ING Groep NV began laying off 400 people in its U.S. insurance operations on Wednesday, as it prepares to sell the unit in an initial public offering. The cuts, which in Des Moines will include 38 employees primarily from its annuities operation, amount to a 5 percent reduction of its U.S. operations. After the layoffs are complete, ING will employ about 7,600 people in the United States, including 830 in Des Moines. A spokesman said late Wednesday the cuts “were part of ING’s efforts to sharpen its strategic focus and reduce administrative expenses as it prepares for a U.S.-focused IPO.”