trend factors can have a significant impact on the claim liabilities. The following example provides the estimated impact to our December 31, 2005 claim liabilities assuming hypothetical changes in the completion and trend factors:
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)            
Completion Factor 1   Claims Trend Factor 2
(Decrease) Increase   (Decrease) Increase
             
In completion factor   In unpaid claim liabilities   In claims trend factor   In unpaid claim liabilities
(0.6)%
  $ 7,147       (0.6 )%   $ 5,797  
(0.4)%
    4,754       (0.4 )%     3,864  
(0.2)%
    2,371       (0.2 )%     1,932  
0.2%
    (2,361 )     0.2 %     (1,932 )
0.4%
    (4,711 )     0.4 %     (3,864 )
0.6%
    (7,050 )     0.6 %     (5,797 )
 
1   Assumes (decrease) increase in the completion factors for the most recent twelve months.
 
2   Assumes (decrease) increase in the claims trend factors for the most recent twelve months.
The segments reserving practice is to consistently recognize the actuarial best estimate as the ultimate liability for claims within a level of confidence required by actuarial standards. Management believes that the methodology in determining the best estimate for claim liabilities at each reporting date has been consistently applied.
Amounts incurred related to prior years vary from previously estimated liabilities as the claims are ultimately settled. Liabilities at any year end are continually reviewed and re-estimated as information regarding actual claims payments, or run-out, becomes known. This information is compared to the originally established year end liability. Negative amounts reported for incurred claims related to prior years result from claims being settled for amounts less than originally estimated. The reverse is true of reserve shortfalls. Medical claim liabilities are usually described as having a “short tail”, which means that they are generally paid within several months of the member receiving service from the provider. Accordingly, the majority, or approximately 95%, of any redundancy or shortfall relates to claims incurred in the previous calendar year-end, with the remaining 5% related to claims incurred prior to the previous calendar year-end. In 2004, the segments claim payment patterns were affected by a slowdown in claims submission from providers due to HIPAA coding changes that occurred during the latter half of 2003 and by the effect of tropical storm Jeanne, which limited access to providers during the months of September and October 2004. The first event affects historical completion factors while the second event changed utilization trends. Management has not noted any significant emerging trends in claim frequency and severity, other than those described above, and the normal fluctuation in utilization trends from year to year.
The following table shows the variance between the segments’ total incurred claims as reported and the incurred claims for such years had it been determined retrospectively (the “Incurred claims related to current period insured events” for the year shown plus or minus the “Incurred claims related to prior period insured events” for the following year). This table shows that the segments’ estimates of this liability have approximated the actual development.
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2004   2003   2002
 
Total incurred claims:
                       
As reported
  $ 1,054,575       1,026,000       1,032,200  
On a retrospective basis
    1,070,145       1,030,010       1,018,700  
 
Variance
  $ (15,570 )     (4,010 )     13,500  
 
Variance to total incurred claims as reported
    -1.5 %     -0.4 %     1.3 %
 

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Management expects that substantially all of the development of the 2005 estimate of medical claims payable will be known during 2006 and that the variance of the total incurred claims on a retrospective basis when compared to reported incurred claims will be similar to the prior years.
In the event these segments (or any of the other segments described in the following sections) experience an unexpected increase in health care cost or utilization trends, the Corporation has the following options to cover claim payments:
    Through the management of its cash flows and the investment portfolio.
 
    The Corporation has the ability to increase premium rates throughout the year in the monthly renewal process, when renegotiating the premiums for the following contract year of each group as they become due. The Corporation considers the actual claims trend of each group when determining the premium rates for the following contract year.
 
    The Corporation has available short-term borrowing facilities that from time to time address differences between cash receipts and disbursements. For additional information on the Corporation’s credit facilities, see section “Financing and Financing Capacity” of this Item.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment
At December 31, 2005, claim liabilities for the Property and Casualty Insurance segment amounted to $96.1 million and represented 32% of the total consolidated claim liabilities and 12% of the total consolidated liabilities.
Estimating the ultimate cost of claims and loss-adjustment expenses of this segment is an uncertain and complex process. This estimation process is based largely on the assumption that past developments, with appropriate adjustments due to known or unexpected changes, are a reasonable base in which to predict future events and trends, and involves a variety of actuarial techniques that analyze current experience, trends and other relevant factors. Property and casualty insurance claim liabilities are categorized and tracked by “line of business”, such as commercial multi-peril package business, property, auto physical damage, auto liability, general liability and medical malpractice. Medical malpractice policies are written on a claims-made basis. Policies written on a claims-made basis require that claims be reported during the policy period. Other lines of business are written on an occurrence basis.
Individual case estimates for reported claims are established by a claims adjuster and are changed as new information becomes available during the course of handling the claim. Our property and casualty business, other than medical malpractice, is primarily short-tailed business, where losses (e.g. paid losses and case reserves) generally emerge (i.e.
are reported) quickly.
Claim reserve reviews are generally conducted on a quarterly basis, in light of continually updated information, and include participation of the segment’s external actuaries. Our actuaries review reserves for both current and prior accident years using current claims data. These reviews incorporate a variety of actuarial methods, judgments, and analysis. For each line of business, a variety of actuarial methods are used, with the final selections of ultimate losses that are appropriate for each line of business selected based on the current circumstances affecting that line of business. These selections incorporate input from management, particularly from the claims, underwriting and operations divisions, about reported loss cost trends and other factors that could affect the reserve estimates.
Key assumptions are based on the consideration that past emergence of paid losses and case reserves is credible and likely indicative of future emergence and ultimate losses. A key assumption is the expected loss ratio for the current accident year. This expected loss ratio is generally determined through a review of the loss ratios of prior accident years and expected changes to earned pricing, loss costs, mix of business, and other factors that are expected to impact the loss ratio for the current accident year. Another key assumption is the development patterns for paid and reported losses (also referred to as the loss emergence and settlement patterns). The reserves for unreported claims for each year are determined after reviewing the indications produced by each actuarial projection method, which, in turn, rely on the expected paid and reported development patterns and the expected loss ratio for that year.
At December 31, 2005, the actuarial reserve range determined by the actuaries was from $88.4 million to $99.9 million. Management reviews the results of the reserve estimates in order to determine any appropriate adjustments in the recording of reserves. Adjustments to reserve estimates are made after management’s consideration of numerous factors, including but not limited to, the magnitude of the difference between the actuarial indication and the recorded reserves, improvement or deterioration of actuarial indications in the period, the maturity of the accident year, trends observed over the recent past and the level of volatility within a particular line of business. In general, changes are made more quickly to more mature accident years and less volatile lines of business. Varying the net expected loss ratio by +/-1% for the segment’s three most significant lines of business (commercial multi-peril, medical malpractice

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and auto liability) for the six most recent accident years, will increase/decrease the claims incurred by approximately $2.5 million
Life and Disability Insurance Segment
At December 31, 2005, claim liabilities for the Life and Disability Insurance segment amounted to $22.5 million and represented 8% of the total consolidated claim liabilities and 3% of the total consolidated liabilities.
The claim liabilities related to the Life and Disability Insurance segment are based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with U.S. GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. The estimate of claim liabilities for this segment is based on the amount of benefits contractually determined and on actuarial estimates of the amount of loss inherent in that period’s claims, including losses for which claims have not been reported. This estimate relies on actuarial observations of ultimate loss experience for similar historical events. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of claim liabilities for this segment are mortality, morbidity, and claim submission patterns, among others.
Claim reserve reviews are generally conducted on a quarterly basis, in light of continually updated information, and include participation of the segment’s external actuaries. Our actuaries review reserves using the current inventory of policies and claims data. These reviews incorporate a variety of actuarial methods, judgments, and analysis.
Impairment of Investments
Impairment of an investment exists if a decline in the estimated fair value below the amortized cost of the security is deemed to be other than temporary. An impairment review of securities to determine if impairment exists is subjective and requires a high degree of judgment. Management regularly reviews each investment security for impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds estimated fair value, general market conditions (like changes in interest rates), the Corporation’s ability and intent to hold the security until recovery in estimated fair value, the duration of the estimated fair value decline and the financial condition and specific prospects for the issuer. Management regularly performs market research and monitors market conditions to evaluate impairment risk. A decline in the estimated fair value of any available for sale or held to maturity security below cost, which is deemed to be other than temporary, results in a reduction of the carrying amount to its fair value. The impairment is charged to operations when that determination is made and a new cost basis for the security is established.
During the year 2005, the Corporation recognized an other-than-temporary impairment on one of its available for sale equity securities amounting to $1.0 million. No other-than-temporary impairment was recognized during the years 2004 and 2003. As of December 31, 2005, of the total amount of investments in securities of $666.3 million, $78.2 million, or 12%, are classified as trading securities, and thus are recorded at fair value with changes estimated fair value recognized in the statement of operations. The difference of $588.1 million is classified as either available for sale or held to maturity. The available for sale and held to maturity portfolios are made up of high-quality investments. Of the total amount of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, $518.7 million, or 88%, are securities in U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government sponsored agencies, obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, mortgage backed and collateralized mortgage obligations that are U.S. agency-backed, and obligations of U.S. and P.R. government instrumentalities. Thus, the remaining $69.4 million, or 12%, are from corporate fixed and equity securities. Gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2005 of the available for sale and held to maturity portfolios amounted to $11.8 million.
The impairment analysis as of December 31, 2005 indicated that, other than the equity security for which an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized, none of the securities whose carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value were other-than-temporarily impaired as of that date; however, several factors are beyond management’s control, such as the following: financial condition of the issuer, movement of interest rates, specific situations within corporations, among others. Over time, the economic and market environment may provide additional insight regarding the estimated fair value of certain securities, which could change management’s judgment regarding impairment. This could result in realized losses related to other than temporary declines being charged against future income. Considering the quality of the securities in the investment portfolio, the amount of unrealized losses within the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity portfolios, and past experience, management believes that, even when difficult to determine, the amount of possible future impairments in the next year should not be material.
The Corporation’s fixed maturity securities are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, which impact the fair value of individual securities. The Corporation’s equity securities are sensitive to equity price risks, for which potential losses could arise from adverse changes in the value of equity securities. Additional information on the sensitivity of the Corporation’s investments is included in Part II, Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.

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A detail of the gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 is included in note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for Doubtful Receivables
The Corporation estimates the amount of uncollectible receivables in each period and establishes an allowance for doubtful receivables. The allowance for doubtful receivables amounted to $12.2 million and $11.2 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The amount of the allowance is based on the age of unpaid accounts, information about the customer’s creditworthiness and other relevant information. The estimates of uncollectible accounts are revised each period, and changes are recorded in the period they become known. In determining the allowance the Corporation uses predetermined percentages applied to aged account balances. These percentages are based on the Corporation’s collection experience and are periodically evaluated. A significant change in the level of uncollectible accounts would have a material effect on the Corporation’s results of operations.
In addition to premium related receivables, the Corporation evaluates the risk in the realization of other accounts receivable, including balances due from third parties related to overpayment of medical claims and rebates, among others. These amounts are individually analyzed and the allowance determined based on the specific collectivity assessment and circumstances of each individual case.
The Corporation considers this allowance adequate to cover potential losses that may result from its inability to subsequently collect the amounts reported as accounts receivable. Notwithstanding, such estimates may be significantly affected in the event that unforeseen economic conditions adversely impact the ability of third parties to fulfill their responsibility to the Corporation and fully repay the amounts due.
Other Significant Accounting Policies
The Corporation has other significant accounting policies that do not involve the same degree of measurement uncertainty as those discussed above, that are nevertheless important to an understanding of the financial statements. These significant accounting policies are disclosed in note 2 of the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 153, Exchange of Nonmonetary Assets , which eliminates an exception in APB 29 for recognizing nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets at fair value and replaces it with an exception for recognizing exchanges of nonmonetary assets at fair value that do not have commercial substance. This Statement will be effective for the Corporation for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring on or after January 1, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have any impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections . SFAS No. 154 establishes, unless impracticable, retrospective application as the required method for reporting a change in accounting principle in the absence of explicit transition requirements specific to a newly adopted accounting principle. This statement will be effective for the Corporation for any accounting changes and error corrections occurring after January 1, 2006.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The Corporation is exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in the Corporation’s financial instruments, which arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business. The Corporation is also subject to market risk on certain of its financial instruments. The Corporation must effectively manage, measure, and monitor the market risk associated with its invested assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities. It has established and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to minimize the effects of potential market volatility.
Market Risk Exposure
The Corporation has exposure to market risk mostly in its investment activities. For purposes of this disclosure, “market risk” is defined as the risk of loss resulting from changes in interest rates and equity prices. Analytical tools and monitoring systems are in place to assess each one of the elements of market risks.

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As in other insurance companies, investment activities are an integral part of the Corporation’s business. Insurance statutes regulate the type of investments that the insurance segments are permitted to make and limit the amount of funds that may be invested in some types of securities. The Corporation has a diversified investment portfolio with a large portion invested in investment-grade, fixed income securities.
The Corporation’s investment philosophy is to maintain a largely investment-grade fixed income portfolio, provide adequate liquidity for expected liability durations and other requirements, and maximize total return through active investment management.
The Corporation evaluates the interest rate risk of its assets and liabilities regularly, as well as the appropriateness of investments relative to its internal investment guidelines. The Corporation operates within these guidelines by maintaining a well-diversified portfolio, both across and within asset classes. Investment decisions are centrally managed by investment professionals based on the guidelines established by management. The Corporation has a Finance Committee, composed of members of the Board of Directors, which monitors and approves investment policies and procedures. The investment portfolio is managed following those policies and procedures.
The Corporation’s investment portfolio is predominantly comprised of U.S. treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities, obligations of U.S. government sponsored agencies, obligations of state and political subdivisions, and obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities, which comprise approximately 78% of the total portfolio value in the year 2005. Of this 78% of total portfolio value, approximately 8% is composed of U. S. agency-backed mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. The remaining balance of the investment portfolio consists of an equity securities portfolio that replicates the S&P 500 Index, a large-cap growth index, a large-cap value index, mutual funds, and investments in local stocks from well-known financial institutions.
The Corporation measures market risk related to its holdings of invested assets and other financial instruments utilizing a sensitivity analysis. This analysis estimates the potential changes in fair value of the instruments subject to market risk. The sensitivity analysis was performed separately for each of the Corporation’s market risk exposures related to its trading and other than trading portfolios. This sensitivity analysis is an estimate and should not be viewed as predictive of the Corporation’s future financial performance. The Corporation cannot assure that its actual losses in any particular year will not exceed the amounts indicated in the following paragraphs. Limitations related to this sensitivity analysis include:
    The market risk information is limited by the assumptions and parameters established in creating the related sensitivity analysis, including the impact of prepayment rates on mortgages;
    The model assumes that the composition of assets and liabilities remains unchanged throughout the year.
Accordingly, the Corporation uses such models as tools and not as a substitute for the experience and judgment of its management and Board of Directors.
Interest Rate Risk
The Corporation’s exposure to interest rate changes results from its significant holdings of fixed maturity securities. Investments subject to interest rate risk are located within the Corporation’s trading and other-than-trading portfolios. The Corporation is also exposed to interest rate risk from its two variable interest credit agreements and from its annuity contracts.
Equity Price Risk
The Corporation’s investments in equity securities expose it to equity price risks, for which potential losses could arise from adverse changes in the value of equity securities. Financial instruments subject to equity prices risk are located within the Corporation’s trading and other-than-trading portfolios.
Risk Measurement
Trading Portfolio
The Corporation’s trading securities are a source of market risk. As of December 31, 2005, the Corporation’s trading portfolio was composed of investments in publicly traded common stocks. The securities in the trading portfolio are

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high quality, diversified across industries and readily marketable. Trading securities are recorded at fair value; changes in the fair value of these securities are included in operations. The fair value of the investments in trading securities is exposed to equity price risk. Assuming an immediate decrease of 10% in the market value of these securities as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the hypothetical loss in the fair value of these investments is estimated to be approximately $7.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively.
Other than Trading Portfolio
The Corporation’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are also a source of market risk. As of December 31, 2005 approximately 91% and 100% of the Corporation’s investments in available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, respectively, consisted of fixed income securities. The remaining balance of the available-for-sale portfolio is comprised of equity securities. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value and changes in the market value of these securities, net of the related tax effect, are excluded from operations and are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income until realized. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost and adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts. The fair value of the investments in the other than trading portfolio is exposed to both interest rate risk and equity price risk.
  (1)   Interest Rate Risk – The Corporation has evaluated the net impact to the fair value of its fixed income investments using a combination of both statistical and fundamental methodologies. From these shocked values a resultant market price appreciation/depreciation can be determined after portfolio cash flows are modeled and evaluated over instantaneous 100, 200 and 300 bp rate shifts. Techniques used in the evaluation of cash flows include Monte Carlo simulation through a series of probability distributions over 200 interest rate paths. Necessary prepayment speeds are compiled using Salomon Brothers Yield Book, which sources numerous factors in deriving speeds, including but not limited to: historical speeds, economic indicators, street consensus speeds, etc. Securities evaluated under the aforementioned scenarios include, as it relates to the Corporation, mortgage pass-through certificates and collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. agencies, and private label structures, provided that cash flows information is available. The following table sets forth the result of this analysis for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
                         
(Dollar amounts in thousands)            
    Expected   Amount of   %
Change in Interest Rates   Fair Value   Decrease   Change
 
December 31, 2005:
                       
Base Scenario
  $ 560,146                  
 
+100 bp
  $ 532,372       (27,774 )     (4.96 )%
 
+200 bp
  $ 512,003       (48,143 )     (8.59 )%
 
+300 bp
  $ 492,776       (67,370 )     (12.03 )%
 
 
                       
December 31, 2004:
                       
Base Scenario
  $ 482,019                  
 
+100 bp
  $ 465,335       (16,684 )     (3.46 )%
 
+200 bp
  $ 446,588       (35,431 )     (7.35 )%
 
+300 bp
  $ 428,419       (53,600 )     (11.12 )%
 
      The Corporation believes that an interest rate shift in a 12-month period of 100 bp represents a moderately adverse outcome, while a 200 bp shift is significantly adverse and a 300 bp shift is unlikely given historical precedents. Although the Corporation classifies 96% of its fixed income securities as available-for-sale, the Corporation’s cash flows and the intermediate duration of its investment portfolio should allow it to hold securities until their maturity, thereby avoiding the recognition of losses, should interest rates rise significantly.
 
  (2)   Equity Price Risk – The Corporation’s equity securities in the available-for-sale portfolio are comprised primarily of stock of several Puerto Rico financial institutions and mutual funds. Assuming an immediate decrease of 10% in the market value of these securities as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the hypothetical loss in the fair value of these investments is estimated to be approximately $5.2 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

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Other Risk Measurement
The Corporation is subject to interest rate risk on its two variable interest credit agreements, its annuity contracts and on its short-term borrowings. Shifting interest rates do not have a material effect on the fair value of these instruments. The two credit agreements have a variable interest rate structure, which reduces the potential exposure to interest rate risk. The annuity contracts have short-term interest rate guarantees, which also reduce the accounts’ exposure to interest rate risk. In addition, the brief maturity of the Corporation’s short-term borrowings reduces the instrument’s exposure to interest rate risk.
The Corporation has an interest-rate related derivative instrument to manage the variability caused by interest rate changes in the cash flows of one of its credit agreements. This swap changes the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed-rate cash flows. Shifting interest rates have an effect in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement. The Corporation assesses interest rate risk by monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement. The Corporation monitors interest rate risk attributable to both the Corporation’s outstanding or forecasted debt obligations as well as the Corporation’s offsetting hedge position. As of December 31, 2005, the estimated fair value of the interest rate swap amounted to $607 thousand and was included within the other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2004, the estimated fair value of the interest rate swap amounted to $(142) thousand and was included within the accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Assuming an immediate decrease of 10% in period end rates as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the hypothetical loss in the estimated fair value of the interest rate swap is estimated to approximate $61 thousand and $14 thousand, respectively.
The Corporation has invested in other derivative instruments in order to diversify its investment in securities and participate in foreign stock markets. During the year 2005, the Corporation has invested in two structured note agreements amounting to $5.0 million each, where the interest income received is linked to the performance of the Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 and Nikkei 225 Equity Indexes (the Indexes). Under these agreements the principal invested by the Corporation is protected, the only amount that varies according to the performance of the Indexes is the interest to be received upon the maturity of the instruments. Should the Indexes experience a negative performance during the holding period of the structured notes, no interest will be received and no amount will be paid to the issuer of the structured notes. The contingent interest payment component within the structured note agreements meets the definition of an embedded derivative. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, as amended, the embedded derivative component of the structured note is separated from the structured notes and accounted for separately as a derivative instrument. The derivative component of the structured notes exposes the Corporation to credit risk and market risk. The Corporation minimizes credit risk by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. The market risk is managed by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken. As of December 31, 2005, the fair value of the derivative component of the structured notes amounted to $5.3 million and is included within the other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Assuming an immediate decrease of 10% in the period end Indexes as of December 31, 2005, the hypothetical loss in the estimated fair value of the derivative component of the structured notes is estimated to be approximately $533 thousand. The investment component of the structured notes, which fair value amounted to $7.3 million as of December 31, 2005, is accounted for as a held-to-maturity debt security and is included within the investment in securities in the consolidated balance sheet and its risk measurement is evaluated along the other investments in the Other Than Trading section of this item.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Financial Statements
For the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 for the three years ended December 31, 2005 see Index to financial statements in “Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Quarterly Financial Data
For the selected quarterly financial data corresponding to the years 2005 and 2004, see note 26 of the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Corporation’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2005. Based on that evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2005.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no significant changes in the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures, or in factors that could significantly affect internal controls, subsequent to the date the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer completed the evaluation referred to above.
Item 9B.Other Information.
Not applicable.
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
For the Code of Ethics adopted by Corporation, see Exhibit 14.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the sections “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, “Executive Officers”, “Other Relationships, Transactions and Events”, “Audit Committee Report” and “Audit Committed Financial Expert” included in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” “Executive Compensation,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” included in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section “Shares Beneficially Owned by Directors and Executive Officers of the Corporation” included in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section “Other Relationships, Transactions and Events” included in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement.

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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section “Disclosure of Audit Fees” included in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules.
Financial Statements and Schedules
     
Financial Statements   Description
F-1
  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004
F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
F-7
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
     
Financial Statements    
Schedules   Description
S-1
  Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
S-2
  Schedule III – Supplementary Insurance Information
S-3
  Schedule IV – Reinsurance
S-4
  Schedule V – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedule I – Summary of Investments was omitted because the information is disclosed in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements. Schedule VI – Supplemental Information Concerning Property Casualty Insurance Operations was omitted because the schedule is not applicable to the Corporation.
Exhibits
     
Exhibits   Description
3(i)
  Articles of Incorporation of Triple-S Management Corporation as amended (English Translation) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 0-49762)).
3(ii)
  By-Laws of Triple-S Management Corporation as amended (English Translation) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.1
  Puerto Rico Health Insurance Contract for the Metro-North Region (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.1 (a)
  Extension to the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Contract for the Metro-North Region (incorporate herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.2
  Puerto Rico Health Insurance Contract for the North Region (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.2 (a)
  Extension to the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Contract for the North Region (incorporate herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.3
  Puerto Rico Health Insurance Contract for the South-West Region (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 0-49762)).

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10.3 (a)
  Extension to the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Contract for the South-West Region (incorporate herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.4
  Employment Contract with Mr. Ramón Ruiz Comas, CPA (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.5
  Employment Contract with Ms. Socorro Rivas, CPA (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.6
  Employment Contract with Dr. Alejandro Franco (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.7
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Contract (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.8
  Credit Agreement with FirstBank Puerto Rico in the amount of $41,000,000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.9
  Credit Agreement with FirstBank Puerto Rico in the amount of $20,000,000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.10
  Non-Contributory Retirement Program (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.11
  License and other Agreements with Blue Shield (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.12
  Employment Contract with Dr. Francisco Joglar-Pesquera (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TSM’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2005 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.13
  Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Triple-S Management Corporation and Great American Financial Resources, Inc. dated December 15, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TSM’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2005 (File No. 0-49762)).
10.14
  Reinsurance Agreement between Great American Life Assurance Company of Puerto Rico and Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc. dated December 15, 2005.
10.15
  6.30% Senior Unsecured Notes Due September 2019 Note Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2004, between Triple-S Management Corporation, Triple-S, Inc. and various institutional accredited investors.
10.16
  6.60% Senior Unsecured Notes Due December 2020 Note Purchase Agreement, dated December 15, 2005, between Triple-S Management Corporation and various institutional accredited investors.
11.1
  Statement re computation of per share earnings; an exhibit describing the computation of the earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 has been omitted as the detail necessary to determine the computation of earnings per share can be clearly determined from the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
12.1
  Statement re computation of ratios; an exhibit describing the computation of the loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 has been omitted as the detail necessary to determine the computation of earnings per share can be clearly determined from the material contained in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
13.1
  Triple-S Management Corporation Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005.
14.1
  Code of Ethics
31.1
  Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
31.2
  Certification of the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

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32.1
  Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer required pursuant to 18 U.S. Section 1350.
32.2
  Certification of the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer required pursuant to 18 U.S. Section 1350.
21.1
  List of Subsidiaries of the Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 21 to TSM’s General Form of Registration of Securities on Form 10 (File No. 0-49762)).
All other exhibits for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Triple-S Management Corporation
Registrant
             
By:
  /s/ Ramón M. Ruiz-Comas   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Ramón M. Ruiz-Comas        
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Juan J. Román   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Juan J. Román        
 
  Vice President of Finance and        
 
  Chief Financial Officer        

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
By:
  /s/ Wilmer Rodríguez-Silva, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Wilmer Rodríguez-Silva, MD        
 
  Director and Chairman of the Board        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Mario S. Belaval   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Mr. Mario S. Belaval        
 
  Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Jesús R. Sánchez-Colón, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Jesús R. Sánchez-Colón, MD        
 
  Director and Secretary of the Board        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Miguel Nazario-Franco   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Miguel Nazario-Franco        
 
  Director and Assistant Secretary of the Board        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Vicente J. León-Irizarry, CPA   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Vicente J. León-Irizarry, CPA        
 
  Director and Treasurer of the Board        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Adamina Soto-Mártinez, CPA   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Adamina Soto-Mártinez, CPA        
 
  Director and Assistant Treasurer of the Board        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Valeriano Alicea-Cruz, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Valeriano Alicea-Cruz, MD        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ José Árturo Álvarez-Gallardo   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Mr. José Árturo Álvarez-Gallardo        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Arturo R. Córdova-López, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Arturo R. Córdova-López, MD        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Carmen Ana Culpeper-Ramírez   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Ms. Carmen Ana Culpeper-Ramírez        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Porfirio E. Díaz-Torres, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Porfirio E. Díaz-Torres, MD        
 
  Director        

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By:
  /s/ Manuel Figueroa-Collazo, PE   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Manuel Figueroa-Collazo, PE, Ph.D.        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ José Hawayek-Alemañy, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  José Hawayek-Alemañy, MD        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Fernando L. Longo, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Fernando L. Longo, MD        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Wilfredo López-Hernández, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Wilfredo López-Hernández, MD        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Juan E. Rodríguez-Díaz, Esq.   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Juan E. Rodríguez-Díaz, Esq.        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Manuel Suárez-Méndez, P.E.   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Manuel Suárez-Méndez, P.E.        
 
  Director        
 
           
By:
  /s/ Fernando J. Ysern Borrás, MD   Date:   March 30, 2006
 
           
 
  Fernando J. Ysern Borrás, MD        
 
  Director        

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(With Independent Auditors’ Report Thereon)

 


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Triple-S Management Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Triple-S Management Corporation and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Triple-S Management Corporation and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
March 17, 2006
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Stamp No. 2102444 of the Puerto Rico
Society of Certified Public Accountants
was affixed to the record copy of this report.

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2005 and 2004
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                 
    2005     2004  
Assets
               
Investments and cash:
               
Securities held for trading, at fair value:
               
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $70,668 in 2004)
  $       72,423  
Equity securities (cost of $69,397 in 2005 and $74,824 in 2004)
    78,215       86,596  
Securities available for sale, at fair value:
               
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $524,287 in 2005 and $444,135 in 2004)
    515,174       444,637  
Equity securities (cost of $38,675 in 2005 and $34,309 in 2004)
    51,810       59,186  
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:
               
Fixed maturities (fair value of $20,760 in 2005 and $14,503 in 2004)
    21,129       14,280  
Cash and cash equivalents
    48,978       35,115  
 
           
Total investments and cash
    715,306       712,237  
 
               
Premium and other receivables, net
    244,038       113,323  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    81,568       18,712  
Property and equipment, net
    34,709       32,364  
Net deferred tax asset
    2,151        
Other assets
    59,690       43,021  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,137,462       919,657  
 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
 
               
Claim liabilities:
               
Claims processed and incomplete
  $ 139,694       137,282  
Unreported losses
    143,224       127,324  
Unpaid loss-adjustment expenses
    14,645       14,719  
 
           
Total claim liabilities
    297,563       279,325  
 
               
Future policy benefits reserve related to funds withheld reinsurance
    118,635        
Unearned premiums
    95,703       84,583  
Annuity contracts
    41,738       34,071  
Liability to Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program
    4,356       9,791  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    106,468       100,388  
Short-term borrowings
    1,740       1,700  
Long-term borrowings
    150,590       95,730  
Income tax payable
          1,827  
Net deferred tax liability
          1,969  
Additional minimum pension liability
    11,966       8,840  
 
           
Total liabilities
    828,759       618,224  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $40 par value. Authorized 12,500 shares; issued and outstanding 8,904 shares at December 31, 2005 and 2004
    356       356  
Additional paid-in capital
    150,408       150,408  
Retained earnings
    162,964       134,531  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (5,025 )     16,138  
 
           
 
    308,703       301,433  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,137,462       919,657  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Revenue:
                       
Premiums earned, net
  $ 1,380,204       1,298,959       1,264,395  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    210,905       179,166       160,127  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (196,460 )     (169,924 )     (151,806 )
 
                 
 
    1,394,649       1,308,201       1,272,716  
 
                       
Net investment income
    29,029       26,499       24,679  
Net realized investment gains
    7,161       10,968       8,365  
Net unrealized investment gain (loss) on trading securities
    (4,709 )     3,042       14,893  
Other income, net
    3,732       3,360       4,703  
 
                 
Total revenue
    1,429,862       1,352,070       1,325,356  
 
                 
 
                       
Benefits and expenses:
                       
Claims incurred
    1,208,367       1,115,793       1,065,350  
Operating expenses, net of reimbursement for services
    181,703       171,879       165,149  
Interest expense
    7,595       4,581       3,231  
 
                 
Total benefits and expenses
    1,397,665       1,292,253       1,233,730  
 
                 
Income before taxes
    32,197       59,817       91,626  
 
                 
 
                       
Income tax expense (benefit):
                       
Current
    3,924       14,285       70,793  
Deferred
    (160 )     (271 )     (5,396 )
 
                 
Total income taxes
    3,764       14,014       65,397  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
 
                 
Basic net income per share
  $ 3,193       5,135       2,857  
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
and Comprehensive Income
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                         
                            Accumulated        
            Additional             other     Total  
    Common     paid-in     Retained     comprehensive     stockholders’  
    stock     capital     earnings     income (loss)     equity  
Balance, December 31, 2002
  $ 373       150,406       62,499       18,386       231,664  
 
                                       
Stock redemption
    (12 )     1                   (11 )
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                26,229             26,229  
Net unrealized change in investment securities
                      (6,022 )     (6,022 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
                      2,292       2,292  
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges
                      103       103  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    22,602  
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2003
    361       150,407       88,728       14,759       254,255  
 
                                       
Stock redemption
    (5 )     1                   (4 )
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                45,803             45,803  
Net unrealized change in investment securities
                      1,101       1,101  
Net change in minimum pension liability
                      (3 )     (3 )
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges
                      281       281  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    47,182  
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2004
    356       150,408       134,531       16,138       301,433  
 
                                       
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                28,433             28,433  
Net unrealized change in investment securities
                      (18,832 )     (18,832 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
                      (2,788 )     (2,788 )
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges
                      457       457  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    7,270  
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2005
  $ 356       150,408       162,964       (5,025 )     308,703  
 
                             
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Premiums collected
  $ 1,388,623       1,302,383       1,267,127  
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
    (257,822 )     (182,333 )     (169,160 )
Claim losses and benefits paid
    (1,193,548 )     (1,092,817 )     (1,066,527 )
Interest received
    28,826       27,065       25,139  
Income taxes paid
    (9,118 )     (44,680 )     (39,287 )
Proceeds from trading securities sold or matured:
                       
Fixed maturities
    102,667       50,330       77,582  
Equity securities
    36,156       26,523       28,924  
Acquisition of investments in trading portfolio:
                       
Fixed maturities
    (30,502 )     (54,550 )     (96,237 )
Equity securities
    (25,785 )     (38,700 )     (38,956 )
Interest paid
    (5,351 )     (3,578 )     (2,866 )
Expense reimbursement from Medicare
    13,886       13,980       11,387  
Contingency reserve funds from FEHBP
    1,059       5,217       13,023  
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    49,091       8,840       10,149  
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Proceeds from investments sold or matured:
                       
Securities available for sale:
                       
Fixed maturities sold
    13,099       86,112       129,868  
Fixed maturities matured
    22,822       69,258       196,961  
Equity securities
    3,488       8,436       16,778  
Securities held to maturity:
                       
Fixed maturities matured
    1,816       1,322       1,010  
Acquisition of investments:
                       
Securities available for sale:
                       
Fixed maturities
    (118,758 )     (194,016 )     (416,759 )
Equity securities
    (6,876 )     (2,435 )     (14,824 )
Securities held to maturity:
                       
Fixed maturities
    (8,495 )     (10,154 )     (537 )
Capital expenditures
    (7,574 )     (3,494 )     (3,205 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
          15       63  
 
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (100,478 )     (44,956 )     (90,645 )
 
                 
 
  5 (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances
  $ 3,914       6,730       (2,739 )
Repayments of short-term borrowings
    (174,035 )     (57,355 )      
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
    174,075       20,355       38,700  
Repayments of long-term borrowings
    (5,140 )     (2,645 )     (1,640 )
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    60,000       50,000        
Redemption of common stock
          (4 )     (11 )
Proceeds from annuity contracts
    11,510       11,002       13,471  
Surrenders of annuity contracts
    (5,074 )     (4,595 )     (2,318 )
 
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    65,250       23,488       45,463  
 
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    13,863       (12,628 )     (35,033 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    35,115       47,743       82,776  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 48,978       35,115       47,743  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(1)   Organization
  (a)   Nature of Business
 
      Triple-S Management Corporation (the Company or TSM) was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on January 17, 1997 to engage, among other things, as the holding company of entities primarily involved in the insurance industry.
 
      The Company has the following wholly owned subsidiaries that are subject to the regulations of the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the Commissioner of Insurance): (1) Triple-S, Inc. (TSI) which provides hospitalization and health benefits to subscribers through contracts with hospitals, physicians, dentists, laboratories, and other organizations located mainly in Puerto Rico; (2) Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc. (SVTS), which is engaged in the underwriting of life and disability insurance policies and the administration of annuity contracts; and (3) Seguros Triple-S, Inc. (STS), which is engaged in the underwriting of property and casualty insurance policies. The Company and TSI are members of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA).
 
      The Company also has two other wholly owned subsidiaries, Interactive Systems, Inc. (ISI) and Triple-C, Inc. (TC). ISI is mainly engaged in providing data processing services to the Company and its subsidiaries. TC is mainly engaged as a third-party administrator for TSI in the administration of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Health Care Reform’s business (the Reform). Also, TC provides health care advisory services to TSI and other health insurance-related services to the health insurance industry.
 
      A substantial majority of the Company’s business activity is with insureds located throughout Puerto Rico, and as such, the Company is subject to the risks associated with the Puerto Rico economy.
 
  (b)   Reorganization of the Business
 
      On December 6, 1996, the Commissioner of Insurance issued an order to annul the sale of 1,582 shares of common stock that TSI repurchased from the estate of deceased stockholders. TSI contested such order through administrative and judicial review processes. Consequently, the sale of 1,582 shares was cancelled and the amounts paid returned to each former stockholder. During the year 2000, the Commissioner of Insurance issued a pronouncement providing further clarification of the content and effect of the order. This order also required that all corporate decisions undertaken by TSI through the vote of its stockholders of record, be ratified in a stockholders’ meeting or in a subsequent referendum. In November 2000, TSM, as the sole stockholder of TSI, ratified all such decisions. Furthermore, on November 19, 2000, TSM held a special stockholders’ meeting, where a ratification of these decisions was undertaken except for the resolutions related to the approval of the reorganization of TSI and its subsidiaries. This resolution did not reach the two-thirds majority required by the order because the number of shares that were present and represented at the meeting was below such amount (total shares present and represented in the stockholders’ meeting was 64%). As stipulated in the order, TSM began the process to conduct a referendum among its stockholders in order to ratify such resolution. The process was later suspended because upon further review of the
 
  7 (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      scope of the order, the Commissioner of Insurance issued an opinion in a letter dated January 8, 2002, which indicated that the ratification of the corporate reorganization was not required.
 
      In another letter to TSI dated March 14, 2002, the Commissioner of Insurance stated that the ratification of the corporate reorganization was not required and that TSI had complied with the Commissioner of Insurance’s order of December 6, 1996 related to the corporate reorganization. Thereafter, two of TSM’s stockholders filed a petition for review of the Commissioner of Insurance’s determination before the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals. Such petition was opposed by TSI and by the Commissioner of Insurance.
 
      Pursuant to that review, on September 24, 2002, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order requiring the Commissioner of Insurance to order that a meeting of shareholders be held to ratify TSI’s corporate reorganization and the change of name of TSI from Seguros de Servicios de Salud de Puerto Rico, Inc. to Triple-S, Inc. The Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals based its decision on administrative and procedural issues directed at the Commissioner of Insurance. The Commissioner of Insurance filed a motion of reconsideration with the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals on October 11, 2002. TSM and TSI also filed a motion of reconsideration.
 
      On October 25, 2002, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Commissioner of Insurance’s Motion for Reconsideration.
 
      On May 18, 2003, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals granted TSI’s and TSM’s Motion of Reconsideration. The Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Commissioner of Insurance had the authority to waive the celebration of a referendum to ratify TSI’s reorganization and that therefore the reorganization of TSI, inasmuch as the 1,582 shares annulled were not decisive, was approved by the stockholders.
 
      On June 26, 2003, the two shareholders presented a Writ of Certiorari before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. TSI and TSM filed a motion opposing the issuance of the writ. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico issued the writ on August 22, 2003, when it ordered that the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals transmit the record of the case. On December 1, 2003, the two shareholders filed a motion submitting their case on the basis of their original petition. TSI filed its brief on December 30, 2003, while the Commissioner of Insurance, in turn, filed a separate brief on December 31, 2003. On June 24, 2004, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ordered the plaintiffs to file a brief in support of their allegations. The outcome of the case is pending before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. It is the opinion of the management and its legal counsels that the corporate reorganization as approved is in full force and effect.
(2)   Significant Accounting Policies
 
    The following are the significant accounting policies followed by the Company and its subsidiaries:
  (a)   Basis of Presentation
 
      The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These principles are established primarily by the
 
  8 (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
 
      The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
  (b)   Cash Equivalents
 
      Cash equivalents of $28,030 and $3,617 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, consist principally of certificates of deposit and obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Treasury with an initial term of less than three months. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  (c)   Investments
 
      Investment in securities at December 31, 2005 and 2004 consists mainly of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities, obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities, obligations of state and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate debt, and equity securities. The Company classifies its debt and equity securities in one of three categories: trading, available for sale, or held to maturity. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Securities classified as held to maturity are those securities in which the Company has the ability and intent to hold the security until maturity. All other securities not included in trading or held to maturity are classified as available for sale.
 
      Trading and available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. Held-to-maturity debt securities are recorded at amortized cost, adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts. Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are included in operations. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from operations and are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income until realized. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding gains and losses are recognized in operations for transfers into trading securities. Unrealized holding gains or losses associated with transfers of securities from held to maturity to available for sale are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income. The unrealized holding gains or losses included in the separate component of other comprehensive income for securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity, are maintained and amortized into operations over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment to yield in a manner consistent with the amortization or accretion of premium or discount on the associated security.
 
      A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost, that is deemed to be other than temporary, results in a reduction in carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine whether an impairment is other than temporary, the Company considers whether it has the ability and
 
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Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and considers whether evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. Evidence considered in this assessment includes the reasons for the impairment, the severity and duration of the impairment, market conditions, changes in value subsequent to period-end and forecasted performance of the investee.
 
      Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related held-to-maturity or available-for-sale security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.
 
      Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities are included in operations and are determined on a specific-identification basis.
 
  (d)   Revenue Recognition
 
      Subscriber premiums on health and life insurance policies are billed in advance of their respective coverage period and the related revenue is recorded as earned during the coverage period. The premiums of TSI and SVTS are billed in the month prior to the effective date of the policy with a grace period of one month. If the insured fails to pay, the policy can be canceled at the end of the grace period at the option of the companies. Health and life insurance premiums are reported as earned when due.
 
      Certain groups have health insurance contracts that provide for the group to be at risk for all or a portion of their claims experience. For these groups, the Company is not at risk and only handles the administration of the insurance coverage for an administrative fee. The Company pays claims under self-funded arrangements from its own bank accounts, and subsequently receives reimbursement from the self-funded groups. Revenue recorded under the self-funded arrangements are recognized based on the incurred claims for the period plus administrative and other fees and are labeled as amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. In addition, some of these self-funded groups purchase aggregate and/or specific stop-loss coverage. In exchange for a premium, the group’s aggregate liability or the group’s liability on any one episode of care is capped for the year. Premiums for the stop-loss coverage are actuarially determined based on experience and other factors and are recorded as earned over the period of the contract in proportion to the coverage provided. This fully-insured portion of premiums is included within the premiums earned, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. In addition, accounts for certain self-insured groups are charged or credited with interest expense or income as provided by the group’s contracts.
 
  10 (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      The detail by funding option of the amount of revenue attributable to self-funded arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 is as follows:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Self-funded portion:
                       
Reimbursement for claims incurred
  $ 195,390       165,921       147,972  
Administrative fees
    15,515       13,245       12,155  
 
                 
Totals
  $ 210,905       179,166       160,127  
 
                 
 
                       
Fully insured portion:
                       
Stop-loss premiums
  $ 1,117       1,436       1,234  
Organ transplant premiums
    775       1,100       927  
 
                 
Totals
  $ 1,892       2,536       2,161  
 
                 
      Premiums on property and casualty contracts are recognized as earned on a pro rata basis over the policy term. The portion of premiums related to the period prior to the end of coverage is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as unearned premiums and is transferred to premium revenue as earned.
 
  (e)   Allowance for Doubtful Receivables
 
      The allowance for doubtful receivables is based on management’s evaluation of the aging of accounts and such other factors, which deserve current recognition. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Receivables are charged against their respective allowance accounts when deemed to be uncollectible.
 
  (f)   Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
      Certain costs for acquiring property and casualty, and life and disability insurance business are deferred by the Company. In the property and casualty business these costs mainly relate to commissions incurred during the production of business and are deferred and amortized ratably over the terms of the policies. In the life and disability insurance business the deferred acquisition costs mainly relate to the production of life, annuity, accident and health, and credit business. The amortization of the deferred acquisition costs of the life and disability insurance business is provided considering interest, over the anticipated premium paying period of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenue to expected total premium revenue to be received over the life of the policies. The expected premium revenue of the life and disability insurance subsidiary is estimated by using the same mortality and withdrawal assumptions used in computing liabilities for future policy benefits. Cost deferred by the life and disability insurance segment related to interest sensitive products are amortized as a level percentage of the present value of anticipated gross profits from investment yields, mortality, and surrender charges.
 
  11 (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      The method used in calculating deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to actual costs or their estimated realizable value, whichever is lower. In determining estimated realizable value, the method considers the premiums to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss-adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premiums are earned.
 
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs in 2005, 2004, and 2003 was $23,401, $22,454, and $19,580, respectively.
 
      Acquisition costs related to health insurance policies are expensed as incurred.
 
  (g)   Property and Equipment
 
      Property and equipment are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Costs of computer equipment, programs, systems, installations, and enhancements are capitalized and amortized straight-line over their estimated useful lives. The following is a summary of the estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment:
     
    Estimated
Asset category   useful life
Buildings
  20 to 50 years
Building improvements   3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements   Shorter of estimated useful
    life or lease term
Office furniture   5 years
Equipment   3 years
  (h)   Claim Liabilities
 
      Claims processed and incomplete and unreported losses for health insurance policies represent the estimated amounts to be paid to providers based on experience and accumulated statistical data. Loss-adjustment expenses related to such claims are accrued currently based on estimated future expenses necessary to process such claims.
 
