The most significant component of the Company’s investments is its Available-for-Sale securities, which the Company carries at fair value within its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the Company’s Available-for-Sale securities at December 31, 2012 was primarily obtained from third-party pricing sources. The Company records unrealized securities gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of impacts to DAC, deferred sales inducement costs (“DSIC”), certain benefit reserves and income taxes. The Company recognizes gains and losses in results of operations upon disposition of the securities.
credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of impacts to DAC, DSIC, certain benefit reserves and income taxes. For Available-for-Sale securities that have recognized an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, the difference between the amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income, if through subsequent evaluation there is a sustained increase in the cash flow expected. Subsequent increases and decreases in the fair value of Available-for-Sale securities are included in other comprehensive income.
For structured investments (e.g., residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and asset backed securities), the Company also considers factors such as overall deal structure and its position within the structure, quality of underlying collateral, delinquencies and defaults, loss severities, recoveries, prepayments and cumulative loss projections in assessing potential other-than-temporary impairments of these investments. Based upon these factors, securities that have indicators of potential other-than-temporary impairment are subject to detailed review by management. Securities for which declines are considered temporary continue to be carefully monitored by management.
The Company adopted new accounting rules for DAC on January 1, 2012 on a retrospective basis. See below for the updated accounting policies on the deferral of acquisition costs.
The Company incurs costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance and annuity businesses. The portion of these costs which are incremental and direct to the acquisition of a new or renewal insurance policy or annuity contract are deferred. Significant costs capitalized by the Company include sales based compensation related to the acquisition of new and renewal insurance policies and annuity contracts, medical inspection costs for successful sales, and a portion of employee compensation and benefit costs based upon the amount of time spent on successful sales. Sales based compensation paid to Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. (“AFSI”), a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, advisors and employees and third-party distributers is capitalized. Employee compensation and benefits costs which are capitalized under the new accounting standard relate primarily to sales efforts, underwriting and processing. All other costs which are not incremental direct costs of acquiring an insurance policy or annuity contract are expensed as incurred.
For the Company’s annuity and life, disability income (“DI”) and long term care (“LTC”) insurance products, the DAC and DSIC balances at any reporting date are supported by projections that show management expects there to be adequate premiums or estimated gross profits after that date to amortize the remaining DAC and DSIC balances. These projections are inherently uncertain because they require management to make assumptions about financial markets, anticipated mortality and morbidity levels and policyholder behavior over periods extending well into the future. Projection periods used for the Company’s annuity products are typically 30 to 50 years. Projection periods for its life and LTC insurance products are often 50 years or longer and projection periods for its DI products can be up to 45 years. Management regularly monitors financial market conditions and actual policyholder behavior experience and compares them to its assumptions.
For annuity and universal life (“UL”) insurance products, the assumptions made in projecting future results and calculating the DAC balance and DAC amortization expense are management’s best estimates. Management is required to update these assumptions whenever it appears that, based on actual experience or other evidence, earlier estimates should be revised. When assumptions are changed, the percentage of estimated gross profits used to amortize DAC might also change. A change in the required amortization percentage is applied retrospectively; an increase in amortization percentage will result in a decrease in the DAC balance and an increase in DAC amortization expense, while a decrease in amortization
The majority of the variable annuity contracts offered by the Company contain guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) provisions. When market values of the customer’s accounts decline, the death benefit payable on a contract with a GMDB provision may exceed the contract accumulation value. The Company also offers variable annuities with death benefit provisions that gross up the amount payable by a certain percentage of contract earnings which are referred to as gain gross-up benefits. In addition, the Company offers contracts with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWB”) and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (“GMAB”) provisions and, until May 2007, the Company offered contracts containing guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) provisions.
Liabilities for fixed annuities in a benefit or payout status are based on future estimated payments using established industry mortality tables and interest rates, ranging from 3.17% to 9.38% at December 31, 2012, depending on year of issue, with an average rate of approximately 5.02%.
Liabilities for estimates of benefits that will become payable on future claims on term life, whole life, DI and LTC policies are based on the net level premium method, using anticipated premium payments, mortality and morbidity rates, policy persistency and interest rates earned on assets supporting the liability. Anticipated mortality and morbidity rates are based on established industry mortality and morbidity tables, with modifications based on the Company’s experience. Anticipated premium payments and persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age, policy duration and certain other pricing factors. Anticipated interest rates for term and whole life ranged from 3.25% to 10.0% at December 31, 2012, depending on policy form, issue year and policy duration. Anticipated interest rates for DI policies ranged from 3.25% to 7.5% at December 31, 2012, depending on policy form, issue year and policy duration. Anticipated interest rates for LTC policy reserves can vary by plan and year and ranged from 5.8% to 9.4% at December 31, 2012.
The Company’s accounting policy is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivatives and collateral arrangements executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. For derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as accounting hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in current period earnings.
