W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates worldwide in two business segments of the property and casualty business: Insurance and Reinsurance. Our decentralized structure provides us with the flexibility to respond quickly and efficiently to local or specific market conditions and to pursue specialty business niches. It also allows us to be closer to our customers in order to better understand their individual needs and risk characteristics. While providing our business units with certain operating autonomy, our structure allows us to capitalize on the benefits of economies of scale through centralized capital, investment, reinsurance and enterprise risk management, and actuarial, financial and corporate legal staff support. Our primary sources of revenues and earnings are its insurance operations and its investments.
Loss reserves included in the Company’s financial statements represent management’s best estimates based upon an actuarially derived point estimate and other considerations. The Company uses a variety of actuarial techniques and methods to derive an actuarial point estimate for each operating unit. These methods include paid loss development, incurred loss development, paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and frequency and severity methods. In circumstances where one actuarial method is considered more credible than the others, that method is used to set the point estimate. For example, the paid loss and incurred loss development methods rely on historical paid and incurred loss data. For new lines of business, where there is insufficient history of paid and incurred claims data, or in circumstances where there have been significant changes in claim practices, the paid and incurred loss development methods would be less credible than other actuarial methods. The actuarial point estimate may also be based on a judgmental weighting of estimates produced from each of the methods considered. Industry loss experience is used to supplement the Company’s own data in selecting “tail factors” and in areas where the Company’s own data is limited. The actuarial data is analyzed by line of business, coverage and accident or policy year, as appropriate, for each operating unit.
The establishment of the actuarially derived loss reserve point estimate also includes consideration of qualitative factors that may affect the ultimate losses. These qualitative considerations include, among others, the impact of re-underwriting initiatives, changes in the mix of business, changes in distribution sources and changes in policy terms and conditions. Examples of changes in terms and conditions that can have a significant impact on reserve levels are the use of aggregate policy limits, the expansion of coverage exclusions, whether or not defense costs are within policy limits, and changes in deductibles and attachment points.
The key assumptions used in calculating the most recent estimate of the loss reserves are reviewed each quarter and adjusted, to the extent necessary, to reflect the latest reported loss data, current trends and other factors observed. If the actual level of loss frequency and severity are higher or lower than expected, the ultimate losses will be different than management’s estimate. The following table reflects the impact of changes (which could be favorable or unfavorable) in frequency and severity, relative to our assumptions, on our loss estimate for claims occurring in 2016:
Approximately $1.4 billion, or 14%, of the Company’s net loss reserves as of December 31, 2016 relate to the Reinsurance segment. There is a higher degree of uncertainty and greater variability regarding estimates of assumed loss reserves because those estimates are based, in part, upon information received from ceding companies. If information received from ceding companies is not timely or correct, the Company’s estimate of ultimate losses may not be accurate. Furthermore, due to delayed reporting of claim information by ceding companies, the claim settlement tail for assumed reinsurance is extended. Management considers the impact of delayed reporting in its selection of assumed loss development factors.
Certain of the Company's insurance and reinsurance contracts are retrospectively rated, whereby the Company collects more or less premiums based on the level of loss activity. For those contracts, changes in loss and loss expenses for prior years may be fully or partially offset by additional or return premiums.
Reinsurance - Reserves for the Reinsurance segment developed favorably by $6 million in 2016. The favorable development was primarily related to direct facultative reinsurance business and to accident years 2008 through 2014.
Assumed Reinsurance Premiums. The Company estimates the amount of assumed reinsurance premiums that it will receive under treaty reinsurance agreements at the inception of the contracts. These premium estimates are revised as the actual amount of assumed premiums is reported to the Company by the ceding companies. As estimates of assumed premiums are made or revised, the related amount of earned premiums, commissions and incurred losses associated with those premiums are recorded. Estimated assumed premiums receivable were approximately $68 million and $62 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The assumed premium estimates are based upon terms set forth in reinsurance agreements, information received from ceding companies during the underwriting and negotiation of agreements, reports received from ceding companies and discussions and correspondence with reinsurance intermediaries. The Company also considers its own view of market conditions, economic trends and experience with similar lines of business. These premium estimates represent management’s best estimate of the ultimate amount of premiums to be received under its assumed reinsurance agreements.
