Our executive office is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and is predominantly occupied by our Annuities, Life and Run-off segments, as well as Corporate & Other.
We believe that our properties are suitable and adequate for our current and anticipated business operations. MetLife arranges for property & casualty coverage on our properties, taking into consideration our risk exposures and the cost and availability of commercial coverages, including deductible loss levels. In connection with the renewal of those coverages, MetLife has arranged $500 million of property insurance, including coverage for terrorism, on our real estate portfolio through May 1, 2017, its renewal date.
In this narrative analysis, in addition to providing net income (loss), we also present operating earnings, a measure of performance that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe this non-GAAP measure enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business. Operating earnings allows analysis of our performance and facilitates comparisons to industry results. The financial information that follows is presented in conformity with GAAP, unless otherwise indicated. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of GAAP.
We allocate capital to our segments based on an internal capital model, which is a model that reflects the capital required to represent the measurement of the risk profile of the business. We also allocate capital to our segments to meet our long-term promises to clients, to service long-term obligations and to support our credit ratings. Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact our consolidated net investment income or net income (loss). See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the internal capital model and segment accounting policies including the calculation of segment net investment income.
Based on the planned separation, in the third quarter of 2016, the Company reorganized its businesses as follows:
The Retirement and Income Solutions business (which represents most of the segment formerly known as MetLife’s Corporate Benefit Funding segment) is reflected in a new segment, Run-off. Further, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, we report our ULSG business in this segment.
capitalization and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and the establishment and amortization of value of business acquired (“VOBA”);
Generally, future policy benefits are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions that are in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. The principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, benefit utilization and withdrawals, policy lapse, policy renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability terminations, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. These assumptions, intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable, are established at the time the policy is issued and locked in. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. If experience is less favorable than assumed, DAC may be reduced and/or additional insurance liabilities established, resulting in a reduction in earnings.
Future policy benefit liabilities for minimum death and income benefit guarantees relating to certain annuity contracts are based on estimates of the expected value of benefits in excess of the projected account balance, recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. Liabilities for universal and variable life secondary guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The assumptions used in estimating the secondary guarantee liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are therefore subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity index, such as the S&P 500 Index.
We regularly review our estimates of liabilities for future policy benefits. For universal life and annuity product guarantees, assumptions are updated periodically, whereas for traditional life products, such as term life, assumptions are established and locked in at inception but reviewed periodically to determine whether a premium deficiency exists that would trigger an unlocking of assumptions.
Separate account rates of return on variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts affect in-force account balances on such contracts each reporting period, which can result in significant fluctuations in amortization of DAC and VOBA, which is based on estimated gross profits. Our practice to determine the impact of gross profits resulting from returns on separate accounts assumes that long-term appreciation in equity markets is not changed by short-term market fluctuations, but is only changed when sustained interim deviations are expected. We monitor these events and only change the assumption when our long-term expectation changes. The effect of an increase (decrease) by 100 basis points in the assumed future rate of return is reasonably likely to result in a decrease (increase) in the DAC and VOBA amortization with an offset to our unearned revenue liability which nets to approximately $160 million. We use a mean reversion approach to separate account returns where the mean reversion period is five years with a long-term separate account return after the five-year reversion period is over. The current long-term rate of return assumption for the variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts is 7%.
Our most significant assumption updates resulting in a change to expected future gross profits and the amortization of DAC are due to revisions to expected future investment returns, expenses, in-force or persistency and benefit elections and withdrawals on universal life contracts and annuity contracts. We expect these assumptions to be the ones most reasonably likely to cause significant changes in the future. Changes in these assumptions can be offsetting and we are unable to predict their movement or offsetting impact over time.
We use freestanding derivative instruments to hedge various capital market risks in our products, including: (i) certain guarantees, some of which are reported as embedded derivatives; (ii) current or future changes in the fair value of our assets and liabilities; and (iii) current or future changes in cash flows. All derivatives, whether freestanding or embedded, are required to be carried on the balance sheet at fair value with changes reflected in either net income (loss) or in other comprehensive income, depending on the type of hedge. Below is a summary of critical accounting estimates by type of derivative.
We issue variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits, some of which are embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity product, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). We have also assumed from an affiliate the risk associated with certain guaranteed minimum benefits, which are accounted for as embedded derivatives measured at fair value. The estimated fair values of these embedded derivatives are determined based on the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees attributable to the guarantees. The projections of future benefits and future fees require capital markets and actuarial assumptions, including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used under which the cash flows from the guarantees are projected under multiple capital market scenarios using observable risk-free rates.
With respect to assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, we have recorded charges, and in some cases benefits, in prior years as a result of the availability of sufficient and credible data at the conclusion of each review. During the second quarter of 2016, MetLife accelerated the annual review of actuarial assumptions for its U.S. retail variable annuity business in light of the availability of a larger body of cumulative actual experience data than had been previously available. This data provided greater insight into contract holder behavior for GMIB riders passing the initial 10-year waiting period. As a result of this review, we made changes to contract holder behavior and long-term economic assumptions, primarily relating to annuitization, lapses and withdrawals, as well as risk margins. These assumption updates, principally involving contract holder behavior associated with guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) riders, resulted in a change in our estimate of expected future cash outflows and moved certain of those cash flows from the accrual-based insurance liabilities model to fair value-based embedded derivatives model. This change in accounting estimate and the resulting charge to earnings were primarily due to an increase in the anticipated level of forced annuitizations where the non-life contingent portion is now reported as an embedded derivative. With more of the estimated future cash outflows being accounted for as embedded derivatives, the GMIB rider liabilities are more sensitive to market changes and thus may result in greater income statement volatility. In addition, in the third quarter of 2016, we performed the annual review of our actuarial assumptions for our remaining annuity and life businesses. Results for the year ended December 31, 2016 include a non-cash charge, net of DAC and income tax, of $1.7 billion associated with the annual assumption review.
The valuation of our embedded derivatives includes an adjustment for the risk that we fail to satisfy our obligations, which we refer to as our nonperformance risk. The nonperformance risk adjustment, which is captured as a spread over the risk-free rate in determining the discount rate to discount the cash flows of the liability, is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for MetLife, Inc.’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company as compared to MetLife, Inc. After the planned separation, the credit spread underlying the nonperformance risk adjustment will be based on Brighthouse’s creditworthiness instead of that of MetLife. This may impact the valuation of our embedded derivatives and therefore net income (loss) in the period of the change. A similar nonperformance risk adjustment is made to the ceded reinsurance asset.