Income taxes, as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements, represent the net amount of income taxes that the Company expects to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with its operations. The Company provides for income taxes based on amounts that it believes it will ultimately owe taking into account the recognition and measurement for uncertain tax positions. Inherent in the provision for income taxes are estimates and judgments regarding the tax treatment of certain items. In the event that the ultimate tax treatment of items differs from the Company’s estimates, it may be required to significantly change the provision for income taxes recorded in its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In connection with the provision for income taxes, the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain amounts related to deferred tax assets and liabilities, which result from temporary differences between the assets and liabilities measured for financial statement purposes versus the assets and liabilities measured for tax return purposes. Among the Company’s deferred taxes is a significant deferred tax asset relating to capital losses that have been recognized for financial statement purposes but not yet for tax return purposes as well as future deductible capital losses realized for tax return purposes. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, capital losses generally must be used against capital gain income within five years of the year in which the capital losses are recognized for tax purposes.
The Company adopted new accounting rules for DAC on January 1, 2012 on a retrospective basis. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of the adoption on prior period consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Net income decreased $171 million or 21% compared to the prior year. Pretax income decreased $197 million or 19% compared to the prior year primarily reflecting the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits (net of hedges and the related DAC and DSIC amortization), and the negative impact of the continued low interest rate environment, partially offset by the impact of market appreciation. The prior year results included $34 million of additional investment income recognition (net of DAC and DSIC amortization). The market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits (net of hedges and the related DAC and DSIC amortization) was a decrease to pretax income of $265 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, which included a $14 million negative impact associated with unlocking and model changes. This compares to a decrease of $62 million for the prior year, which included a $4 million negative impact associated with unlocking and model changes. The market impact on DAC and DSIC amortization was a benefit of $31 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to an expense of $11 million for the prior year.
The following table presents the total pretax impacts on the Company’s revenues and expenses attributable to unlocking and model changes for the years ended December 31:
(1) Includes $14 million and $4 million of expense related to the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Total revenues decreased $93 million or 2% compared to the prior year.
Other revenues increased $26 million or 9% compared to the prior year reflecting higher marketing support due to higher average separate account balances.
Net realized investment losses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $3 million compared to net realized investment gains of $5 million for the prior year. For the year ended December 31, 2012, net realized gains on Available-for-Sale securities due to sales, calls and tenders were $15 million offset by other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings of $17 million which related to credit losses on non-agency residential mortgage backed securities. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net realized gains on Available-for-Sale securities due to sales, calls and tenders were $28 million partially offset by other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings of $24 million which primarily related to credit losses on non-agency residential mortgage backed securities. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the reserves on commercial mortgage loans decreased by $3 million partially offset by a realized loss of $1 million on commercial mortgage loans.
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased $266 million, or 28%, compared to the prior year primarily due to the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed living benefits (net of hedges and the related DSIC amortization), which was an expense of $334 million in 2012, including $18 million of expense associated with unlocking and model changes, compared to an expense of $67 million in 2011, including $4 million of expense associated with unlocking and model changes. In 2012, the fair value of the variable annuity guaranteed living benefits liability decreased nearly $1 billion and the nonperformance credit spread was reduced. During this period, hedging management produced a loss and there was an increase in expense due to the reduction in credit spread. In 2011, the fair value of the variable annuity guaranteed living benefits liability increased over $1 billion and the nonperformance credit spread increased. Hedging management decisions and results in 2011 drove a gross expense that was materially offset by nonperformance credit spread movement for that fiscal year. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses for 2012 included a $28 million benefit from unlocking and model changes primarily reflecting a $50 million benefit from an adjustment to the model which values the reserves related to living benefit guarantees primarily attributable to prior periods, partially offset by lower bond fund returns related to liabilities for the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB. Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses for 2011 included a $40 million benefit from unlocking and model changes, primarily reflecting a positive impact from enhancements made to the valuation of variable annuities with living benefits. The market impact on DSIC was a benefit of $7 million in 2012 compared to an expense of $2 million in 2011 as a result of favorable equity and bond fund returns in 2012 compared to unfavorable equity markets in 2011.
Non-Agency Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Backed by Sub-prime, Alt-A or Prime Collateral
Sub-prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers with weak credit profiles. Alt-A mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers who have credit ratings above sub-prime but may not conform to government-sponsored standards. Prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to customers with good credit profiles. The Company has exposure to each of these types of loans predominantly through mortgage backed securities. The slowdown in the U.S. housing market, combined with relaxed underwriting standards by some originators, has led to higher delinquency and loss rates for some of these investments. Persistent market conditions have increased the likelihood of other-than-temporary impairments for certain non-agency residential mortgage backed securities. As a part of the Company’s risk management process, an internal rating system is used in conjunction with market data as the basis of analysis to assess the likelihood that the Company will not receive all contractual principal and interest payments for these investments. For the investments that are more at risk for impairment, the Company performs its own assessment of projected cash flows incorporating assumptions about default rates, prepayment speeds and loss severity to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment should be recognized.