The following table provides a summary of fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2016:
Premiums. Gross premiums written were $7,544 million in 2016, an increase of 4% from $7,250 million in 2015. The growth was due to a combination of increased exposures and higher rates. Approximately 77% of policies expiring in 2016 were renewed, the same renewal retention rate as for policies expiring in 2015.
Insurance Service Fees. The Company earns fees from an insurance distribution business and as a servicing carrier of workers' compensation assigned risk plans for certain states. Service fees were $139 million in 2016 and 2015.
Policy acquisition and operating insurance expenses are comprised of commissions paid to agents and brokers, premium taxes and other assessments and internal underwriting costs. Policy acquisition and operating insurance expenses increased 4%, the same as the increase in net premiums earned of 4%. The expense ratio (policy acquisition and operating insurance expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned) was 33.2% in both 2016 and 2015.
Other costs and expenses represent general and administrative expenses of the parent company and other expenses not allocated to business segments, including the cost of certain long-term incentive plans. Other costs and expenses increased to $179 million in 2016 from $156 million in 2015 due partially to the formation of additional operating units that had not yet commenced operations.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $141 million in 2016 compared with $131 million in 2015. During 2016, the Company repaid $87 million of debt on various issuances, mainly in connection with the sale of Aero Precision Industries. The Company repaid $200 million of 5.6% senior notes at maturity on May 15, 2015. In February 2016, the Company issued $110 million of 5.9% subordinated debentures maturing in 2056, and in May 2016, the Company issued $290 million of 5.75% subordinated debentures maturing in 2056.
The Company reported net income of $504 million in 2015 compared to $649 million in 2014. The 22% decrease in net income was primarily due to decreases in after-tax net investment gains of $106 million and after-tax net investment income of $60 million partially offset by an increase in after-tax net underwriting income of $14 million. The number of weighted average diluted shares decreased as a result of the Company’s repurchases of its common stock in 2015 and 2014.
Premiums. Gross premiums written were $7,250 million in 2015, an increase of 3% from $7,063 million in 2014. The growth was due to a combination of rate increases and increased exposures. Approximately 77% of policies expiring in 2015 were renewed, compared with a 79% renewal retention rate for policies expiring in 2014.
Average renewal premium rates (adjusted for change in exposures) increased 6.5% in 2013, 3.4% in 2014 and 1.2% in 2015. However, overall loss costs are also increasing, and current market price levels for certain lines of business remain below the prices required for the Company to achieve its long-term return objectives.
Insurance - gross premiums increased 4% to $6,607 million in 2015 from $6,368 million in 2014. Gross premiums increased $142 million (9%) for workers' compensation, $112 million (6%) for other liability, $32 million (5%) for
Reinsurance - gross premiums decreased 8% to $643 million in 2015 from $695 million in 2014. Gross premiums written decreased $36 million (8%) for casualty lines and $16 million (7%) for property lines.
Net investment income decreased 15% to $513 million in 2015 from $601 million in 2014 primarily due to an decrease in income from energy investment funds. Investment funds are reported on a one quarter lag. The average annualized yield for fixed maturity securities declined to 3.2% from 3.4% due to lower long-term reinvestment yields available in the market. The effective duration of the fixed maturity portfolio was 3.3 years in December 31, 2015 compared with 3.2 years at December 31, 2014. Average invested assets, at cost (including cash and cash equivalents), were $16.0 billion in 2015 and $15.6 billion in 2014.