For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, Step 2 of the analysis is performed where the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is compared to the carrying value of that goodwill to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In such instances, the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be determined in a business acquisition. The key inputs, judgments and assumptions necessary to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit include projected cash flows, the level of economic capital required to support the mix of business, the account value of in-force business, projections of renewed business and margins on such business, interest rates, credit spreads, equity market levels, and the discount rate that we believe is appropriate for the reporting unit.
We apply significant judgment when determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units. The valuation methodologies utilized are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are sensitive to change. Estimates of fair value are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectation regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will likely differ in some respects from actual future results.
A significant portion of our net income is driven by separate account balances, particularly in our variable annuity business. Most directly, these balances determine asset-based fee income, but also impact DAC amortization and asset-based commissions. Separate account balances are driven by sales, movements in the market, surrenders, withdrawals, benefit payments, transfers and policy charges. Average separate account balances declined in 2016 compared to 2015 due to unfavorable equity market impact and negative net flows as surrenders, withdrawals and benefits have exceeded new sales. While overall equity market performance was positive during 2016, the timing of a significant market decline in the third quarter of 2015 resulted in lower average balances during 2016. In 2016, we experienced positive net flows in the general account.
The table below shows the components of our net income (loss), in addition to operating earnings for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
GMLB Riders. Results from GMLB Riders reflect (i) changes in the carrying value of guaranteed minimum living benefits (“GMLB”) liabilities, including GMIBs, GMWBs and GMABs; (ii) changes in the fair value of the hedges and reinsurance of the GMLB liabilities; (iii) the fees earned from the GMLB liabilities; and (iv) the related DAC offsets to each of the preceding components (collectively, the “GMLB Riders”).
GMLB Riders decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $3.1 billion ($2.0 billion, net of income tax), as our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in changes to assumptions regarding policyholder behavior which significantly increased the carrying value of the liabilities. This was partially offset by the favorable impacts on the liabilities due to market factors as well as higher fee income and favorable impacts to DAC amortization. See “- GMLB Riders - Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2015.”
Amortization of DAC and VOBA. Lower DAC and VOBA amortization, excluding the amounts in GMLB Riders and operating earnings, increased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $8 million ($5 million, net of income tax), primarily due to lower profits resulting from net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) related to life and annuity products.
Other Derivative Instruments. We have other derivative instruments, in addition to the hedges and embedded derivatives included in GMLB Riders, for which changes in fair value are recognized in net derivative gains (losses). The change in fair value of other derivative instruments decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $1.6 billion ($1.0 billion, net of income tax).
We have freestanding derivatives that economically hedge certain invested assets and insurance liabilities. The majority of this hedging activity is focused in the following areas:
In 2016, in connection with the planned separation, we entered into additional interest rate swaps in order to protect the statutory capital of the company against further declines in interest rates.
Changes in the fair value of freestanding derivatives decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $1.3 billion ($813 million, net of income tax), primarily due to the unfavorable changes in our receive fixed interest rate swaps and interest rate total return swaps resulting from long-term interest rates increasing in 2016, compared to decreasing in 2015.
Ceded reinsurance agreements covering certain life products are written on a coinsurance with funds withheld basis. The funds withheld component is accounted for as an embedded derivative with changes in the fair value recognized in net income (loss) in the period in which they occur. In addition, the changes in liability values of our index-linked annuity products that result from changes in the underlying equity index are accounted for as embedded derivatives. Unfavorable changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $358 million ($233 million, net of income tax), primarily due to the unfavorable impact of an increase in equity index levels on our index-linked annuity products and an unfavorable change in the value of funds withheld assets due to rising interest rates.
Net Investment Gains (Losses). Unfavorable net investment gains (losses) decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $68 million ($44 million, net of income tax), primarily due to gains on sales of real estate joint ventures recognized in 2015 and impairments recognized in 2016. These decreases from real estate joint ventures were partially offset by lower impairments and net losses on sales of fixed maturity securities as well as gains on mortgage loans in 2016.
Other Adjustments. Other adjustments to determine operating earnings decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $473 million ($307 million, net of income tax), primarily due to an impairment of goodwill. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $1.8 billion, or 38% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, compared to income tax expense of $215 million, or 20% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% typically due to non-taxable investment income and tax credits. Our 2016 results include a $381 million ($305 million, net of income tax) non-cash charge for goodwill impairment. The tax benefit on this charge was limited to $76 million on the associated tax goodwill. Our 2016 results also include a $78 million benefit due to a deferred tax adjustment related to goodwill.
Operating Earnings. As more fully described in “- Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures,” we use operating earnings, which does not equate to net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP, to analyze our performance, evaluate segment performance, and allocate resources. We believe that the presentation of operating earnings, as we measure it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating earnings allows analysis of our performance and facilitates comparisons to industry results. Operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss). Operating earnings before provision for income tax decreased $513 million ($386 million, net of income tax) for the year ended December 31, 2016. Operating earnings is discussed in greater detail below.
See “- Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for a listing of other adjustments to net income (loss).
Fee Income. Higher fee income increased operating earnings by $105 million, primarily due to:
a gain of $190 million from the recapture from an affiliate of a reinsurance agreement for certain single premium deferred annuity contracts (“SPDA Recapture”); partially offset by
Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, higher fee income increased operating earnings by $101 million.
Net Investment Spread. Higher net investment spread increased operating earnings by $47 million as higher net investment income and lower interest credited expense were partially offset by lower interest credited on the reinsurance receivable related to the SPDA Recapture. Net investment income increased primarily due to a higher average invested asset base, higher income on interest rate and currency derivatives, and higher returns on other limited partnership interests. These increases in net investment income were partially offset by lower yields on the reinvestment of fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans as well as lower returns on real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests. The average invested asset base increased primarily due to the SPDA Recapture and positive general account net flows from our life businesses, partially offset by funding agreement repayments. Interest credited expense decreased primarily due to lower average crediting rates in our annuities business in connection with the low interest rate environment.
a $96 million increase in insurance-related liabilities resulting from the ULSG Model Change; and
an increase in amortization of $78 million due to the net impact from recapture activity related to several ceded and assumed reinsurance agreements for certain traditional life products;
an increase in amortization of $67 million from changes in actuarial assumptions related to our variable annuity business discussed below; partially offset by
a decrease in amortization of $37 million from lower actual margins or profits resulting from lower asset-based fees earned on the lower average separate account balances, which exceeded the inverse effect on amortization from lower expected future margins or profits due to the same decrease in asset-based fees; and
Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, higher amortization of DAC and VOBA decreased operating earnings by $161 million.
a decrease of $67 million from unfavorable DAC amortization related to our variable annuity business due to assumption changes related to rider utilization, separate account growth, market volatility and lapse rates; and
an increase of $10 million due to lower liabilities resulting from assumption changes related to lapse rates in our universal and traditional life businesses.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $296 million, or 26% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, compared to income tax expense of $423 million, or 26% of income (loss) before provision for income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% typically due to non-taxable investment income and tax credits.
