The Company leases its headquarters facility in Chesterfield, Missouri, which consists of approximately 197,354 square feet. In addition, the Company leases approximately 349,927 square feet of office space in 36 locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Africa, and the Asia Pacific region.
The Company is primarily engaged in the reinsurance of individual and group coverages for traditional life and health, longevity, disability, annuity and critical illness products, and financial reinsurance. RGA and its predecessor, the Reinsurance Division of General American Life Insurance Company, a Missouri life insurance company, have been engaged in the business
of life reinsurance since 1973. Approximately 66.7% of the Company’s 2013 net premiums were from its operations in North America, represented by its U.S. and Canada segments.
The Company is one of the leading life reinsurers in North America based on premiums and the amount of life reinsurance in force. Based on an industry survey of 2012 information prepared by Munich American at the request of the Society of Actuaries Reinsurance Section (“SOA survey”), the Company has the second largest market share in North America as measured by individual life insurance in force. The Company’s approach to the North American market has been to:
In 1994, the Company began using its North American underwriting expertise and industry knowledge to expand into international markets and now has operations in Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UAE and the UK. The Company generally starts new operations from the ground up in these markets as opposed to acquiring existing operations, and it often enters these markets to support its North American clients as they expand internationally. Based on information from competitors’ annual reports, the Company believes it is the third largest global life and health reinsurer in the world based on 2012 life and health reinsurance premiums. The Company conducts business with the majority of the largest U.S. and international life insurance companies. The Company has also developed its capacity and expertise in the reinsurance of asset-intensive products (primarily annuities and corporate-owned life insurance) and financial reinsurance.
Consolidation and Reorganization Within the Life Reinsurance and Life Insurance Industry. As a result of consolidations over the last decade within the life reinsurance industry, there are fewer competitors. According to the SOA survey, as of December 31, 2012, the top five companies held approximately 74.3% of the market share in North America based on life reinsurance in force. As a consequence, the Company believes the life reinsurance pricing environment will remain attractive for the remaining life reinsurers, particularly those with a significant market presence and strong ratings.
The increase in net income in 2012 was primarily due to an increase in investment related gains and an increase in net premiums in all segments. The increase in investment related gains reflected a favorable change in the value of embedded derivatives within the U.S. segment due to the effect of tightening credit spreads and a reduction in the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. debt markets. During 2012, the Company executed a large fixed deferred annuity reinsurance transaction in its U.S. Asset-Intensive segment. The Company deployed approximately $350.0 million of capital to support this transaction, which increased the Company’s invested asset base by approximately $5.4 billion. Foreign currency exchange fluctuations resulted in decreases to net income of approximately $1.3 million and $4.5 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company recognizes in consolidated income, any changes in the value of embedded derivatives on modco or funds withheld treaties, equity-indexed annuity treaties (“EIAs”) and variable annuity products. The combined changes in these three types of embedded derivatives, after adjustment for deferred acquisition costs and retrocession, resulted in increases to net income of approximately $80.3 million and $77.0 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, as compared to the prior years. These fluctuations do not affect current cash flows, crediting rates or spread performance on the underlying treaties. Therefore, management believes it is helpful to distinguish between the effects of changes in these embedded derivatives, net of related hedging activity, and the primary factors that drive profitability of the underlying treaties, namely investment income, fee income, and interest credited. The individual effect on income before income taxes for these three types of embedded derivatives is as follows:
The change in the value of embedded derivatives related to reinsurance treaties written on a modco or funds withheld basis are subject to the general accounting principles for Derivatives and Hedging related to embedded derivatives. The unrealized gains and losses associated with these embedded derivatives, after adjustment for deferred acquisition costs, reduced net income by $6.5 million in 2013 and increased it by $33.1 million in 2012, respectively, as compared to the prior years.
Changes in risk-free rates used in the fair value estimates of embedded derivatives associated with EIAs affect the amount of unrealized gains and losses the Company recognizes. The unrealized gains and losses associated with EIAs, after adjustment for deferred acquisition costs and retrocession, increased net income by $23.0 million and $7.3 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, as compared to the prior years.
The change in the Company’s liability for variable annuities associated with guaranteed minimum living benefits affects the amount of unrealized gains and losses the Company recognizes. The unrealized gains and losses associated with guaranteed minimum living benefits, after adjustment for deferred acquisition costs, increased net income by $63.8 million and $36.6 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, as compared to the prior years.
addition, investment income associated with a large fixed annuity transaction executed in the second quarter of 2012 increased investment income by $85.2 million and $129.8 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Average invested assets at amortized cost, excluding funds withheld and other spread business, totaled $18.1 billion, $16.6 billion and $15.3 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The average yield earned on investments, excluding funds withheld and other spread business, was 4.73%, 4.98% and 5.28% in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The average yield will vary from year to year depending on a number of variables, including the prevailing interest rate and credit spread environment, changes in the mix of the underlying investments and cash balances, and the timing of dividends and distributions on certain investments. While there has been some improvement in 2013, a continued low interest rate environment in the U.S. and Canada is expected to put downward pressure on this yield in future reporting periods.
Premiums are accrued when due and in accordance with information received from the ceding company. When the Company enters into a new reinsurance agreement, it records accruals based on the terms of the reinsurance treaty. Similarly, when a ceding company fails to report information on a timely basis, the Company records accruals based on the terms of the reinsurance treaty as well as historical experience. Other management estimates include adjustments for increased in force on existing treaties,
lapsed premiums given historical experience, the financial health of specific ceding companies, collateral value and the legal right of offset on related amounts (i.e. allowances and claims) owed to the ceding company. Under the legal right of offset provisions in its reinsurance treaties, the Company can withhold payments for allowances and claims from unpaid premiums.
future projected taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
Income before income taxes for the U.S. operations segment decreased by $19.2 million, or 3.0%, and increased by $210.8 million, or 49.5%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in income before income taxes in 2013 can be largely attributed to Asset-Intensive business within the U.S. Non-Traditional segment. The decrease is primarily the result of a decrease in investment related gains (losses), net due to the significant amount of investment related gains recognized in 2012 associated with the portfolio restructure of a new fixed annuity transaction. In addition, rising interest rates during the year reduced the fair value of embedded derivatives associated with treaties written on a modco or funds withheld basis. These decreases were slightly offset by improved performance in Asset-Intensive business within the U.S. Non-Traditional segment mainly as a result of the aforementioned fixed annuity transaction that was entered into during 2012 and the strong equity market performance in 2013.
In addition, continued growth in Financial Reinsurance business within the U.S. Non-Traditional segment also offset some of the negative variance, with an increase in income of approximately $12.6 million, or 38.4%.
The increase in income before income taxes in 2012 can primarily be attributed to Asset-Intensive business within the U.S. Non-Traditional segment. The increase in Asset-Intensive income before income taxes in 2012 is largely due to a new fixed annuity coinsurance transaction entered into during the year and the effect of changes in credit spreads on the fair value of embedded derivatives associated with treaties written on a modified coinsurance or funds withheld basis. Also contributing to the increase in income in 2012 was the net effect of the embedded derivative supporting the guaranteed minimum living benefits associated with the Company’s variable annuities, after adjustments for related deferred acquisition expenses.
The U.S. Traditional segment provides life and health reinsurance to domestic clients for a variety of products through yearly renewable term, coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements. These reinsurance arrangements may involve either facultative or automatic agreements.
Claims and other policy benefits as a percentage of net premiums (“loss ratios”) were 86.9%, 86.6% and 86.9% in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Although reasonably predictable over a period of years, claims experience is typically volatile over shorter periods.
Other operating expenses increased $1.5 million, or 1.7%, and $6.1 million, or 7.1% in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Other operating expenses, as a percentage of net premiums, were 2.1% in each of 2013, 2012 and 2011. The expense ratio tends to fluctuate only slightly from period to period due to maturity and scale of this segment.
Asset-Intensive within the U.S. Non-Traditional segment primarily assumes investment risk within underlying annuities and corporate-owned life insurance policies. Most of these agreements are coinsurance, coinsurance with funds withheld or modco whereby the Company recognizes profits or losses primarily from the spread between the investment income earned and the interest credited on the underlying deposit liabilities, as well as fees associated with variable annuity account values and guaranteed investment contracts.
Income for the asset-intensive business tends to be volatile due to changes in the fair value of certain derivatives, including embedded derivatives associated with reinsurance treaties structured on a modco or funds withheld basis, as well as embedded derivatives associated with the Company’s reinsurance of EIAs and variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefit riders. Fluctuations occur period to period primarily due to changing investment conditions including, but not limited to, interest rate movements (including risk-free rates and credit spreads), implied volatility and equity market performance, all of which are factors in the calculations of fair value. Therefore, management believes it is helpful to distinguish between the effects of changes in these derivatives, net of related hedging activity, and the primary factors that drive profitability of the underlying treaties, namely investment income, fee income (included in other revenues), and interest credited. These fluctuations are considered unrealized by management and do not affect current cash flows, crediting rates or spread performance on the underlying treaties.
