Indemnity and the Exchange share a corporate home office complex in Erie, Pennsylvania, which comprises approximately 665,000 square feet. A new office building is being constructed to serve as part of our principal headquarters. The building is expected to be completed in 2020 and will add approximately 346,000 square feet to our existing home office complex. Additionally, we lease two office buildings and one warehouse facility from third parties. We are charged rent for the related square footage we occupy.
Indemnity and the Exchange also operate 25 field offices in 12 states to perform primarily claims-related activities. The Exchange owns seven field offices and the remaining field offices are leased from third parties. Commitments for properties leased from other parties expire periodically through 2027. We expect that most leases will be renewed or replaced upon expiration. Rental costs of shared facilities are allocated based upon usage or square footage occupied.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment that reduced retained earnings by $38.3 million. See Part II, Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes to Financial Statements" contained within this report.
dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:
See Part II, Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes to Financial Statements" contained within this report for a discussion of recently adopted as well as other recently issued accounting standards and the impact on our financial statements if known.
Pursuant to the subscriber’s agreement for acting as attorney-in-fact in these two capacities, we earn a management fee. Management fee revenue is based upon all direct and affiliated assumed premiums written by the Exchange and the management fee rate, which is not to exceed 25%. Our Board of Directors establishes the management fee rate at least annually, generally in December for the following year. The process of setting the management fee rate includes the evaluation of current year operating results compared to both prior year and industry estimated results for both Indemnity and the Exchange, and consideration of several factors for both entities including: their relative financial strength and capital position; projected revenue, expense and earnings for the subsequent year; future capital needs; as well as competitive position. The management fee rate was set at 25% for 2019, 2018 and 2017. Our Board of Directors set the 2020 management fee rate again at 25%, its maximum level.
Our earnings are primarily driven by the management fee revenue generated for the services we provide to the Exchange. The policy issuance and renewal services we provide to the Exchange are related to the sales, underwriting and issuance of policies. The sales related services we provide include agent compensation and certain sales and advertising support services. Agent compensation includes scheduled commissions to agents based upon premiums written as well as additional commissions and bonuses to agents, which are earned by achieving targeted measures. Agent compensation comprised approximately 67% of our 2019 policy issuance and renewal expenses. The underwriting services we provide include underwriting and policy processing and comprised approximately 10% of our 2019 policy issuance and renewal expenses. The remaining services we provide include customer service and administrative support. We also provide information technology services that support all the functions listed above that comprised approximately 11% of our 2019 policy issuance and renewal expenses. Included in these expenses are allocations of costs for departments that support these policy issuance and renewal functions.
The administrative services reimbursement revenue and corresponding cost of operations increased both total operating revenue and total operating expenses by $582.0 million and $580.3 million in 2019 and 2018, but had no net impact on operating income.
Total investment income increased $14.2 million in 2019 driven primarily by net realized investment gains and higher net investment income. Total investment income decreased $2.8 million in 2018 driven by lower earnings generated from limited partnership investments and higher net realized investment losses, partially offset by higher net investment income.
Level 1 reflects market data obtained from independent sources, such as prices obtained from an exchange or a nationally recognized pricing service for identical instruments in active markets and primarily includes preferred stock.
Our pension plans consist of a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and an unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan ("SERP") for certain members of executive and senior management. Although we are the sponsor of these postretirement plans and record the funded status of these plans, the Exchange and its subsidiaries reimburse us for approximately 59% of the annual benefit expense of these plans, which includes pension benefits for employees performing administrative services and the Exchange's allocated share of costs for employees in departments that support the administrative functions.