      TSI contracts with various independent practice associations (IPAs) for certain medical care services provided to managed care policies subscribers. The IPAs are compensated on a capitation basis. TSI retains a portion of the capitation payments to provide for incurred but not reported losses. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, total withholdings and capitation payable amounted to $27,327 and $27,924, respectively, which are recorded as part of the liability for claims processed and incomplete in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
      The liability for losses and loss-adjustment expenses for STS represents individual case estimates for reported claims and estimates for unreported losses, net of any salvage and subrogation based on past
 
  12 (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      experience modified for current trends and estimates of expenses for investigating and settling claims.
 
      The liability for policy and contract claims of SVTS is based on the amount of benefits contractually determined for reported claims, and on estimates, based on past experience modified for current trends, for unreported claims.
 
      The above liabilities are necessarily based on estimates and, while management believes that the amounts are adequate, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts provided. The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting liability are continually reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings in the period determined.
 
  (i)   Annuity Contracts
 
      Amounts received for annuity contracts are considered deposits and recorded as a liability. Interest accrued on such annuities, which amounted to $1,230, $1,004, and $721 during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, is recorded as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.
 
  (j)   Reinsurance
  (i)   Reinsurance Ceded
 
      In the normal course of business, the insurance-related subsidiaries seek to limit their exposure that may arise from catastrophes or other events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers.
 
      Reinsurance premiums, commissions, and expense reimbursements, related to reinsured business are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Accordingly, reinsurance premiums are reported as prepaid reinsurance premiums and amortized over the remaining contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided.
 
      Premiums ceded and recoveries of losses and loss-adjustment expenses have been reported as a reduction of premiums earned and losses and loss-adjustment expenses incurred, respectively. Commission and expense allowances received by STS in connection with reinsurance ceded have been accounted for as a reduction of the related policy acquisition costs and are deferred and amortized accordingly. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy.
 
  (ii)   Reinsurance Assumed
 
      SVTS in an effort to participate in the individual life insurance business, reinsures premiums of this line of business on a coinsurance funds withheld basis.
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      In this arrangement, SVTS shares proportionally in all of the risks inherent in the underlying policies, including mortality, persistency, and fluctuations in the investment results. In this agreement SVTS agrees to indemnify the primary insurer for a portion of the risks associated with the underlying insurance policies in exchange for a proportionate share of the premiums. Under coinsurance funds withheld arrangements the primary insurer retains the ownership of the assets supporting the reserves of the reinsured business, however, SVTS participates in the investment income and risks associated with the assets.
 
      Reinsurance premiums, claims incurred and commissions and other expenses related to reinsured business are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.
 
      Assumed premiums and SVTS’s share of losses have been reported as premiums earned and losses incurred, respectively. Commissions and other deferrable expenses paid by SVTS in connection with reinsurance assumed have been accounted for as policy acquisition costs and are deferred and amortized accordingly.
  (k)   Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 
      The Company accounts for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities , and SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities , an Amendment to SFAS No. 133. This statement, as amended, requires that all derivative instruments, whether or not designated in hedging relationships, be recorded on the balance sheets at their respective fair values. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded in earnings, unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met in which case the change in fair value of the instrument is recorded within other comprehensive income.
 
      On the date the derivative contract designated as a hedging instrument is entered into, the Company designates the instrument as either a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair-value hedge), a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash-flow hedge), a foreign currency fair value or cash-flow hedge (foreign-currency hedge), or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. For all hedging relationships the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair-value, cash-flow, or foreign-currency hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      liability or unrecognized firm commitment of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income to the extent that the derivative is effective as hedge, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are highly effective as hedges and that are designated and qualify as foreign-currency hedges are recorded in either earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether the hedge transaction is a fair-value hedge or a cash-flow hedge. However, if a derivative is used as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, its changes in fair value, to the extent effective as a hedge, are recorded in the cumulative translation adjustments account within other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative instrument that qualifies as either a fair-value hedge or a cash-flow hedge is reported in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivative trading instruments are reported in current period earnings.
 
      The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the derivative is de-designated as a hedging instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur, a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.
 
      In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative is retained, the Company continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value in earnings. When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge, the Company no longer adjusts the hedged asset or liability for changes in fair value. The adjustment of the carrying amount of the hedged asset or liability is accounted for in the same manner as other components of the carrying amount of that asset or liability. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the hedged item no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, the Company removes any asset or liability that was recorded pursuant to recognition of the firm commitment from the balance sheet, and recognizes any gain or loss in earnings. When it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting if not already done and recognizes immediately in earnings gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income.
 
  (l)   Income Taxes
 
      Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
  (m)   Insurance-related Assessments
 
      The Company accounts for insurance-related assessments in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Position (SOP) No. 97-3, Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-related Assessments . This SOP prescribes liability recognition when the following three conditions are met: (1) the assessment has been imposed or the information available prior to the issuance of the financial statements indicates it is probable that an assessment will be imposed; (2) the event obligating an entity to pay (underlying cause of) an imposed or probable assessment has occurred on or before the date of the financial statements; and (3) the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. Also, this SOP provides for the recognition of an asset when the paid or accrued assessment is recoverable through either premium taxes or policy surcharges.
 
  (n)   Impairment of Long-lived Assets
 
      In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets , long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheets.
 
      Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment, and are tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. For goodwill, the impairment determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. Second, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.
 
  (o)   Use of Estimates
 
      The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant items on the consolidated balance
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      sheets that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to changes in the future are the claim liabilities and the allowance for doubtful receivables. As additional information becomes available (or actual amounts are determinable), the recorded estimates will be revised and reflected in operating results. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, the Company believes the amounts provided are adequate.
 
  (p)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
      Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of investments in corporate bonds, premiums receivable, accrued interest receivable, and other receivables.
 
      The fair value information of financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated financial statements was determined as follows:
  (i)   Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
      The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of such instruments.
 
  (ii)   Investment in Securities
 
      The fair value of investment securities is estimated based on quoted market prices for those or similar investments. Additional information pertinent to the estimated fair value of investment in securities is included in note 4.
 
  (iii)   Receivables, Accounts Payable, and Accrued Liabilities
 
      The carrying amount of receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because they mature and should be collected or paid within 12 months after December 31.
 
  (iv)   Annuity Contracts
 
      The fair value of annuity contracts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, and accordingly, the carrying value amount approximates fair value.
 
  (v)   Short-term Borrowings
 
      The carrying amount of securities sold under agreements to repurchase is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to its short-term nature.
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
  (vi)   Long-term Borrowings
 
      The carrying amounts and fair value of the Company’s long-term borrowings are as follows:
                                 
    2005     2004  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    amount     value     amount     value  
Loans payable to bank
  $ 40,590       40,590       45,730       45,730  
6.3% senior unsecured notes payable
    50,000       49,546       50,000       50,000  
6.6% senior unsecured notes payable
    60,000       60,000              
 
                       
 
                               
Totals
  $ 150,590       150,136       95,730       95,730  
 
                       
      The carrying amount of the loans payable to bank approximates fair value due to its floating interest-rate structure. The fair value of the senior unsecured notes payable was determined using market quotations. Additional information pertinent to long-term borrowings is included in note 11.
 
  (vii)   Derivative Instruments
 
      Current market pricing models were used to estimate fair value of interest-rate swap agreement and structured notes agreements. Fair values were determined using market quotations provided by outside securities consultants or prices provided by market makers. Additional information pertinent to the estimated fair value of derivative instruments is included in note 12.
  (q)   Earnings Per Share
 
      The Company calculates and presents earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share exclude dilution and are computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period (see note 22). There is no potential dilution that could affect basic earnings per share.
 
  (r)   Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
      In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets , which eliminates an exception in APB 29 for recognizing nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets at fair value and replaces it with an exception for recognizing exchanges of nonmonetary assets at fair value that do not have commercial substance. This statement will be effective for the Company for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring on or after January 1, 2006. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
      In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections . SFAS No. 154 establishes, unless impracticable, retrospective application as the required method for
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      reporting a change in accounting principle in the absence of explicit transition requirements specific to a newly adopted accounting principle. This statement will be effective for the Company for any accounting changes and error corrections occurring after January 1, 2006.
 
  (s)   Reclassification
 
      Certain amounts in the 2004 and 2003 financial statements were reclassified to conform with the 2005 presentation.
(3)   Segment Information
 
    The operations of the Company are conducted principally through four business segments. Business segments were identified according to the type of insurance products offered. These segments and a description of their respective operations are as follows:
    Health Insurance - Commercial Program -TSI is engaged in three principal underwriting activities, which are its Commercial Plan, the Reform Program, and the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The insurance coverage of the Health Insurance - Commercial Program is provided by TSI and comprises the health insurance coverage subscribed to all commercial groups and some government entities. The Reform Program is considered a separate segment and is described in the following paragraph. The Commercial Program offers a fee-for-service type plan through five distinct markets: corporate sector; individual sector; local government sector, covering the employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; federal government program, covering federal government employees within Puerto Rico; Medicare Advantage; and the Medicare supplement plan (Medigap). The premiums for this segment are mainly originated through TSI’s internal sales force and a network of brokers and independent agents. TSI is a qualified contractor to provide health insurance coverage to federal government employees within Puerto Rico. The contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is subject to termination in the event of noncompliance not corrected to the satisfaction of OPM (see note 9). Under its Commercial Program, TSI provides health insurance coverage to certain employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities. Earned premium revenue related to such health plans amounted to $64,623, $67,082, and $65,947 for the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. TSI also processes and pays claims as fiscal intermediary for the Medicare — Part B Program in Puerto Rico and is reimbursed for operating expenses (see note 15).
 
    Health Insurance - Reform Program - This type of insurance is also provided by TSI and the business subscribed within this segment is awarded periodically by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s central government. The Reform program provides health coverage to medically indigent citizens in Puerto Rico, as defined by the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Reform consists of a single policy with the same benefits for each qualified medically indigent citizen. The government segregates Puerto Rico by areas or regions. Each area is awarded to an insurance company through a bidding process. Commencing on July 1, 2002, TSI was awarded three of the eight geographical areas: North, Metro-North, and Southwest. All Reform contracts are subject to termination, with a prior written notice of 90 days, in the event of noncompliance not corrected or cured to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or in the event the government determines that there are not enough funds for the payment of premiums. In addition, the Reform
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      contracts stipulate that in the event that the net income for any given contract year, as defined, exceeds 2.5% of the premiums collected for the related contract year, TSI, through the Reform program, would need to return 75% of this excess to the Government of Puerto Rico.
 
    Property and Casualty Insurance - This type of insurance is provided by STS. The predominant insurance lines of business of this segment are commercial multiple peril, auto physical damage, auto liability, and dwelling. The premiums for this segment are originated through a network of independent insurance agents and brokers. Agents or general agencies collect the premiums from the insureds, which are subsequently remitted to STS, net of commissions. Remittances are due 60 days after the closing date of the general agent’s account current.
 
    Life and Disability Insurance - This type of insurance is provided by SVTS, which offers primarily group life, group short- and long-term disability insurance coverage, and the administration of individual retirement accounts and annuities. The premiums for this segment are mainly subscribed through a network of brokers and independent agents. SVTS has a coinsurance funds withheld agreement with Great American Life Assurance Company of Puerto Rico (GA Life). Under the terms of this agreement SVTS assumes 69% of the business written of GA Life (see note 16).
     The Company’s Life and Disability Insurance segment met one of the quantitative thresholds determined by SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information , that require separate disclosure of an operating segment. Thus, the Life and Disability Insurance segment is presented as a reportable segment in the year ended December 31, 2005. The segment information for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 has been restated to present the results of operations and financial position of the Life and Disability operating segment separate from the Company’s other nonreportable operating segments.
 
    The accounting policies for the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in the notes to consolidated financial statements. The Company evaluates performance based primarily on the net income of each segment. Services provided between reportable segments are done at transfer prices which approximate fair value. The financial data of each segment is accounted for separately; therefore no segment allocation is necessary. However, certain operating expenses are centrally managed, therefore requiring an allocation to each segment. Most of these expenses are distributed to each segment based on different parameters, such as payroll hours, processed claims, or square footage, among others. In addition, some depreciable assets are kept by one segment, while allocating the depreciation expense to other segments. The allocation of the depreciation expense is based on the proportion of asset use by each segment. Certain expenses are not allocated to the segments and are kept within TSM’s operations.
 
    The following tables summarize the operations by operating segment for the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                                 
    2005  
    Operating segment  
            Health                          
    Insurance     Insurance     Property     Life and              
    Commercial     Reform     and Casualty     Disability              
    Program     Program     Insurance     Insurance     Other *     Total  
Premiums earned, net
  $ 765,468       510,839       86,767       17,130             1,380,204  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    210,905                               210,905  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (196,460 )                             (196,460 )
Intersegment premiums/service revenue
    4,274                         50,004       54,278  
 
                                   
 
    784,187       510,839       86,767       17,130       50,004       1,448,927  
 
                                               
Net investment income
    13,904       2,945       8,706       3,018             28,573  
Net realized investment gains (losses)
    5,936       (86 )     1,243       68             7,161  
Net unrealized investment loss on trading securities
    (4,388 )           (298 )     (23 )           (4,709 )
Other income (expense), net
    3,258       (20 )     169       189             3,596  
 
                                   
Total revenue
  $ 802,897       513,678       96,587       20,382       50,004       1,483,548  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 15,384       (43 )     9,863       2,098       302       27,604  
Claims incurred
    677,870       478,008       43,587       8,902             1,208,367  
Operating expenses, net of reimbursement for services
    103,562       36,432       39,642       8,201       49,461       237,298  
Depreciation expense, included in operating expenses
    2,963       677       439       62             4,141  
Interest expense
    4,510       970             1,323             6,803  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1,571       (1,689 )     3,495       (142 )     241       3,476  
Segment assets
    459,288       82,685       307,228       271,615       4,310       1,125,126  
 
                                               
Significant noncash items:
                                               
Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (12,432 )     (1,301 )     (3,090 )     (1,844 )           (18,667 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
    (2,048 )           (142 )     (76 )     (453 )     (2,719 )
 
*   Includes segments which are not required to be reported separately. These segments include the data processing services organization as well as the third-party administrator of health insurance services.
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                                 
    2004  
    Operating segment  
            Health                          
    Insurance     Insurance     Property     Life and              
    Commercial     Reform     and Casualty     Disability              
    Program     Program     Insurance     Insurance     Other *     Total  
Premiums earned, net
  $ 711,547       484,742       86,228       16,442             1,298,959  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    179,166                               179,166  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (169,924 )                             (169,924 )
Intersegment premiums/service revenue
    3,945                         47,971       51,916  
 
                                   
 
    724,734       484,742       86,228       16,442       47,971       1,360,117  
 
                                               
Net investment income
    12,590       3,109       7,668       2,778             26,145  
Net realized investment gains
    9,040       128       1,087       713             10,968  
Net unrealized investment gain on trading securities
    1,879             801       362             3,042  
Other income (expense), net
    269       (30 )     2,675       240             3,154  
Total revenue
  $ 748,512       487,949       98,459       20,535       47,971       1,403,426  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net income
  $ 23,757       9,250       11,085       996       363       45,451  
Claims incurred
    620,751       437,834       45,977       11,231             1,115,793  
Operating expenses, net of reimbursement for services
    94,930       35,777       40,182       7,347       46,856       225,092  
Depreciation expense, included in operating expenses
    2,841       789       418       177             4,225  
Interest expense
    1,928       428       4       1,004             3,364  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    7,146       4,660       1,211       (43 )     752       13,726  
Segment assets
    443,710       84,627       282,393       87,135       3,578       901,443  
 
                                               
Significant noncash items:
                                               
Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    523       (151 )     867       (156 )           1,083  
Net change in minimum pension liability
    313             (60 )     (49 )     (265 )     (61 )
 
*   Includes segments which are not required to be reported separately. These segments include the data processing services organization as well as the third-party administrator of health insurance services.
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                                 
    2003  
    Operating segment  
            Health                          
    Insurance     Insurance     Property     Life and              
    Commercial     Reform     and Casualty     Disability              
    Program     Program     Insurance     Insurance     Other *     Total  
Premiums earned, net
  $ 691,044       477,614       78,334       17,403             1,264,395  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    160,127                               160,127  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (151,806 )                             (151,806 )
Intersegment premiums/service revenue
    3,488                         45,989       49,477  
 
                                   
 
    702,853       477,614       78,334       17,403       45,989       1,322,193  
 
                                               
Net investment income
    10,734       4,476       6,824       2,345             24,379  
Net realized investment gains
    6,345       53       722       595             7,715  
Net unrealized investment gain (loss) on trading securities
    11,157       1,848       2,045       (157 )           14,893  
Other income (loss), net
    196       (30 )     4,154       74             4,394  
 
                                   
Total revenue
  $ 731,285       483,961       92,079       20,260       45,989       1,373,574  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net income
  $ 49,071       14,034       9,677       3,716       1,238       77,736  
Claims incurred
    584,448       428,045       43,390       9,467             1,065,350  
Operating expenses, net of reimbursement for services
    92,264       34,637       37,354       6,036       44,538       214,829  
Depreciation expense, included in operating expenses
    3,106       945       423       120       5       4,599  
Interest expense
    862       366             721             1,949  
Income tax expense
    4,640       6,879       1,658       320       213       13,710  
Segment assets
    407,031       86,535       239,478       72,475       2,055       807,574  
 
                                               
Significant noncash items:
                                               
Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (5,226 )           (527 )     220             (5,533 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
    2,385             (23 )     (8 )     (47 )     2,307  
 
*   Includes segments which are not required to be reported separately. These segments include the data processing services organization as well as the third-party administrator of health insurance services.
 
  23 (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Totals with Financial Statements
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Total revenue
                       
Revenue for reportable segments
  $ 1,433,544       1,355,455       1,327,585  
Revenue for other segments
    50,004       47,971       45,989  
 
                 
 
    1,483,548       1,403,426       1,373,574  
 
                 
Elimination of intersegment earned premiums
    (4,274 )     (3,945 )     (3,488 )
Elimination of intersegment service revenue
    (50,004 )     (47,971 )     (45,989 )
Unallocated amount:
                       
Revenue from external sources
    592       560       1,259  
 
                 
 
    (53,686 )     (51,356 )     (48,218 )
 
                 
Total consolidated revenue
  $ 1,429,862       1,352,070       1,325,356  
 
                 
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Net income
                       
Net income for reportable segments
  $ 27,302       45,088       76,498  
Net income for other segments
    302       363       1,238  
 
                 
 
    27,604       45,451       77,736  
 
                 
Elimination of TSM charges:
                       
Rent expense
    6,588       6,084       6,283  
Interest expense
    1,353       734       658  
 
                 
 
    7,941       6,818       6,941  
 
                 
Unallocated amounts related to TSM:
                       
General and administrative expenses
    (5,271 )     (4,787 )     (6,080 )
Income tax expense
    (288 )     (288 )     (51,687 )
Interest expense
    (2,145 )     (1,951 )     (1,940 )
Other revenue from external sources
    592       560       1,259  
 
                 
 
    (7,112 )     (6,466 )     (58,448 )
 
                 
Consolidated net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
 
                 
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                 
    2005     2004  
Assets
               
Total assets for reportable segments
  $ 1,120,816       897,865  
Total assets for other segments
    4,310       3,578  
 
           
 
    1,125,126       901,443  
 
           
Elimination entries — intersegment receivables and others
    (28,705 )     (21,717 )
 
           
 
Unallocated amounts related to TSM:
               
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
    11,054       12,236  
Property and equipment, net
    24,760       25,577  
Other assets
    5,227       2,118  
 
           
 
    41,041       39,931  
 
           
Consolidated assets
  $ 1,137,462       919,657  
 
           
                         
    2005  
    Segment             Consolidated  
Other significant items   totals     Adjustments (*)     totals  
Claims incurred
  $ 1,208,367             1,208,367  
Operating expenses
    237,298       (55,595 )     181,703  
Depreciation expense
    4,141       1,089       5,230  
Interest expense
    6,803       792       7,595  
Income taxes
    3,476       288       3,764  
 
                       
Significant noncash items:
                       
Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (18,667 )     (165 )     (18,832 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
    (2,719 )     (69 )     (2,788 )
                         
    2004  
    Segment             Consolidated  
Other significant items   totals     Adjustments (*)     totals  
Claims incurred
  $ 1,115,793             1,115,793  
Operating expenses
    225,092       (53,213 )     171,879  
Depreciation expense
    4,225       1,118       5,343  
Interest expense
    3,364       1,217       4,581  
Income taxes
    13,726       288       14,014  
 
                       
Significant noncash items:
                       
Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    1,083       18       1,101  
Net change in minimum pension liability
    (61 )     58       (3 )
                         
    2003  
    Segment             Consolidated  
Other significant items   totals     Adjustments (*)     totals  
Claims incurred
  $ 1,065,350             1,065,350  
Operating expenses
    214,829       (49,680 )     165,149  
Depreciation expense
    4,599       1,110       5,709  
Interest expense
    1,949       1,282       3,231  
Income taxes
    13,710       51,687       65,397  
 
                       
Significant noncash items:
                       
Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (5,533 )     (489 )     (6,022 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
    2,307       (15 )     2,292  
 
*   Adjustments represent principally TSM operations and eliminations of intersegment charges.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(4)   Investment in Securities
     The amortized cost for debt and equity securities, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value for trading, available-for-sale, and held-to-maturity securities by major security type and class of security at December 31, 2005 and 2004, were as follows:
                                 
    2005  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    cost     gains     losses     fair value  
Trading securities:
                               
Equity securities
  $ 69,397       11,378       (2,560 )     78,215  
                                 
    2004  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    cost     gains     losses     fair value  
Trading securities:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 23,978       601       (41 )     24,538  
Corporate debt securities
    46,690       1,444       (249 )     47,885  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
    70,668       2,045       (290 )     72,423  
 
                               
Equity securities
    74,824       13,496       (1,724 )     86,596  
 
                       
Totals
  $ 145,492       15,541       (2,014 )     159,019  
 
                       
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    2005  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    cost     gains     losses     fair value  
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 426,391       21       (7,754 )     418,658  
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
    55,388       522       (1,304 )     54,606  
Corporate bonds
    6,535       61       (104 )     6,492  
Mortgage-backed securities
    4,667       58       (58 )     4,667  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    31,306       32       (587 )     30,751  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
    524,287       694       (9,807 )     515,174  
 
                               
Equity securities
    38,675       14,550       (1,415 )     51,810  
 
                       
Totals
  $ 562,962       15,244       (11,222 )     566,984  
 
                       
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    2004  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    cost     gains     losses     fair value  
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 337,045       1,012       (967 )     337,090  
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
    62,331       1,231       (971 )     62,591  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    500       2             502  
Corporate bonds
    5,771       48       (3 )     5,816  
Mortgage-backed securities
    12,430       160       (43 )     12,547  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    26,058       206       (173 )     26,091  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
    444,135       2,659       (2,157 )     444,637  
 
                               
Equity securities
    34,309       24,913       (36 )     59,186  
 
                       
Totals
  $ 478,444       27,572       (2,193 )     503,823  
 
                       
                                 
    2005  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    cost     gains     losses     fair value  
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 5,993             (143 )     5,850  
Mortgage-backed securities
    4,282             (79 )     4,203  
Corporate bonds
    9,693             (401 )     9,292  
Certificates of deposit
    161                   161  
Index linked certificate of deposit
    1,000       254             1,254  
 
                       
Totals
  $ 21,129       254       (623 )     20,760  
 
                       
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    2004  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated  
    cost     gains     losses     fair value  
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 5,991       24             6,015  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,126       4       (22 )     5,108  
Corporate bonds
    2,007             (2 )     2,005  
Certificates of deposit
    156                   156  
Index linked certificate of deposit
    1,000       219             1,219  
 
                       
Totals
  $ 14,280       247       (24 )     14,503  
 
                       
Fair values for debt securities were determined using market quotations provided by outside securities consultants or prices provided by market makers. The fair values for equity securities were determined using market quotations on the principal public exchange markets.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
                                                 
    2005  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
            Gross             Gross             Gross  
    Estimated     unrealized     Estimated     unrealized     Estimated     unrealized  
    fair value     losses     fair value     losses     fair value     losses  
Securities available for sale:
                                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 243,470       (3,683 )     161,654       (4,071 )     405,124       (7,754 )
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
    2,886       (113 )     35,368       (1,191 )     38,254       (1,304 )
Corporate bonds
    2,391       (44 )     1,944       (60 )     4,335       (104 )
Mortgage-backed securities
                3,174       (58 )     3,174       (58 )
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    14,725       (227 )     14,457       (360 )     29,182       (587 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total fixed maturities
    263,472       (4,067 )     216,597       (5,740 )     480,069       (9,807 )
 
                                               
Equity securities
    13,359       (1,288 )     3,059       (127 )     16,418       (1,415 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Totals for securities available for sale
  $ 276,831       (5,355 )     219,656       (5,867 )     496,487       (11,222 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Securities held to maturity:
                                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 5,850       (143 )                 5,850       (143 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    598       (2 )     3,605       (77 )     4,203       (79 )
Corporate bonds
    9,292       (401 )                 9,292       (401 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Totals for securities held to maturity
  $ 15,740       (546 )     3,605       (77 )     19,345       (623 )
 
                                   
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                                 
    2004  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
            Gross             Gross             Gross  
    Estimated     unrealized     Estimated     unrealized     Estimated     unrealized  
    fair value     losses     fair value     losses     fair value     losses  
Securities available for sale:
                                               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
  $ 79,145       (368 )     70,249       (599 )     149,394       (967 )
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
    15,648       (415 )     19,129       (556 )     34,777       (971 )
Corporate bonds
                497       (3 )     497       (3 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    4,649       (32 )     3,311       (11 )     7,960       (43 )
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    9,493       (94 )     6,997       (79 )     16,490       (173 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total fixed maturities
    108,935       (909 )     100,183       (1,248 )     209,118       (2,157 )
 
                                               
Equity securities
    2,416       (20 )     2,734       (16 )     5,150       (36 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Totals for securities available for sale
  $ 111,351       (929 )     102,917       (1,264 )     214,268       (2,193 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Securities held to maturity:
                                               
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 2,138       (13 )     2,131       (9 )     4,269       (22 )
Corporate bonds
    2,005       (2 )                 2,005       (2 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Totals for securities held to maturity
  $ 4,143       (15 )     2,131       (9 )     6,274       (24 )
 
                                   
The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the difference between the cost and estimated fair value of investments. For investments with a fair value below cost, the process includes evaluating the length of time and the extent to which cost exceeds fair value, the prospects and financial condition of the issuer, and the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment to allow for recovery in fair value, among other factors. This process is not exact and further requires consideration of risks such as credit and interest rate risks. Consequently, if an investment’s cost exceeds its fair value solely due to changes in interest rates, impairment may not be appropriate. If after monitoring and analyzing, the Company determines that a decline in the estimated fair value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost is other than temporary, the carrying amount of the security is reduced to its fair value. The impairment is charged to operations and a new cost basis for the security is established. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment amounting to $1,036 on one of its equity securities classified as available for sale. No impairments were identified nor recognized by the Company during the years 2004 and 2003.
The unrealized losses on investments were mainly caused by interest rate increases and market fluctuations, except for the unrealized loss associated with the equity security for which an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Maturities of investment securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity were as follows at December 31, 2005:
                 
    Amortized     Estimated  
    cost     fair value  
Securities available for sale:
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 21,620       21,432  
Due after one year through five years
    282,175       277,316  
Due after five years through ten years
    160,031       157,146  
Due after ten years
    24,488       23,862  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    31,306       30,751  
Mortgage-backed securities
    4,667       4,667  
 
           
 
  $ 524,287       515,174  
 
           
Securities held to maturity:
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 161       161  
Due after one year through five years
    8,998       9,048  
Due after five years through ten years
    7,688       7,348  
Mortgage-backed securities
    4,282       4,203  
 
           
 
  $ 21,129       20,760  
 
           
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Investments with an amortized cost of $3,496 and $2,763 (fair value of $3,553 and $2,967) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were deposited with the Commissioner of Insurance to comply with the deposit requirements of the Insurance Code the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the Insurance Code).
The following investments were held as collateral by financial institutions:
  Investments with a face value of $1,885 and $1,800 (fair value of $1,832 and $1,792) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were held as collateral for the short-term borrowings of the Company (see note 10).
 
  Investments with a face value of $500 and $2,010 (fair value of $480 and $1,979) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were held as collateral for the Company’s interest-rate swap agreement (see note 12).
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    Information regarding realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 is as follows:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Realized gains (losses):
                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                       
Trading securities:
                       
Gross gains from sales
  $ 2,235       594       1,480  
Gross losses from sales
    (542 )     (492 )     (257 )
 
                 
 
    1,693       102       1,223  
 
                 
 
                       
Available for sale:
                       
Gross gains from sales
    137       123       971  
Gross losses from sales
    (214 )     (241 )     (632 )
 
                 
 
    (77 )     (118 )     339  
 
                 
 
                       
Total debt securities
    1,616       (16 )     1,562  
 
                 
 
                       
Equity securities:
                       
Trading securities:
                       
Gross gains from sales
    6,339       5,608       2,739  
Gross losses from sales
    (1,776 )     (1,056 )     (6,529 )
 
                 
 
    4,563       4,552       (3,790 )
 
                 
 
                       
Available for sale:
                       
Gross gains from sales
    2,043       6,432       10,593  
Gross losses from sales
    (1,061 )            
 
                 
 
    982       6,432       10,593  
 
                 
 
                       
Total equity securities
    5,545       10,984       6,803  
 
                 
 
Net realized gains on securities
  $ 7,161       10,968       8,365  
 
                 
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):
                       
Recognized in income:
                       
Fixed maturities — trading
  $ (1,755 )     (7 )     (1,068 )
Equity securities — trading
    (2,954 )     3,049       15,961  
 
                 
 
  $ (4,709 )     3,042       14,893  
 
                 
 
                       
Recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
                       
Fixed maturities — available for sale
  $ (9,615 )     (1,481 )     (3,783 )
Equity securities — available for sale
    (11,742 )     2,714       (4 )
 
                 
 
  $ (21,357 )     1,233       (3,787 )
 
                 
 
                       
Not recognized in the consolidated financial statements:
                       
Fixed maturities — held to maturity
  $ (592 )     110       119  
    Deferred tax liability on unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income during the years 2005, 2004, and 2003 aggregated $805, $3,330, and $3,198, respectively.
 
    As of December 31, 2005, investments in obligations that are payable from and secured by the same source of revenue or taxing authority, other than investment instruments of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico governments, did not exceed 10% of stockholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2005, no investment in equity securities individually exceeded 10% of stockholders’ equity.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(5) Net Investment Income
    Components of net investment income were as follows:
                         
    Year ended December 31  
    2005     2004     2003  
Bonds and notes
  $ 21,691       20,108       16,443  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,415       1,023       1,495  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    988       930       2,367  
Zero coupons
    553       428       731  
Common and preferred stocks
    2,821       2,799       2,385  
Securities purchased under agreement to resell
                72  
Other
    1,670       1,532       1,434  
 
                 
 
                       
Subtotal
    29,138       26,820       24,927  
 
                       
Less investment expenses
    109       321       248  
 
                 
 
                       
Total
  $ 29,029       26,499       24,679  
 
                 
(6) Premium and Other Receivables, Net
    Premium and other receivables as of December 31 were as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
Premium
  $ 53,391       45,451  
Self-funded group receivables
    21,620       17,717  
FEHBP
    9,491       9,346  
Accrued interest
    5,074       5,080  
Funds withheld reinsurance receivable
    118,635        
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
    33,915       30,496  
Other
    14,152       16,406  
 
           
 
    256,278       124,496  
 
           
 
               
Less allowance for doubtful receivables:
               
Premium
    7,792       6,456  
Other
    4,448       4,717  
 
           
 
               
 
    12,240       11,173  
 
           
 
               
Premium and other receivables, net
  $ 244,038       113,323  
 
           
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(7) Property and Equipment, Net
    Property and equipment as of December 31 are composed of the following:
                 
    2005     2004  
Land
  $ 6,531       6,531  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    35,860       33,272  
Office furniture and equipment
    11,937       10,298  
Computer equipment
    26,130       24,867  
Automobiles
    239       250  
 
           
 
    80,697       75,218  
 
               
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    45,988       42,854  
 
           
 
               
Property and equipment, net
  $ 34,709       32,364  
 
           
(8) Claim Liabilities
    The activity in the total claim liabilities during 2005, 2004, and 2003 is as follows:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Claim liabilities at beginning of year
  $ 279,325       247,920       244,582  
Reinsurance recoverable on claim liabilities
    (26,555 )     (19,357 )     (13,589 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net claim liabilities at beginning of year
    252,770       228,563       230,993  
 
                 
 
                       
Incurred claims and loss-adjustment expenses:
                       
Current period insured events
    1,195,066       1,112,325       1,081,570  
Prior period insured events
    13,301       3,468       (16,220 )
 
                 
 
                       
Total
    1,208,367       1,115,793       1,065,350  
 
                 
 
                       
Payments of losses and loss-adjustment expenses:
                       
Current period insured events
    1,004,060       920,173       906,098  
Prior period insured events
    188,234       171,413       161,682  
 
                 
 
                       
Total
    1,192,294       1,091,586       1,067,780  
 
                 
 
                       
Net claim liabilities at end of year
    268,843       252,770       228,563  
 
                       
Reinsurance recoverable on claim liabilities
    28,720       26,555       19,357  
 
                 
 
                       
Claim liabilities at end of year
  $ 297,563       279,325       247,920  
 
                 
    As a result of differences between actual amounts and estimates of insured events in prior years, the amounts included as incurred claims for prior period insured events differ from anticipated claims incurred.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    The amount of incurred claims and loss-adjustment expenses for prior period insured events for the years 2005 and 2004 are due to higher than expected cost per service and utilization trends. The credit in the incurred claims and loss-adjustment expenses for prior period insured events for the year 2003 is due primarily to better than expected utilization trends.
 
    Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims is reported as premium and other receivables, net in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(9) Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
    TSI entered into a contract, renewable annually, with OPM as authorized by the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Act of 1959, as amended, to provide health benefits under the FEHBP. The FEHBP covers postal and federal employees resident in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as well as retirees and eligible dependents. The FEHBP is financed through a negotiated contribution made by the federal government and employees’ payroll deductions.
 
    The accounting policies for the FEHBP are the same as those described in the Company’s summary of significant accounting policies. Premium rates are determined annually by TSI and approved by the federal government. Claims are paid to providers based on the guidelines determined by the federal government. Operating expenses are allocated from TSI’s operations to the FEHBP based on applicable allocation guidelines (such as, the number of claims processed for each program).
 
    The operations of the FEHBP do not result in any excess or deficiency of revenue or expense as this program has a special account available to compensate any excess or deficiency on its operations to the benefit or detriment of the federal government. Any transfer to/from the special account necessary to cover any excess or deficiency in the operations of the FEHBP is recorded as a reduction/increment to the premiums earned. The contract with OPM provides that the cumulative excess of the FEHBP earned income over health benefits charges and expenses represents a restricted fund balance denoted as the special account. Upon termination of the contract and satisfaction of all the FEHBP’s obligations, any unused remainder of the special reserve would revert to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Fund. In the event that the contract terminates and the special reserve is not sufficient to meet the FEHBP’s obligations, the FEHBP contingency reserve will be used to meet such obligations. If the contingency reserve is not sufficient to meet such obligations, the Company is at risk for the amount not covered by the contingency reserve.
 
    The contract with OPM allows for the payment of service fees as negotiated between TSI and OPM. Service fees, which are included within the other income, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings, amounted to $800, $778, and $626, respectively, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    The following summarizes the operations of the FEHBP for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Premiums earned:
                       
Billed
  $ 106,687       105,246       91,241  
Transfer from special account
    6,494       2,897       12,618  
 
                 
 
    113,181       108,143       103,859  
 
                 
 
                       
Underwriting costs:
                       
Claims incurred
    107,624       102,126       97,428  
Operating expenses
    5,318       5,521       6,054  
 
                 
Total underwriting costs
    112,942       107,647       103,482  
 
                 
Underwriting gain
  $ 239       496       377  
 
                 
Interest income
  $ 561       282       249  
Other expense
    (800 )     (778 )     (626 )
 
                 
 
                       
Total interest income and other expense, net
  $ (239 )     (496 )     (377 )
 
                 
    The changes in the special account during 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
Funds payable at beginning of year
  $ 9,791       7,471  
Transfer to premiums earned by the FEHBP
    (6,494 )     (2,897 )
Contingency reserve payments
    1,059       5,217  
 
           
 
               
Funds payable at end of year
  $ 4,356       9,791  
 
           
    The account for the FEHBP is related to the following accounts in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004:
                 
    2005     2004  
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
  $ 14,368       17,154  
Premiums, accrued interest and other receivables
    9,550       9,381  
Claim liabilities, including related unpaid loss-adjustment expenses
    (9,842 )     (9,920 )
Due to TSI
    (9,720 )     (6,824 )
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 4,356       9,791  
 
           
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    A contingency reserve is maintained by the OPM at the U.S. Treasury, and is available to the Company under certain conditions as specified in government regulations. Accordingly, such reserve is not reflected in the accompanying balance sheets. The balance of such reserve as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 was $19,353 and $18,415, respectively. The Company received $1,059, $5,217, and $13,023, of payments made from the contingency reserve fund of OPM during 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
 
    The claim payments and operating expenses charged to the FEHBP are subject to audit by the U.S. government. Management is of the opinion that an adjustment, if any, resulting from such audits will not have a significant effect on the accompanying financial statements. The claim payments and operating expenses reimbursed in connection with the FEHBP have been audited through 1998 by OPM.
(10) Short-term Borrowings
    Short-term borrowings of $1,740 and $1,700 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, represent securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The agreement outstanding at December 31, 2005 matures in January 2006 and accrues interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (interest rate of 4.45%).
 
    The investment securities underlying such agreements were delivered to the dealers with whom the agreements were transacted. The dealers may have sold, loaned, or otherwise disposed of such securities in the normal course of business operations, but have agreed to resell to the Company substantially the same securities on the maturity dates of the agreements.
 
    At December 31, 2005 and 2004, investment securities available for sale with fair value of $1,832 and $1,792 (face value of $1,885 and $1,800) were pledged as collateral under these agreements.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(11) Long-term Borrowings
    A summary of long-term borrowings entered by the Company at December 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
Secured note payable of $20,000, payable in various different installments up to August 31, 2007, with interest payable on a monthly basis at a rate reset periodically of 130 basis points over LIBOR selected (which was 5.71% and 3.32% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively).
  $ 11,500       15,000  
 
               
Senior unsecured notes payable of $50,000 due September 2019. Interest is payable semiannually at a fixed rate of 6.30%.
    50,000       50,000  
 
               
Senior unsecured notes payable of $60,000 due December 2020. Interest is payable monthly at a fixed rate of 6.60%.
    60,000        
 
               
Secured loan payable of $41,000, payable in monthly installments of $137 up to July 1, 2024, plus interest at a rate reset periodically of 100 basis points over LIBOR selected (which was 5.29% and 3.30% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively).
    29,090       30,730  
 
           
Total long-term borrowings
  $ 150,590       95,730  
 
           
    Aggregate maturities of the Company’s long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2005 are summarized as follows:
         
Year ended December 31:
       
2006
  $ 1,640  
2007
    13,140  
2008
    1,640  
2009
    1,640  
2010
    1,640  
Thereafter
    130,890  
 
     
 
  $ 150,590  
 
     
    As of December 31, 2005, the Company has the following senior unsecured notes payable:
    6.30% senior unsecured notes payable of $50,000 due on September 2019 (the 6.30% notes). These notes were issued on September 30, 2004 and are unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      principal, premium, if any, and interest by the Company. The 6.30% notes were privately placed to various institutional investors under a note purchase agreement between TSI, the Company, and the investors. Debt issuance costs amounting to $600 were deferred and will be amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the 6.30% notes. These notes can be prepaid after five years at par, in total or partially, as determined by the Company.
 
    6.60% senior unsecured notes payable of $60,000 due on December 2020 (the 6.60% notes). These notes were issued on December 21, 2005. Debt issuance costs amounting to $580 were deferred and will be amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the 6.60% notes. These notes can be prepaid after five years at par, in total or partially, as determined by the Company.
    Both the 6.30% and the 6.60% senior unsecured notes contain certain covenants with which TSI and the Company have complied with at December 31, 2005.
 
    Unamortized debt issuance costs related to the 6.30% and the 6.60% senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 amounted to $1,129 and $589, respectively, and are included within the other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
    The credit agreement related to the $20,000 secured note payable calls for repayments of principal amount of not less than $250 and in integral multiples of $50. The aggregate principal amounts shall be reduced annually to the amounts specified on or before the dates described below:
         
    Required
    principal
    outstanding
Date   balance
August 1, 2006
  $ 12,000  
August 1, 2007
     
    The loan and note payable previously described are guaranteed by a first position held by the bank on the Company’s land, building, and substantially all leasehold improvements, as collateral for the term of the loans under a continuing general security agreement. These credit facilities contain certain covenants, which are normal in this type of credit facility, which the Company has complied with at December 31, 2005 and 2004.
 
    Interest expense on the above long-term borrowings amounted to $5,168, $2,005, and $1,302 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
(12) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
    The Company uses derivative instruments to manage the risks associated with changes in interest rates and to diversify the composition of its investment in securities.
 
    By using derivative financial instruments the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty is obligated to the Company, which creates credit risk for the Company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, the Company owes the counterparty and, therefore, it does not possess credit risk. The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties.
 
    Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a financial instrument that results from a change in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices, or market indexes. The market risk associated with derivative instruments is managed by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken.
  (a)   Cash Flow Hedge
 
      The Company has invested in an interest-rate related derivative hedging instrument to manage its exposure on its debt instruments.
 
      The Company assesses interest rate cash flow risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities. The Company maintains risk management control systems to monitor interest rate cash flow risk attributable to both the Company’s outstanding or forecasted debt obligations as well as the Company’s offsetting hedge positions. The risk management control systems involve the use of analytical techniques to estimate the expected impact of changes in interest rates on the Company’s future cash flows.
 
      The Company has a variable-rate debt that was used to finance the acquisition of real estate from subsidiaries (see note 11). The debt obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. Management believes it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of its interest payments. To meet this objective, on December 6, 2002, management entered into an interest-rate swap agreement, with an effective date of April 1, 2003, to manage fluctuations in cash flows resulting from interest rate risk. The maturity date of the interest-rate swap agreement is March 30, 2008. This swap economically changes the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the interest-rate swap, the Company receives variable interest rate payments and makes fixed interest rate payments, thereby creating the equivalent of fixed-rate debt.
 
      Changes in the fair value of the interest-rate swap, designated as a hedging instrument that effectively offsets the variability of cash flows associated with the variable-rate of the long-term debt obligation, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related tax effect. This amount is subsequently reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment of the hedged debt obligation in the same period in which the related interest affects earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recorded $127 and $734 of interest expense related to this agreement. No amount representing cash-flow hedge ineffectiveness was recorded since the terms of the swap agreement allow the Company to assume no ineffectiveness in the agreement.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      As of December 31, 2005, the fair market value of the interest rate swap amounted to $607 and was included within the other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2004, the fair market value of the interest-rate swap amounted to $142 and was included within the accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. There were no cash-flow hedges discontinued during 2005.
 
  (b)   Other Derivative Instruments
 
      The Company has invested in other derivative instruments in order to diversify its investment in securities and participate in the foreign stock market.
 
      During 2005 the Company invested in two structured note agreements amounting to $5,000 each, where the interest income received is linked to the performance of the Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 and Nikkei 225 Equity Indexes (the Indexes). Under these agreements the principal invested by the Company is protected, the only amount that varies according to the performance of the Indexes is the interest to be received upon the maturity of the instruments. Should the Indexes experience a negative performance during the holding period of the structured notes, no interest will be received and no amount will be paid to the issuer of the structured notes. The contingent interest payment component within the structured note agreements meets the definition of an embedded derivative. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 133, as amended, the embedded derivative component of the structured notes is separated from the structured notes and accounted for separately as a derivative instrument.
 
      The changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative component are recorded as gains or losses in earnings in the period of change. During the year ended December 31, 2005 the Company recorded a gain associated with the change in the fair value of this derivative component of $2,833 that is included within the other income, net of the consolidated statement of earnings.
 