Embedded Derivatives - Modco/Funds Withheld Treaties - Represents the change in the fair value of embedded derivatives on funds withheld at interest associated with treaties written on a modco or funds withheld basis. The fair value changes of embedded derivatives on funds withheld at interest associated with treaties written on a modco or funds withheld basis are reflected in revenues, while the related impact on deferred acquisition expenses is reflected in benefits and expenses. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative are driven by changes in investment credit spreads, including the Company’s own credit risk. Generally, an increase in investment credit spreads, ignoring changes in the Company’s own credit risk, will have a negative impact on the fair value of the embedded derivative (decrease in income). Changes in fair values of these embedded derivatives are net of an increase (decrease) in revenues of $(1.6) million, $(62.7) million and $23.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, associated with the Company’s own credit risk. A 10% increase in the Company’s own credit risk rate would have increased revenues in 2013 by approximately $0.1 million. Conversely, a 10% decrease in the Company’s own credit risk rate would have decreased revenues in 2013 by approximately $0.1 million.
primarily due to a decrease in investment credit spreads. In 2012, the change in fair value of the embedded derivative increased revenues by $117.1 million and related deferred acquisition expenses increased benefits and expenses by $75.8 million, for a positive pre-tax income impact of $41.2 million, primarily due to a decrease in investment credit spreads.
Guaranteed Minimum Benefit Riders - Represents the impact related to guaranteed minimum benefits associated with the Company’s reinsurance of variable annuities. The fair value changes of the guaranteed minimum benefits along with the changes in fair value of the free standing derivatives (interest rate swaps, financial futures and equity options), purchased by the Company to substantially hedge the liability are reflected in revenues, while the related impact on deferred acquisition expenses is reflected in benefits and expenses. Changes in fair values of these embedded derivatives are net of an increase (decrease) in revenues of $(12.5) and $16.5 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, associated with the Company’s own credit risk. Changes in fair values of embedded derivatives on variable annuity contracts associated with the Company’s own credit risk for the year ended December 31, 2011 were not material. A 10% increase in the Company’s own credit risk rate would have increased revenues by approximately $0.4 million in 2013. Conversely, a 10% decrease in the Company’s own credit risk rate would have decreased revenues by approximately $0.4 million in 2013.
The invested asset base supporting this sub-segment decreased by $0.3 billion and increased by $5.4 billion in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The growth in the asset base in 2012 was driven by the new fixed annuity coinsurance transaction executed during the year. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, $4.3 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively, of the invested assets were funds withheld at interest, of which 95.6% and 92.3%, respectively, was associated with one client.
Income before income taxes increased by $12.6 million, or 38.4%, and $6.4 million, or 24.2%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increases in 2013 and 2012 were primarily related to the addition of new contracts and related additional fees from financial reinsurance.
Other revenues decreased by $5.7 million and increased by $1.1 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Other revenues in 2012 were primarily related to fees earned from the modification of an existing treaty and a fee earned from the recapture of a previously assumed block of individual life business. Other revenues in 2011 were primarily related to a $4.9 million fee earned from the recapture of a previously assumed block of individual life business.
Other operating expenses increased $0.3 million, or 0.7%, and $3.0 million, or 7.9%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effect of changes in the Canadian dollar exchange rates resulted in decreases in operating expenses of approximately $1.1 million and $0.3 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Other operating expenses as a percentage of net premiums were 4.2%, 4.4% and 4.5% in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
2012 was primarily due to unfavorable claims experience in the UK. Foreign currency exchange fluctuations contributed to a decrease in income before income taxes of approximately $2.6 million and $5.9 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Income before income taxes decreased by $280.6 million, or 618.3%, and increased by $3.1 million, or 7.4%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in income before income taxes in 2013 is primarily due to a $274.1 million increase in Australian group claims liabilities related to total and permanent disability coverage and disability income benefits occurring in the second quarter of 2013, as discussed further below, as well as poor claims experience in the Australian operation's individual disability business. Other operations in this segment reported results in line with management's expectations. In total, the Australia operation reported a loss before income taxes of $291.6 million in 2013, while the other operations in this segment reported income before income taxes of $56.4 million for the same period. The increase in income in 2012 was primarily due to strong revenue growth in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and Japan partially offset by both adverse claims experience and a net increase of $46.5 million in benefit reserves in Australia. Foreign currency exchange fluctuations contributed to an increase in income before income taxes of approximately $7.6 million in 2013 and a decrease of approximately $0.8 million in 2012.
A portion of the net premiums for the segment, in each period presented, relates to reinsurance of critical illness coverage. This coverage provides a benefit in the event of the diagnosis of a pre-defined critical illness. Reinsurance of critical illness in the Asia Pacific operations is offered primarily in South Korea, Australia and Hong Kong. Net premiums from this coverage totaled $246.6 million, $224.4 million, and $157.3 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Loss ratios for this segment were 100.7%, 80.0% and 82.5% for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The increase in the loss ratio for 2013 is primarily due to a $274.1 million increase in Australian group claims liabilities recognized in the second quarter of 2013 as well as poor claims experience in the Australian operation's individual disability business. The increase in liabilities is reflected in the table above in claims and other policy benefits. Excluding the Australia operation, loss ratio for this segment in 2013 was 78.9%.
The largest portion of the Australian liability increase relates to group total and permanent disability coverage, and to a lesser extent, group disability income benefits. The Company completed a comprehensive claims analysis in the second quarter of 2013 that indicated an increase in claim incidences as well as an increase in claim lags throughout the claim reporting process. Even though these group contracts are typically only three years in duration, the increase in developing loss ratios, compared to pricing, created the need for a significant increase in claims liabilities. The additional liabilities recorded reflect potential additional deterioration in the projection of future claims development. The Company believes a number of factors in the current Australian market are leading to a significant rise in claim levels and reporting lags, and the Company is working with the ceding companies to better manage this business. The Company suspended new quoting activity in the Australian group total and permanent disability market indefinitely, however the Company is required to provide renewal quotes in some instances. Group premiums recognized in Australia for all group coverage types, including total and permanent disability, were $353.7 million and $369.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
In 2012, while Australia experienced adverse individual and group claims experience as well as a net $46.5 million increase in claim liabilities for group life, and total and permanent disability (“TPD”) reinsurance business, loss ratios decreased for most other offices. Australia’s additional claim liabilities in 2012 were primarily associated with group treaties that exhibited emerging negative claims development.
Policy acquisition costs and other insurance expenses as a percentage of net premiums were 15.7%, 18.7% and 15.4% for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The increase in the ratio in 2012 was due to additional amortization of deferred acquisition costs which largely offsets the one-time fee related to the aforementioned transaction with a client in Australia. The ratio of policy acquisition costs and other insurance expenses as a percentage of net premiums should generally decline as the business matures; however, the percentage does fluctuate periodically due to variations in the mixture of business.
Other operating expenses increased $5.3 million, or 4.6%, and $8.0 million, or 7.4%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Foreign currency exchange fluctuations resulted in a decrease in operating expenses of approximately $4.3 million and an increase of approximately $0.3 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Other operating expenses as a percentage of net premiums totaled 8.6%, 8.7% and 8.4% in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The timing of premium flows and the level of costs associated with the entrance into and development of new markets in the Asia Pacific segment may cause other operating expenses as a percentage of net premiums to fluctuate over periods of time.
Loss before income taxes decreased by $23.3 million, or 99.2%, and income before income taxes decreased by $71.1 million, or 149.3%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in loss before income taxes in 2013 is primarily due to an increase in other revenues of $45.8 million, partially offset by a $19.0 million increase in interest expense, a decrease in investment related gains and an increase in other operating expenses. The decrease in income before income taxes in 2012 is primarily due to a $61.6 million decrease in other revenue and a $22.4 million decrease in investment income.
Total benefits and expenses increased $5.5 million or 4.1%, and $3.1 million or 2.4%, in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in total benefits and expenses in 2013 was primarily due to an increase in interest expense of $19.0 million, as a result of a higher level of outstanding debt, and an increase in other operating expenses of $9.6 million primarily relating to employee compensation. These expense increases were largely offset by a $22.1 million decrease in policy acquisition costs and other insurance income primarily related to the offset to capital charges allocated to the operating segments. The increase in total benefits and expenses in 2012 is primarily due to an increase in interest expense of $2.7 million largely due to interest expense related to uncertain tax positions of $2.7 million.
RGA is an insurance holding company whose primary uses of liquidity include, but are not limited to, the immediate capital needs of its operating companies, dividends paid to its shareholders, repurchase of common stock and interest payments on its indebtedness. RGA recognized interest expense of $162.2 million, $143.3 million and $111.6 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. RGA made capital contributions to subsidiaries of $144.5 million, $70.4 million and $105.6 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Dividends to shareholders were $77.6 million, $61.9 million and $44.2 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. RGA made principal payments on debt of $200.0 million in 2011. The primary sources of RGA’s liquidity include proceeds from its capital raising efforts, interest income on undeployed corporate investments, interest income received on surplus notes with RGA Reinsurance, RCM and Rockwood Re and dividends from operating subsidiaries. RGA recognized interest and dividend income of $275.2 million, $86.4 million and $245.6 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net proceeds from unaffiliated long-term debt issuance were $395.1 million, $393.7 million and $394.4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Proceeds from affiliated long-term debt issuance were $500.0 million in 2011. As the Company continues its expansion efforts, RGA will continue to be dependent upon these sources of liquidity. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, RGA held $788.4 million and $722.3 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and other investments and fixed maturity investments. See “Part IV - Item 15(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules - Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant” for more information regarding RGA’s financial information.
intercompany revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2013 and none as of December 31, 2012. In addition to loans associated with the intercompany revolving credit facility, RGA and its subsidiary, RGA Capital LLC, each provided a loan to RGA Australian Holdings Pty Limited, another RGA subsidiary, with each of the loans having an outstanding balance of $26.8 million as of December 31, 2013.
In July 2013, the Company’s quarterly dividend was increased to $0.30 per share from $0.24 per share. All future payments of dividends are at the discretion of RGA’s board of directors and will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, insurance regulatory conditions, operating conditions, and other such factors as the board of directors may deem relevant. The amount of dividends that RGA can pay will depend in part on the operations of its reinsurance subsidiaries.
