Form 11-K 2012


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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

_______________________
FORM 11-K
_______________________

 
 
 
 
þ
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
OR
 
 
 
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 001-34257
 
UNITED FIRE GROUP 401(k) PLAN
(Full title of the plan)

 United Fire Group, Inc.
(Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan)
118 Second Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52407
(Address of principal executive office)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




United Fire Group 401(k) Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits at December 31, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Schedule:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Exhibit 23
 
 






Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Trustees and Participants
United Fire Group 401(k) Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the United Fire Group 401(k) Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the United Fire Group 401(k) Plan at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2012, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.
 
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
 
 
Ernst & Young LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
July 1, 2013


1



United Fire Group 401(k) Plan
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2012 and 2011
(In thousands)
2012
 
2011
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Participant-directed investments, at fair value
$
62,002

 
$
53,857

 
 
 
 
Receivables:
 
 
 
Notes receivable from participants
564

 
711

Contribution receivable from plan sponsor
147

 
135

Dividend and interest receivable
1

 
17

Total receivables
$
712

 
$
863

 
 
 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits at Fair Value
62,714

 
54,720

 
 
 
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(103
)
 
(60
)
 
 
 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits
$
62,611

 
$
54,660

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 



2



United Fire Group 401(k) Plan
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(In thousands)
2012
Additions
 
Contributions:
 
Participant
$
4,027

Rollover
2,185

Total contributions
6,212

Investment income
1,794

Net realized and unrealized appreciation in fair value of investments
5,537

Total additions
$
13,543

 
 
Deductions
 
Benefit payments and withdrawals
$
5,585

Administrative expenses
7

Total deductions
$
5,592

 
 
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits
$
7,951

 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits:
 
At Beginning of Year
54,660

At End of Year
$
62,611

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


3



United Fire Group 401(k) Plan
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2012 and 2011
(Amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
NOTE 1. PLAN DESCRIPTION
The following description of the United Fire Group 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions.
General - The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering regular employees of the United Fire Group, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Companies") who have at least one hour of service and have attained the age of 21. Temporary employees who have at least 1,000 hours of service and have attained the age of 21 may also participate. United Fire & Casualty Company, a subsidiary of United Fire Group, Inc., serves as the Plan Sponsor. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).
On March 28, 2011, United Fire & Casualty Company acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Mercer Insurance Group. In connection with this acquisition, the Board of Directors of United Fire & Casualty Company approved on May 9, 2011, the merger of Mercer Insurance Group's BICUS Services Corp Retirement Savings Plan into the United Fire Group 401(k) Plan. The Plan was subsequently amended to credit prior service with the BICUS Services Corp and reflect protected benefits in connection with the merger of the BICUS Services Corp Retirement Savings Plan. These protected benefits include continuation of the BICUS vesting schedule for employer contributions.
Contributions - Each year, participants may elect to contribute up to an annual dollar limitation of their eligible compensation to the Plan through salary deferral. Participants have the option to contribute either through pre-tax 401(k) contributions, Roth 401(k) contributions or a combination of the two. The Plan also provides for discretionary contributions by the participating employers to the Plan in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Plan Sponsor shall direct.
Participant Accounts - Individual accounts are maintained for each Plan participant. Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contribution and allocations of (a) discretionary contributions, if any, and (b) Plan earnings, and charged with an allocation of Plan losses. Allocations are based on participant earnings, losses or account balances, as defined in the Plan agreement. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant's vested account.
Participants direct the investment of employer and participant contributions into various investment options offered by the Plan. Participants may change their investment options daily. The Plan currently offers nineteen mutual funds, seven common collective trusts, one pooled separate account and a self-directed retirement account in which participants have access to a multiple investment options.
Vesting - Participants are immediately vested in their contributions plus actual earnings or losses thereon. Vesting in the remainder of the participant account balances is based on years of continuous service with full vesting after two years. A participant with less than two years of credited service is not vested except in the event of the participant's death or disability while employed by one of the Companies, at which time the participant becomes 100 percent vested.
The exception to the vesting provisions is the continuation of the BICUS Services Corp Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule for employer contributions which is as follows: 30% vesting after one year of service, 60% vesting after two years of service and 100% vesting after three years of service.
Forfeitures - Upon termination, the nonvested portion of a participant's account balance is forfeited. Forfeitures are to be used to first reduce the Plan's ordinary and necessary administrative expenses for the Plan year and then reduce the employer contributions for the Plan year. Because there have been no unvested account balances since the

