We have several operating segments, each having a strategic focus. An operating segment is distinguished by products, channels of distribution, and/or other strategic distinctions. We periodically evaluate our operating segments and make adjustments to our segment reporting as needed. There were no changes to our operating segments made or required to be made as a result of the Merger on February 1, 2015.
Life Marketing-We market fixed universal life (“UL”), indexed universal life (“IUL”), variable universal life (“VUL”), bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”), and level premium term insurance (“traditional”) products on a national basis primarily through networks of independent insurance agents and brokers, broker-dealers, financial institutions, independent marketing organizations, and affinity groups.
expected to decline as the result of lapses, deaths, and other terminations of coverage unless new acquisitions are made.
Corporate and Other-This segment primarily consists of net investment income on assets supporting our equity capital, unallocated corporate overhead, and expenses not attributable to the segments above (including interest on corporate debt). This segment includes earnings from several non-strategic or runoff lines of business, financing and investment related transactions, and the operations of several small subsidiaries.
exposure to the risks of natural and man-made disasters, catastrophes, diseases, epidemics, pandemics, malicious acts, terrorist acts and climate change could adversely affect our operations and results;
our results and financial condition may be negatively affected should actual experience differ from management's assumptions and estimates;
our ability to grow depends in large part upon the continued availability of capital;
we could be forced to sell investments at a loss to cover policyholder withdrawals;
we are subject to the laws, rules, and regulations of state, federal, and foreign regulators that could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations;
financial services companies are frequently the targets of legal proceedings, including class action litigation, which could result in substantial judgments;
our reinsurers could fail to meet assumed obligations, increase rates, terminate agreements, or be subject to adverse developments that could affect us;
Derivatives - We utilize a risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to certain risks, including but not limited to, interest rate risk, inflation risk, currency exchange risk, volatility risk, and equity market risk. Assessing the effectiveness of the hedging programs and evaluating the carrying values of the related derivatives often involve a variety of assumptions and estimates. Derivative financial instruments are valued using exchange prices,
Assumptions are also made regarding future reinsurance premium rates and allowance rates. Assumptions made for mortality, persistency, and expenses are consistent with those used for establishing direct policyholder reserves and deferred acquisition costs. Assumptions made for future reinsurance premium and allowance rates are consistent with rates provided for in our various reinsurance agreements. For certain of our reinsurance agreements, premium and allowance rates may be changed by reinsurers on a prospective basis, assuming certain contractual conditions are met (primarily that rates are changed for all companies with which the reinsurer has similar agreements). We do not anticipate any changes to these rates and, therefore, have assumed continuation of these non-guaranteed rates. To the extent that future rates are modified, these assumptions would be revised and both current and future results would be affected. For traditional life products, assumptions are not changed unless projected future revenues are expected to be less than future expenses. For universal life products, assumptions are periodically updated whenever actual experience and/or expectations for the future differ from that assumed. When assumptions are updated, changes are reflected in the income statement as part of an "unlocking" process. During the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we adjusted our estimates of future reinsurance costs in both the Acquisitions and Life Marketing segments, resulting in an immaterial impact.
Deferred Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired-In conjunction with the Merger, a portion of the purchase price was allocated to the right to receive future gross profits from cash flows and earnings of the Company’s insurance policies and investment contracts as of the date of the Merger. This intangible asset, called value of business acquired (“VOBA”), is based on the actuarially estimated present value of future cash flows from the Company’s insurance policies and investment contracts in-force on the date of the Merger. The estimated present value of future cash flows used in the calculation of the VOBA is based on certain assumptions, including mortality, persistency, expenses, and interest rates that the Company expects to experience in future years. The Company amortizes VOBA in proportion to gross premiums for traditional life products, or estimated gross margins (“EGMs”) for participating traditional life products within the MONY block. For interest sensitive products, the Company uses various amortization bases including expected gross profits (“EGPs”), revenues, or insurance in-force. VOBA amortization included accrued interest credited to account balances of up to approximately 7.3%. VOBA is subject to annual recoverability testing.