In January 2013, RGA’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program, with no expiration date, to repurchase up to $200 million of RGA’s outstanding common stock. During 2013, the board of directors authorized additional repurchases bringing the total amount of the RGA's outstanding common stock authorized for repurchase to $400.0 million. During 2013, RGA repurchased 4,151,312 shares of common stock under this program for $261.3 million. The common shares repurchased have been placed into treasury to be used for general corporate purposes.
The Company’s share repurchase transactions during 2011 were intended to offset share dilution associated with the issuance of approximately 5.5 million common shares from the exercise of warrants as discussed below in “Debt”.
During the third quarter of 2011, RGA repurchased 838,362 shares of common stock under a previously approved stock repurchase program for $43.1 million. The common shares repurchased were placed into treasury to be used for general corporate purposes.
RCM and RGA Reinsurance are subject to Missouri statutory provisions that restrict the payment of dividends. They may not pay dividends in any 12-month period in excess of the greater of the prior year’s statutory net gain from operations or 10% of statutory capital and surplus at the preceding year-end, without regulatory approval. The applicable statutory provisions only permit an insurer to pay a shareholder dividend from unassigned surplus. Any dividends paid by RGA Reinsurance would be paid to RCM, its parent company, which in turn has restrictions related to its ability to pay dividends to RGA. RCM’s primary asset is its investment in RGA Reinsurance. As of January 1, 2014, RCM and RGA Reinsurance could pay maximum dividends, without prior approval, of approximately $145.9 million and $155.0 million, respectively. The MDI allows RCM to pay a dividend to RGA to the extent RCM received the dividend from RGA Reinsurance, without limitation related to the level of unassigned surplus. Dividend payments from other subsidiaries are subject to regulations in the jurisdiction of domicile, which are generally based on their earnings and/or capital level. In addition, the earnings of substantially all of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations.
The Company may borrow up to $850.0 million in cash and obtain letters of credit in multiple currencies on its revolving credit facility that expires in December 2015. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had no cash borrowings outstanding and $67.6 million in issued, but undrawn, letters of credit under this facility.
Regulation XXX, implemented in the U.S. for various types of life insurance business beginning January 1, 2000, significantly increased the level of reserves that U.S. life insurance and life reinsurance companies must hold on their statutory financial statements for various types of life insurance business, primarily certain level premium term life products. The reserve levels required under Regulation XXX increase over time and are normally in excess of reserves required under GAAP. In situations where primary insurers have reinsured business to reinsurers that are unlicensed and unaccredited in the U.S., the reinsurer must provide collateral equal to its reinsurance reserves in order for the ceding company to receive statutory financial statement credit. In order to manage the effect of Regulation XXX on its statutory financial statements, RGA Reinsurance has retroceded a majority of Regulation XXX reserves to unaffiliated and affiliated unlicensed reinsurers.
The Company’s consolidated balance sheets include the assets of Timberlake Financial, a wholly-owned subsidiary, recorded as fixed maturity investments and other invested assets, which consists of restricted cash and cash equivalents, with the liability for the notes recorded as collateral finance facility. The Company’s consolidated statements of income include the investment return of Timberlake Financial as investment income and the cost of the facility is reflected in collateral finance facility expense.
Based on the growth of the Company’s business and the pattern of reserve levels under Regulation XXX associated with term life business and other statutory reserve requirements, the amount of ceded reserve credits is expected to grow. This growth will require the Company to obtain additional letters of credit, put additional assets in trust, or utilize other funding mechanisms to support the reserve credits. If the Company is unable to support the reserve credits, the regulatory capital levels of several of
No changes in the use or regulation of captives have been proposed and it is too early to predict the extent of any changes that may be made. Accordingly, the Company expects to continue its strategy of using captives to enhance its capital efficiency and competitive position while it monitors the regulations related to captives and any proposed changes in such regulations. The Company cannot estimate the impact of discontinuing or altering its captive strategy in response to potential regulatory changes due to many unknown variables such as the cost and availability of alternative capital, potential changes in regulatory reserving requirements under a principle-based reserving approach which would likely reduce required collateral, changes in acceptable collateral for statutory reserves, the potential introduction of the concept of a “certified reinsurer” in the laws and regulations in certain jurisdictions where the Company operates, the potential for increased pricing of products offered by the Company and the potential change in mix of products sold and/or offered by the Company and/or its clients.
Some treaties give ceding companies the right to request that the Company place assets in trust for the benefit of the cedant to support statutory reserve credits in the event of a downgrade of the Company’s ratings to specified levels, generally non-investment grade levels, or if minimum levels of financial condition are not maintained. As of December 31, 2013, these treaties had approximately $1,552.3 million in statutory reserves. Assets placed in trust continue to be owned by the Company, but their use is restricted based on the terms of the trust agreement. Securities with an amortized cost of $2,124.7 million were held in trust for the benefit of certain RGA subsidiaries to satisfy collateral requirements for reinsurance business at December 31, 2013. Additionally, securities with an amortized cost of $7,842.9 million as of December 31, 2013 were held in trust to satisfy collateral requirements under certain third-party reinsurance treaties. Under certain conditions, the Company may be obligated to move reinsurance from one subsidiary of RGA to another subsidiary of RGA or make payments under a given treaty. These conditions include change in control or ratings of the subsidiary, insolvency, nonperformance under a treaty, or loss of reinsurance license of such subsidiary. If the Company was ever required to perform under these obligations, the risk to the Company on a consolidated basis under the reinsurance treaties would not change; however, additional capital may be required due to the change in jurisdiction of the subsidiary reinsuring the business, which could lead to a strain on liquidity.
Proceeds from the notes issued by Timberlake Financial and the Company’s direct investment in Timberlake Financial were deposited into a series of trust accounts as collateral and are not available to satisfy the general obligations of the Company. As of December 31, 2013 the Company held deposits in trust and in custody of $913.5 million for this purpose, which is not included above. See “Collateral Finance Facility” above for additional information on the Timberlake notes.
In 2006, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement that requires it to post collateral for a portion of the business being reinsured. As part of the collateral requirements, a third party financial institution has issued a letter of credit for the benefit
Reinsurance agreements, whether facultative or automatic, generally provide recapture provisions. Most U.S.-based reinsurance treaties include a recapture right for ceding companies, generally after 10 years. Outside of the U.S., treaties primarily include a mutually agreed upon recapture provision. Recapture rights permit the ceding company to reassume all or a portion of the risk formerly ceded to the reinsurer. In some situations, the Company has the right to place assets in trust for the benefit of the ceding party in lieu of recapture. Additionally, certain treaties may grant recapture rights to ceding companies in the event of a significant decrease in RGA Reinsurance’s NAIC risk based capital ratio or financial strength rating. The RBC ratio trigger varies by treaty, with the majority between 125% and 225% of the NAIC’s company action level. Financial strength rating triggers vary by treaty with the majority of the triggers reached if RGA Reinsurance’s financial strength rating falls five notches from its current rating of “AA-” to the “BBB” level on the S&P scale. Recapture of business previously ceded does not affect premiums ceded prior to the recapture of such business, but would reduce premiums in subsequent periods. Upon recapture, the Company would reflect a net gain or loss on the settlement of the assets and liabilities associated with the treaty. In some cases, the ceding company is required to pay the Company a recapture fee. The Company estimates approximately $337.9 billion of its gross assumed in force business, as of December 31, 2013, was subject to treaties where the ceding company could recapture in the event minimum levels of financial condition or ratings were not maintained.
The Company’s principal cash inflows from its reinsurance operations include premiums and deposit funds received from ceding companies. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are early recapture of the reinsurance contract by the ceding company and lapses of annuity products reinsured by the Company. The Company’s principal cash inflows from its invested assets result from investment income and the maturity and sales of invested assets. The primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash inflows relates to the risk of default by debtors and interest rate volatility. The Company manages these risks very closely. See “Investments” and “Interest Rate Risk” below.
Cash Flows from Operations - The principal cash inflows from the Company’s insurance activities come from insurance premiums, annuity considerations and deposit funds. The principal cash outflows relate to the liabilities associated with various life and health insurance, annuity and disability products, operating expenses, income tax and interest on outstanding debt obligations. A primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal.
Includes the Manor Re collateral financing arrangement that does not appear on the consolidated balance sheets due to a master netting agreement where the Company holds a term deposit note of equal value from the counterparty.
Excluded from the table above are net deferred income tax liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits, and accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits of $2,117.3 million, for which the Company cannot reliably determine the timing of payment. Current income tax payable is also excluded from the table.
The net funded status of the Company’s qualified and nonqualified pension and other postretirement liabilities included within other liabilities has been excluded from the amounts presented in the table above. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a net unfunded balance of $82.4 million related to qualified and nonqualified pension and other postretirement liabilities. See Note 10 - “Employee Benefit Plans” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to the Company’s obligations and funding requirements for pension and other post-employment benefits.
The Company’s liquidity position (cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments) was $1,063.0 million and $1,548.0 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents in 2013 is primarily related to the timing and execution of the Company’s investment strategies. Cash and cash equivalents includes cash collateral received from derivative counterparties of $51.0 million and $136.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This unrestricted cash collateral is included in cash and cash equivalents and the obligation to return it is included in other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Liquidity needs are determined from valuation analyses conducted by operational units and are driven by product portfolios. Periodic evaluations of demand liabilities and short-term liquid assets are designed to adjust specific portfolios, as well as their durations and maturities, in response to anticipated liquidity needs.