Accumulated and projected benefit obligations are expressed as the present value of future cash payments. We discount those cash payments based upon a yield curve developed from corporate bond yield information with maturities that correspond to the payment of benefits. Lower discount rates increase present values and subsequent year pension expense, while higher discount rates decrease present values and subsequent year pension expense. The construction of the yield curve is based upon yields of corporate bonds rated AA or equivalent quality. Target yields are developed from bonds at various maturity points and a curve is fitted to those targets. Spot rates (zero coupon bond yields) are developed from the yield curve and used to discount benefit payment amounts associated with each future year. The present value of plan benefits is calculated by applying the spot/discount rates to projected benefit cash flows. A single discount rate is then developed to produce the same present value. The cash flows from the yield curve were matched against our projected benefit payments in the pension plan, which have a duration of about 19 years. This yield curve supported the selection of a 3.59% discount rate for the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2019 and for the 2020 pension expense. The same methodology was used to develop the 4.47% and 3.73% discount rates used to determine the projected benefit obligation for 2018 and 2017, respectively, and the pension expense for 2019 and 2018, respectively. A 25 basis point decrease in the discount rate assumption, with other assumptions held constant, would increase pension cost in the following year by $5.5 million, of which our share would be approximately $2.3 million, and would increase the pension benefit obligation by $48.3 million.
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arise from several factors, including experience and assumption changes in the obligations and from the difference between expected returns and actual returns on plan assets. These unrecognized gains and losses are recorded in the pension plan obligation and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). These amounts are systematically recognized to net periodic pension expense in future periods, with gains decreasing and losses increasing future pension expense. If actuarial net gains or losses exceed 5% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market-related value of plan assets, the excess is recognized through the net periodic pension expense equally over the estimated service period of the employee group, which is currently 14 years.
Estimates of fair values of the pension plan assets are obtained primarily from the trustee and custodian of our pension plan. Our Level 1 category includes a money market mutual fund for which the fair value is determined using an exchange traded price provided by the trustee and custodian. Our Level 2 category includes commingled pools. Estimates of fair values for securities held by our commingled pools are obtained primarily from the trustee and custodian. Trustee and custodian valuation methodologies for Level 2 securities include multiple verifiable, observable inputs including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuers spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data. There were no Level 3 investments in 2019 or 2018.
allocated based on the estimated standalone selling prices developed using industry information and other available information
for similar services. We update the transaction price allocation annually based upon the most recent information available.
Direct and affiliated assumed premiums include premiums written directly by the Exchange and premiums assumed from its wholly owned property and casualty subsidiaries. Direct and affiliated assumed premiums written by the Exchange increased 5.2% to $7.5 billion in 2019, from $7.1 billion in 2018, driven by increases in both policies in force and average premium per policy. Year-over-year policies in force for all lines of business increased 1.8% in 2019 as the result of continuing strong policyholder retention, compared to 3.3% in 2018. The year-over-year average premium per policy for all lines of business increased 3.2% at December 31, 2019, compared to 3.5% at December 31, 2018.
Premiums generated from new business decreased 2.6% to $863 million in 2019. While year-over-year average premium per policy on new business increased 5.1% at December 31, 2019, new business policies written decreased 7.4% in 2019. Premiums generated from new business increased 4.7% to $886 million in 2018. While 2018 new business policies written decreased 1.4%, the year-over-year average premium per policy on new business increased 6.2% at December 31, 2018, driving this new business premium increase.
Premiums generated from renewal business increased 6.4% to $6.6 billion in 2019, compared to 7.2%, or $6.2 billion, in 2018. Underlying the trend in renewal business premiums were increases in average premium per policy and steady policy retention ratios. The renewal business year-over-year average premium per policy increased 2.9% at December 31, 2019, compared to 3.1% at December 31, 2018.
Commercial lines - Total commercial lines premiums written increased 6.1% to $2.2 billion in 2019, from $2.1 billion in 2018, driven by a 2.4% increase in total commercial lines policies in force and a 3.6% increase in the total commercial lines year-over-year average premium per policy.
2018 and 2017 amounts have been reclassified between categories to conform to the current period presentation.