GMLB Riders decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $3.1 billion ($2.0 billion, net of income tax). Of this amount, an unfavorable change of $3.9 billion ($2.5 billion, net of income tax) was recorded in net derivative gains (losses). Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, GMLB Riders decreased net income (loss) before provision for income tax by $844 million ($549 million, net of income tax).
The change in the carrying value of GMLB Riders liabilities decreased income (loss) before provision for income tax by $1.3 billion ($842 million, net of income tax), primarily due to changes in actuarial assumptions related to rider utilization, partially offset by favorable change from equity market and interest rate impacts. Excluding the impact of the annual actuarial assumption review, the change in the carrying value of the GMLB Riders liabilities increased income before provision for income tax by $1.7 billion ($1.1 billion, net of income tax).
We earn fees on our GMLB Riders liabilities, which are calculated based on the notional amount used to calculate the owner’s guaranteed benefits (“Benefit Base”). In market downturns, fees calculated based on the Benefit Base are more stable, as compared to fees based on the account value, because the Benefit Base excludes the impact of a decline in the market value of the policyholder’s account value. We use the fees directly earned from GMLB Riders to fund the reserves, future claims and costs associated with the hedges of market risks inherent in GMLB Riders liabilities. For GMLB Riders liabilities accounted for as embedded derivatives, the future fees are included in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities, with changes recorded in net derivative gains (losses). For GMLB Riders liabilities accounted for as insurance, while the related fees do affect the valuations of these liabilities, they are not included in the resulting liability values, but are recorded separately in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
an increase of $707 million ($460 million, net of income tax) from the favorable impact to DAC amortization, which is inversely related to the assumption changes above.
An integral part of our liquidity management includes managing our level of short-term liquidity and level of liquid assets. Short-term liquidity was $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Liquid assets was $27.6 billion at both December 31, 2016 and 2015.
We issue fixed and floating rate funding agreements to a variety of sources including special purpose entities, the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. We had total obligations under funding agreements of $772 million and $4.1 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we issued $6.1 billion, $17.1 billion and $16.0 billion, respectively, and repaid $9.4 billion, $17.9 billion and $17.7 billion, respectively, of funding agreements. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
We pledge collateral to, and have collateral pledged to us by, counterparties in connection with our derivatives. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we were obligated to return cash collateral pledged to the Company of $720 million and $1.6 billion, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had pledged cash collateral of $765 million and $70 million, respectively. With respect to OTC-bilateral derivatives in a net liability position that have financial strength contingent provisions, a one-notch downgrade in Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s financial strength rating would not have increased our derivative collateral requirements at December 31, 2016. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
We participate in a securities lending program whereby securities are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. We obtain collateral, usually cash, from the borrower, which must be returned to the borrower when the loaned securities are returned to us. Under our securities lending program, we were liable for cash collateral under our control of $6.6 billion and $9.0 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Of these amounts, $2.1 billion and $2.6 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were on open, meaning that the related loaned security could be returned to us on the next business day requiring the immediate return of cash collateral we hold. The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at December 31, 2016 was $2.1 billion, all of which were U.S. government and agency securities which, if put to us, could be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirements to immediately return the cash collateral. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company cedes specific policy classes, including term life insurance, universal life insurance and secondary guarantees on universal life insurance to affiliated captive reinsurers. The statutory reserves of such affiliated captive reinsurers are supported by a combination of investment assets and letters of credit issued by unaffiliated financial institutions. MetLife, Inc. has committed to maintain the surplus of certain of these domestic affiliated captive reinsurers, as well as provided a guarantee of one such captive reinsurer’s repayment obligations on the letters of credit. We enter into reinsurance agreements with affiliated captive reinsurers for risk and capital management purposes, as well as to satisfy statutory reserve requirements related to universal and term life insurance policies.
See “- Results of Operations” for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable historical GAAP measure. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not accessible on a forward-looking basis because we believe it is not possible without unreasonable efforts to provide other than a range of net investment gains and losses and net derivative gains and losses, which can fluctuate significantly within or outside the range and from period to period and may have a material impact on net income (loss).
Our definitions of the various non-GAAP and other financial measures discussed in this report may differ from those used by other companies. For example, as indicated below, we exclude GMIB revenues and related embedded derivatives gains (losses) as well as GMIB benefits and associated DAC and VOBA offsets from operating earnings, thereby excluding substantially all GMLB activity from operating earnings.
Certain amounts related to securitization entities that are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) consolidated under GAAP; and
Results of discontinued operations and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by the Company (“Divested Businesses”).
Amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets, benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”) and market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market Value Adjustments”);
Amounts related to: (i) net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), and (ii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs included in amortization of DAC and VOBA;
(1) Amounts related to Divested Businesses are excluded from all components of operating earnings.
We sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. Statistical sales information for Life sales are calculated using the LIMRA definition of sales for core direct sales, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges, corporate-owned life insurance, bank-owned life insurance, and private placement variable universal life insurance. Annuity sales consist of 10% of direct statutory premiums, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.
Financial Statements at December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (formerly MetLife Insurance Company USA) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes and Schedules. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
“Brighthouse Insurance” and the “Company” refer to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (formerly, MetLife Insurance Company USA, “MetLife USA”), a Delaware corporation originally incorporated in Connecticut in 1863, and its subsidiaries. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”). The Company offers a range of individual annuities and individual life insurance products.
In anticipation of MetLife’s plan to separate a substantial portion of its former Retail segment, as well as certain portions of its former Corporate Benefit Funding segment and Corporate & Other (the “Separation”), in the third quarter of 2016, the Company reorganized its businesses into three segments: Annuities, Life and Run-off. See Note 2 for further information on the reorganization of the Company’s segments in the third quarter of 2016, which was applied retrospectively.
The Company’s revenues reflect fees charged to the separate accounts, including mortality charges, risk charges, policy administration fees, investment management fees and surrender charges. Such fees are included in universal life and investment-type product policy fees on the statements of operations.
The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions that are in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. The principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, policy renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability terminations, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and locked in and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. For long duration insurance contracts, assumptions such as mortality, morbidity and interest rates are locked in upon the issuance of new business. However, significant adverse changes in experience on such contracts may require the establishment of premium deficiency reserves. Such reserves are determined based on the then current assumptions and do not include a provision for adverse deviation. To assess whether or not a premium deficiency exists, the Company groups insurance contracts based on the manner acquired, serviced, and the measurement of profitability. In applying the profitability criteria, groupings are limited by segment.