      As of December 31, 2005, the fair value of the derivative component of the structured notes amounted to $5,331 and is included within the Company’s other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The investment component of the structured notes is accounted for as held-to-maturity debt securities and is included within the investment in securities in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2005 the fair value and amortized cost of the investment component of both structured notes amounted to $7,348 and $7,688, respectively.
(13) Retained Earnings and Stockholders’ Equity
    As members of the BCBSA, the Company and TSI are required by membership standards of the association to maintain liquidity as defined by BCBSA. That is, to maintain net worth exceeding the Company Action Level as defined in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Model Act. The companies are in compliance with this requirement.
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(14) Comprehensive Income
    The accumulated balances for each classification of comprehensive income are as follows:
                                 
                            Accumulated  
    Unrealized     Minimum             other  
    gains on     pension     Cash-flow     comprehensive  
    securities     liability     hedges     income  
Beginning balance
  $ 22,049       (5,825 )     (86 )     16,138  
 
                               
Net current period change
    (18,102 )     (2,788 )     457       (20,433 )
Reclassification adjustments for gains and losses reclassified in income
    (730 )                 (730 )
 
                       
 
                               
Ending balance
  $ 3,217       (8,613 )     371       (5,025 )
 
                       
The related deferred tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income in 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
                         
    2005  
            Deferred tax        
    Before-tax     (expense)     Net-of-tax  
    amount     benefit     amount  
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
  $ (20,452 )     2,350       (18,102 )
Less reclassification adjustment for gains and losses realized in income
    (905 )     175       (730 )
 
                 
 
                     
 
                       
Net change in unrealized gain
    (21,357 )     2,525       (18,832 )
 
                       
Minimum pension liability adjustment
    (4,515 )     1,727       (2,788 )
Cash-flow hedges
    749       (292 )     457  
 
                 
 
                       
Net current period change
  $ (25,123 )     3,960       (21,163 )
 
                 
(Continued)

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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2004  
    Deferred tax  
    Before-tax     (expense)     Net-of-tax  
    amount     benefit     amount  
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
  $ 7,547       451       7,998  
Less reclassification adjustment for gains and losses realized in income
    (6,314 )     (583 )     (6,897 )
 
                 
Net change in unrealized gain
    1,233       (132 )     1,101  
 
                       
Minimum pension liability adjustment
    35       (38 )     (3 )
Cash-flow hedges
    459       (178 )     281  
 
                 
 
                       
Net current period change
  $ 1,727       (348 )     1,379  
 
                 
                         
    2003  
    Deferred tax  
    Before-tax     (expense)     Net-of-tax  
    amount     benefit     amount  
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
  $ 7,145       (3,575 )     3,570  
Less reclassification adjustment for gains and losses realized in income
    (10,932 )     1,340       (9,592 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net change in unrealized gain
    (3,787 )     (2,235 )     (6,022 )
 
                       
Minimum pension liability adjustment
    (681 )     2,973       2,292  
Cash-flow hedges
    81       22       103  
 
                 
 
                       
Net current period change
  $ (4,387 )     760       (3,627 )
 
                 
(15) Agency Contract and Expense Reimbursement
    TSI processes and pays claims as fiscal intermediary for the Medicare — Part B Program. Claims from this program, which are excluded from the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings, amounted to $618,725, $625,841, and $579,300 for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005.
 
    TSI is reimbursed for administrative expenses incurred in performing this service. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, TSI was reimbursed by $13,886, $13,980, and $11,387, respectively, for such services which are deducted from operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.
 
    The operating expense reimbursements in connection with processing Medicare claims have been audited through 1997 by federal government representatives. Management is of the opinion that no significant adjustments will be made affecting cost reimbursements through December 31, 2005.
(Continued)

45


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(16)   Reinsurance Activity
 
    The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned and claims incurred is as follows:
                                                 
    Premiums earned     Claims incurred  
    2005     2004     2003     2005     2004     2003  
Gross
  $ 1,447,054       1,359,140       1,315,981       1,225,065       1,133,238       1,080,207  
Ceded
    (67,250 )     (60,181 )     (51,586 )     (16,698 )     (17,445 )     (14,857 )
Assumed
    400                                
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net
  $ 1,380,204       1,298,959       1,264,395       1,208,367       1,115,793       1,065,350  
 
                                   
  (a)   Reinsurance Ceded Activity
 
      STS and SVTS, in accordance with general industry practices, annually purchase reinsurance to protect them from the impact of large unforeseen losses and prevent sudden and unpredictable changes in net income and stockholders’ equity of the Company. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve any of the subsidiaries from their obligations to policyholders. In the event that all or any of the reinsuring companies might be unable to meet their obligations under existing reinsurance agreements, the subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts. During 2005 and 2004, STS placed 9% of its reinsurance business with one reinsurance company.
 
      STS has a number of pro rata and excess of loss reinsurance treaties whereby the subsidiary retains for its own account all loss payments for each occurrence that does not exceed the stated amount in the agreements and a catastrophe cover, whereby it protects itself from a loss or disaster of a catastrophic nature. Under these treaties, STS ceded premiums of $59,244, $52,214, and $43,770 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
 
      Reinsurance cessions are made on excess of loss and on a proportional basis. Principal reinsurance agreements are as follows:
    Property quota share treaty covering for a maximum of $20,000 for any one risk. Only 42.5% of this treaty was placed with reinsurers. The remaining exposure was covered by a property per risk excess of loss treaty, which provides reinsurance in excess of $500 up to a maximum of $12,500 or the remaining 57.5% for any one risk. STS also has an additional property catastrophe excess of loss contract, which provides protection for losses in excess of $5,000 resulting from any catastrophe, subject to a maximum loss of $10,000.
 
    Personal property catastrophe excess of loss. This treaty provides protection for losses in excess of $5,000 resulting from any catastrophe, subject to a maximum loss of $100,000.
 
    Commercial property catastrophe excess of loss. This treaty provides protection for losses in excess of $5,000 resulting from any catastrophe, subject to a maximum loss of $180,000.
 
    Property catastrophe excess of loss. This treaty provides protection for losses in excess of $110,000 and $180,000 with respect to personal and commercial lines, respectively, resulting from any catastrophe, subject to a maximum loss of $90,000.
         
 
  46   (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    Personal lines quota share. This treaty provides protection of 10.0% on all ground-up losses, subject to a limit of $1,000 for any one risk.
 
    Reinstatement premium protection. This treaty provides a maximum limit of $2,200 in personal lines and $5,200 in commercial lines to cover the necessity of reinstating the catastrophe program in the event it is activated.
 
    Casualty excess of loss treaty. This treaty provides reinsurance for losses in excess of $150 up to a maximum of $11,850.
 
    Medical malpractice excess of loss. This treaty provides reinsurance in excess of $150 up to a maximum of $1,500 per incident.
 
    Builders’ risk quota share and first surplus covering contractors’ risk. This treaty provides protection on a 20/80 quota share basis for the initial $2,500 and a first surplus of $10,000 for a maximum of $12,000 for any one risk.
 
    Surety quota share treaty covering contract and miscellaneous surety bond business. This treaty provides reinsurance of up to $3,000 for contract surety bonds, subject to an aggregate of $7,000 per contractor and $2,000 per miscellaneous surety bond.
      Facultative reinsurance is obtained when coverage per risk is required, on a proportional basis. All reinsurance contracts are for a period of one year, on a calendar basis, and are subject to modifications and negotiations in each renewal.
 
      SVTS cedes insurance with seven reinsurers. Insurance is ceded on pro rata, facultative excess of loss and catastrophic bases. Under the pro rata agreement, SVTS reinsures 50% of the risk up to $250 on the life of any participating individual of certain groups insured. Under this treaty, SVTS ceded premiums of $2,227 in 2005, $2,291 in 2004, and $2,236 in 2003.
 
      The life insurance facultative excess of loss agreements provide for SVTS to retain a portion of the losses on the life of any participating individual of certain groups insured. Any excess will be recovered from the reinsurer. This agreement provides for various retentions ($25, $50, and $75) of the losses. Under this facultative treaty, SVTS ceded premiums of approximately $982 in 2005, $908 in 2004, and $756 in 2003.
 
      SVTS also has a facultative excess of loss agreements for the supplemental health benefits insurance risk. This agreement provides for SVTS to retain $20 of the losses on any participating individual. Any excess will be recovered from the reinsurer. Under this facultative treaty, SVTS ceded premiums of approximately $44 and $3 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. No premiums were ceded during the year 2003.
 
      SVTS also has facultative pro rata agreements for the long-term disability insurance risk as follows:
    A long-term disability insurance treaty where SVTS reinsures 65% of the risk. Premiums ceded under this agreement amount to $4,576, $4,521 and $4,507 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
         
    47   (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    A long-term disability insurance treaty where SVTS reinsures 75% of the risk. Premiums ceded under this agreement amounted to $21, $118, and $133 during the years 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
      The accidental death catastrophic reinsurance covers each and every accident arising out of one event or occurrence resulting in the death or dismemberment of five or more persons. SVTS’s retention for each event is $250 with a maximum of $1,000 for each event and $2,000 per year. Under this treaty, the Company ceded premiums of $117 in 2005, $82 in 2004, and $90 in 2003.
 
      The ceded unearned reinsurance premiums on STS arising from these reinsurance transactions amounted to $17,475 and $13,751 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively and are reported as other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
  (b)   Reinsurance Assumed Activity
 
      On December 22, 2005, SVTS entered into a coinsurance funds withheld agreement with GA Life. Under the terms of this agreement SVTS will assume 69% of all the business written as of and after the effective date of the agreement. On the effective date of the agreement, SVTS paid an initial ceding commission of $60,000 for its participation in the business written by GA Life as of and after the effective date of the agreement. This amount is considered a policy acquisition cost and was deferred and will be amortized accordingly.
 
      As in other coinsurance funds withheld agreements, GA Life invests the premiums received from policyholders, pays commissions, processes claims and engages in other administrative activities. GA Life also carries the reserves for the policies written as well as the underlying investments purchased with the premiums received from policyholders.
 
      As of December 31, 2005 SVTS’s share of the reserves held by GA Life amounted to $118,635 and are included in the consolidated balance sheets as future policy benefits reserve related to funds withheld reinsurance. The funds withheld reinsurance receivable presented within the premium and other receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets represents the subsidiary’s share of the assets supporting the reserves of the reinsured business and amounted to $118,635 as of December 31, 2005. The coinsurance funds withheld receivable is supported by certain GA Life’s investments specified in the coinsurance funds withheld agreement. These investments consist of fixed income securities (U.S. Treasury securities) and are to be included in a trust on behalf of SVTS. GA Life must deposit these investments in the trust within 90 days of the effective date of the agreement.
(17)   Income Taxes
 
    Under Puerto Rico income tax law, the Company is not allowed to file consolidated tax returns with its subsidiaries.
 
    TSI was exempt through 2002 from Puerto Rico income taxes under a ruling issued by the Department of the Treasury. On June 18, 2003, the Department of the Treasury notified the Company that the ruling recognizing TSI’s tax exemption was terminated effective December 31, 2002. The termination of the
         
    48   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    ruling responds to a new public policy set by the Department of the Treasury according to which tax exemptions under Section 1101(6) of the Puerto Rico Code (P.R. Code) will not apply to corporations organized as for-profit, which is TSI’s case.
 
    On July 31, 2003, TSM and TSI executed a closing agreement with the Department of the Treasury. In general, the terms of the closing agreement established the termination of TSI’s tax exemption effective December 31, 2002. Accordingly, since TSI’s tax status changed effective January 1, 2003, TSI is subject to Puerto Rico income taxes as an other-than-life insurance entity, as defined in the P.R. Code.
 
    The closing agreement also stipulates that TSM will pay taxes (Department of the Treasury tax assessment) on TSI’s accumulated statutory net income, in accordance with the income recognition methodology applied by the Secretary of the Treasury in the closing agreement and the ruling mentioned above. This tax ruling established the following methodology for TSM to determine its tax liability:
    TSI’s accumulated statutory net income while operating under the tax exemption, amounting to $132,763, was deemed distributed to TSM.
 
    For tax purposes, TSM recognized the exempt accumulated statutory net income as gross income. On this amount, TSM recognized an income tax liability amounting to $51,774, which was determined by applying a tax rate of 39% to the exempt accumulated statutory net income deemed distributed to TSM. The income tax was recorded by TSM within the current income tax expense presented in the consolidated statements of earnings. Of this tax, $37,000 was paid on July 31, 2003, the date of the closing agreement, and $14,774 on April 15, 2004.
    STS is taxed essentially the same as other corporations, with taxable income determined on the basis of the statutory annual statements filed with the insurance regulatory authorities. Also, operations are subject to an alternative minimum income tax, which is calculated based on the formula established by existing tax laws. Any alternative minimum income tax paid may be used as a credit against the excess, if any, of regular income tax over the alternative minimum income tax in future years.
 
    TSI, STS, and SVTS are also subject to federal income taxes for foreign source dividend income. No federal income taxes were recognized for 2005, 2004, and 2003.
 
    SVTS operates as a qualified domestic life insurance company and is subject to the alternative minimum tax and taxes on its capital gains.
 
    TSM, TCI, and ISI are subject to Puerto Rico income taxes as a regular corporation, as defined in the P.R. Code, as amended.
         
    49   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
    The income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the Puerto Rico statutory income tax rate to the income before income taxes as a result of the following:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Income before taxes
  $ 32,197       59,817       91,626  
Statutory tax rate
    39.0 %     39.0 %     39.0 %
 
                 
Income tax expense at statutory rate of 39%
    12,557       23,329       35,734  
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
                       
Exempt interest income
    (7,441 )     (5,819 )     (5,516 )
Alternative minimum tax
                320  
Excess of regular tax over capital gain tax on SVTS
    (752 )     (327 )      
Excess of regular tax over alternative minimum tax on SVTS
                (1,164 )
Effect of using earnings under statutory accounting principles instead of U.S. GAAP earnings for TSI and STS tax computations
    (84 )     (487 )     (7,014 )
Effect of taxing capital gains at a preferential rate
    (1,762 )     (2,631 )     (1,826 )
Department of the Treasury tax assessment
                51,774  
Dividends received deduction
    (430 )     (424 )     (353 )
Effect of change in TSI tax status
    310       1,172       (5,023 )
Other permanent disallowances, net
    1,123       552       195  
Adjustment to deferred tax assets and liabilities for changes in effective tax rates
    1,500              
Other adjustments to deferred tax assets and liabilities
    (723 )            
Difference between prior year income tax accrual and income tax return
    (153 )     (404 )      
Other
    (381 )     (947 )     (1,730 )
 
                 
Total income tax expense
  $ 3,764       14,014       65,397  
 
                 
         
 
  50   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes. The net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2005 and 2004 of the Company and its subsidiaries is composed of the following:
                 
    2005     2004  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Allowance for doubtful receivables
  $ 4,756       4,258  
Additional minimum pension liability
    5,303       3,576  
Employee benefits plan
    3,253       2,759  
Postretirement benefits
    1,770       1,447  
Deferred compensation
    1,819       2,071  
Nondeductible depreciation
    401       423  
Impairment loss on investments
    207        
Contingency reserves
    522       133  
Cash-flow hedges
          56  
Other
    457       419  
 
           
Total gross deferred tax assets
    18,488       15,142  
 
           
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    (7,757 )     (5,347 )
Catastrophe loss reserve trust fund
    (5,090 )     (4,873 )
Unrealized gain on trading securities
    (1,726 )     (3,331 )
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (805 )     (3,330 )
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
    (283 )      
Unamortized bond issue costs
    (440 )     (230 )
Cash-flow hedges
    (236 )      
 
           
Gross deferred tax liabilities
    (16,337 )     (17,111 )
 
           
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
  $ 2,151       (1,969 )
 
           
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
(18)   Pension Plan
 
    The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined-benefit pension plan for all of its employees and for the employees of its subsidiaries who are age 21 or older and have completed one year of service. Pension benefits begin to vest after five years of vesting service, as defined, and are based on years of service and final average salary, as defined. The funding policy is to contribute to the plan as necessary to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, plus such additional amounts as the Company may determine to be appropriate from time to
         
 
  51   (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
time. The measurement date used to determine pension benefit measures for the pension plan is December 31.
The following table sets forth the plan’s benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets, and funded status as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, accordingly:
                 
    2005     2004  
Change in benefit obligation:
               
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 71,078       61,336  
Service cost
    4,737       4,100  
Interest cost
    4,145       3,843  
Benefit payments
    (5,106 )     (4,266 )
Actuarial losses
    9,418       6,065  
 
           
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 84,272       71,078  
 
           
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 61,467       51,412  
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized an additional minimum pension liability of $14,466 and $9,999, respectively, in order to bring the accrued pension liability up to the level of the plan’s unfunded accumulated benefit obligation. This amount is offset by an intangible asset amounting to $550 and $598 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, that is based on the outstanding unrecognized prior service cost. The net amount of the additional minimum pension liability and the intangible asset was recorded through a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of a deferred tax asset of $5,303 and $3,576 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
                 
    2005     2004  
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 42,572       32,142  
Actual return on assets (net of expenses)
    3,214       3,765  
Employer contributions
    8,821       10,931  
Benefit payments
    (5,106 )     (4,266 )
 
           
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 49,501       42,572  
 
           
 
               
Reconciliation of funded status:
               
Funded status
  $ (34,772 )     (28,507 )
Unrecognized prior service cost
    550       598  
Unrecognized actuarial loss
    36,722       29,068  
 
           
Prepaid benefit cost
  $ 2,500       1,159  
 
           
         
 
  52   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The components of net periodic benefit cost for 2005, 2004, and 2003 were as follows:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Service cost
  $ 4,737       4,100       3,631  
Interest cost
    4,145       3,843       3,778  
Expected return on assets
    (3,467 )     (2,549 )     (2,494 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    48       48       48  
Amortization of actuarial loss
    2,017       1,706       1,569  
Settlement loss
                4,404  
 
                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 7,480       7,148       10,936  
 
                 
Net periodic pension expense may include settlement charges as a result of retirees selecting lump-sum distributions. Settlement charges may increase in the future if the number of eligible participants deciding to receive distributions and the amount of their benefits increases.
The following assumptions were used on a weighted average basis to determine benefit obligations of the plan as of December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Discount rate
    5.50 %     5.75 %     6.25 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %
Rate of compensation increase
  Graded; 3.00%   Graded; 3.00%   Graded; 3.00%
 
  to 6.50%   to 6.50%   to 6.50%
The assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 were as follows:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Assumptions used in computing net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Discount rate
    5.75 %     6.25 %     6.75 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %
Rate of compensation increase
  Graded; 3.00%   Graded; 3.00%   Graded; 3.00%
 
  to 6.5%   to 6.5%   to 6.5%
The basis used to determine the overall expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption was an analysis of the historical rate of return for a portfolio with a similar asset allocation. The assumed long-term asset allocation for the plan is as follows: 53% – 67% equity securities; 26% – 36% debt securities; 4% – 12% real estate; and 0% – 4% cash.
         
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Using historical investment returns, the plan’s expected asset mix, and adjusting for the difference between expected inflation and historical inflation, the 25th to 75th percentile range of annual rates of return is 7.1% – 8.9%.
The Company selected a rate from within this range of 8.50%, which reflects our best estimate for this assumption based on the historical data described above, information on the historical returns on assets invested in the pension trust, and expected future conditions. This rate is net of both investment related expenses and a 0.25% reduction for other administrative expenses charged to the trust.
(a)   Plan Assets
 
    The Company’s weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2005 and 2004 by asset category were as follows:
                 
Asset category   2005     2004  
Equity securities
    59 %     62 %
Debt securities
    31       28  
Real estate
    8       8  
Other
    2       2  
 
           
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
           
The Company’s plan assets are invested in the National Retirement Trust. The National Retirement Trust was formed to provide financial and legal resources to help members of the BCBSA offer retirement benefits to their employees.
The investment program for the National Retirement Trust is based on the precepts of capital market theory that are generally followed by institutional investors and who by definition, are long-term oriented investors. This philosophy holds that:
    Increasing risk is rewarded with compensating returns over time, and therefore, prudent risk taking is justifiable for long-term investors.
 
    Risk can be controlled through diversification of assets classes and investment approaches, as well as diversification of individual securities.
 
    Risk is reduced by time, and over time the relative performance of different asset classes is reasonably consistent. Over the long-term, equity investments have provided and should continue to provide superior returns over other security types. Fixed-income securities can dampen volatility and provide liquidity in periods of depressed economic activity.
 
    The strategic or long-term allocation of assets among various asset classes is an important driver of long-term returns.
 
    Relative performance of various asset classes is unpredictable in the short-term and attempts to shift tactically between asset classes are unlikely to be rewarded.
         
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Investments will be made for the sole interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the programs participating in the National Retirement Trust. Accordingly, the assets of the National Retirement Trust shall be invested in accordance with these objectives:
    Ensure assets are available to meet current and future obligations of the participating programs when due.
 
    Earn a minimum rate of return no less than the actuarial interest rate.
 
    Earn the maximum return that can be realistically achieved in the markets over the long-term at a specified and controlled level of risk in order to minimize future contributions.
 
    Invest the assets with the care, skill, and diligence that a prudent person acting in a like capacity would undertake. The Committee acknowledges that, in the process, it has the objective of controlling the costs involved with administering and managing the investments of the National Retirement Trust.
      The target asset allocation for the Company is as follows: 53% – 67% equity securities; 26% – 36% debt securities; 4% – 12% real estate; and 0% – 4% cash.
 
  (b)   Cash Flows
 
      The Company expects to contribute $6,000 to its pension program in 2006.
 
      The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
         
Year ended December 31:
       
2006
  $ 3,015  
2007
    3,330  
2008
    3,460  
2009
    4,205  
2010
    4,630  
2011 – 2016
    30,570  
(19)   Catastrophe Loss Reserve Trust Fund
 
    In accordance with the Act No. 73 of August 12, 1994, and Chapter 25 of the Insurance Code, STS is required to establish and maintain a trust fund for the payment of catastrophe losses. The establishment of this trust fund will increase the financial capacity in order to offer protection for those insurers exposed to catastrophe losses. This trust may invest its funds in securities authorized by the Insurance Code, but not in investments whose value may be affected by hazards covered by the catastrophic insurance losses. The interest earned on these investments and any realized gain (loss) on investment transactions becomes part of the reserve for catastrophic insurance losses and income (expense) of the Company. The assets in this fund, which are reported as other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, will be used solely and exclusively to pay catastrophe losses covered under policies written in Puerto Rico.
         
 
  55   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The retained earnings of STS are restricted in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets by the total catastrophe loss reserve balance.
In addition, pursuant to Article 8 of Rule LXXII of October 15, 1999, of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, STS is required to make a current year deposit to the fund, if any, on or before January 30 of the following year. Contributions are determined by a rate (1.0% for 2005 and 2004), imposed by the Commissioner of Insurance for the catastrophe policies written in that year. The amount deposited in the trust fund is deductible for income tax purposes.
In January 2006 and 2005, the Company deposited to the trust fund $721 and $663, respectively, corresponding to the contributions for catastrophic policies written in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The amount deposited in the trust fund may be reimbursed in the case that STS ceases to underwrite risks subject to catastrophe losses.
As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the movement of the catastrophe loss reserve is as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
Catastrophe loss reserve at beginning of year
  $ 24,123       22,418  
Investment income
    1,025       1,042  
 
           
Catastrophe loss reserve trust fund at end of year
    25,148       23,460  
Contribution payable
    721       663  
 
           
Restricted retained earnings
  $ 25,869       24,123  
 
           
The trust fund assets are composed of the following:
                 
    2005     2004  
Federal Home Loan Bank notes, at amortized cost (fair value of $17,758 and $16,269 in 2005 and 2004, respectively)
  $ 18,297       16,598  
Federal Farm Credit Bank note, at amortized cost (fair value of $4,910 and $5,035 in 2005 and 2004, respectively)
    5,037       5,035  
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities, at amortized cost (fair value of $1,541 and $1,575 in 2005 and 2004, respectively)
    1,500       1,500  
Accrued interest receivable
    242       219  
Cash and cash equivalents
    72       108  
 
           
 
  $ 25,148       23,460  
 
           
         
 
  56   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Maturities of investments held in the catastrophe loss reserve trust fund were as follows at December 31, 2005:
                 
    Amortized     Estimated  
    cost     fair value  
Due after one year through five years
  $ 12,296       12,128  
Due after five years through ten years
    7,569       7,353  
Due after ten years
    4,969       4,728  
 
           
 
  $ 24,834       24,209  
 
           
(20)   Commitments
 
    The Company leases its regional offices, certain equipment, and warehouse facilities under noncancelable operating leases. Minimum annual rental commitments at December 31, 2005 under existing agreements are summarized as follows:
         
Year ending December 31:
       
2006
  $ 1,600  
2007
    1,370  
2008
    771  
2009
    415  
2010
    371  
Thereafter
    190  
 
     
Total
  $ 4,717  
 
     
Rental expense for 2005, 2004, and 2003 was $2,185, $1,653, and $1,460, respectively, after deducting the amount of $495, $489, and $689, respectively, reimbursed by Medicare (see note 15).
(21)   Contingencies
  (a)   Legal Proceedings
  (i)   At December 31, 2005, the Company is defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, with the advice of its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.
 
  (ii)   The Company and others are defendants in a class action complaint alleging violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The suit, among other allegations, alleges a scheme to defraud the plaintiffs by acquiring control of TSI through illegally capitalizing TSI and later converting it into a for-profit organization and depriving the stockholders of TSI of their ownership rights. The plaintiffs base their later allegations on the supposed decisions of TSI’s board of directors and stockholders, allegedly made in 1979, to
         
 
  57   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
operate with certain restrictions in order to turn TSI into a charitable corporation, basically forever. On March 4, 2005, U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (the Court) issued an opinion and order. In this opinion and order, of the twelve counts included in the complaint, eight counts were dismissed for failing to assert an actionable injury; six for lack of standing; and two for failing to plead with sufficient particularity in compliance with the Rules. All shareholder allegations, including those described above, were dismissed in the opinion and order. The remaining four counts were found standing, in a limited way, in the opinion and order. Finally, the Court ordered that by March 24, 2005 one of the counts left standing be replead to conform to the rules and that by March 28, 2005 a proposed schedule for discovery and other submissions be filed. The count was amended and accepted by the Court and the discovery schedule was submitted. The parties have finished class certification discovery. The parties fully briefed the issue of class certification and are awaiting the Court’s decision. In addition, the defendants are evaluating the dismissal of the surviving claims. This case is still pending before the Court. In the opinion of management, with the advice of its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.
  (iii)   TSM, TSI, and others are defendants in a complaint where the plaintiffs allege that the defendants, among other things, violated provisions of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, anti-monopolistic practices and unfair business practices. After a preliminary review of the complaint, it appears that many of the allegations brought by the plaintiffs have been resolved in favor of TSM and TSI in previous cases brought by the same plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and by most of the plaintiffs in the local courts. The defendants, including TSM and TSI answered the complaint, filed a counter-claim and filed several motions to dismiss this claim. On May 9, 2005, the plaintiffs filed the amended complaint and defendants are preparing the corresponding motions to dismiss this amended complaint. The plaintiffs amended the complaint to allege similar causes of action dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in the case described in bullet (ii) above. Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. Plaintiffs have notified their opposition to some of the defendants’ motion to dismiss, and the defendants filed the corresponding replies. On January 25, 2006, the Court held a hearing to argue the disposition of motions. In the opinion of management, with the advice of its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.
 
  (iv)   On May 22, 2003, a class action suit was filed by Kenneth A. Thomas, MD and Michael Kutell, MD, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated and the Connecticut State Medical Society against the BCBSA and multiple other insurance companies including TSI. The individual plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated physicians seeking redress for alleged illegal acts of the defendants, which they allege have resulted in a loss of their property and a detriment to their business, and for declaratory and injunctive relief to end those practices and prevent further losses. Plaintiffs alleged that the defendants, on their own and as part of a common scheme, systematically deny, delay, and diminish the payments due to doctors so that they are not paid in a timely manner for the
         
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      covered, medically necessary services they render. The class action complaint alleges that the healthcare plans are the agents of Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensed entities, and as such have committed the acts alleged above and acted within the scope of their agency, with the consent, permission, authorization, and knowledge of the others, and in furtherance of both their interest and the interests of other defendants. Management believes that TSI was brought to this litigation for the sole reason of being associated with BCBSA. However, on June 18, 2004, the plaintiffs moved to amend the complaint to include the Colegio de Médicos Cirujanos de Puerto Rico (a compulsory association grouping all physicians in Puerto Rico), Marissel Velázquez, MD, President of the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Puerto Rico, and Andrés Meléndez, MD, as plaintiffs against TSI. Later Marissel Velázquez, MD voluntarily dismissed her complaint against TSI. TSI, along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint under multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act. The Court issued a 90-day stay to allow the parties to discuss their differences and come to an amicable agreement. The stay expired on March 7, 2006. Upon the expiration of the stay, both plaintiffs and defendants agreed to request the Court to extend the stay until April 21, 2006. In the opinion of management, with the advice of its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.
 
  (v)   On December 8, 2003, a putative class action was filed by Jeffrey Solomon, MD, and Orlando Armstrong, MD, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated and the American Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, California Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, Texas Podiatric Medical Association, and Independent Chiropractic Physicians, against the BCBSA and multiple other insurance companies, including TSI, all members of the BCBSA. The individual plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated physicians seeking redress for alleged illegal acts of the defendants, which are alleged to have resulted in a loss of Plaintiff’s property and a detriment to their business, and for declaratory and injunctive relief to end those practices and prevent further losses. Plaintiffs alleged that the defendants, on their own and as part of a common scheme, systematically deny, delay and diminish the payment due to the doctors so that they are not paid in a timely manner for the covered, medically necessary services they render. The class action complaint alleges that the healthcare plans are the agents of BCBSA licensed entities, and as such have committed the acts alleged above and acted within the scope of their agency, with the consent, permission, authorization, and knowledge of the others, and in furtherance of both their interest and the interests of other defendants. On June 25, 2004, plaintiffs amended the complaint but the allegations against TSI did not vary. Management believes that TSI was made a party to this litigation for the sole reason that TSI is associated with the BCBSA. TSI, along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint under multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act. The Court issued a 90-day stay to allow the parties to discuss their differences and come to an amicable solution. The stay expired on March 7, 2006. Although the parties are still in the process of discussing their differences, they have not moved the Court to extend the stay. The defendants suggested that plaintiffs join in a request to extend the stay, but the plaintiffs have not reacted to the defendants’ invitation. In the
         
    59   (Continued)

 


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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
opinion of management, with the advice of its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.
  (b)   Guarantee Associations
 
      Pursuant to the Insurance Code, STS is a member of Sindicato de Aseguradores para la Suscripción Conjunta de Seguros de Responsabilidad Profesional Médico-Hospitalaria (SIMED) and of the Sindicato de Aseguradores de Responsabilidad Profesional para Médicos. Both syndicates were organized for the purpose of underwriting medical-hospital professional liability insurance. As a member, the subsidiary shares risks with other member companies and, accordingly, is contingently liable in the event that the above-mentioned syndicates cannot meet their obligations. During the year 2005 STS released an estimated assessment recorded in prior years amounting to $416 based on the audited financial statements received from SIMED reflecting an improved financial condition. During 2005, and 2004, no assessments or payments were made for this contingency.
 
      Additionally, pursuant to Article 12 of Rule LXIX of the Insurance Code, STS is a member of the Compulsory Vehicle Liability Insurance Joint Underwriting Association (the Association). The Association was organized during 1997 to underwrite insurance coverage of motor vehicle property damage liability risks effective January 1, 1998. As a participant, STS shares the risk, proportionately with other members, based on a formula established by the Insurance Code. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, the Association distributed good experience refunds. STS received refunds amounting to $918, $840, and $638 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.
 
      STS is a member of the Asociación de Garantía de Seguros de Todas Clases, excepto Vida, Incapacidad y Salud and TSI and SVTS are members of the Asociación de Garantía de Seguros de Vida, Incapacidad y Salud. As members, they are required to provide funds for the payment of claims and unearned premiums reimbursements for policies issued by insurance companies declared insolvent. During 2005, 2004, and 2003, STS paid assessments of $965, $1,121, and $500, respectively. Moreover, no assessments were attributable to TSI and SVTS during 2005, 2004, and 2003.
(22)   Net Income Available to Stockholders and Basic Net Income per Share
 
    The Company presents only basic earnings per share, which is comprised of the net income that could be available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
         
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per share for the three-year period ended December 31, 2005.
                         
    2005   2004   2003
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
                       
Net income available to stockholders
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
 
                       
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
                       
Weighted average of common shares outstanding
    8,904       8,919       9,180  
 
                       
Basic net income per share
  $ 3,193       5,135       2,857  
(23)   Subsequent Events
 
    On January 13, 2006, the board of directors (the Board) declared a cash dividend of $6,226 to be distributed pro rata among all of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares, excluding those shares issued to the representatives of the community that are members of the Board (the qualifying shares). All stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 16, 2006, except those who only hold qualifying shares, received a dividend per share of $700 for each share held on that date.
(24)   Business Combinations
 
    Effective January 31, 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of GA Life. As a result of this acquisition, the Company is expected to be one of the leading providers of life insurance policies in Puerto Rico. The acquisition will be accounted by the Company in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations . The results of operations of GA Life are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements since the effective date of the transaction is not until 2006. The aggregate purchase price of the acquired entity amounted to approximately $38,196; of this amount $37,500 were paid in cash on January 31, 2006 and $696 are the estimated direct costs related to the acquisition. The Company is in the process of obtaining third-party valuations of certain intangible assets; thus, as of this date it is not possible to determine the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired.
(25)   Statutory Accounting
 
    TSI, SVTS, and STS (collectively known as the regulated subsidiaries) are regulated by the Commissioner of Insurance. The regulated subsidiaries are required to prepare financial statements using accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Commissioner of Insurance, which differ from U.S. GAAP.
 
    The principal differences resulting between the financial statements of the regulated subsidiaries under statutory accounting practices with U.S. GAAP are as follows:
    The accounting basis of investments in debt and equity securities are based upon the rules promulgated by NAIC Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP).
         
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
  Certain assets (primarily prepaid expenses, furniture and equipment, and premiums’ balances not collected within 90 days) are classified as nonadmitted and are excluded from the balance sheets by a charge to unassigned capital and surplus.
 
  Certain notes payable are classified as surplus notes under statutory accounting practices.
 
  Policy acquisitions costs (mainly commissions) are not deferred over the periods in which the premiums are earned but charged to operations as incurred.
The NAIC recodified SAP to promote standardization throughout the industry and effective January 1, 2001, the Company adopted these new statutory accounting principles. The Commissioner of Insurance adopted NAIC SAP as long as it does not contradict the provisions of the Insurance Code. The conditional adoption of the Commissioner of Insurance results in the situation that various accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Commissioner of Insurance depart from NAIC SAP.
In terms of permitted accounting practices, the Commissioner of Insurance through a circular letter dated September 14, 2001, permits property and casualty insurance companies in Puerto Rico to not record the deferred tax liability that otherwise would have resulted from the contributions made to the catastrophe reserve fund (see notes 17 and 19). The use of this permitted statutory accounting practice relieves STS in 2005 and 2004 of recording a charge to operations of approximately $217 and $199, respectively, and a charge to the statutory surplus of approximately $5,100 and $4,900 in 2005 and 2004, respectively, which otherwise would have been recorded under the prescribed statutory accounting practices.
The accumulated earnings of TSI, SVTS, and STS are restricted as to the payment of dividends by statutory limitations applicable to domestic insurance companies. Such limitations restrict the payment of dividends by insurance companies generally to unrestricted unassigned surplus funds reported for statutory purposes. As more fully described in note 19, a portion of the accumulated earnings of STS are also restricted by the catastrophe loss reserve balance (amounting to $25,869 and $24,123 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively) as required by the Insurance Code.
The net admitted assets, unassigned surplus, and capital and surplus of the insurance subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
                         
    2005 (Unaudited)
    TSI   STS   SVTS
Net admitted assets
  $ 506,386       246,493       199,728  
Unassigned surplus
    168,542       42,618       16,454  
Capital and surplus
    195,542       68,404       19,014  
         
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2004
    TSI   STS   SVTS
Net admitted assets
  $ 494,199       225,684       71,551  
Unassigned surplus
    164,698       36,831       20,045  
Capital and surplus
    191,239       69,455       21,245  
The net income (loss) of the insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 is as follows:
                         
    TSI   STS   SVTS
2005 (unaudited)
  $ 17,383       10,098       (58,046 )
2004
    31,045       9,589       607  
2003
    41,321       6,207       3,990  
         
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(26)   Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
                                         
    2005  
    March 31     June 30     September 30     December 31     Total  
Revenue:
                                       
Premiums earned, net
  $ 333,389       339,618       345,728       361,469       1,380,204  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    51,915       52,439       53,424       53,127       210,905  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (48,540 )     (49,302 )     (50,190 )     (48,428 )     (196,460 )
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    336,764       342,755       348,962       366,168       1,394,649  
 
                                       
Net investment income
    7,064       7,217       7,158       7,590       29,029  
Net realized investment gains
    3,314       1,363       1,857       627       7,161  
Net unrealized investment gain (loss) on trading securities
    (5,793 )     (634 )     905       813       (4,709 )
Other income (loss), net
    632       (142 )     1,576       1,666       3,732  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total revenue
    341,981       350,559       360,458       376,864       1,429,862  
 
                             
 
                                       
Benefits and expenses:
                                       
Claims incurred
    302,923       297,901       299,577       307,966       1,208,367  
Operating expenses, net of reimbursement for services
    43,766       45,453       44,568       47,916       181,703  
Interest expense
    1,788       1,856       1,880       2,071       7,595  
 
                             
Total benefits and expenses
    348,477       345,210       346,025       357,953       1,397,665  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income (loss) before taxes
    (6,496 )     5,349       14,433       18,911       32,197  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income tax expense:
                                       
Current
    1,221       758       802       1,143       3,924  
Deferred
    (2,510 )     183       1,758       409       (160 )
 
                             
Total income taxes
    (1,289 )     941       2,560       1,552       3,764  
 
                             
Net income (loss)
  $ (5,207 )     4,408       11,873       17,359       28,433  
 
                             
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ (585 )     495       1,333       1,950       3,193  
         
 
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TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                         
    2004  
    March 31     June 30     September 30     December 31     Total  
Revenue:
                                       
Premiums earned, net
  $ 318,646       322,896       325,926       328,955       1,296,423  
Amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements
    43,038       46,045       46,044       46,575       181,702  
Less amounts attributable to claims under self-funded arrangements
    (40,582 )     (42,485 )     (42,925 )     (43,932 )     (169,924 )
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    321,102       326,456       329,045       331,598       1,308,201  
 
                                       
Net investment income
    6,582       6,393       6,516       7,008       26,499  
Net realized investment gains
    1,383       1,365       4,237       3,983       10,968  
Net unrealized investment gain (loss) on trading securities
    1,819       (3,252 )     (435 )     4,910       3,042  
Other income, net
    566       1,120       728       946       3,360  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total revenue
    331,452       332,082       340,091       348,445       1,352,070  
 
                             
 
                                       
Benefits and expenses:
                                       
Claims incurred
    275,748       286,246       283,946       269,853       1,115,793  
Operating expenses, net of reimbursement for services
    39,838       42,635       40,416       48,990       171,879  
Interest expense
    901       931       1,018       1,731       4,581  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total benefits and expenses
    316,487       329,812       325,380       320,574       1,292,253  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income before taxes
    14,965       2,270       14,711       27,871       59,817  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income tax expense:
                                       
Current
    3,298       1,248       2,756       6,983       14,285  
Deferred
    511       (457 )     (139 )     (186 )     (271 )
 
                             
Total income taxes
    3,809       791       2,617       6,797       14,014  
 
                             
Net income
  $ 11,156       1,479       12,094       21,074       45,803  
 
                             
Basic net income per share
  $ 1,239       166       1,361       2,371       5,137  
         
 
  65   (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(27)   Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
    A reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities follows:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    5,230       5,343       5,709  
Net amortization of investments premiums
    408       1,035       1,866  
Accretion in value of securities
    (617 )     (464 )     (1,188 )
Increase (decrease) in provision for doubtful receivables
    1,067       2,158       (4,779 )
Increase in net deferred tax asset
    (160 )     (271 )     (5,396 )
Gain on sale of securities
    (7,161 )     (10,968 )     (8,365 )
Unrealized loss (gain) of trading securities
    4,709       (3,042 )     (14,893 )
Proceeds from trading securities sold or matured:
                       
Fixed maturities sold
    102,667       50,330       77,582  
Equity securities
    36,156       26,523       28,924  
Acquisition of securities in trading portfolio:
                       
Fixed maturities
    (30,502 )     (54,550 )     (96,237 )
Equity securities
    (25,785 )     (38,700 )     (38,956 )
Gain on sale of property and equipment
    (1 )     (16 )     (58 )
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable
    (11,988 )     (10,956 )     4,809  
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    6       18       (218 )
Decrease (increase) in other receivables
    1,680       (11,052 )     (9,062 )
Increase in funds withheld reinsurance receivable
    (118,635 )            
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs
    (62,856 )     (2,041 )     (2,901 )
Increase in other assets
    (16,110 )     (5,138 )     (3,188 )
Increase (decrease) in claims processed and incomplete
    2,412       16,267       (6,613 )
Increase in unreported losses
    15,900       14,875       9,139  
Increase (decrease) in loss-adjustment expenses
    (74 )     263       812  
Increase in future policy benefits reserve related to funds withheld reinsurance
    118,635              
Increase on annuity contracts
    1,231       1,003       365  
Increase in unearned premiums
    11,120       5,879       7,743  
Increase (decrease) in liability to FEHBP
    (5,435 )     2,320       405  
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    588       4,616       6,914  
Increase (decrease) in income tax payable
    (1,827 )     (30,395 )     31,506  
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 49,091       8,840       10,149  
 
                 
         
 
  66   (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005   2004   2003
Supplementary information on noncash transactions affecting cash flows activities:
                       
Change in net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, including deferred income tax liability of $805, $3,330, and $3,198, in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively
  $ (18,832 )     1,101       (6,022 )
Retirement of fully depreciated items
          13,054       1,594  
Change in cash-flow hedges, including deferred income tax liability of $236 in 2005 and deferred income tax asset of $56 and $234 in 2004 and 2003, respectively
    457       281       103  
Change in minimum pension liability, including related intangible asset of $550, $598, and $645 and deferred income tax asset of $5,303, $3,576, and $3,614 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively
    (2,788 )     (3 )     2,292  
         
 
  67   (Continued)

 


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(With Independent Auditors’ Report Thereon)

 


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Triple-S Management Corporation:
Under date of March 17, 2006, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of Triple-S Management Corporation and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005 as contained in the 2005 annual report to stockholders. These consolidated financial statements and our report thereon are incorporated by reference in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year 2005. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related financial statement schedules as listed in the Item 15. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits.
In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ KPMG LLP
March 17, 2006
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Stamp No. 2102443 of the Puerto Rico
Society of Certified Public Accountants
was affixed to the record copy of this report.


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Balance Sheets
December 31, 2005 and 2004
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                 
    2005     2004  
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 50       4,031  
 
           
Receivables:
               
Due from subsidiaries*
    1,436       766  
Other
    15       102  
 
           
 
               
Total receivables
    1,451       868  
 
               
Investment in securities
    10,004       7,205  
 
               
Prepaid income tax
    92       130  
Net deferred tax assets
    316       404  
Prepaid pension cost
    2,500       1,159  
Accrued interest
    96       96  
Other assets
    621       15  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    15,130       13,908  
 
               
Notes receivable from subsidiaries*
    83,000       26,000  
Investment in securities
    1,000       1,000  
Accrued interest on note receivable from subsidiaries
    2,142       788  
Net deferred tax assets
    312       515  
Investments in wholly owned subsidiaries*
    299,421       293,203  
Property and equipment, net
    24,760       25,577  
Other assets
    1,275        
 
           
Total assets
  $ 427,040       360,991  
 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 1,640       3,140  
Due to subsidiary*
    10,509       8,136  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    6,873       5,440  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    19,022       16,716  
 
               
Additional minimum pension liability
    365       252  
Long-term debt
    98,950       42,590  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    118,337       59,558  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock at $40 par value. Authorized 12,500 shares; issued and outstanding 8,904 shares at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively
    356       356  
Additional paid-in capital
    150,408       150,408  
Retained earnings
    162,964       134,531  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (5,025 )     16,138  
 
           
 
               
 
    308,703       301,433  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 427,040       360,991  
 
           
 
* Eliminated on consolidation.
See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm’s report and notes to financial statements.