For dividends from the life insurance companies, notifications to state insurance regulators were made in advance of payments in excess of statutorily defined thresholds. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The contractual obligations identified in the table below include balance sheet transactions that represent material expected or contractually committed future obligations. Payments due by period as of December 31, 2012 were as follows:
(1) These scheduled payments are represented by reserves of approximately $30.7 billion at December 31, 2012 and are based on interest credited, mortality, morbidity, lapse, surrender and premium payment assumptions. Actual payment obligations may differ if experience varies from these assumptions. Separate account liabilities have been excluded as associated contractual obligations would be met by separate account assets.
assets. Because certain of its investment activities are impacted by the value of its managed equity-based portfolios, from time to time the Company enters into risk management strategies that may include the use of equity derivative instruments, such as equity options, to mitigate its exposure to volatility in the equity markets.
The above results compare to an estimated negative net impact to pretax income of $208 million related to a 10% equity price decline and an estimated negative net impact to pretax income of $24 million related to a 100 basis point increase in interest rates as of December 31, 2011. The change in the interest rate exposure was primarily related to fixed annuities and the fixed portion of variable annuities, which increased approximately $63 million primarily driven by model updates, namely enhanced reflection of recent mortgage prepayment experience and enhanced asset portfolio turn-over logic. The underlying interest rate sensitivity of the fixed annuity and fixed portion of variable annuities has not materially changed due to market conditions.
The Company earns asset-based management fees on its owned separate account assets partially offset by certain expenses. At December 31, 2012, the value of these assets was $69.4 billion. This source of revenue is subject to both interest rate and equity price risk since the value of these assets and the fees they earn fluctuate inversely with interest rates and directly with equity prices. The Company does not currently hedge the interest rate or equity price risk of this exposure.
Therefore, generally speaking, in an increasing interest rate environment, higher interest rates may be reflected in crediting rates to clients sooner than in rates earned on invested assets, which could result in a reduced spread between the two rates, reduced earned income and a negative impact on pretax income. However, today’s historically low interest rate environment is resulting in interest rates below the level of some liability guaranteed minimum interest rates (“GMIRs”). Given that, a modest rise in interest rates would not necessarily result in any change to the liability credits while projected asset purchases would capture the full increase in interest rates. This dynamic would result in widening spreads under a modestly rising rate scenario given the current relationship between the current level of interest rates and the underlying GMIRs on the business. Of the $30.7 billion in future policy benefits on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012, $29.7 billion is related to liabilities created by these products. The Company did not hedge this exposure.
· conditions in the interest rate, credit default, equity market and foreign exchange environments, including changes in valuations, liquidity and volatility;
· changes in and the adoption of relevant accounting standards and securities rating agency standards and processes, as well as changes in the litigation and regulatory environment, including ongoing legal proceedings and regulatory actions, the frequency and extent of legal claims threatened or initiated by clients, other persons and regulators, and developments in regulation and legislation, including the rules and regulations implemented or to be implemented in connection with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;
· risks of default by issuers or guarantors of investments the Company owns or by counterparties to hedge derivative, insurance or reinsurance arrangements, experience deviations from the Company’s assumptions regarding such risks, the evaluations or the prospect of changes in evaluations of any such third parties published by rating agencies or other analysts and the reactions of other market participants or the Company’s regulators, distribution partners or customers in response to any such evaluation or prospect of changes in evaluation;
DAC and DSIC or market volatility underlying the Company’s valuation and hedging of guaranteed living benefit annuity riders;
· the Company’s ability to effectively hedge risks relating to guaranteed benefit riders and certain other products;
· changes in capital requirements that may be indicated, required or advised by regulators or rating agencies;
· general economic and political factors, including consumer confidence in the economy, the ability and inclination of consumers generally to invest, as well as their ability and inclination to invest in financial instruments and products other than cash and cash equivalents, the costs of products and services the Company consumes in the conduct of its business, and applicable legislation and regulation and changes therein, including tax laws, tax treaties, fiscal and central government treasury policy, and policies regarding the financial services industry and regulatory rulings and pronouncements.
Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
All information on schedules to the Consolidated Financial Statements required by Rule 7-05 in Article 7 of Regulation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of RiverSource Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income, statements of comprehensive income, shareholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for deferred acquisition costs in 2012.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of RiverSource Life Insurance Company’s operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2012 the Company adopted new accounting guidance related to the deferral of acquisition costs for insurance and annuity products. The accompanying 2010 financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted.
· RiverSource Life Insurance Company is domiciled in Minnesota and holds Certificates of Authority in American Samoa, the District of Columbia and all states except New York. RiverSource Life Insurance Company issues insurance and annuity products.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company made an adjustment to the model which values the reserves related to living benefit guarantees primarily attributable to prior periods, which resulted in a $41 million pretax benefit, net of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and deferred sales inducement costs (“DSIC”) amortization of $11 million. In the second quarter of 2012, the Company made a correction for a tax item related to securities lending activities primarily attributable to prior periods, which resulted in a $32 million increase to tax expense. Management has determined that the effect of these corrections is not material to all current and previously issued financial statements.
On January 1, 2012, the Company retrospectively adopted the new accounting standard for DAC for insurance and annuity products. See Note 2 and Note 3 for further information on the new accounting standard and the resulting changes in the Company’s accounting policies on the deferral of acquisition costs.