In addition, RGA Reinsurance has also entered into funding agreements with the FHLB under guaranteed investment contracts whereby RGA Reinsurance has issued the funding agreements in exchange for cash and for which the FHLB has been granted a blanket lien on RGA Reinsurance’s commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans used to collateralize RGA Reinsurance’s obligations under the funding agreements. RGA Reinsurance maintains control over these pledged assets, and may use, commingle, encumber or dispose of any portion of the collateral as long as there is no event of default and the remaining qualified collateral is sufficient to satisfy the collateral maintenance level. The funding agreements and the related security agreements represented by this blanket lien provide that upon any event of default by RGA Reinsurance, the FHLB’s recovery is limited to the amount of RGA Reinsurance’s liability under the outstanding funding agreements. The amount of the RGA Reinsurance’s liability for the funding agreements with the FHLB under guaranteed investment contracts was $597.1 million and $500.0 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is included in interest
The following table presents consolidated average invested assets at amortized cost, net investment income and investment yield, excluding funds withheld at interest and spread related business. Funds withheld at interest assets and other spread related business are primarily associated with the reinsurance of annuity contracts on which the Company earns an interest rate spread between assets and liabilities. Fluctuations in the yield on funds withheld assets and other spread related business are generally subject to varying degrees, by corresponding adjustments to the interest credited on the liabilities (dollars in thousands).
Investment yield decreased in 2013 and 2012 due to lower yields upon reinvestment. The lower yields are due primarily to a lower interest rate environment on a historical basis.
The Company’s fixed maturity securities are invested primarily in corporate bonds, mortgage-and asset-backed securities, and U.S. and Canadian government securities. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 93.7% and 94.2%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated investment portfolio of fixed maturity securities were investment grade.
The creditworthiness of Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, commonly referred to as “Europe’s peripheral region” and Cyprus is under ongoing stress and uncertainty due to high debt levels and economic weakness, although the situation in 2013 and 2012 appears more stable than previous years. The Company did not have material exposure to sovereign fixed maturity securities, which includes global government agencies, from Europe’s peripheral region and Cyprus as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. In addition, the Company did not purchase or sell credit protection, through credit default swaps, referenced to sovereign entities of Europe’s peripheral region and Cyprus.
The tables below show the Company’s exposure to sovereign fixed maturity securities originated in countries other than Europe’s peripheral region, included in “Other foreign government, supranational and foreign government-sponsored enterprises,” in Note 4 - “Investments,” as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s investment in sovereign fixed maturity securities represented 7.6% of the fair value of total fixed maturity securities compared to 7.0% of the fair value of total fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2012. The Company typically invests in sovereign fixed maturity securities to help mitigate exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from liabilities denominated in the same currencies.
The Company’s fixed maturity portfolio includes structured securities. The following table shows the types of structured securities the Company held at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The residential mortgage-backed securities include agency-issued pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. A majority of the agency-issued pass-through securities are guaranteed or otherwise supported by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal National Mortgage Association, or the Government National Mortgage Association. The weighted average credit rating of residential mortgage-backed securities was “A+” at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. The principal risks inherent in holding mortgage-backed securities are prepayment and extension risks, which will affect the timing of when cash will be received and are dependent on the level of mortgage interest rates. Prepayment risk is the unexpected increase in principal payments from the expected, primarily as a result of owner refinancing. Extension risk relates to the unexpected slowdown in principal payments from the expected. In addition, non-agency mortgage-backed securities face credit risk should the borrower be unable to pay the contractual interest or principal on their obligation. The Company monitors its mortgage-backed securities to mitigate exposure to the cash flow uncertainties associated with these risks.
Asset-backed securities include credit card and automobile receivables, subprime mortgage-backed securities, home equity loans, manufactured housing bonds and collateralized debt obligations. The Company’s asset-backed securities are diversified by issuer and contain both floating and fixed rate securities and had weighted average credit ratings of "A+" and “AA-” at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company owns floating rate securities that represent approximately 14.0% and 15.0% of the total fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These investments have a higher degree of income variability than the other fixed income holdings in the portfolio due to the floating rate nature of the interest payments. The Company holds these investments to match specific floating rate liabilities primarily reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as collateral finance facility. In addition to the risks associated with floating rate securities, principal risks in holding asset-
backed securities are structural, credit and capital market risks. Structural risks include the securities’ cash flow priority in the capital structure and the inherent prepayment sensitivity of the underlying collateral. Credit risks include the adequacy and ability to realize proceeds from the collateral. Credit risks are mitigated by credit enhancements which include excess spread, over-collateralization and subordination. Capital market risks include general level of interest rates and the liquidity for these securities in the marketplace.
The Company monitors its fixed maturity and equity securities to determine impairments in value and evaluates factors such as financial condition of the issuer, payment performance, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been below amortized cost, compliance with covenants, general market and industry sector conditions, current intent and ability to hold securities, and various other subjective factors. Based on management’s judgment, securities determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment in value are written down to fair value. See “Investments - Other-than-Temporary Impairment” in Note 2 - “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The Company recorded $19.8 million, $43.2 million and $41.3 million in other-than-temporary investment impairments in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The impairments in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were largely related to other-than-temporary impairments in Subprime/Alt-A/Other structured securities, primarily related to commercial mortgage-backed securities. In addition, other impairments in 2013, 2012 and 2011 are due to mortgage loan provisions and impairments on limited partnerships. There were no impairment losses on equity securities in 2013. The impairment losses on equity securities of $3.0 million in 2012 and $4.1 million in 2011 are primarily due to the decline in fair value of securities issued by European financial institutions. The impaired equity securities are hybrid securities that contain both debt and equity-like features. The table below summarizes other-than-temporary impairments for 2013, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):
The Company’s determination of whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary includes analysis of the underlying credit and the extent and duration of a decline in value. The Company’s credit analysis of an investment includes determining whether the issuer is current on its contractual payments, evaluating whether it is probable that the Company will be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security and analyzing the overall ability of the Company to recover the amortized cost of the investment. In the Company’s impairment review process, the duration and severity of an unrealized loss position for equity securities are given greater weight and consideration given the lack of contractual cash flows and the deferability features of these securities. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were immaterial gross unrealized losses on equity securities greater than 20 percent of the amortized cost for more than 12 months.
See “Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale” in Note 4 - “Investments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses reported in AOCI, for fixed maturity and equity securities that have estimated fair values below amortized cost, by class and grade security, as well as the length of time the related market value has remained below amortized cost as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Mortgage loans represented approximately 7.5% and 6.7% of the Company’s cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, all mortgages were U.S. based with approximately 84.3% invested in mortgages on commercial offices, industrial properties and retail locations. The Company’s largest mortgage loan is approximately $100.0 million but most mortgage loans range in size up to $20.0 million, with the average mortgage loan investment as of December 31, 2013 totaling approximately $7.6 million. The mortgage loan portfolio was diversified by geographic region and property type as discussed further under “Mortgage Loans on Real Estate” in Note 4 - “Investments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Valuation allowances on mortgage loans are established based upon inherent losses expected by management to be realized in connection with future dispositions or settlement of mortgage loans, including foreclosures. The valuation allowances are established after management considers, among other things, the value of underlying collateral and payment capabilities of debtors. Any subsequent adjustments to the valuation allowances will be treated as investment gains or losses.
See “Mortgage Loans on Real Estate” in Note 4 - “Investments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding for information regarding valuation allowances and impairments.
Policy loans comprised approximately 3.7% of the Company’s cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, substantially all of which are associated with one client. These policy loans present no credit risk because the amount of the loan cannot exceed the obligation due the ceding company upon the death of the insured or surrender of the underlying policy. The provisions of the treaties in force and the underlying policies determine the policy loan interest rates. Because policy loans represent premature distributions of policy liabilities, they have the effect of reducing future disintermediation risk. In addition, the Company earns a spread between the interest rate earned on policy loans and the interest rate credited to corresponding liabilities.
For reinsurance agreements written on a modified coinsurance basis and certain agreements written on a coinsurance basis, assets equal to the net statutory reserves are withheld and legally owned and managed by the ceding company, and are reflected as funds withheld at interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In the event of a ceding company’s insolvency, the Company would need to assert a claim on the assets supporting its reserve liabilities. However, the risk of loss to the Company is mitigated by its ability to offset amounts it owes the ceding company for claims or allowances with amounts owed by the ceding company. Interest accrues to these assets at rates defined by the treaty terms and the Company estimated the yields were approximately 9.68%, 6.97% and 6.87% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Changes in these estimated yields are affected by changes in the fair value of equity options held in the funds withheld portfolio associated with EIAs. Additionally, under certain treaties the Company is subject to the investment performance on the withheld assets, although it does not directly control them. These assets are primarily fixed maturity investment securities and pose risks similar to the fixed maturity securities the Company owns. To mitigate this risk, the Company helps set the investment guidelines followed by the ceding company and monitors compliance. Ceding companies with funds withheld at interest had an average rating of “A” at December 31, 2013 and 2012. Certain ceding companies maintain segregated portfolios for the benefit of the Company.
