Financial and Economic Environment. Interest rates in the U.S. remain lower than historical levels, which may continue to negatively impact our portfolio income yields and our net investment spread results. See “Impact of a Low Interest Rate Environment” below. In addition, we are subject to financial impacts associated with movements in equity markets and the evolution of the credit cycle as discussed in “Risk Factors”.
Gross Profits. DAC and DSI associated with the variable and universal life policies and the variable and fixed annuity contracts are generally amortized over the expected lives of these policies in proportion to total gross profits. Total gross profits include both actual gross profits and estimates of gross profits for future periods. Gross profits are defined as (i) amounts assessed for mortality, contract administration, surrender charges, and other assessments plus amounts earned from investment of policyholder balances less (ii) benefits in excess of policyholder balances, costs incurred for contract administration, the net cost of reinsurance for certain businesses, interest credited to policyholder balances and other credits. If significant negative gross profits are expected in any periods, the amount of insurance in force is generally substituted as the base for computing amortization. U.S. GAAP gross profits and amortization rates also include the impacts of the embedded derivatives associated with certain of the optional living benefit features of our variable annuity contracts, and index-linked crediting features of indexed universal life contracts and related hedging activities. In calculating amortization expense, we estimate the amounts of gross profits that will be included in our U.S. GAAP results and utilize these estimates to calculate distinct amortization rates and expense amounts. In addition, in calculating gross profits, we include the profits and losses related to contracts issued by the Company that are reported in affiliated legal entities other than the Company as a result of, for example, reinsurance agreements with those affiliated entities. The Company is an indirect subsidiary of Prudential Financial (an SEC registrant) and has extensive transactions and relationships with other subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, including reinsurance agreements, as discussed in Note 9 and Note 13 to the Financial Statements. Incorporating all product-related profits and losses in gross profits, including those that are reported in affiliated legal entities, produces an amortization pattern representative of the total economics of the products. For a further discussion of the amortization of DAC and DSI, see “-Results of Operations”.
The weighted average rate of return assumptions used in developing estimated market returns consider many factors specific to each product type, including asset durations, asset allocations and other factors. With regard to equity market assumptions, the near-term future rate of return assumption used in evaluating DAC and other costs for our variable annuity and variable life insurance products is derived using a reversion to the mean approach, a common industry practice. Under this approach, we consider historical equity returns and adjust projected equity returns over an initial future period of five years (the “near-term”) so that equity returns converge to the long-term expected rate of return. If the near-term projected future rate of return is greater than our near-term maximum future rate of return of 15.0%, we use our maximum future rate of return. As of December 31, 2019, our variable annuities and variable life insurance businesses assume an 8.0% long-term equity expected rate of return and a 3.1% near-term mean reversion equity expected rate of return.
The reserves for certain optional living benefit features, including GMAB, GMWB and GMIWB are accounted for as embedded derivatives at fair value, as described above. This methodology could result in either a liability or contra-liability balance, given changing capital market conditions and various actuarial assumptions. Since there is no observable active market for the transfer of these obligations, the valuations are calculated using internally-developed models with option pricing techniques. The models are based on a risk neutral valuation framework and incorporate premiums for risks inherent in valuation techniques, inputs, and the general uncertainty around the timing and amount of future cash flows. The significant inputs to the valuation models for these embedded derivatives include capital market assumptions, such as interest rate levels and volatility assumptions, the Company’s market-perceived risk of its own non-performance (“NPR”), as well as actuarially determined assumptions, including mortality rates and contractholder behavior, such as lapse rates, benefit utilization rates and withdrawal rates. Capital market inputs and actual contractholders’ account values are updated each quarter based on capital market conditions as of the end of the quarter, including interest rates, equity markets and volatility. In the risk neutral valuation, the initial swap curve drives the total returns used to grow the contractholders’ account values. The Company’s discount rate assumption is based on the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) swap curve adjusted for an additional spread, which includes an estimate of NPR. Actuarial assumptions, including contractholder behavior and mortality, are reviewed at least annually and updated based upon emerging experience, future expectations and other data, including any observable market data, such as available industry studies or market transactions such as acquisitions and reinsurance transactions. For additional information regarding the valuation of these optional living benefit features, see Note 5 to the Financial Statements.