2


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Statements of Earnings
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Rental income*
  $ 6,724       6,290       6,082  
General and administrative expenses
    (5,271 )     (4,787 )     (5,570 )
 
                 
 
                       
Operating income
    1,453       1,503       512  
 
                 
 
                       
Other revenue (expenses):
                       
Equity in net income of subsidiaries*
    27,604       45,451       77,736  
Interest expense, net of interest income of $1,809, $1,088, and $958 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively *
    (336 )     (863 )     (982 )
Realized investment gains
                650  
 
                 
Total other revenue, net
    27,268       44,588       77,404  
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    28,721       46,091       77,916  
 
                 
 
                       
Income tax expense (benefit):
                       
Current
    208       306       51,834  
Deferred
    80       (18 )     (147 )
 
                 
Total income tax expense, net
    288       288       51,687  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
 
                 
 
* Eliminated on consolidation.
See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm’s report and notes to financial statements.

3


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                         
                            Accumulated        
            Additional             other        
    Common     paid-in     Retained     comprehensive        
    stock     capital     earnings     income (loss)     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2002
  $ 373       150,406       62,499       18,386       231,664  
 
                                       
Stock redemption
    (12 )     1                   (11 )
 
                                       
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                26,229             26,229  
Net unrealized change in investment securities
                      (6,022 )     (6,022 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
                      2,292       2,292  
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges
                      103       103  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    22,602  
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2003
    361       150,407       88,728       14,759       254,255  
 
                                       
Stock redemption
    (5 )     1                   (4 )
 
                                       
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                45,803             45,803  
Net unrealized change in investment securities
                      1,101       1,101  
Net change in minimum pension liability
                      (3 )     (3 )
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges
                      281       281  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    47,182  
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2004
    356       150,408       134,531       16,138       301,433  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                28,433             28,433  
Net unrealized change in investment securities
                      (18,832 )     (18,832 )
Net change in minimum pension liability
                      (2,788 )     (2,788 )
Net change in fair value of cash-flow hedges
                      457       457  
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                    7,270  
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2005
  $ 356       150,408       162,964       (5,025 )     308,703  
 
                             
See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm’s report and notes to financial statements.

4


Table of Contents

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 28,433       45,803       26,229  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Equity in net income of subsidiaries*
    (27,604 )     (45,451 )     (77,736 )
Depreciation and amortization
    1,090       1,118       1,110  
Gain on sale of securities
                (650 )
Accretion in value of securities
          (1 )     (1 )
Provision for obsolescence
    (25 )     (44 )     (88 )
Provision for doubtful receivables
                (138 )
Deferred income tax benefit
    80       (18 )     (147 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Receivables*
    (583 )     (699 )     207  
Accrued interest*
    (1,354 )     (729 )     4,759  
Prepaid income tax, prepaid pension cost, and other assets
    (2,553 )     (1,245 )     89  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and due to subsidiary*
    3,948       5,834       (480 )
Income tax payable
          (14,339 )     13,876  
 
                 
 
Net cash provided (used in) by operating activities
    1,432       (9,771 )     (32,970 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Acquisition of investment in securities classified as available for sale
    (3,000 )     (1,430 )     (8,892 )
Proceeds from sale and maturities of investment in securities classified as available for sale
          1,280       6,689  
Notes receivable from subsidiaries*
    (57,000 )            
Acquisition of property and equipment, net
    (273 )     (39 )     (11 )
 
                 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (60,273 )     (189 )     (2,214 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Dividend received from wholly owned subsidiaries*
          15,000       37,800  
Repayments of long-term borrowings
    (5,140 )     (2,645 )     (1,640 )
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    60,000              
Redemption of common stock
          (4 )     (11 )
 
                 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    54,860       12,351       36,149  
 
                 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (3,981 )     2,391       965  
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    4,031       1,640       675  
 
                 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 50       4,031       1,640  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental information:
                       
Income tax paid
  $ 170       14,774       37,958  
Interest paid
    2,093       1,951       1,867  
 
Noncash activities:
                       
Change in net unrealized gain on securities available for sale of the subsidiaries*
    (18,667 )     1,130       (5,532 )
Change in net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
    (165 )     (29 )     (490 )
Change in cash-flow hedges, including deferred tax liability of $236 in 2005 and deferred tax asset of $56 and $234 in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
    457       281       103  
Change in minimum pension liability, including related intangible asset of $550, $598, and $645 in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively
    (2,788 )     (3 )     2,292  
 
*   Eliminated on consolidation.
See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm’s report and notes to financial statements.

5


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(1) Organization
Triple-S Management Corporation (the Company or TSM) was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on January 17, 1997 to engage, among other things, as the holding company of entities primarily involved in the insurance industry.
The Company has the following wholly owned subsidiaries that are subject to the regulations of the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the Commissioner of Insurance): (a) Triple-S, Inc. (TSI) which provides hospitalization and health benefits to subscribers through contracts with hospitals, physicians, dentists, laboratories, and other organizations located mainly in Puerto Rico; (b) Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc. (SVTS), which is engaged in the underwriting of life and disability insurance policies and the administration of annuity contracts; and (c) Seguros Triple-S, Inc. (STS), which is engaged in the underwriting of property and casualty insurance policies. The Company and TSI are members of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA).
The Company also has two other wholly owned subsidiaries, Interactive Systems, Inc. (ISI) and Triple-C, Inc. (TC). ISI is mainly engaged in providing data processing services to the Company and its subsidiaries. TC is mainly engaged as a third party administrator for TSI in the administration of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Health Care Reform’s business (the Reform). Also, TC provides health care advisory services to TSI and other health insurance-related services to the health insurance industry.
A substantial majority of the Company’s business activity through its subsidiaries is with insureds located throughout Puerto Rico and, as such, the Company is subject to the risks associated with the Puerto Rico economy.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference into Item 15 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3) Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment as of December 31 are composed of the following:
                 
    2005     2004  
Land
  $ 6,531       6,531  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    27,765       27,492  
 
           
 
    34,296       34,023  
 
               
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (9,536 )     (8,446 )
 
           
Property and equipment, net
  $ 24,760       25,577  
 
           
(Continued)

6


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(4) Investment in Wholly Owned Subsidiaries
Summarized combined financial information for the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
Assets
               
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
  $ 704,252       700,001  
Receivables, net
    257,531       124,732  
Other assets
    163,343       76,710  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,125,126       901,443  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities
               
 
               
Claim liabilities
  $ 297,563       279,325  
Future policy benefits related to funds withheld reinsurance
    118,635        
Unearned premiums
    95,703       84,583  
Annuity contracts
    41,738       34,071  
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    272,066       210,261  
 
           
Total liabilities
  $ 825,705       608,240  
 
           
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 299,421       293,203  
 
           
The net income of the subsidiaries during the three-year period ended December 31, 2005 was $27,604, $45,451, and $77,736. The Company allocates to its subsidiaries certain expenses incurred in the administration of their operations. Total charges including other expenses paid on behalf of the subsidiaries amounted to $3,828, $3,945 and $3,351, in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005.
(Continued)

7


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(5) Long-Term Borrowings
     A summary of the long-term borrowings entered by the Company at December 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
                 
    2005     2004  
Secured note payable of $20,000, payable in various different installments up to August 31, 2007, with interest payable on a monthly basis at a rate reset periodically of 130 basis points over LIBOR selected (which was 5.71% and 3.32% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively)
  $ 11,500       15,000  
 
               
Senior unsecured notes payable of $60,000 due December 2020. Interest payable monthly at a fixed rate of 6.60%
    60,000        
 
               
Secured loan payable of $41,000, payable in monthly installments of $137 up to July 1, 2024, plus interest at a rate reset periodically of 100 basis points over LIBOR selected (which was 5.29% and 3.30% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively)
    29,090       30,730  
 
           
 
    100,590       45,730  
 
               
Less current maturities
    (1,640 )     (3,140 )
 
           
Total loans payable to bank
  $ 98,950       42,590  
 
           
Aggregate maturities of the Company’s credit agreements as of December 31, 2005 are summarized as follows:
         
2006
  $ 1,640  
2007
    13,140  
2008
    1,640  
2009
    1,640  
2010
    1,640  
Thereafter
    80,890  
 
     
 
  $ 100,590  
 
     
As of December 31, 2005, the Company has 6.60% senior unsecured notes payable of $60,000 due on December 2020. These notes were issued on December 21, 2005. Debt issuance cost amounting $580 were deferred and will be amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the notes. These notes can be prepaid after five years at par, in total or partially, as determined by the Company.
(Continued)

8


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The senior unsecured notes contain certain covenants with which the Company has complied with at December 31, 2005.
Unamortized debt issuance costs related to these senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2005 amounted to $579 and are included within the other assets in the accompanying balance sheets.
The credit agreement related to the $20,000 calls for repayments of principal amount of not less than $250 and in integral multiples of $50. The aggregate principal amounts shall be reduced annually to the amounts specified on or before the dates described below:
         
    Maximum  
    principal  
    outstanding  
Date   balance  
August 1, 2006
  $ 12,000  
August 1, 2007
     
The loan and note payable previously described are secured by a first position held by the bank on the Company’s land, building, and substantially all leasehold improvements, as collateral for the term of the loans under a continuing general security agreement. These credit facilities contain certain covenants, which are normal in this type of credit facility, which the Company has complied with at December 31, 2005 and 2004.
Interest expense on the above long-term borrowings amounted to $2,018, $1,217, and $1,302 in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005.
(6) Income Taxes
The Company is subject to Puerto Rico income taxes. Under Puerto Rico income tax law, the Company is not allowed to file consolidated tax returns with its subsidiaries.
TSI was exempt through 2002 from Puerto Rico income taxes under a ruling issued by the Department of the Treasury. On June 18, 2003, the Department of the Treasury notified the Company that the ruling recognizing TSI’s tax exemption was terminated effective December 31, 2002. The termination of the ruling responds to a new public policy set by the Department of the Treasury according to which tax exemptions under Section 1101(6) of the Puerto Rico Code (P.R. Code) will not apply to corporations organized as for-profit, which is TSI’s case.
On July 31, 2003, TSM and TSI executed a closing agreement with the Department of the Treasury. In general, the terms of the closing agreement established the termination of TSI’s tax exemption effective December 31, 2002. Accordingly, since TSI’s tax status changed effective January 1, 2003, TSI is subject to Puerto Rico income taxes as an other-than-life insurance entity, as defined in the P.R. Code.
(Continued)

9


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The closing agreement also stipulated that TSM would pay taxes (Department of the Treasury tax assessment) on TSI’s accumulated statutory net income, in accordance with the income recognition methodology applied by the Secretary of the Treasury in the closing agreement and the ruling mentioned above. This tax ruling established the following methodology for TSM to determine its tax liability:
    TSI’s accumulated statutory net income while operating under the tax exemption, amounting to $132,763, was deemed distributed to TSM.
 
    For tax purposes, TSM recognized the exempt accumulated statutory net income as gross income. On this amount, TSM recognized an income tax liability amounting to $51,774, which was determined by applying a tax rate of 39% to the exempt accumulated statutory net income deemed distributed to TSM. The income tax was recorded by TSM within the current income tax expense presented in the consolidated statements of earnings. Of this tax, $37,000 were paid on July 31, 2003, the date of the closing agreement, and $14,774 on April 15, 2004.
The income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the Puerto Rico statutory income tax rate to net income before income taxes as a result of the following:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Income tax expense at statutory rate of 39%
  $ 11,201       17,975       30,387  
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
                       
Equity in net income of wholly owned subsidiaries
    (10,765 )     (17,726 )     (30,317 )
Disallowances
    (68 )     97       50  
Department of Treasury tax assessment
                51,774  
Other, net
    (80 )     (58 )     (207 )
 
                 
Total income tax expense
  $ 288       288       51,687  
 
                 
(Continued)

10


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes. The net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2005 and 2004 is composed of the following:
                 
    2005     2004  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Reserve for obsolete inventory
  $ 32       42  
Additional minimum pension liability
    136       92  
Employee benefits plan
    208       68  
Postretirement benefits
    16       11  
Deferred compensation
    239       206  
Nondeductible depreciation
    401       423  
Cash-flow hedges
          56  
Unrealized loss on securities available for sales
    58       21  
 
           
 
               
Total gross deferred tax assets
    1,090       919  
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Unamortized bond issue costs
    (226 )      
Cash-flow hedges
    (236 )      
 
           
 
               
Gross deferred tax liabilities
    (462 )      
 
           
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 628       919  
 
           
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
(7) Transaction with Related Parties
The following are the significant related-party transactions made for the three-year period ended December 31, 2005:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Rent charges to subsidiaries
  $ 6,588       6,083       5,772  
Interest charged to subsidiary on notes receivable
    1,353       734       658  
(Continued)

11


Table of Contents

TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Parent Company Only)
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(8) Contingencies
At December 31, 2005, the Company is defendant in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, with the advice of its legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.
(9) Subsequent Events
On January 13, 2006, the Board of Directors (the Board) declared a cash dividend of $6,226 to be distributed pro rata among all of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares, excluding those shares issued to the representatives of the community that are members of the Board (the qualifying shares). All shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 16, 2006, except those who only hold qualifying shares, received a dividend per share of $700 for each share held on that date.
(10) Business Combinations
Effective January 31, 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Great American Assurance Company of Puerto Rico (GA Life). As a result of this acquisition, the Company is expected to be one of the leading providers of life insurance policies in Puerto Rico. The acquisition will be accounted by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, Business Combinations . The results of operations of GA Life are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements since the effective date of the transaction is not until 2006. The aggregate purchase price of the acquired entity amounted to approximately $38,196; of this amount $37,500 were paid in cash on January 31, 2006 and $696 are the estimated direct costs related to the acquisition. The Company is in the process of obtaining third-party valuations of certain intangible assets; thus, as of this date it is not possible to determine the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired.

12


Table of Contents

Triple-S Management Corporation and Subsidiaries
Schedule III — Supplementary Insurance Information
For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
                                                                                 
    Deferred                     Other                             Amortization of              
    Policy                     Policy Claims             Net             Deferred Policy     Other     Net  
    Acquisition     Claim     Unearned     and Benefits     Premium     Investment     Claims     Acquisition     Operating     Premiums  
Segment   Costs     Liabilities     Premiums     Payable     Revenue     Income     Incurred     Costs     Expenses     Written  
2005
                                                                               
 
                                                                               
Health insurance — Commercial Program
  $     $ 108,518     $ 8,829     $     $ 784,187     $ 13,904     $ 677,870     $     $ 103,562     $ 784,187  
Health insurance — Reform Program
          70,460                   510,839       2,945       478,008             36,432       510,839  
Property and casualty insurance
    19,891       96,107       86,693             86,767       8,706       43,587       23,137       16,505       91,883  
Life and disability insurance
    61,677       22,478       181       118,635       17,130       3,018       8,902       264       7,937       17,130  
Other non-reportable segments, parent company operations and net consolidating entries
                            (4,274 )     456                   (6,134 )      
 
                                                           
Total
  $ 81,568     $ 297,563     $ 95,703     $ 118,635     $ 1,394,649     $ 29,029     $ 1,208,367     $ 23,401     $ 158,302     $ 1,404,039  
 
                                                           
 
                                                                               
2004
                                                                               
 
                                                                               
Health insurance — Commercial Program
  $     $ 101,773     $ 6,249     $     $ 724,734     $ 12,590     $ 620,750     $     $ 94,930     $ 724,734  
Health insurance — Reform Program
          67,137                   484,742       3,109       437,835             35,777       484,742  
Property and casualty insurance
    17,825       89,627       77,853             86,228       7,668       45,977       22,388       17,794       89,659  
Life and disability insurance
    887       20,788       481             16,442       2,778       11,231       66       7,281       16,442  
Other non-reportable segments, parent company operations and net consolidating entries
                            (3,945 )     354                   (6,357 )      
 
                                                           
Total
  $ 18,712     $ 279,325     $ 84,583     $     $ 1,308,201     $ 26,499     $ 1,115,793     $ 22,454     $ 149,425     $ 1,315,577  
 
                                                           
 
                                                                               
2003
                                                                               
 
                                                                               
Health insurance — Commercial Program
  $     $ 93,273     $ 5,833     $     $ 702,853     $ 10,734     $ 584,448     $     $ 92,264     $ 702,853  
Health insurance — Reform Program
          66,243                   477,614       4,476       428,045             34,637       477,614  
Property and casualty insurance
    16,179       72,431       72,785             78,334       6,824       43,390       19,461       17,893       84,357  
Life and disability insurance
    492       15,973       86             17,403       2,345       9,467       29       6,007       17,403  
Other non-reportable segments, parent company operations and net consolidating entries
                            (3,488 )     300                   (5,142 )      
 
                                                           
Total
  $ 16,671     $ 247,920     $ 78,704     $     $ 1,272,716     $ 24,679     $ 1,065,350     $ 19,490     $ 145,659     $ 1,282,227  
 
                                                           

 


Table of Contents

Triple-S Management Corporation and Subsidiaries
Schedule IV — Reinsurance
For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
                                         
                                    Percentage  
            Ceded to     Assumed             of Amount  
    Gross     Other     from Other     Net     Assumed  
    Amount     Companies (1)     Companies     Amount     to Net  
 
2005
                                       
Life insurance in force
  $ 4,443,620       1,887,180             2,556,440       0.0 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Premiums:
                                       
Life insurance
  $ 8,768       2,824       400       6,344       6.3 %
Accident and health insurance
    1,312,106       6,294             1,305,812       0.0 %
Property and casualty insurance
    151,127       59,244             91,883       0.0 %
 
                             
Total premiums
  $ 1,472,001       68,362       400       1,404,039       0.0 %
 
                             
 
                                       
2004
                                       
 
                                       
Life insurance in force
  $ 4,575,470       2,443,567             2,131,903       0.0 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Premiums:
                                       
Life insurance
  $ 23,709       7,267             16,442       0.0 %
Accident and health insurance
    1,210,584       1,108             1,209,476       0.0 %
Property and casualty insurance
    141,874       52,215             89,659       0.0 %
 
                             
Total premiums
  $ 1,376,167       60,590             1,315,577       0.0 %
 
                             
 
                                       
2003
                                       
 
                                       
Life insurance in force
  $ 6,027,145       2,865,885             3,161,260       0.0 %
 
                             
 
                                       
Premiums:
                                       
Life insurance
  $ 24,703       7,300             17,403       0.0 %
Accident and health insurance
    1,180,468                   1,180,468       0.0 %
Property and casualty insurance
    128,127       43,771             84,356       0.0 %
 
                             
Total premiums
  $ 1,333,298       51,071             1,282,227       0.0 %
 
                             
 
(1)   Premiums ceded on the life insurance business are net of commission income on reinsurance amounting to $541, $699 and $516 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 


Table of Contents

Triple-S Management Corporation and Subsidiaries
Schedule V — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
                                         
            Additions                
    Balance at     Charged to     Charged to             Balance at  
    Beginning of     Costs and     Other Accounts     Deductions -     End of  
    Period     Expenses     - Describe (1)     Describe (2)     Period  
 
2005
                                       
 
                                       
Allowance for doubtful receivables
  $ 11,173       3,829             (2,762 )     12,240  
 
                             
 
                                       
2004
                                       
 
                                       
Allowance for doubtful receivables
  $ 9,015       5,166             (3,008 )     11,173  
 
                             
 
                                       
2003
                                       
 
                                       
Allowance for doubtful receivables
  $ 13,794       3,068       290       (8,137 )     9,015  
 
                             
 
(1)   Represents the recovery of accounts previously written-off.
 
(2)   Deductions represent the write-off of accounts deemed uncollectible and other deductions.

 

EXHIBIT 10.14

REINSURANCE AGREEMENT

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 22, 2005

BETWEEN

GREAT AMERICAN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
OF PUERTO RICO
1052 Munoz Rivera Avenue
Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico 00936-3786

(Referred to in this Agreement as the Company)

AND

SEGUROS DE VIDA TRIPLE-S, INC.
1441 F. D. Roosevelt Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-3628

(Referred to in this Agreement as the Reinsurer)

COINSURANCE FUNDS WITHHELD

DECEMBER 15, 2005

1

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article I               Preamble

Article II              Automatic Reinsurance

Article III             Liability

Article IV              Reinsured Risk Amount

Article V               Premium Accounting

Article VI              Coinsurance Funds Withheld

Article VII             Reductions, Terminations and Changes

Article VIII            Warranties and Covenants

Article IX              Claims

Article X               Recapture

Article XI              General Provisions

Article XII             Insolvency

Article XIII            Reinsurer's Right of Notice of Unusual Practices

Article XIV             Arbitration

Article XV              Confidentiality

Article XVI             Duration of Agreement

Article XVII            Eligible Policies and Execution

                                       2

Exhibit A               Retention Limits of the Company

Exhibit B               Plans Covered

Exhibit C               Automatic Binding Limits

Exhibit D-1             Procedures For Reporting

Exhibit D-2             Request For Financial Reporting Information

Exhibit E               Reinsurance Premium Rates, Administrative Expense
                        Allowances and Commission Allowances

Exhibit F               Assets To Be Held in Trust

Exhibit G               Trust Agreement

Exhibit H               Accounting and Cash Transfer Provisions

3

ARTICLE I

PREAMBLE

1) Parties to the Agreement. This is a Coinsurance Funds Withheld Agreement for indemnity reinsurance (the "Agreement") solely between Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico (the "Reinsurer"), and Great American Life Assurance Company of Puerto Rico a/k/a Great American PR, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (the "Company"), collectively referred to as the "parties".

The acceptance of risks under this Agreement will create no right or legal relationship between the Reinsurer and the insured, owner or beneficiary of any insurance policy or other contract of the Company.

The Agreement will be binding upon the Company and the Reinsurer and their respective successors and assigns.

2) Compliance. This Agreement applies only to the issuance of insurance by the Company in a jurisdiction in which it is properly licensed.

The Company represents that it is in compliance with all laws applicable to the business reinsured under this Agreement. In the event that the Company is found to be in non-compliance with any law material to this Agreement, the Agreement will remain in effect and the Company will indemnify the Reinsurer for any loss (including any costs and expenses relating to such loss) the Reinsurer suffers as a result of the non-compliance, and will seek to remedy, at the Company's sole expense, the non-compliance immediately upon discovery thereof.

3) Construction. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws under the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

4) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the business reinsured hereunder. There are no understandings between the parties other than as expressed in this Agreement. Any change or modification to this Agreement will be null and void unless made by amendment to this Agreement and signed by both parties.

5) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination will not impair or affect the validity or the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

6) Assignment. Neither party may assign, transfer, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any of its rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the parties acknowledge and agree that the Reinsurer may retrocede any or all of its reinsured net amount at risk hereunder.

...END OF ARTICLE I

4

ARTICLE II

AUTOMATIC REINSURANCE

1) General Conditions. On and after the effective date of this Agreement, the Company will automatically cede, in respect of all new business written as of and after the effective date, to the Reinsurer that portion (69%) of the life insurance, annuities, accident and supplemental health, supplementary benefits, and riders referred to in Exhibit B, net of Third Party = Reinsurers.

The Reinsurer will automatically accept its share of the above-referenced policies up to the limits shown in Exhibit C and will pay its share of claims made against or under such policies (as of and after the effective date), provided that:

a. the Company keeps its full retention, as specified in Exhibit A, or otherwise holds its full retention on a life under previously issued inforce policies (and does not transfer, assign, convey, reinsure or otherwise dispose of such retention without the Reinsurer's prior written consent);

b. The insured is a resident of a territory listed in Exhibit C.

...END OF ARTICLE II

5

ARTICLE III

LIABILITY

1) The Reinsurer's liability will commence on December 22, 2005 and will continue in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and will end at the same time as that of the Company as specified in the terms of each of the policies subject to reinsurance by the Reinsurer hereunder. Payment by the Company to the Reinsurer of reinsurance premium is a condition precedent to the Reinsurer's liability hereunder.

...END OF ARTICLE III

6

ARTICLE IV

REINSURED RISK AMOUNT

1) Coinsurance plans. Reinsurance premiums are equal to the gross premiums collected on the amounts retained by the Company on the business reinsured multiplied by the reinsurer's coinsurance percentage as defined in Exhibit C.

2) Waiver of Premium and Payor Benefits (as applicable) shall be on a coinsured basis in accordance with the benefit form issued by the Company. The Reinsurer's amount at risk shall be in proportion to the net amount at risk on the underlying policy.

3) Accidental Death Benefit (as applicable) shall be on a coinsurance basis. The Reinsurer's amount at risk shall not exceed the amount in Exhibit C.

...END OF ARTICLE IV

7

ARTICLE V

PREMIUM ACCOUNTING

1) Premiums. Reinsurance premium rates for life insurance, accident and supplemental health insurance and other benefits reinsured under this Agreement are gross premiums charged by the Company multiplied by the reinsurer's coinsurance percentage shown in Exhibit C.

2) Payment of Premiums and Reporting. Reinsurance premiums are payable quarterly and in arrears. Each quarter the Company will self-administer the calculation and payment of reinsurance premium due and, within thirty
(30) days after the end of the quarter, will send the Reinsurer a report that contains the information shown in Exhibit D, showing reinsurance premiums due for that quarter. If an amount is due the Reinsurer, the Company will remit that amount in cash together with the statement. The Company will furnish to the Reinsurer upon the Reinsurer's request all such supporting documentation underlying the quarterly premium computations as the Reinsurer may request, and shall confer with the Reinsurer, upon the request of the Reinsurer, to address any uncertainties in such quarterly premium computations. See Exhibit H, "Accounting and Cash Transfer Provisions", the provisions of which are incorporated herein.

3) Failure to Pay Premiums. The payment of reinsurance premiums, as and when due under the terms hereof, is a condition precedent to the liability of the Reinsurer for reinsurance covered by this Agreement. In the event that reinsurance premiums are not paid within thirty (30) days of the due date, the Reinsurer will have the right to terminate the reinsurance under all policies having reinsurance premiums in arrears. If the Reinsurer elects to exercise its right of termination, it will give the Company thirty (30) days written notice of termination (the date of the giving of such notice, the "Notice Date"), and termination will be effective on and as of the date which is 30 days following the Notice Date.

If all reinsurance premiums in arrears, including any that become in arrears during the thirty- day notice period, are not paid before the expiration of the notice period, the Reinsurer will be relieved of all liability under those policies as of the last date to which premiums have been paid for each less any cash values or recapture reserve amounts due. Reinsurance on policies on which reinsurance premiums subsequently fall due will automatically terminate as of the last date to which premiums have been paid for each policy, unless reinsurance premiums on those policies are paid on or before their Remittance Dates. Reinsurance Premium in arrears shall accrue interest at a rate equal to 6% per annum.

Terminated reinsurance may be reinstated, subject to approval by the Reinsurer, within sixty (60) days of the date of termination, and upon payment of all reinsurance premiums in arrears including any interest accrued thereon. The Reinsurer will have no liability for any claims incurred between the date of termination and the date of the reinstatement of the reinsurance. The right to terminate reinsurance will not prejudice the Reinsurer's right to collect premiums for the period during which reinsurance was in force prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day notice.

The Company will not force termination under the provisions of this Article solely to avoid the provisions regarding recapture in Article X, or to transfer the reinsured policies to another reinsurer.

8

4) Although the Reinsurer anticipates that the premium rates and allowances in Exhibit E will apply indefinitely, these rates and allowances are guaranteed only to the extent that the Company guarantees its rates to its policyholders, and only so long as the Company does not modify either the premiums or cost-of-insurance charges of the underlying policies. To the extent the Company modifies premium or cost-of-insurance charges on the underlying policies, or otherwise adjusts the rates the Company charges to its policyholders, the Reinsurer may modify the reinsurance premium rates and allowances in Exhibit E, in which case the Company may recapture such underlying policies based upon terms mutually acceptable to the Company and the Reinsurer.

5) Electronic Data Transmission. If the Company chooses to report its reinsurance transactions via electronic media, the Company shall consult with the Reinsurer to determine the appropriate reporting format. Should the Company subsequently desire to make changes in the data format or the code structure, the Company shall communicate such changes to the Reinsurer in writing prior to the use of such changes in reports to the Reinsurer and shall describe in reasonable detail such proposed changes. Changes in Plan codes and Smoker codes shall be described with particularity.

6) Unearned Premium. The Reinsurer will follow the practices of the Company with regard to refund of premium upon death, surrender, or other termination.

...END OF ARTICLE V

9

ARTICLE VI

COINSURANCE FUNDS WITHHELD

The reinsurance hereunder shall be on a quota share Coinsurance Funds Withheld basis. The quota share reinsured shall be 69%. Funds withheld will be defined at inception as equal to the reinsurance share of the initial reserves (69%) . The Reinsurer's funds withheld asset will be supported by the Company's specific assets listed in Exhibit F and the Company has agreed to hold these assets (listed therein) in trust on behalf of the Reinsurer with those assets being deposited in such trust within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date. . The value of the assets held in trust shall, in the aggregate, approximate as closely as possible the amount of the Reinsurer's Funds Withheld; where the value of the assets is less than the amount of Funds Withheld (and it is not contemplated by the parties that the difference would be a material difference) the Company shall deposit cash into the trust so that the value of the assets in trust taken together with the cash equals the amount of the Reinsurer's Funds Withheld. The assets will be held in trust, and no other assets will be added to the trust except that, in the event that one or more assets held in trust matures during the term of the trust, the Company, subject to the prior agreement of the Reinsurer, will substitute such asset or assets for another asset or assets of equal value to the asset or assets (as the case may be) which have matured, and which is or are otherwise acceptable to the Reinsurer. The interest payable to the Reinsurer on the funds withheld will be as set for in Exhibit H.

As used herein, the term "initial reserves" means the difference between (A) an amount equal to the sum of amounts shown on liability (page 3) lines 1 through 8 and 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3 of the Company's Annual Statement as filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the "Annual Statement"), and (B) the amount equal to the sum of the amounts shown as admitted assets on asset lines 12.1 and 12.2 of the Annual Statement; provided it is understood and agreed that for purposes of computation contemplated hereunder the Company's initial reserves as of December 31, 2005 shall be deemed to be the Company's initial reserves as of the effective date of the Agreement.

The Reinsurer shall establish, on its statutory financial statements for each reporting period, reserves and other financial items on a basis consistent with the reinsurance share of the initial reserves.

...END OF ARTICLE VI

10

ARTICLE VII

REDUCTIONS, TERMINATIONS AND CHANGES

Whenever a change is made in the status, plan, amount or other material feature of a policy reinsured under this Agreement, the Reinsurer will, upon receipt of notification of the change, provide adjusted reinsurance coverage in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Company will notify the Reinsurer of any such change with the next statement following the month in which the change was made.

1) Reductions and Terminations

In the event of the reduction, lapse, or termination of a policy or policies reinsured under this Agreement or any other agreement, the Company will reduce or terminate reinsurance on that life. The reinsured amount on the life with all reinsurers will be reduced, effective on the same date, by the amount required such that the Company maintains its retention as defined under this Agreement.

The Reinsurer will refund any unearned reinsurance premiums net of allowances. However, the reinsured portion of any policy fee (if applicable - See Exhibit E) will be deemed earned for a policy year if the policy is reinsured during any portion of that policy year.

2) Increases

For policies reinsured under this Agreement, reinsurance of increases in amounts resulting from contractual policy provisions will be accepted only up to the Automatic Binding Limits shown in Exhibit C.

3) Reinstatement. If a policy reinsured on an automatic basis is reinstated in accordance with its terms and in accordance with Company rules and procedures (a copy of which shall have been provided to the Reinsurer prior to, or at, the date hereof), the Reinsurer will, upon notification of reinstatement, reinstate the reinsurance coverage. The Company will promptly furnish the Reinsurer with a copy of any amendment made from time to time to the Company's rules and procedures.

Upon reinstatement of the reinsurance coverage, the Company will pay the contractual reinsurance premiums plus accrued interest for the period and at the interest rate stated in Article V, paragraph 3.

4) Nonforfeiture Benefits

a. Extended Term

If the original policy lapses and extended term insurance is elected under the terms of the policy, reinsurance will continue on the same basis (subject to other provisions of this Agreement) as under the original policy until the expiry of the extended term period.

11

b. Reduced Paid-up

The amount reinsured and the amount retained will be reduced proportionately.

5) Cash Surrenders. The Reinsurer will reimburse the Company for its proportionate share of the cash surrender amount payable by the Company upon surrender of the policy less any outstanding policy loans.

6) Policy Loans. The Reinsurer shall participate in policy loans and other forms of indebtedness on policies reinsured under this Agreement. See Exhibit H, the relevant terms of which are incorporated herein.

...END OF ARTICLE VII

12

ARTICLE VIII

WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

1) The Company warrants and covenants that no policy reinsured under this Agreement may be converted, exchanged or replaced by another policy or policy form on a non-contractual basis within the Company. Unless mutually agreed otherwise, policies that are not reinsured with the Reinsurer under this Agreement and that exchange or convert to a plan covered under this Agreement will not be reinsured hereunder and will be expressly excluded from coverage hereunder.

...END OF ARTICLE VIII

13

ARTICLE IX

CLAIMS

Claims covered under this Agreement include only claims which are those due to the death, injury or illness of the insured on a policy reinsured under this Agreement, and any additional benefits specified in Exhibit B, which are provided by the underlying policy and are reinsured under this Agreement.

1) Notice. The Reinsurer reserves the right to review any claim on a policy reinsured under this Agreement.

2) Proofs. If so requested , the Company will promptly provide the Reinsurer with proper claim proofs, including a copy of the proof of payment by the Company, and a copy of the insured's death certificate. In addition, for contestable claims, if so requested the Company will send to the Reinsurer a copy of all papers and information in connection with the claim.

3) Amount and Payment of Reinsurance Benefits. The Reinsurer will promptly pay the reinsurance benefits due the Company according to the quarterly statement process in effect under this Agreement. The Company's contractual liability for policies reinsured under this Agreement is binding on the Reinsurer. However, for claims incurred during the contestable period, if the total amount of reinsurance ceded to all reinsurers on the policy is greater than the amount retained by the Company, or if the Company retained less than its usual retention on the policy, the Company will consult with the Reinsurer in accordance with paragraph 4 below before conceding liability or making settlement to the claimant.

The total reinsurance recoverable from all companies will not exceed the Company's total contractual liability on the policy, less the amount retained. The maximum reinsurance benefit payable to the Company under this Agreement is the risk amount specifically reinsured with the Reinsurer (69%), subject to all the other provisions of the this Agreement. The Reinsurer will also pay its proportionate share of the interest that the Company pays on the death proceeds until the date of settlement except if settlement is delayed as a result of a dispute or contest arising out of conflicting claims of entitlement to policy proceeds or benefits, then the Reinsurer will pay its share of interest to the date settlement would have been made if there were no dispute or contest.

Life benefit payments will be made in a single sum, regardless of the Company's settlement options; provided, however, that such single sum will exclude interest that accrues on settlement options other than single pay.

ARTICLE IX CONTINUES...

14

The reinsurance benefit for an approved Waiver of Premium claim will be the Reinsurer's proportionate share of the annual gross premium waived on the policy. The Company will continue to pay the life reinsurance premium; however, it will not pay the reinsurance premium for the waiver benefit for the duration of the waiver claim period. The Reinsurer will pay waiver benefits consistent with the Company's mode of premium payment specified in the policy.

4) Contested Claims. The Company will promptly notify the Reinsurer of its intention to contest, compromise, or litigate a claim over $250,000 involving a reinsured policy. The Company will also promptly and fully disclose to the reinsurer all information relating to the claim. Upon receipt of all documents, the Reinsurer will have five (5) working days to notify the Company in writing of its decision to accept participation in the contest, compromise, or litigation. If the Reinsurer has accepted participation, the Company will promptly advise the Reinsurer of all developments in the claim investigation, including notification of any legal proceedings against it in response to denial of the claim. At the request of the Reinsurer, the Company will confer with the Reinsurer to advise it of the status of the investigation, litigation or discussions relating thereto, and will instruct any counsel retained to act on behalf of the Company in connection with the investigation, litigation or related negotiations, to confer with the Reinsurer, upon request of the Reinsurer, regarding the status of the investigation, litigation or related negotiations. In particular, the Company will arrange for the Reinsurer (should the Reinsurer request the same) to participate in discussions with the Company's counsel at the initiation of the contest and prior to the time when the Reinsurer must elect to participate or not participate in the investigation or litigation, as the case may be.

If the Reinsurer does not accept participation, the Reinsurer will then fulfill its obligation by paying the Company its full share of the reinsurance amount, and will not share in any subsequent reduction or increase in liability, and will not share in loss adjustment expenses or extracontractual obligations.

If the Reinsurer accepts participation and the Company's contest, compromise, or litigation results in a reduction or increase in liability, the Reinsurer will share in any such reduction or increase in proportion to its share of the risk on the contested policy.

5) Claim Expenses. The Reinsurer will pay its share of reasonable claim investigation and legal expenses (not to exceed 69% of all such expenses) connected with the litigation or settlement of contractual liability claims unless the Reinsurer has discharged its liability pursuant to
Section IX 4) above. If the Reinsurer has so discharged its liability, the Reinsurer will not participate in any expenses incurred thereafter.

The Reinsurer will not reimburse the Company for routine claim and administration expenses, including but not limited to the Company's home office expenses, compensation of salaried officers and employees, and any legal expenses other than third party expenses incurred by the Company (which legal expenses shall be borne as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph). Claim investigation expenses do not include expenses incurred by the Company as a result of a dispute or contest arising out of conflicting claims of entitlement to policy proceeds or benefits.

6) Misrepresentation or Suicide. If the Company returns premium to the policyowner or beneficiary as a result of misrepresentation or suicide of the insured, the Reinsurer will refund net reinsurance premiums received on that policy without interest to the Company in lieu of any other form of reinsurance benefit payable under this Agreement.

15

7) Misstatement of Age or Sex. In the event of a change in the amount of the Company's liability on a reinsured policy due to a misstatement of age or sex, the Reinsurer's liability will change proportionately. The face amount of the reinsured policy will be adjusted from the inception of the policy, and any difference in premiums net of allowances will be settled without interest.

8) Extra-Contractual Damages. The Reinsurer will not participate in punitive or compensatory damages that are awarded against the Company as a result of an act, omission, or course of conduct committed by the Company, its agents, or representatives in connection with claims covered under this Agreement. If the Reinsurer elected in writing to join in the contest of the coverage in question, the Reinsurer will pay its share (not to exceed 69% of all statutory penalties) of statutory penalties awarded against the Company in connection with claims covered under this Agreement.

The parties recognize that circumstances may arise in which equity would require the Reinsurer, to the extent permitted by law, to share proportionately in punitive and compensatory damages. The parties agree that such circumstances are limited to those situations in which the Reinsurer recommended in writing, consented to in writing, or ratified in writing, the act or course of conduct of the Company that ultimately resulted in the assessment of the extra-contractual damages. In such situations, the Reinsurer and the Company will share such damages so assessed, in equitable proportions.

For purposes of this Article, the following definitions will apply.

"Punitive Damages" are those damages awarded as a penalty, the amount of which is neither governed nor fixed by statute.

"Compensatory Damages" are those amounts awarded to compensate for the actual damages sustained, and are not awarded as a penalty, nor fixed in amount by statute.

"Statutory Penalties" are those amounts awarded as a penalty, but are fixed in amount by statute.

END OF ARTICLE IX

16

ARTICLE X

RECAPTURE

Any recapture will be based upon terms to be mutually agreeable to the Company and the Reinsurer. After the effective date of recapture, the Reinsurer will not be liable for any reinsured policies or portions of such reinsured policies eligible for recapture that the Company has overlooked. A change to the Company's maximum retention limits will not affect the reinsured policies in force except as specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement.

...END OF ARTICLE X

17

ARTICLE XI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1) Currency. All payments and reporting by both parties under this Agreement will be made in the currency specified in Exhibit C.

2) Premium Tax. The Reinsurer will reimburse the Company for premium taxes based on the reinsurer's coinsurance percentage.

3) Inspection of Records. The Reinsurer and the Company, or their duly authorized representatives, will have the right to inspect and audit original papers, records, and all documents relating to the business reinsured under this Agreement including but not limited to underwriting, claims processing, and administration. Such access will be provided during regular business hours at the office of the inspected party. The Reinsurer may suspend payments relating to matters in dispute that arise from such inspection and audit until such dispute is resolved by the parties either through mutual agreement or by arbitration in accordance with Article XIV.

4) USA Patriot Act and Blocked Persons. The Company covenants to the Reinsurer that it will comply with United States Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control and USA Patriot Act requirements (the "Laws") in connection with the payment of claims, and agrees that all claims paid by the Company in violation of the Laws will not be reinsured under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Reinsurer has no liability for claims paid by the Company in violation of the Laws ("Excluded Claims"); provided, however, that the Reinsurer shall reimburse the Company for all premiums received by the Reinsurer, less expense allowances (including commissions and premium taxes, etc.) paid by the Reinsurer, regarding the policies to which such Excluded Claims relate. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Reinsurer from and against any and all sanctions, penalties, assessments and other liabilities (including the fees of counsel) suffered or incurred by the Reinsurer arising from, relating to or in connection with the payment of an Excluded Claim.

5) Off-Set. Any debts or credits, in favor of or against either the Reinsurer or the Company with respect to this Agreement are deemed mutual debts or credits and may be offset, and only the balance will be allowed or paid.

The right of offset will not be affected or diminished because of the insolvency of either party.

See Exhibit H for relevant provisions thereof.

6) Errors and Omissions. If through unintentional error, oversight, omission, or misunderstanding (collectively referred to as "errors"), the Reinsurer or the Company fails to comply with the terms of this Agreement and if, upon discovery of the error by either party, the other is promptly notified, each thereupon will be restored to the position it would have occupied if the error had not occurred, including interest.

ARTICLE XI CONTINUES...

18

If it is not possible to restore each party to the position it would have occupied but for the error, the parties will endeavor in good faith to promptly resolve the situation in a manner that is fair and reasonable, and most closely approximates the intent of the parties as evidenced by this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that this paragraph 6 relates only to clerical and ministerial errors. However, the Reinsurer will not provide reinsurance for policies that do not satisfy the parameters of this Agreement, nor will the Reinsurer be responsible for negligent or deliberate acts or for repetitive errors in administration by the Company. If either party discovers that the Company has failed to cede reinsurance as provided in this Agreement, or failed to comply with its reporting requirements, the Reinsurer may require the Company to audit its records for similar errors and to take the actions necessary to avoid similar errors in the future.

7) Company Forms and Rates. The Company will furnish the Reinsurer with a copy of its application forms, policy and rider forms, premium and nonforfeiture values, reserve tables, and any other forms or tables needed for proper handling of reinsurance under this contract. The Company will advise the Reinsurer in writing of any changes to existing forms, nonforfeiture values and reserve tables, or new forms it may adopt.

...END OF ARTICLE XI

19

ARTICLE XII

INSOLVENCY

1) Insolvency. The Company will be deemed insolvent when it:

a. applies for or consents to the appointment of a receiver, rehabilitator, conservator, liquidator or statutory successor of its properties or assets; or

b. is adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent; or

c. files or consents to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, seeks reorganization to avoid insolvency or makes formal application for any bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or similar law or statute; or

d. becomes the subject of an order to rehabilitate or an order to liquidate as defined by the insurance code of the jurisdiction of the party's domicile.

2) Insolvency of the Company. In the event of the insolvency of the Company, all reinsurance payments due under this Agreement will be payable directly to the liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver, or statutory successor of the Company, without diminution because of the insolvency, for those claims allowed against the Company by any court of competent jurisdiction or by the liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver or statutory successor having authority to allow such claims.

In the event of insolvency of the Company, the liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver, or statutory successor will give written notice to the Reinsurer of all pending claims against the Company on any policies reinsured within a reasonable time after such claim is filed in the insolvency proceeding. While a claim is pending, the Reinsurer may investigate and interpose, at its own expense, in the proceeding where the claim is adjudicated, any defense or defenses that it may deem available to the Company or its liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver, or statutory successor.

The expense incurred by the Reinsurer will be chargeable, subject to court approval, against the Company as part of the expense of liquidation to the extent of a proportionate share of the benefit that may accrue to the Company solely as a result of the defense undertaken by the Reinsurer. Where two or more reinsurers are participating in the same claim and a majority in interest elect to interpose a defense or defenses to any such claim, the expense will be apportioned in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though such expense had been incurred by the Company.

The Reinsurer will be liable only for the amounts reinsured and will not be or become liable for any amounts or reserves to be held by the Company on policies reinsured under this Agreement.