We incur significant costs in connection with acquiring new insurance business. Portions of these costs, which are determined to be incremental direct costs associated with successfully acquired policies and coinsurance of blocks of policies, are deferred and amortized over future periods. The recovery of such costs is dependent on the future profitability of the related policies. The amount of future profit is dependent principally on investment returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency, and expenses to administer the business and certain economic variables, such as inflation. These costs are amortized over the expected lives of the contracts, based on the level and timing of either gross profits or gross premiums, depending on the type of contract. Revisions to estimates result in changes to the amounts expensed in the reporting period in which the revisions are made and could result in the impairment of the asset and a charge to income if estimated future profits are less than the unamortized deferred amounts. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we had a deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and VOBA asset of $2.0 billion.
Goodwill-Accounting for goodwill requires an estimate of the future profitability of the associated lines of business within our operating segments to assess the recoverability of the capitalized acquisition goodwill. We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill at the segment (or reporting unit) level at least annually and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: 1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, 2) unanticipated competition, or 3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, we first determine through qualitative analysis whether relevant events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that segment goodwill balances are impaired as of the testing date. If the qualitative analysis does not indicate that an impairment of segment goodwill is more likely than not then no other specific quantitative impairment testing is required.
Insurance Liabilities and Reserves-Establishing an adequate liability for our obligations to policyholders requires the use of assumptions. Estimating liabilities for future policy benefits on life and health insurance products requires the use of assumptions relative to future investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency, and other assumptions based on our historical experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible adverse deviation. Determining liabilities for our property and casualty insurance products also requires the use of assumptions, including the frequency and severity of claims, and the effectiveness of internal processes designed to reduce the level of claims. Our results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions that we used in determining our reserves and pricing our products. Our reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. We cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. In addition, we fair value the liability related to our equity indexed annuity product at each balance sheet date, with changes in the fair value recorded through earnings. Changes in this liability may be significantly affected by interest rate fluctuations. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we had total policy liabilities and accruals of $31.4 billion.
Stock-Based Payments-Accounting for stock-based compensation plans may require the use of option pricing models to estimate our obligations. Assumptions used in such models relate to equity market movements and volatility, the risk-free interest rate at the date of grant, expected dividend rates, and expected exercise dates. In 2015, following the Merger, the Company’s compensation plans were modified to reflect the fact that we no longer have a publicly traded class of stock to use in our compensation programs. See Note 17, Stock-Based Compensation, to the consolidated financial statements included in this report for further information.
Contingent Liabilities-The assessment of potential obligations for tax, regulatory, and litigation matters inherently involves a variety of estimates of potential future outcomes. We make such estimates after consultation with our advisors and a review of available facts. However, there can be no assurance that future outcomes will not differ from management's assessments.
Our management and Board of Directors analyzes and assesses the operating performance of each segment using "pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss)" and "after-tax adjusted operating income (loss)". Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) is our measure of segment performance. Pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) is calculated by adjusting "income (loss) before income tax," by excluding the following items:
After-tax adjusted operating income (loss) is derived from pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) with the inclusion of income tax expense or benefits associated with pre-tax adjusted operating income. Income tax expense or benefits is allocated to the items excluded from pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) at the statutory federal income tax rate of thirty five percent. Income tax expense or benefits allocated to after-tax adjusted operating income (loss) can vary period to period based on changes in the Company's effective income tax rate.
The items excluded from adjusted operating income (loss) are important to understanding the overall results of operations. Pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) and after-tax adjusted operating income (loss) are not a substitutes for income before income taxes or net income (loss), respectively. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our belief is that pre-tax and after-tax adjusted operating income (loss) enhances management's and the Board of Directors' understanding of the ongoing operations, the underlying profitability of each segment, and helps facilitate the allocation of resources.