For our investments classified as available-for-sale, the impact of changes in fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”), a separate component of equity. For our investments classified as trading, equity securities, and derivatives, the impact of changes in fair value is recorded within “Other income”. In addition, investments classified as available-for-sale, are subject to impairment reviews to identify when a decline in value is other-than-temporary. For a discussion of our policies regarding other-than-temporary declines in investment value and the related methodology for recording OTTI of fixed maturity securities, see Note 2 to the Financial Statements.
In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff issued “Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (“SAB 118”), which allowed the registrants to record provisional amounts during a ‘measurement period’ not to extend beyond one year. Under the relief provided by SAB 118, a company can recognize provisional amounts when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in tax law. See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of provisional amounts related to The United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Act of 2017") included in “Income tax expense (benefit)” in 2017 and adjustments to provisional amounts recorded in 2018.
Total assets increased $3.3 billion from $18.1 billion at December 31, 2018 to $21.4 billion at December 31, 2019. Significant components were:
Reinsurance recoverables increased $0.5 billion primarily related to the variable annuity reinsured living benefit liabilities resulting from an increase in future expected benefit payments driven by declining interest rates and credit spreads tightening, partially offset by favorable equity markets, as well as by universal and term life business growth; and
Total investments and Cash and cash equivalents increased $0.3 billion primarily driven by universal, term and variable life business growth and unrealized gains on investments due to declining interest rates.
Separate account liabilities increased $2.5 billion, corresponding to the increase in separate account assets, described above; and
Future policy benefits increased $0.5 billion primarily driven by an increase in the variable annuity living benefit liabilities, as well as growth in universal and term life business, as discussed above.
Total equity increased $0.2 billion from $0.4 billion at December 31, 2018 to $0.6 billion at December 31, 2019, primarily driven by unrealized gains on investments due to declining interest rates and by net income.
Revenues increased $9 million from $140 million in 2018 to $149 million in 2019. Excluding the impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above, revenues increased $10 million, primarily driven by higher Net investment income of $9 million, higher Policy charges and fee income of $5 million, as discussed above, and an increase of $4 million in Other income primarily driven by trading gains on fixed maturities and equities. Partially offsetting these increases were a decrease of $8 million in Total realized investment gains (losses), net, driven by fixed maturities losses and embedded derivative losses net of derivative gains, as discussed above.
Benefits and expenses increased $6 million from $109 million in 2018 to $115 million in 2019. Excluding the comparative net impact of our annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements, as discussed above, Benefits and expenses increased $6 million, resulting from an increase in Policyholders’ benefits of $5 million primarily driven by unfavorable mortality and business growth in the life business, as discussed above, and an increase in Interest credited to policyholders' account balances of $2 million due to business growth.
The primary risk exposures of our variable annuity contracts relate to actual deviations from, or changes to, the assumptions used in the original pricing of these products, including capital markets assumptions such as equity market returns, interest rates and market volatility, along with actuarial assumptions such as contractholder mortality, the timing and amount of annuitization and withdrawals, and contract lapses. For these risk exposures, achievement of our expected earnings and profitability is subject to the risk that actual experience will differ from the assumptions used in the original pricing of these products. Prudential Financial currently manages our exposure to certain risks driven by capital markets fluctuations primarily through a combination of Product Design Features and an Asset Liability Management Strategy.
The differences between income taxes expected at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% applicable for 2019 and 2018 and 35% applicable for 2017, and the reported income tax (benefit) expense are provided in the following table:
The Company’s liability for income taxes includes the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and interest that relate to tax years still subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authorities. The completion of review or the expiration of the Federal statute of limitations for a given audit period could result in an adjustment to the liability for income taxes. The total unrecognized benefit as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $0 million, $0 million and $3 million, respectively. We do not anticipate any significant changes within the next 12 months to our total unrecognized tax benefits related to tax years for which the statute of limitations has not expired.
Liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, U.S. Treasury fixed maturities, fixed maturities that are not designated as held-to-maturity, and public equity securities. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had liquid assets of $1,614 million and $1,358 million, respectively. The portion of liquid assets comprised of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments was $56 million and $70 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, $1,480 million, or 95%, of the fixed maturity investments in general account portfolios were rated high or highest quality based on NAIC or equivalent rating.
The Company uses affiliated captive reinsurance companies to finance the portion of the statutory reserves required to be held under Regulation XXX and Guideline AXXX that we consider to be non-economic. The financing arrangements involve the reinsurance of term and universal life business to our affiliated captive reinsurers and the issuance of surplus notes by those affiliated captives that are treated as capital for statutory purposes. These surplus notes are subordinated to policyholder obligations, and the payment of principal and interest on the surplus notes can only be made with prior insurance regulatory approval.
As of December 31, 2019, the affiliated captive reinsurance companies have entered into agreements with external counterparties providing for the issuance of up to an aggregate of $13.7 billion of surplus notes by our affiliated captive reinsurers in return for the receipt of credit-linked notes (“Credit-Linked Note Structures”), of which $12 billion of surplus notes were outstanding as of December 31, 2019, as compared to an aggregate issuance capacity of $13.8 billion, of which $11.5 billion was outstanding as of December 31, 2018. Under the agreements, the affiliated captive receives in exchange for the surplus notes one or more credit-linked notes issued by a special-purpose affiliate of the Company with an aggregate principal amount equal to the surplus notes outstanding. The affiliated captive holds the credit-linked notes as assets supporting Regulation XXX or Guideline AXXX non-economic reserves, as applicable. The affiliated captive can redeem the principal amount of the outstanding credit-linked notes for cash upon the occurrence of, and in an amount necessary to remedy, a specified liquidity stress event affecting the affiliated captive. Under the agreements, the external counterparties have agreed to fund any such payments under the credit-linked notes in return for the receipt of fees. Under certain of the transactions, Prudential Financial has agreed to make capital contributions to the affiliated captive to reimburse it for investment losses in excess of specified amounts and/or has agreed to reimburse the external counterparties for any payments made under the credit-linked notes. To date, no such payments under the credit-linked notes have been required. Under these transactions, because valid rights of set-off exist, interest and principal payments on the surplus notes and on the credit-linked notes are settled on a net basis, and the surplus notes are reflected in Prudential Financials’ total consolidated borrowings on a net basis.
The Company has introduced updated versions of its products in phases over the course of the PBR implementation period and has transitioned all products by January 1, 2020. These updated products support the principle-based statutory reserve level without the need for captive reserve financing. The Company is continuing to assess the impact of this new reserving approach on projected statutory reserve levels and product pricing for its entire portfolio of individual life product offerings. Certain elements of the implementation of PBR are yet to be finalized by the NAIC and may have a material impact on statutory reserves.
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Management of Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness, as of December 31, 2019, of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, based on the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment under that framework, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.
We have audited the accompanying statements of financial position of Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, of equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for certain financial assets and liabilities and the manner in which its accounts for certain tax effects originally recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income in 2018 and the manner in which it accounts for certain reinsurance costs in 2017.
As discussed in Note 13 to the financial statements, the Company has entered into significant transactions with The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and other affiliates, who are related parties.
(1) Includes the impact from the adoption of ASUs 2017-08 and 2017-12. See Note 2.
Through March 31, 2016, the Company reinsured the majority of its variable annuity living benefit guarantees to its affiliated companies, Pruco Reinsurance, Ltd. ("Pruco Re") and Pruco Life. Effective April 1, 2016, the Company recaptured the risks related to its variable annuity living benefit guarantees that were previously reinsured to Pruco Re and Pruco Life. In addition, the Company reinsured the variable annuity base contracts, along with the living benefit guarantees, to Prudential Insurance under a coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreement. This reinsurance agreement covers new and in force business. The product risks related to the reinsured business are being managed in Prudential Insurance. In addition, the living benefit hedging program related to the reinsured living benefit guarantees is being managed within Prudential Insurance.