Non-commission expense - Non-commission expense increased $39.5 million in 2019 compared to 2018. Underwriting and policy processing costs increased $5.7 million primarily due to increased underwriting report costs and other policy acquisition costs. Information technology costs increased $23.1 million primarily due to increased professional fees and hardware and software costs. Sales and advertising costs decreased $3.2 million due to decreased personnel costs. Customer service costs increased $2.9 million primarily due to increased credit card processing fees and personnel costs. Administrative and other expenses increased $11.1 million primarily driven by an increase in the long-term incentive plan costs due to a higher company stock price in 2019 compared to 2018 and several multi-year commitments made to support community development
In 2018, non-commission expense increased $19.7 million compared to 2017. Underwriting and policy processing costs increased $8.1 million primarily due to increased personnel costs and underwriting report costs. Information technology costs increased $5.2 million primarily due to increased personnel costs and professional fees. Customer service costs increased $3.6 million primarily due to increased personnel costs and credit card processing fees. Personnel costs in all expense categories were impacted by additional bonuses awarded to all employees as a result of tax savings realized from the lower corporate income tax rate that became effective January 1, 2018 as well as increased medical costs. The total increase in personnel costs was somewhat offset by lower estimated costs for incentive plan awards related to underwriting performance.
We allocate a portion of the management fee, which currently equates to 0.8% of the direct and affiliated assumed premiums written by the Exchange, to the administrative services. This portion of the management fee is recognized as revenue over a four-year period representing the time over which the services are provided. We also report reimbursed costs as revenues, which are recognized monthly as services are provided. Beginning with the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, the administrative services expenses we incur and the related reimbursements we receive are recorded gross in the Statements of Operations.
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings in all three years included securities in an unrealized loss position that we intended to sell prior to expected recovery of our amortized cost basis as well as securities in an unrealized loss position where we determined the loss was other-than-temporary based on credit factors.
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships increased by $1.5 million in 2019, compared to 2018, and decreased by $3.6 million in 2018, compared to 2017. The increase in earnings in 2019 was primarily the result of higher earnings in real estate investments. The decrease in earnings in 2018 was the result of lower earnings in all sectors.
The financial statements of the Exchange are prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Financial statements prepared under statutory accounting principles focus on the solvency of the insurer and generally provide a more conservative approach than under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Statutory direct written premiums of the Exchange and its wholly owned property and casualty subsidiaries grew 5.2% to $7.5 billion in 2019 from $7.1 billion in 2018. These premiums, along with investment income, are the major sources of cash that support the operations of the Exchange. Policyholders' surplus, determined under statutory accounting principles, was $9.5 billion and $8.6 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Exchange and its wholly owned property and casualty subsidiaries' year-over-year policy retention ratio continues to be high at 90.0% at December 31, 2019 and 90.1% at December 31, 2018.
Our investment portfolio is managed with the objective of maximizing after-tax returns on a risk-adjusted basis. The following table presents the carrying value of our investments as of December 31:
We individually analyze all positions with emphasis on those that have, in our opinion, declined significantly below cost. In compliance with current impairment guidance for available-for-sale securities, we perform further analysis to determine if a credit-related impairment has occurred. Some of the factors considered in determining whether a security is credit impaired include potential for the default of interest and/or principal, level of subordination, collateral of the issue, compliance with financial covenants, credit ratings and industry conditions. We have the intent to sell all credit-impaired securities; therefore, the entire amount of the impairment charges are included in earnings and no impairments are recorded in other comprehensive income. We believe our investment valuation philosophy and accounting practices result in appropriate and timely measurement of fair value and recognition of other-than-temporary impairment.
Under our investment strategy, we maintain a fixed maturity portfolio that is of high quality and well diversified within each market sector. This investment strategy also achieves a balanced maturity schedule. Our fixed maturity portfolio is managed with the goal of achieving reasonable returns while limiting exposure to risk. As part of a rebalancing of our portfolio, we began selling off our municipal bond portfolio in 2018 and completed the process in 2019. The proceeds were reinvested in corporate debt and structured securities as well as preferred stock.
Ratings are supplied by S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch. The table is based upon the lowest rating for each security.
Structured securities include residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations, and asset-backed securities.
Equity securities consist of nonredeemable preferred and common stock and are carried at fair value in the Statements of Financial Position with all changes in unrealized gains and losses reflected in the Statements of Operations.