The following tables present the effect of the change on affected financial statement line items for prior periods retrospectively adjusted.
option of paying a higher rate set at its discretion. In addition, persons owning an equity indexed annuity (“EIA”) may have their interest calculated based on an increase in a broad-based stock market index.
The Company issues both variable and fixed universal life insurance, traditional life insurance and disability income (“DI”) insurance. Universal life insurance is a form of permanent life insurance characterized by flexible premiums, flexible death benefit amounts and unbundled pricing factors (i.e., mortality, interest and expenses). Traditional life insurance refers to whole and term life insurance policies that pay a specified sum to a beneficiary upon death of the insured for a fixed premium. Variable universal life insurance combines the premium and death benefit flexibility of universal life with underlying fund investment flexibility and the risks associated therewith. Waiver of premium and accidental death benefit riders are generally available with these life insurance products. In 2011, the Company began offering indexed universal life (“IUL”) insurance. IUL is similar to universal life insurance in that it provides life insurance coverage and cash value that increases as a result of credited interest. Also, like universal life insurance, there is a minimum guaranteed credited rate of interest. Unlike universal life insurance, the rate of credited interest above the minimum guarantee for funds allocated to the indexed account is linked to the S&P 500 Index (subject to a cap). The policyholder may allocate all or a portion of the policy value to a fixed or indexed account. The Company issues only non-participating life insurance policies which do not pay dividends to policyholders from realized policy margins.
When determining whether the Company stands to absorb the majority of a VIE’s expected losses or receive a majority of a VIE’s expected returns, it analyzes the design of the VIE to identify the variable interests it holds. Then the Company quantitatively determines whether its variable interests will absorb a majority of the VIE’s variability. If the Company determines it has control over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and it will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected variability, the Company consolidates the VIE. The calculation of variability is based on an analysis of projected probability-weighted cash flows based on the design of the particular VIE. When determining whether the Company has the power and the obligation to absorb losses or rights to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant, the Company qualitatively determines if its variable interests meet these criteria. If the Company consolidates a VIE under either scenario, it is referred to as the VIE’s primary beneficiary.
The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of impacts to DAC, DSIC, certain benefit reserves and income taxes. For Available-for-Sale securities that have recognized an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, the difference between the amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income, if through subsequent evaluation there is a sustained increase in the cash flow expected. Subsequent increases and decreases in the fair value of Available-for-Sale securities are included in other comprehensive income.
For structured investments (e.g., residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and asset backed securities), the Company also considers factors such as overall deal structure and its position within the structure, quality of underlying collateral, delinquencies and defaults, loss severities, recoveries, prepayments and cumulative loss
Mortgage loans and syndicated loans are stated at amortized cost, net of allowances for loan losses, if any.
The Company cedes significant amounts of insurance risk to other insurers under reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance premiums paid and benefits received are accounted for consistently with the basis used in accounting for the policies from which risk is reinsured and consistently with the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance premiums for traditional life, long term care (“LTC”) and DI ceded on a coinsurance basis, net of the change in any prepaid reinsurance asset, are reported as a reduction of premiums. Fixed and variable universal life reinsurance premiums are reported as a reduction of policy and contract charges. In addition, for fixed and variable universal life insurance policies, the net cost of reinsurance ceded, which represents the discounted amount of the expected cash flows between the reinsurer and the Company, is recognized as an asset and amortized over the term of the reinsurance contract, in proportion to the estimated gross profits and is subject to retrospective adjustment in a manner similar to retrospective adjustment of DAC. The assumptions used to project the expected cash flows are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. Changes in the net cost of reinsurance are reflected as a component of policy and contract charges. Reinsurance recoveries are reported as components of benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
The Company also assumes life insurance and fixed annuity risk from other insurers in limited circumstances. Reinsurance premiums received and benefits paid are accounted for consistently with the basis used in accounting for the policies from which risk is reinsured and consistently with the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Liabilities for assumed business are recorded within future policy benefits.
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, land, buildings, equipment and software were $174 million and $182 million, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $91 million and $75 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $17 million, $16 million and $14 million, respectively.
The Company incurs costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance and annuity businesses. The portion of these costs which are incremental and direct to the acquisition of a new or renewal insurance policy or annuity contract are deferred. Significant costs capitalized by the Company include sales based compensation related to the acquisition of new and renewal insurance policies and annuity contracts, medical inspection costs for successful sales, and a portion of employee compensation and benefit costs based upon the amount of time spent on successful sales. Sales based compensation paid to Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. (“AFSI”), a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, advisors and employees and third-party distributers is capitalized. Employee compensation and benefits costs which are capitalized relate primarily to sales efforts, underwriting and processing. All other costs which are not incremental direct costs of acquiring an insurance policy or annuity contract are expensed as incurred. The DAC associated with insurance policies or annuity contracts that are significantly modified or internally replaced with another contract are accounted for as contract terminations. These transactions are anticipated in establishing amortization periods and other valuation assumptions.
