2024 Proxy Statement
About
Our Goal
To provide customers with the best value in supplemental
insurance products in
Our Long-Term Growth Strategy
Our strategy for growth in the
the consumer.
In this Proxy Statement, the terms "Company," "we," or "our" refer to
References to websites included in this Proxy Statement are provided solely for convenience purposes. Content on the websites, including content on our Company website, is not, and shall not be deemed to be, part of this Proxy Statement or incorporated herein or into any of our other filings with the
2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
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NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Annual Meeting") of
You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote, and submit your questions during the webcast. The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes, all of which are described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:
To elect as Directors of the Company the ten nominees named in the |
Each of the ten |
accompanying Proxy Statement to serve until the next Annual |
director nominees |
Meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualified |
See page 13 |
To consider a non-binding advisory proposal on the Company's |
See page 38 |
executive compensation ("say-on-pay") |
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To ratify the appointment of |
See page 77 |
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending |
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In addition, any other business properly presented may be acted upon at the meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Company's Board of Directors on behalf of the Company. The Proxy Statement and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Your vote is important! Even if you expect to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please vote in advance. If you attend the Annual Meeting online, you may revoke your proxy by submitting a vote during the Annual Meeting.
We are making the Proxy Statement and the form of proxy first available on or about
By order of the Board of Directors,
Corporate Secretary |
(1) |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for |
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the Annual Meeting to be held on |
Statement and the Annual Report are available at proxyvote.com. |
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Logistics
DATE AND TIME
VIRTUAL (ONLINE ONLY)
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AFL2024 using your 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or notice
RECORD DATE
How to Vote
It is important that you vote your shares. We offer several easy and cost-effective voting methods for your convenience.
INTERNET
Visit www.proxyvote.com. You will need the 16-digit control number that appears on your proxy card or notice.
TELEPHONE
If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or other nominee, follow the telephone voting instructions, if any, provided on your proxy card. If your shares are registered in your name, call 1-800-690-6903 and follow the telephone voting instructions. You will need the 16-digit control number that appears on your proxy card.
If you received a full package by mail,
complete and sign the proxy card and retuit in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.
TABLET OR SMARTPHONE
Scan the QR code that appears on your proxy card or notice using your mobile device.
AFLAC INCORPORATED
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
As I reflect on 2023, I am very proud that our management, employees and sales distribution teams have continued to be resilient stewards of our business. Our goal is to provide customers with the best value in supplemental insurance products in
As we embark on 2024, we will celebrate our 50th year of doing business in
Growth
For 2023,
I am pleased with our sales growth in both Japan and the
We have also improved persistency in
Deployment
We place significant importance on continuing to achieve strong capital ratios in the
2023 marked the 41st consecutive year of dividend increases. We treasure our track record of dividend growth and remain committed to extending it, supported by the strength of our capital and cash flows. Last quarter, the Board put us on a path to continue this record when it increased the first quarter 2024 dividend 19% to
the industry.
I like to think that it is efforts like the above that lead to recognition such as appearing on Fortune's List of World's Most Admired Companies for the 23rd time, ranking No. 1 in the Insurance: Life and Health industry as a long-term investment for the second consecutive year. Overall, I think we can say that 2023 was another strong year.
We believe in the underlying strengths of our business and our potential for continued growth in
- Adjusted earnings per diluted share and adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding foreign currency impact are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States (GAAP). See Appendix A to this Proxy Statement for the definition of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measure.
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT |
2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
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Doing the Right Thing:
Doing the right thing is engrained in
called one of the three
We also just completed the fifth full year in the
As you will note, Dr.
With these topics as a backdrop, we are privileged to be stewards of the trust and resources you, our owners, place in
It is my pleasure to invite you to virtually attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on
"We are well-positioned as we work toward achieving long-term growth while also ensuring we deliver on our promise to policyholders. "
and Sustainability Report. Then, please vote your shares, even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. We want to be sure your shares and your viewpoints are represented.
Sincerely,
CHAIRMAN, CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
AFLAC INCORPORATED
LETTER FROM THE LEAD NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
It is an honor to serve you as Lead Non- Management Director, alongside such an eminent team of Directors. These fellow Board members bring their skills, expertise and experience from such a broad range of fields, industries and companies. In 2023, we maintained our focus on overseeing the risk and strategy of the Company. In this letter, I want to highlight some of the key topics of oversight in 2023.
Risk Oversight
Our Board provided oversight of the pertinent risks both for the industry and to the Company, while carefully monitoring traditional risks associated with investments and our products and maintaining strong capital ratios. The Board has overseen significant advancements in information security and enhanced information security policy. The goal is to ensure that the Company's information assets, data, and the data of our customers, are protected.