Based on data provided by the ceding companies at December 31, 2013, the maturity distribution of the segregated portfolio portion of funds withheld at interest was approximately (dollars in thousands):
Other invested assets include equity securities, limited partnership interests, joint ventures, structured loans, derivative contracts and contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities, which do not qualify as separate accounts. Other invested assets represented approximately 4.0% and 3.4% of the Company’s cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See “Other Invested Assets” in Note 4 - “Investments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the carrying value of the Company’s other invested assets by type as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
The Company recorded $4.8 million, $10.3 million and $4.1 million in other-than-temporary impairments on other invested assets in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company has utilized derivative financial instruments to protect the Company against possible changes in the fair value of its investment portfolio as a result of interest rate changes, to hedge liabilities associated with the reinsurance of variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits and to manage the portfolio’s effective yield, maturity and duration. In addition, the Company has used derivative financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company uses both exchange-traded and customized over-the-counter derivative financial instruments. The Company’s use of derivative financial instruments historically has not been significant to its financial position.
The Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”), aided by the Risk Management Steering Committee (“RMSC”), Business Unit Chief Risk Officers, Risk Management Officers and a dedicated ERM function, is responsible for ensuring, on an ongoing basis, that
The Company has developed extensive expertise in assessing insurance risks which ultimately forms an integral part of ensuring that it is compensated commensurately for the risks it assumes and that it does not overpay for the risks it transfers to third parties. This expertise includes a vast array of market and product knowledge supported by a large information database of historical experience which is closely monitored. Analysis and experience studies derived from this database help form the basis for the Company’s pricing assumptions which are used in developing rates for new risks. If actual mortality or morbidity experience is materially adverse, some reinsurance treaties allow for increases to future premium rates.
Market risk is the risk that net asset and liability values or revenue will be affected adversely by changes in market conditions such as market prices, exchange rates, and nominal interest rates. The Company is primarily exposed to interest rate, foreign currency, inflation and equity risks.
The following table presents the account values, the weighted average interest-crediting rates and minimum guaranteed rate ranges for the contracts containing guaranteed rates by major class of interest-sensitive product as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The following table presents the account values by each minimum guaranteed rate, rounded to the nearest percentage, by class of interest-sensitive product as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The spread profits on the Company’s fixed annuity and interest-sensitive whole life, universal life (“UL”) and fixed portion of variable universal life (“VUL”) insurance policies are at risk if interest rates decline and remain relatively low for a period of time, which has generally been the case in recent years. Should interest rates remain at current levels, which are significantly lower than those existing prior to the declines of recent years, the average earned rate of return on the Company’s annuity and UL investment portfolios will continue to decline. Declining portfolio yields may cause the spreads between investment portfolio yields and the interest rate credited to contract holders to deteriorate as the Company’s ability to manage spreads can become limited by minimum guaranteed rates on annuity and UL policies. In 2013 and 2012, minimum guaranteed rates on non-variable annuity and UL policies generally ranged from 0.50% to 6.00%, with an average guaranteed rate of approximately 2.70%.
Interest rate sensitivity analysis is also used to measure the Company’s interest rate cash flow risk by computing estimated changes in the cash flows expected in the near term attributable to floating rate assets and liabilities in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. This analysis assesses the risk of loss in cash flows in the near term in market risk sensitive floating rate instruments in the event of a hypothetical 10% change (increase or decrease) in market interest rates. The Company does not have variable rate instruments classified as trading securities. The Company’s projected decrease in cash flows in the near term associated with floating rate instruments in the event of a 10% unfavorable change in market interest rates at its fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $8.1 and $5.2 million, respectively.
The Company generally does not hedge the foreign currency exposure of its subsidiaries transacting business in currencies other than their functional currency (transaction exposure). However, the Company has entered into certain interest rate swaps in which the cash flows are denominated in different currencies, commonly referred to as cross currency swaps. Those interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges. The majority of the Company’s foreign currency transactions are denominated in Australian dollars, British pounds, Canadian dollars, Euros, Japanese yen, Korean won, and the South African rand.
generally decrease the fair value of the liabilities underlying the benefits. Conversely, a decrease in the equity markets along with a decrease in interest rates and an increase in volatility will generally result in an increase in the fair value of the liabilities underlying the benefits, which has the effect of increasing reserves and lowering earnings. The Company maintains a customized dynamic hedging program that is designed to substantially mitigate the risks associated with income volatility around the change in reserves on guaranteed benefits, ignoring the Company’s own credit risk assessment. However, the hedge positions may not fully offset the changes in the carrying value of the guarantees due to, among other things, time lags, high levels of volatility in the equity and derivative markets, extreme swings in interest rates, unexpected contract holder behavior, and divergence between the performance of the underlying funds and hedging indices. These factors, individually or collectively, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income, financial condition or liquidity. The table below provides a summary of variable annuity account values and the fair value of the guaranteed benefits as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
In addition to investment credit limits and insurance counterparty limits, there are aggregate counterparty risk limits which include counterparty exposures from reinsurance, financing and investment activities at an aggregated level to control total exposure to a single counterparty. Counterparty risk aggregation is important because it enables the Company to capture risk exposures at a comprehensive level and under more extreme circumstances compared to analyzing the components individually.
Risk management is embedded in RGA’s business processes in accordance with RGA’s risk philosophy. As the cornerstone of the ERM framework, risk culture plays a preeminent role in the effective management of risks assumed by RGA. At the heart of RGA’s risk culture is prudent risk management. Senior management sets the tone for RGA risk culture, inculcating positive risk attitudes so as to entrench sound risk management practices into day-to-day activities.
Proactive risk monitoring and reporting enable early detection and mitigation of emerging risks. For example, there is elevated regulatory activity in the wake of the global financial crisis and RGA is actively monitoring regulatory proposals in order to respond optimally. Risk escalation channels coupled with open communication lines enhance the mitigants explained above.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). 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 the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates include those used in determining deferred policy acquisition costs, premiums receivable, future policy benefits, incurred but not reported claims, income taxes, valuation of investments and investment impairments, and valuation of embedded derivatives. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used by management.
A mortgage loan is considered to be impaired when, based on the current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage agreement. Valuation allowances on mortgage loans are established based upon inherent losses expected by management to be realized in connection with future dispositions or settlement of mortgage loans, including foreclosures. The Company establishes valuation allowances for estimated impairments on an individual loan basis as of the balance sheet date. Such valuation allowances are based on the excess carrying value of the loan over the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, the value of the loan’s collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent, or the loan’s market value if the loan is being sold. Non-specific valuation allowances are established for mortgage loans based upon several loan factors, including the Company’s historical experience for loan losses, defaults and loss severity, loss expectations for loans with similar risk characteristics and industry statistics. These evaluations are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. In addition to historical experience, management considers qualitative factors that include the impact of changing macro economic conditions, which may not be currently reflected in the loan portfolio performance, and the quality of the loan portfolio per internal credit quality ratings. Any interest accrued or received on the net carrying amount of the impaired loan will be included in investment income or applied to the principal of the loan, depending on the assessment of the collectability of the loan. Mortgage loans deemed to be uncollectible or that have been foreclosed are charged off against the valuation allowances and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the valuation allowances. Changes in valuation allowances are reported in investment related gains (losses), net on the consolidated statements of income.
The Company’s internal credit quality rating model is used to estimate the probability of mortgage loan default and the likelihood of loss upon default. The rating scale ranges from “high investment grade” to “in or near default” with high investment grade being the highest quality and least likely to default and lose principal. Likewise, a rating of in or near default indicates the lowest quality and the most likely to default or lose principal. All loans are assigned a rating at origination and ratings are updated at least annually. Lower rated loans appear on the Company’s watch list and are re-evaluated more frequently. The debt service coverage ratio and the loan to value ratio are the most heavily weighted factors in determining the loan rating. Other factors involved in determining the final rating are loan amortization, tenant rollover, location and market stability, and borrowers’ financial condition and experience.
Funds withheld at interest represent amounts contractually withheld by ceding companies in accordance with reinsurance agreements. For agreements written on a modified coinsurance basis and agreements written on a coinsurance funds withheld basis, assets which support the net statutory reserves are withheld and legally owned by the ceding company. Interest, recorded in investment income in the consolidated statements of income, accrues to these assets at calculated rates as defined by the treaty terms.
In addition to derivative contracts discussed below, other invested assets include equity securities, contractholder-directed investments, limited partnership interests, real estate joint ventures, real estate-held-for-investment and structured loans. Equity securities are primarily carried at fair value. The fair value option ("FVO") was elected for contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities which do not qualify for presentation and reporting as separate accounts. Changes in estimated fair value of these securities are included in investment related gains (losses), net. Limited partnership interests and structured loans are primarily carried at cost. Based on the nature and structure of these investments, they do not meet the characteristics of an equity security in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Real estate joint ventures and certain limited partnerships are reported using the equity method of accounting.
The Company reviews all securities on a case-by-case basis to determine whether an other-than-temporary decline in value exists and whether losses should be recognized. The Company considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest rate-related impairment of a security is other-than-temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1)the extent and length of time the fair value has been below cost; (2) the reasons for the decline in fair value; (3) the issuers financial position and access to capital; and (4) for fixed maturity securities, the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity and for equity securities, the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time that allows for the recovery in value. To the extent the Company determines that a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.
General accounting principles for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value, establish a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. In compliance with these principles, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three level hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), the second highest priority to quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
See Note 6 - “Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities” for further details on the Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
Portions of employees’ salaries and benefits directly related to time spent performing specified acquisition activities for a contract that has been acquired or renewed
from cash flows related to variable annuities have also been classified as other reinsurance balance assets and/or liabilities. Other reinsurance assets are included in premiums receivable and other reinsurance balances while other reinsurance liabilities are included in other reinsurance balances on the consolidated balance sheets.