Sales inducement costs consist of bonus interest credits and premium credits added to certain annuity contract and insurance policy values. These benefits are capitalized to the extent they are incremental to amounts that would be credited on similar contracts without the applicable feature. The amounts capitalized are amortized using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize DAC. The amortization of DSIC is recorded in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses.
In determining the liabilities for GMDB, GMIB and the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB, the Company projects these benefits and contract assessments using actuarial models to simulate various equity market scenarios. Significant assumptions made in projecting future benefits and assessments relate to customer asset value growth rates, mortality, persistency and investment margins and are consistent with those used for DAC asset valuation for the same contracts. As with DAC, management reviews and, where appropriate, adjusts its assumptions each quarter. Unless management identifies a material deviation over the course of quarterly monitoring, management reviews and updates these assumptions annually in the third quarter of each year.
If elected by the contract owner and after a stipulated waiting period from contract issuance, a GMIB guarantees a minimum lifetime annuity payout based on a specified rate of contract accumulation value growth and predetermined annuity purchase rates. The GMIB liability is determined each period by estimating the expected value of annuitization benefits in excess of the projected contract accumulation value at the date of annuitization and recognizing the excess over the estimated meaningful life based on expected assessments.
The embedded derivatives related to GMAB and the non-life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions are recorded at fair value. See Note 13 for information regarding the fair value measurement of embedded derivatives. The liability for the life contingent benefits associated with GMWB provisions is determined in the same way as the GMDB
The Company’s principal sources of revenue include premiums, net investment income and policy and contract charges.
The Company’s taxable income is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Ameriprise Financial. The Company provides for income taxes on a separate return basis, except that, under an agreement between Ameriprise Financial and the Company, tax benefits are recognized for losses to the extent they can be used in the consolidated return. It is the policy of Ameriprise Financial that it will reimburse its subsidiaries for any tax benefits recorded. Inherent in the provision for income taxes are estimates and judgments regarding the tax treatment of certain items.
In connection with the provision for income taxes, the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain amounts related to deferred tax assets and liabilities, which result from temporary differences between the assets and liabilities measured for financial statement purposes versus the assets and liabilities measured for tax return purposes. Among the Company’s deferred taxes is a significant deferred tax asset relating to capital losses that have been recognized for financial statement purposes but not yet for tax return purposes as well as future deductible capital losses realized for tax return purposes. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, capital losses generally must be used against capital gain income within five
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of its deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining if a valuation allowance should be established and the amount of such allowance if required. Factors used in making this determination include estimates relating to the performance of the business including the ability to generate capital gains. Consideration is given to, among other things in making this determination: (i) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; (ii) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; (iii) taxable income in prior carryback years; and (iv) tax planning strategies. Management may need to identify and implement appropriate planning strategies to ensure its ability to realize deferred tax assets and avoid the establishment of a valuation allowance with respect to such assets. In the opinion of management, it is currently more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full benefit of certain state net operating losses and therefore a valuation allowance of $5 million has been established at December 31, 2012.
In May 2011, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The standard requires entities, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position which are Level 3 fair value measurements, to disclose quantitative information about unobservable inputs and assumptions used in the measurements, a description of the valuation processes in place, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs if a change in those inputs would result in a significantly different fair value measurement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy for each class of assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but for which the fair value is disclosed. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of the standard did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations. See Note 13 for the required disclosures.
In October 2010, the FASB updated the accounting standard for DAC. Under this new standard, only the following costs incurred in the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts are capitalizable as DAC: (i) incremental direct costs of a successful contract acquisition, (ii) portions of employees’ compensation and benefits directly related to time spent performing acquisition activities (that is, underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection, and contract selling) for a contract that has been acquired, (iii) other costs related to acquisition activities that would not have been incurred had the acquisition of the contract not occurred, and (iv) advertising costs that meet the capitalization criteria in other GAAP guidance for certain direct-response marketing. All other acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred. The Company retrospectively adopted the new standard on January 1, 2012. See Note 1 for the effect of the change on
affected financial statement line items for prior periods retrospectively adjusted and Note 2 for the Company’s accounting policies on DAC.
In January 2010, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to disclosures on fair value measurements. The standard expands the current disclosure requirements to include additional detail about significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 within the fair value hierarchy and presents activity in the rollforward of Level 3 activity on a gross basis. The standard also clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation to be used for assets and liabilities as well as disclosures on the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosure requirements related to the Level 3 rollforward, which are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2010, except for the additional disclosures related to the Level 3 rollforward, which the Company adopted in the first quarter of 2011. The adoption did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations. See Note 13 for the required disclosures.
In June 2009, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to the consolidation of VIEs. The standard amends the guidance on the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE from a quantitative model to a qualitative model and requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in VIEs. Under the new qualitative model, the primary beneficiary must have both the power to direct the activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive gains that could be potentially significant to the VIE. In February 2010, the FASB amended this guidance to defer application of the consolidation requirements for certain investment funds. The standards are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2010 which did not impact its consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
In February 2013, the FASB updated the accounting standard related to comprehensive income. The update requires entities to provide information about significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012 and is required to be applied prospectively. The adoption of the standard will not impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, fixed maturity securities comprised approximately 84% and 87%, respectively, of the Company’s total investments. Rating agency designations are based on the availability of ratings from Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSROs”), including Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”). The Company uses the median of available ratings from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, or if fewer than three ratings are available, the lower rating is used. When ratings from
As part of the Company’s ongoing monitoring process, management determined that a majority of the gross unrealized losses on its Available-for-Sale securities are attributable to movement in credit spreads primarily related to non-agency residential mortgage backed securities purchased prior to 2008.