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value consists of fixed maturities that are carried at fair value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these investments are reported in “Other income,” and interest and dividend income from these investments is reported in “Net investment income”.
The new cost basis of an impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value. In periods subsequent to the recognition of an OTTI, the impaired security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the impairment. For debt securities, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis may be accreted into net investment income in future periods, including increases in cash flows on a prospective basis. In certain cases where there are decreased cash flow expectations, the security is reviewed for further cash flow impairments.
Separate account assets represent segregated funds that are invested for certain contractholders and other customers. The assets consist primarily of equity securities, fixed maturities, and real estate related investments and are reported at fair value. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the Company. Investment risks associated with market value changes are borne by the contractholders, except to the extent of minimum guarantees made by the Company with respect to certain accounts. The investment income and realized investment gains or losses from separate accounts generally accrue to the contractholders and are not included in the Company’s results of operations. Mortality, policy administration and surrender charges assessed against the accounts are included in “Policy charges and fee income”. Asset administration fees charged to the accounts are included in “Asset administration fees”. See Note 8 for additional information regarding separate account arrangements with contractual guarantees. See also “Separate account liabilities” below.
The Company’s liability for future policy benefits also includes reserves based on the present value of estimated future payments to or on behalf of policyholders related to contracts that have fixed and guaranteed terms, where the timing and amount of payment depends on policyholder mortality and maintenance expenses less the present value of future net premiums. Expected mortality is generally based on Company experience, industry data and/or other factors. Interest rate assumptions are based on factors such as market conditions and expected investment returns. Although mortality, morbidity and interest rate assumptions are “locked-in” upon the issuance of new insurance or annuity business with fixed and guaranteed terms, significant changes in experience or assumptions may require the Company to provide for expected future losses on a product by recognizing a premium deficiency. A premium deficiency exists when the liability for future policy benefits plus the present value of expected future gross premiums are determined to be insufficient to provide for expected future policy benefits and expenses. If a premium deficiency is recognized, the assumptions without a provision for the risk of adverse deviation as of the premium deficiency test date are locked-in and used in subsequent valuations. The net reserves continue to be subject to premium deficiency testing. Any adjustments to future policy benefit reserves related to net unrealized gains on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in AOCI. See Note 7 for additional information regarding future policy benefits.
Cash collateral for loaned securities represent liabilities to return cash proceeds from security lending transactions. Securities lending transactions are used primarily to earn spread income or to facilitate trading activity. As part of securities lending transactions, the Company transfers U.S. and foreign debt and equity securities, as well as U.S. government and government agency securities, and receives cash as collateral. Cash proceeds from securities lending transactions are primarily used to earn spread income, and are typically invested in cash equivalents, short-term investments or fixed maturities. Securities lending transactions are treated as financing arrangements and are recorded at the amount of cash received. The Company obtains collateral in an amount equal to 102% and 105% of the fair value of the domestic and foreign securities, respectively. The Company monitors the market value of the securities loaned on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary. Substantially all of the Company’s securities lending transactions are with large brokerage firms and large banks. Income and expenses associated with securities lending transactions used to earn spread income are reported as “Net investment income.”
Policyholders’ account balances also include amounts representing the fair value of embedded derivative instruments associated with the index-linked features of certain universal life products. For additional information regarding the valuation of these embedded derivatives, see Note 5.