...END OF ARTICLE XII

20

ARTICLE XIII

REINSURER'S RIGHT OF NOTICE OF UNUSUAL PRACTICES

IN providing reinsurance facilities to the Company under this Agreement, the Reinsurer has granted the Company considerable authority with respect to automatic binding power, reinstatements, claim settlements, and the general administration of the reinsurance account. The Reinsurer assumes that, except as otherwise notified in writing by the Company, and agreed to in writing by the Reinsurer, the underwriting, claims and other insurance practices employed by the Company with respect to reinsurance ceded under this Agreement are consistent with the customary and usual practices of the insurance industry as a whole. Where the Company does engage in exceptional or uncustomary practices or implements a change in its underwriting rules or guidelines, with respect to business covered under this Agreement, the Company agrees to advise the Reinsurer in writing forty-five (45) days prior to implementing such practice or change and receive a written acceptance of said practice or change from the Reinsurer before assigning any liability to the Reinsurer with respect to any reinsurance issued under or impacted or effected by such practice or change. The Company acknowledges and agrees that its covenant to the Reinsurer to so advise the Reinsurer of any exceptional or uncustomary practice or implementation of such a change is a material inducement to the Reinsurer agreeing to enter into this Agreement, and absent such a covenant, the Reinsurer would not have entered into this Agreement. In the event the Company does not receive written acceptance from the Reinsurer of the proposed change in practice, or the Reinsurer declines to accept the change in practice proposed by the Company, then no liability shall be assumed by the Reinsurer with respect to any policy issued by the Company under, or effected by, such practice or change.

...END OF ARTICLE XIII

21

ARTICLE XIV

ARBITRATION

It is the intention of the Reinsurer and the Company that the customs and practices of the life insurance and reinsurance industry will be given full effect in the operation and interpretation of this Agreement. The parties agree to act in all matters with the highest good faith. However, if the Reinsurer and the Company cannot mutually resolve a dispute that arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the dispute will be decided through arbitration as a precedent to any right of action hereunder.

To initiate arbitration, either the Company or the Reinsurer will notify the other party in writing of its desire to arbitrate, stating the nature of its dispute and the remedy sought. The party to which the notice is sent will respond to the notification in writing within fifteen (15) days of its receipt.

There will be three arbitrators who will be current or former senior officers of life insurance or life reinsurance companies other than the parties to this Agreement, their affiliates or subsidiaries. Each of the parties will appoint one of the arbitrators and these two arbitrators will select the third. If either party refuses or neglects to appoint an arbitrator within sixty (60) days of the initiation of the arbitration, the other party may appoint the second arbitrator. If the two arbitrators do not agree on a third arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the second arbitrator, then the appointment of the third arbitrator shall be from the ARIAS-U.S. list of certified arbitrators.

Once chosen, the arbitrators are empowered to select the site of the arbitration and decide all substantive and procedural issues by a majority of votes. As soon as possible, the arbitrators will establish arbitration procedures as warranted by the facts and issues of the particular case. The arbitrators will have the power to determine all procedural rules of the arbitration, including but not limited to inspection of documents, examination of witnesses and any other matter relating to the conduct of the arbitration. The arbitrators may consider any relevant evidence; they will weigh the evidence and consider any objections. Each party may examine any witnesses who testify at the arbitration hearing.

The arbitrators will base their decision on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the customs and practices of the life insurance and reinsurance industries rather than on strict interpretation of the law. The decision of the arbitrators will be made by majority rule and will be submitted in writing. The decision will be final and binding on both parties and there will be no appeal from the decision. Either party to the arbitration may petition any court having jurisdiction over the parties to reduce the decision to judgment.

Unless the arbitrators decide otherwise, each party will bear the expense of its own arbitration activities, including its appointed arbitrator and any outside attorney and witness fees. The parties will jointly and equally bear the expense of the third arbitrator and other costs of the arbitration.

This Article will survive termination of this Agreement.

...END OF ARTICLE XIV

22

ARTICLE XV

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Company and the Reinsurer agree that Customer and Proprietary Information will be treated as confidential. Customer Information includes, but is not limited to, medical, financial, and other personal information about proposed, current, and former policyowners, insureds, applicants, and beneficiaries of policies issued by the Company. Proprietary Information includes, but is not limited to, business plans and trade secrets, mortality and lapse studies, underwriting manuals and guidelines, applications and contract forms, and the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Customer and Proprietary Information will not include information that:
a. is or becomes available to the general public through no fault of the party receiving the Customer or Proprietary Information (the "Recipient");

b. is independently developed by the Recipient;

c. is acquired by the Recipient from a third party not covered by a

confidentiality agreement; or
d. is disclosed under a court order, law or regulation.

The parties will not disclose such information to any other parties unless agreed to in writing, except as necessary for retrocession purposes, as requested by external auditors, as required by court order, or as required or allowed by law or regulation. The Company acknowledges that the Reinsurer can aggregate data with other companies reinsured with the Reinsurer provided that the Reinsurer acts reasonably to ensure that the data cannot be identified as belonging to the Company.

...END OF ARTICLE XV

23

ARTICLE XVI

DURATION OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement is indefinite as to its duration.

...END OF ARTICLE XVI

24

ARTICLE XVII

ELIGIBLE POLICIES AND EXECUTION

This Agreement is effective as of 12:01 a.m. on December 22, 2005, and applies to all eligible policies with issue dates on or before such date.

This Agreement has been made in duplicate and is hereby executed by both parties.

GREAT AMERICAN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
OF PUERTO RICO
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Date:           December 15, 2005

By:           /s/
              _____________________________
Name:         Arturo Carrion
Title:        President

Witness:
              _____________________________

SEGUROS DE VIDA TRIPLE-S, INC.
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Date:         December 15, 2005

By:           /s/
              _____________________________
Name:         Roberto Morales, Esq.
Title:        President

Witness:
              _____________________________

                                                             END OF ARTICLE XVII
                                       25


EXHIBIT A

RETENTION LIMITS OF THE COMPANY

A.1   LIFE INSURANCE, ACCIDENT AND SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE

      THE COMPANY'S COINSURANCE PERCENTAGE

      The Company will cede 69% of each policy reinsured under this Agreement,
      net of third party reinsurance.

A.2   WAIVER OF PREMIUM DISABILITY BENEFITS

      Applicable, as included with the business reinsured under this Agreement,
      in which case the Company shall retain an amount in the same proportion as
      its life insurance, accident and supplemental health insurance retention.

A.3   ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFITS

      Applicable, as included with the business reinsured under this Agreement,
      in which case the Company shall retain an amount in the same proportion as
      its life insurance, accident and supplemental health insurance retention.

A.4   RIDERS

      Applicable, as included with the business reinsured under this Agreement,
      in which case the Company shall retain an amount in the same proportion as
      life insurance, accident and supplemental health insurance retention.

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EXHIBIT B

PLANS COVERED

Policy plans, riders and benefits issued on plans with effective dates within the applicable period shown below may qualify for automatic reinsurance under the terms of this Agreement.

B.1 PLAN TYPE START DATE

Debit Life, Direct Ordinary Life                           December 22, 2005
Universal Life                                             December 22, 2005
Direct Ordinary Health  (Accident and Health)              December 22, 2005
Debit Health (Accident and Health)                         December 22, 2005
Pre-need                                                   December 22, 2005
Annuities                                                  December 22, 2005

B.2   WAIVER OF PREMIUM DISABILITY BENEFITS

      Applicable, as included with the business reinsured under this Agreement,
      in which case the Company shall retain an amount in the same proportion as
      its life insurance and accident and health insurance retention.

B.3   ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFITS

      Applicable, as included with the business reinsured under this Agreement,
      in which case the Company shall retain an amount in the same proportion as
      its life insurance and accident and health insurance retention.

B.4   RIDERS

      Applicable, as included with the business reinsured under this Agreement,
      in which case the Company shall retain an amount in the same proportion as
      its life insurance and accident and health insurance retention.

B.5   PLAN TYPE (FOR EACH PLAN IDENTIFIED)

      Life insurance and accident and health insurance reinsured under this
      Agreement. (The Company shall attach a complete list of policy form
      numbers.)

B.6   Automatic Reinsurance

      Automatic reinsurance applies to policies placed in force prior to June
      30, 2006, which date may be extended at the option of the Reinsurer.

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EXHIBIT C

AUTOMATIC BINDING LIMITS

The limits in this Exhibit C refer to insured lives and accident and health insureds reinsured under this Agreement.

C.1   LIFE REINSURANCE AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH REINSURANCE

      REINSURER'S COINSURANCE PERCENTAGE

      The Reinsurer's share will be sixty nine percent (69%) of each policy
      reinsured under this Agreement, net of third party reinsurance.

C.2   RECAPTURE

      Not Applicable.

C.3   CURRENCY

      U.S. ($) Dollars only.

C.4   TERRITORIES

      Territories covered under this Agreement include only the Commonwealth of
      Puerto Rico.

28

EXHIBIT D-1

PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING

The Company will maintain adequate records to administer the reinsurance accounts and will cede reinsurance under this Agreement on a self-administration basis. The Company will provide the Reinsurer with an activity report on computer disk or other mutually agreed upon electronic media, substantially in conformity with the following:

A) QUARTERLY AND RENEWAL PREMIUM STATEMENT

The Company will provide the Reinsurer with a report of all reinsurance policies renewing during the past month(s) accompanied by reinsurance premiums for such policies which should include the following:

A) MONTHLY POLICY EXHIBIT REPORT

The Company will provide a summary of new issues, terminations, recaptures, changes, death claims and reinstatements during the month(s) and the inforce reinsurance at the end of the month.

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B) QUARTERLY IN FORCE AND RESERVE LISTING

Within thirty (30) days after the close of each calendar quarter, the Company will furnish the Reinsurer with a summary showing premiums earned by line of business and by agreed upon sublines.

30

EXHIBIT D-2

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING INFORMATION

Please provide the following information as soon as practical after the close of the quarter but not later than the due date as stated in the treaty. Please provide monthly or other interim reports if available. ALL REPORTS SHOULD INCLUDE BOTH THE REINSURER'S TREATY NUMBER AS WELL AS THE COMPANY'S REFERENCE NUMBER. The Company must maintain and provide upon request, sufficiently detailed reports such that reserve calculations can be independently verified by the Reinsurer's auditors and examiners.

A) QUARTERLY REPORTING

1) Policy counts and face amount ceded.

2) Gross and tabular net due, deferred and advance premium split between first year and renewal.

3) Statutory reserves should be split between YRT and coinsurance reserves and by type of reserve and issue year. Type of reserve should coincide with Exhibit 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Annual Statement; e.g. Exhibit 5, Section A - Life Insurance,
Section B - Annuity, ... Section G - Deficiency Reserves etc. If possible, it should also be segregated by business type,
e.g. Whole Life, Term, Universal Life, Interest Sensitive Whole Life, etc.

4) Account value roll forward for Universal Life, Deferred Annuity and similar products.

5) Claim information - Claim Number, Policy number, Insured's Name, Business or Policy Type, Type of Reinsurance (Co or YRT), Notification Date, Date of Death, Date of Birth, Cause of Death, Claim Amount, Status (paid, pending, resisted).

6) Estimated tax reserves corresponding to the statutory reserves described above (4th quarter only). 7) Policy level detail statutory reserve listing via electronic media if practical.

B) ANNUAL STATUTORY REPORTING

1) Reserves in Exhibit 5 format (if not provided by valuation basis in quarterly reports).

2) Page 7, Analysis in Increase in Reserves.

3) Actuarial Opinion signed by the appointed actuary

4) For reserves using X-factors that are less than 100% in any duration, an actuarial opinion supported by an actuarial report with sufficient supporting documentation and detailed data to allow an independent review of the X-factors.

5) Policy Exhibit

6) Policy level detail statutory reserve listing via electronic media. 7) Exhibit reconciling detail listing to summary reports.

C) STATUTORY ANNUAL STATEMENT when published.

D) ELECTRONIC DATA TRANSMISSION.

If the Company uses electronic data transfer, the Company shall consult with the Reinsurer to determine the appropriate reporting format. Should the Company subsequently desire to make changes in the data format or the code structure, the Company shall communicate such changes to the Reinsurer prior to the use of such changes in reports.

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EXHIBIT E

REINSURANCE PREMIUM RATES, ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCES AND COMMISSION ALLOWANCES

E.1   LIFE AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH

      Plans covered under this Agreement will be reinsured on a coinsurance
      funds withheld basis. Reinsurance premiums are equal to the gross premiums
      collected on the amounts retained by the company on the business reinsured
      multiplied by the reinsurer's coinsurance percentage.

      ACQUISITION EXPENSE ALLOWANCES

POLICY TYPE                          BASIS          FEES (PER ANNUM)
----------------------------------   ------------   ---------------------------------------
Debit Life                           Per Policy     $55.00
Direct Ordinary Life - Medical       Per Policy     $175.00 + 20% of first year commissions
Direct Ordinary Life - Non-Medical   Per Policy     $50.00 + 20% of first year commissions
Direct Ordinary Health               Per Policy     $50.00
Debit Health                         Per Policy     $55.00
Annuities                            Per Policy     $25.00

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCES

POLICY TYPE                          BASIS          FEES (PER ANNUM)
---------------------------          ------------   ----------------
Debit Life                           Per Policy     $28.72
Direct Ordinary Life                 Per Policy     $45.00
Direct Ordinary Health               Per Policy     $25.00
Debit Health                         Per Policy     $28.72
Annuities                            Per Policy     $30.00

COMMISSION ALLOWANCES

POLICY TYPE                                BASIS                    FEES (PER ANNUM)
----------------------------------------   ----------------------   ---------------------
Debit Life                                 Percentage of Premium    First Year - 80%
                                                                    Renewal Years - 17.5%
American Freedom Term and Universal Life   Percentage of Premium

                                                                    First Year - 69% - 90% Varying
                                                                    by Plan
                                                                    Years 2 - 10 - 7%
                                                                    Years 11+ - 2%
                                                                    Plus Bonus

Universal Life - GA                        Percentage of Premium    First Year 80% of Target

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Life Series                                       Years 2-10 7.5% of Target
                                                  Years 11+  3.0% of Target
                                                  Years 1-10 4.5% of Excess
                                                  Years 11+  3.0% of Excess
                                                  Plus Bonus

 Direct Ordinary Health   Percentage of Premium   First Year - 75%
                                                  Renewal Years - 20%

 Debit Health             Percentage of Premium   First year - 71%
                                                  Renewal years - 17.5%

 Annuities                Percentage of Premium   5% in all years

For purposes of the cash settlements described in Exhibit H, the expense allowances for each quarter shall be calculated as follows:

a. "Per policy" acquisition allowances shall be calculated as 69% of the amounts shown, multiplied by the numbers of policies of each type paid for during the quarter.

b. "per policy" administrative expense allowances shall be calculated as 69% of the amounts shown, multiplied by the average of the numbers of policies of each type inforce at the beginning and the end of the quarter.

c. Commission allowances shall be calculated on the basis of 69% of collected first year and renewal premiums for each class of policy.

d. Allowances based on percentages of commissions shall be calculated

            based on commissions as described in (c) above.

E.2   INITIAL CEDING ALLOWANCE

      $60,000,000.00 U.S. See Exhibit H.

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EXHIBIT F

ASSETS TO BE HELD IN TRUST

CUSIP       SECURITY NAME
---------   -----------------------------------
912810DY1   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 8.75 5-15-17
912810DV7   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 9.25 2-15-16
912810EL8   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 8.0 11-15-21
912810DW5   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 7.25 5-15-16
912810ED6   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 8.125 8-15-19
912810EH7   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 7.875 2-15-21
912810EM6   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 7.25 8-15-22
912810DL9   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 12.50 8-15-14
912828BQ2   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 3.375 11-15-08
912810DX3   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 7.50 11-15-16
912810EP9   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 7.125 2-15-23
912810DU9   U.S. TREASURY BONDS 9.375 2-15-06
912828BK5   U.S. TREASURY NOTES 3.125 09-15-08
912828EC0   U.S. TREASURY NOTES 4.125 08-15-08
9128277B2   U.S. TREASURY NOTES 5.00 8-15-11

*Par amounts and interest rates should be shown for all real assets.

The parties shall make appropriate adjustments to reflect the actual amount of reserves reinsured as of December 31, 2005.

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EXHIBIT G

TRUST AGREEMENT

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EXHIBIT H

ACCOUNTING AND CASH TRANSFER PROVISIONS

1. Accounting and Cash Transfer Provisions

2. Initial funds withheld. No cash transfers on the Effective Date. The ceding commission and the funds withheld are accomplished as described in Article VI. As noted in Article VI, certain assets (detailed in Exhibit F) are to be held in trust by the company for the benefit of the reinsurer. Interest on these assets shall accrue to the benefit of the reinsurer from January 1, 2006, without regard to the date on which they are actually placed in the Trust.

3. Tracking from December 22 through December 31, 2005. The parties agree that for accounting purposes, actual tracking of premiums, claims, and allowances shall commence on January 1, 2006. In place of such actual tracking for the period December 22 - December 31, 2005, the parties agree to deem that the result of such tracking would have been a net payment of $400,000 from the company to the Reinsurer; such payment will be included in the first quarterly settlement.

4. First quarterly settlement. The first quarterly settlement shall be for the quarter ending March 31, 2006.

5. Elements of each quarterly settlement. The Company shall pay to the reinsurer a net amount calculated as follows (which, if negative, shall mean that the reinsurer pays the amount to the company) calculated as A x B, where A =

a. Reinsurance premiums for the quarter, calculated as in Article V
(1), on a basis consistent with the reporting of premiums on line 1 of the "Analysis of Operations by Lines of Business" page of the statutory financial statement, minus

b. Claims for the quarter, calculated as in Article IX, on a basis consistent with the reporting of claims on lines 10 through 17 of the "Analysis of Operations by Lines of Business" page of the statutory financial statement, minus

c. Expense allowances for the quarter, calculated as set forth in Exhibit E, plus

d. (for the March 31, 2006 settlement only) $165,000, plus

e. Interest earned (whether or not received by the company) during the quarter on assets held in the trust, plus

f. An adjustment for policy loans, equal to [i1 minus i2] x [mean policy loan asset for the quarter], where i1 = net earned rate of interest for the quarter on policy loans and i2 = net earned rate of interest for the Quarter on all other assets of the Company.

And B = 1.0125 if the net payment is made within 30 days following the end of the quarter, and (1.0125 plus .0002N) otherwise, where N is the number of days in excess of 30 from the end of the quarter until the date of payment.

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EXHIBIT 10.15


TRIPLE-S, INC.

US$50,000,000

6.30% Senior Unsecured Notes due September 2019


NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT


Dated September 30, 2004



TRIPLE-S, INC.

6.30% Senior Unsecured Notes due September 2019

September 30, 2004

THE PURCHASERS NAMED IN
THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE A:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Triple-S Management Corporation ("TSMC") and its wholly-owned subsidiary Triple-S, Inc. (the "COMPANY"), each a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the "COMMONWEALTH"), agree with you as follows:

1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES.

The Company has authorized the issuance and sale of an aggregate principal amount of Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$50,000,000) of its 6.30% Senior Unsecured Notes due September 2019 (the "NOTES," such term to include each Note delivered pursuant to this Agreement and each Note delivered in substitution or exchange for any such Note pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement). The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1-A hereto and shall have the terms as herein and therein provided. The Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest by TSMC as guarantor (in such capacity, the "GUARANTOR") pursuant to a guarantee substantially in the form of Exhibit 1-B hereto (the "GUARANTEE"). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B hereto; references to a "SCHEDULE" or an "EXHIBIT" are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement and all Schedules and Exhibits are deemed to be a part of this Agreement. References herein to this "AGREEMENT" mean this Agreement as from time to time amended or supplemented or as the terms hereof may be waived, in accordance with Section 17 hereof.

2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to you and you agree to purchase from the Company, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the aggregate principal amount specified opposite your name in Schedule A at the purchase price of one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount thereof.

3. CLOSING.

The closing (the "CLOSING") of the sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by you shall occur at the offices of Fiddler Gonzalez & Rodriguez, P.S.C., 254 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on September 30, 2004 or on such other Business Day thereafter as may be agreed upon by the Company and you. At the Closing, the

2

Company will deliver to you the Notes to be purchased by you in denominations of at least Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$500,000) as you may request dated the date of the Closing (the "CLOSING DATE") and registered in your name (or in the name of your nominee), against delivery by you to the Company of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer to the Account 35858201 of the Company maintained at Citibank New York, Account Name Triple-S, Inc, ABA 021000089.

4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

Your obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be delivered to you at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions:

4.1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

The representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantor contained in Section 5 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and be true and correct at the time of the Closing as if made on and as of such time.

4.2. PERFORMANCE; NO DEFAULT.

Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing and, after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.12), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Neither the Company nor the Guarantor shall have entered into any transaction since June 30, 2004, that would have been prohibited by Sections 10 or 11 hereof had such Sections applied since such date.

4.3. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

(a) Officer's Certificate. Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to you an Officer's Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying on behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.7 and 4.8 have been fulfilled.

(b) Secretary's Certificates. Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to you a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you executed on behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary certifying as to the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantee, as applicable. Such certificates shall state that the resolutions thereby certified have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded. The Secretary's certificate also shall confirm the incumbency and signature of the officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, executing this Agreement, the Notes and the

3

Guarantee, as applicable, and any certificate or document to be delivered to you pursuant hereto, together with evidence of the incumbency of such Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

4.4. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL.

You shall have received opinions from (a) Fiddler Gonzalez & Rodriguez, P.S.C. and (b) Hector R. Ramos, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, of TSMC, as counsel for the Company and TSMC, each dated as of the Closing Date, and substantially in the respective forms set forth as Exhibits 2-A and 2-B. You also shall have received an opinion from Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP your special counsel, dated the Closing Date in form and substance satisfactory to you. This Section 4.4 shall constitute direction by the Company and TSMC to such counsel named in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) to deliver the opinions specified to you at the Closing.

4.5. PURCHASE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ETC.

On the Closing Date, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall (i) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which you are subject as an investment company organized and operating in Puerto Rico, (ii) not violate any applicable law or regulation, including without limitation, laws or regulations relating to the healthcare and insurance industries, (iii) not subject you to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof, and (iv) all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations of any Governmental Authority or any Person to or of such consummation shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.

4.6. PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBER.

A Private Placement number issued by Standard & Poor's CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) shall have been obtained for the Notes.

4.7. CHANGES IN CORPORATE STRUCTURE.

Neither the Company nor the Guarantor (or any other of the Subsidiaries of the Guarantor) shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or been a party to any merger or consolidation. Neither the Company nor the Guarantor (or any such Subsidiary) shall have succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.3. There shall not have occurred any change or event, and you shall not have become aware of any previously undisclosed information regarding the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries, which in each case in your reasonable judgment, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.8. NO MATERIAL LITIGATION.

Except as disclosed to you pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof, no actions, suits or proceedings, investigations or orders shall be pending, entered or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, threatened against or affecting the Company or the Guarantor,

4

which, in your reasonable judgment, if determined adversely to the Guarantor or the Company, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9. PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS; GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATES.

All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions, including, but not limited to, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company and the Guarantor, shall be reasonably satisfactory to you and your special counsel, and you and your special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as you or they may reasonably request. You shall have received also, copies of certificates dated as of a recent date from the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico and the Commissioner of Insurance, as applicable, evidencing the good standing of the Guarantor, the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries in Puerto Rico.

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTOR.

The Company and the Guarantor jointly and severally represent and warrant to you as follows:

5.1. ORGANIZATION; POWER AND AUTHORITY.

Each of the Company, the Guarantor, and its Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes. The Guarantor has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Guarantee. Each of the Company and the Guarantor, and each of the other Subsidiaries of the Guarantor, has the corporate power and authority to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged.

5.2. AUTHORIZATION, ETC.

(a) This Agreement and the Notes will be duly authorized on the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Company, each Note, when issued, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company (assuming with respect to this Agreement and any Notes issued to you, the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement to you), enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and (ii) the application of equitable principles and the availability of equitable remedies (collectively, the "ENFORCEABILITY EXCEPTIONS").

5

(b) This Agreement and the Guarantee will be duly authorized on the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Guarantor, and this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Guarantor, the Guarantee will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor (assuming with respect to this Agreement and any Notes issued to you, the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement to you),enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

5.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

(a) The Company has delivered to you copies of the financial statements of the Company listed on Schedule 5.3(a) and of the Guarantor listed on Schedule 5.3(b) (such financial statements, including in each case the related schedules and notes, collectively the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS").

(b) The Financial Statements of the Company listed on Schedule 5.3(a) fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified in accordance with U.S. GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

(c) The Financial Statements of the Guarantor listed on Schedule 5.3(b) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified in accordance with U.S. GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

5.4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS, ETC.

(a) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Notes and by the Guarantor of this Agreement and the Guarantee, do not and will not (i) in all material respects, contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter or by-laws, or any other Material agreement or instrument to which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is bound or by which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, or their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under an agreement with any Governmental Authority, (iii) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions or

6

provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Guarantor or the Company, or (iv) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Guarantor or the Company.

5.5. GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC.

No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Notes or by the Guarantor of this Agreement and the Guarantee.

5.6. LITIGATION; OBSERVANCE OF STATUTES AND ORDERS.

(a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, threatened against or affecting the Company or the Guarantor or any property of the Company or the Guarantor in any court or before any arbitrator or administrative agency of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, if determined adversely to the Guarantor or the Company, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or the Guarantor, has been issued against the Company or the Guarantor which has a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Neither the Company nor the Guarantor is in default under any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, order or regulation of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7. TAXES.

Each of the Company and the Guarantor has filed or caused to be filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed, and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes payable by it, to the extent such taxes have become due and payable, except for any taxes
(i) the amount of which would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, has established adequate reserves in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company and the Guarantor know of no material assessments for which adequate reserves have not been established. Except as provided in Schedule 5.7, neither the Company nor the Guarantor have knowledge of any tax deficiency which, if determined adversely to the Company or the Guarantor, might have a Material Adverse Effect.

7

5.8. TITLE TO PROPERTY; LEASES.

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8, each of the Company and the Guarantor has good and marketable title to its Material properties owned by them and reflected in the Financial Statements, as to each such property free and clear of Liens, except for those defects in title and Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Guarantor and the Company. All leases of the Company and the Guarantor for real property or buildings Material in the operation of their corresponding business activities are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects.

5.9. LICENSES, PERMITS, ETC.

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.9, the Company and the Guarantor own or posses adequate rights to use all material trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, material patents, patent applications and licenses which are necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses and have no reason to believe that the conduct or their respective businesses will conflict with, and have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others, except for such claims that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.10. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA.

(a) Each of the Company and the Guarantor and their respective ERISA Affiliates has operated and administered each Plan in all material respects in compliance with its terms and with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or applicable penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code and the PRIRC relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions or to section 401(a)(29) or 412 of the Code or to any comparable provisions of the PRIRC, other than in any of such cases, such liabilities or Liens as would not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) None of the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in

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respect of Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement; the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder and the execution and delivery of the Guarantee will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code or comparable provisions of the PRIRC. The representation by the Company and the Guarantor in the first sentence of this Section 5.10(c) is made in reliance upon and subject to (i) the accuracy of your representation in
Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by you and
(ii) the assumption, made solely for the purpose of making such representation, that Department of Labor Interpretive Bulletin 75-2 with respect to prohibited transactions remains valid in the circumstances of the transactions contemplated herein.

5.11. PRIVATE OFFERING BY THE COMPANY.

None of the Company, the Guarantor or the Agent (the only Person authorized or employed by the Company as agent, broker, dealer or finder in connection with the offering or sale of the Notes) has offered any of the Notes or any similar securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than you. As used in the preceding sentence, "SIMILAR SECURITY" means a security which would be integrated with the offering of the Notes under applicable securities laws. None of the Company, the Guarantor or the Agent has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

5.12. USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS.

The Company will apply the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to repay certain outstanding short term indebtedness of the Company incurred in the Company's trade or business in Puerto Rico and for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Company's trade or business in Puerto Rico. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 207), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). As used in this Section, the terms "MARGIN STOCK" and "PURPOSE OF BUYING OR CARRYING" shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.

5.13. EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY.

Except as described therein, Schedule 5.13 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness for Borrowed Money in the principal amount of at least Five

9

Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) of the Guarantor and the Company as of June 30, 2004, since which date there has been no material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money. Neither the Company nor the Guarantor is in default (and no waiver of any such default is currently in effect) in the payment of any principal or interest on, and no event of default exists with respect to, any such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or any indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for Borrowed Money) by the Guarantor, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in excess of One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000).

5.14. FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS, ETC.

None of the sale of the Notes by the Company hereunder, its use of the proceeds thereof or the execution and delivery of the Guarantee by the Guarantor will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.

5.15. STATUS UNDER CERTAIN STATUTES.

Neither the Company nor the Guarantor is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, or the Federal Power Act, as amended.

5.16. DISCLOSURE.

Neither this Agreement nor any agreement, document, certificate or statement furnished to you by the Company or the Guarantor in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes contains any untrue statement of material fact or, taken together with all other information furnished to you by the Company or the Guarantor, omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading. All pro forma financial statements made available to you have been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions.

5.17. CHANGES IN CONDITION.

Since June 30, 2004, there has been no change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Guarantor, nor any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, or, to the knowledge of the Company or of the Guarantor, no development or event, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

5.18. SUBSIDIARIES.

The Company has no Subsidiaries as of the date hereof. The Guarantor has no Subsidiaries other than those set forth in Schedule 5.18. All of the issued shares of capital stock of the Guarantor have been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. All of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company and each other Subsidiary of the Guarantor have been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are fully paid and non-

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assessable, and (except for directors' qualifying shares or as set forth in Schedule 5.18) are owned directly or indirectly by the Guarantor. The capital stock and securities owned by the Guarantor in each of its Subsidiaries are owned free and clear of any Lien or restriction on the transfer thereon other than restrictions imposed by such Subsidiaries' respective certificates of incorporations or bylaws to the transfer of their respective capital stock or securities, applicable securities or insurance laws and restrictions and Liens outstanding on the date hereof and listed in said Schedule 5.18.

5.19. BUSINESS ACTIVITY.

The Company is principally engaged in the business of providing health insurance, including, but not limited to, the sale of long term care insurance and other healthcare services.

5.20. SOURCE OF INCOME.

All interest to be paid under the Notes will, for purposes of the Code, constitute income from sources within the Commonwealth. In order to comply with said Commonwealth source of income requirement under the present provisions of the Code, (i) interest on the Notes shall not be treated as paid by a trade or business conducted by the Company outside Puerto Rico, such determination to be made under Section 884(f)(1)(A) of the Code and the regulations thereunder; and (ii) for the three year period ending with the close of the Company's taxable year immediately preceding the payment of interest on the Notes (or such portion of such period as may be applicable), the Company either: (a) derived more than 20% of its gross income from sources within the Commonwealth; or (b) derived more than 20% of its gross income from the conduct of a trade or business in the Commonwealth, both tests determined under the provisions of
Section 861(c)(1)(B) of the Code.

5.21. EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company or the Guarantor exist or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, is imminent, which may be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.22. BOOKS AND RECORDS.

The Company and the Guarantor (i) make and keep accurate books and records and (ii) maintain internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of their respective financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management's authorization and (D) the reported accountability for their respective assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals.

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6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER.

You hereby represent and warrant to the Company and the Guarantor as follows:

6.1. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT; ACCREDITED INVESTOR.

(a) You are purchasing the Notes for your own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act, provided that you have the right to dispose of the Notes, or any part thereof, if you deem it advisable to do so, either pursuant to a registration of the Notes under the Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. You understand that neither the Notes nor the Guarantee has been registered under the Securities Act or the Puerto Rico Uniform Securities Act ("PRUSA") and you understand and agree that the Notes may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available thereunder.

(b) You are an "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.

(c) It is understood that, in making the representations set out in Sections 5.4, 5.5 and 5.10 hereof, each of the Company and the Guarantor is relying, to the extent applicable, upon your representations set forth in this Section 6.1.

(d) (a) You have consulted with your own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisers in connection herewith to the extent you have deemed necessary,
(b) you have had a reasonable opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from officers and representatives of the Company and the Guarantor concerning their respective financial condition and results of operations and any other matter relevant to the purchase of the Notes, and any such questions have been answered to your satisfaction, (c) you have had the opportunity to review all publicly available records and filings concerning the Guarantor and its subsidiaries including the Company and you have carefully reviewed such records and filings as you considered relevant to making an investment decision, and (d) you have made your own investment decisions based upon your own judgment, due diligence and advice from such advisers as you have deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the Company or the Guarantor.

6.2. SOURCE OF FUNDS.

At least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a "SOURCE") to be used by you to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by you hereunder:

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(a) all or part of the Source constitutes assets of a bank collective investment fund, as contemplated by PTE 91-38, maintained by you, and you have disclosed to the Company the names of such employee benefit plans whose assets in such bank collective investment fund exceed ten percent (10%) of the total assets or are expected to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total assets of such fund as of the date of such purchase (for the purpose of this clause (a), all employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization are deemed to be a single plan); or

(b) all or part of the Source constitutes assets of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing; or

(c) you are acquiring the Notes for the account of one or more pension funds, trust funds or agency accounts, each of which is a "GOVERNMENTAL PLAN" (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA) and the investment does not give rise to any violation of any federal, state or local law which is substantially similar to Title I of ERISA, section 4975 of the Code or comparable provisions of the PRIRC; or

(d) the Source is an "INVESTMENT FUND" managed by a "QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL ASSET MANAGER" or "QPAM" (as defined in Part V of PTE 84-14, issued March 13, 1984), provided that (i) no other party to the transaction described in this Agreement and no "AFFILIATE" of such party (as defined in Part V(c) of PTE 84-14) has at this time, and during the immediately preceding one year none has exercised, the authority to appoint or terminate said QPAM as manager of the assets of any plan identified in writing pursuant to this clause (f) or to negotiate the terms of said QPAM's management agreement on behalf of any such identified plans, (ii) the conditions set forth in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied; and (iii) you have disclosed to the Company the name of the QPAM and of all employee benefit plans whose assets are included in such investment fund;

(e) the Source is a "PLAN" managed by an "IN-HOUSE ASSET MANAGER" or "INHAM" (as defined in Part IV of PTE 96-23, issued April 10, 1996), provided that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Part I of PTE 96-23 are satisfied; or

(f) none of such funds consists of assets of any "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" as defined in ERISA or any "PLAN" as defined in section 4975 of the Code or comparable provisions of the PRIRC, other than an employee benefit plan or plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA and section 4975 of the Code.

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN", "GOVERNMENTAL PLAN", "PARTY IN INTEREST" and "SEPARATE ACCOUNT" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms

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in section 3 of ERISA. If you breach any representation made by you under this
Section 6.2, your purchase of the Notes shall be void ab initio.

6.3. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING

(a) to the best of your knowledge, the funds that you are using to purchase the Notes were not directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene federal, state and international laws and regulations, including Anti-Money Laundering Laws; and

(b) to the best of your knowledge, neither:

(i) you, nor

(ii) any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, you,

(1) is a country, territory, individual or entity named on an Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") list, or is an individual or entity that resides or has a place of business in a country or territory named on such lists, (2) is a "senior foreign political figure," or any "immediate family member" or "close associate" (as such terms are defined in the Patriot Act) of a senior foreign political figure or (3) is a "foreign shell bank" (as defined in the Patriot Act) or transacts business with a foreign shell bank.

You understand that the Company may not accept any payments for the Notes from you if you cannot make the representations set forth above.

6.4. TRANSFEREE.

Any transferee of a Note shall, by its acceptance of such Note, be deemed to have made the same representations regarding the purchase of the Notes as the original holder thereof made pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 above.

7. INFORMATION AS TO THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTOR.

7.1. FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION.

The Company shall deliver to you and to any subsequent holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:

(a) Quarterly Statements--within sixty (60) days after the end of each quarterly fiscal period in each fiscal year of the Company:

(i) an unaudited balance sheet of the Company as at the end of such quarter; and

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(ii) statements of income and cash flows of the Company for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,

setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer of the Company as fairly presenting, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the financial position of the Company and its results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments;

(b) Annual Statements of the Guarantor--within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor:

(i) a consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor, as at the end of such year; and

(ii) consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Guarantor for such year,

setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon of independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing and reputation, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly the financial position of the Guarantor and its results of operations and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards consistently applied;

(c) SEC and Other Reports of the Guarantor -- for so long as the Guarantor is subject to reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended from time to time) with respect to any of its securities, promptly, and in any event within ten (10) days upon their becoming available, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Guarantor to public securities holders generally, and (ii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement that shall have become effective (with exhibits except as otherwise expressly requested by such holder), and each final prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by the Guarantor with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); provided, however, that no such delivery shall be required as to any of such reports which have been required to be filed and are available in electronic format from the SEC's EDGAR database. In the event that the Guarantor is at any time no longer subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Guarantor shall provide to you and each subsequent note holder that is an Institutional Investor, at your request, (i) a quarterly presentation which shall include a discussion by the Guarantor's management of the most

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recent financial and operational results of the Guarantor and its Significant Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and a discussion of the Guarantor's most recent business plans and projections, and (ii) on a yearly basis, a written report reflecting a discussion by the Guarantor's management of the financial and operational results of the Guarantor and its Significant Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the year ended. In addition, on a quarterly basis, the Guarantor's designated legal counsel, at your request, will provide you and your designated legal counsel, access to material and recent information so as to provide an update to the status of the actions, suits or proceedings specified in Schedule 5.6.

(d) Notice of Default or Event of Default -- promptly, and in any event within ten (10) days, after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(e) Notices from Governmental Authority -- promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, from any federal, state or Commonwealth Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(f) Requested Information -- such other data and information directly relating to the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Notes or of the Guarantor to perform its obligations hereunder or under the Guarantee as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any holder of Notes.

7.2. OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.

Each set of financial statements delivered to you or to any other holder of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) as of 7.1(b) hereof shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, setting forth on behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, a statement that the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, has no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, or if the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, has such knowledge, specifying such Default or Event of Default, the nature thereof and the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, with respect thereto.

7.3. INSPECTION.

Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall permit each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor, or a group of Affiliated Institutional Investors that are original purchasers and holders of Notes, and holds Notes with an aggregate principal amount of at least

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Ten Million United States Dollars (US$10,000,000) or Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) in the case of such group, together with its representatives, at the expense of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, if done in connection with a Default or an Event of Default, to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, to examine its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, employees and independent public accountants (and by this provision, each of the Company and the Guarantor authorizes said accountants to discuss the finances and affairs of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, but any such discussions shall be arranged by the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, and the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall have the opportunity to participate therein) all at such reasonable times and as may be reasonably requested in relation to the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Notes or by the Guarantor of its obligations under the Guarantee or by the Company or the Guarantor under this Agreement; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Guarantor shall be required to disclose to any such holder of Notes (or to any of its representatives) information to the extent that the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is advised by internal or external legal counsel that it is prohibited from disclosing such information at such time to its creditors generally under applicable laws, rules, regulations or orders (or other binding restrictions imposed by Governmental Authorities or agreements entered into in good faith with third parties that are not Affiliates of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable).

8. PAYMENT OF INTEREST

The Company shall pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance of the Notes at the rate of six and three tenths percent (6.30%) per annum from the date of the Notes, payable semiannually, on the fifteenth (15th) day of March and the fifteenth
(15th) day of September in each year, commencing on March 15, 2005, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, provided, however, that in the event that the rating of the Notes by Standard & Poor's falls below "BBB-", or the rating of the Notes by A.M. Best Company, Inc. falls below "bbb-" (each a "RATINGS EVENT"), then the interest on the unpaid balance thereof shall become payable at the rate of seven percent (7.00%) per annum from the date of such event and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal and any overdue payment of interest, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand), at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the Default Rate. Within 90 days following the occurrence of a Ratings Event, the Company shall have the right to redeem the Notes without premium, at its option, in whole but not in part, at any time, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof.

9. REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES PRIOR TO MATURITY.

9.1. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, redeem and prepay prior to maturity, all or any part of the Notes on September 15 or March 15 of each year; provided, however, that, except as provided in the third paragraph of this Section 9.1, the

17

Company may not redeem all or any part of the Notes pursuant to this Section 9.1 prior to September 15, 2007. On and after September 15, 2007, the Notes shall be redeemable at a price equal to the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed specified for the periods listed below, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption specified by the Company (the "REDEMPTION DATE").

      Redemption Periods                   Percentage of Principal Amount
-----------------------------------        ------------------------------
September 15, 2007 - March 14, 2008                   102.00%

March 15, 2008 - September 14, 2008                   101.50%

September 15, 2008 - March 14, 2009                   101.00%

March 15, 2009 - September 14, 2009                   100.50%

September 15, 2009 and thereafter                     100.00%

The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of any redemption under this Section 9.1 not less than sixty (60) days and not more than ninety (90) days prior to any Redemption Date. Each such notice shall specify the Redemption Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date, which shall not be in an amount less than Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) and increments of US$500,000, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be redeemed (determined in accordance with Section 9.2), and the interest to be paid on such Redemption Date with respect to such principal amount being redeemed.

The Company shall also have the right to redeem the Notes, at its option, in whole but not in part, at any time, within 90 days following the occurrence of a Ratings Event or a, at any time, after the occurrence of a Taxable Event as provided in Section 10.6(b) hereof, subject to the notice provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph. In the case of redemption pursuant to a Ratings Event, the Company may redeem without payment of a premium. In the case of a redemption pursuant to a Taxable Event, the Company may redeem, at any time, subject to the payment of a premium pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 9.1; provided however that if the Notes are redeemed before September 15, 2007, said redemption pursuant to a Taxable Event is subject to the payment of a premium equal to 102% of the principal amount of the Notes so redeemed.

9.2. ALLOCATION OF PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS.

In the case of each partial redemption of the Notes, the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for redemption.

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9.3. MATURITY; SURRENDER, ETC.

In the case of each redemption of Notes pursuant to this Section 9, the principal amount of each Note to be redeemed shall mature and become due and payable on the respective Redemption Date, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest thereon, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or redeemed in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

9.4. PURCHASE OF NOTES.

Neither the Company nor the Guarantor will, and neither the Company nor the Guarantor will permit any of their respective Affiliates to, purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except upon the payment or redemption of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any of its Affiliates (including the Guarantor) pursuant to any payment, redemption or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

10. COMPANY AND GUARANTOR BUSINESS COVENANTS.

The Company and the Guarantor jointly and severally covenant that so long as the Notes are outstanding:

10.1. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; MAINTENANCE OF LICENSES, ETC.

Each of the Company and the Guarantor will comply (and the Guarantor will further cause each of its other Subsidiaries to comply) with all laws, ordinances and governmental rules and regulations to which it is subject, including, without limitation, laws, ordinances and governmental rules and regulations relating to the healthcare and insurance industries, the Environmental Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and will obtain and maintain in effect (and the Guarantor will further cause each of its other Subsidiaries to obtain and maintain in effect) all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises, qualifications and other governmental authorizations (including, without limitation, those qualifications with respect to solvency and capitalization) necessary to the ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its businesses, in each case to the extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance with such laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such licenses, certificates, permits, franchises, qualifications and other governmental authorizations would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

10.2. INSURANCE.

Except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Company and the Guarantor will maintain, and the Guarantor shall cause each of its other Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and

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reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its respective properties and businesses against such casualties, risks and contingencies, of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated.

10.3. PAYMENT OF TAXES.

Each of the Company and the Guarantor will file all tax returns required to be filed and will pay and discharge or cause to be paid or discharged all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes, assessments and governmental charges payable by it, to the extent such taxes, assessments and charges have become due and payable, provided that neither the Company nor the Guarantor need not pay any such tax, assessment or charge if (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, on a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and each of the Company and the Guarantor has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with U.S. GAAP on the books of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, or (ii) the expected nonpayment of all such taxes and assessments in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

10.4. USE OF PROCEEDS.

The Company will apply the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to repay certain outstanding short term indebtedness of the Company incurred in the Company's trade or business in Puerto Rico and for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Company's trade or business in Puerto Rico within a period no longer than twenty four (24) months from the date of the issuance of the Notes and will notify the Puerto Rico Treasury Department ("Treasury") of such use as required by Section 1013A of the PRIRC.

In the event that a favorable ruling from Treasury is obtained, by purchasing the Notes, the holders of the Notes, other than the Purchasers, will be deemed to have made an election under Section 1013A of the PRIRC and the 10% preferential withholding tax will be made on the interest on the Notes unless the holder elects out of such withholding by providing a written statement to that effect to the Company, through certified mail, in the form set forth in Exhibit 3.

10.5. CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.

Subject to the provisions of Section 11.2 hereof, each of the Company and the Guarantor will (and the Guarantor shall cause each of its other Subsidiaries to) at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect and in good standing its corporate existence and all rights, privileges and franchises; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company and the Guarantor shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Guarantor or the applicable Subsidiary, including the Company, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders.

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10.6. SOURCE OF INCOME FOR TAX PURPOSES.