4



inception of the Plan, there were no forfeited account balances included in the Plan's net assets available for benefits at December 31, 2012 or 2011.
Notes receivable from participants - Participants may borrow from their accounts a minimum of $1 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50 or 50 percent of their vested account balance. Loan terms range from one to five years, except for the purpose of acquiring the participant's principal residence for which the term is commensurate with local prevailing terms, as determined by the Companies. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant's account and bear interest at a rate determined at the time of each loan by Charles Schwab Trust Company, who serves as the Plan Custodian. Principal and interest is paid ratably through semi-monthly payroll deductions.
Payment of Benefits - Upon termination of service, a participant may elect to receive either a direct rollover, a lump-sum amount equal to the value of their vested account or installment payments over a fixed period of time not to exceed the participant's life expectancy or the joint life expectancy of the participant and the participant's designated beneficiary. Prior to separation from service, participants may elect a hardship distribution in accordance with the Plan agreement. Additionally, prior to separation from service, participants are eligible for an in-service withdrawal after they have reached the age of 59 1/2.
If a benefit payment is distributed to the participant by check and remains unsettled after 180 days, the participant must contact the Plan Administrator to have the check reissued. If the participant cannot be located and the amount is over $5, the check is canceled and an account is reestablished for the participant. If the participant cannot be located and the amount is less than $5, the check is canceled and the funds are forfeited back to the Plan.
Administrative Expenses - The Plan's administrative expenses are paid by either the Plan or the Companies, as provided by the Plan agreement. The Companies paid substantially all administrative expenses for the Plan in 2012.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting - The financial statements of the Plan are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits at the date of the financial statements and changes therein during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Plan offers various investment instruments to its participants. Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and those changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements.
Valuation of Participant-Directed Investments and Participant Loans - Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. Accordingly, the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits presents the fair value and the corresponding adjustment from fair value to contract value for these investments.
The Plan invests in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts through the Schwab Stable Value Fund and beginning in 2012, a pooled separate account. The Schwab Stable Fund, is a common collective trust with an investment mix that seeks to maintain principal value, protect against market price volatility, obtain consistent income return and provide liquidity for the benefit payments and withdrawals of its investors. The pooled separate account is designed to deliver safety and stability by preserving principal and accumulating earnings. The contract

5



value of these fully benefit-responsive benefit contracts represents contributions plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.
Investments in other common collective trusts are stated at fair value based on the audited net asset values of the respective funds, which have an investment mix that is diversified across several asset classes and designed to provide its investors with a single investment portfolio that adjusts over time to meet the changing risk and return objectives of investors to a target retirement date.
Investments in mutual funds are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices reported on recognized securities exchanges on the last business day of the year, which represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan in the respective funds at the reporting date.
Investment in the United Fire stock fund are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices of United Fire common stock. Included in the fund is an immaterial amount of interest bearing cash.
The money market fund in the self-directed retirement account is stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
Notes receivable from participants represent participant loans that are recorded at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred.
Recognition of Investments - Purchases and sales of investments are recorded as of the trade date.
Contributions - Participant contributions are made through payroll deductions and recorded in the period in which the deductions are made.
Withdrawals - Participant withdrawals are recorded upon distribution.
Subsequent Events - In the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, the Plan Sponsor has evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the Plan's financial statements.
Adopted Accounting Standards - In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 amended ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, to converge the fair value measurement guidance in GAAP and IFRSs. Some of the amendments clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle in ASC 820. In addition, ASU 2011-04 requires additional fair value disclosures. The Plan adopted the updated guidance on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2012. The adoption of the new guidance impacted disclosures, but did not have any impact on the Plan's financial position or net assets.
NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Current accounting guidance on fair value measurements includes the application of a fair value hierarchy that requires management to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The Plan's financial instruments are categorized into a three-level hierarchy, which is based upon the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (i.e., Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the financial instrument.
Financial instruments recorded at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy as follows:
Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments that management has the ability to access.