The increase in the VOBA balance as of December 31, 2013 is related to acquisition of Leidsche Verzekeringen Maatschappij N.V. On August 13, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of the Dutch life insurance company for a total purchase price of $12.5 million. The purchase price was allocated to $147.3 million of assets and $134.8 million of liabilities at the date of acquisition. The purchased life insurance company primarily sells term life and unit-linked variable annuity policies. The acquisition will allow the Company to better pursue additional reinsurance opportunities in the Dutch market.
The Company reinsures disability products in various markets. Liabilities for future benefits on disability policies’ active lives are established in an amount adequate to meet the estimated future obligations on policies in force. These reserves are the amounts which, with the additional premiums to be received and interest thereon compounded annually at certain assumed rates, are calculated to be sufficient to meet the various policy and contract obligations as they mature.
Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”) provide the contract holder, after a specified period of time determined at the time of issuance of the variable annuity contract, with a minimum accumulation of their purchase payments even if the
The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax law in the applicable tax jurisdiction. The Company has deferred tax assets related to net operating and capital losses. The Company has projected its ability to utilize its U.S. and foreign net operating losses and has determined that all of the U.S. losses are expected to be utilized prior to their expiration and established a valuation allowance on the portion of the foreign deferred tax assets the Company believes more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
The Company expenses the fair value of stock awards included in its incentive compensation plans. As of the date stock awards are approved, the fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes options valuation methodology, and the fair value of other stock awards is based upon the market value of the stock. The fair value of the awards is expensed over the performance or service period, which generally corresponds to the vesting period, and is recognized as an increase to additional paid-in-capital in stockholders’ equity. Stock-based compensation expense is reflected in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
In April 2011, the FASB amended the general accounting principles for Transfers and Servicing as it relates to the reconsideration of effective control for repurchase agreements. This amendment removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets and also removes the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. The amendment is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this amendment did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In October 2010, the FASB amended the general accounting principles for Financial Services - Insurance as it relates to accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This amendment clarifies that only those costs that result
directly from and are essential to the contract transaction and that would not have been incurred had the contract transaction not occurred can be capitalized. It also defines acquisitions costs as costs that are related directly to the successful acquisitions of new or renewal insurance contracts. The amendment is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The retrospective adoption of this amendment on January 1, 2012, resulted in a reduction in the Company’s deferred acquisition cost asset and a corresponding reduction to equity, reflected in the financial statements. There will be a decrease in amortization subsequent to adoption due to the reduced deferred acquisition cost asset. There has also been a reduction in the level of future costs the Company defers; thereby increasing expenses incurred in future periods. The cumulative effect of the adoption of this amendment was a decrease to total stockholders’ equity of $318.4 million and a decrease in the deferred policy acquisition costs balance of $470.1 million on January 1, 2012.
In February 2013, the FASB amended the general accounting principles for Comprehensive Income as it relates to the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. This amendment also requires entities to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. However, this is only necessary if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. The amendment is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this amendment and the required disclosures are provided in Note 18 - “Comprehensive Income.”
In March 2011, approximately 4,402,078 of outstanding warrants were exercised at a price of $35.44 per warrant, resulting in the issuance of 5,506,088 common shares. See Note 13 - “Debt,” for more information on the exercise of these warrants. Also in March 2011, RGA entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with a financial counterparty. Under the ASR agreement, RGA purchased 2,500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock at an initial price of $59.76 per share and an aggregate price of approximately $149.4 million. The purchase price was funded from cash on hand. The counterparty completed its purchases during the second quarter of 2011 and as a result, RGA was required to pay $4.3 million to the counterparty for the final settlement which resulted in a final price of $61.47 per share on the repurchased common stock. The common shares repurchased were placed into treasury to be used for general corporate purposes.
RGA’s share repurchase transactions during 2011 were intended to substantially offset share dilution associated with the issuance of 5,506,088 common shares from the exercise of warrants as discussed above.
At the beginning of 2011, RGA had $43.4 million remaining under its January 2002 board of directors approved stock repurchase program. Under this repurchase program, RGA was authorized to purchase its common stock in the open market, pursuant to the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. During 2011, RGA repurchased 838,362 shares of common stock under this program for $43.1 million at an average price per share of $51.39. The common shares repurchased have been placed into treasury to be used for general corporate purposes.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company held securities with a fair value of $1,222.3 million that were guaranteed or issued by the Canadian province of Ontario and $1,389.1 million that were guaranteed or issued by the Canadian province of Quebec, both of which exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2012, the Company held securities with a fair value of $1,400.0 million that were guaranteed or issued by the Canadian province of Ontario and $1,785.0 million that were guaranteed or issued by the Canadian province of Quebec, both of which exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity.
The following tables present information on the Company’s purchased credit impaired securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities available-for-sale (dollars in thousands):
The following table presents the total gross unrealized losses for the 1,396 and 567 fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by the indicated amount (dollars in thousands):
The following tables present the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses reported in AOCI, for 1,396 and 567 fixed maturity and equity securities that have estimated fair values below amortized cost as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (dollars in thousands). These investments are presented by class and grade of security, as well as the length of time the related fair value has remained below amortized cost.
The other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities and the increase on the losses on investment activity during 2013 were primarily due to the decision to sell certain subordinated commercial mortgage-backed securities. The other-than-temporary impairments in 2012 and 2011 were primarily due to a decline in value of structured securities with exposure to commercial mortgages and general credit deterioration in select corporate and foreign securities. Investment gains decreased during 2013 as the Company repositioned certain assets received from a large fixed annuity reinsurance transaction during 2012 while interest rates were at historic lows causing for elevated realized gains during 2012. The volatility in derivatives and other is primarily due to changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities associated with modified coinsurance and funds withheld treaties and guaranteed minimum benefit riders.
The Company also participates in a repurchase/reverse repurchase program in which securities, reflected as investments on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, are pledged to a third party. In return, the Company receives securities from the third party with an estimated fair value equal to a minimum of 100% of the securities pledged. The securities received are not reflected
on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2013 the Company had pledged securities with an amortized cost of $300.3 million and an estimated fair value of $310.8 million, in return the Company received securities with an estimated fair value of $344.2 million. As of December 31, 2012 the Company had pledged securities with an amortized cost of $290.2 million and an estimated fair value of $305.9 million, in return the Company received securities with an estimated fair value of $342.0 million.
Mortgage loans represented approximately 7.7% and 7.0% of the Company’s invested assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company makes mortgage loans on income producing properties, such as apartments, retail and office buildings, light warehouses and light industrial facilities. Loan-to-value ratios at the time of loan approval are 75% or less. The distribution of mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowances, by property type is as follows as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowances, were distributed throughout the United States as follows (dollars in thousands):
The maturities of the mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowances, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Information regarding the Company’s credit quality indicators, as determined by the Company's internal evaluation methodology for its recorded investment in mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowances, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
The age analysis of the Company’s past due recorded investment in mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowances, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
The following table presents the recorded investment in mortgage loans, by method of measuring impairment, and the related valuation allowances, at (dollars in thousands):
Information regarding the Company’s loan valuation allowances for mortgage loans as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
During the second quarter of 2012, the Company added a large fixed deferred annuity reinsurance transaction in its U.S. Asset-Intensive segment. This transaction increased the Company’s invested asset base by approximately $5.4 billion which was reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2012 as an investment receivable. In satisfaction of this investment receivable, the Company received the following on July 31, 2012 and August 3, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
Derivatives, except embedded derivatives, are carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in other invested assets or other liabilities, at fair value. Embedded derivative liabilities on modified coinsurance or funds withheld arrangements are included on the consolidated balance sheets with the host contract in funds withheld at interest, at fair value. Embedded derivative liabilities on indexed annuity and variable annuity products are included on the consolidated balance sheets with the host contract in interest-sensitive contract liabilities, at fair value. Embedded derivative assets are included on the consolidated balance sheets in reinsurance ceded receivables. The following table presents the notional amounts and gross fair value of derivative instruments prior to taking into account the netting effects of master netting agreements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The following table provides information relating to the Company’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. As discussed below under “Non-qualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging,” the Company uses various derivative instruments for risk management purposes that either do not qualify or have not been qualified for hedge accounting treatment, including derivatives used to economically hedge changes in the fair value of liabilities associated with the reinsurance of variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company held interest rate swaps that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, held foreign currency swaps that were designated and qualified as hedges of a portion of its net investment in its foreign operations and had derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments. See Note 2 - “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for a detailed discussion of the accounting treatment for derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value and generally require an insignificant amount of cash at inception of the contracts.
During the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company removed the fair value hedge designation for certain interest rate swaps. However, prior to the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company designated and reported certain interest rate swaps that convert fixed rate investments to floating rate investments as fair value hedges when they met the requirements of the general accounting principles for Derivatives and Hedging. The gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged benchmark interest rate and the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps for the year ended December 31, 2011 was (dollars in thousands):
A regression analysis was used, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, to determine whether each derivative used in a hedge transaction is highly effective in offsetting changes in the hedged item. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
The following table presents the components of AOCI, before income tax, and the consolidated income statement classification where the gain or loss is recognized related to cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
There were no sales or substantial liquidations of net investments in foreign operations that would have required the reclassification of gains or losses from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into investment income during the periods presented.
provide for a single net payment or individual gross payments to be made by the counterparty at each due date. Most of these swaps will require a single payment to be made by one counterparty at the maturity date of the swap.
