Policy acquisition costs deferred for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased by $81.4 million compared to the same period in 2002. The decrease was primarily due to lower selling expenses on lower fixed product sales, as well as the deferral of a net gain attributed to the recapture of an affiliated reinsurance agreement.
The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle for the year ended December 31, 2002, was a loss of $135.3 million net of taxes, related to the adoption of FAS No. 142, which addresses the value of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
During 2003, 2002 and 2001, ING USA received capital contributions of $230.0 million, $356.3 million and $196.8 million, respectively.
The Company occasionally purchases a financial instrument that contains a derivative that is "embedded" in the instrument. In addition, the Company's insurance products are reviewed to determine whether they contain an embedded derivative. The Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the financial instrument or insurance product (i.e., the host contract) and whether a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When it is determined that the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and that a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract and carried at fair value. However, in cases where the host contract is measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current period earnings or the Company is unable to reliably identify and measure the embedded derivative for separation from its host contracts, the entire contract is carried on the balance sheet at fair value and is not
The Company engages in securities lending whereby certain securities from its portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. Initial collateral, primarily cash, is required at a rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned domestic securities. The collateral is deposited by the borrower with a lending agent, and retained and invested by the lending agent according to the Company's guidelines to generate additional income. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained or refunded as the market value of the loaned securities fluctuates.
The Company has remained unlocked during 2003, and reset long-term assumptions for the separate account returns from 9.0% to 8.5% (gross before fund management fees and mortality and expense and other policy charges), as of December 31, 2003, maintaining a blended return of equity and other sub-accounts. The 2003 unlocking adjustment from the previous year was primarily driven by improved market performance. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company recorded a deceleration of DAC/VOBA amortization totaling $41.3 million before tax, or $26.9 million, net of $14.4 million of federal income tax expense.
$3.6 million of unrealized losses related to securities reviewed for impairment under the guidance prescribed by EITF 99-20. This category includes U.S. government-backed securities, principal protected securities and structured securities which did not have an adverse change in cash flows for which the carrying amount was $195.1 million.
$6.3 million of unrealized losses relating to the energy/utility industry, for which the carrying amount was $125.7 million. During 2003, the energy sector recovered due to a gradually improving economic picture and the lack of any material accounting irregularities similar to those experienced in the prior two years. The Company's year-end analysis indicates that the Company expects the debt to be serviced in accordance with the contractual terms.
Of the losses more than 12 months in duration of $1.3 million, there were $0.6 million related to securities reviewed for impairment under the guidance prescribed by EITF 99-20. This category includes U.S. government-backed securities, principal protected securities and structured securities which did not have an adverse change in cash flows for which the carrying amount was $4.0 million.
ING USA maintains a reciprocal loan agreement with ING AIH, a Delaware corporation and affiliate, to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Under this agreement, which expires December 31, 2007, ING USA and ING AIH can borrow up to $40.0 million from one another. Prior to lending funds to ING AIH, ING USA must obtain the approval from the Department of Insurance of the State of Delaware. Interest on any ING USA borrowings is charged at the rate of ING AIH's cost of funds for the interest period plus 0.15%. Interest on any ING AIH borrowings is charged at a rate based on the prevailing interest rate of U.S. commercial paper available for purchase with a similar duration. Under this agreement, ING USA incurred interest expense of $66,087, $33,000, and $26,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, ING USA did not have any borrowings or receivables from ING AIH under this agreement.