(a) The Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary or proper within its control to ensure that, for purposes of the Code, interest paid on the Notes will constitute income from sources within the Commonwealth. If the Company violates the covenant set forth in this Section, the Company shall pay additional interest to each holder that submits a claim in writing to the Company to the effect that it has or will be required to pay United States income taxes in respect of interest paid or accrued on the Notes held by such holder. The amount of such additional interest will be equal, with respect to any period, to the sum of (i) any income taxes such holder was or will be required to pay with respect to interest paid or accrued on the Notes held by such holder during such period, and with respect to payments of additional interest under this Section, after giving effect to any credit relating to such interest that such holder is entitled to take, and (ii) any penalties and interest that have been or will be assessed against such holder with respect to the late payment of such taxes. The Company shall pay to any Institutional Investor that is a Commonwealth registered investment company, any penalties or fines imposed by a Governmental Authority as a result of the Company's failure to comply with this covenant.

(b) In the event of a Taxable Event, the Company may, at its option, and upon notice, redeem prior to maturity, all of the Notes with premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption specified by the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1 hereof.

10.7. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.

Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall (and the Guarantor shall cause each of its other Significant Subsidiaries to) keep its material properties in good working order and condition and will comply at all times with the terms of all material leases and other material agreements to which it is a party so as to prevent any material loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder unless compliance with such leases or agreements is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall have established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with U.S. GAAP on the books of the Company or the Guarantor (or such other Significant Subsidiary), as applicable.

10.8. BUSINESS ACTIVITY.

The Company will continue to be principally engaged in the business of providing health insurance including, but not limited to, the sale of life insurance in connection with the sale of health insurance, the sale of long term care insurance and other healthcare services.

11. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

The Company and the Guarantor jointly and severally covenant that so long as any of the Notes is outstanding, shall not:

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11.1. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

Without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders, either the Company or the Guarantor enter into directly or indirectly any transaction or group of related transactions which, in the opinion of management of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is Material to the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable (including without limitation the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any of their respective Affiliates, unless management to the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, has determined in good faith that such transaction or group of related transactions is or are fair and reasonable and as favorable to the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, as terms that would be obtainable at the time for a comparable transaction or group of related transactions in arm's-length dealings with an unrelated third Person. The restrictions of this
Section shall not apply to transactions between the Guarantor and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

11.2. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS.

Either the Company or the Guarantor consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entity to, any Person, unless:

(a) the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is the surviving or continuing entity, or the entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, has conveyed, transferred or leased its properties and assets substantially as an entirety is an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any province or state thereof or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and such entity expressly assumes the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Agreement or the Guarantor's obligations under the Guarantee and this Agreement, as the case may be;

(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall have delivered to each holder an Officer's Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental agreement, comply with this Agreement.

11.3. LIMITATION UPON CREATION OF LIENS ON VOTING STOCK OF PRINCIPAL INSURANCE OR HMO SUBSIDIARY.

Without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders, the Guarantor will not, and it will not permit any Subsidiary at any time directly or indirectly to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money secured by a Lien in any shares of voting stock of any Principal Insurance or HMO Subsidiary without making effective provision whereby the Notes (and, if the Guarantor so elects, any other indebtedness of the Guarantor ranking on a

22

parity with the Notes) shall be secured equally and ratably with such secured indebtedness; provided, however, that the foregoing covenant shall not be applicable to Liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges not then due and delinquent or the validity of which is being contested in good faith or which are less than Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) in amount, Liens created or resulting from any litigation or legal proceeding which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or which involve claims of less than Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000), or deposits to secure (or in lieu of) surety, stay, appeal or custom bonds.

If the Guarantor shall hereafter be required to secure the Notes equally and ratably with any other indebtedness of the Guarantor pursuant to this Section, (i) the Guarantor and the Company shall promptly deliver to the holders an Officer's Certificate stating that the foregoing covenant has been complied with, and an opinion of counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel the foregoing covenant has been complied with and that any instruments executed by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary in the performance of the foregoing covenant comply with the requirements of the foregoing covenant and (ii) the holders shall enter into any agreement supplemental hereto and to take such action, if any, as the Majority Holders may deem advisable to enable the holders to enforce their rights as holders of Notes so secured.

11.4. LIMITATION UPON DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OF PRINCIPAL INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY.

Subject to Section 11.2, the Guarantor will not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, voting stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) of any Principal Insurance or HMO Subsidiary and will not permit any Principal Insurance or HMO Subsidiary to issue (except to the Guarantor) any shares of, securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, voting stock of any Principal or HMO Insurance Subsidiary, except for sales, assignments, transfers or other dispositions that:

(a) Are for fair market value on the date thereof, as determined by the Board of directors of the Guarantor (which determination shall be conclusive) and, after giving effect to such disposition and to the possible dilution, the Guarantor will own not less than 80% of the shares of voting stock of such Principal Insurance or HMO Subsidiary then issued and outstanding free and clear of any Lien;

(b) are made in compliance with an order or a court or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, as a condition imposed by any such court authority permitting the acquisition by the Guarantor, directly or indirectly, of any other insurance company or health maintenance organization or entity the activities of which are legally permissible for a holding company of such entities or a subsidiary thereof to engage in, or as an undertaking made to such authority in connection with such an acquisition; or

(c) are made where such Principal Insurance or HMO Subsidiary (if other than the Company), having obtained any necessary regulatory approvals,

23

unconditionally guarantees payment when due of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes.

12. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

An "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

(a) failure to pay interest on the Notes for more than five (5) days after the payment is due; or

(b) failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any Note when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or

(c) any breach by the Company of Sections 10.4 or 10.8 hereof; or

(d) any breach by the Company or the Guarantor of Sections 11.2, 11.3 or 11.4 hereof; or

(e) any breach by the Company or the Guarantor of Sections 7 or 11.1 hereof, which breach remains unremedied for fifteen (15) days; or

(f) any breach by the Guarantor of the Guarantee; or

(g) failure by the Company or the Guarantor to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenant contained herein for thirty (30) days after a holder gives written notice to the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, thereof; or

(h) a default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money by the Guarantor, the Company, or any Significant Subsidiary in excess of Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) (including this Agreement), whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given a written notice specifying such default; provided, however, that if such default shall be remedied or cured by the Guarantor, the Company or the Significant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of such indebtedness, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived without any action on the part of any of the holders; or

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(i) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) under any applicable United States federal, Commonwealth, state or provincial bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) or of any substantial part of their property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of their affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 days; or

(j) the institution by the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable United States federal, Commonwealth, state or provincial bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) or of any substantial part of their property, or the making by the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or the Guarantor (or any such other Significant Subsidiary) in furtherance of any such action; or

(k) any judgment or decree, which is firm and final, for the payment of money in an amount which equals or exceeds 5% of the Company's or the Guarantor's, as applicable, consolidated stockholder's equity, as set forth in the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall be rendered against the Company or the Guarantor and shall not be fully covered by insurance.

13. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.

13.1. ACCELERATION.

(a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Company or the Guarantor described in paragraph (i) or (j) of Section 12 has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of any holder.

25

(b) If any Event of Default described in any other paragraph of
Section 12 has occurred and is continuing, each holder may, at its option, by notice given to the Company as provided for herein, declare all the Notes held by such holder to be immediately due and payable.

Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 13.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived.

13.2. OTHER REMEDIES.

If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether the Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 13.1, each holder may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein, in the Notes or the Guarantee, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

13.3. RESCISSION.

At any time after the Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of Section 13.1, by written notice to the Company, the Majority Holders may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (i) the Company has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of (and premium, if any, on) the Notes that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (ii) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (iii) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto, to the Notes or the Guarantee. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

13.4. NO WAIVERS OR ELECTION OF REMEDIES, EXPENSES, ETC.

No course of dealing and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice a holder's rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement, by the Notes or the Guarantee shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. All available remedies are cumulative. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 15, the Company will pay on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements.

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14. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES.

14.1. REGISTRATION OF NOTES.

The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of the Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. If and as applicable, the Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.

14.2. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.

Upon surrender of any Note at the principal executive office of the Company for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or his attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the address for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Company's expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000), provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000). Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representations set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.

14.3. REPLACEMENT OF NOTES.

Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor which is the registered holder, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, the Purchaser or another Institutional Investor with a minimum net worth of at least One Hundred Million United States Dollars

27

(US$100,000,000), such Person's own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

15. PAYMENTS ON NOTES.

15.1. PLACE OF PAYMENT.

Subject to Section 15.2, payments of principal and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either a principal office of the Company in Puerto Rico or a principal office of a bank or trust company in Puerto Rico.

15.2. HOME OFFICE PAYMENT.

So long as you or your nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 15.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below your name in Schedule A, or by such other method or at such other address as you shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or redemption in full of any Note, you shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section
15.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by you or your nominee you will, at your election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 15.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by you under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as you have made in this Section 15.2.

16. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

The representations and warranties contained in Section 5 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantee and the purchase or transfer by you of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of you or any other

28

holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantee embody the entire agreement and understanding among you, the Company and the Guarantor and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

17.1. REQUIREMENTS.

This Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantee may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes or the Guarantee may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of you, the Company and the Guarantor in the case of this Agreement, you and the Company in the case of the Notes, and you and the Guarantor in the case of the Guarantee, except that (a) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to you unless consented to by you in writing, and (b) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) subject to the provisions of Section 13 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any redemption or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest on, the Notes, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or
(iii) amend any of Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17 or 20.

17.2. SOLICITATION OF HOLDERS OF NOTES.

(a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with the same information provided to any other holders with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof, of the Notes or of the Guarantee. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

(b) Payment. The Company will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes or any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof, of the Notes or the Guarantee, unless such remuneration is concurrently offered (and paid if accepted) or paid, or security is concurrently offered (and granted if accepted) or granted, on the same

29

terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

17.3. BINDING EFFECT, ETC.

Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Company and the holder of any Note or the Guarantor and the holder of any Note and no delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note or the Guarantee shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note.

17.4. NOTES HELD BY COMPANY, ETC.

Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement, the Notes, or the Guarantee or have directed the taking of any action provided herein, in the Notes or the Guarantee to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

17.5 CONSENT OF MAJORITY HOLDERS.

Whenever consent of the holders of Notes is required by this Agreement, the Company will request the consent of such holders through written notice to each holder of record. The Company may engage the services of a third party in order to assist the Company to obtain consent of said holders of the Notes.

18. NOTICES.

All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or
(b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

(a) if to you or your nominee, to you or it at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as you or it shall have specified to the Company in writing,

(b) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing,

30

(c) if to the Company, to the Company at 1441 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, Sixth Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920, Attention:
President, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing, or

(d) if to the Guarantor, to the Guarantor at 1441 F.D. Roosevelt Ave., Sixth Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920, Attention:
Chief Executive Officer or at such other address as the Guarantor shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.

Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.

19. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by you at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to you, may be reproduced by you by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, microcard, miniature photographic or other similar process and you may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by you in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Company or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

20. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

For the purposes of this Section 20, "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" means information delivered to you by or on behalf of the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by you as being confidential information of the Company, the Guarantor or such Affiliate, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to you prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by you or any person acting on your behalf or (c) otherwise becomes known to you other than through disclosure by or on behalf of the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates or as a result of a breach of a confidentiality agreement (which breach is known to you). You will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information and will not disclose it to other Persons and (except in connection with your holding of Notes and exercise of rights under the Notes or this Agreement) will not use it, provided that you may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) your directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by your Notes and provided such recipients are advised of the

31

confidential nature of such information), (ii) your financial advisors and other professional advisors (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to your investment in the Notes) who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder (unless known by you to be a competitor of the Company) of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor (unless known by you to be a competitor of the Company) to which you sell or offer to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this
Section 20), (v) any Person (unless known by you to be a competitor of the Company) from which you offer to purchase any security of the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) as may be required by any federal, Commonwealth or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over you, (vii) as may be required by any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about your investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to you, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which you are a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent you may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under your Notes and this Agreement. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, on reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of Confidential Information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder under this Agreement, such holder will enter into a separate agreement with the Company embodying and confirming the provisions of this Section 20.

21. MISCELLANEOUS.

21.1. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not.

21.2. PAYMENTS DUE ON NON-BUSINESS DAYS.

Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, any payment of principal of or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

21.3. SEVERABILITY.

Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or

32

unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

21.4. CONSTRUCTION.

Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken by such Person or on such Person's behalf. Titles and headings of the sections of this Agreement appear as a matter of convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. The words "HEREIN," "HEREOF," "HEREUNDER" and "HERETO" refer to this Agreement as a whole. The term "INCLUDING" means "INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION" whether or not so expressed. All currencies used herein are U.S. dollars.

21.5. COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.

21.6. GOVERNING LAW.

This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law which might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction.

* * * * *

33

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please so indicate by signing the acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement among you and the Company and the Guarantor.

Very truly yours,

TRIPLE-S, INC.

By:

Name: Socorro Rivas Rodriguez Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

TRIPLE - S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

By:

Name: Ramon Ruiz Comas Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

The foregoing is hereby agreed to as of the date thereof.

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund I, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus F. Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus F. Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

34

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund III, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus F. Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund IV, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus F. Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund V, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus F. Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus F. Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

First Puerto Rico Target Maturity Income Opportunities Fund I, Inc.

By:
Name: Jesus Mendez
Title: Senior Vice President

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SCHEDULE A

INFORMATION RELATING TO PURCHASERS

                                                                                 Principal Amount of
Name and Address of Purchasers                                                  Notes to be Purchased
-----------------------------------------------------------------------         ---------------------
1.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund I,    Inc.                1.) $ 2,700,000

2.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.                  2.) $ 4,250,000

3.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund III, Inc.                 3.) $ 4,125,000

4.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund IV, Inc.                  4.) $ 5,025,000

5.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund V, Inc.                   5.) $ 4,850,000

6.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc.                                     6.) $ 9,050,000

7.) First Puerto Rico Target Maturity Income Opportunities Fund I, Inc.         7.) $20,000,000

Schedule A-1


All payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to:

Citibank, N.A.

ABA 021000089

For further credit to each Purchaser's DDA acct:

1.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund I, Inc.

DDA acct 36780627

2.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.

DDA acct 36200856

3.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund III, Inc.

DDA acct 36203168

4.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund IV, Inc.

DDA acct 36205649

5.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund V, Inc.

DDA acct 36207648

6.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc.

DDA acct 36207513

7.) First Puerto Rico Target Maturity Income Opportunities Fund Inc.

DDA acct 36240639

with sufficient information to identify the source and application of such funds.

Schedule A-2


All notices of payments and written confirmations of such wire transfers

Santander Asset Management

Suite 900, 221 Ponce de Leon Ave

Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00917-1825

Att: Frank Serra Operations Vice-President

(3) All other communications:

Telephone 787-759-5342

Telefax 787-296-5435

(4) Notes are to be delivered to:

Santander Asset Management Corporation, as investment advisor for the Purchasers

Schedule A-3


SCHEDULE B

DEFINED TERMS

As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the section hereof following such term:

"AFFILIATE" means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to an "AFFILIATE" is a reference to an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be.

"ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS" means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and other requirements relating to applicable anti-money laundering rules, including the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the "PATRIOT ACT"), the regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control thereunder and other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws, statutes, regulations and internal rules in connection therewith.

"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in San Juan, Puerto Rico are required or authorized to be closed.

"CLOSING" is defined in Section 3.

"CODE" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

"COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE" means the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"COMMONWEALTH" means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"COMPANY" means Triple-S, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation.

"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" is defined in Section 20.

"CONTROL" (and the correlative terms thereof) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

"DEFAULT" means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.

"DEFAULT RATE" means that rate of interest that is the greater of
(i) two percent (2%) per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes or (ii) two percent (2%) over the rate of interest publicly announced from time to time by

Schedule B-1


Citibank, N.A., in New York City as its "BASE" or "PRIME" rate for U.S. dollar commercial loans.

"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all federal, state, Commonwealth, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems, or to public or employee health or safety.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

"ERISA AFFILIATE" means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with the Company under section 414 of the Code.

"EVENT OF DEFAULT" is defined in Section 12.

"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means

(a) the government of

(i) the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any State of the United States, or other political subdivision thereof, or

(ii) any jurisdiction in which the Company, TSMC or any of TSMC's Subsidiaries conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company, or TSMC or any of TSMC's Subsidiaries, or

(b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government, including, but not limited to the Commissioner of Insurance.

"GUARANTEE" is defined in Section 1.

"GUARANTOR" means TSMC.

"HOLDER" means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to
Section 14.1.

"INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY" means any obligation (whether present or future or secured or unsecured) for the payment or repayment of money borrowed or raised (whether or not for a cash consideration), by whatever means (including deposits and financial leasing or under or pursuant to any letter of credit (once such letter of credit shall have been drawn upon) to secure financial accommodation, promissory note, certificate of deposit or like

Schedule B-2


instrument (whether negotiable or otherwise) or any acceptance credit facility, note purchase facility or bill acceptance or discounting facility or like arrangement entered into) by any Person in order to enable it to finance its operations or capital requirements; it being acknowledged that reimbursement obligations in respect of advance payments made by or on behalf of third party customers in relation to purchase orders to the Company are not "INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY."

"INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR" means (a) any original purchaser of a Note and (b) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, trust, corporation, partnership or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form that is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act; provided, however, that any investment company licensed under the laws of the Commonwealth and exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which otherwise meets the criteria of an "accredited investor" under Rule 501(a), shall qualify as an "INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR".

"LIEN" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, prior claim, security interest, preference or other charge or encumbrance and any deferred purchase, sale-and-purchase or sale-and-leaseback arrangement and any other security agreement or preferential arrangement of a like or similar effect; for clarification, it is understood that "LIEN" does not include any arrangement whatsoever (whether a deferred purchase, sale-and-purchase, sale-and-leaseback, leasing or other arrangement) the direct or indirect purpose and effect of which is to allow or to assist the purchaser or user of a product marketed by the Company or the Guarantor to finance the acquisition or rental thereof, in whole or in part, with a third party.

"MAJORITY HOLDERS" means the holders of Notes representing in the aggregate a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

"MATERIAL" means, with respect to any Person, material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, or properties of such Person and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided that for purposes of this Agreement, any amount or obligation shall be deemed to be "Material" if it equals or exceeds 10% of the Company's or the Guarantor's, as applicable consolidated stockholder's equity, as set forth in the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, to be delivered to the holders of the Notes.

"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of (i) the Company or (ii) the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, including the Company, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Notes or the Guarantor to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Guarantee, (c) the validity or enforceability against the Company of this Agreement or the Notes or the validity or enforceability against the Guarantor of this Agreement or the Guarantee, or (d) the rights and remedies of the holders with respect to the Company and the Guarantor under this Agreement, the Notes or the Guarantee.

"MULTIPLE EMPLOYER PENSION PLAN" means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of section 3(3) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), subject to Title IV of

Schedule B-3


ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate and an employer (as such term is defined in section 3 of ERISA) other than an ERISA Affiliate or the Company contribute.

"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means any Plan that is a "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

"NOTES" is defined in Section 1.

"OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of such Person whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

"OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion of counsel from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Majority Holders. The counsel may be an employee of, or external counsel to, the Guarantor or the Company.

"PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

"PLAN" means an "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.

"PRINCIPAL INSURANCE OR HMO SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of the Guarantor, including its Subsidiaries, which (1) is principally engaged in the healthcare and medical insurance business as an insurance company or a health maintenance organization or in the casualty insurance business, and (2) meets any of the following conditions: (i) the Guarantor's and its other Subsidiaries' investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 30 percent of the total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; (ii) the Guarantor's and its other Subsidiaries' proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 30 percent of the total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or (iii) the Guarantor's and its other Subsidiaries' equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of the Subsidiary exceeds 30 percent of such income of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

"PRIRC" means the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

"PROPERTY" or "PROPERTIES" means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.

Schedule B-4


"PURCHASERS" means the Persons named as such in Schedule A of this Agreement.

"QPAM EXEMPTION" means Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 issued by the United States Department of Labor.

"RATINGS EVENT" is defined in Section 8.

"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means any Senior Financial Officer and any other executive officer of the Company with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.

"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

"SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER" means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of any Person.

"SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of the Guarantor, including its Subsidiaries, which meets any of the following conditions: (i) the Guarantor's and its other Subsidiaries' investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; (ii) the Guarantor's and its other Subsidiaries' proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10 percent of the total assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or (iii) the Guarantor's and its other Subsidiaries' equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of the Subsidiary exceeds 10 percent of such income of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

"SUBSIDIARY" means with respect to any Person, any other Person more than fifty percent (50%) of whose stock or other equity interest of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors (or equivalent officials) of such other Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock or other equity interests of any class or classes of such other Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person, directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a "SUBSIDIARY" is a reference to a Subsidiary of the Guarantor.

"TAXABLE EVENT" means an event that causes interest paid on the Notes not to be sourced within the Commonwealth under the Code.

"TSMC" means Triple-S Management Corporation, a Puerto Rican corporation holding all the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock in the Company.

"U.S. GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America.

Schedule B-5


"WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding voting stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by the Guarantor, or by one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Guarantor or by the Guarantor and one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Guarantor.

Schedule B-6


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section                                                                                                                     Page
1.    AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES...............................................................................................   2

2.    SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES...........................................................................................   2

3.    CLOSING..............................................................................................................   2

4.    CONDITIONS TO CLOSING................................................................................................   3
      4.1.          Representations and Warranties.........................................................................   3
      4.2.          Performance; No Default................................................................................   3
      4.3.          Compliance Certificates................................................................................   3
      4.4.          Opinions of Counsel....................................................................................   4
      4.5.          Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, etc..............................................................   4
      4.6.          Private Placement Number...............................................................................   4
      4.7.          Changes in Corporate Structure.........................................................................   4
      4.8.          No Material Litigation.................................................................................   4
      4.9.          Proceedings and Documents; Good Standing Certificates..................................................   5

5.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTOR......................................................   5
      5.1.          Organization; Power and Authority......................................................................   5
      5.2.          Authorization, etc.....................................................................................   5
      5.3.          Financial Statements...................................................................................   6
      5.4.          Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, etc...........................................................   6
      5.5.          Governmental Authorizations, etc.......................................................................   7
      5.6.          Litigation; Observance of Statutes and Orders..........................................................   7
      5.7.          Taxes..................................................................................................   7
      5.8.          Title to Property; Leases..............................................................................   8
      5.9.          Licenses, Permits, etc.................................................................................   8
      5.10.         Compliance with ERISA..................................................................................   8
      5.11.         Private Offering by the Company........................................................................   9
      5.12.         Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations....................................................................   9
      5.13.         Existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money...............................................................   9
      5.14.         Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc................................................................  10
      5.15.         Status under Certain Statutes..........................................................................  10
      5.16.         Disclosure.............................................................................................  10
      5.17.         Changes in Condition...................................................................................  10
      5.18.         Subsidiaries...........................................................................................  10
      5.19.         Business Activity......................................................................................  11
      5.20.         Source of Income.......................................................................................  11
      5.21.         Employee Matters.......................................................................................  11
      5.22.         Books and Records......................................................................................  11


6.    REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER.....................................................................................  12
      6.1.          Purchase for Investment; Accredited Investor...........................................................  12
      6.2.          Source of Funds........................................................................................  12
      6.3.          Anti-Money Laundering..................................................................................  14
      6.4.          Transferee.............................................................................................  14

7.    INFORMATION AS TO THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTOR......................................................................  14
      7.1.          Financial and Business Information.....................................................................  14
      7.2.          Officer's Certificate..................................................................................  16
      7.3.          Inspection.............................................................................................  16

8.    PAYMENT OF INTEREST..................................................................................................  17

9.    REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES PRIOR TO MATURITY............................................................................  17
      9.1.          Optional Redemption....................................................................................  17
      9.2.          Allocation of Partial Redemptions......................................................................  18
      9.3.          Maturity; Surrender, etc...............................................................................  19
      9.4.          Purchase of Notes......................................................................................  19

10.   COMPANY AND GUARANTOR BUSINESS COVENANTS.............................................................................  19
      10.1.         Compliance with Laws; Maintenance of Licenses, etc.....................................................  19
      10.2.         Insurance..............................................................................................  19
      10.3.         Payment of Taxes.......................................................................................  20
      10.4.         Use of Proceeds........................................................................................  20
      10.5.         Corporate Existence, etc...............................................................................  20
      10.6.         Source of Income for Tax Purposes......................................................................  21
      10.7.         Maintenance of Properties..............................................................................  21
      10.8.         Business Activity......................................................................................  21

11.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS...................................................................................................  21
      11.1.         Transactions with Affiliates...........................................................................  22
      11.2.         Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets...............................................................  22
      11.3.         Limitation Upon Creation of Liens on Voting Stock of Principal Insurance or HMO Subsidiary.............  22
      11.4.         Limitation Upon Disposition of Voting Stock of Principal Insurance Subsidiary..........................  23

12.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT....................................................................................................  24

13.   REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.............................................................................................  25
      13.1.         Acceleration...........................................................................................  25
      13.2.         Other Remedies.........................................................................................  26
      13.3.         Rescission.............................................................................................  26
      13.4.         No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc......................................................  26

14.   REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES........................................................................  27
      14.1.         Registration of Notes..................................................................................  27
      14.2.         Transfer and Exchange of Notes.........................................................................  27
      14.3.         Replacement of Notes...................................................................................  27


15.   PAYMENTS ON NOTES....................................................................................................  28
      15.1.         Place of Payment.......................................................................................  28
      15.2.         Home Office Payment....................................................................................  28

16.   SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.........................................................  28

17.   AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.................................................................................................  29
      17.1.         Requirements...........................................................................................  29
      17.2.         Solicitation of Holders of Notes.......................................................................  29
      17.3.         Binding Effect, etc....................................................................................  30
      17.4.         Notes held by Company, etc.............................................................................  30

18.   NOTICES..............................................................................................................  30

19.   REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS............................................................................................  31

20.   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.............................................................................................  31

21.   MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................................  32
      21.1.         Successors and Assigns.................................................................................  32
      21.2.         Payments Due on Non-Business Days......................................................................  32
      21.3.         Severability...........................................................................................  32
      21.4.         Construction...........................................................................................  33
      21.5.         Counterparts...........................................................................................  33
      21.6.         Governing Law..........................................................................................  33

SCHEDULE A -- INFORMATION RELATING TO PURCHASERS

SCHEDULE B -- DEFINED TERMS

SCHEDULE 5.3(a) -- Financial Statements of the Company.

SCHEDULE 5.3(B) -- Financial Statements fo the Guarantor

SCHEDULE 5.6    --  Litigation; Observance of Statutes and Orders

SCHEDULE 5.9    --  Licenses, Permits, etc.

SCHEDULE 5.13   --  Existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money

SCHEDULE 5.18   --  Subsidiaries of the Guarantor

EXHIBIT 1-A     --  Form of 6.30% Senior Unsecured Note due September 2019

EXHIBIT 1-B     --  Form of Guarantee

EXHIBIT 2-A -- Form of Opinion of Fiddler Gonzalez & Rodriguez, P.S.C.


EXHIBIT 2-B     --  Form of Opinion of Hector R. Ramos

EXHIBIT 3       --  Form of Election for No Income Tax Withholding

                                                             SCHEDULE 5.3(a)

Financial Statements of the Company

Audited Financial Statements of Triple-S, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.


SCHEDULE 5.3(b)

Financial Statements of the Guarantor

Please refer to Appendixes A, B and C of the Private Placement Memorandum dated September 30, 2004 for (1) the Guarantor's Non-audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarters ended on March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004, and for
(2) the Guarantor's Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.


SCHEDULE 5.6

Litigation

1. Jose Sanchez, et als v. Triple-S Management Corp., et al; Civil No. 2003-1967 (JAF)

2. Carlyle Benavent, Ibrahim Perez v. Comisionado de Seguros de Puerto Rico, Seguros de Servicio de Salud de Puerto Rico, Inc.; KLRA 200200234

3. Kenneth Thomas, et al. v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, et al.; Civil No. 2003-21296-CIV

4. Jeffrey Solomon, et al. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association et al.; Civil No. 2003-22935


SCHEDULE 5.8

Title to Property; Leases

The Guarantor owns the following real estate:

1. The seven story (including the basement floor) building located at 1441 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, in San Juan, Puerto Rico where the main office of Company and the Guarantor are located, and the adjacent two buildings, one that houses certain offices of the Company and other Subsidiaries of the Guarantor, and the adjacent parking lot.

2. Five floors of a fifteen-story building located at 1510 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

The aforementioned properties are subject to a mortgage in favor of FirstBank Puerto Rico ("FirstBank") as collateral to certain credit agreement by and between the Guarantor and FirstBank dated June 29, 1999 and amended on August 30, 2001.


SCHEDULE 5.9

Licenses


SCHEDULE 5.13

Existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

                                            AMOUNT (AS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION      DESCRIPTION     OF 6/30/04)
---------------------      ------------    -----------
1.  First Bank             Secured Loan    $31,550,060
2.  First Bank             Secured Note    $15,000,000

TRIPLE-S, INC.

                                                       AMOUNT (AS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION          DESCRIPTION             OF 6/30/04)
---------------------      ----------------------      -----------
3. Popular Securities      Reverse Repo Agreement      $16,200,000
4. RG Investments          Reverse Repo Agreement      $10,800,000
5. Banco Santander         Reverse Repo Agreement      $10,000,000

6. Guarantor (TSMC)        Surplus Note                $26,000,000


SCHEDULE 5.18

Subsidiaries of the Guarantor

1. Triple-S, Inc.

2. Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc.

3. Seguros Triple-S, Inc.

4. Triple-C, Inc.

5. Interactive Systems, Inc.

6. Smart Solutions Insurance Agency Corporation

7. Signature Insurance Agency, Inc.


EXHIBIT 1-A

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.

TRIPLE-S, INC.

6.30% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE DUE SEPTEMBER 2019

Payment of the Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest on this Note is Unconditionally Guaranteed by Triple-S Management Corporation

No. [-] September [-], 2004] US[$__________] [ ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, TRIPLE-S, INC. (herein called the "COMPANY"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, hereby promises to pay to [-], or registered assigns, the principal sum of _________ MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US[$__________]) on September 15, 2019, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance thereof at the rate of six and three tenths percent (6.30%) per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the fifteenth (15th) day of March and the fifteenth
(15th) day of September in each year, commencing on March 15, 2005, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, provided that in the event that the rating of the Notes by Standard & Poor's, falls below "BBB-" or the rating of the Notes by A.M. Best Company, Inc. falls below "bbb-" (each a "RATINGS EVENT"), then the interest on the unpaid balance thereof shall become payable at the rate of seven percent (7.00%) per annum from the date of such event; and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal and any overdue payment of interest, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand), at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the Default Rate (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement). The Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed as to payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest by TSMC as guarantor (in such capacity, the "GUARANTOR") pursuant to a guarantee substantially in the form of Exhibit 1-B (the "GUARANTEE") to the Note Purchase Agreement.

The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, redeem and prepay prior to maturity, all or any part of the Notes on September 15 or March 15 of each year; provided, however, that, except as provided in
Section 9.1 of the Agreement, the Company may not redeem all or any part of the Notes pursuant to such Section 9.1 prior to September 15, 2007. On and after September 15, 2007, the Notes shall be redeemable at a price equal to the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed specified for the periods listed below, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption specified by the Company (the "REDEMPTION DATE").


        Redemption Periods                        Percentage of Principal Amount
-----------------------------------               ------------------------------
September 15, 2007 - March 14, 2008                         102.00%

March 15, 2008 - September 14, 2008                         101.50%

September 15, 2008 - March 14, 2009                         101.00%

March 15, 2009 - September 14, 2009                         100.50%

September 15, 2009 and thereafter                           100.00%

The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of any redemption under such Section 9.1 not less than sixty (60) days and not more than ninety (90) days prior to any Redemption Date.

The Company shall also have the right to redeem the Notes, at its option, in whole but not in part, at any time, within 90 days following the occurrence of a Ratings Event or, at any time, after the occurrence of a Taxable Event as provided in Section 10.6(b) of the Agreement, subject to the notice provisions set forth in the Agreement. In the case of redemption pursuant to a Ratings Event, the Company may redeem without payment of a premium. In the case of a redemption pursuant to a Taxable Event, the Company may redeem, at any time, subject to the payment of a premium pursuant to the first paragraph of such Section 9.1; provided however that if the Notes are redeemed before September 15, 2007, said redemption pursuant to a Taxable Event, is subject to the payment of a premium equal to the payment of a redemption price of 102% of the principal amount of the Notes so redeemed.

Payments of principal of and interest on with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at San Juan, Puerto Rico or at such other place in Puerto Rico as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to herein.

This Note was issued as a Senior Unsecured Note (herein called the "NOTE" or the "NOTES") pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement dated September 30, 2004 (the "NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), between the Company, the Guarantor and the Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, (i) to have agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) to have made the representations set forth in Section 6 of the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note is registered in a register kept at the principal executive office of the Company and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving


payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without regard to any principles of conflicts of law which might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction.

TRIPLE-S, INC.

By: _____________________________________________
Name: Socorro Rivas Rodriguez
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT 1-B

CORPORATE GUARANTY

OF

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

Triple-S Management Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the "Guarantor"), hereby unconditionally guarantees to the Holder of the 6.30% Senior Unsecured Note due September 2019 (the "Note") Note upon which this Guaranty is endorsed the due and punctual payment of (1) the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on required with respect to said Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on the stated maturity date, by acceleration, redemption or repayment or otherwise, according to the terms thereof and of the Note Purchase Agreement referred to therein and (2) the payment of all other amounts by the Company and the performance of all other obligations of the Company under the Note Purchase Agreement. In case of the failure of Triple-S, Inc. (the "Company") punctually to pay any such principal, premium, or interest on the Note or such other amounts, the Guarantor hereby agrees to cause any such payment to be made punctually when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on the stated maturity date, by acceleration, redemption or repayment or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by the Company.

The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall rank pari passu with all other senior unsecured obligations of the Guarantor whether now existing or hereafter incurred, and that such obligations shall be as principal and not merely as surety, and shall be absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of said Note or said Note Purchase Agreement, any failure to enforce the provisions of said Note or said Note Purchase Agreement, or any waiver, modification, consent, extension of time to pay or other indulgence granted to the Company with respect thereto, by the Holder of said Note, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any action to enforce the same, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest or notice with respect to said Note or the indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guaranty will not be discharged except by payment in full of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on required with respect to, said Note and the complete payment of all amounts payable by the Company and the performance by the Company of all other obligations contained in said Note and said Note Purchase Agreement.

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holder of said Note against the Company in respect of any amounts paid to such Holder by the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Guaranty; provided, however, that the Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to which it may be entitled, by operation of law or otherwise, upon making any payment hereunder and shall not be entitled to enforce, or to receive any payments arising out of or based upon, such right of subrogation until the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest


with respect to, all Notes issued under said Note Purchase Agreement, and all other amounts due thereunder by the Company, shall have been paid in full and its other obligations under said Note Purchase Agreement completed.

The Guarantor hereby certifies and warrants that all acts, conditions and things required to be done and performed and to have happened precedent to the creation and issuance of this Guaranty and to constitute the valid obligation of the Guarantor have been done and performed and have happened in due compliance with all applicable laws.

The Guarantor hereby represents and warrants to the Holder of the Note (which representations and warranties shall survive the delivery of this Guaranty) that:

(a) Guarantor (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, (ii) has full power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as presently contemplated, and
(iii) has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Guaranty to which it is a party or signatory;

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Guarantor of its obligations under this Guaranty will not (i) violate or conflict with (x) any provision of law, order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency or government, (y) any provision of its corporate documents, or (z) any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Guarantor is a party or is bound; (ii) result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any contractual provision to which it is bound; or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the property or assets of Guarantor pursuant to any indenture, agreement or instrument.

(c) The Guarantor is not required to obtain any consent, approval or authorization from or to file any declaration or statement with, any governmental instrumentality or other agency, or any other person or entity, in connection with or as a condition to the execution, delivery or performance of this Guaranty other than such as have already been obtained and are in full force and effect.

(d) There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any governmental instrumentality or other agency, including any arbitration board or tribunal, now pending, or to the knowledge of the Guarantor, threatened (i) which is likely to affect the validity or enforceability of this Guaranty or the Guarantor's ability to perform its obligations hereunder, or (ii) against or affecting the Guarantor which, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, would have a materially adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, results of operations, prospects or properties of the Guarantor.


(e) The Guarantor is currently solvent and the Guarantor's obligations hereunder will not render the Guarantor insolvent; the Guarantor is not contemplating either a filing of a petition under any state or federal bankruptcy law, or, the liquidating of all or a major portion of its property; and the Guarantor has no knowledge of any person contemplating the filing of such petition against it.

In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by the Company under the Note Purchase Agreement is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration or required to be paid upon an early termination pursuant to the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement shall nonetheless be payable by the Guarantor hereunder forthwith on demand by the Holder of the Notes.

This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any obligation guaranteed hereunder is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Holder of a Note upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

This Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect and be binding upon the Guarantor and the successors and permitted assigns of the Guarantor; provided, however, that the Guarantor may not assign or otherwise transfer this Guaranty or any obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Holder of Notes and any such assignment or transfer without such consent shall be void.

The Guarantor further agrees to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, which may be incurred by the Holder of the Notes in any effort to collect or enforce any provision of this Guaranty.

All payments and deliveries hereunder shall be made by the Guarantor without set-off or counterclaim. The Guarantor agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement contained herein, the Guarantor's agreements and obligations contained in this paragraph shall survive the payment in full of the obligations and any termination of this Guaranty.

THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer under its corporate seal.

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

                                   By: /s/
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                   Name: Ramon Ruiz Comas
                                   Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: September 30, 2004


EXHIBIT 2-A

Form of Opinion of Fiddler Gonzalez & Rodriguez, P.S.C.

1. Each of the Company, the Guarantor, and its Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

2. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Agreement and the Notes.

3. The Guarantor has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Agreement and the Guarantee.

4. Each of the Company and the Guarantor, and each of the other Subsidiaries of the Guarantor, has the corporate power and authority to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged.

5. The Agreement and the Notes will be duly authorized on the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and the Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Company, each Note, when issued, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company (assuming with respect to the Agreement and any Notes issued to the Purchaser, the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Agreement to the Purchaser), enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and (ii) the application of equitable principles and the availability of equitable remedies (collectively, the "ENFORCEABILITY EXCEPTIONS").

6. The Agreement and the Guarantee will be duly authorized on the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Guarantor, and the Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Guarantor, the Guarantee will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor (assuming with respect to the Agreement and any Notes issued to the Purchaser, the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Agreement to the Purchaser),enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

7. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the Agreement and the Notes or by the Guarantor of the Agreement and the Guarantee.


8. Neither the Company nor the Guarantor is in default under any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, order or regulation of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

9. None of the sale of the Notes by the Company hereunder, its use of the proceeds thereof or the execution and delivery of the Guarantee by the Guarantor will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.

10. Neither the Company nor the Guarantor is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, or the Federal Power Act, as amended.

11. Neither the Agreement nor any agreement, document, certificate or statement furnished to the Purchaser by the Company or the Guarantor in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes contains any untrue statement of material fact or, taken together with all other information furnished to the Purchaser by the Company or the Guarantor, omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

12. It is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Purchaser in the manner contemplated in the Agreement to register the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Puerto Rico Uniform Securities Act.

13. Based upon the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), as amended, now in force, and assuming that the Company complies with the source of income covenants contained in the note purchase agreement, then interest to be paid on the Notes will, for purposes of the Code, constitute income from sources within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.


EXHIBIT 2-B

Form of Opinion of Hector R. Ramos

1. Each of the Company and the Guarantor, and each of the other Subsidiaries of the Guarantor, has the corporate power and authority to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged.

2. The Agreement and the Notes will be duly authorized on the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and the Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Company, each Note, when issued, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company (assuming with respect to the Agreement and any Notes issued to the Purchaser, the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement to the Purchaser), enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and (ii) the application of equitable principles and the availability of equitable remedies (collectively, the "Enforceability Exceptions").

3. The Agreement and the Guarantee will be duly authorized on the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Guarantor, and the Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Guarantor, the Guarantee will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor (assuming with respect to the Agreement and any Notes issued to the Purchaser, the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser), enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

4. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Agreement and the Notes and by the Guarantor of the Agreement and the Guarantee, do not and will not (i) in all material respects, contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter or by-laws, or any other Material agreement or instrument to which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, is bound or by which the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, or their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under an agreement with any Governmental Authority, (iii) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Guarantor or the Company, or (iv) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Guarantor or the Company.

5. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, threatened against or affecting the Company or the Guarantor or any property of the Company or the Guarantor in any court or before any arbitrator or administrative agency of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, if determined adversely to the Guarantor or the Company, individually or in


the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or the Guarantor, has been issued against the Company or the Guarantor which has a Material Adverse Effect.

6. Each of the Company and the Guarantor has good and marketable title to its Material properties owned by them and reflected in the Financial Statements, as to each such property free and clear of Liens, except for those defects in title and Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Guarantor and the Company.

7. All leases of the Company and the Guarantor for real property or buildings Material in the operation of their corresponding business activities are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects.

8. Neither the Agreement nor any agreement, document, certificate or statement furnished to the Purchaser by the Company or the Guarantor in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes contains any untrue statement of material fact or, taken together with all other information furnished to you by the Company or the Guarantor, omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

9. Since June 30, 2004, there has been no change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Guarantor, nor any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, or, to the knowledge of the Company or of the Guarantor, no development or event, which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

10. All of the issued shares of capital stock of the Guarantor have been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.

11. All of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company and each other Subsidiary of the Guarantor have been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable, and (except for directors' qualifying shares or as set forth in Schedule 5.18) are owned directly or indirectly by the Guarantor.

12. The capital stock and securities owned by the Guarantor in each of its Subsidiaries are owned free and clear of any Lien or restriction on the transfer thereon other than restrictions imposed by such Subsidiaries' respective certificates of incorporations or bylaws to the transfer of their respective capital stock or securities, applicable securities or insurance laws and restrictions and Liens outstanding on the date hereof and listed in said Schedule 5.18.


EXHIBIT 3

ELECTION FOR NO INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

The undersigned hereby requests that no Puerto Rico income tax withholding be made on his/her/its interest payments on the Notes. The undersigned certifies that he/she/it is either:

-- Individual resident of Puerto Rico or Puerto Rico corporation electing out of the income tax withholding;

-- United States citizen not resident of Puerto Rico not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation;

-- Individual not citizen of the United States and not resident of Puerto Rico not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation;

-- Corporation or partnership organized outside Puerto Rico not engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation;

-- A tax exempt entity not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation:


___________________ (specify); or

-- Other:____________________ (specify)
Very truly yours,

By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:*
Company: *


* Applicable only to legal entities.