Includes credit related other-than-temporary impairments of $17.7 million, $27.0 million, $0.5 million, and $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively.
Annuities segment pre-tax adjusted operating income was $213.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which included $103.6 million of fixed annuity adjusted operating earnings, $127.5 million of variable annuity adjusted operating earnings, and a $17.7 million loss in other annuity earnings which included $13.3 million of amortization related to intangible assets. Segment results were positively impacted by $5.3 million of favorable SPIA mortality and $8.1 million of favorable unlocking for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Stable Value Products pre-tax adjusted operating income of $61.3 million was primarily due to activity in average account values, operating spreads, and participating mortgage income. Participating mortgage income was $11.0 million and the adjusted operating spread, which excludes participating income, was 182 basis points.
Asset Protection segment pre-tax adjusted operating income was $16.5 million which consisted of service contract earnings of $12.2 million, GAP product earnings of $2.0 million, and credit insurance earnings of $2.3 million. The service contract adjusted operating earnings included $4.8 million of transaction cost associated with the US Warranty acquisition.
Net income was $268.3 million and pre-tax adjusted operating income was $484.4 million for the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
Annuities segment pre-tax adjusted operating income was $180.2 million which included $83.8 million of fixed annuity adjusted operating earnings, $111.7 million of variable annuity adjusted operating earnings, and a $15.3 million loss in other annuity earnings which included $12.2 million of amortization related to intangible assets. The fixed annuity results were negatively impacted by $0.8 million of unfavorable SPIA mortality. The segment recorded $2.4 million of favorable unlocking.
Life Marketing segment pre-tax adjusted operating income was $121.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which consisted of universal life adjusted operating income of $18.0 million, traditional life adjusted operating income of $96.1 million, and a adjusted operating income of $7.3 million in other lines. The segment recorded an unfavorable $2.6 million of prospective unlocking for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Acquisitions segment pre-tax adjusted operating income was $254.0 million. This included expected runoff of the in-force blocks of business.
Asset Protection segment pre-tax adjusted operating income was $32.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which consisted of service contract earnings of $18.1 million, GAP product earnings of $11.6 million, and credit insurance earnings of $2.8 million.
Sales data for traditional life insurance is based on annualized premiums. Universal life sales are based on annualized planned premiums, or "target" premiums if lesser, plus 6% of amounts received in excess of target premiums and 10% of single premiums. "Target" premiums for universal life are those premiums upon which full first year commissions are paid.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $39.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which consisted of universal life adjusted operating income of $50.4 million, traditional life adjusted operating income of $3.8 million, and an adjusted operating loss of $14.5 million in other lines which included $19.0 million of amortization related to intangible assets. The segment recorded an unfavorable $18.3 million of prospective unlocking and an unfavorable $10 million change in its reserve for incurred but not reported claims on lapsed policies for the year ended December 31, 2016. Traditional life adjusted operating income also included unfavorable mortality of $17.0 million.
Net premiums and policy fees were $972.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Included in this amount are traditional life net premiums of $383.7 million and universal life policy fees of $587.2 million.
Net investment income was $525.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Included in this amount is traditional life net investment income of $78.5 million and universal life investment income of $431.1 million.
Other operating expenses were $177.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Other operating expenses for the insurance companies reflect commissions of $234.5 million, general and administrative expenses of $213.9 million, and taxes, licenses, and fees of $33.1 million, partly offset by ceding allowances of $169.2 million and capitalization of $246.7 million. Marketing company expenses were $112.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Net investment income was $446.4 million for the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Included in this amount is traditional life net investment income of $59.5 million and universal life investment income of $376.0 million.
Other income was $12.8 million for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015. This amount is primarily comprised of revenue in the segment’s non-insurance operations.
Other operating expenses were $18.7 million for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015. Other operating expenses for the insurance companies reflect commissions of $16.6 million, general and administrative expenses of $17.5 million, and taxes of $2.5 million, partly offset by ceding allowances of $12.4 million and capitalization of $17.1 million. Marketing company expenses were $11.6 million for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015.