The funded status of our postretirement benefit plans is recognized in the Statements of Financial Position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. At December 31, 2019, shareholders' equity amounts related to these postretirement plans increased by $1.7 million, net of tax, of which $4.9 million represents amortization of the prior service cost and net actuarial loss offset by $3.2 million of current period actuarial loss. The 2019 actuarial loss was primarily due to the change in the discount rate assumption used to measure the future benefit obligations to 3.59% in 2019, from 4.47% in 2018. At December 31, 2018, shareholders' equity amounts related to these postretirement plans increased by $35.7 million, net of tax, of which $10.9 million represents amortization of the prior service cost and net actuarial loss and $24.8 million represents the current period actuarial gain. The 2018 actuarial gain was primarily due to the change in the discount rate assumption used to measure the future benefit obligations to 4.47% in 2018, from 3.73% in 2017. Although we are the sponsor of these postretirement plans and record the funded status of these plans, the Exchange and its subsidiaries reimburse us for approximately 59% of the annual benefit expense of these plans, which includes pension benefits for employees performing administrative services and their allocated share of costs for employees in departments that support the administrative functions.
In 2016, we entered into a credit agreement for a $100 million senior secured draw term loan credit facility ("Credit Facility") for the acquisition of real property and construction of an office building that will serve as part of our principal headquarters. On January 1, 2019, the Credit Facility converted to a fully-amortized term loan with monthly payments of principal and interest at a fixed rate of 4.35% over a period of 28 years. We capitalize applicable interest charges incurred during the construction period of long-term building projects as part of the historical cost of the asset.
Volatility in the financial markets presents challenges to us as we do occasionally access our investment portfolio as a source of cash. Some of our fixed income investments, despite being publicly traded, may be illiquid. Volatility in these markets could impair our ability to sell certain of our fixed income securities or cause such securities to sell at deep discounts. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our needs from other sources even if market volatility persists throughout 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, we have access to a $100 million bank revolving line of credit with a $25 million letter of credit sublimit that expires on October 30, 2023. As of December 31, 2019, a total of $99.1 million remains available under the facility due to $0.9 million outstanding letters of credit, which reduce the availability for letters of credit to $24.1 million. We had no borrowings outstanding on our line of credit as of December 31, 2019. Investments with a fair value of $110.1 million were pledged as collateral on the line at December 31, 2019. These securities have no trading restrictions and are reported as available-for-sale securities and cash and cash equivalents in the Statements of Financial Position. The bank requires compliance with certain covenants, which include leverage ratios and debt restrictions. We were in compliance with our bank covenants at December 31, 2019.
We have certain obligations and commitments to make future payments under various contracts. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate obligations were as follows:
Other commitments include various agreements for services, including information technology, support, and maintenance obligations, and other obligations in the ordinary course of business. These agreements are enforceable and legally binding and specify fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased and the approximate timing of the transaction. The table above also includes agreements that contain cancellation provisions, some of which may require us to pay a termination fee. The amounts under such contracts are included in the table above as we expect to make future cash payments according to the contract terms.
The obligation for our unfunded Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) for our executive and senior management is not included in gross contractual obligations. The accumulated benefit obligation for this plan at December 31, 2019 is $23.4 million. We expect to have sufficient cash flows from operations to meet the future benefit payments as these become due.
We previously owned three field offices for which rental costs of shared facilities were allocated based upon usage or square footage occupied. In 2018, we sold the three field offices to the Exchange at the current independent appraised value in order to align the ownership interest of these facilities with the functions being performed at these locations, which are claims-related activities.
We previously held a $25 million surplus note issued to us by EFL that was payable on demand on or after December 31, 2018. In 2018, EFL, with the appropriate approval from the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, satisfied its obligation and repaid the surplus note. EFL paid related interest to us of $1.6 million in 2018 and $1.7 million in 2017.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s administrative services reimbursement revenue totaled $582 million. The Company’s primary function, as attorney-in-fact, is to perform certain services on behalf of the subscribers at the Erie Insurance Exchange (Exchange) and its insurance subsidiaries, in accordance with the Subscriber’s Agreement and the service agreements with each of the Exchange’s insurance subsidiaries. As explained in Note 2 of the financial statements, pursuant to approved service agreements, administrative services, which include costs associated with claims handling services, life insurance related operating activities, investment management, and operating overhead incurred by the Company on behalf of the Exchange and its insurance subsidiaries, are reimbursed to the Company at cost and recorded as administrative services reimbursement revenue. To determine the proportional cost allocation to each entity, the Company determines utilization statistics using numerous variables including, among others, employee count, square footage, vehicle count, and project hours.