In 2017, the Company recognized a pre-tax charge of $2 million, reflecting a change in estimate of reinsurance cash flows associated with universal life products as well as a change in method of reflecting these cash flows in the financial statements. Under the previous method of accounting, with the exception of recoveries pertaining to no lapse guarantees, reinsurance cash flows (e.g., premiums and recoveries) were generally recognized as they occurred. Under the new method, the expected reinsurance cash flows are recognized more ratably over the life of the underlying reinsured policies. In conjunction with this change, the way in which reinsurance is reflected in estimated gross profits used for the amortization of unearned revenue reserves and DAC was also revised. The change represents a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle and was included within the Company’s annual reviews and update of assumptions and other refinements. The change in accounting estimate reflected insights gained from revised cash flow modeling enabled by a systems conversion, which prompted the change to a preferable accounting method. This new methodology is viewed as preferable as the Company believes it better reflects the economics of reinsurance transactions by aligning the results of reinsurance activity more closely to the underlying direct insurance activity and by better reflecting the profit pattern of this business for purposes of the amortization of the balances noted above.
The corresponding impacts to the Statement of Financial Position were a $13 million increase in "Other liabilities", a $9 million increase in "Reinsurance recoverables", a $4 million decrease in "Policyholders’ account balances" and a $2 million decrease in "Deferred policy acquisition costs".
ASU 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts, was issued by the FASB on August 15, 2018 and is expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Financial Statements and Notes to the Financial Statements. In October 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-09, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Effective Date to affirm its decision to defer the effective date of ASU 2018-12 to January 1, 2022 (with early adoption permitted), representing a one year extension from the original effective date of January 1, 2021. This ASU will impact, at least to some extent, the accounting and disclosure requirements for all long-duration insurance and investment contracts issued by the Company. Outlined below are four key areas of change, although there are other less significant changes not noted below. In addition to the impacts to the balance sheet upon adoption, the Company also expects an impact to how earnings emerge thereafter.
Represents the amount of unrealized losses remaining in AOCI, from the impairment measurement date. Amount excludes $0.1 million of net unrealized gains on impaired available-for-sale securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
Represents the amount of unrealized losses remaining in AOCI, from the impairment measurement date. Amount excludes $0.2 million of net unrealized gains on impaired available-for-sale securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities were composed of $2.4 million and $31.0 million, respectively, related to “1” highest quality or “2” high quality securities based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) or equivalent rating and $0.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively, related to other than high or highest quality securities based on NAIC or equivalent rating. As of December 31, 2019, the $2.4 million of gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more were concentrated in the Company’s corporate securities within the finance, consumer non-cyclical and energy sectors. As of December 31, 2018, the $18.5 million of gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more were concentrated in commercial mortgage-backed securities and in the Company’s corporate securities within the finance, utility and consumer non-cyclical sectors. In accordance with its policy described in Note 2, the Company concluded that an adjustment to earnings for OTTI for these fixed maturity securities was not warranted at either December 31, 2019 or 2018. These conclusions were based on a detailed analysis of the underlying credit and cash flows on each security. Gross unrealized losses are primarily attributable to general credit spread widening, increases in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rate movements. As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not intend to sell these securities, and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell these securities before the anticipated recovery of the remaining amortized cost basis.
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Asset-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and residential mortgage-backed securities are shown separately in the table above, as they do not have a single maturity date.
Includes $0.0 million, $0.0 million and $0.0 million of non-cash related proceeds due to the timing of trade settlements for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The net change in unrealized gains (losses) from equity securities still held at period end, recorded within “Other income,” was $0.6 million and $(1.0) million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The net change in unrealized gains (losses) from equity securities, still held at period end, recorded within "Other comprehensive income (loss)," was $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.
As of December 31, 2019, the commercial mortgage and agricultural property loans were secured by properties geographically dispersed throughout the United States (with the largest concentrations in New York (13%), Illinois (13%) and Texas (11%)) and included loans secured by properties in Europe (10%).
As of December 31, 2019, there were no loans in this category accruing interest.
As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no significant equity method investments.
Includes fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and excludes fixed maturity securities classified as trading.
Effective January 1, 2018, realized gains (losses) on equity securities are recorded within “Other income.”
Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities are recorded within “Other income.”
In the normal course of its business activities, the Company accepts collateral that can be sold or repledged. The primary sources of this collateral are securities purchased under agreements to resell. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of this collateral was $0 million and $10 million, respectively, none of which had either been sold or repledged.