The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of credit default swaps sold by the Company at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The credit exposure of the Company's OTC derivative transactions is represented by the contracts with a positive fair value (market value) at the reporting date. To reduce credit exposures, the Company seeks to (i) enter into OTC derivative transactions pursuant to master netting agreements that provide for a netting of payments and receipts with a single counterparty, and (ii) enter into agreements that allow the use of credit support annexes, which are bilateral rating-sensitive agreements that require collateral postings at established threshold levels. Certain of the Company's OTC derivatives are cleared derivatives, which are bilateral transactions between the Company and a counterparty where the transactions are cleared through a clearinghouse, such that each derivative counterparty is only exposed to the default of the clearinghouse. These cleared transactions require initial and daily variation margin collateral postings and include certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps entered into on or after June 10, 2013, related to new guidelines implemented under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Also, the Company enters into exchange-traded futures through regulated exchanges and these transactions are settled on a daily basis, thereby reducing credit risk exposure in the event of non-performance by counterparties to such financial instruments.
The Company’s credit exposure related to derivative contracts is generally limited to the fair value at the reporting date plus or minus any collateral posted or held by the Company. Information regarding the Company’s credit exposure related to its over-the-counter derivative contracts and margin account for exchange-traded futures at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are reflected in the following table (dollars in thousands):
Included in other invested assets, primarily consists of U.S. Treasury securities.
among others. Prices are determined using valuation methodologies such as discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques. Non-binding broker quotes, which are utilized when pricing service information is not available, are reviewed for reasonableness based on the Company’s understanding of the market, and are generally considered Level 3. Under certain circumstances, based on its observations of transactions in active markets, the Company may conclude the prices received from independent third party pricing services or brokers are not reasonable or reflective of market activity. In those instances, the Company would apply internally developed valuation techniques to the related assets or liabilities. Additionally, the Company’s embedded derivatives, all of which are associated with reinsurance treaties, are classified in Level 3 since their values include significant unobservable inputs.
The Company may utilize information from third parties, such as pricing services and brokers, to assist in determining the fair value for certain assets and liabilities; however, management is ultimately responsible for all fair values presented in the Company’s financial statements. This includes responsibility for monitoring the fair value process, ensuring objective and reliable valuation practices and pricing of financial instruments, and approving changes to valuation methodologies and pricing sources. The selection of the valuation technique(s) to apply considers the definition of an exit price and the nature of the asset or liability being valued and significant expertise and judgment is required.
The Company performs initial and ongoing analysis and review of the various techniques utilized in determining fair value to ensure that the valuation approaches utilized are appropriate and consistently applied, and that the various assumptions are reasonable. The Company also performs ongoing analysis and review of the information and prices received from third parties to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value and to monitor controls around pricing, which includes quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by the Company’s investment and accounting personnel. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, review of pricing trends, comparison of a sample of executed prices of securities sold to the fair value estimates, comparison of fair value estimates to management’s knowledge of the current market, and ongoing confirmation that third party pricing services use, wherever possible, market-based parameters for valuation. In addition, the Company utilizes both internal and external cash flow models to analyze the reasonableness of fair values utilizing credit spread and other market assumptions, where appropriate. As a result of the analysis, if the Company determines there is a
For assets and liabilities reported at fair value, the Company utilizes when available, fair values based on quoted prices in active markets that are regularly and readily obtainable. Generally, these are very liquid investments and the valuation does not require management judgment. When quoted prices in active markets are not available, fair value is based on market valuation techniques, market comparable pricing and the income approach. The use of different techniques, assumptions and inputs may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s securities holdings. For the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the application of market standard valuation techniques applied to similar assets and liabilities has been consistent.
If the Company ultimately concludes that pricing information received from the independent pricing service is not reflective of market activity, non-binding broker quotes are used, if available. If the Company concludes the values from both pricing services and brokers are not reflective of market activity, it may override the information from the pricing service or broker with an internally developed valuation; however, this occurs infrequently. Internally developed valuations or non-binding broker quotes are also used to determine fair value in circumstances where vendor pricing is not available. These estimates may use significant unobservable inputs, which reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset. Circumstances where observable market data are not available may include events such as market illiquidity and credit events related to the security. Pricing service overrides, internally developed valuations and non-binding broker quotes are generally based on significant unobservable inputs and are reflected as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy.
When observable inputs are not available, the market standard valuation techniques for determining the estimated fair value of certain types of securities that trade infrequently, and therefore have little or no price transparency, rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. These unobservable inputs can be based in large part on management judgment or estimation, and cannot be supported by reference to market activity. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and are believed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities.
would use in pricing the security. To the extent management determines that such unobservable inputs are not significant to the price of a security, a Level 2 classification is made. Otherwise, a Level 3 classification is used.
Embedded Derivatives - For embedded derivative liabilities associated with the underlying products in reinsurance treaties, primarily equity-indexed and variable annuity treaties, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model, which includes an estimate of future equity option purchases and an adjustment for the Company’s own credit risk. The variable annuity embedded derivative calculations are performed by third parties based on methodology and input assumptions provided by the Company. To validate the reasonableness of the resulting fair value, the Company’s internal actuaries perform reviews and analytical procedures on the results. The capital market inputs to the model, such as equity indexes, short-term equity volatility and interest rates, are generally observable. The valuation also requires certain significant inputs, which are generally not observable and accordingly, the valuation is considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, see “Level 3 Measurements and Transfers” below for a description.
Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities - All of the derivative instruments utilized by the Company are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy. These derivatives are principally valued using an income approach. Valuations of interest rate contracts are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, and repurchase rates. Valuations of foreign currency contracts are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, currency spot rates, and cross currency basis curves. Valuations of credit contracts, non-option-based, are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, credit curves, and recovery rates. Valuations of equity market contracts, non-option-based, are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, spot equity index levels, and dividend yield curves. Valuations of equity market contracts, option-based, are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, spot equity index levels, dividend yield curves, and equity volatility. The Company does not currently have derivatives included in Level 3 measurement.
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, the Company classified approximately 10.2% and 10.0% of its fixed maturity securities in the Level 3 category. These securities primarily consist of private placement corporate securities and bank loans with inactive trading markets. Additionally, the Company has included asset-backed securities with subprime exposure and mortgage-backed securities with below investment grade ratings in the Level 3 category due to market uncertainty associated
with these securities and the Company’s utilization of unobservable information from third parties for the valuation of these securities.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s corporate, sovereign, government-backed, and other political subdivision investments are probability of default, liquidity premium and subordination premium. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumptions used for the liquidity premium and subordination premium. For securities with a fair value derived using the market comparable pricing valuation technique, liquidity premium is the only significant unobservable input.
Fair value measurements associated with variable annuity treaties are sensitive to both capital markets inputs and policyholder experience inputs. Increases (decreases) in lapse rates tend to decrease (increase) the value of the embedded derivatives associated with variable annuity treaties. Increases (decreases) in the long-term volatility assumption tend to increase (decrease) the fair value of embedded derivatives. Increases (decreases) in the own credit assumption tend to decrease (increase) the magnitude of the fair value of embedded derivatives.
The Company recognizes transfers of financial instruments into and out of levels within the fair value hierarchy at the beginning of the quarter in which the actual event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer occurs. Financial instruments transferred
Transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 are due to the lack of observable market data when pricing these securities, while transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 are due to an increase in the availability of market observable data in an active market. The following tables present the transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The tables below provide a summary of the changes in fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2011, as well as the portion of gains or losses included in income for the year ended December 31, 2011 attributable to unrealized gains or losses related to those assets and liabilities still held at December 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands).
Mortgage loans - The impaired mortgage loans presented above were written down to their estimated fair values at the date the impairments were recognized and are reported as losses above. Subsequent improvements in estimated fair value on previously impaired loans recorded through a reduction in the previously established valuation allowance are reported as gains above. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments on mortgage loans are based on the fair value of underlying collateral or discounted cash flows.
Retrocession reinsurance treaties do not relieve the Company from its obligations to direct writing companies. Failure of retrocessionaires to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. Consequently, allowances would be established for amounts deemed uncollectible. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no allowances were deemed necessary. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of the insurance companies from which it assumes and to which it cedes reinsurance.
At December 31, 2013, the Company had $594.5 million of ceded reinsurance receivables, of which $359.2 million, or 60.4%, were with the Company’s four largest ceded reinsurers. Included in the December 31, 2013 total ceded reinsurance receivables balance were $134.1 million of claims recoverable, of which $4.2 million were in excess of 90 days past due. At December 31, 2012, the Company had $620.9 million of ceded reinsurance receivables, of which $367.5 million, or 59.2%, were with the Company’s four largest ceded reinsurers. Included in the December 31, 2012 total ceded reinsurance receivables balance were $156.0 million of claims recoverable, of which $10.4 million were in excess of 90 days past due.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the Company provided approximately $6.8 billion and $6.3 billion of financial reinsurance, as measured by pre-tax statutory surplus, risk based capital and other financial reinsurance structures, to other insurance companies under financial reinsurance transactions to assist ceding companies in meeting applicable regulatory requirements. Generally, such financial reinsurance is provided by the Company committing cash or assuming insurance liabilities, which are collateralized by future profits on the reinsured business. The Company earns a fee based on the amount of net outstanding financial reinsurance.
Some reinsurance agreements involve reimbursing the ceding company for allowances and commissions in excess of first-year premiums. These amounts represent acquisition costs and are capitalized to the extent deemed recoverable from the future premiums and amortized against future profits of the business. This type of agreement presents a risk to the extent that the business lapses faster than originally anticipated, resulting in future profits being insufficient to recover the Company’s investment.
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Act”) was signed into law on January 2, 2013. The Act retroactively restored several expired business tax provisions, including the active financing exception. Because a change in tax law is reflected in operations in the period of enactment, the retroactive effect of the Act on the Company’s U.S. federal taxes for 2012 of a benefit of $1.0 million was recognized in 2013.