Our primary function as attorney-in-fact is to perform policy issuance and renewal services on behalf of the subscribers at the Exchange. We also act as attorney-in-fact on behalf of the Exchange with respect to all claims handling and investment management services, as well as the service provider for all claims handling, life insurance, and investment management services for its insurance subsidiaries, collectively referred to as "administrative services". Acting as attorney-in-fact in these two capacities is done in accordance with a subscriber's agreement (a limited power of attorney) executed individually by each subscriber (policyholder), which appoints us as their common attorney-in-fact to transact certain business on their behalf. Pursuant to the subscriber's agreement for acting as attorney-in-fact in these two capacities, we earn a management fee calculated as a percentage of the direct and affiliated assumed premiums written by the Exchange.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software", which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018-15 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments under ASU 2018-15 may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this guidance on a prospective basis on January 1, 2020 and there was no material impact on our financial statements or disclosures.
periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Our financial assets subject to this guidance include our receivable from Erie Insurance Exchange, agent loans, and investments. We do not expect a significant credit loss exposure for our receivable from Erie Insurance Exchange given the financial strength of the Exchange and the lack of any historical credit loss. As the majority of our agent loans are senior secured and have experienced only insignificant default amounts, we have historically not recorded an allowance for credit losses related to our agent loans. Upon adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2020, we established allowances for both the receivable from Erie Insurance Exchange and agent loans and recognized an immaterial cumulative effect adjustment. Our investments are not measured at amortized cost, and therefore do not require the use of a new expected loss model. Our available-for-sale securities will continue to be monitored for credit losses, which will be limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost and reflected as an allowance for credit losses rather than a reduction of the carrying value of the asset.
Available-for-sale securities - Fixed maturity debt securities and redeemable preferred stock are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized investment gains and losses, net of income taxes, recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Available-for-sale securities with a remaining maturity of 12 months or less and any security that we intend to sell as of the reporting date are classified as current assets.
Indemnity records a receivable from the Exchange for management fee revenue when the premium is written or assumed from affiliates by the Exchange. Indemnity collects the management fee from the Exchange when the Exchange collects the premiums from the subscribers (policyholders). As the Exchange issues policies with annual terms only, cash collections generally occur within one year.
Class A and Class B basic earnings per share and Class B diluted earnings per share are calculated under the two-class method. The two-class method allocates earnings to each class of stock based upon its dividend rights. Class B shares are convertible into Class A shares at a conversion ratio of 2,400 to 1. See Note 13, "Capital Stock".
In 2017, we recorded a one-time net non-cash tax expense of $10.1 million as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"). See Note 12, "Income Taxes". This resulted in a reduction in Class A basic earnings per share of $0.22 and diluted earnings per share of $0.19, and a reduction in Class B basic earnings per share of $33 and diluted earnings per share of $32.
Estimates of fair values for our investment portfolio are obtained primarily from a nationally recognized pricing service. Our Level 1 securities are valued using an exchange traded price provided by the pricing service. Pricing service valuations for Level 2 securities include multiple verifiable, observable inputs including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data. Pricing service valuations for Level 3 securities are based upon proprietary models and are used when observable inputs are not available or in illiquid markets.
Although virtually all of our prices are obtained from third party sources, we also perform internal pricing reviews, including evaluating the methodology and inputs used to ensure that we determine the proper classification level of the financial instrument and reviewing securities with price changes that vary significantly from current market conditions or independent third party price sources. Price variances are investigated and corroborated by market data and transaction volumes. We have reviewed the pricing methodologies of our pricing service as well as other observable inputs and believe that the prices adequately consider market activity in determining fair value.