6



Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar financial instruments, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, in markets that are not active or on inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3: Valuations are based on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.
Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period.
The fair value of the majority of the Plan's investments is determined based on prices obtained for individual securities from the Plan Custodian. One price is obtained for each security, which is evaluated for reasonableness prior to its use for reporting purposes. The Plan Sponsor has determined that the pricing obtained at December 31, 2012 and 2011, was reasonable.
In order to determine the proper classification of each security in the fair value hierarchy, the vendors' pricing procedures and inputs used to price the security, which include unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities and other inputs that are observable for the security, are obtained and evaluated by the Plan Sponsor throughout the reporting period. The Plan Sponsor has determined that these processes and inputs result in fair values and classifications consistent with the applicable accounting guidance on fair value measurements. The Plan's fair value hierarchy categorizations are reviewed on an annual basis, at which time the classification of certain investments may change if the input observations have changed.

7



The following tables present the categorization of the Plan's investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits at December 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements
Description
December 31, 2012
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
$
32,721

 
$
32,721

 
$

 
$

International
9,724

 
9,724

 

 

Common collective trusts
8,353

 

 
8,353

 

United Fire stock fund
1,341

 
1,341

 

 

Pooled separate account
8,696

 

 
8,696

 

Self directed brokerage accounts:

 

 

 

Money market funds
113

 
113

 

 

Mutual funds
396

 
396

 

 

Common stock
245

 
245

 

 

Unit investment trusts
413

 

 
413

 

Total investments
$
62,002

 
$
44,540

 
$
17,462

 
$



 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements
Description
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
$
28,175

 
$
28,175

 
$

 
$

International
8,544

 
8,544

 

 

Common collective trusts
14,645

 

 
14,645

 

United Fire stock fund
1,203

 
1,203

 

 

Self directed brokerage accounts:

 

 

 

Money market funds
92

 
92

 

 

Mutual funds
837

 
837

 

 

Common stock
239

 
239

 

 

Unit investment trusts
122

 

 
122

 

Total investments
$
53,857

 
$
39,090

 
$
14,767

 
$

The fair value of investments categorized as Level 1 is based on quoted market prices that are readily and regularly available.
The fair value of the common collective trusts categorized as Level 2 is determined based on the net asset value and other financial information reported in the audited financial statements of the respective funds, which are obtained from the Plan Custodian.
The pooled separate account invests in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts and is designed to deliver safety and stability by preserving principal and accumulating earnings. The fair value is estimated by the administrator of the fund based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund. The fair value measurement is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. There are no imposed participant-directed redemption restrictions.
The net asset value of the respective funds is determined each business day with issuances and redemptions of units of the funds made based on the net asset value per unit as determined on the valuation date. No adjustments to the net asset value as reported in the audited financial statements of the respective funds have been made by the Plan

8



Sponsor. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these investments could have been sold at the reporting date. However, there are no restrictions as to the Plan's ability to redeem its investment at the net asset value of the respective funds as of the reporting date. The underlying assets that comprise each of the common collective trusts include investments in registered investment companies, unitized accounts, other collective trust funds, and fully benefit-responsive alternative and synthetic guaranteed investment contracts. Except for certain of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts, all of these financial instruments have been categorized as either Level 1 or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as reported in the audited financial statements of the respective funds.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 investments in 2012 or 2011.














