The following table presents a rollforward of the cumulative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses on securities for which a portion of the securities’ total other-than-temporary impairments was recognized in other comprehensive income:
The following table presents a rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Available-for-Sale securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2012 were as follows:
The balances of and changes in DAC (subsequent to the adjustment for the new accounting standard) were as follows:
Generally, the Company currently reinsures 90% of the death benefit liability related to almost all individual fixed and variable universal life and term life insurance products. As a result, the Company typically retains and is at risk for, at most, 10% of each policy’s death benefit from the first dollar of coverage for new sales of these policies, subject to the reinsurers fulfilling their obligations. RiverSource Life Insurance Company began reinsuring risks at this level in 2001 (RiverSource Life of NY began in 2002) for term life insurance and 2002 (2003 for RiverSource Life of NY) for individual fixed and variable universal life insurance. Policies issued prior to these dates are not subject to these same reinsurance levels. Generally, the maximum amount of life insurance risk retained by the Company is $1.5 million on a single life and $1.5 million on any flexible premium survivorship life policy. Risk on fixed and variable universal life policies is reinsured on a yearly renewable term basis. Risk on most term life policies starting in 2001 (2002 for RiverSource Life of NY) is reinsured on a coinsurance basis, a type of reinsurance in which the reinsurer participates proportionally in all material risks and premiums associated with a policy.
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, traditional life and universal life insurance in force aggregated $191.4 billion and $191.2 billion, respectively, of which $138.6 billion and $136.2 billion were reinsured at the respective year ends. Life insurance in force is reported on a statutory basis.
Policy and contract charges are presented on the Consolidated Statements of Income net of $84 million, $71 million and $67 million of reinsurance ceded for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Reinsurance recovered from reinsurers was $196 million, $189 million and $166 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary obligation to policyholders.
Future policy benefits (subsequent to the adjustment for the new accounting standard) and policy claims and other policyholders’ funds consisted of the following:
Fixed annuities include both deferred and payout contracts. Deferred contracts offer a guaranteed minimum rate of interest and security of the principal invested. Payout contracts guarantee a fixed income payment for life or the term of the contract. The Company generally invests the proceeds from the annuity payments in fixed rate securities. The Company
may hedge the interest rate risks related to fixed annuities with derivative instruments. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no outstanding derivatives to hedge these risks.
VUL/UL is the largest group of insurance policies written by the Company. Purchasers of VUL can select from a variety of investment options and can elect to allocate a portion to a fixed account or a separate account. A vast majority of the premiums received for VUL policies are held in separate accounts where the assets are held for the exclusive benefit of those policyholders. In 2011, the Company began offering IUL insurance. IUL is similar to UL in that it provides life insurance coverage and cash value that increases as a result of credited interest. Also, like UL, there is a minimum guaranteed credited rate of interest. Unlike UL, the rate of credited interest above the minimum guarantee for funds allocated to the indexed account is linked to the S&P 500 Index (subject to a cap). The policyholder may allocate all or a portion of the policy value to a fixed or indexed account. The Company also offers term and whole life insurance as well as disability products. The Company no longer offers standalone LTC products but has in force policies from prior years. Insurance liabilities include accumulation values, unpaid reported claims, incurred but not reported claims and obligations for anticipated future claims.
Portions of the Company’s fixed and variable universal life policies have product features that result in profits followed by losses from the insurance component of the policy. These profits followed by losses can be generated by the cost structure of the product or secondary guarantees in the policy. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges.
· Reset - provides that the value resets to the account value every sixth contract anniversary minus adjusted partial surrenders. This provision was often provided in combination with the return of premium provision and is no longer offered.
· Withdrawals at a specified rate per year for the life of the contractholder (“GMWB for life”).
No gains or losses were recognized on assets transferred to separate accounts for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
The Company has a revolving credit agreement with Ameriprise Financial as the lender aggregating $200 million. Prior to August 1, 2012, the interest rate for any borrowings is established by reference to LIBOR. In August 2012, an amendment to this agreement increased the interest rate to LIBOR plus 90 basis points, subject to adjustment based on debt ratings of the senior unsecured debt of Ameriprise Financial. There were no amounts outstanding on this line of credit at December 31, 2012 and 2011.