Net premiums and policy fees were $854.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Included in this amount are traditional life net premiums of $428.0 million and universal life policy fees of $424.2 million. This amount also includes a reinsurance settlement on ceded premiums of $23.5 million, which was offset in benefit and settlement expenses noted below.
Other income was $128.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This amount is comprised of revenue in the segment's non-insurance operations.
Benefit and settlement expenses were $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014. This amount includes traditional life benefit and settlement expenses of $314.3 million and universal life benefit and settlement expenses of $757.3 million, including $307.8 million of interest on funds for universal life policies. For the year ended December 31, 2014, universal life and BOLI unlocking decreased policy benefits and settlement expenses $50.2 million and was largely driven by assumption changes to mortality, reinsurance, and portfolio yields. Of the total impact due to unlocking, $23.5 million is offset by the decline in ceded premiums due to the reinsurance settlement noted above.
Other operating expenses were $169.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Other operating expenses for the insurance companies reflect commissions of $186.1 million, general and administrative expenses of $181.0 million, and taxes, licenses, and fees of $28.2 million, partly offset by ceding allowances of $150.9 million and capitalization of $196.6 million. Marketing company expenses were $121.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The ceded premiums and policy fees were primarily comprised of ceded traditional life premiums of $22.6 million and universal life policy fees of $27.2 million. Traditional life ceded premiums for the period January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 were impacted by runoff and a number of policies with post level activity.
Ceded amortization of DAC and VOBA activity was $57.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Operating revenues for the segment were $1.6 billion and included net premiums and policy fees of $832.1 million, net investment income of $764.6 million, and other income of $10.8 million. The segment experienced expected runoff in the current period.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $194.7 million. This included expected runoff of the in-force blocks of business.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $20.1 million. This included expected runoff of the in-force blocks of business.
expenses. The net investment income impact to us and the assuming companies has not been quantified as it is not fully reflected in our consolidated financial statements.
The net impact of reinsurance activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) was primarily due to ceded premiums in relation to ceded benefits and settlement expenses. Ceded benefits and settlement expenses were primarily driven by ceded claims.
Includes impact of nonperformance risk of $9.7 million, $2.2 million, $11.8 million, and $(5.3) million for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $213.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which included $103.6 million of fixed annuity adjusted operating earnings, $127.5 million of variable annuity adjusted operating earnings, and a $17.7 million loss in other annuity earnings which included $13.3 million of amortization related to intangible assets. Segment results were positively impacted by $5.3 million of favorable SPIA mortality and $8.1 million of favorable unlocking for the year ended December 31, 2016.
DAC and VOBA amortization was $16.3 million favorable for the year ended December 31, 2016 due to the allocation of negative VOBA to some of the products within the segment. There was $7.8 million of favorable unlocking recorded by the segment during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Other operating expenses were $140.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Operating expenses consisted of $38.3 million in acquisition expenses, $52.0 million in maintenance and overhead expenses, and $50.1 million in commission expenses.
Total sales were $1.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. Fixed annuity sales were $726.6 million and variable annuity sales were $593.4 million.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $180.2 million which included $83.8 million of fixed annuity adjusted operating earnings, $111.7 million of variable annuity adjusted operating earnings, and a $15.3 million loss in other annuity earnings.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $227.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which included $92.6 million of fixed annuity adjusted operating earnings, $137.1 million of variable annuity adjusted operating earnings, and a $2.1 million loss in other annuity earnings. Segment results were negatively impacted by $19.3 million of unfavorable SPIA mortality and positively impacted by $8.0 million of favorable unlocking for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Segment operating revenues were $694.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Operating revenue consisted of $465.8 million of net investment income, $149.8 million of policy fees, $149.6 million in other income, and $70.7 million of losses related to GLWB economic cost from the VA line of business.