Liabilities for universal and variable life secondary guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits ratably over the contract period based on total expected assessments. The assumptions used in estimating the secondary guarantee liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), and are therefore subject to the same variability and risk as further discussed herein. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity indices, such as the Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings (“S&P”) 500 Index. The benefits used in calculating the liabilities are based on the average benefits payable over a range of scenarios.
See “- “Variable Annuity Guarantees” for additional information on the Company’s variable annuity guarantee features that are accounted for as insurance liabilities and recorded in future policy benefits, as well as the guarantee features that are accounted for at fair value as embedded derivatives and recorded in policyholder account balances.
The affiliated deferred experience refunds relate to the repayment of acquisition costs under an affiliated reinsurance agreement and represent part of the net cost of reinsurance for the business reinsured. The deferred experience refund is being amortized consistent with the DAC methodology on the underlying contracts.
The Company issues directly and assumes from an affiliate through reinsurance certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits that provide the policyholder a minimum return based on their initial deposit (i.e., the benefit base) less withdrawals. In some cases, the benefit base may be increased by additional deposits, bonus amounts, accruals or optional market value step-ups.
The projections of future benefits and future fees require capital market and actuarial assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used to project the cash flows from the guarantees under multiple capital market scenarios to determine an economic liability. The reported estimated fair value is then determined by taking the present value of these risk-free generated cash flows using a discount rate that incorporates a spread over the risk-free rate to reflect our nonperformance risk and adding a risk margin. For more information on the determination of estimated fair value, see Note 10 Fair Value.
Interest income and prepayment fees are recognized when earned. Interest income is recognized using an effective yield method giving effect to amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and is based on the estimated economic life of the securities, which for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) considers the estimated timing and amount of prepayments of the underlying loans. See Note 8 “Investments - Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities AFS - Methodology for Amortization of Premium and Accretion of Discount on Structured Securities”. The amortization of premium and accretion of discount of fixed maturity securities also takes into consideration call and maturity dates. Dividends on equity securities are recognized when declared.
Leveraged leases which are recorded net of non-recourse debt. Income is recognized by applying the leveraged lease’s estimated rate of return to the net investment in the lease. The Company regularly reviews residual values for impairment.
Such embedded derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value with the host contract and changes in their estimated fair value are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses), except for those in policyholder benefits and claims related to ceded reinsurance of GMIB. If the Company is unable to properly identify and measure an embedded derivative for separation from its host contract, the entire contract is carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income. Additionally, the Company may elect to carry an entire contract on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income if that contract contains an embedded derivative that requires bifurcation.
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and its includable subsidiaries join with MetLife, Inc. and its includable subsidiaries in filing a consolidated U.S. life and non-life federal income tax return in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Current taxes (and the benefits of tax attributes such as losses) are allocated to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries under the consolidated tax return regulations and a tax sharing agreement. Under the consolidated tax return regulations, MetLife, Inc. has elected the “percentage method” (and 100% under such method) of reimbursing companies for tax attributes e.g. net operating losses. As a result, 100% of tax attributes are reimbursed by MetLife, Inc. to the extent that consolidated federal income tax of the consolidated federal tax return group is reduced in a year by tax attributes. On an annual basis, each of the profitable subsidiaries pays to MetLife, Inc. the federal income tax which it would have paid based upon that year’s taxable income. If Brighthouse Life Insurance Company or its includable subsidiaries has current or prior deductions and credits (including but not limited to losses) which reduce the consolidated tax liability of the consolidated federal tax return group, the deductions and credits are characterized as realized (or realizable) by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and its includable subsidiaries when those tax attributes are realized (or realizable) by the consolidated federal tax return group, even if Brighthouse Life Insurance Company or its includable subsidiaries would not have realized the attributes on a stand-alone basis under a “wait and see” method.
Computer software, which is included in other assets, is stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Purchased software costs, as well as certain internal and external costs incurred to develop internal-use computer software during the application development stage, are capitalized. Such costs are amortized generally over a four-year period using the straight-line method. The cost basis of computer software was $236 million and $254 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Accumulated amortization of capitalized software was $136 million and $107 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Related amortization expense was $37 million, less than $1 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Through December 31, 2016, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) provided and the Company contributed to defined benefit pension and postemployment plans for its employees and retirees. MLIC also provides and the Company contributes to a postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plan for certain retired employees. The Company accounts for these plans as multiemployer benefit plans and as a result the assets, obligations and other comprehensive gains and losses of these benefit plans are not included on the consolidated balance sheet. Within its consolidated statement of operations, the Company has included expense associated with its participants in these plans. These plans also include participants from other affiliates of MLIC. The Company’s participation in these plans ceased December 31, 2016.
Assets, liabilities and operations of a foreign affiliate (owned in 2014) are recorded based on functional currency. The determination of the functional currency is made based on the appropriate economic and management indicators. The local currencies of foreign operations are the functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of this foreign affiliate are translated from the functional currency to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at each year-end and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the year. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited directly to OCI, net of applicable taxes. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, including the effect of re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities to the appropriate functional currency, are reported as part of net investment gains (losses) in the period in which they occur.
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted guidance relating to short-duration contracts. Upon adopting the new guidance, the Company updated the disclosure for the rollforward of the liability of the unpaid policy and contract claims to include incurred and paid long-duration life claims that are settled within one year. The Company’s liability for unpaid policy and contract claims includes incurred but not reported claims, as well as claims which have been reported but not yet settled. The net incurred and paid claims within the Company’s tabular rollforward are principally comprised of death benefits on long-duration life contracts. The adoption did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements and given the Company’s minimal extent of short-duration insurance contracts did not require any other expanded disclosures.
In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on derecognition of nonfinancial assets (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017- 05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The guidance may be applied retrospectively for all periods presented or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment at the date of adoption. The new guidance clarifies the scope and accounting of a financial asset that meets the definition of an “in-substance nonfinancial asset” and defines the term, “in-substance nonfinancial asset.” The ASU also adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on restricted cash (ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, the new guidance requires that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance does not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on cash flow statement presentation (ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. This ASU addresses diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified on the statement of cash flows. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities) on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the instrument-specific credit risk provision. The new guidance changes the current accounting guidance related to (i) the classification and measurement of certain equity investments, (ii) the presentation of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the FVO that are due to instrument-specific credit risk, and (iii) certain disclosures associated with the fair value of financial instruments. Additionally, there will no longer be a requirement to assess equity securities for impairment since such securities will be measured at fair value through net income. The Company has assessed the population of financial instruments that are subject to the new guidance and has determined that the most significant impact will be the requirement to report changes in fair value in net income each reporting period for all equity securities currently classified as AFS and to a lesser extent, other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures that are currently accounted for under the cost method. The population of these investments accounted for under the cost method is not material. The Company is continuing to evaluate the overall impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 3, 2017, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) amended its rulebook, resulting in the characterization of variation margin transfers as settlement payments, as opposed to adjustments to collateral. These amendments will impact the accounting treatment of the Company’s centrally cleared derivatives, for which the CME serves as the central clearing party. The application of the amended rulebook is expected to reduce the gross derivative assets and liabilities, as well as the related collateral, recorded on the consolidated balance sheet for trades cleared through the CME. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements. This change is not expected to impact the tax treatment of such derivatives, although the IRS is being asked to issue definitive guidance.