Board Succession,
Refreshment and
Onboarding
Our Board retains its balance of tenured members as well as a refreshment with newer members. Independent Board members average about six years of service that provide a balance of expertise for you, the shareholders. Our Board is diverse not only with women and/or people of color comprising approximately 60% of its membership, but also in terms of experience and expertise in a wide range of disciplines, including public health, cybersecurity, investment and finance, insurance operations, the Japanese market, regulatory and risk
management, and marketing and public relations. By combining a diversified membership with such broad expertise and multi-disciplinary skills, we have established an adaptable, insightful and cohesive board that is equipped to pivot quickly to navigate ever-evolving markets.
I also want to thank Dr.
Corporate Finance and Investments
In 2023, our investment portfolio continued to benefit from our disciplined strategic asset allocation process.
This approach serves as the core to managing long-term asset performance expectations to meet our objectives for capital, risk and liquidity. We also placed equity investments in specialized asset classes as well as Sustainability investments. The Aflac Global Investments team has built a high-quality portfolio that we believe will serve our stakeholders well no matter the economic environment.
Strategic Corporate Development
As we pursue new ways to meet the needs of consumers, businesses and shareholders, we will continue to invest in our network dental and vision and group life, disability, and absence management platforms.
These new business lines modestly impact the top line in 2023. We will continue to leverage these new platforms to enable our core products for future long-term growth.
Commitment To
Sustainability
We have posted our Sustainability Policies and Statements at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability" for several years, and we updated them in 2023 with
LETTER FROM THE LEAD NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR |
2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
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In addition, we have also worked to be a reflection of the communities that we serve by being an inclusive workplace and cherishing the value that diversity can bring. To reinforce our commitment to sustainability, officers have had a short- term incentive compensation modifier based on core sustainability targets since 2021. While the modifier led to no adjustment to officers' short-term incentive compensation in 2023, we are still proud of our achievements related to responsible investing, diverse leadership and use of sustainable electricity.
Shareholder Engagement
We are proud to have been the first publicly traded company in
We incorporate this feedback into our
decision-making process. We believe that open communications can have a positive influence on our performance, and we look forward to continuing open discussion with our shareholders going forward.
As Lead Non-Management Director, I will continue to engage with our investors, seek insight into their perspectives, and explore the viewpoints and positions of those who invest in our business.
The Board looks forward to continuing its ongoing dialogue with investors and applying that feedback to help inform business matters as they emerge. We thank you for your support and the privilege of representing you in
"As we shape the Aflac of the future, we do so knowing the Company's success and financial performance are rooted in our commitment to our purpose."
With these vital topics in mind, I encourage you to review the accompanying Proxy Statement and associated materials and vote before our virtual Annual Meeting on
Sincerely,
LEAD NON-MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR
AFLAC INCORPORATED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- VOTING ROADMAP
10 Director Nominees Summary
12 Executive Compensation Highlights
12 2023 Executive Compensation
12 Recent Say-On-Pay Votes
- CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
- Election of Directors
- Board Composition
14 Director Nominees
- Director Not Eligible for Re-election
- Director Independence
- 2024 Independent Director Nominee Tenure Mix
- Board Succession Planning and Refreshment Process
- Board of Directors Nominees Skills, Experience, and Diversity
- Director Nominating Process
- Board Self-Evaluation
- Our Board and Committees
- Board Leadership Structure
- Committee Structure
- Meeting Attendance
- Board Responsibilities
- Oversight of Risk
- Oversight of Strategy
- Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
32 Chief Executive Officer and Executive Management Succession Planning
- Shareholder Engagement
- Governance Documents
- Director Compensation
- Cash Compensation
- Equity Compensation
- Vesting
35 Retirement Plans
- 2023 Director Compensation
- CD&A At-A-Glance
- EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Named Executive Officer Compensation ("Say-on-Pay")
44 Compensation Design and Philosophy
47 Performance-Based Compensation: How Performance Goals Are Set
- Importance of Measuring Management's Performance Excluding the Impact of Currency
- MIP Target-Setting
- Equity Granting Policies
- 2023 Executive Compensation
58 Additional Executive Compensation Plan Practice and Procedures
- Compensation Committee Report
- Executive Compensation Tables
- 2023 Summary Compensation Table
- 2023 All Other Compensation
- 2023 Perquisites
- 2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
- 2023 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
- 2023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
65 Pension Benefits
- Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
- Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
71 2023 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
- CEO Pay Ratio
- Pay Versus Performance
- Equity Compensation Plan Information
- AUDIT MATTERS
77
Ratification of Auditors
77 Audit Fees and Other Fees
- Pre-ApprovalPolicies and Procedures
- Audit and Risk Committee Report
- Related Person Transactions
81 STOCK OWNERSHIP
- Beneficial Ownership of the Company's Securities
- Security Ownership of Directors
- Security Ownership of Management
- Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
- SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXY
86 OTHER MATTERS
88 APPENDIX A - DEFINITION OF NON-
92 APPENDIX B - ATTENDING THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
- Compensation Discussion and Analysis
- Executive Summary
2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
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2023 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
In 2023, the Company delivered strong operating results.