DAC and VOBA amortization was $41.2 million favorable for the year ended December 31, 2014. There was $15.7 million of favorable unlocking recorded by the segment during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income of $73.4 million was primarily due to activity in average account values, operating spread, and participating mortgage income. Participating mortgage income was $4.9 million and adjusted operating spread, which excludes participating income and other income, was 271 basis points.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which consisted of service contract earnings of $12.2 million, GAP product earnings of $2.0 million, and credit insurance earnings of $2.3 million. The service contract adjusted operating earnings included $4.8 million of transaction cost associated with the US Warranty acquisition.
Net premiums and policy fees were $128.7 million, which consisted of service contract premiums of $72.7 million, GAP premiums of $43.3 million, and credit insurance premiums of $12.7 million.
Other income activity consisted of $98.1 million from the service contract line, $20.2 million from the GAP product line, and $0.1 million from the credit insurance line.
Benefits and settlement expenses activity was $55.4 million in service contract claims, $47.2 million in GAP claims and $4.1 million in credit insurance claims.
Amortization of DAC and VOBA consisted of $13.2 million in the credit insurance line, $11.2 million in the GAP line, and $0.8 million in the service contract line, primarily resulting from amortization of VOBA activity. Other operating expenses were $114.0 million including activity in all products lines.
Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $32.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which consisted of service contract earnings of $18.1 million, GAP product earnings of $11.6 million, and credit insurance earnings of $2.8 million.
Net premiums and policy fees were $131.7 million, which consisted of service contract premiums of $85.5 million, GAP premiums of $31.1 million, and credit insurance premiums of $15.1 million.
Amortization of DAC and VOBA consisted of $13.3 million in the credit insurance line, $6.0 million in the GAP line, and $6.0 million in the service contract line, primarily resulting from amortization of VOBA activity. Other operating expenses were $121.9 million including activity in all products lines.
Reinsurance premiums ceded of $165.9 million consisted of ceded premiums in the service contract line of $131.1 million, ceded premiums in the GAP product line of $19.5 million, and ceded premiums in the credit insurance line of $15.3 million.
Reinsurance premiums ceded of $150.6 million consisted of ceded premiums in the service contract line of $114.2 million, ceded premiums in the GAP product line of $20.5 million, and ceded premiums in the credit insurance line of $15.9 million.
Benefits and settlement expenses ceded consisted of $51.1 million in service contract ceded claims, $11.6 million in GAP ceded claims, and $3.2 million in credit insurance ceded claims.
Net investment income has no direct impact on reinsurance cost. However, by ceding business to the assuming companies, we forgo investment income on the reserves ceded. Conversely, the assuming companies will receive investment income on the
Pre-tax adjusted operating loss was $88.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which consisted of $295.5 million of other operating expenses which is primarily interest expense and unallocated corporate overhead expenses. These expenses were partially offset by $200.7 million of investment income which represents income on assets supporting our equity capital and a $9.8 million gain on the extinguishment of debt.
Operating revenues of $225.5 million were primarily due to $200.7 million of investment income which represents income on assets supporting our equity capital and a $9.8 million gain on the extinguishment of debt.
Total benefits and expenses of $193.6 million were primarily due to $179.0 million of other operating expenses which included corporate overhead expenses and $82.0 million of interest expense.
Operating revenues of $201.5 million were primarily due to $173.3 million of investment income which represents income on assets supporting our equity capital.
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), our investment portfolio was approximately $50.7 billion. The types of assets in which we may invest are influenced by various state insurance laws which prescribe qualified investment assets. Within the parameters of these laws, we invest in assets giving consideration to such factors as liquidity and capital needs, investment quality, investment return, matching of assets and liabilities, and the overall composition of the investment portfolio by asset type and credit exposure. We do not have material exposure to financial guarantee insurance companies with respect to our investment portfolio.