The Run-off segment consists of products no longer actively sold and which are separately managed, including structured settlements, certain company-owned life insurance policies, bank-owned life insurance policies, funding agreements and ULSG.
Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments and interest expense related to the majority of the Company’s outstanding debt, as well as expenses associated with certain legal proceedings and income tax audit issues. Additionally, Corporate & Other includes assumed reinsurance of certain variable annuity products from a former affiliated operating joint venture in Japan. Under this in-force reinsurance agreement, the Company reinsured living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with variable annuity products. Also, Corporate & Other includes a reinsurance agreement to assume certain blocks of indemnity reinsurance from an affiliate. These reinsurance agreements were recaptured effective November 1, 2014. Corporate & Other also includes the elimination of intersegment amounts and a portion of MetLife’s U.S. insurance business sold direct to consumers.
Operating earnings is used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is also the Company’s GAAP measure of segment performance and is reported below. Operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss). The Company believes the presentation of operating earnings as the Company measures it for management purposes enhances the understanding of its performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating earnings allows analysis of the Company’s performance and facilitates comparisons to industry results.
Net derivative gains (losses) except: (i) earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments or that are used to replicate certain investments, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and (ii) earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment;
Certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and
Amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets, benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB Costs”) and market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts;
Amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP;
Costs related to: (i) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements and (ii) acquisition and integration costs.
Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact the Company’s consolidated net investment income or net income (loss).
Net investment income is based upon the actual results of each segment’s specifically identifiable investment portfolios adjusted for allocated equity. Other costs are allocated to each of the segments based upon: (i) a review of the nature of such costs; (ii) time studies analyzing the amount of employee time incurred by each segment; and (iii) cost estimates included in the Company’s product pricing.
In November 2014, MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., re-domesticated from Connecticut to Delaware, changed its name to MetLife Insurance Company USA and merged with its subsidiary, MLI-USA, and its affiliate, MLIIC, each a U.S. insurance company that issued variable annuity products in addition to other products, and Exeter, a former offshore, captive reinsurance subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. and affiliate of MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut that mainly reinsured guarantees associated with variable annuity products (the “Mergers”). The surviving entity of the Mergers was MetLife USA. Exeter, formerly a Cayman Islands company, was re-domesticated to Delaware in October 2013. Prior to the Mergers, 40,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, of which 30,000,000 shares were issued and outstanding, were converted to 4,000 authorized shares of common stock, of which 3,000 shares were issued and outstanding.
Present value of expected future payments. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from 3% to 8%.
Participating business represented 4% and 3% of the Company’s life insurance in-force at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Participating policies represented 45%, 43% and 39% of gross traditional life insurance premiums for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Policyholder account balances are equal to: (i) policy account values, which consist of an accumulation of gross premium payments; (ii) credited interest, ranging from less than 1% to 8%, less expenses, mortality charges and withdrawals; and (iii) fair value adjustments relating to business combinations.
The Company issues variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. GMABs, the non-life contingent portion of GMWBs and the portion of certain GMIBs that do not require annuitization are accounted for as embedded derivatives in policyholder account balances and are further discussed in Note 9. Guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities include:
The Company issues fixed and floating rate funding agreements, which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, to certain special purpose entities that have issued either debt securities or commercial paper for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued $1.4 billion, $13.0 billion and $12.2 billion, respectively, and repaid $3.4 billion, $14.4 billion and $13.9 billion, respectively, of such funding agreements. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, liabilities for funding agreements outstanding, which are included in policyholder account balances, were $127 million and $2.2 billion, respectively.
Information regarding the liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expense was as follows:
Reflects the accumulated adjustment, net of reinsurance, upon implementation of the new guidance related to short-duration contracts. Prior periods have not been restated. See Note 1.
During 2016, 2015 and 2014, claims and claims adjustment expenses associated with prior years changed due to differences between the actual benefits paid and the expected benefits owed during those periods.
Separate account assets and liabilities include two categories of account types: pass-through separate accounts totaling $100.6 billion and $101.5 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for which the policyholder assumes all investment risk, and separate accounts for which the Company contractually guarantees either a minimum return or account value to the policyholder which totaled $33 million and $189 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The latter category consisted of bank owned life insurance contracts. The average interest rate credited on these contracts was 2.63% and 2.56% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company also periodically reviews other long-term assumptions underlying the projections of estimated gross margins and profits. These assumptions primarily relate to investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, interest crediting rates, mortality, persistency, benefit elections and withdrawals and expenses to administer business. Management annually updates assumptions used in the calculation of estimated gross margins and profits which may have significantly changed. If the update of assumptions causes expected future gross margins and profits to increase, DAC and VOBA amortization will generally decrease, resulting in a current period increase to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the assumption update causes expected future gross margins and profits to decrease.
For annuities, the Company reinsures portions of the living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with certain variable annuities to unaffiliated reinsurers. Under these reinsurance agreements, the Company pays a reinsurance premium generally based on fees associated with the guarantees collected from policyholders, and receives reimbursement for benefits paid or accrued in excess of account values, subject to certain limitations. The value of embedded derivatives on the ceded risk is determined using a methodology consistent with the guarantees directly written by the Company with the exception of the input for nonperformance risk that reflects the credit of the reinsurer. The Company reinsures 100% of certain variable annuity risks to an affiliate. The Company also assumes 100% of the living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with certain variable annuities issued by certain affiliates.
The Company reinsures, through 100% quota share reinsurance agreements certain run-off long-term care and workers’ compensation business written by the Company.
The Company has secured certain reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts and funds withheld accounts. The Company had $2.6 billion and $2.4 billion of unsecured unaffiliated reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Reinsurance agreements that do not expose the Company to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk are recorded using the deposit method of accounting. The deposit assets on reinsurance were $2.0 billion and $6.0 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The deposit liabilities on reinsurance was $1 million at both December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain of MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries, including MLIC, MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“Brighthouse NY”), General American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), MetLife Europe d.a.c., MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont (“MRV”), New England Life Insurance Company (“NELICO”), MetLife Reinsurance Company of Delaware (“MRD”), Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DELAM”) and American Life Insurance Company (“ALICO”), all of which are related parties.