The changes in fair value of cash flow hedges are deferred in AOCI and are included in “Net unrealized investment gains (losses)” in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss); these amounts are then reclassified to earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Using December 31, 2019 values, it is estimated that a pre-tax gain of $1.7 million is expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings during the subsequent twelve months ending December 31, 2020.
The spread over the LIBOR swap curve represents the premium added to the proxy for the risk-free rate (LIBOR) to reflect the Company's estimates of rates that a market participant would use to value the living benefits in both the accumulation and payout phases and index-linked interest crediting guarantees. This spread includes an estimate of NPR, which is the risk that the obligation will not be fulfilled by the Company. NPR is primarily estimated by utilizing the credit spreads associated with issuing funding agreements, adjusted for any illiquidity risk premium. In order to reflect the financial strength ratings of the Company, credit spreads associated with funding agreements, as opposed to credit spread associated with debt, are utilized in developing this estimate because funding agreements, living benefit guarantees, and index-linked interest crediting guarantees are insurance liabilities and are therefore senior to debt.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Investment Income, Receivables from Parent and Affiliates and Other Assets
The Company believes that due to the short-term nature of certain assets, the carrying value approximates fair value. These assets include: cash and cash equivalent instruments, accrued investment income, and other assets that meet the definition of financial instruments, including receivables, unsettled trades and accounts receivable.
The Company’s liability for future policy benefits are primarily liabilities for guaranteed benefits related to certain long-duration life and annuity contracts. Liabilities for guaranteed benefits with embedded derivative features are primarily in "Other contract liabilities" in the above table. The remaining liabilities for guaranteed benefits are primarily reflected with the underlying contract. The interest rates used in the determination of the present values range from 1.9% to 3.3%. See Note 8 for additional information regarding liabilities for guaranteed benefits related to certain long-duration contracts.
Policyholders’ account balances represent an accumulation of account deposits plus credited interest less withdrawals, expenses and mortality charges, if applicable. These policyholders’ account balances also include provisions for benefits under non-life contingent payout annuities. Interest crediting rates for interest-sensitive life contracts range from 1.9% to 4.6%. Interest crediting rates for individual annuities range from 0.0% to 4.9%. Interest crediting rates for guaranteed interest accounts range from 1.5% to 4.1%. Interest crediting rates range from 0.5% to 3.5% for other.
The table below summarizes the changes in general account liabilities for guarantees. The liabilities for GMDB, and GMIB are included in “Future policy benefits” and the related changes in the liabilities are included in “Policyholders’ benefits.” GMAB, GMWB, and GMIWB are accounted for as embedded derivatives and are recorded at fair value within “Future policy benefits.” Changes in the fair value of these derivatives, including changes in the Company’s own risk of non-performance, along with any fees attributed or payments made relating to the derivative, are recorded in “Realized investment gains (losses), net.” See Note 5 for additional information regarding the methodology used in determining the fair value of these embedded derivatives.
The GMIWB features, taken collectively, provide a contractholder two optional methods to receive guaranteed minimum payments over time, a “withdrawal” option or an “income” option. The withdrawal option (which was available under only one of the GMIWBs and is no longer offered) guarantees that a contractholder can withdraw an amount each year until the cumulative withdrawals reach a total guaranteed balance. The income option (which varies among the Company’s GMIWBs) in general, guarantees the contractholder the ability to withdraw an amount each year for life (or for joint lives, in the case of any spousal version of the benefit) where such amount is equal to a percentage of a protected value under the benefit. The contractholder also has the potential to increase this annual amount, based on certain subsequent increases in account value that may occur. The GMIWB can be elected by the contractholder upon issuance of an appropriate deferred variable annuity contract or at any time following contract issue prior to annuitization. Certain GMIWB features include an automatic rebalancing element that reduces the Company’s exposure to these guarantees. The GMIWB liability is calculated as the present value of future expected payments to customers less the present value of future expected rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature.
There were no deferred sales inducements balances at December 31, 2019 and 2018 because they were fully ceded.