Within our fixed maturity investments, we maintain portfolios classified as “available-for-sale”, “trading”, and “held-to-maturity”. We purchase our available-for-sale investments with the intent to hold to maturity by purchasing investments that match future cash flow needs. However, we may sell any of our available-for-sale and trading investments to maintain proper matching of assets and liabilities. Accordingly, we classified $35.5 billion, or 86.8%, of our fixed maturities as “available-for-sale” as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). These securities are carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value for our available-for-sale portfolio, net of tax and the related impact on certain insurance assets and liabilities are recorded directly to shareowner’s equity. Declines in fair value that are other-than-temporary are recorded as realized losses in the consolidated condensed statements of income, net of any applicable non-credit component of the loss, which is recorded as an adjustment to other comprehensive income (loss).
Fixed maturities with respect to which we have both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held-to-maturity”. We classified $2.8 billion, or 6.8%, of our fixed maturities as “held-to-maturity” as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). These securities are carried at amortized cost on our consolidated balance sheets.
Included in the preceding table are $2.6 billion and $2.7 billion of fixed maturities and $52.6 million and $61.7 million of short-term investments classified as trading securities as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), respectively. All of the fixed maturities in the trading portfolio are invested assets that are held pursuant to modified coinsurance (“Modco”) arrangements under which the economic risks and benefits of the investments are passed to
third party reinsurers. Also included above are $2.8 billion and $593.3 million of securities classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), respectively.
Certain of the mortgage loans have call options that occur within the next 12 years. However, if interest rates were to significantly increase, we may be unable to exercise the call options on our existing mortgage loans commensurate with the significantly increased market rates. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), assuming the loans are called at their next call dates, approximately $167.6 million will be due in 2017, $938.3 million in 2018 through 2022, $131.0 million in 2023 through 2027, and $10.2 million thereafter.
We offer a type of commercial mortgage loan under which we will permit a loan-to-value ratio of up to 85% in exchange for a participating interest in the cash flows from the underlying real estate. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), approximately $595.2 million and $449.2 million, respectively, of our total mortgage loans principal balance have this participation feature. Cash flows received as a result of this participation feature are recorded as interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), we recognized, $16.7 million $29.8 million, $0.1 million, and $16.7 million, respectively, of participating mortgage loan income.
The following table includes a breakdown of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company):
Our mortgage loan portfolio consists of two categories of loans: 1) those not subject to a pooling and servicing agreement and 2) those subject to a contractual pooling and servicing agreement. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), $1.5 million of mortgage loans not subject to a pooling and servicing agreement were nonperforming, restructured, or mortgage loans that were foreclosed and were converted to real estate properties. We foreclosed on $1.0 million nonperforming loans during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
The information presented below relates to investments at a certain point in time and is not necessarily indicative of the status of the portfolio at any time after December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the balance sheet date. Information about unrealized gains and losses is subject to rapidly changing conditions, including volatility of financial markets and changes in interest rates. Management considers a number of factors in determining if an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, including the expected cash to be collected and the intent, likelihood, and/or ability to hold the security until recovery. Consistent with our long-standing practice, we do not utilize a “bright line test” to determine other-than-temporary impairments. On a quarterly basis, we perform an analysis on every security with an unrealized loss to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. This analysis includes reviewing several metrics including collateral, expected cash flows, ratings, and liquidity. Furthermore, since the timing of recognizing realized gains and losses is largely based on management’s decisions as to the timing and selection of investments to be sold, the tables and information provided below should be considered within the context of the overall unrealized gain/(loss) position of the portfolio. We had an overall net unrealized loss of $1.7 billion, prior to tax and the related impact of certain insurance assets and liabilities offsets, as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), and an overall net unrealized loss of $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company).