Revenues from Non-Insurance Businesses. Revenues from non-insurance businesses were derived from aviation-related businesses that provide services to aviation markets, including (i) the distribution, manufacturing, repair and overhaul of aircraft parts and components, (ii) the sale of new and used aircraft, and (iii) avionics, fuel, maintenance, storage and charter services. Revenues from non-insurance businesses increased to $421 million in 2015 from $410 million in 2014.
Losses and Loss Expenses. Losses and loss expenses increased to $3,656 million in 2015 from $3,491 million in 2014. The consolidated loss ratio was 60.5% in 2015 and 60.8% in 2014. Catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance recoveries and
reinstatement premiums, were $58 million in 2015 compared with $87 million in 2014, a decrease of 0.4 loss ratio points. Favorable prior year reserve development (net of premium offsets) was $63 million in 2015 compared with $85 million in 2014, a difference of 0.3 loss ratio points (see "- Critical Accounting Estimates - Reserves for Losses and Loss Expenses"). The loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development decreased 0.2 points to 60.6% in 2015 from 60.8% in 2014.
Insurance - The loss ratio of 60.8% in 2015 was 0.2 points higher than the loss ratio of 60.6% in 2014. Catastrophe losses were $55 million in 2015 compared with $85 million in 2014, a decrease of 0.7 loss ratio points. Favorable prior year reserve development was $52 million in 2015 compared with $69 million in 2014, a difference of 0.4 loss ratio points. The loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development increased 0.5 points to 60.8% in 2015 from 60.3% in 2014.
Policy acquisition and operating insurance expenses are comprised of commissions paid to agents and brokers, premium taxes and other assessments and internal underwriting costs. Policy acquisition and operating insurance expenses increased 6%, compared with an increase in net premiums earned of 5%. The expense ratio (policy acquisition and operating insurance expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned) increased to 33.2% in 2015 from 33.0% in 2014.
Net foreign currency losses (gains) result from transactions denominated in a currency other than an operating unit's functional currency.
Other costs and expenses represent general and administrative expenses of the parent company and other expenses not allocated to business segments, including the cost of certain long-term incentive plans. Other costs and expenses decreased to $156 million in 2015 from $158 million in 2014.
Expenses from Non-Insurance Businesses. Expenses from non-insurance businesses represent costs associated with aviation-related businesses that include (i) cost of goods sold related to aircraft and products sold and services provided, and (ii) general and administrative expenses. Expenses from non-insurance businesses were $397 million in 2015 compared to $401 million in 2014.
As part of its investment strategy, the Company establishes a level of cash and highly liquid short-term and intermediate-term securities that, combined with expected cash flow, it believes is adequate to meet its payment obligations. Due to the historically low fixed maturity investment returns, the Company invests in equity securities, merger arbitrage securities, investment funds, private equity, loans and real estate related assets. The Company's investments in investment funds and its other alternative investments have experienced, and the Company expects to continue to experience, greater fluctuations in investment income.
Fixed Maturity Securities. The Company’s investment policy with respect to fixed maturity securities is generally to purchase instruments with the expectation of holding them to their maturity. However, management of the available for sale portfolio is considered necessary to maintain an approximate matching of assets and liabilities as well as to adjust the portfolio as a result of changes in financial market conditions and tax considerations.
Equity Securities Available for Sale. Equity securities available for sale primarily represent investments in mid-sized capitalization common stock and high-dividend yielding common and preferred stocks issued by large market capitalization companies. At December 31, 2016, common stocks included HealthEquity, Inc. shares, which had previously been reported in investment funds.
Investment Funds. At December 31, 2016, the carrying value of investment funds was $1,198 million, including investments in real estate funds of $642 million, energy funds of $91 million, hedged equity funds of $74 million and other funds of $391 million. Investment funds are primarily reported on a one-quarter lag.
