Of the total notional value of investment-related contracts tied to LIBOR, extending beyond 2021 and June 30, 2023, $20.7 billion or 85.7% and $19.7 billion or 91.6%, respectively, relate to multi-lateral arrangements. These arrangements are typically characterized by a large, diverse set of unrelated holders, the majority or all of whom must consent to amendments to the terms of the underlying investment instrument. Generally, when the amendments concern a material term such as the determination of interest, consent must be unanimous. Given the collective action issues inherent in such structures, such consent is typically impracticable and beyond our control. The existence and character of fallback provisions affected by the discontinuation of LIBOR vary widely from instrument to instrument. Many of our legacy contracts may not contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR and upon LIBOR’s discontinuation may result in the conversion of the instrument from a floating- to a fixed-rate instrument or may involve a significant degree of uncertainty as to the method of determining interest. To the extent that such legacy arrangements do not contemplate the permanent discontinuation of LIBOR, we would most likely look to some broad-based solution, such as the Alternative Reference Rates Committee’s proposed New York law amendment, to rectify such deficiency. In the absence of such a solution, we would likely be required to undertake a re-evaluation of affected investments, which might result in the disposition of individual positions. To the extent that individual positions are retained, we may incur adverse financial consequences, including any mark-to-market impacts resulting from those investments that convert from a floating to a fixed rate. To the extent that the fallback rates ultimately used to determine interest payable on structured securities do not align with the fallback rates used to determine interest payable on the underlying assets, economic losses could be sustained on the overall structure.
•Stock Compensation Expense-Consists of stock compensation expenses associated with our share incentive plans, excluding our long-term incentive plan, which are not related to our underlying profitability drivers and fluctuate from time to time due to the structure of our plans.
Preferred stock dividends increased by $59 million to $95 million in 2020 from $36 million in 2019, driven primarily by dividends we paid on preferred stock we issued in 2020.
Our net invested assets were $150.2 billion and $117.5 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, our net invested assets were mainly comprised of 47.3% of corporate securities, 26.1% of structured securities, 14.4% of mortgage loans and 4.5% of alternative investments. Corporate securities included $18.2 billion of private placements, which represented 12.1% of our net invested assets. The increase in net invested assets as of December 31, 2020 from 2019 was primarily driven by growth from net organic inflows over liability outflows, a $10.1 billion increase in assets (net of the ACRA noncontrolling interest) as a result of the Jackson reinsurance transaction, our investment in Apollo of $1.3 billion, the deployment of proceeds from the issuances of preferred stock and debt and reinvestment of earnings.
Net alternative investments do not correspond to the total investment funds, including related parties, on our consolidated balance sheets. As discussed above in the net invested assets section, we adjust the GAAP presentation for funds withheld, modco and VIEs. The investment in Apollo is excluded from our alternative investments, while we include CLO and ABS equity tranche securities in alternative investments due to their underlying characteristics and equity-like features.
Athora is a specialized insurance and reinsurance group fully focused on the European market. Athora’s principal operational subsidiaries are Athora Netherlands N.V. in the Netherlands, Athora Belgium SA in Belgium, Athora Lebensversicherung AG in Germany, Athora Ireland plc in Ireland, and Athora Life Re Ltd in Bermuda. Athora deploys capital and resources to further its mission to build a stand-alone independent and integrated insurance and reinsurance business. Athora’s growth is achieved primarily through acquisitions, portfolio transfers and reinsurance. Athora is building a European insurance brand and has successfully acquired, integrated, and transformed four insurance companies: Delta Lloyd Deutschland AG (2015), Aegon Ireland plc (2018), Generali Belgium SA (2019) and VIVAT NV (2020).
On June 11, 2020, we issued 24,000 6.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference shares, Series C, par value of $1.00 per share with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $583 million, net of the underwriters’ discount and estimated expenses.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Amounts based on such estimates involve numerous assumptions subject to varying and potentially significant degrees of judgment and uncertainty, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business, and will likely change in the future as additional information becomes available. Critical estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis based on historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that is reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to estimates and assumptions and that reported results of operations will not be materially affected by the need to make future accounting adjustments to reflect periodic changes in these estimates and assumptions, particularly as more information about the extent to which COVID-19 and the resulting impact on economic conditions and the financial markets become known. Critical accounting estimates are impacted significantly by our methods, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our significant accounting policies described in Note 1 - Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements. The following summary of our critical accounting estimates is intended to enhance one’s ability to assess our financial condition and results of operations and the potential volatility due to changes in estimates.
Securities Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements - Securities repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions involve the temporary exchange of securities for cash or other collateral of equivalent value, with agreement to redeliver a like quantity of the same or similar securities at a future date and at a fixed and determinable price. We evaluate transfers of securities under these agreements to repurchase or resell to determine whether they satisfy the criteria for accounting treatment as secured borrowing or lending arrangements. Agreements not meeting the criteria would require recognition of the transferred securities as sales or purchases, with related forward repurchase or resale commitments. All of our securities repurchase transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings and are included in payables for collateral on derivatives and securities to repurchase on the consolidated balance sheets. Earnings from investing activities related to the cash received under our securities repurchase arrangements are included in net investment income on the consolidated statements of income. The associated borrowing cost is included in policy and other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income. The investments purchased in reverse repurchase agreements, which represent collateral on a secured lending arrangement, are not reflected in our consolidated balance sheets; however, the secured lending arrangement is recorded as a short-term investment for the principal amount loaned under the agreement.
Allowance estimates are highly dependent on expectations of future economic conditions and macroeconomic forecasts, which involve significant judgment and subjectivity. We use quantitative modeling to develop the allowance for expected credit losses. Key inputs into the model include data pertaining to the characteristics of the assets, historical losses and current market conditions. Additionally, the model incorporates management’s expectations around future economic conditions and macroeconomic forecasts over a reasonable and supportable forecast period, after which the model reverts to historical averages. These inputs, the reasonable and supportable forecast period, and reversion to historical average technique are subject to a formal governance and review process by management. Additionally, management considers qualitative adjustments to the model output to the extent that any relevant information regarding the collectability of the asset is available and not already considered in the quantitative model. If we determine that a financial asset has become collateral dependent, which we determine to be the point at which foreclosure is probable, the allowance is measured as the difference between amortized cost and the fair value of the collateral, less any expected costs to sell.
The amendments in this update modify the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. On October 1, 2018, we early adopted the removal and modification of certain disclosures as permitted. The additional disclosures in the update were adopted effective January 1, 2020. This update did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, no interest income was recognized on commercial mortgage loans in non-accrual status.
Our risk of loss associated with our non-consolidated investments depends on the investment. Investment funds, equity securities and trading securities are limited to the carrying value plus unfunded commitments. AFS securities are limited to amortized cost plus unfunded commitments.
Funding Agreements-We are a member of the FHLB and, through membership, we have issued funding agreements to the FHLB in exchange for cash advances. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had $2,002 million and $1,226 million, respectively, of FHLB funding agreements outstanding. We are required to provide collateral in excess of the funding agreement amounts outstanding, considering any discounts to the securities posted and prepayment penalties.
In addition to the examinations and proceedings initiated to date, it is possible that other regulators may pursue similar formal examinations, inquiries or enforcement proceedings and that any examinations, inquiries and/or enforcement proceedings may result in fines, administrative penalties and payments to policyholders. While we do not expect the amount of any such fines, penalties or payments arising from these matters to be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, it is possible that such amounts could be material.
•Change in fair values of derivatives and embedded derivatives - index annuities, net of offsets;