The following table presents our fair value measurements on a recurring basis by pricing source as of:
The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized in the fair value measurements of Level 3 assets. Level 3 securities where cost is the best estimate of fair value totaled $0.2 million at December 31, 2019 and are excluded from the table below. When a non-binding broker quote was the only input available, the security was classified within Level 3. The quantitative detail of the unobservable inputs is neither provided nor reasonably available to us and therefore has not been included in the table below. These investments totaled $1.3 million at December 31, 2019 and $12.6 million at December 31, 2018. The weighted average is calculated based on estimated fair value.
Values for bank loans classified as Level 3 are determined by our pricing vendor based on model yield curves adjusted for observable inputs. The market residual yield represents a net adjustment to the model yield curve for unobservable input factors.
Values for commercial mortgage-backed securities classified as Level 3 include adjustments to the base spread over the appropriate U.S. Treasury yield assuming no prepayments until penalty provisions have expired.
These amounts are reported as net investment income and net realized investment gains (losses) for each of the periods presented above.
The change in unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) related to Level 3 securities held at the reporting date is as follows for the years ended December 31:
The following table presents the carrying values and fair values of financial instruments categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy that are recorded at carrying value as of:
See Note 5, "Fair Value" for additional fair value disclosures. The following tables summarize the cost and fair value of our available-for-sale securities as of:
Includes interest earned on note receivable from EFL of $1.6 million in 2018 and $1.7 million in 2017. The note was repaid in full in 2018.
Effective January 1, 2018, changes in unrealized gains and losses on equity securities are included in net realized investment gains (losses).
Other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities recognized in earnings were $0.2 million, $1.6 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We have the intent to sell all credit-impaired available-for-sale securities; therefore, the entire amount of the impairment charges were included in earnings and no impairments were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). See also Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies".
Software increased primarily related to mainframe software licenses and investments in data technology, as well as internally developed software projects completed and placed in production related to providing personal lines new product processing capabilities.
Construction in progress includes a new office building that will serve as part of our principal headquarters. Capitalized interest included in construction in progress was $3.4 million and $2.1 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The building is expected to be completed in 2020 and is financed using a senior secured draw term loan credit facility. See Note 9, "Borrowing Arrangements".
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets totaled $16.8 million, $13.4 million and $14.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in cost of operations - policy issuance and renewal services.
The following table summarizes our lease assets and liabilities at December 31:
We currently have leases for real estate, technology equipment, copiers, and vehicles. Our largest operating lease asset at December 31, 2019 of $11.7 million is for home office space leased from the Exchange. Under this lease, rent is based on rental rates of like property and all operating expenses are the responsibility of the tenant (Indemnity). The lease agreement expires December 31, 2021. See Note 15, "Related Party".
In 2016, we entered into a credit agreement for a $100 million senior secured draw term loan credit facility ("Credit Facility") for the acquisition of real property and construction of an office building to serve as part of our principal headquarters. On January 1, 2019, the Credit Facility converted to a fully-amortized term loan with monthly payments of principal and interest at a fixed rate of 4.35% over a period of 28 years. Investments with a fair value of $112.4 million were pledged as collateral for the facility and are reported as available-for-sale securities and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019. The bank requires compliance with certain covenants, which include leverage ratios, debt restrictions and minimum net worth, for our Credit Facility. We are in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2019.
Our pension plans consist of a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees and an unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan ("SERP") for certain members of executive and senior management. The pension plans provide benefits to covered individuals satisfying certain age and service requirements. The defined benefit pension plan and SERP each provide benefits through a final average earnings formula.
(1) The current portion of pension liabilities is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Benefit obligations are described in the following tables. Accumulated and projected benefit obligations represent the obligations of a pension plan for past service as of the measurement date. The accumulated benefit obligation is the present value of pension benefits earned as of the measurement date based on employee service and compensation prior to that date. It differs from the projected benefit obligation in that the accumulated benefit obligation includes no assumptions to reflect expected future compensation. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the projected benefit obligation, as well as the accumulated benefit obligation at December 31:
In 2019, there was one new SERP participant. In 2018, there were five new SERP participants.