Loans Receivable. Loans receivable, which are carried at amortized cost, had an amortized cost of $107 million and an aggregate fair value of $108 million at December 31, 2016. The amortized cost of loans receivable is net of a valuation allowance of $3 million as of December 31, 2016. Loans receivable include real estate loans of $92 million that are secured by commercial real estate located primarily in North Carolina and New York. Real estate loans receivable generally earn interest at floating LIBOR-based interest rates and have maturities (inclusive of extension options) through August 2025. Loans receivable include commercial loans of $14 million that are secured by business assets and have fixed interest rates and varying maturities not exceeding 10 years.
As a holding company, the Company derives cash from its subsidiaries in the form of dividends, tax payments and management fees. Maximum amounts of dividends that our insurance companies can pay without regulatory approval are prescribed by statute. During 2017, the maximum amount of dividends which can be paid without regulatory approval is approximately $580 million. The ability of the holding company to service its debt obligations is limited by the ability of its insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends. In the event dividends, tax payments and management fees available to the holding company were inadequate to service its debt obligations, the Company would need to raise capital, sell assets or restructure its debt obligations.
In February 2016, the Company issued $110 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.9% subordinated debentures due 2056, and in May 2016, the Company issued $290 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% subordinated debentures due 2056. During 2016, the Company repaid $87 million of debt on various issuances, mainly in connection with the sale of Aero Precision Industries. In May 2015, the Company repaid $200 million of 5.60% senior notes at maturity and $71 million of mortgage loans.
Equity. The Company repurchased 2,395,892, 4,502,025 and 5,816,468 shares of its common stock in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The aggregate cost of the repurchases was $132 million in 2016, $224 million in 2015 and $239 million in 2014. At December 31, 2016, total common stockholders’ equity was $5.05 billion, common shares outstanding were 121,193,599 and stockholders’ equity per outstanding share was $41.65.
Total Capital. Total capitalization (equity, senior notes and other debt and subordinated debentures) was $7.5 billion at December 31, 2016. The percentage of the Company’s capital attributable to senior notes, subordinated debentures and other debt was 33% at December 31, 2016 and 32% at December 31, 2015.
Property reinsurance treaties - The Company purchases property reinsurance to reduce its exposure to large individual property losses and catastrophe events. Following is a summary of significant property reinsurance treaties in effect as of January 1, 2017: The Company’s property per risk reinsurance generally covers losses between $2.5 million and $50 million. The Company’s catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance program provides protection for net losses between $30 million and $355 million for the majority of business written by its U.S. Insurance segment operating units, excluding offshore energy. The Company has separate catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance for business written through its Lloyd’s Syndicate that provides protection for losses between $8.5 million and $55 million for events in North America. For North American losses greater than $55 million, the business written through the Company's Lloyd's Syndicate is protected within the U.S. program up to $355 million. The Company’s catastrophe reinsurance agreements are subject to certain limits, exclusions and reinstatement premiums.
Ceded earned premiums increased 4.6% in 2016 to $1,099 million, in-line with the increase in direct and assumed earned premiums of 4.2%. The ceded losses and loss expenses ratio increased 16 points to 64% in 2016 from 48% in 2015.
The following table presents the credit quality of amounts due from reinsurers as of December 31, 2016. Amounts due
Following is a summary of the Company's contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of W. R. Berkley Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of W. R. Berkley Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of W. R. Berkley Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company"), have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Reclassifications have been made in the 2015 and 2014 financial statements to conform to the presentation of the 2016 financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the revenues and expenses reflected during the reporting period. The most significant items on our balance sheet that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates that are subject to change in the future are the valuation of investments, other-than-temporary impairments, loss and loss expense reserves and premium estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Insurance premiums are recognized as written at the inception of the policy. Reinsurance premiums are estimated based upon information received from ceding companies, and subsequent differences from such estimates are recorded in the period they are determined. Insurance and reinsurance premiums are primarily earned on a pro rata basis over the policy term. Fees for services are earned over the period that the services are provided.
The Company presents both basic and diluted net income per share (“EPS”) amounts. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the year and is calculated using the treasury stock method for stock incentive plans. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect.
