The actuarial assumptions that management believes are subject to the most variability are morbidity, persistency, discount rate and anticipated future premium rate increases. Persistency can be affected by policy lapses and death. Discount rate is influenced by the investment yield on assets supporting long term care reserves which is subject to interest rate and market volatility and may also be impacted by changes to the corporate tax code. There is limited historical company and industry data available to us for long term care morbidity and mortality, as only a portion of the policies written to date are in claims paying status. As a result of this variability, our long term care reserves may be subject to material increases if actual experience develops adversely to our expectations.
On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the sale of CAC. The business sold, which was previously reported within the Life & Group Non-Core segment, is reported as discontinued operations. The Company elected to include CAC cash flow activity in the comparative Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. Further information related to the sale of CAC is provided in Note P to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting long term care products and structured settlements not funded by annuities would result in a premium deficiency if those gains were realized, a related increase in Insurance reserves is recorded, net of tax, as a reduction of net unrealized gains through Other comprehensive income (Shadow Adjustments). Shadow Adjustments, net of tax, decreased $97 million and $177 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, net unrealized gains on investments included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) were correspondingly reduced by Shadow Adjustments of $1,014 million and $1,111 million.
The Company applies the same impairment model as described above for the majority of its non-redeemable preferred stock securities on the basis that these securities possess characteristics similar to debt securities and that the issuers maintain their ability to pay dividends. For all other equity securities, in determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Impairment Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (b) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (c) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook.
There was no cash collateral provided by the Company as of December 31, 2016 or 2015. There was no cash collateral received from counterparties held as of December 31, 2016 or 2015.
Overall, unfavorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily due to increased medical severity in accident years 2010 and prior, higher than expected severity related to Defense Base Act contractors in accident years 2010 through 2013 and the recognition of losses related to favorable premium development in accident year 2013. Favorable development of $26 million was recorded in accident years 1996 and prior related to the commutation of a workers’ compensation reinsurance pool.
Net strengthening or (releases) of prior accident year reserves is presented in the following table.
The CNA Health and Group Benefits Program has limited its share of the health care trend rate to a cost-of-living adjustment of 4% per year. For all participants, the employer subsidy on health care costs will not increase by more than 4% per year. As a result, the assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the CNA Health and Group Benefits Program was 4% per year in 2016, 2015 and 2014.
As of December 31, 2016, the plan had committed approximately $113 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset/liability studies and quarterly investment portfolio reviews.
The fair value of share awards is based on the market value of the Company's common stock as of the date of grant. Share awards currently granted under the Plan include RSUs, performance-based RSUs and performance share units. Generally, RSU's vest over a two or three year service period following the date of grant. Performance-based RSUs generally become payable within a range of 0% to 100% of the number of shares initially granted based upon the attainment of specific annual performance goals and vest ratably over a four-year service period following the date of grant.
In 2016, the Company completed a comprehensive organization review intended to improve effectiveness and efficiency. The review resulted in the elimination of approximately 370 positions. The Company incurred employee termination costs as a result of these actions totaling approximately $19 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. The costs incurred to date are included in Total claims, benefits, and expenses on the consolidated Statements of Operations and have been allocated to the Company's reportable segments in a manner consistent with the Company's current allocation of personnel costs. The costs by reportable segment for the year ended December 31, 2016, are presented in the following table.