401(k) savings plan. We match 100% of the participant contributions up to 3% of compensation and 50% of participant contributions over 3% and up to 5% of compensation. Matching contributions paid to the plan were $14.9 million in 2019, $13.9 million in 2018, and $12.8 million in 2017. In 2018, we made an additional discretionary employer contribution of $5.4 million, as a way of sharing the tax savings realized from the lower corporate income tax rate that became effective January 1, 2018 with our employees. The Exchange and its subsidiaries reimbursed us for approximately 59% of the matching and discretionary contributions. Employees are permitted to invest the employer-matching contributions in our Class A common stock. Employees, other than executive and senior officers, may sell the shares at any time without restriction, provided they are in compliance with applicable insider trading laws; sales by executive and senior officers are subject to additional pre-clearance restrictions imposed by our insider trading policies. The plan acquires shares in the open market necessary to meet the obligations of the plan. Plan participants held 0.2 million shares of our Class A common stock at December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The rabbi trust purchased 7,370 shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $194.62 for $1.4 million in 2019, 9,285 shares at an average price of $122.19 for $1.1 million in 2018, and 9,663 shares at an average price of $121.85 for $1.2 million in 2017 to satisfy the liability of the stock compensation plan for outside directors. The shares are distributed to the outside director from the rabbi trust upon ending board service. The total compensation charged to operations related to these awards totaled $1.1 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
To date, all awards have been satisfied with shares of our Class A common stock. In 2019, we purchased 3,246 Class A shares with an average share price of $132.35 and a market value of $0.4 million to satisfy the liability for the 2016 plan year. In 2018, we purchased 5,830 Class A shares with an average share price of $117.39 and a market value of $0.7 million to satisfy the liability for the 2015 plan year and remainder of 2014 plan year awards. In 2017, we purchased 3,785 shares with an average share price of $111.55 and a market value of $0.4 million to satisfy the liability for a portion of the 2014 plan award. The total compensation charged to operations related to these ECP awards was $0.5 million in 2019, $0.4 million in 2018, and $0.2 million in 2017. The Exchange and its subsidiaries reimburse us for earned compensation costs of employees performing administrative services, which can fluctuate each year based on the plan participants. The Exchange and its subsidiaries reimbursed us for approximately 49%, 68%, and 38% of the awards paid in 2019, 2018, and 2017 respectively. Unearned compensation expense of $0.4 million is expected to be recognized over a period of three years.
The statutory rate for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is 21%, and 35% for the year ended December 31, 2017.
If we determine that any of our deferred tax assets will not result in future tax benefits, a valuation allowance must be established for the portion of the assets that are not expected to be realized. We had no valuation allowance recorded at December 31, 2019 or 2018.
Tax years ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 remain open to IRS examination. We are not currently under IRS audit, nor have we been notified of an upcoming IRS audit.
Most states have enacted legislation that regulates insurance holding company systems, defined as two or more affiliated persons, one or more of which is an insurer. The Exchange has the following wholly owned property and casualty subsidiaries: Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Company of New York, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company and Flagship City Insurance Company, and a wholly owned life insurance company, Erie Family Life Insurance Company. Indemnity and the Exchange, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, meet the definition of an insurance holding company system.
We previously owned three field offices for which rental costs of shared facilities were allocated based upon usage or square footage occupied. In 2018, we sold the three field offices to the Exchange. See Note 7, "Fixed Assets".
Financial instruments that could potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk include our unsecured receivables from the Exchange. A large majority of our revenue and receivables are from the Exchange and its affiliates. See also Note 1, "Nature of Operations". Management fee amounts and other reimbursements due from the Exchange and its affiliates were $468.6 million and $449.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Given the financial strength of the Exchange and historical experience of no credit losses, we believe it is unlikely these receivables have a significant credit loss exposure.
The decrease in interest expense and other (income), net in the fourth quarter is driven by the $3.4 million gain recognized on the sale of the field offices we owned to Exchange. See Note 7, "Fixed Assets".