Goodwill and other intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis and at interim periods where circumstances require. The Company's impairment test as of December 31, 2016 indicated that there were no material impairment losses related to goodwill and other intangible assets. Intangible assets of $82 million and $94 million are included in other assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Interest payments were $137 million, $130 million and $120 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Income taxes paid were $232 million, $165 million and $314 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other non-cash items include unrealized investment gains and losses and pension expense. (See Note 11 and Note 25 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
All other accounting and reporting standards that became effective in 2016 were either not applicable to the Company or their adoption did not have a material impact on the Company.
In February 2016, the Company acquired an 85% ownership interest for $42.3 million in a company engaged in the distribution of promotional merchandise. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been estimated based on a third party valuation.
In July 2016, the Company acquired a specialty property and casualty insurance company for $15.5 million.
In July 2016, the Company sold Aero Precision Industries, an aviation-related business, for $253.1 million. The business had a net carrying value of $118.2 million.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, investments in fixed maturity securities were as follows:
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
million was on deposit as security for reinsurance clients and $18 million was on deposit as security for letters of credit issued in support of the Company’s reinsurance operations.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, investments in equity securities available for sale were as follows:
At December 31, 2016, common stocks included HealthEquity, Inc. shares, which had previously been reported in investment funds.
In 2016, properties in operation included a long-term ground lease in Washington, D.C., a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, an office complex in New York City and office buildings in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, Florida. Properties in operation are net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $14,996,000 and $9,073,000 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Related depreciation expense was $14,802,000 and $7,425,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Future minimum rental income expected on operating leases relating to properties in operation is $16,466,519 in 2017, $27,165,624 in 2018, $27,451,819 in 2019, $26,281,505 in 2020, $26,560,894 in 2021 and $464,803,187 thereafter.
Properties under development include an office building in London and a mixed-use project in Washington, D.C.
Loans receivable in non-accrual status were $5.4 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(1) Other includes a gain of $134.9 million from the sale of Aero Precision Industries, and certain related aviation services business, for the year ended December 31, 2016.
$9.0 million. There was no OTTI for the year ended December 31, 2014.
If prices from independent pricing services are not available for fixed maturity securities, the Company estimates the fair value. For Level 2 securities, the Company utilizes pricing models and processes which may include benchmark yields, sector groupings, matrix pricing, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, bids, offers and reference data. Where broker quotes are used, the Company generally requests two or more quotes and sets a price within the range of quotes received based on its assessment of the credibility of the quote and its own evaluation of the security. The Company generally does not adjust quotes received from brokers. For securities traded only in private negotiations, the Company determines fair value based primarily on the cost of such securities, which is adjusted to reflect prices of recent placements of securities of the same issuer, financial projections, credit quality and business developments of the issuer and other relevant information.
There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The key assumptions used to arrive at the best estimate of loss reserves are the expected loss ratios, rate of loss cost inflation, and reported and paid loss emergence patterns. Expected loss ratios represent management’s expectation of losses at the time the business is priced and written, before any actual claims experience has emerged. This expectation is a significant determinant of the estimate of loss reserves for recently written business where there is little paid or incurred loss data to consider. Expected loss ratios are generally derived from historical loss ratios adjusted for the impact of rate changes, loss cost trends and known changes in the type of risks underwritten. Expected loss ratios are estimated for each key line of business within each operating unit. Expected loss
The following tables present undiscounted incurred and paid claims development as of December 31, 2016, net of reinsurance, as well as cumulative claim frequency and the total of incurred but not reported liabilities (IBNR). The information about incurred and paid claims development for the years ended December 31, 2007 to 2015 is presented as supplementary information. To enhance the comparability of the loss development data, the Company has removed the impact of foreign exchange rate movements by using the December 31, 2016 exchange rate for all periods. In addition, the Company’s UK and European insurance business has been included in the Insurance segment tables below (excluding primary and excess workers' compensation) for accident years 2012 through 2016, since underwriting year information was only available prior to 2012.