The Company assumes risks from affiliates related to guaranteed minimum benefit guarantees written directly by the affiliates. These assumed reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives and changes in their estimated fair value are also included within net derivative gains (losses). The embedded derivatives associated with the cessions are included within policyholder account balances and were $952 million and $897 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with the embedded derivatives were ($45) million, ($59) million and ($541) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In December 2015, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement to cede one block of business to MRD on a 90% coinsurance with funds withheld basis. This agreement covers certain term life policies issued in 2015 by the Company. This agreement transfers risk to MRD and, therefore, is accounted for as reinsurance. As a result of the agreement, affiliated reinsurance recoverables, included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables, were $83 million and $126 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company also recorded a funds withheld liability and other reinsurance payables, included in other liabilities, which were $34 million and $79 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) includes a loss for this agreement of $27 million and no income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In December 2014, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement to cede two blocks of business to MRD on a 90% coinsurance with funds withheld basis. This agreement covers certain term and certain universal life policies issued in 2014 by the Company. This agreement transfers risk to MRD and, therefore, is accounted for as reinsurance. As a result of the agreement, affiliated reinsurance recoverables, included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables, were $136 million and $81 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company also recorded a funds withheld liability and other reinsurance payables, included in other liabilities, which were $83 million and $23 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) includes a gain for this agreement of $3 million, a loss of $17 million and a loss of less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Investments are exposed to the following primary sources of risk: credit, interest rate, liquidity, market valuation, currency and real estate risk. The financial statement risks, stemming from such investment risks, are those associated with the determination of estimated fair values, the diminished ability to sell certain investments in times of strained market conditions, the recognition of impairments, the recognition of income on certain investments and the potential consolidation of VIEs. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs relating to these financial statement risks may have a material effect on the amounts presented on the consolidated financial statements.
The noncredit loss component of OTTI losses for CMBS was in an unrealized gain position of $1 million at both December 31, 2016 and 2015, due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of noncredit losses on such securities. See also “- Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses).”
The Company held non-income producing fixed maturity securities with an estimated fair value of $5 million and $11 million with unrealized gains (losses) of less than $1 million and $1 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
When determining the amount of the credit loss for U.S. and foreign corporate securities, state and political subdivision securities and foreign government securities, the estimated fair value is considered the recovery value when available information does not indicate that another value is more appropriate. When information is identified that indicates a recovery value other than estimated fair value, management considers in the determination of recovery value the same considerations utilized in its overall impairment evaluation process as described above, as well as any private and public sector programs to restructure such securities.
Based on the Company’s current evaluation of its AFS securities in an unrealized loss position in accordance with its impairment policy, and the Company’s current intentions and assessments (as applicable to the type of security) about holding, selling and any requirements to sell these securities, the Company concluded that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2016. Future OTTI will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit ratings, collateral valuation, interest rates and credit spreads. If economic fundamentals deteriorate or if there are adverse changes in the above factors, OTTI may be incurred in upcoming periods.
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities decreased $80 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 to $754 million. The decrease in gross unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2016, was primarily attributable to narrowing credit spreads, partially offset by an increase in interest rates and, to a lesser extent, the impact of weakening foreign currencies on non-functional currency denominated fixed maturity securities.
The change in gross unrealized losses on equity securities was not significant during the year ended December 31, 2016.
The Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised primarily of closed end, amortizing residential mortgage loans. For evaluations of residential mortgage loans, the key inputs of expected frequency and expected loss reflect current market conditions, with expected frequency adjusted, when appropriate, for differences from market conditions and historical experience. In contrast to the commercial and agricultural mortgage loan portfolios, residential mortgage loans are smaller-balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. Non-specific valuation allowances are established using the evaluation framework described above for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics from inputs that are unique to the residential segment of the loan portfolio. Loan specific valuation allowances are only established on residential mortgage loans when they have been restructured and are established using the methodology described above for all loan portfolio segments.
The Company has a high quality, well performing, mortgage loan portfolio, with over 99% of all mortgage loans classified as performing as of both December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company defines delinquency consistent with industry practice, when mortgage loans are past due as follows: commercial and residential mortgage loans - 60 days and agricultural mortgage loans - 90 days. The Company had no commercial or agricultural mortgage loans past due and no commercial or agricultural mortgage loans in nonaccrual status at either December 31, 2016, or 2015. The recorded investment of residential mortgage loans past due and in nonaccrual status was $11 million and $4 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company may grant concessions related to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, which are classified as troubled debt restructurings. Generally, the types of concessions include: reduction of the contractual interest rate, extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than current market interest rates, and/or a reduction of accrued interest. The amount, timing and extent of the concessions granted are considered in determining any impairment or changes in the specific valuation allowance. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not have a significant amount of mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. There were no mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Other invested assets is comprised primarily of freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values (see Note 9), operating joint venture, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships, leveraged leases and funds withheld.
The carrying value of tax credit partnerships was $41 million and $42 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net investment income (loss) from tax credit partnerships were ($1) million for both of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. Net investment income (loss) was $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity and equity securities AFS and the effect on DAC, VOBA, DSI and future policy benefits, that would result from the realization of the unrealized gains (losses), are included in net unrealized investment gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).
Invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral are presented below at estimated fair value for all asset classes at:
Investments acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration since origination and for which it is probable at the acquisition date that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments are classified as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) investments. For each investment, the excess of the cash flows expected to be collected as of the acquisition date over its acquisition date fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized as net investment income on an effective yield basis. If subsequently, based on current information and events, it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected to be collected, the accretable yield is adjusted prospectively. The excess of the contractually required payments (including interest) as of the acquisition date over the cash flows expected to be collected as of the acquisition date is referred to as the nonaccretable difference, and this amount is not expected to be realized as net investment income. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected can result in OTTI.
The Company holds investments in real estate joint ventures, real estate funds and other limited partnership interests consisting of leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, joint ventures and other funds. The portion of these investments accounted for under the equity method had a carrying value of $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to these equity method investments is limited to the carrying value of these investments plus unfunded commitments of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2016. Except for certain real estate joint ventures, the Company’s investments in real estate funds and other limited partnership interests are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not participate in the management of the entities.
The aggregated summarized financial data presented below reflects the latest available financial information and is as of, and for, the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Aggregate total assets of these entities totaled $285.1 billion and $294.3 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Aggregate total liabilities of these entities totaled $26.3 billion and $46.3 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) of these entities totaled $21.3 billion, $13.7 billion and $25.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) from the underlying entities in which the Company invests is primarily comprised of investment income, including recurring investment income and realized and unrealized investment gains (losses).
The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity and equity securities AFS is equal to their carrying amounts or the carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by creditworthy third parties. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by income tax credits guaranteed by third parties. There were no income tax credits and less than $1 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee.