NET EARNINGS |
EARNINGS PER DILUTED |
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) |
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SHARE (EPS) |
22.1% |
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5.5%p |
12.3%p |
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ADJUSTED EARNINGS EX-FX* |
ADJUSTED EPS EX-FX* |
ADJUSTED RETURN ON |
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|
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EQUITY (AROE) EX-FX* |
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14.2% |
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6.4%p |
13.4%p |
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NEW ANNUALIZED PREMIUM |
NEW ANNUALIZED PREMIUM |
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SALES(1) - |
SALES(1) - AFLAC |
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(IN YEN) |
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10.9%p |
5.0%p |
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CASH DIVIDEND |
REPURCHASED SHARES |
3-YEAR TOTAL |
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SHAREHOLDER |
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5.0%p |
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RETURN ("TSR") |
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+99.6% |
- Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share, excluding foreign currency impact, and AROE, excluding foreign currency impact, are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States (GAAP). See Appendix A to this Proxy Statement for definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.
- As discussed in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Prior-year amounts have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance on
8 |
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2023 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS |
Corporate Social Responsibility and
Sustainability Highlights
At
Workforce Diversity
- As of
December 31, 2023 , women accounted for 54% ofAflac Japan employees and 33% ofAflac Japan leadership roles. Women also held 27% ofAflac Japan management roles, as part ofAflac Life Insurance Japan Ltd's longer-term plan to increase this percentage to 30% by 2025. - As of
December 31, 2023 , 49% of AflacU.S. and the Company employees located in theU.S. were people of color and 66% were women. Women also occupied 51% of leadership roles located in theU.S. and 37% of senior management roles located in theU.S. In 2023, 57% of new hires located in theU.S. were people of color and 68% were women.
- My Special Aflac Duck® is a "smart" robotic companion designed to help children with cancer and sickle cell disease. We aim to put a My Special
Aflac Duck in the hands of every child, age 3 and above, diagnosed with cancer and sickle cell disease in theU.S. , Japan and NortheIreland and has given My Special Aflac Ducks to more than 27,000 children through 2023. - We and our employees and agents are responsible for:
-
- More than 150,000 pediatric patientsand their family members who have called
Aflac Parents House ahome-away-from-homewhile receiving treatment for serious illnesses, like cancer. $173 million in support ofAflac Cancer andBlood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare ofAtlanta , helping make it one of the top pediatric cancer programs inthe United States byU.S. News and World Report .
- More than 150,000 pediatric patientsand their family members who have called
Environment
- Reduced combined Scope 1 and 2 market-based greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90% from 2007 to 2022
- Expect 2023 to be the 4th consecutive year for being carbon neutral for Scope 1 and 2 emissions
- Goal of net zero emissions by 2050
We are proud of our commitments and the accolades we have received, a handful of which are listed below, and we invite you to read
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Fortune's World's Most Admired |
(PRI) Signatory |
Index (10th year), |
Companies (23rd year), |
In 2021, |
In 2023, the Company was included in the |
ranking No. 1 in the Insurance: Life and Health |
PRI Signatory, which works to understand |
North American index and received high |
category as a long-term investment for the |
the investment implications of ESG factors |
marks for Corporate Governance, |
second consecutive year. |
and to support its international network |
Information Security/Cybersecurity & System |
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of investor signatories in incorporating |
Availability, and Tax Strategy. |
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these factors into investment and |
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ownership decisions. |
Points of Light's Civic 50 List (6th |
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Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index |
consecutive year), |
Companies (18th consecutive year), |
(4th consecutive year), |
which showcases how leading companies |
making it the only insurance company in the |
which tracks the financial performance of |
are moving social impact, civic engagement |
world to hold this distinction every year |
public companies committed to supporting |
and community to the core of their business. |
since the inception of the honor in 2007. |
gender equality through policy |
development, representation, |
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and transparency. |
Attachments
Disclaimer
2024 Annual Report 2024 Proxy Statement
Bygones: 2004 bill would have paid health insurance premiums for all Minnesota children [Duluth News Tribune, Minn.]
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