Claims occurring during the current year are net of loss reserve discounts of $18,929,000, $20,357,000 and $21,306,000 in 2016, 2015, and 2014 , respectively.
For commercial automobile business, adverse development was primarily related to large losses for long-haul trucking business and to accident years 2011 through 2014. The higher loss cost trends for the commercial automobile industry are attributable, in part, to the increase in miles driven as the economy improved and fuel prices declined over the past several years.
Reinsurance - For the Reinsurance segment, favorable reserve development in 2014 of $16 million was driven primarily by assumed professional liability excess of loss and umbrella treaty business, as well as direct facultative business. This was partially offset by adverse development on brokerage facultative business caused by completed operations losses associated with construction projects in accident years prior to 2009.
The Company also discounts reserves for certain other long-duration workers’ compensation reserves (representing approximately 3% of total discounted reserves at December 31, 2016), including reserves for quota share reinsurance and reserves related to losses regarding occupational lung disease. These reserves are discounted at statutory rates permitted by the Department of Insurance of the State of Delaware.
The Company reinsures a portion of its insurance exposures in order to reduce its net liability on individual risks and catastrophe losses. Reinsurance coverage and retentions vary depending on the line of business, location of the risk and nature of loss. The Company’s reinsurance purchases include the following: property reinsurance treaties that reduce exposure to large individual property losses and catastrophe events; casualty reinsurance treaties that reduce its exposure to large individual casualty losses, workers’ compensation catastrophe losses and casualty losses involving multiple claimants or insureds; and facultative reinsurance that reduces exposure on individual policies or risks for losses that exceed treaty reinsurance capacity. Depending on the operating unit, the Company purchases specific additional reinsurance to supplement the above programs.
The Company reinsures a portion of its exposures principally to reduce its net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Estimated amounts due from reinsurers are reported net of reserves for uncollectible reinsurance of $1,049,000, $1,020,000 and $1,144,000 as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Indebtedness consisted of the following as of December 31, 2016 (the difference between the face value and the carrying value is unamortized discount and debt issuance costs):
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the tax effects of differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability are as follows:
Treasury shares have been excluded from average outstanding shares from the date of acquisition. The difference in calculating basic and diluted net income per share is attributable entirely to the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation plans. Changes in shares of common stock outstanding, net of treasury shares, are presented below. Shares of common stock issued and outstanding do not include shares related to unissued restricted stock units and unexercised stock options.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to disputes, litigation and arbitration arising from its insurance and reinsurance businesses. These matters are generally related to insurance and reinsurance claims and are considered in the establishment of loss and loss expense reserves. In addition, the Company may also become involved in legal actions which seek extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties, including claims alleging bad faith in handling of insurance claims. The Company expects its ultimate liability with respect to such matters will not be material to its financial condition. However, adverse outcomes on such matters are possible, from time to time, and could be material to the Company’s results of operations in any particular financial reporting period.
At December 31, 2016, the Company had commitments to invest up to $373.2 million and $495.7 million in certain investment funds and real estate construction projects, respectively.
The Company and its executive chairman of the board entered into an unfunded supplemental benefit agreement (SBA) in 2004. On March 28, 2013, the Company agreed to terminate and distribute the retirement benefit of the SBA. As a result, the Company distributed retirement benefits of $4.6 million in 2014. The final retirement benefit of $59.4 million, which was fully accrued at December 31, 2014, was distributed in 2015. Net retirement benefit expense was $9,994,000 in 2014, and none in 2015 and 2016.
Commencing with the first quarter of 2016, the Company changed the aggregation of its reported segments. Operating units in the Insurance-Domestic segment and Insurance-International segment, previously reported separately, were combined into the Insurance segment. The segment disclosures for prior periods have been revised to be consistent with the new reportable business segment presentation.