EXHIBIT 10.16


TRIPLE - S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

US$60,000,000

6.60% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 2020


NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Dated December 15, 2005



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                       -----
1.       AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES..................................................................................         1

2.       SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES..............................................................................         1

3.       CLOSING.................................................................................................         1

4.       CONDITIONS TO CLOSING...................................................................................         2
         4.1.     Representations and Warranties.................................................................         2
         4.2.     Performance; No Default........................................................................         2
         4.3.     Compliance Certificates and Organizational Documents...........................................         2
         4.4.     Opinions of Counsel............................................................................         3
         4.5.     Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, etc......................................................         3
         4.6.     Private Placement Number.......................................................................         3
         4.7.     Changes in Corporate Structure.................................................................         3
         4.8.     Proceedings and Documents......................................................................         3

5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY...........................................................         3
         5.1.     Organization; Power and Authority..............................................................         3
         5.2.     Authorization, etc.............................................................................         4
         5.3.     Financial Statements...........................................................................         4
         5.4.     Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, etc...................................................         5
         5.5.     Governmental Authorizations, etc...............................................................         5
         5.6.     Litigation; Observance of Statutes and Orders..................................................         5
         5.7.     Taxes..........................................................................................         6
         5.8.     Title to Property; Leases......................................................................         6
         5.9.     Licenses, Permits, etc.........................................................................         6
         5.10.    Compliance with ERISA..........................................................................         6
         5.11.    Private Offering by the Company................................................................         7
         5.12.    Use of Proceeds................................................................................         7
         5.13.    Existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.......................................................         7
         5.14.    Investment Company Act.........................................................................         8
         5.15.    Disclosure.....................................................................................         8
         5.16.    Labor Disputes.................................................................................         8
         5.17.    Source of Income...............................................................................         8

6.       REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER........................................................................         8
         6.1.     Purchase for Investment; Accredited Investor...................................................         8
         6.2.     Source of Funds................................................................................         9
         6.3.     Anti-Money Laundering..........................................................................        10
         6.4.     Transferee.....................................................................................        11

i

7.       INFORMATION AS TO THE COMPANY...........................................................................        11
         7.1.     Financial and Business Information.............................................................        11
         7.2.     Inspection.....................................................................................        12

8.       PAYMENT OF INTEREST.....................................................................................        13

9.       REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES PRIOR TO MATURITY...............................................................        13
         9.1.     Optional Redemption............................................................................        13
         9.2.     Allocation of Partial Redemptions..............................................................        13
         9.3.     Maturity; Surrender, etc.......................................................................        14
         9.4.     Purchase of Notes..............................................................................        14

10.      BUSINESS COVENANTS......................................................................................        14
         10.1.    Compliance with Laws...........................................................................        14
         10.2.    Insurance......................................................................................        14
         10.3.    Payment of Taxes...............................................................................        15
         10.4.    Use of Proceeds................................................................................        15
         10.5.    Corporate Existence, etc.......................................................................        15
         10.6.    Source of Income...............................................................................        15
         10.7.    Lines of Business..............................................................................        15

11.      NEGATIVE COVENANTS......................................................................................        16
         11.1.    Transactions with Affiliates...................................................................        16
         11.2.    Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.......................................................        16
         11.3.    Limitation Upon Creation of Liens on Voting Stock of Significant Subsidiaries..................        16
         11.4.    Limitation Upon Disposition of Voting Stock of, and Merger and Sale of Assets of,
                  Principal Insurance Subsidiary.................................................................        17
         11.5.    Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries..................        18
         11.6.    Limitation on Additional Indebtedness..........................................................        19
         11.7.    Waiver of Certain Covenants....................................................................        19

12.      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.......................................................................................        19

13.      REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC................................................................................        21
         13.1.    Acceleration...................................................................................        21
         13.2.    Other Remedies.................................................................................        21
         13.3.    Rescission.....................................................................................        21
         13.4.    No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc..............................................        22

14.      REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES...........................................................        22
         14.1.    Registration of Notes..........................................................................        22
         14.2.    Transfer and Exchange of Notes.................................................................        22
         14.3.    Replacement of Notes...........................................................................        23

15.      PAYMENTS ON NOTES.......................................................................................        23
         15.1.    Place of Payment...............................................................................        23

ii

         15.2.    Home Office Payment............................................................................        23

16.      SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT............................................        24

17.      AMENDMENT AND WAIVER....................................................................................        24
         17.1.    Requirements...................................................................................        24
         17.2.    Solicitation of Holders of Notes...............................................................        25
         17.3.    Binding Effect, etc............................................................................        25
         17.4.    Notes held by Company, etc.....................................................................        25
         17.5.    Consent of Majority Holders....................................................................        25

18.      NOTICES.................................................................................................        26

19.      REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS...............................................................................        26

20.      CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION................................................................................        26

21.      MISCELLANEOUS...........................................................................................        27
         21.1.    Successors and Assigns.........................................................................        27
         21.2.    Payments Due on Non-Business Days..............................................................        28
         21.3.    Severability...................................................................................        28
         21.4.    Construction...................................................................................        28
         21.5.    Counterparts...................................................................................        28
         21.6.    Governing Law..................................................................................        28

SCHEDULE A        --     INFORMATION RELATING TO PURCHASER

SCHEDULE B        --     DEFINED TERMS

SCHEDULE 5.3      --     Financial Statements of the Company

SCHEDULE 5.6      --     Litigation

SCHEDULE 5.13     --     Existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money

EXHIBIT 1         --     Form of 6.60% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 2020

EXHIBIT 2-A       --     Form of Opinion of Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP

EXHIBIT 2-B       --     Form of Opinion of Enrique R. Ubarri Baragano

iii

TRIPLE - S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

6.60% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 2020

December 15, 2005

THE PURCHASERS NAMED IN
THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE A:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Triple-S Management Corporation (the "COMPANY"), a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, agrees with you as follows:

1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES.

The Company has authorized the issuance and sale of an aggregate principal amount of Sixty Million United States Dollars (US$60,000,000) of its 6.60% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 2020 (the "NOTES," such term to include each Note delivered pursuant to this Agreement and each Note delivered in substitution or exchange for any such Note pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement). The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto and shall have the terms as herein and therein provided. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B hereto; references to a "SCHEDULE" or an "EXHIBIT" are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement and all Schedules and Exhibits are deemed to be a part of this Agreement. References herein to this "AGREEMENT" mean this Agreement as from time to time amended or supplemented or as the terms hereof may be waived, in accordance with Section 17 hereof.

2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to you and you agree to purchase from the Company, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the aggregate principal amount specified opposite your name in Schedule A at the purchase price of one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount thereof.

3. CLOSING.

The closing (the "CLOSING") of the sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by you shall occur at the offices of Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP, Popular Center Building, 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, 19th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on December 21, 2005. At the Closing, the Company will deliver to you the Notes to be purchased by you in the form of a single Note for each Purchaser (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$500,000) as you may request) dated the date of the Closing (the "CLOSING DATE") and registered in your name (or in the name of your nominee), against delivery by you to the Company of immediately available


funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer to account number 10991506, maintained by the Company at Citibank, N.A., Puerto Rico Branch, ABA Number 02100089.

4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

Your obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be delivered to you at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions:

4.1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

The representations and warranties of the Company contained in
Section 5 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct at the time of the Closing.

4.2. PERFORMANCE; NO DEFAULT.

The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing and, after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.12), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. The Company shall not have entered into any transaction since September 30, 2005, that would have been prohibited by Section 10 hereof had such Section applied since such date.

4.3. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS.

(a) Officer's Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to you an Officer's Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying on behalf of the Company that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.7 have been fulfilled.

(b) Secretary's Certificates. The Company shall have delivered to you copies of the by-laws of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the "GROUP MEMBERS") and of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Notes, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and an incumbency certificate executed by such Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

(c) Organizational Documents. The Company shall have delivered to you copies of the articles of incorporation of each of the Group Members, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or, if a copy certified by the Secretary of State is unavailable on the Closing Date, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Group Member, and good standing certificates for each Group Member from such Secretary of State or, in the case of each Subsidiary that is an insurance company, from the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico.

2

4.4. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL.

You shall have received opinions from (a) Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP, special counsel to the Company, and (b) Enrique R. Ubarri Baragano, Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, of the Company, each dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the respective forms set forth as Exhibits 2-A and 2-B. This Section 4.4 shall constitute direction by the Company to such counsel named in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) to deliver the opinions specified to you at the Closing.

4.5. PURCHASE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ETC.

On the Closing Date, your purchase of Notes shall (i) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which you are subject, without recourse to provisions of law permitting limited investments by financial institutions without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (ii) not violate any applicable law or regulation and (iii) not subject you to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof.

4.6. PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBER.

A Private Placement number issued by Standard & Poor's CUSIP Service Bureau shall have been obtained for the Notes.

4.7. CHANGES IN CORPORATE STRUCTURE.

The Company shall not have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or been a party to any merger or consolidation. The Company shall not have succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.3.

4.8. PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS.

All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to you and your counsel, and you and your counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as you or they may reasonably request.

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

The Company represents and warrants to you as follows:

5.1. ORGANIZATION; POWER AND AUTHORITY.

Each Group Member is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing

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would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each Subsidiary has the corporate power and authority to conduct its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted after the Acquisition. The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Notes and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof.

5.2. AUTHORIZATION, ETC.

This Agreement has been, and on the Closing Date the Notes will be, duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof by the Company each Note issued to you will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company (assuming with respect to this Agreement and any Notes issued to you, the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by you), enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and (ii) the application of equitable principles and the availability of equitable remedies.

5.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

(a) The Company has delivered to you copies of the financial statements of the Company listed on Schedule 5.3 (such financial statements collectively the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS").

(b) The Financial Statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Financial Statements and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout such periods except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

(c) Since the date of the most recent Financial Statement, there has been no material adverse change in the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and no event that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company has not incurred any material Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or entered into any material transaction other than as disclosed to the Purchasers.

(d) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to

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maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

5.4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS, ETC.

The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Notes will not (i) in any material respect contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter or by-laws, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary is bound or by which the Company or any such Significant Subsidiary or their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a material breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries.

5.5. GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC.

No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or the Notes.

5.6. LITIGATION; OBSERVANCE OF STATUTES AND ORDERS.

(a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any property of the Company or of its Significant Subsidiaries in any court or before any arbitrator or administrative agency of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is in default under any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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5.7. TAXES.

Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has filed all income tax returns that are required to have been filed, except for any filings which failure to make would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes payable by it, to the extent such taxes have become due and payable, except for any taxes (i) the amount of which would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Company and each such Significant Subsidiary has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. The Company is not aware of any tax deficiency that, if determined adversely to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.8. TITLE TO PROPERTY; LEASES.

Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has good and sufficient title to its respective material properties, free and clear of Liens, except for (i) Liens described in Schedule 5.8, and (ii) defects in title that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All material leases entered into by the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects.

5.9. LICENSES, PERMITS, ETC.

The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries owns or possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, service marks, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, that are material to its business, without known conflict with the rights of others, except for those conflicts that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.10. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA.

(a) Each of the Company, its Significant Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates has operated and administered each Plan in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company, its Significant Subsidiaries nor their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or applicable penalty or excise tax provisions of the PRIRC relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by the Company, its Significant Subsidiaries or any of such ERISA Affiliates, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company, its Significant Subsidiaries or any of such ERISA Affiliates, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise

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tax provisions of the PRIRC, other than in any of such cases, such liabilities or Liens as would not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) None of the Company, its Significant Subsidiaries nor their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred withdrawal liabilities (or is subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to the PRIRC. The representation by the Company in the first sentence of this Section 5.10(c) is made in reliance upon and subject to (i) the accuracy of your representation in
Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by you and
(ii) the assumption, made solely for the purpose of making such representation, that Department of Labor Interpretive Bulletin 75-2 with respect to prohibited transactions remains valid in the circumstances of the transactions contemplated herein.

5.11. PRIVATE OFFERING BY THE COMPANY.

Neither the Company nor UBS Financial Services Incorporated of Puerto Rico, as placement agent (the only Person authorized or employed by the Company as agent, broker, dealer or finder in connection with the offering or sale of the Notes) has offered any of the Notes or any similar securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than you. As used in the preceding sentence, "SIMILAR SECURITY" means a security which would be integrated with the offering of the Notes under applicable securities laws. Neither the Company nor such agent has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

5.12. USE OF PROCEEDS.

The Company will apply the proceeds from the sale of the Notes for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include the purchase of evidences of indebtedness issued by Puerto Rico corporations (including indebtedness evidenced under surplus notes issued by its Subsidiaries).

5.13. EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY.

Schedule 5.13 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness for Borrowed Money in the principal amount of at least Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2005, since which date there has been no material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money. Neither

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the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is in default (and no waiver of any such default is currently in effect) in the payment of any principal or interest on, and no Event of Default exists with respect to, any such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.

5.14. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT.

The Company is not subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

5.15. DISCLOSURE.

No statement or information contained in this Agreement or any other document, certificate or statement furnished to the Purchasers or any of them, by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contained as of the date such statement, information, document or certificate was so furnished any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein in the light of the circumstances in which they were made not misleading. The projections and pro forma financial information contained in the materials referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Purchasers that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount.

5.16. LABOR DISPUTES.

None of the Company nor its Significant Subsidiaries is engaged in any labor dispute that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.17. SOURCE OF INCOME.

The Company has derived more than 20 percent of its gross income from Commonwealth of Puerto Rico sources on an annual basis since its incorporation in accordance with the applicable sourcing rules under the Code.

6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER.

You hereby represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

6.1. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT; ACCREDITED INVESTOR.

(a) You are purchasing the Notes for your own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act, provided that you have the right to dispose of the Notes, or any part thereof, if you deem it advisable to do so, either pursuant to a registration of the Notes under the Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the

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Securities Act. You understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the Puerto Rico Uniform Securities Act, as amended ("PRUSA"), and you understand and agree that the Notes may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available thereunder.

(b) You are an "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.

(c) It is understood that, in making the representations set out in Sections 5.4, 5.5 and 5.10 hereof, the Company is relying, to the extent applicable, upon your representations set forth in this Section 6.1.

(d) (i) You have consulted with your own legal and tax advisers in connection herewith to the extent you have deemed necessary,
(ii) you have had a reasonable opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from officers and representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries concerning their respective financial condition and results of operations and any other matter relevant to the purchase of the Notes, and any such questions have been answered to your satisfaction, (iii) you have had the opportunity to review all publicly available records and filings concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (d) you have made your own investment decisions based upon your own judgment, due diligence and advice from such advisers as you have deemed necessary and upon the representations made by the Company herein.

6.2. SOURCE OF FUNDS.

At least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a "SOURCE") to be used by you to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by you hereunder:

(a) all or part of the Source constitutes assets of a bank collective investment fund, as contemplated by PTE 91-38, maintained by you, and you have disclosed to the Company the names of such employee benefit plans whose assets in such bank collective investment fund exceed ten percent of the total assets or are expected to exceed ten percent of the total assets of such fund as of the date of such purchase (for the purpose of this clause (a), all employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization are deemed to be a single plan);

(b) all or part of the Source constitutes assets of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing;

(c) you are acquiring the Notes for the account of one or more pension funds, trust funds or agency accounts, each of which is a "GOVERNMENTAL PLAN" (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA) and the investment does not give rise to any violation of any federal, state or local law which is substantially

9

similar to Title I of ERISA, section 4975 of the Code or comparable provisions of the PRIRC;

(d) the Source is an "INVESTMENT FUND" managed by a "QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL ASSET MANAGER" or "QPAM" (as defined in Part V of PTE 84-14, issued March 13, 1984), provided that (i) no other party to the transaction described in this Agreement and no "AFFILIATE" of such party (as defined in Part V(c) of PTE 84-14) has at this time, and during the immediately preceding one year none has exercised, the authority to appoint or terminate said QPAM as manager of the assets of any plan identified in writing pursuant to this clause (d) or to negotiate the terms of said QPAM's management agreement on behalf of any such identified plans, (ii) the conditions set forth in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied; and (iii) you have disclosed to the Company the name of the QPAM and of all employee benefit plans whose assets are included in such investment fund;

(e) the Source is a "PLAN" managed by an "IN-HOUSE ASSET MANAGER" or "INHAM" (as defined in Part IV of PTE 96-23, issued April 10, 1996), provided that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Part I of PTE 96-23 are satisfied; or

(f) none of such funds consists of assets of any "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" as defined in ERISA or any "PLAN" as defined in section 4975 of the Code or comparable provisions of the PRIRC, other than an employee benefit plan or plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA and section 4975 of the Code.

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN," "GOVERNMENTAL PLAN," "PARTY IN INTEREST" and "SEPARATE ACCOUNT" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA. If you breach any representation made by you under this Section 6.2, your purchase of the Notes shall be void ab initio.

6.3. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING.

(a) The funds that you are using to purchase the Notes were not directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene federal, state and international laws and regulations, including Anti-Money Laundering Laws; and

(b) to the best of your knowledge, neither:

(i) you, nor

(ii) any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with you,

(1) is a country, territory, individual or entity named on an Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") list, or is an individual or entity that resides or has a

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place of business in a country or territory named on such lists, (2) is a "senior foreign political figure," or any "immediate family member" or "close associate" (as such terms are defined in the Patriot Act) of a senior foreign political figure or (3) is a "foreign shell bank" (as defined in the Patriot Act) or transacts business with a foreign shell bank.

You understand that the Company may not accept any payments for the Notes from you if you cannot make the representations set forth above.

6.4. TRANSFEREE.

Any transferee of a Note shall, by its acceptance of such Note, be deemed to have made the same representations regarding the purchase of the Notes as the original holder thereof made pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 above.

7. INFORMATION AS TO THE COMPANY.

7.1. FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION.

The Company shall deliver to you and to any subsequent holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor, subject to the proviso contained at the end of Section 7.2 hereof:

(a) SEC and Other Reports -- for so long as the Company is subject to reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT") with respect to any of its securities, within ten (10) days after it files them with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), one copy of its annual report and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that no such delivery shall be required as to any of such reports and documents which have been filed and are available in electronic format at the SEC's EDGAR database. In the event that the Company is at any time no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) the Exchange Act, the Company shall provide to you and each subsequent note holder that is an Institutional Investor, (1)(i) within sixty
(60) days after the end of each of the first three quarterly fiscal periods in each fiscal year of the Company: an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at the end of such quarter, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company for such quarter; and (ii) within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the consolidated audited balance sheet of the Company and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company for such year; and (2) at your request, (i) a quarterly presentation which shall include a discussion by the Company's management of the most recent financial and operational results of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and a discussion of the Company's

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most recent business plans and projections, and (ii) on a yearly basis, a written report reflecting a discussion by the Company's management of the financial and operational results of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the year ended. In addition, on a quarterly basis, the Company's designated legal counsel, at your request, will provide you and your designated legal counsel, access to material and recent information so as to provide an update to the status of all material legal actions, suits or proceedings;

(b) Notice of Default or Event of Default -- within ten (10) days after a Responsible Officer becomes aware of the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, a written notice specifying the nature thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(c) Compliance Certificate -- concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1(a), a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer's knowledge, the Company and each Subsidiary during such period has observed or performed all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every condition, contained in this Agreement, and that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as specified in such certificate; and

(d) Notice of Reduction in Risk-based Capital Ratio -- within fifteen (15) days after the end of any month in which the Company's Risk-based Capital Ratio shall be lower than 375%, a written notice specifying the Company's Risk-based Capital Ratio as of the end of such month and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

7.2. INSPECTION.

The Company shall permit each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor, or a group of Institutional Investors that are (i) Puerto Rico licensed investment companies advised by the same investment adviser and (ii) Purchasers and holders of Notes, and holds Notes with an aggregate principal amount of at least Ten Million United States Dollars (US$10,000,000), or at least Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) in the case of such group, together with their respective representatives, at the expense of the Company if done in connection with an Event of Default, to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries to examine their books and records, and to discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with their officers, employees and independent public accountants (and by this provision, the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss the finances and affairs of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries, but any such discussions shall be arranged by the Company and the Company shall have the opportunity to participate therein) all at such reasonable times and as may be reasonably requested in relation to the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Notes or under this Agreement;

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provided, however, that the Company (or any such Significant Subsidiary) shall not be required to disclose to any such holder of Notes (or to any of its representatives) information to the extent that the Company (or any such Significant Subsidiary) is advised by internal or external legal counsel that it is prohibited from disclosing such information at such time to its creditors generally under applicable laws, rules, regulations or orders (or other binding restrictions imposed by Governmental Authorities or agreements entered into in good faith with third parties that are not Affiliates of the Company).

8. PAYMENT OF INTEREST.

The Company shall pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance of the Notes at the rate of 6.60% per annum from the date of the Notes, payable monthly in arrears, on the first (1st) day of each month, commencing on January 1, 2006, until the principal of the Notes shall have become due and payable and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal and any overdue payment of interest, payable monthly as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand), at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the Default Rate. Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the Company's Risk-based Capital Ratio is less than 375% during a period of at least one year, the interest rate payable on the Notes on any interest payment date after the expiration of such year shall increase to 6.75% per annum while such condition exists. The interest so payable on any interest payment date will be paid to the Holder in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such interest payment date.

9. REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES PRIOR TO MATURITY.

9.1. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, redeem and prepay prior to maturity from time to time, all or any part of the Notes on or after January 1, 2011, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption specified by the Company (the "REDEMPTION DATE").

The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of any redemption under this Section 9.1 not less than thirty (30) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to any Redemption Date. Each such notice shall specify the Redemption Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be redeemed (determined in accordance with Section 9.2), and the interest to be paid on such Redemption Date with respect to such principal amount being redeemed.

9.2. ALLOCATION OF PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS.

In the case of any partial redemption of the Notes, the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in

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proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for redemption.

9.3. MATURITY; SURRENDER, ETC.

In the case of each redemption of Notes pursuant to this Section 9, the principal amount of each Note to be redeemed shall mature and become due and payable on the respective Redemption Date, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest thereon, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or redeemed in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

9.4. PURCHASE OF NOTES.

The Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Affiliates to, purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (i) pursuant to an offer made to all holders of the Notes or (ii) upon the payment or redemption of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any of its Affiliates pursuant to any payment, redemption or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

10. BUSINESS COVENANTS.

The Company covenants that, so long as the Notes are outstanding, it will, and it will cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to:

10.1. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

Comply with all laws, ordinances and governmental rules and regulations to which it is subject and obtain and maintain in effect all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its businesses, in each case to the extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance with such laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

10.2. INSURANCE.

Except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business against such casualties and contingencies, of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated.

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10.3. PAYMENT OF TAXES.

File all tax returns required to be filed and pay and discharge or cause to be paid or discharged all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments payable by it, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable, provided that the Company or such Significant Subsidiary need not (a) make any filing the failure to make which would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) pay any such tax or assessment if (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Company or such Significant Subsidiary on a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and the Company or such Significant Subsidiary has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP on their respective books, or (ii) the nonpayment of all such taxes and assessments in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

10.4. USE OF PROCEEDS.

Apply the proceeds from the sale of the Notes for the purposes set forth in Section 5.12 hereof within twenty-four (24) months from the date of the issuance of the Notes. The Company will notify Treasury of such use as required by Section 1013A of the PRIRC.

If a favorable ruling from Treasury is obtained after the Closing Date, by purchasing the Notes, the subsequent holders of the Notes, other than the Purchasers, will be deemed to have made an election under Section 1013A of the PRIRC and the 10 percent preferential withholding tax will be made on the interest on the Notes unless such holders elect out of such withholding by providing a written statement to that effect to the Company, through certified mail, in the form set forth in Exhibit 3.

10.5. CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.

Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.2 and 11.4 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and each Significant Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise or corporate existence of a Significant Subsidiary if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the Notes.

10.6. SOURCE OF INCOME.

The Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary or proper within its control to ensure that, for purposes of the Code, interest paid on the Notes will constitute income from sources within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

10.7. LINES OF BUSINESS.

The Company will continue to be a Blue Cross/Blue Shield licensee and will be principally engaged in the business of providing health, life and property and casualty insurance.

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11. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

The Company covenants that, so long as any of the Notes is outstanding, it will not:

11.1. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

Enter into, or permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to enter into, directly or indirectly, into any transaction or group of related transactions which, in the opinion of the management of the Company, is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (including without limitation the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any of its Affiliates, except (i) pursuant to its reasonable business requirements and (ii) in the case of transactions with Affiliates other than wholly owned Subsidiaries, on arm's length terms.

11.2. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS.

Not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as a whole to,

any Person, unless:

(a) the Company is the surviving or continuing entity, or the entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which the Company has conveyed, transferred or leased its properties and assets substantially as an entirety is an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any province or state thereof or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and such entity expressly assumes the Company's obligations under the Notes by an agreement supplemental hereto;

(b) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) the Company shall have delivered to each holder an Officer's Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental agreement (if any) comply with this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11.2, any wholly owned Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with the Company or another wholly owned Subsidiary so long as the Company or such wholly owned Subsidiary shall be the surviving or continuing corporation.

11.3. LIMITATION UPON CREATION OF LIENS ON VOTING STOCK OF SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES.

Incur, issue, assume or guarantee, nor permit any Significant Subsidiary to incur, issue, assume or guarantee, any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, directly or indirectly secured by a Lien in any shares of voting stock of any Significant Subsidiary without making effective provision whereby the Notes (and, if the Company so elects, any other indebtedness of the Company ranking on a parity with the Notes) shall be secured equally and ratably with such

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secured indebtedness; provided, however, that the foregoing covenant shall not apply to (i) any Lien in any shares of voting stock of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Significant Subsidiary; (ii) Liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges (a) not then due and delinquent or
(b) the validity of which is being contested in good faith or (c) which are less than Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) in amount; (iii) Liens (other than consensual Liens) created or resulting from any litigation or legal proceeding (a) which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) which involves claims of less than Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000), or (iv) deposits to secure (or in lieu of) surety, stay, appeal or custom bonds.

If the Company shall hereafter be required to secure the Notes equally and ratably with any other indebtedness of the Company pursuant to this
Section 11.3 hereof, the Company shall promptly deliver to the holders an Officer's Certificate stating that the foregoing covenant has been complied with, and an opinion of counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel the foregoing covenant has been complied with and that any instruments executed by the Company or any Subsidiary in the performance of the foregoing covenant comply with the requirements of the foregoing covenant.

11.4. LIMITATION UPON DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OF, AND MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS OF, PRINCIPAL INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY.

Subject to the provisions of Section 11.2 hereof, (i) sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, voting stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) of its Principal Insurance Subsidiary or permit its Principal Insurance Subsidiary to issue (except to the Company) any shares of, securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, voting stock of the Principal Insurance Subsidiary, except for sales, assignments, transfers or other dispositions that:

(a) are for fair market value on the date thereof, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (which determination shall be conclusive) and, after giving effect to such disposition and to any possible dilution, the Company will own (directly or indirectly) not less than 80% of the shares of voting stock of its Principal Insurance Subsidiary then issued and outstanding free and clear of any Lien;

(b) are made in compliance with an order of a court or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, as a condition imposed by any such court or authority permitting the acquisition by the Company, directly or indirectly, of any other insurance company or health maintenance organization or entity the activities of which are legally permissible for a holding company of such entities or a subsidiary thereof to engage in, or as an undertaking made to such authority in connection with such an acquisition, which entity agrees to be bound by this covenant as the Principal Insurance Subsidiary; or

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(c) are made after such Principal Insurance Subsidiary, having obtained any necessary regulatory approvals, unconditionally guarantees payment when due of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and agrees to comply with the restrictions that are applicable to it hereunder; or

(d) are made to the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary if such wholly owned Subsidiary agrees to be bound by this covenant as the Principal Insurance Subsidiary and the Company agrees to maintain such wholly owned Subsidiary as a wholly owned Subsidiary.

or, (ii) permit the Principal Insurance Subsidiary to (a) merge or consolidate, unless the surviving corporation meets the requirements of the following paragraph; or (b) convey, transfer, lease or sell its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, except to an entity that meets the requirements of the following paragraph.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Principal Insurance Subsidiary may be merged into or consolidated with another insurance company or health maintenance organization organized under the laws of the United States of America, any province or state thereof, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia if, after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary owns at least 80% of the voting stock of such other insurance company or health maintenance organization then issued and outstanding free and clear of any Lien and if, immediately after giving effect thereto and treating any such resulting institution thereafter as the Principal Insurance Subsidiary and as a Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement, no Default has occurred and is continuing.

11.5. LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES.

Create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective, any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distribution on its capital stock, (ii) make any loans or advances to the Company, or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company, to the extent such encumbrance or restriction materially affects the ability of the Company to comply with all its material obligations, including its obligations hereunder. The foregoing limitations shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (a) any encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to an agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement, (b) any restrictions, with respect to a Person that is not a Subsidiary on the date of this Agreement, under any agreement in existence at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (unless such agreement was entered into in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary on or after the date of this Agreement), (c) any restrictions existing under any agreement that amends, refinances or replaces the agreement containing restrictions described in the foregoing clauses (a) and
(b) and this clause (c), provided that the terms and conditions of any such restrictions, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Holders of the Notes than those under the agreement so amended, refinanced or replaced,
(d) customary non-assignment or sublease provisions of any lease governing a leasehold interest of any Subsidiary, (e) those imposed by

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applicable law or regulation, (f) those imposed by an agreement with a regulatory authority, and (g) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary. This Section 11.5 shall not apply as long as the Notes are rated in one of the four highest rating categories by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

11.6. LIMITATION ON ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS.

Incur or permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur or become liable with respect to any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, unless after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof the Consolidated Debt Service Coverage Ratio of the Company shall be equal to or greater than 1.25 to 1.00. For purposes hereof, the Consolidated Debt Service Coverage Ratio, as of any date of determination, means the ratio of (1) net income for the most recent four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been made available to the Holders, plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization for such period, to the extent deducted from revenues in calculating net income, to (2) principal and interest payable with respect to Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, all calculated on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP. This Section 11.6 shall not apply as long as the Notes are rated in one of the four highest rating categories by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

11.7. WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 10.5, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5 and 11.6 hereof, if before the time for such compliance, the Majority Holders shall by act of such holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent expressly so waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company in respect of such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

12. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

An "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

(a) failure to pay interest on the Notes for more than five (5) days after the payment is due; or

(b) failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any Note when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or

(c) any breach of Section 11.1 hereof, which breach remains unremedied for thirty (30) days; or

(d) any breach of Section 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5 or 11.6 hereof; or

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(e) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary to observe or perform in any material respect any other covenant contained herein for thirty (30) days after the Majority Holders give written notice to the Company thereof; or

(f) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary shall default in the payment of any principal or interest due (regardless of amount) under any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money in an aggregate principal amount in excess of Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000), which default shall have resulted in such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within thirty
(30) days after written notice of such default shall have been given to the Company or such Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, requesting such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating the such notice is a "notice of default" hereunder; provided, that if such default shall be cured by the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of such Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, the Event of Default hereunder by reason thereof shall likewise be deemed to have been cured without any action on the part of any of the holders; or

(g) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of Five Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000) shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be fully covered by insurance, and there is a period of sixty (60) days following such judgment during which such judgment or decree is not discharged, waived, or the execution thereof stayed; or

(h) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company or any Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary under any applicable United States federal, state or provincial bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days; or

(i) the institution by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable United States federal, state or provincial bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the consent

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by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action.

13. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.

13.1. ACCELERATION.

(a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Company described in paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 12 has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

(b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Majority Holders may, at their option, by notice given to the Company as provided for herein, declare all the Notes to be immediately due and payable.

Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 13.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived.

13.2. OTHER REMEDIES.

If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 13.1, you may proceed to protect and enforce your rights by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in the Notes, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

13.3. RESCISSION.

At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of Section 13.1, by written notice to the Company, the Majority Holders may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (i) the Company has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of the Notes that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (ii) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant

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to Section 17, and (iii) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto to the holders of the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 13.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

13.4. NO WAIVERS OR ELECTION OF REMEDIES, EXPENSES, ETC.

No course of dealing and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice the holder's rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or by the Notes shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under
Section 15, the Company will pay on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 13, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements.

14. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES.

14.1. REGISTRATION OF NOTES.

The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of the Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. If and as applicable, the Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor, promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.

14.2. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.

Upon surrender of any Note at the principal executive office of the Company for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or his attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the address for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Company's expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000),

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provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000). Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representations set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3.

14.3. REPLACEMENT OF NOTES.

Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor which is the registered holder, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, the Purchasers or an Institutional Investor with a minimum net worth of at least One Hundred Million United States Dollars (US$100,000,000), such Person's own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

15. PAYMENTS ON NOTES.

15.1. PLACE OF PAYMENT.

Subject to Section 15.2, payments of principal becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either a principal office of the Company in Puerto Rico or a principal office of a bank or trust company in Puerto Rico. Interest shall be payable by check mailed to the registered holders of the Notes at their address set forth in the registration books held by the Company or, in the case of holders of at least One Million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000) in aggregate principal amount, by wire transfer to the account set forth in such registration books.

15.2. HOME OFFICE PAYMENT.

So long as you or your nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 15.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below your name in Schedule A, or by such other method or at such other address as you shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for

23

such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or redemption in full of any Note, you shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section
15.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by you or your nominee you will, at your election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 15.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by you under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as you have made in this Section 15.2.

16. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

The representations and warranties contained in Section 5 hereof shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and the purchase by you of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of you. Such representations and warranties are not for the benefit of any subsequent holder of the Notes. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Company under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding between you and the Company and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

17.1. REQUIREMENTS.

This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Majority Holders and the Company, except that (a) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to you unless consented to by you in writing, and
(b) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) subject to the provisions of Section 13 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any redemption or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest on, the Notes, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or
(iii) amend any of Sections 8, 12(a), 12(b), 13, 17 or 20 hereof.

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17.2. SOLICITATION OF HOLDERS OF NOTES.

(a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with the same information provided to any other holders with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

(b) Payment. The Company will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes or any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of the Notes, unless such remuneration is concurrently offered (and paid if accepted) or paid, or security is concurrently offered (and granted if accepted) or granted, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

17.3. BINDING EFFECT, ETC.

Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Company and the holder of any Note and no delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note.

17.4. NOTES HELD BY COMPANY, ETC.

Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

17.5. CONSENT OF MAJORITY HOLDERS.

Whenever consent of the holders of Notes is required by this Agreement, the Company will request the consent of such holders through written notice to each holder of

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record. The Company may engage the services of a third party in order to assist the Company to obtain consent of said holders of the Notes.

18. NOTICES.

All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent either by (a) telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (b) registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

(a) if to you or your nominee, to you or it at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as you or it shall have specified to the Company in writing,

(b) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or

(c) if to the Company, to the Company at 1441 F. D. Roosevelt Avenue, Sixth Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920, Attention:
Chief Financial Officer, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.

Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.

19. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by you at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to you, may be reproduced by you by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, microcard, miniature photographic or other similar process and you may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by you in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Company or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

20. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

For the purposes of this Section 20, "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" means information delivered to you by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by you as being confidential

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information of the Company or such Affiliate, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to you prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by you or any person acting on your behalf or (c) otherwise becomes known to you other than through disclosure by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates or as a result of a breach of a confidentiality agreement (which breach is known to you). You will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information and will not disclose it to other Persons and (except in connection with your holding of Notes and exercise of rights under the Notes or this Agreement) will not use it, provided that you may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) your directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by your Notes and provided such recipients are advised of the confidential nature of such information), (ii) your financial advisors and other professional advisors (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to your investment in the Notes) who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder (unless known by you to be a competitor of the Company) of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor (unless known by you to be a competitor of the Company) to which you sell or offer to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person (unless known by you to be a competitor of the Company) from which you offer to purchase any security of the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) as may be required by any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over you, (vii) as may be required by any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about your investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to you, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which you are a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent you may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under your Notes and this Agreement. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, on reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder under this Agreement, such holder will enter into a separate agreement with the Company embodying and confirming the provisions of this Section 20.

21. MISCELLANEOUS.

21.1. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not.

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21.2. PAYMENTS DUE ON NON-BUSINESS DAYS.

Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, any payment of principal of or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

21.3. SEVERABILITY.

Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

21.4. CONSTRUCTION.

Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, which action such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken by such Person or on such Person's behalf. Titles and headings of the sections of this Agreement appear as a matter of convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. The words "HEREIN," "HEREOF," "HEREUNDER" and "HERETO" refer to this Agreement as a whole. The term "INCLUDING" means "INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION" whether or not so expressed. All currencies used herein are U.S. dollars.

21.5. COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.

21.6. GOVERNING LAW.

This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law which might make the laws of any other jurisdiction applicable.

* * * * *

28

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please so indicate by signing the acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement among you and the Company.

Very truly yours,

TRIPLE - S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

  /s/
___________________________________
        Juan Jose Roman, CPA
      Vice President of Finance and
        Chief Financial Officer

The foregoing is hereby agreed
to as of the date thereof:

First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund III, Inc. First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund IV, Inc. First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund V, Inc. First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc.
First Puerto Rico Tax-Advantaged Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. First Puerto Rico Income Opportunities Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. First Puerto Rico AAA Target Maturity Fund I, Inc. First Puerto Rico AAA Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. First Puerto Rico Equity Opportunities Fund, Inc. First Puerto Rico Growth and Income Fund, Inc.

By:   /s/
     ____________________________________________________
     Name:  Juan C. Batlle
     Title:  Senior Vice President

29

SCHEDULE A

INFORMATION RELATING TO PURCHASERS

                                                                                             Principal Amount of
Name and Address of Purchasers                                                              Notes to be Purchased
------------------------------                                                              ---------------------
First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.                                     $  1,800,000.00
First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund III, Inc.                                    $  2,000,000.00
First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund IV, Inc.                                     $  1,000,000.00
First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund V, Inc.                                      $  2,500,000.00
First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc.                                                        $  2,500,000.00
First Puerto Rico Tax-Advantaged Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.                                 $  7,000,000.00
First Puerto Rico Income Opportunities Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.                           $ 32,950,000.00
First Puerto Rico AAA Target Maturity Fund I, Inc.                                             $  3,500,000.00
First Puerto Rico AAA Target Maturity Fund II, Inc.                                            $  4,500,000.00
First Puerto Rico Equity Opportunities Fund, Inc.                                              $  1,250,000.00
First Puerto Rico Growth and Income Fund, Inc.                                                 $  1,000,000.00

All payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to:

Citibank, N.A.

ABA 021000089

For further credit to each Purchaser's DDA account specified below:

1.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. DDA acct 36200856

2.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund III, Inc. DDA acct 36203168

3.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund IV, Inc. DDA acct 36205649

4.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Target Maturity Fund V, Inc. DDA acct 36206748

5.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund, Inc. DDA acct 36207513

6.) First Puerto Rico Tax-Advantaged Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. DDA acct 36240858

Schedule A


7.) First Puerto Rico Target Maturity Income Opportunities Fund II, Inc. DDA acct 36245085

8.) First Puerto Rico AAA Target Maturity Fund I, Inc DDA acct 36242386

9.) First Puerto Rico AAA Target Maturity Fund II, Inc. DDA acct 36243717

10.) First Puerto Rico Equities Opportunities Fund, Inc. DDA acct 36203504

11.) First Puerto Rico Growth and Income, Inc. DDA acct 36780643

with sufficient information to identify the source and application of such funds.

All notices of payments and written confirmations of such wire transfers

Santander Asset Management
Suite 900, 221 Ponce de Leon Ave
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00917-1825
Att: Frank Serra Operations Vice-President

(3) All other communications:

Santander Asset Management
Suite 900, 221 Ponce de Leon Ave
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00917-1825
Att: Frank Serra Operations Vice-President

Telephone 787-759-5342
Telefax 787-296-5435

(4) Notes are to be delivered to:
Santander Asset Management Corporation, as investment advisor for the Purchasers

Schedule A


SCHEDULE B

DEFINED TERMS

As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the section hereof following such term:

"AFFILIATE" means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to an "AFFILIATE" is a reference to an Affiliate of the Company.

"ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS" means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and other requirements relating to applicable anti-money laundering rules, including the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the "PATRIOT ACT"), the regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control thereunder and other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws, statutes, regulations and internal rules in connection therewith.

"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in San Juan, Puerto Rico are required or authorized to be closed.

"CLOSING" is defined in Section 3.

"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder as in effect on the Closing.

"COMPANY" means Triple-S Management Corporation, a Puerto Rico corporation.

"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" is defined in Section 20.

"CONTROL" (and the correlative terms thereof) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

"DEFAULT" means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.

"DEFAULT RATE" means that rate of interest that is the greater of (i) two percent (2%) per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes or (ii) two percent (2%) over the rate of interest publicly announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. in New York City as its "BASE" or "PRIME" rate for U.S. dollar commercial loans.

"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the

B-1

protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

"ERISA AFFILIATE" means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with the Company under section 210 of ERISA.

"EVENT OF DEFAULT" is defined in Section 12.

"EXCHANGE ACT" is defined in Section 7.1(a).

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America.

"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means

(a) the government of

(i) the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any State of the United States or other political subdivision thereof, or

(ii) any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or

(b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

"GROUP MEMBER" shall mean the Company and each of its Subsidiaries.

"HOLDER" means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1.

"INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY" means any obligation (whether present or future or secured or unsecured) for the payment or repayment of money borrowed or raised (whether or not for a cash consideration), by whatever means (including deposits and financial leasing or under or pursuant to any letter of credit (once such letter of credit shall have been drawn upon) to secure financial accommodation, promissory note, certificate of deposit or like instrument (whether negotiable or otherwise) or any acceptance credit facility, note purchase facility or bill acceptance or discounting facility or like arrangement entered into) by any Person in order to enable it to finance its operations or capital requirements; it being acknowledged that reimbursement obligations in respect of advance payments made by or on behalf of third party

B-2

customers in relation to purchase orders to the Company are not "INDEBTEDNESS
FOR BORROWED MONEY."

"INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR" means (a) any original purchaser of a Note and
(b) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, trust, corporation, partnership or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form that is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act; provided, however, that any investment company licensed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which otherwise meets the criteria of an "accredited investor" under Rule
501(a), shall qualify as an "INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR".

"LIEN" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, prior claim, security interest or other charge or encumbrance and any deferred purchase, sale-and-purchase or sale-and-leaseback arrangement and any other arrangement of a like or similar effect.

"MAJORITY HOLDERS" means the holders of Notes representing in the aggregate a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

"MATERIAL" means, with respect to any Person, material in relation to the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided that for purposes of this Agreement, any amount or obligation shall be deemed to be "material" if it equals or exceeds 10% of the Company's consolidated stockholder's equity, as set forth in the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements of the Company filed with the SEC or otherwise delivered to the holders of the Notes.

"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Notes, or (c) the validity or enforceability against the Company of this Agreement or the Notes.

"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means any Plan that is a "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

"NOTES" is defined in Section 1.

"OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of such Person whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

"OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion of counsel from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Majority Holders. The counsel may be an employee of, or external counsel to the Company.

"PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

B-3

"PLAN" means an "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.

"PRINCIPAL INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY" means Triple-S, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

"PRIRC" means the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994, as amended.

"PROPERTY" or "PROPERTIES" means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.

"PRUSA" is defined in Section 6.1(a).

"PURCHASERS" means the Persons named as such in Schedule A of this Agreement.

"QPAM EXEMPTION" means Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 issued by the United States Department of Labor.

"REDEMPTION DATE" is defined in Section 9.1.

"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Company with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this agreement.

"RISK-BASED CAPITAL RATIO" ("RBC") means the Risk-based capital ratio of the Company computed in accordance with the formula promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to measure the amount of capital required from time to time to support the consolidated business operations of holding companies principally engaged in the business of the Company, considering, among others, the size of its assets, risk profile and reserve items.

"SEC" is defined in Section 7.1(a).

"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

"SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER" means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of any Person.

"SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary (including its Subsidiaries) of the Company which (1) is principally engaged in (a) the healthcare and medical insurance business as an insurance company or a health maintenance organization, (b) the property and casualty insurance business, or (c) the life insurance business, and (2) meets any of the following conditions: (i) the Company's and its other Subsidiaries' investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 20 percent of the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; (ii) the Company's and its other Subsidiaries' proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 20 percent of the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated

B-4

as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or (iii) the Company's and its other Subsidiaries' equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of the Subsidiary exceeds 20 percent of such income of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; provided, however, that for purposes of paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 12 hereof, the term "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Company which generates gross revenues in an amount that exceeds 20 percent of the consolidated gross revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

"SUBSIDIARY" means with respect to any Person, any other Person more than fifty percent of whose stock or other equity interest of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors (or equivalent officials) of such other Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock or other equity interests of any class or classes of such other Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person, directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a "SUBSIDIARY" is a reference to a Subsidiary of the Company.

"TREASURY" means the Puerto Rico Treasury Department.

"WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding voting stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by the Company, or by one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company or by the Company and one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company.

B-5

SCHEDULE 5.3

Financial Statements of the Company

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company for the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2004 and Non-Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company for the quarter ended on September 30, 2005.

Sch 5.3 -1


SCHEDULE 5.6

Litigation

(i) Drs. Carlyle Benavent and Ibrahim Perez (the plaintiffs) caused the initiation of an administrative proceeding before the Puerto Rico Commissioner of Insurance (the "Commissioner") against the Company and Triple-S, Inc. ("TSI"), one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, alleging the illegality of the repurchase and subsequent sale of 1,582 shares of TSI's common stock due to the fact that the ultimate purchasers of said shares were selected on an improper and selective basis by the Company in violation of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code. The plaintiffs alleged that they were illegally excluded from participation in the sale of shares by TSI due to the illegally selective nature of the sale of shares and that, consequently the sale of shares should be eliminated.

On December 1996, the Commissioner issued an order to annul the sale of the 1,582 shares that TSI had repurchased from the estate of deceased stockholders. TSI contested such orders through an administrative and judicial review process. Consequently, the sale of 1,582 shares was cancelled and the purchase price was returned to each former stockholder. In the year 2000, the Commissioner issued a pronouncement providing further clarification of the content and effect of the order. This order also required that all corporate decisions undertaken by TSI through the vote of its stockholders of record, be ratified in a stockholders' meeting or in a subsequent referendum. In November 2000, the Company, as the sole stockholder of TSI, ratified all such decisions. Furthermore, on November 19, 2000, the Company held a special stockholders' meeting, where a ratification of these decisions was undertaken except for the resolution related to the approval of the reorganization of TSI and its subsidiaries. This resolution did not reach the two thirds majority required by the order because the number of shares that were present and represented at the meeting was below such amount (total shares present and represented in the stockholders' meeting was 64%). As stipulated in the order, the Company began the process to conduct a referendum among its stockholders in order to ratify such resolution. The process was later suspended because upon further review of the scope of the order, the Commissioner issued an opinion in a letter dated January 8, 2002 which indicated that the ratification of the corporate reorganization was not required.

In another letter dated March 14, 2002, the Commissioner stated that the ratification of the corporate reorganization was not required and that TSI had complied with the Commissioner's order of December 6, 1996 related to the corporate reorganization. Thereafter, the plaintiffs filed a petition for review of the Commissioner's determination before the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals. Such petition was opposed by TSI and by the Commissioner.