In December 2009, RiverSource Life Insurance Company, as the lender, entered into a revolving credit agreement with Ameriprise Financial as the borrower. This line of credit is not to exceed 3% of RiverSource Life Insurance Company’s statutory admitted assets as of the prior year end. Prior to January 1, 2012, the interest rate for any borrowing was established by reference to LIBOR plus 115 basis points. In January 2012, an amendment to this agreement decreased the interest rate to LIBOR plus 90 basis points, subject to adjustment based on debt ratings of the senior unsecured debt of Ameriprise Financial. In the event of default, an additional 1% interest will accrue during such period of default. There were no amounts outstanding on this revolving credit agreement as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
The Company enters into repurchase agreements in exchange for cash which it accounts for as secured borrowings. The Company has pledged Available-for-Sale securities consisting of agency residential mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities to collateralize its obligation under the repurchase agreements. The fair value of
(1) The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $389 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivative liability.
(1) Represents a $7 million loss included in net realized investment gains (losses) and a $1 million gain included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(1) Represents a $26 million loss included in net realized investment gains (losses) and an $85 million gain included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The impact to pretax income of the Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk on the fair value of its GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was $(82) million, $216 million and $36 million, net of DAC and DSIC amortization, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Significant increases (decreases) in utilization and volatility used in the fair value measurement of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in surrender rate and nonperformance risk used in the fair value measurement of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals and surrender rates vary with the type of rider, the duration of the policy, the age of the contractholder, the distribution system and whether the value of the guaranteed benefit exceeds the contract accumulation value.
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents are classified as Level 2 and measured at amortized cost, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected realization.
In consideration of the above, management is responsible for the fair values recorded on the financial statements. Prices received from third party pricing services are subjected to exception reporting that identifies investments with significant daily price movements as well as no movements. The Company reviews the exception reporting and resolves the exceptions through reaffirmation of the price or recording an appropriate fair value estimate. The Company also performs subsequent transaction testing. The Company performs annual due diligence of third party pricing services. The Company’s due diligence procedures include assessing the vendor’s valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies, and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions and unobservable assumptions, if any, employed in the valuation methodology. The Company also considers the results of its exception reporting controls and any resulting price challenges that arise.
Derivatives that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, such as derivatives that are exchange-traded, are classified as Level 1 measurements. The fair value of derivatives that are traded in less active over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets are generally measured using pricing models with market observable inputs such as interest rates and equity index levels. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and include swaps and the majority of options. The counterparties’ nonperformance risk associated with uncollateralized derivative assets was immaterial at December 31, 2012 and 2011. See Note 16 for further information on the credit risk of derivative instruments and related collateral.
The Company values the embedded derivative liability attributable to the provisions of certain variable annuity riders using internal valuation models. These models calculate fair value by discounting expected cash flows from benefits plus margins for profit, risk and expenses less embedded derivative fees. The projected cash flows used by these models include observable capital market assumptions and incorporate significant unobservable inputs related to contractholder behavior assumptions, implied volatility and margins for risk, profit and expenses that the Company believes an exit market participant would expect. The fair value of these embedded derivatives also reflects a current estimate of the Company’s nonperformance risk specific to these liabilities. Given the significant unobservable inputs to this valuation, these measurements are classified as Level 3. The embedded derivative liability attributable to these provisions is recorded in future policy benefits.
Derivatives that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, such as derivatives that are exchange-traded, are classified as Level 1 measurements. The fair value of derivatives that are traded in less active OTC markets are generally measured using pricing models with market observable inputs such as interest rates and equity index levels. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and include swaps and the majority of options. The Company’s nonperformance risk associated with uncollateralized derivative liabilities was immaterial at December 31, 2012 and 2011. See Note 16 for further information on the credit risk of derivative instruments and related collateral.
The fair value of residential mortgage loans is determined by discounting estimated cash flows and incorporating adjustments for prepayment, administration expenses, severity and credit loss estimates, with discount rates based on the Company’s estimate of current market conditions.
portion of a small number of variable annuity contracts classified as investment contracts is determined in a similar manner. Given the use of significant unobservable inputs to these valuations, the measurements are classified as Level 3.
The fair value of borrowings under agreements to repurchase is obtained from a third party pricing service. A nonperformance adjustment is not included as collateral requirements for these borrowings minimize the nonperformance risk. The fair value of borrowings under agreements to repurchase is classified as Level 2.
Other liabilities consist of future funding commitments to affordable housing partnerships. The fair value of these future funding commitments is determined by discounting cash flows and is classified as Level 3 as the discount rate is adjusted.
Charges by Ameriprise Financial and affiliated companies to the Company for use of joint facilities, technology support, marketing services and other services aggregated $477 million, $530 million and $527 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Certain of these costs are included in DAC. Expenses allocated to the Company may not be reflective of expenses that would have been incurred by the Company on a stand-alone basis.
During 2012 and 2011, RiverSource Life Insurance Company made cash contributions to RTA of $53 million and $111 million, respectively, for ongoing funding commitments related to affordable housing partnership investments.
State insurance statutes contain limitations as to the amount of dividends or distributions that insurers may make without providing prior notification to state regulators. For RiverSource Life Insurance Company, dividends or distributions in excess of unassigned surplus, as determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by the State of Minnesota, require advance notice to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, RiverSource Life Insurance Company’s primary regulator, and are subject to potential disapproval. RiverSource Life Insurance Company’s statutory unassigned surplus aggregated $421 million and $(296) million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Derivative instruments enable the Company to manage its exposure to various market risks. The value of such instruments is derived from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including equity and interest rate indices or prices. The Company primarily enters into derivative agreements for risk management purposes related to the Company’s products and operations.