Realized investment gains and losses include the impact of reinsurance agreements, particularly reinsurance agreements involving living benefit guarantees. The Company has entered into a reinsurance agreement to transfer the risk related to living benefit guarantees on variable annuities to Prudential Insurance. These reinsurance agreements are derivatives and have been accounted for in the same manner as embedded derivatives and the changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized through “Realized investment gains (losses), net”. See Note 4 for additional information related to the accounting for embedded derivatives.
Includes $(4) million of unaffiliated activity for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Includes $(2) million, $(4) million and $(0.2) million of unaffiliated activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company has a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement with Prudential Insurance and reinsures the majority of all mortality risks not otherwise reinsured. Effective July 1, 2017, this agreement was terminated for certain new business, primarily Universal Life business, and such business was reinsured to Pruco Life under a yearly renewable term reinsurance agreement. Effective April 1, 2016 the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with Prudential Insurance to reinsure its variable annuity base contracts, along with the living benefit guarantees.
The Company reinsures 90% of the risks under its term life insurance policies, with effective dates prior to January 1, 2010 through an automatic coinsurance agreement with PARCC.
The Company reinsures 95% of the risks under its term life insurance policies, with effective dates on or after January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017, through an automatic coinsurance agreement with Term Re.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company entered into an automatic coinsurance agreement with DART to reinsure an amount equal to 95% of the risks associated with its term life insurance policies with effective dates on or after January 1, 2018, excluding those policies that are subject to principle-based reserving.
The effective tax rate is the ratio of “Income tax expense (benefit)” divided by “Income (loss) from operations before income taxes.” The Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017 was (10.2)%, (0.2)% and (20.3)%, respectively. The following is a description of items that had the most significant impact on the difference between the Company’s statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% applicable for 2019 and 2018 and 35% applicable for 2017, and the Company's effective tax rate during the periods presented:
Other. This line item represents insignificant reconciling items that are individually less than 5% of the computed expected federal income tax expense (benefit) and have therefore been aggregated for purposes of this reconciliation in accordance with relevant disclosure guidance.
The Company had no valuation allowance as of December 31, 2019, and 2018. Adjustments to the valuation allowance will be made if there is a change in management’s assessment of the amount of deferred tax asset that is realizable.
At December 31, 2019, the Company remains subject to examination in the U.S. for tax years 2015 through 2019.
The Company is also charged for its share of the costs associated with welfare plans issued by Prudential Insurance. These expenses include costs related to medical, dental, life insurance and disability. The Company's share of net expense for the welfare plans was $3 million, $3 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company is charged for its share of corporate expenses incurred by Prudential Financial to benefit its businesses, such as advertising, executive oversight, external affairs and philanthropic activity. The Company’s share of corporate expenses was $13 million, $8 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company has sold three Corporate Owned Life Insurance ("COLI") policies to Prudential Insurance and one to Prudential Financial. The cash surrender value included in separate accounts for these COLI policies was $2,743 million at December 31, 2019 and $2,239 million at December 31, 2018. Fees related to these COLI policies were $26 million, $25 million and $25 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company retains 10% of the mortality risk associated with these COLI policies up to $0.1 million per individual policy.
The Company has a revenue sharing agreement with AST Investment Services, Inc. ("ASTISI") and PGIM Investments LLC ("PGIM Investments") whereby the Company receives fee income based on policyholders' separate account balances invested in the AST. Income received from ASTISI and PGIM Investments related to this agreement was $32 million, $31 million and $29 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These revenues are recorded as “Asset administration fees” in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
In December 2019, the Company receive capital contribution in the amount of $60 million from Pruco Life. In March of 2018 and 2017, the Company received capital contributions in the amount of $1 million from Pruco Life.
The Company has made commitments to fund commercial mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2019, there were $4 million outstanding commitments to fund commercial loans, and none as of December 31, 2018. The Company has made commitments to purchase or fund investments, mostly private fixed maturities. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, $48 million and $41 million, respectively, of these commitments were outstanding.