Pursuant to that review, on September 24, 2002, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order requiring the Commissioner to order a meeting of stockholders to ratify TSI's corporate reorganization and the change of name of TSI from Seguros de Servicio de Salud de Puerto Rico, Inc. to Triple-S, Inc. The Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals

Sch 5.6 -1


based its decision on administrative and procedural issues directed at the Commissioner. The Commissioner filed a motion of reconsideration with the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals on October 11, 2002. TSI and the Company also filed a motion of reconsideration.

On October 25, 2002, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Commissioner's Motion for Reconsideration and ordered the plaintiffs to reply to TSI's and the Company's Motion of Reconsideration.

On May 18, 2003, the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals granted TSI's and the Company's Motion of Reconsideration. The Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Commissioner had the authority to waive the celebration of a referendum to ratify TSI's reorganization and that therefore the reorganization of TSI, inasmuch as the 1,582 shares annulled were not decisive, was approved by the stockholders.

On June 26, 2003, the two stockholders presented a writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. TSI and the Company filed a motion opposing the issuance of the writ. The writ was issued by the Supreme Court on August 22, 2003, when it ordered the Puerto Rico Circuit Court of Appeals to transmit the record of the case. On December 1, 2003, the plaintiffs filed a motion submitting their case on the basis of their original petition. TSI and the Company filed its brief on December 30, 2003, while the Commissioner, in turn, filed a separate brief on December 31, 2003. On June 24, 2004 the Supreme Court ordered the plaintiffs to file a brief in support of their allegations. The case is still pending before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. It is the opinion of management that the corporate reorganization as approved is in full force and effect.

(ii) On September 4, 2003, Jose Sanchez and others filed a putative class action complaint against the Company, present and former directors of the Company and TSI, and others, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, alleging violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as the RICO Act. The suit, among other allegations, alleges a scheme to defraud the plaintiffs by acquiring control of TSI through illegally capitalizing TSI and later converting it to a for-profit corporation and depriving the stockholders of their ownership rights. The plaintiffs base their later allegations on the supposed decisions of TSI's board of directors and stockholders, allegedly made in 1979, to operate with certain restrictions in order to turn TSI into a charitable corporation, basically forever. On March 4, 2005 the Court issued an Opinion and Order. In this Opinion and Order, of the twelve counts included in the complaint, eight counts were dismissed for failing to assert an actionable injury; six of them for lack of standing and two for failing to plead with sufficient particularity in compliance with the Rules. All shareholder allegations, including those described above, were dismissed in the Opinion and Order. The remaining four counts were found standing, in a limited way, in the Opinion and Order. Finally, the Court ordered that by March 24, 2005 one of the counts left standing be replead to conform to the Rules and that by March 28, 2005 a proposed schedule for discovery and other submissions be filed. The count was amended and accepted by the Court, the discovery schedule was submitted. The parties just finished class certification discovery. On

Sch 5.6 -2


November 30, 2005, Plaintiffs filed their briefs in support of their request for class certification. Defendants filed their opposition on December 14, 2005. This case is still pending before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

(iii) On April 24, 2002, Octavio Jordan, Agripino Lugo, Ramon Vidal, and others filed a suit against the Company, TSI and others in the Court of First Instance for San Juan, Superior Section, alleging, among other things, violations by the defendants of provisions of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, practices, unfair business practices and damages in the amount of $12.0 million. They also requested that the Company sell shares to them. After a preliminary review of the complaint, it appears that many of the allegations brought by the plaintiffs have been resolved in favor of the Company and TSI in previous cases brought by the same plaintiffs in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and by most of the plaintiffs in the local courts. The defendants, including the Company and TSI answered the complaint, filed a counterclaim and filed several motions to dismiss this claim. On February 18, 2005 the plaintiffs informed their intention to amend the complaint and the Court granted then 45 days to do so and 90 days to defendants to file the corresponding motion to dismiss. On May 9, 2005 the plaintiffs filed the amended complaint and defendants are preparing the corresponding motions to dismiss this amended complaint. The plaintiffs amended the complaint to allege similar causes of action dismissed by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in the Sanchez case. Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. Plaintiffs have notified their opposition to some of the defendants' motions to dismiss. Defendants will reply once the oppositions to all of the defendant's motions are notified.

(iv) On May 22, 2003 a putative class action suit was filed by Kenneth A. Thomas, M.D. and Michael Kutell, M.D., on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated and the Connecticut State Medical Society against the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association ("BCBSA") and multiple other insurance companies, including TSI. The case is pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami District.

The individual plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated physicians seeking redress for alleged illegal acts of the defendants which they allege have resulted in a loss of their property and a detriment to their business, and for declaratory and injunctive relief to end those practices and prevent further losses. Plaintiffs alleged that the defendants, on their own and as part of a common scheme, systematically deny, delay and diminish the payments due to doctors so that they are not paid in a timely manner for the covered, medically necessary services they render.

The class action complaint alleges that the health care plans are the agents of BCBSA licensed entities, and as such have committed the acts alleged above and acted within the scope of their agency, with the consent, permission, authorization and knowledge of the others, and in furtherance of both their interest and the interests of other defendants.

Management believes that TSI was brought to this litigation for the sole reason of being associated with BCBSA. However, on June 18, 2004, the plaintiffs moved to amend the

Sch 5.6 -3


complaint to include the Colegio de Medicos Cirujanos de Puerto Rico (a compulsory association grouping all physicians in Puerto Rico), Marissel Velazquez, M.D., President of Colegio de Medicos y Cirujanos de Puerto Rico, and Andres Melendez, M.D., as plaintiffs against TSI. Later, Marissel Velazquez, M.D. voluntarily dismissed her complaint against TSI.

TSI, along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint under multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act.

(v) On December 8, 2003 a putative class action was filed by Jeffrey Solomon, M.D., and Orlando Armstrong, M.D., on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated and the American Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, California Podiatric Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association, Texas Podiatric Medical Association, and Independent Chiropractic Physicians, against BCBSA and multiple other insurance companies, including TSI, all members of BCBSA. The case is still pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami District.

The individual plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated physicians seeking redress for alleged illegal acts of the defendants which are alleged to have resulted in a loss of plaintiff's property and a detriment to their business, and for declaratory and injunctive relief to end those practices and prevent further losses. Plaintiffs alleged that the defendants, on their own and as part of a common scheme, systematically deny, delay and diminish the payment due to the doctors so that they are not paid in a timely manner for the covered, medically necessary services they render.

The class action complaint alleges that the health care plans are the agents of BCBSA licensed entities, and as such have committed the acts alleged above and acted within the scope of their agency, with the consent, permission, authorization and knowledge of the others, and in furtherance of both their interest and the interests of other defendants.

On June 25, 2004, the plaintiffs amended the complaint but the allegations against TSI did not vary. TSI, along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint under multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act. Management believes that TSI was made a party to this litigation for the sole reason that TSI is associated with BCBSA. TSI, along with the other defendants, moved to dismiss the complaint under multiple grounds, including but not limited to arbitration and applicability of the McCarran Ferguson Act.

Sch 5.6 -4


SCHEDULE 5.8

Liens

The Company's real properties located at 1441 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue in San Juan, Puerto Rico and 1510 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico are subject to a mortgage in favor of FirstBank Puerto Rico, as collateral to a credit agreement between the Company and FirstBank Puerto Rico dated as of June 29, 1999, as amended on August 30, 2001.

Sch 5.9 -1


SCHEDULE 5.13

Existing Indebtedness for Borrowed Money

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

                                                                                Principal Amount
                                                                                Outstanding as of
Lender                                       Description                        Sept. 30, 2005
------                                       -----------                        --------------
FirstBank Puerto Rico                       Secured Loan                           $29,500,000

FirstBank Puerto Rico                       Secured Note                           $11,500,000

Santander Family of Funds                   Guaranty of Triple-S, Inc.             $50,000,000
                                            6.30% Senior Unsecured Notes
                                            due September 2019

TRIPLE-S, INC.

                                                                       Principal Amount
                                                                       Outstanding as of
Lender                              Description                        Sept. 30, 2005
------                              -----------                        --------------
Triple-S Management Corporation     Surplus Note                           $26,000,000

Santander Family of Funds           Senior Unsecured Notes                 $50,000,000
                                    6.30% Senior Unsecured Notes
                                    due September 2019

Sch 5.13 -1


EXHIBIT 1

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

6.60% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE DUE DECEMBER 2020

No. [-] December [-], 2005 US[$__________] [ ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (herein called the "COMPANY"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, hereby promises to pay to [-], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [-] DOLLARS (US$-) on December 21, 2020, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance thereof at the rate of six and six tenths percent (6.60%) per annum from the date hereof, payable monthly in arrears, on the first (1st) day of each month, commencing on January 1, 2006, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable; and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal and any overdue payment of interest, payable monthly as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand), at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the Default Rate (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement); provided, however, that, in the event that the Company's Risk Based Capital Ratio (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) is less than three hundred seventy-five percent (375%) during a period of at least one year, the interest rate payable on the principal hereof on any interest payment date after the expiration of such year shall increase to six and seventy-five tenths percent (6.75%) per annum while such condition exists.

The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided in Section 9.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement, redeem and prepay prior to maturity from time to time, all or any part of the principal hereof on or after January 1, 2011 at a price equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of principal to be redeemed together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption specified by the Company (the "REDEMPTION DATE").

The Company will give the holder of this Note written notice of any redemption under Section 9.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement not less than thirty
(30) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to any Redemption Date.

Payments of principal with respect to this Note shall to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of the Company in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Exh 1-1


or at such other place in Puerto Rico as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note is one of a series of Senior Unsecured Notes issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated December 15, 2005, as from time to time amended or as the terms thereof may be waived (the "NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), between the Company and the Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, (i) to have agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in
Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) to have made the representations set forth in Section 6 of the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note is registered in a register kept at the principal executive office of the Company and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without regard to any principles of conflicts of law which might apply the laws of any other jurisdiction.

TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

By: /s/
   -------------------------------------
Name:  Juan Jose Roman, CPA
Title:  Vice President of Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

Exh 1-2


EXHIBIT 2-A

Form of Opinion of Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLP

1. The Note Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Purchasers) constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

2. The Notes have been duly authorized by the Company for offer, sale, issuance and delivery pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and, when issued and delivered in the manner provided for in the Note Purchase Agreement and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor provided for in the Note Purchase Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

3. No filing with, or approval, authorization, consent, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes or for the performance by the Company of the transactions contemplated in the Note Purchase Agreement, except such as have been previously made, obtained or rendered, as applicable.

Exh 2-A-1


EXHIBIT 2-B

Form of Opinion of Enrique R. Ubarri Baragano

1 The Company, and each of its Significant Subsidiaries, has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is in good standing with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

2. The Company, and each of its Significant Subsidiaries, has the corporate power and authority to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged.

3. The Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company (assuming, with respect to the Note Purchase Agreement and any Notes issued to a Purchaser, the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Note Purchase Agreement by such Purchaser), enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and (ii) the application of equitable principles and the availability of equitable remedies.

4. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes do not and will not (i) in any material respect contravene, result in any breach of, constitute a default under, require the consent of any party or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or by which their properties may be bound or affected, (ii) contravene, result in any breach of or constitute a default under an agreement with any Governmental Authority, (iii) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

5. To the best of your knowledge and information, the conduct of the respective businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not in violation of any federal, state or local statute, administrative regulation or other law, which violation is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries have obtained all material licenses as are necessary or required for the conduct of their businesses as presently conducted.

6. To the best of your knowledge and information, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6 of the Note Purchase Agreement, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or

Exh 2-B-1


threatened against or affecting the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties, in any court or before any arbitrator or administrative agency of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no order, judgment, decree or ruling, which could reasonably be expected to have such a material adverse effect, has been issued against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority.

Exh 2-B-2


EXHIBIT 3

ELECTION FOR NO INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

The undersigned hereby requests that no Puerto Rico income tax withholding be made on his/her/its interest payments on the Notes. The undersigned certifies that he/she/it is either:

- Individual resident of Puerto Rico or Puerto Rico corporation electing out of the income tax withholding;

- United States citizen not resident of Puerto Rico not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation;

- Individual not citizen of the United States and not resident of Puerto Rico not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation;

- Corporation or partnership organized outside Puerto Rico not engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation;

- A tax exemption entity not subject to Puerto Rico income taxation:


_________________ (specify); or

- Other: _________________ (specify)

Very truly yours,

By: _________________________________ Name:


Title:*
Company:*


* Applicable only to legal entities.

Exh 3-1


 

Exhibit 13.1
(PICTURE)

 


 

TRIPLE-S GROUP
The Triple-S Group reasserts itself as the undisputed leader in Puerto Rico’s insurance industry, where it holds a privileged position as the second largest locally owned company.
To satisfy the growing needs and expectations of our people, and propelled by its financial strength, the company experienced an accelerated expansion and diversification process which culminated in 1999 with the creation of Triple-S Management Corporation, a holding company that coordinates the efforts of all its affiliates. These include:
TRIPLE-S, INC.
The leading health insurer on the Island, where it serves 1.2 million people. Established in 1959, it offers the largest health provider network in Puerto Rico to its individual and group plan beneficiaries.
TRIPLE-C, INC.
Manages the Puerto Rico Health Reform, seeking to ensure access to quality health services to the Island’s medically indigent population. It is also a Third-Party Administrator (TPA). Operates a health assistance phone line with McKesson, which serves the Puerto Rico and U.S. markets from its Island-based center.
SEGUROS TRIPLE-S, INC.
While its original mission was to provide professional malpractice insurance to physicians in Puerto Rico, it further expanded its reach to protect all our people by offering a complete array of property and casualty individual and commercial insurance policies.
INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
From one of the most technologically advanced centers in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, this company provides innovative computer solutions to all of the Group’s affiliates. It operates the Electronic Health System to effectively process the claims of the more than 10,000 providers that are part of the health network coordinated by Triple-S, Inc.
SIGNATURE INSURANCE AGENCY
With over 30 years in the market, in 2004 it became the third largest general insurance agency in Puerto Rico. Stemming from the corporation’s diversification strategy, the agency, which was exclusively selling property and casualty insurance products, now sells life insurance for the Triple-S Group.
SEGUROS DE VIDA TRIPLE-S, INC.
After more than 20 years of success in the local market, it reaffirms its position as one of the leading individual and group life and disability insurance companies in Puerto Rico.
GA LIFE
It is considered one of the top individual life insurance companies in Puerto Rico. Its insurance product portfolio includes life, cancer, annuities and funeral coverage. Since early 2006, it is part of the Triple-S Group, helping to consolidate the corporation’s leadership in the individual and group life insurance market.

 


 

(PICTURE)
ANTICIPATE. DIVERSIFY. EXPAND. EXPLORE. INTEGRATE. COLLABORATE. STRENGTHEN. FOLLOWING THAT ACTION PLAN, THE TRIPLE-S GROUP STEADILY CONTINUES MOVING FORWARD.
This visionary corporation has experienced a profound transformation during the past year, allowing it to stay ahead of the Puerto Rico insurance industry and set the stage to continue its constant evolution.
As a result of its aggressive diversification strategy, the Triple-S Group further strengthened its leadership position in each and every one of the insurance business lines it represents: health, life and property and casualty.
By anticipating the consumers’ needs, it has been able to successfully overcome the challenges posed by the highly competitive and
ever-changing insurance industry. It has gone beyond providing innovative services that better serve Puerto Rico, to explore other markets even beyond our frontiers.
And, the Triple-S Group keeps focusing on finding new ways to be a one-stop-shop that provides an insurance solution for every life stage of a person or business. By doing so, it will continue to forge an even brighter future for the Corporation and for Puerto Rico.

 


 

(PICTURE)
Triple-S Group
Financial Highlights
                                         
(dollar amounts in thousands)   2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  
 
Gross premiums*
  $ 1,591,109     $ 1,478,125     $ 1,424,522     $ 1,387,331     $ 1,289,773  
Claims incurred*
    1,404,827       1,285,717       1,217,156       1,203,118       1,147,319  
Operating expenses
    181,703       171,879       165,149       148,539       140,830  
Net income
    28,433       45,803       26,229       48,249       21,715  
Assets
    1,137,462       919,657       834,623       721,892       655,805  
Capital
    308,703       301,433       254,255       231,664       186,028  
Return on assets (ROA)
    2.5 %     5.0 %     3.1 %     6.7 %     3.3 %
Return on equity (ROE)
    9.2 %     15.2 %     10.3 %     20.8 %     11.7 %
Net income to premiums
    1.8 %     3.1 %     1.8 %     3.5 %     1.7 %
Underwriting gain to premiums
    0.3 %     1.4 %     3.0 %     2.6 %     0.1 %
 
* Includes amounts attributable to self-funded arrangements.
moving forward | page 2 |

 


 

Triple-S Group annual report   | page 3 |
Triple-S Management Corporation
Letter from the Chairman of the Board
“The Board of Directors approved that we take steps in order to further an initial public offering (IPO). Again, this reflects requests made by you, our shareholders.”
(PICTURE)
Last January, the Board of Directors made two important decisions for the future of our Corporation. First, it approved the first dividend in our history. This decision reflected mounting petitions from you, our shareholders, and a detailed analysis of legal and financial conditions surrounding the Corporation, as well as trends in the marketplace. The act of granting this historic dividend builds on the steps previously taken by other Boards for the benefit of our shareholders.
Likewise, the Board of Directors approved that we take steps in order to further an initial public offering (IPO). Again, this reflects requests made by you, our shareholders, and is the result of a careful analysis conducted by the Board of a study carried out by a prestigious investment banker. There is no doubt that Triple-S Group has an increasing need to access capital in order to fuel our continued expansion and the growth of our business lines, as well as the geographical markets that we serve.
We took a significant step in our corporate development and the diversification of our business with the acquisition of Great American Life Assurance Company of Puerto Rico, Inc. This company both complements and strengthens our subsidiary Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc., transforming us into the leading life insurance company in Puerto Rico.
The decision to pursue an IPO will culminate a number of very important aspects for you, our shareholders. For example, it will put an end to the discussion regarding the value of the shares, as well as the matter of their inheritance and transfer. The IPO will also serve to attract new shareholders to the Corporation. This will have the effect of increasing participation in issues related to our corporate development. As we take these steps, there will also be new responsibilities and obligations.

 


 

“The act of granting this historic dividend builds on the steps previously taken by other Boards for the benefit of our shareholders.”
As you may know, since 2003 we report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This results in greater transparency and protection of our assets under strict and rigorous regulations that promote a more solid and stable operation of our business.
The Board of Directors has been working hard to comply with the rulings and best practices of corporate governance as set by the SEC. These initiatives, as well as the closely coordinated work of the Board of Directors, will help speed up the steps needed to be taken for the IPO, once you, our shareholders, have approved the process.
We are deeply committed to the development of products and services in the insurance field that will allow consumers in Puerto Rico to have access to quality services that meet their need for the protection of their health, life, property and income.
This next year will be one of great changes for the Triple-S Group and for you, our shareholders. We will work together so that this Corporation will continue to set precedents. We will continue developing the strength of our Group to continue offering services that are accessible to the market. We acknowledge the importance that Triple-S holds for the people of Puerto Rico and we will strive so as to continue to merit our community’s high esteem.
-S- WILMER RODRíGUEZ SILVA
Wilmer Rodríguez Silva, MD
Chairman of the Board
moving forward | page 4 |

 


 

Triple-S Group annual report   | page 5 |
Triple-S Management Corporation
Letter from the President and Chief Executive Officer
“The purchase of GA Life, a company of $300 million in assets, grants us leadership in the individual life insurance segment of the market, which adds to our existing strengths in the area of health and property and casualty.”
(PICTURE)
Moving forward
Four years ago, in my first message to you, our shareholders, I spoke of a clear vision to move forward the Triple-S Group. The course that we fixed then would lead us to offer consumers in Puerto Rico more options, with more insurance products under one umbrella.
With that vision, we have consistently contributed to the corporate development of the company, to the value that we add to the Puerto Rican economy and to more and better options for our insured.
In 2005, we took decisive steps to advance the Group’s development strategy. Key to the strategy was the acquisition of Great American Life Assurance Company of Puerto Rico (GA Life), one of the leading individual life insurance companies in the market. GA Life’s stronghold is selling life insurance products directly to the consumer at his home, especially in Puerto Rico’s rural areas.
The purchase of GA Life, a company of $300 million in assets, grants us leadership in the individual life insurance segment of the market, which adds to our existing strengths in the areas of health and property and casualty. This highly profitable company complements our position in the area of life insurance, in which we hold a clear might in group life insurance products and services.
This acquisition grants us the force and solidity to strategically move forward our growth, and the capacity to expand beyond Puerto Rico. We completed the transaction in January of 2006 and, during this year, we will be merging the operation with the Group in the most effective way possible.

 


 

(PICTURE)

 


 

Triple-S Group annual report   | page 7 |
“In 2006 we took steps to promote an initial public offering, a fundamental step that will allow us to raise additional capital to advance the development of the Group and its geographic expansion to other markets.”
As we integrate GA Life into our portfolio of products, we are also taking another strategic step to support the diversification of our business under one umbrella, in which the consumer can satisfy all his insurance needs. To do so, we have positioned our general insurance agency, Signature Insurance Agency, as the leading distribution channel through which to sell life insurance products, in addition to the property and casualty products and services that it represented.
Another very relevant initiative of 2005 was the conclusion of a study that we had commissioned in 2004 from the firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. The objective of the study was to evaluate a number of different alternatives that the Company had to optimize its corporate development in order to support its growth and diversification strategy. The report concluded that one of the alternatives that the Corporation had in order to achieve its objectives was to transform from a private to a public company by way of an initial public offering. Therefore, in 2006 we took steps to promote an initial public offering, a fundamental step that will allow us to raise additional capital to advance the development of the Group and its geographic expansion to other markets. Similarly, an initial public offering will allow our shareholders to materialize any appreciation in the value of their investment in the Corporation. The decision to become a publicly traded company must be validated by you, our shareholders. The process of initiating a public offering of stocks will proceed, parallel to the daily operations of the subsidiaries that make up the Group. As the process moves forward, we will continue operating our business as usual.

 


 

health
         
(BAR CHART)
  (BAR CHART)   (BAR CHART)
Health
In 2005, our health insurance subsidiary participated actively in the market with various Medicare Advantage products to capture part of the market of people over the age of 65 years. We launched Medicare Óptimo and Medicare Óptimo Plus. We also designed Medicare Selecto for those who are eligible for Medicare and are also beneficiaries of the Government of Puerto Rico’s Health Insurance for the medically indigent.
We rounded our offer with a prescription-drug-benefit product, FarmaMed, under Part D of Medicare, for beneficiaries of traditional Medicare and those who opted for a Medicare Advantage product.
In the case of Medicare Óptimo, the first project with which we entered the market in 2005, we reached our goals. The participation of private health insurance companies in Medicare segment with the Medicare Advantage program is one of the most significant changes that took place in this market and one which will dramatically alter the way in which these beneficiaries receive services in Puerto Rico. The number of beneficiaries on the Island is reported to be more than 600,000.
We retained our leadership in the health insurance segment. However, the continued rise in healthcare costs and the current condition of our economy are challenges faced by our leading subsidiary, Triple-S, Inc.
Even under these difficult circumstances, we increased the number of contracts at Triple-S, Inc. by 3% and we kept the retention rate of our contracts at over 95%, which was our goal. Our high retention rate of our insured reflects
moving forward | page 8 |

 


 

Triple-S Group annual report   | page 9 |
     
property&casualty   life
the constant efforts made to improve our services in order to meet the health needs of our insured.
For a third consecutive year, federal employees granted us the highest grade in service and satisfaction, making us, once again, the health insurance company that best served federal employees among all health insurance companies in the United States.
The government’s delicate budgetary situation was reflected in a very challenging negotiation with the Health Services Administration (ASES, Spanish acronym), the agency that oversees the public Health Reform Program for the medically indigent.
Triple-S continued to lead in managing the regions with the largest number of people served under the Government’s Health Insurance Program. It fully participated in different efforts to modify the Reform Program model in order to better serve the medically indigent and improve their health.
Life
In our last report we indicated that we would be seeking new ways, during 2005, to make inroads in the individual life insurance market. After careful analysis, we concluded that the best option was to acquire GA Life, because of how it complemented our business and the short and long-term strengths it would generate. With this acquisition, we added products such as universal life insurance, varying term life products to meet the needs of our insured, and others.
Our subsidiary, Seguros de Vida Triple-S, also experienced during the year a positive response to the cancer policy it launched in 2004. Although this policy is for individuals and their families, we marketed it through our group clients, which became an efficient distribution channel.
Property and Casualty Products
Seguros Triple-S concluded another record year. It reaffirmed its leadership in commercial packages and in insuring homes through mortgages. It also finished another great year in terms of underwriting income and net income. The results diversified our consolidated net income; it contributed 35% of the Triple-S Group net income.

 


 

         
(BAR CHART)
  (BAR CHART)   (BAR CHART)
(PICTURE)

 


 

     
Triple-S Group annual report
  | page 11  |
technology
(PICTURE)
For the fifth consecutive year, it improved its portfolio’s loss ratio. These advances reflect a vision of becoming the leading property and casualty company in Puerto Rico. Beyond its financial results, Seguros Triple-S initiated a public education campaign about hurricanes and earthquakes called Protégete (Protect yourself). It designed an innovative tour for commercial malls that includes an earthquake and hurricane simulator to help people understand the damage caused by the varying degrees of intensity of tremors and of these catastrophic storms.
Internally, it continues implementing a far-reaching program to transform its service culture and the quality of its operation and services. This program, Seguro que sí , includes changes in processes, trainings and technological applications that will help to streamline steps for consumers, brokers and agents. This is a needed transformation to continue moving forward the vision of leadership pursued by Seguros Triple-S.
Technology
In 2005, we decided to invest in new information systems for two of our subsidiaries. These projects, which will last anywhere from two to four years as we migrate to new systems, will transform our processes and make us more agile and efficient. This will help us to focus on providing better service to our insured, businesses, providers, participants, and agents and brokers.
With these investments, we seek to develop new tools to improve all of the parameters that have made us leaders in this market, the speed with which we provide service to the insured, process claims and maintain our operational costs low, to continue making our products more accessible. In addition, we are in the process of expanding the number of transactions that can be conducted on our website.
The conversion of our systems will also give us the capacity to support the diversification strategy and cross-selling on the platforms of our subsidiaries.
Financial Results
In 2005, Triple-S Management Corporation reported an increase in its volume of gross premiums of 7.6%, or approximately $113 million, compared to 2004. This rise mostly reflects an increase in the average number of our insured; an increase in premiums and our participation in the Medicare Advantage market. We achieved this growth in spite of the heated competition in the insurance market.

 


 

social responsibility
The effect of the increase in gross premiums did not translate into a similar increase in net income. Two factors contributed to this: first, claims paid in 2005, including the costs of claims for cost-plus group contracts, rose by 9.5%, or $119 million, compared to the previous year. This amount reflects higher-than-expected utilization of health services in all segments, particularly in the Health Reform.
The second factor was market valuations. We reported a total investment income of $31.5 million in 2005, comprised of $29 million in invest income, $7.1 million in profits gained in the sale of financial instruments and an unrealized loss of $4.7 million in those available for sale. This contrasts with the fact that in 2004 the total investment income was $40.5 million.
Despite these two factors, we reported in 2005 a net income of $28.4 million, which indicates a drop in the net income we reported the previous year, yet compares favorably to the results achieved during the past five years. Results for 2005 reaffirm our commitment to continue diversifying our business lines to offer the Corporation greater growth alternatives.
Our total assets increased to 23.7% from $920 million on December 31st of 2004 to $1.13 billion on December 31st of 2005, due to the growth of our business and a reinsurance transaction related to the acquisition of Great American Life Assurance Company of Puerto Rico. This is the first year that our assets passed the billion dollar mark.
The Corporation increased its total capital to $309 million, approximately $7.3 million more than the previous year. All of the subsidiaries in the Group are well capitalized according to risk-based capital parameters.
Social Responsibility
From the beginning, the Corporation has had a strong commitment to the community. This commitment is shared by all of the Group’s affiliates. They have adopted as their own the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). During the year, we established alliances with non-governmental organizations in areas that are linked to our business and are mainly focused on health, education, and activities that strengthen the family. We also moved to promote volunteerism among our employees, since we understand that solutions for many of the problems in our midst are to be found by sharing responsibility.
moving forward   | page 12 |

 


 

     
Triple-S Group annual report
  | page 13  |
“We moved forward in a definitive manner to better serve our insured, shareholders and Puerto Rico. As a local company, we upheld our strong commitment to the social and economic development of Puerto Rico.”
Through our participation in the Special Committee for the Quality of Life and Social Development of the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico, in the Social Responsibility Strategy Work Team of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, and as founding partners of ConectaRSE, the first CSR center in Puerto Rico, we contributed to the promotion of the concepts of social responsibility. This is the basis to understand the importance of shared responsibility in society to achieve a better quality of life for all.
During 2005, we took the steps needed to establish the basis for the Corporation’s future development. We moved forward in a definitive manner to better serve our insured, shareholders and Puerto Rico. As a local company, we upheld our strong commitment to the social and economic development of Puerto Rico. That is and will continue to be our goal as we stand up to the challenges of the 21st Century.
In 2006, Triple-S Management Corporation faces another challenging year and we trust that the Corporation will be stronger and better positioned. I am confident that we will reach our goals, and that we will be able to improve our services to the community which we serve, thereby benefiting all our constituents.
-S- RAMóN M. RUIZ COMAS
Ramón M. Ruiz Comas, CPA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Triple-S Management Corporation

 


 

(PICTURE)

 


 

     
Triple-S Management Corporation
  | page 15  |
Corporate Leadership Circle
Luis A. Marini Mir, DMD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Triple-C, Inc.
Eva G. Salgado
President and Chief Executive Officer
Seguros Triple-S, Inc.
Ramón M. Ruiz Comas, CPA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Triple-S Management Corporation
Arturo L. Carrión, CPA
President and Chief Executive Officer
GA Life
Carlos Torres
President and Chief Executive Officer
Interactive Systems,Inc.
Roberto O. Morales, Esq.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Seguros de Vida Triple-S, Inc.
Socorro Rivas, CPA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Triple-S, Inc.
(PICTURE)

 


 

Triple-S Management Corporation
Board of Directors
left to right: Miguel Nazario Franco, (Assistant Secretary) ; Fernando L. Longo, MD; Manuel Figueroa Collazo; Mario S Belaval (Vice-President) ; Carmen Ana Culpeper; Juan E. Rodríguez Díaz, Esq.; Vicente J. León Irizarry, CPA (Treasurer) ; José Arturo Álvarez Gallardo; Ramón M. Ruiz Comas, CPA (President and CEO).
(PICTURE)

 


 

     
Triple-S Group annual report
  | page 17  |
left to right: Wilmer Rodríguez Silva, MD (Chairman of the Board) ; Valeriano Alicea Cruz, MD; Fernando J. Ysern Borrás, MD; José Hawayek Alemañy, MD; Adamina Soto Martínez, CPA (Assistant Treasurer) ; Porfirio E. Díaz Torres, MD; Wilfredo López Hernández, MD; Arturo Córdova López, MD; Jesús R. Sánchez Colón, DMD (Secretary) ; Manuel Suárez Méndez.
(PICTURE)

 


 

Triple-S Management Corporation
Group Highlights
TRIPLE-S, INC.
>   Leading health insurance company in Puerto Rico.
 
>   Provides health insurance to 1.2 million people through group plans, direct individual plans and the Puerto Rico Government Health Reform.
 
>   Underwriting income increased 5.9% in a stagnant employment market.
 
>   Launched several new products under the Medicare Advantage program, among them, Medicare Óptimo and Medicare Selecto (for Health Reform patients), and planned the launching of FarmaMed (Part D).
 
>   For the third consecutive year, it continued to be the plan with the highest satisfaction rating among health plans held by federal employees in Puerto Rico and the United States.
 
>   Retention rates among health plan group contracts rose to 97%.
 
>   Continues to be one of the most efficient health plan companies in the United States. Ninety cents of every premium dollar go to pay for direct benefits to its health plan members, while only 10 cents of every dollar are used to operate the business.
 
>   It is the leading health plan for small businesses on the Island.
TRIPLE-C, INC.
>   Manages the Health Reform for Triple-S, Inc., which has the largest number of insured under this government-sponsored program.
 
>   Qualified to market and manage the new Medicare Platino throughout Puerto Rico for people who are eligible under Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs. This is an additional product that will contribute to the Group’s diversification strategy.
 
>   Jointly operates with McKesson a health information phone line operated by nursing personnel for Triple-S, Inc. This popular service operates under the name Teleconsulta.
 
>   Also in a joint venture with McKesson, it provides these services to other companies in Puerto Rico and to 14 other U.S. customers in several states.
 
>   Actively cooperated with the Commission in studying the healthcare system in Puerto Rico, recommending improvements for the current health system.
 
>   Will apply for the accreditation of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2007, since it has achieved a compliance of 79% with its national standards.
SEGUROS DE VIDA TRIPLE-S, INC.
>   Retained its leadership in the group life insurance market in Puerto Rico.
 
>   Will merge with the Group’s latest acquisition, GA Life, which holds a leadership position in the individual life insurance market. The merger will create a strong leadership position in the life insurance market.
moving forward   | page 18 |

 


 

Triple-S Management Corporation
Group Highlights
SEGUROS TRIPLE-S, INC.
>   Record year for underwriting income and net income.
 
>   Contributed 35% to the Corporation’s net income, advancing the diversification strategy of Triple-S Group.
 
>   Experienced improvements in the loss ratio of its portfolio for the fifth consecutive year.
 
>   Confirmed its leadership in the sale of commercial package insurance in Puerto Rico.
 
>   Continued to be the primary insurance company for mortgages generated by financial institutions.
 
>   Entered second year of its Protégete program, an innovative effort to educate the consumer on minimizing damages during hurricanes and earthquakes.
 
>   Launched a new insurance policy for small businesses.
 
>   Designed ¡Seguro que sí! , a program to promote quality service within the company.
 
>   Extended its claims processing services to Caguas and Plaza Carolina.
INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
>   Operates one of the largest and more complex technological infrastructure centers in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
 
>   Processed a total of 22 million claims in 2005 for Triple-S, Inc.
 
>   It is the leading health claims processing business with 8,000 processing terminals in the offices of providers and participants.
 
>   Supported with technological solutions the launching of several new products under the Medicare Advantage program.
 
>   Provides technological solutions to Triple-S Group.
SIGNATURE INSURANCE AGENCY
>   It is the third largest general insurance agency in Puerto Rico.
 
>   The agency now becomes the key marketing and distribution channel for property and casualty and life insurance products for Triple-S Group. In so doing, it moves forward the Group’s diversification strategy.
 
>   Began to sell Seguros Triple-S policies at the Centro de Servicio de Triple-S (Triple-S Service Center) in Plaza Las Américas.
 
>   Launched De Seguro publication for insurance brokers and agents.
 
>   Opened an office in Caguas.

 


 

(PICTURE)

 


 

     
Triple-S Management Corporation
  | page 21  |
Our Employees as Agents of Change
Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR continues to be a key strategy for the Triple-S Group, as we drive our corporate development based on our ability to improve the wellbeing of our community.
In line with this philosophy, the Corporation goes beyond traditional philanthropy in supporting initiatives that seek to provide solutions to Puerto Rico’s problems.
As firm believers in the notion that working together generates better results, at Triple-S Group we help our employees help the community, create new opportunities and find solutions to build a better Puerto Rico for all of us. That is why we are fully supporting volunteer initiatives among our employees. In spite of juggling complicated work and family commitments, Triple-S Group employees take time out from their busy lives and volunteer to work with causes that are dear to them. For example, they work with muscular dystrophy patients, cancer patients and survivors, the homeless of Albergue El Paraíso, survivors of natural disasters and so many others who benefit from their care and generosity.
Thanks to their effort, commitment and creativity, Triple-S Group employees were able to collect more than $115,000 in donations to distribute among the numerous causes they have adopted as theirs, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Race for Life (Relevo por la Vida) and Walking for our Hearts (Caminata del Corazón), among many others.
As a founding partner of ConectaRSE, the first Corporate Social Responsibility Center in Puerto Rico, the Triple-S Group supported several efforts to educate the business community as to what this vision of social and economic development entails, as it seeks to redefine the role of companies as agents of social and economic change.
Similarly, the Triple-S Group sponsored numerous events and organizations that led to the professional development of physicians, dentists and health providers, by supporting their continuing education programs and scientific investigations.
We also backed a series of efforts that promoted the arts, culture, education, sports and environmental initiatives in Puerto Rico.
One of the projects that had a positive impact on the lives of our people is the Detectives de la Basura (the Litter Detectives) environmental education program, which has been developed in an alliance with Conserva El Encanto (the local Keep America Beautiful chapter) and Industria y Comercio Pro Reciclaje (Industry and Business in Favor of Recycling). This program seeks to educate our youth about the problem of littering in the Island and provides them with tools so they can develop solutions. Another highlight of our work in this area is the environmental education campaign that we developed with the National Park Service, Conserva El Encanto del Morro. In it, we show kids and families how to responsibly dispose of the kites they fly at this historical park, traditionally one of the most popular sites for this kind of recreation during the kite flying season. Aside from designing the public service ads that were circulated in cinemas and in print, the Triple-S Group was one of the leading sponsors of the Kite Festival organized by the National Park Service.
Through these and other efforts, we want to make Puerto Rico a better place to live and Triple-S Group a better Corporation, so that together we can continue Moving Forward.

 


 

Triple-S Management Corporation
Corporate Information
TRIPLE-S MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
1441 F. D. Roosevelt Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00920
787.749.4949
www.ssspr.com
TRIPLE-S, INC.
787.749.4949
TRIPLE-C, INC.
787.793.8383
SEGUROS DE VIDA TRIPLE-S, INC.
787.792.0909
SEGUROS TRIPLE-S, INC.
787.749.4600
INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
787.749.4173
GA LIFE
787.758.4888
Production: Triple-S Advertising & Public Relations Office
Design: BD&E, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Photography: Paco Marquez
Copy: Lisette Núñez, Ivonne Brown
Printing: Advanced Graphic Printing
Photograph on page 10 used with the permission of ATI.
(ATI LOGO)

 

EXHIBIT 14.1
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

1. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

All employees, officers, and directors of Triple-S Management Corporation and those of its subsidiaries, ("the Corporation") should respect and comply with all laws, rules, and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as well as those of the Federal, state and municipal jurisdictions.

Such legal compliance should include, without limitation, strict observance with the "insider trading" prohibiting transactions made based on confidential or non-public information from or about the Company. This restriction involves revealing or sharing said information with others. Corporate employees, officers, and directors are encouraged to seek information at the Triple-S Management Corporation's Corporate Affairs Office if they have any question regarding the application of the aforesaid prohibition.

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics does not summarize all the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Corporation and its employees, officers, and directors. If any question arises or for additional information, please consult with the Corporate Affairs Office (or Legal Compliance Office) and the various guidelines, which the Corporation has prepared on specific laws, rules and regulations.

2. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

All employees, officers, and directors of the Corporation must be scrupulous in avoiding a conflict of interests in regard to the Corporation's interests. A "conflict of interest" exists whenever an individual's private interests interfere or diverge in any way (or even appear to interfere or diverge) with those of the Corporation. A conflictive situation can arise when employees, officers, or directors undertake some action or have interests that affect the objective and effective performance of their duties in the Corporation. Another possible conflict could emerge upon an employee, officer, or director, or some member of their family, receiving improper personal benefits as a result of their position in the Corporation, whether the benefit is received from the Corporation or from a third party.

Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees, officers, and directors, and their respective family members could possibly create a conflict of interest. Federal law prohibits loans to directors and executive officers. Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of corporate policy.


Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Page 2

Such conflicts may not always be clear-cut; therefore, any question should be consulted with the highest managerial levels or with the Corporate Affairs Office, where the legal compliance office is ascribed. Any employee, officer, or director that notices a conflict or a potential conflict should inform a supervisor, manager, or consult the procedures described in this code.

3. CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

Employees, officers, and directors are prohibited from:

a) Making personal use of opportunities that in truth belong to the Corporation, or which are discovered through corporate property, information, or position;

b) Using corporate property, information or position for personal benefit;

c) Competing with the Corporation.

Employees, officers, and directors are under the obligation to promote the Corporation's legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY

Employees, officers, and directors should not disclose confidential information entrusted to them by the Corporation, its suppliers, clients, or any other person, except when disclosure is authorized by the Legal Compliance Office or required by law, regulations or legal proceedings. If an employee, officer, or director understands there is a legal obligation to disclose such information, they must consult with the Legal Compliance Office. Confidential information includes all non-public information which could be strategically useful to the Corporation's competition, or harmful to the Corporation or its clients if it were divulged.

5. FAIR DEALING

Every employee, officer, and director should endeavor to deal fairly with the Corporation's clients, suppliers, competitors, officers and directors in a fair manner. No one should take unfair advantage of any of the above-mentioned through manipulation, cover-up, concealment, the abuse of privileged information, fraudulent representation of material facts, or any other unfair business practice.

6. PROTECTION AND PROPER USE OF THE CORPORATION'S ASSETS

All employees, officers, and directors must protect the Corporation's assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, waste and alterations, all have a


Code of Business Conduct and Ethic

Page 3

direct impact on the Corporation's assets. All of the Corporation's assets must be used for legitimate business purposes.

7. ACCOUNTING COMPLAINTS

It is corporate policy to comply with all rules and regulations regarding financial and accounting reports that apply to the Corporation. If any of the Corporation's employees, officers, and directors have any concerns or complaints regarding questionable Corporate accounting or auditing practices, the person should submit those concerns or complaints (anonymously or confidentially if desired) to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors or any member of the Committee.

8. INFORMING OF ANY ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

Employees are encouraged to speak to their supervisor, manager or other appropriate officer regarding any illegal or unethical behavior observed or upon questions about the best course of action to follow regarding a particular situation whose legal or ethical nature is unclear. Employees, officers, and directors concerned about violations to this Code or that other illegal or unethical conducts have occurred or may occur should contact their supervisors or superiors. If informing the supervisors or superiors about their concerns or complaints is an inappropriate or uncomfortable option, they may contact the Legal Compliance Office, the Nomination and Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee, or the Triple-S Management Corporation's Board of Directors. If the concerns or complaints require confidentiality, including maintaining the informant's identity anonymous, this confidentiality will be protected, subject to applicable laws, regulations and/or legal proceedings that apply.

All of the Corporation's legal advisors should inform the Corporate Affairs Office and the Audit Committee regarding any violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission Regulations. Any other lack of compliance with fiduciary obligations or other similar obligations to the Corporation or its agents should be informed to the Vice-President of Legal Affairs in the Corporate Affairs Office. If he/she does not act upon the evidence presented (adopting, as necessary, the corresponding preventive measures or sanctions), the legal advisor could present said evidence to the Main Executive Officer or to the Corporation's Board of Directors' Audit Committee.

The Corporation will not allow any retaliation from or on behalf of the Corporation or its employees, officers, and directors because of reports or complaints, made in good faith, of violations to this Code or of any other unethical or illegal behavior.


Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Page 4

9. REPORT FROM LISTED CORPORATIONS

As a Corporation listed in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it is important that reports submitted to the SEC be accurate and on time. Depending on their position with the Corporation, employees, officers, and directors may be called upon to provide necessary information in order to ensure that the Corporation's public reports are complete, fair, and understandable. The Corporation expects its employees, officers, and directors to take this responsibility very seriously, providing correct and rapid responses to questions regarding the Corporation's public disclosure requirements.

10. AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS AND WAIVER

This Code may be amended, modified or suspended by the Board of Directors, who can also grant suspensions or waivers, subject to disclosure and other provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, its rules, and the rules that apply to the New York Stock Exchange.


EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Triple-S Management Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:     March 30, 2006            By: /s/ Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas
         -----------------              -----------------------------------
                                        Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas
                                        President and
                                        Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Juan J. Roman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Triple-S Management Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:    March 30, 2006                 By: /s/ Juan J. Roman
         -------------------                -----------------------------------
                                            Juan J. Roman
                                            Vice President of Finance
                                            and Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Triple-S Management Corporation (the Corporation), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Corporation for the annual period ended December 31, 2005 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m) and;

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

Date: March 30, 2006                       By:  /s/ Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas
                                                -------------------------
                                                Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas
                                                President and
                                                Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Juan J. Roman, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Triple-S Management Corporation (the Corporation), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Corporation for the annual period ended December 31, 2005 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m) and;

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

Date: March 30, 2006                      By:  /s/ Juan J. Roman
                                              -----------------------------
                                              Juan J. Roman
                                              Vice President of Finance
                                              and Chief Financial Officer