Freestanding derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are reflected in other assets or other liabilities. The Company’s policy on the recognition of derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheet is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivatives and collateral arrangements executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement.
The framework includes a three-stage process to help narrow down the pool of nonbank financial companies for review and possible designation. Stage 1 criteria include having at least $50 billion in assets and meeting one of five additional quantitative measures. One of the five thresholds is $3.5 billion of derivative liabilities after considering the effects of master netting arrangements and cash collateral held with the same counterparty. The following table presents the Company’s derivative liabilities as defined by the rule:
Certain annuity contracts contain GMWB or GMAB provisions, which guarantee the right to make limited partial withdrawals each contract year regardless of the volatility inherent in the underlying investments or guarantee a minimum accumulation value of consideration received at the beginning of the contract period, after a specified holding period, respectively. The Company economically hedges the exposure related to non-life contingent GMWB and GMAB provisions primarily using various futures, options, interest rate swaptions, interest rate swaps, total return swaps, variance swaps and credit default swaps. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the gross notional amount of derivative contracts for the Company’s GMWB and GMAB provisions was $142.1 billion and $104.7 billion, respectively.
The deferred premium associated with certain of the above options is paid or received semi-annually over the life of the option contract. The following is a summary of the payments the Company is scheduled to make and receive for these options:
Certain annuities contain GMAB and non-life contingent GMWB provisions, which are considered embedded derivatives. In addition, the equity component of the EIA and IUL product obligations are also considered embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives are bifurcated from their host contracts and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings. As discussed above, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate the financial statement impact of these embedded derivatives.
The Company has amounts classified in accumulated other comprehensive income related to gains and losses associated with the effective portion of previously designated cash flow hedges. The Company reclassifies these amounts into income as the forecasted transactions impact earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company held no derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges.
At December 31, 2012, the Company expects to reclassify $6 million of deferred loss on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months that will be recorded in net investment income. These were originally losses on derivative instruments related to interest rate swaptions. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, no hedge relationships were discontinued due to forecasted transactions no longer being expected to occur according to the original hedge strategy. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the amount recognized in earnings on cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness was $1 million, nil and nil, respectively.
The following table presents a rollforward of unrealized derivative losses related to cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Credit risk associated with the Company’s derivatives is the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable derivative contract. To mitigate such risk, the Company has established guidelines and oversight of credit risk through a comprehensive enterprise risk management program that includes members of senior management. Key components of this program are to require preapproval of counterparties and the use of master netting arrangements and collateral arrangements whenever practical. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company held $262 million and $635 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents and recorded a corresponding liability in other liabilities for collateral the Company is obligated to return to counterparties. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had accepted additional collateral consisting of various securities with a fair value of $387 million and $186 million, respectively, which are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s maximum credit exposure related to derivative assets after considering netting arrangements with counterparties and collateral arrangements was approximately $29 million and $61 million, respectively.
The Company retrospectively adopted a new accounting standard for DAC in the first quarter of 2012. See Note 1 for the effect of the change on affected financial statement line items for prior periods retrospectively adjusted. Prior period disclosures presented below have been retrospectively adjusted for the new accounting standard.
In 2012, the Company made a correction to tax expense primarily attributable to prior periods. Management has determined that the effect of this correction is not material to the Consolidated Financial Statements for all current and prior periods presented. See Note 1 for additional information on this correction.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the assets and liabilities measured for GAAP reporting versus income tax return purposes. The significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are reflected in the following table:
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months. Based on the current audit position of the Company, it is estimated that the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $63 million in the next 12 months.
The Company or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The IRS had previously completed its field examination of the 1997 through 2007 tax returns in recent years. However, for federal income tax purposes, these years except for 2007, continue to remain open as a consequence of certain issues under appeal. The IRS is in the process of completing the audit of the Company’s income tax returns for 2008 and 2009 and began auditing 2010 and 2011 in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company or certain of its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns are currently under examination by various jurisdictions for years ranging from 1997 through 2009 and remain open for the years after 2009.
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no material commitments to purchase investments other than mortgage loan fundings. See Note 6 for additional information.
The Company’s annuity and life products all have minimum interest rate guarantees in their fixed accounts. As of December 31, 2012, these guarantees range up to 5.0%.
Executive Life Insurance Company of New York (“ELNY”) was placed into rehabilitation by a New York state court in 1991. On April 16, 2012, the court issued an order converting the rehabilitation into a liquidation proceeding under a plan submitted by the New York insurance regulator with support from NOLHGA and the industry.
During the second quarter of 2012, the Company established a liability for estimated guaranty fund assessments and a related premium tax asset, primarily associated with ELNY. At December 31, 2012, the estimated liability was $26 million and the related premium tax asset was $19 million. The expected period over which the assessments will be made and the related tax credits recovered is not known. At December 31, 2011, the net liability was not considered material.