Other investments is comprised of other invested assets and non-redeemable preferred stock.
As described in Note 16, the Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. Excluding these commitments, the Company did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
In July 2014, prior to the Mergers, the Company sold affiliated loans to other affiliates, which were included in other invested assets and in the table above, at an estimated fair value totaling $520 million and a $45 million gain was recognized in net investment gains (losses). Net investment income from these affiliated loans was $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The Company had affiliated loans outstanding to wholly-owned real estate subsidiaries of MLIC, which were included in mortgage loans, with a carrying value of $242 million at December 31, 2014. In August 2015 and November 2014, one affiliated loan with a carrying value of $132 million and two affiliated loans with a total carrying value of $120 million were repaid in cash prior to maturity. The remaining loan with a carrying value of $110 million was repaid in cash upon maturity in December 31, 2015. These affiliated loans were secured by interests in the real estate subsidiaries, which owned operating real estate with an estimated fair value in excess of the affiliated loans. Net investment income from these affiliated loans was $8 million and $34 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, mortgage loan prepayment income earned from the three repayments prior to maturity described above was $31 million and $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Company receives investment administrative services from an affiliate. The related investment administrative service charges were $85 million, $68 million, and $62 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Company enters into written credit default swaps to synthetically create credit investments that are either more expensive to acquire or otherwise unavailable in the cash markets. These transactions are a combination of a derivative and one or more cash instruments, such as U.S. government and agency securities or other fixed maturity securities. These credit default swaps are not designated as hedging instruments.
In an equity total return swap are swaps whereby the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the economic risk and reward of an asset or a market index and the LIBOR, calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount. No cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract. Cash is paid and received over the life of the contract based on the terms of the swap. The Company uses equity total return swaps to hedge its equity market guarantees in certain of its insurance products. Equity total return swaps can be used as hedges or to synthetically create investments. The Company utilizes equity total return swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
Based on gross notional amounts, a substantial portion of the Company’s derivatives was not designated or did not qualify as part of a hedging relationship at both December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company’s use of derivatives includes (i) derivatives that serve as macro hedges of the Company’s exposure to various risks and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting due to the criteria required under the portfolio hedging rules; (ii) derivatives that economically hedge insurance liabilities that contain mortality or morbidity risk and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting because the lack of these risks in the derivatives cannot support an expectation of a highly effective hedging relationship; (iii) derivatives that economically hedge embedded derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting because the changes in estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives are already recorded in net income; and (iv) written credit default swaps that are used to synthetically create credit investments and that do not qualify for hedge accounting because they do not involve a hedging relationship. For these nonqualified derivatives, changes in market factors can lead to the recognition of fair value changes on the statement of operations without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.
The Company designates and accounts for interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate assets and liabilities to floating rate assets and liabilities as fair value hedges when they have met the requirements of fair value hedging.
In certain instances, the Company discontinued cash flow hedge accounting because the forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring. Because certain of the forecasted transactions also were not probable of occurring within two months of the anticipated date, the Company reclassified amounts from AOCI into net derivative gains (losses). These amounts were $1 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts were not significant for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC-bilateral derivatives that are in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements, together with the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the collateral pledged. The Company’s collateral agreements require both parties to be fully collateralized, as such, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company would not be required to post additional collateral as a result of a downgrade in financial strength rating. OTC-bilateral derivatives that are not subject to collateral agreements are excluded from this table.
The Company issues certain products or purchases certain investments that contain embedded derivatives that are required to be separated from their host contracts and accounted for as freestanding derivatives. These host contracts principally include: variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits, including GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs; affiliated ceded reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs; affiliated assumed reinsurance of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMWBs and certain GMIBs; funds withheld on assumed and ceded reinsurance; fixed annuities with equity indexed returns; and certain debt and equity securities.
In November 2014, as part of the settlement of related party reinsurance transactions, the Company transferred derivatives to affiliates. The estimated fair value of freestanding derivative assets and liabilities transferred was $1.8 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts are presented within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts are presented within policyholder account balances and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, debt and equity securities also included embedded derivatives of ($49) million and ($63) million, respectively.
The Company reviews its valuation methodologies on an ongoing basis and revises those methodologies when necessary based on changing market conditions. Assurance is gained on the overall reasonableness and consistent application of input assumptions, valuation methodologies and compliance with fair value accounting standards through controls designed to ensure valuations represent an exit price. Several controls are utilized, including certain monthly controls, which include, but are not limited to, analysis of portfolio returns to corresponding benchmark returns, comparing a sample of executed prices of securities sold to the fair value estimates, comparing fair value estimates to management’s knowledge of the current market, reviewing the bid/ask spreads to assess activity, comparing prices from multiple independent pricing services and ongoing due diligence to confirm that independent pricing services use market-based parameters. The process includes a determination of the observability of inputs used in estimated fair values received from independent pricing services or brokers by assessing whether these inputs can be corroborated by observable market data. The Company ensures that prices received from independent brokers, also referred to herein as “consensus pricing,” represent a reasonable estimate of fair value by considering such pricing relative to the Company’s knowledge of the current market dynamics and current pricing for similar financial instruments. While independent non-binding broker quotations are utilized, they are not used for a significant portion of the portfolio. For example, fixed maturity securities priced using independent non-binding broker quotations represent less than 1% of the total estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities and 5% of the total estimated fair value of Level 3 fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2016.
Short-term investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity and equity securities described above; accordingly, the valuation techniques and observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above.
quoted prices or reported net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the fund managers
The Company assumed from an affiliated insurance company the risk associated with certain GMIBs. These embedded derivatives are included in policyholder account balances on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). The value of the embedded derivatives on these assumed risks is determined using a methodology consistent with that described previously for the guarantees directly written by the Company.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, independent non-binding broker quotations were used in the determination of 3% and less than 1% of the total net derivative estimated fair value, respectively.
Base lapse rates are adjusted at the contract level based on a comparison of the actuarially calculated guaranteed values and the current policyholder account value, as well as other factors, such as the applicability of any surrender charges. A dynamic lapse function reduces the base lapse rate when the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value as in the money contracts are less likely to lapse. Lapse rates are also generally assumed to be lower in periods when a surrender charge applies. For any given contract, lapse rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contractholders with a GMIB or lifetime withdrawal benefit who will elect to utilize the benefit upon becoming eligible. The rates may vary by the type of guarantee, the amount by which the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value, the contract’s withdrawal history and by the age of the policyholder. For any given contract, utilization rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
Nonperformance risk spread varies by duration and by currency. For any given contract, multiple nonperformance risk spreads will apply, depending on the duration of the cash flow being discounted for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized an impairment of computer software in connection with the sale to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) of MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. retail advisor force and certain assets associated with the MetLife Premier Client Group, including all of the issued and outstanding shares of MetLife’s affiliated broker-dealer, MetLife Securities, Inc. (“MSI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. See Note 17.
