Financial and Economic Environment. Our businesses and results of operations are impacted by general economic and market conditions and are sensitive to the pace of and extent of changes in equity markets and interest rates, as well as the changes in behavior of individuals and institutions that these changes in economic and market conditions may cause. Recent years have been affected by adverse global market conditions, and uncertainty continues to be a factor in the market environment. This uncertainty, particularly in the equity markets, has led to, among other things, increased demand for guaranteed retirement income solutions.
The following table provides a demonstration of the sensitivity of each of these balances relative to our future rate of return assumptions by quantifying the adjustments to each balance that would be required assuming both an increase and decrease in our future rate of return by 100 basis points. The sensitivity includes an increase and decrease of 100 basis points to both the near-term future rate of return assumptions used over the next four years, and the long-term expected rate of return used thereafter. While the information below is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect our expectations regarding future rate of return assumptions, it is a near-term, reasonably likely hypothetical change that illustrates the potential impact of such a change. This information considers only the direct effect of changes in our future rate of return on the DAC and DSI balances and not changes in any other assumptions such as persistency, mortality, or expenses included in our evaluation of DAC and DSI. Further, this information does not reflect changes in reserves, such as the reserves for the guaranteed minimum death and optional living benefit features of our variable annuity products, or the impact that changes in such reserves may have on the DAC and DSI balance.
The DAC balance associated with the variable and universal life policies as of December 31, 2011 was $0.8 billion. The following table provides a demonstration of the sensitivity of that DAC balance relative to our future mortality assumptions by quantifying the adjustments that would be required, assuming both an increase and decrease in our future mortality rate by 1%. While the information below is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect our expectations regarding future mortality assumptions, it is a near-term, reasonably likely hypothetical change that illustrates the potential impact of such a change. This information considers only the direct effect of changes in our mortality assumptions on the DAC balance and not changes in any other assumptions such as persistency, future rate of return, or expenses included in our evaluation of DAC, and does not reflect changes in reserves, such as the unearned revenue reserve, which would partially offset the adjustments to the DAC balance reflected below.
For our investments classified as available-for-sale, the impact of changes in fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net,” a separate component of equity. For our investments classified as trading, the impact of changes in fair value is recorded within “Other income.” In addition, investments classified as available-for-sale, are subject to impairment reviews to identify when a decline in value is other-than-temporary. For a discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturity and equity securities, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Excluding these adjustments, Income from Operations before Income Taxes in 2011 increased $327 million driven by a $313 million gain realized on a portion of an embedded derivative recaptured upon modification of the reinsurance agreement of no-lapse guarantees with UPARC, a $37 million derivative gain arising from the settlement of this recapture, and $73 million in realized gains related to asset transfers to affiliates (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information). These items were partially offset by a $61 million derivative loss related to the settlement of the initial premium payable to PAR U as part of a new coinsurance agreement as described above, and higher net DAC amortization reflecting the impact of equity markets on separate account fund performance in the respective periods.
In addition to hedging equity market exposure, we also manage certain risks associated with our variable annuity products through hedging programs and affiliated reinsurance arrangements. Primarily in the reinsurance affiliate, interest rate derivatives and equity options and futures are purchased to hedge certain optional living benefit features accounted for as embedded derivatives against changes in certain capital markets assumptions such as equity markets, interest rates, and market volatility. Prior to third quarter of 2010, the hedging strategy sought to generally match the sensitivities of the embedded derivative liability as defined by U.S. GAAP, excluding the impact of the market-perceived risk of non-performance, with capital market derivatives. In the third quarter of 2010, the hedging strategy was revised as, in a low interest rate environment, management of the Company and reinsurance affiliates does not believe that the U.S. GAAP value of the embedded derivative liability is an appropriate measure for determining the hedge target. For additional information regarding the change in hedging strategy see “Item 1. Business - Products”.