9



NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS

The Charles Schwab Trust Company serves as the trustee of the Plan and the custodian of the Plan's assets. The Plan's investments that represented five percent or more of the Plan's net assets available for benefits at fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
December 31
Identity of Issuer
Description of Investment
 
Shares
 
2012
 
2011
New York Life Insurance Company
New York Life Anchor Account III
 
8,592,817 shares at December 31, 2012
 
$
8,696

 
$

 
 
 
0 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific Investment Mgmt Co LLC
PIMCO Total Return Fd Cl D
 
651,902 shares at December 31, 2012
 
7,327

 
6,214

 
 
 
571,649 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund
 
191,048 shares at December 31, 2012
 
4,239

 
3,873

 
 
 
197,910 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
American Funds
Growth Fund of America
 
112,469 shares at December 31, 2012
 
3,839

 
3,259

 
 
 
114,256 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T Rowe Price
T Rowe Price Mid Cap Value
 
131,705 shares at December 31, 2012
 
3,166

 
2,792

 
 
 
130,540 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Eagle Fund of America, Inc.
First Eagle Fund of America
 
100,319 shares at December 31, 2012
 
2,888

 
2,743

 
 
 
115,391 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Stable Value Fund Select
 
0 shares at December 31, 2012
 

 
8,732

 
 
 
431,659 shares at December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
*Indicates a party-in-interest to the Plan.

10



The Plan recorded realized and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the fair value of its investments for the year ended December 31, 2012 as follows:
Identity of Issuer
Description of Investment
Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
Mutual Funds
 
 

American Century Investments
American Century Capital
$
80

Artisan Funds
Artisan International Fund
544

Cohen & Steers Capital Mgmt.
Cohen & Steers Realty
66

Columbia Funds
Columbia Acorn Fund CL Z
152

Dodge & Cox Fund
Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund
192

First Eagle of America, Inc.
First Eagle Fund of America
546

First Eagle of America, Inc.
First Eagle Overseas Fund I
204

Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.
Gamco Westwood Balanced
49

American Funds
Growth Fund of America R4
645

Hartford Mutual Fund
Hartford Small Co Y
35

American Funds
High Income Trust R4
75

JP Morgan Asset Management
JP Morgan Mid Cap Growth Select
176

Lazard Asset Management Pacific Co
Lazard Emerging Markets Open
202

Janus Fund
Perkins Small Cap Value T
31

Pacific Investment Mgmt Co LLC
PIMCO Total Return Fd Cl D
206

Selected Funds
Selected American Shares D
124

T Rowe Price
T Rowe Price Mid Cap Value
346

T Rowe Price
T Rowe Price New America Growth
116

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab S & P 500 Index Fund
527

 
 
 

Common Collective Trusts
 
 

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Stable Value Fund Select
56

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Managed Retirement Income
24

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Managed Retirement 2010
32

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Managed Retirement 2020
303

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Managed Retirement 2030
325

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Managed Retirement 2040
150

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab Managed Retirement 2050
64

 
 
 
Pooled Separate Accounts
 
 
New York Life Insurance Company
New York Life Anchor Account III

 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
United Fire Group, Inc.*
United Fire Stock Fund
172

 
 
 
Self Directed Brokerage Accounts
 
 

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
Schwab - Personal Choice Accounts
95



$
5,537

*Indicates a party-in-interest to the Plan.


11



NOTE 5. PLAN TERMINATION
Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, United Fire & Casualty Company has the right under the Plan agreement to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions set forth in ERISA. In the event of termination of the Plan, the accounts of each affected participant become fully vested.
NOTE 6. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) dated August 6, 2010, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and therefore the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualified status. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and therefore believes the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits,  to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2012, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan administrator believe the Plan is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2009.
NOTE 7. RECONCILIATION OF THE PLAN'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE FORM 5500
The following is a reconciliation of the net assets available for benefits as reported in the Plan's financial statements to the Form 5500, as fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are reported at fair value on the Form 5500:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
 