In 2011, the Company recognized an income tax benefit associated with previously enacted reductions in federal statutory tax rates and adjustments to various provincial statutory tax rates in Canada. This 2007 tax rate change enactment included phased in effective dates through 2012. These adjustments in tax rates should have been recognized beginning in 2007, when the Canadian tax legislation was enacted. The Company recorded a cumulative tax benefit adjustment of $30.7 million in 2011 in “Provision for income taxes” to correct the deferred tax liabilities that were not properly recorded. If the impact of the tax rates had been recorded in the prior years, the Company estimates that it would have recognized approximately $3.0 million, $6.0 million, $9.0 million and $12.0 million of tax benefit in the years ended 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax asset and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, are presented in the following tables (dollars in thousands):
The earnings of substantially all of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. A provision of $4.2 million has been made for U.S. taxes on repatriation. No other provision has been made for U.S. tax or foreign withholding taxes that may be applicable upon any repatriation or sale. The determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to investments in the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is not practicable. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the financial reporting basis in excess of the tax basis for which no deferred taxes have been recognized was approximately $1,154.4 million and $663.9 million, respectively.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service and is subject to audit by taxing authorities in other foreign jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations. The income tax years under examination vary by jurisdiction. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2006.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $279.8 million and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $40.0 million. Management believes there will be no material impact to the Company’s effective tax rate related to unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
The following table presents information for qualified and non-qualified pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands):
The Company expects to contribute to the plans $5.7 million in pension benefits and $0.4 million in other benefits during 2014.
The expected rate of return on plan assets is based on anticipated performance of the various asset sectors in which the plan invests, weighted by target allocation percentages. Anticipated future performance is based on long-term historical returns of the plan assets by sector, adjusted for the long-term expectations on the performance of the markets. While the precise expected return
Mutual funds were invested 42% in U.S. equity funds, 39% in U.S. fixed income funds, 16% in non-U.S. equity funds and 3% in other.
RCM and RGA Reinsurance are subject to Missouri statutory provisions that restrict the payment of dividends. They may not pay dividends in any 12-month period in excess of the greater of the prior year’s statutory operating income or 10% of capital and surplus at the preceding year-end, without regulatory approval. The applicable statutory provisions only permit an insurer to pay a shareholder dividend from unassigned surplus. Any dividends paid by RGA Reinsurance would be paid to RCM, its parent company, which in turn has restrictions related to its ability to pay dividends to RGA. The assets of RCM consist primarily of its investment in RGA Reinsurance. As of January 1, 2014, RCM and RGA Reinsurance could pay maximum dividends, without prior approval, of approximately $145.9 million and $155.0 million, respectively. The Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institution and Professional Registration, allows RCM to pay a dividend to RGA to the extent RCM received the dividend from RGA Reinsurance, without limitation related to the level of unassigned surplus. Dividend payments by other subsidiaries are subject to regulations in the jurisdiction of domicile.
At December 31, 2013, the Company’s commitments to fund investments were $239.5 million in limited partnerships, $4.6 million in commercial mortgage loans, $22.0 million in private placements and $37.0 million in bank loans, including revolving credit agreements. At December 31, 2012, the Company’s commitments to fund investments were $176.7 million in limited partnerships, $22.2 million in commercial mortgage loans and $68.5 million in bank loans, including revolving credit agreements. The Company anticipates that the majority of its current commitments will be invested over the next five years; however, these commitments could become due any time at the request of the counterparties. Investments in limited partnerships and private placements are carried at cost or reported using the equity method and included in other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Bank loans are carried at fair value and included in fixed maturities available-for-sale.
Fees associated with the Company’s other letters of credit are not fixed for periods in excess of one year and are based on the Company’s ratings and the general availability of these instruments in the marketplace. Total fees expensed associated with the Company’s letters of credit were $9.8 million, $7.3 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in policy acquisition costs and other insurance expenses.
RGA has issued guarantees to third parties on behalf of its subsidiaries for the payment of amounts due under certain reinsurance treaties, securities borrowing arrangements, financing arrangements and office lease obligations, whereby if a subsidiary fails to meet an obligation, RGA or one of its other subsidiaries will make a payment to fulfill the obligation. In limited circumstances, treaty guarantees are granted to ceding companies in order to provide them additional security, particularly in cases where RGA’s subsidiary is relatively new, unrated, or not of a significant size, relative to the ceding company. Liabilities supported by the treaty guarantees, before consideration for any legally offsetting amounts due from the guaranteed party, totaled $826.9 million and $686.0 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in future policy benefits. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s exposure related to treaty guarantees, net of assets held in trust, was $647.9 million and $463.5 million, respectively. Potential guaranteed amounts of future payments will vary depending on production levels and underwriting results. Guarantees related to borrowed securities provide additional security to third parties should a subsidiary fail to return the borrowed securities when due. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, RGA’s obligation related to borrowed securities guarantees was $93.0 million and $87.5 million, respectively. There were no amounts guaranteed under financing arrangements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. RGA has issued payment guarantees on behalf of two of its subsidiaries in the event the subsidiaries fail to make payment under their office lease obligations, the exposure of which was $8.3 million and $10.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company’s long-term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):
On March 4, 2011, RGA completed the remarketing of approximately 4.5 million trust preferred securities with an aggregate accreted value of approximately $158.2 million that were initially issued as a component of its PIERS Units. When issued, each PIERS Unit initially consisted of a preferred security and a warrant to purchase at any time prior to December 15, 2050, 1.2508 shares of RGA common stock. Approximately 4.4 million of the warrants were exercised on March 4, 2011, at a price of $35.44 per warrant, resulting in the issuance of approximately 5.5 million shares. The warrant exercise price was paid to RGA. Remaining warrants were redeemed in cash at their redemption amount of $14.56 per warrant. As a result of the remarketing, the remarketed preferred securities had a fixed accreted value of $35.44 per security with a fixed annual distribution rate of 2.375% and were repaid on June 5, 2011, the revised maturity date. In the first quarter of 2011, RGA recorded a $4.4 million pre-tax loss, included in other operating expenses, related to the recognition of the unamortized issuance costs of the original preferred securities.
The Company may borrow up to $850.0 million in cash and obtain letters of credit in multiple currencies on its revolving credit facility that expires in December 2015. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the Company had no cash borrowings outstanding and $67.6 million and $402.9 million in issued, but undrawn, letters of credit under this facility. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the average interest rate on long-term debt outstanding was 5.76% and 5.99%, respectively.
covenants, which would make outstanding borrowings immediately payable in the event of a material uncured covenant default under any of the agreements, including, but not limited to, non-payment of indebtedness when due for an amount in excess of $100.0 million, bankruptcy proceedings, or any other event which results in the acceleration of the maturity of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $2,214.4 million and $1,815.3 million, respectively, in outstanding borrowings under its debt agreements and was in compliance with all covenants under those agreements. The ability of the Company to make debt principal and interest payments depends on the earnings and surplus of subsidiaries, investment earnings on undeployed capital proceeds, and the Company’s ability to raise additional funds. Repayments of debt due over the next five years total $300.0 million, due 2017.
In June 2006, RGA’s subsidiary, Timberlake Financial L.L.C. (“Timberlake Financial”), issued $850.0 million of Series A Floating Rate Insured Notes due June 2036 in a private placement. The notes were issued to fund the collateral requirements for statutory reserves required by the U.S. Valuation of Life Policies Model Regulation (commonly referred to as Regulation XXX) on specified term life insurance policies reinsured by RGA Reinsurance and retroceded to Timberlake Re. Proceeds from the notes, along with a $112.8 million direct investment by the Company, were deposited into a series of accounts that collateralize the notes and are not available to satisfy the general obligations of the Company. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the Company held assets in trust and in custody of $913.5 million and $909.2 million, of which $20.5 million and $33.2 million were held in a Debt Service Coverage account to cover interest payments on the notes. Interest on the notes accrues at an annual rate of 1-month LIBOR plus a base rate margin, payable monthly and totaled $5.1 million, $6.9 million and $7.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The payment of interest and principal on the notes is insured through a financial guaranty insurance policy by a monoline insurance company whose parent company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013. The notes represent senior, secured indebtedness of Timberlake Financial without legal recourse to RGA or its other subsidiaries.
The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that are primarily segregated by geographic region. Information related to revenues, income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and assets of the Company’s operations are summarized below (dollars in thousands).
No individual client generated 10% or more of the Company’s total gross premiums on a consolidated basis in 2013, 2012 and 2011. For the purpose of this disclosure, companies that are within the same insurance holding company structure are combined.
The intrinsic value of options exercised was $11.3 million, $11.2 million, and $12.5 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The calculation of common equivalent shares does not include the impact of options having a strike or conversion price that exceeds the average stock price for the earnings period, as the result would be antidilutive. The calculation of common equivalent shares also excludes the impact of outstanding performance contingent shares, as the conditions necessary for their issuance have not been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period. During 2013, all outstanding options were included in the calculation of common equivalent shares. Approximately 1.8 million and 1.1 million outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of common equivalent shares during 2012 and 2011, respectively. Approximately 0.7 million, 0.7 million and 0.8 million performance contingent shares were excluded from the calculation of common equivalent shares during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following table presents the components of the Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):
This AOCI component is included in the computation of the deferred policy acquisition cost. See Note 8 - “Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs” for additional details.
Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “RGA”. There were 70,615 stockholders of record of RGA’s common stock on January 31, 2014.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15. 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 financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.