The estimated fair value of long-term debt is principally determined using market standard valuation methodologies. Valuations of instruments are based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active or using matrix pricing that use standard market observable inputs such as quoted prices in markets that are not active and observable yields and spreads in the market. Instruments valued using discounted cash flow methodologies use standard market observable inputs including market yield curve, duration, observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues.
In anticipation of the planned Separation, in the third quarter of 2016, the Company reorganized its businesses into three segments: Annuities; Life; and Run-off. As a result, the Company reallocated goodwill. In connection with the reorganization and the 2016 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company performed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment process, which requires a comparison of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. To determine the estimated fair value for the Run-off reporting unit, an actuarial based approach, embedded value, was utilized to estimate the net worth of the reporting unit and the value of existing business. This actuarial based approach requires judgments and assumptions about the projected cash flows, the level of internal capital required to support the mix of business, the account value of in-force business, projections of renewal business and margins on such business, interest rates, credit spreads, equity market levels, and the discount rate that the Company believes is appropriate for this reporting unit.
Based on a quantitative analysis performed for the Run-off reporting unit, the Company concluded that the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value, indicating a potential for goodwill impairment. Accordingly, the Company performed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment process for the reporting unit, which compares the implied estimated fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with its carrying value. This analysis indicated that the goodwill associated with this reporting unit was not recoverable. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $381 million ($305 million, net of income tax) for the impairment of the entire goodwill balance, which is reported in goodwill impairment on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Includes $6 million of debt issuance costs at both December 31, 2016 and 2015. Debt issuance costs were reported in other assets at December 31, 2015.
Excludes $23 million and $48 million of long-term debt relating to CSEs at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 8.
In December 2014, Brighthouse Insurance repaid in cash at maturity its $75 million 6.80% affiliated note.
Interest expense related to the Company’s indebtedness is included in other expenses and was $67 million, $68 million and $73 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In August 2014, MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut, the predecessor to MetLife USA, redeemed for $1.4 billion and retired 4,595,317 shares of its common stock owned by MetLife Investors Group, LLC, an affiliate.
The state of domicile of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company imposes risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements that were developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of a company’s total adjusted capital, calculated in the manner prescribed by the NAIC (“TAC”) to its authorized control level RBC, calculated in the manner prescribed by the NAIC (“ACL RBC”), based on the statutory-based filed financial statements. Companies below specific trigger levels or ratios are classified by their respective levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. The minimum level of TAC before corrective action commences is twice ACL RBC (“CAL RBC”). The CAL RBC ratio for Brighthouse Life Insurance Company was in excess of 400% for all periods presented.
In addition, certain assets are not admitted under statutory accounting principles and are charged directly to surplus. The most significant assets not admitted by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company are net deferred income tax assets resulting from temporary differences between statutory accounting principles basis and tax basis not expected to reverse and become recoverable within three years.
The tables below present amounts from Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, which are derived from the statutory-basis financial statements as filed with the Delaware Department of Insurance.
Based on amounts at December 31, 2016, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company could pay a dividend to MetLife, Inc. in 2017 of $473 million without prior approval of the Delaware Commissioner.
Commissions and capitalization of DAC include the impact of affiliated reinsurance transactions. See Notes 7, 12 and 17 for a discussion of affiliated expenses included in the table above.
The Company had no penalties for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
For some loss contingency matters, the Company is able to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. For such matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual has been made. As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for these matters was not material for the Company.
The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loan commitments. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $335 million and $124 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company commits to fund partnership investments and to lend funds under private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In the normal course of its business, the Company has provided certain indemnities, guarantees and commitments to third parties such that it may be required to make payments now or in the future. In the context of acquisition, disposition, investment and other transactions, the Company has provided indemnities and guarantees, including those related to tax, environmental and other specific liabilities and other indemnities and guarantees that are triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in contracts with triggers similar to the foregoing, as well as for certain other liabilities, such as third-party lawsuits. These obligations are often subject to time limitations that vary in duration, including contractual limitations and those that arise by operation of law, such as applicable statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential obligation under the indemnities and guarantees is subject to a contractual limitation ranging from $6 million to $222 million, with a cumulative maximum of $228 million, while in other cases such limitations are not specified or applicable. Since certain of these obligations are not subject to limitations, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future. Management believes that it is unlikely the Company will have to make any material payments under these indemnities, guarantees, or commitments.
The Company has financing arrangements with MetLife that are used to support reinsurance obligations arising under affiliated reinsurance agreements. The Company recognized interest expense for affiliated debt of $65 million, $64 million and $70 million, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 12 for further discussion of the related party financing arrangements.
The Company has extended loans to certain subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, the Company transfers invested assets, primarily consisting of fixed maturity securities, to and from MetLife affiliates. See Note 8 for further discussion of the related party investment transactions.
MetLife provides the Company certain services, which include, but are not limited to, executive oversight, treasury, finance, legal, human resources, tax planning, internal audit, financial reporting, information technology, distribution services and investor relations. The Company is charged for these services based on direct and indirect costs. When specific identification is not practicable, an allocation methodology is used, primarily based on sales, in-force liabilities, or headcount. For certain agreements, charges are based on various performance measures or activity-based costing, such as sales, new policies/contracts issued, reserves, and in-force policy counts. The bases for such charges are modified and adjusted by management when necessary or appropriate to reflect fairly and equitably the actual incidence of cost incurred by the Company and/or affiliate. Management believes that the methods used to allocate expenses under these arrangements are reasonable. Expenses incurred with MetLife related to these arrangements, recorded in other operating expenses, were $820 million, $1.0 billion and $985 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Company accrues related party revenues and expenses arising from transactions with MetLife’s broker-dealers whereby the MetLife broker-dealers sell the Company’s variable annuity and life products. The affiliated revenue for the Company is fee income from trusts and mutual funds whose shares serve as investment options of policyholders of the Company. The affiliated expense for the Company is commissions collected on the sale of variable products by the Company and passed through to the broker-dealer.
Cost or amortized cost for fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans represents original cost reduced by repayments, valuation allowances and impairments from other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value that are charged to earnings and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts; for equity securities, cost represents original cost reduced by impairments from other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value; for real estate, cost represents original cost reduced by impairments and adjusted for valuation allowances and depreciation; for real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests, cost represents original cost reduced for impairments or original cost adjusted for equity in earnings and distributions.
See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on certain segment reporting changes which were retrospectively applied.