$
62,611

 
$
54,660

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit- responsive investment contracts
 
103

 
60

Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
 
$
62,714

 
$
54,720

The following is a reconciliation of the increase in net assets available for benefits as reported in the Plan's financial statements to the Form 5500, as fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are reported at fair value on the Form 5500:
 
December 31, 2012
Increase in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
7,951

Adjustment from contract value to fair value - prior year
(60
)
Adjustment from contract value to fair value - current year
103

Net income per the Form 5500
$
7,994

NOTE 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Plan holds units of common collective trust funds managed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc, the custodian of the Plan. The Plan also invests in the common stock of the Company via the United Fire Stock Fund. These transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions; however they are exempt from the prohibited transaction rules under ERISA.


12








Supplemental Schedule



13




United Fire Group 401(k) Plan
Form 5500, Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2012
(in thousands, except share amounts)
 
 
 
Identity of Issuer
 
Description of Investment
Shares

 
Current Value
Mutual Funds
 
 
 

 
 

American Century Investments
 
American Century Capital
190,390

 
$
1,489

Artisan Funds
 
Artisan International Fund
112,665

 
2,770

Cohen & Steers Capital Mgmt.
 
Cohen & Steers Realty
16,138

 
1,042

Columbia Funds
 
Columbia Acorn Fund CL Z
58,445

 
1,780

Dodge & Cox Fund
 
Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund
16,550

 
1,292

First Eagle of America, Inc.
 
First Eagle Fund of America
100,319

 
2,888

First Eagle of America, Inc.
 
First Eagle Overseas Fund I
120,965

 
2,705

Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.
 
Gamco Westwood Balanced
46,473

 
538

American Funds
 
Growth Fund of America
112,469

 
3,839

Hartford Mutual Fund
 
Hartford Small Co Y
22,734

 
470

American Funds
 
High Income Trust R4
140,421

 
1,595

JP Morgan Asset Management
 
JP Morgan Mid Cap Growth Select
82,542

 
1,791

Lazard Asset Management Pacific Co
 
Lazard Emerging Markets Open
67,939

 
1,361

Janus Fund
 
Perkins Small Cap Value T
46,618

 
980

Pacific Investment Mgmt Co LLC
 
PIMCO Total Return Fd Cl D
651,902

 
7,327

Selected Funds
 
Selected American Shares D
47,504

 
1,980

T Rowe Price
 
T Rowe Price Mid Cap Value
131,705

 
3,166

T Rowe Price
 
T Rowe Price New America Growth
33,224

 
1,193

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab S & P 500 Index Fund
191,048

 
4,239

 
 
 
 

 
 

Common Collective Trust
 
 
 

 
 

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Class I - Income
33,666

 
489

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Class I - 2010
21,623

 
399

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Class I - 2020
142,812

 
2,789

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Class I - 2030
144,096

 
2,915

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Class I - 2040
61,404

 
1,252

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Class I - 2050
47,028

 
509

 
 
 
 

 
 

Pooled Separate Accounts
 
 
 
 
 
New York Life Insurance Company
 
New York Life Anchor Account III
8,592,817

 
8,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
United Fire Group, Inc.*
 
United Fire Stock Fund
201,343

 
1,341

 
 
 
 
 
 
Self Directed Brokerage Accounts
 
 
 

 
 

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*
 
Schwab - Personal Choice Accounts
 

 
1,167

 
 
 
 

 


Total participant-directed investments at fair value
 
$
62,002

Participant loans (maturing 2013 through 2026 at interest rates ranging from 4.25% - 9.25%)*
 
564

 
 
 
 

 


Total assets held for investment purposes
 
$
62,566

*Indicates a party-in-interest to the Plan.

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The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, United Fire & Casualty Company, as plan administrator, has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United Fire Group 401(k) Plan
 
 
Date:
July 1, 2013
By:  
/s/ Randy A. Ramlo  
 
 
 
 
Randy A. Ramlo 
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
 


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