Expectations that investments in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities will continue to perform in accordance with their contractual terms are based on assumptions that a market participant would use in determining the current fair value. It is reasonably possible that the underlying collateral of these investments will perform worse than current market expectations and that such an event may lead to adverse changes in the cash flows on our holdings of these types of securities. This could lead to potential future write-downs within our portfolio of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Expectations that our investments in corporate securities and/or debt obligations will continue to perform in accordance with their contractual terms are based on evidence gathered through our normal credit surveillance process. Although we do not anticipate such events, it is reasonably possible that issuers of our investments in corporate securities will perform worse than current expectations. Such events may lead us to recognize potential future write-downs within our portfolio of corporate securities. It is also possible that such unanticipated
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), securities in an unrealized loss position that were rated as below investment grade represented 4.2% of the total fair value and 6.3% of the total unrealized loss. We have the ability and intent to hold these securities to maturity. After a review of each security and its expected cash flows, we believe the decline in market value to be temporary.
Not included in the table above are $2.4 billion of investment grade and $263.1 million of below investment grade fixed maturities classified as trading securities and $2.8 billion of fixed maturities classified as held-to-maturity.
Limiting bond exposure to any creditor group is another way we manage credit risk. We held no credit default swaps on the positions listed below as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). The following table summarizes our ten largest maturity exposures to an individual creditor group as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company):
Securities in an unrealized loss position are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment is present based on certain quantitative and qualitative factors. We consider a number of factors in determining whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. These include, but are not limited to: 1) actions taken by rating agencies, 2) default by the issuer, 3) the significance of the decline, 4) an assessment of our intent to sell the security (including a more likely than not assessment of whether we will be required to sell the security) before recovering the security’s amortized cost, 5) the time period during which the decline has occurred, 6) an economic analysis of the issuer’s industry, and 7) the financial strength, liquidity, and recoverability of the issuer. Management performs a security-by-security review each quarter in evaluating the need for any other-than-temporary impairments. Although no set formula is used in this process, the investment performance, collateral position, and continued viability of the issuer are significant measures considered, along with an analysis regarding our expectations for recovery of the security’s entire amortized cost basis through the receipt of future cash flows. Based on our analysis, for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we concluded that approximately $17.7 million of investment securities in an unrealized loss position were other-than-temporarily impaired, due to credit related factors, resulting in a charge to earnings. Additionally, we recognized $14.3 million of non-credit losses in other comprehensive income (loss).
As previously discussed, management considers several factors when determining other-than-temporary impairments. Although we purchase securities with the intent to hold them until maturity, we may change our position as a result of a change in circumstances. Any such decision is consistent with our classification of all but a specific portion of our investment portfolio as available-for-sale. For the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we sold securities in an unrealized loss position with a fair value of $85.8 million. For such securities, the proceeds, realized loss, and total time period that the security had been in an unrealized loss position are presented in the table below:
We use various derivative instruments to manage risks related to certain life insurance and annuity products. We can use these derivatives as economic hedges against risks inherent in the products. These risks have a direct impact on the cost of these products and are correlated with the equity markets, interest rates, foreign currency levels, and overall volatility. The hedged risks are recorded through the recognition of embedded derivatives associated with the products. These products include the GLWB rider associated with the variable annuity, fixed indexed annuity products as well as indexed universal life products. During the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we experienced net realized losses on derivatives related to VA contracts of approximately $49.7 million. These net losses on derivatives related to VA contracts in addition to capital market impacts were affected by changes in assumed mortality and GLWB utilization.
We also use various swaps and other types of derivatives to mitigate risk related to other exposures. These contracts generated immaterial losses for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
Our primary sources of capital are retained income from our operating subsidiaries, capital infusions from our parent, as well as our ability to access debt financing markets. Additionally, we have access to the Credit Facility discussed below.
On February 2, 2015, we amended and restated the Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”). Under the Credit Facility, we have the ability to borrow on an unsecured basis up to an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. We have the right in certain circumstances to request that the commitment under the Credit Facility be increased up to a maximum principal amount of $1.25 billion. We are not aware of any non-compliance with the financial debt covenants of the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). There was an outstanding balance of $170.0 million bearing interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.00% as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
Our aggregate principal balance (long-term debt with maturities greater than 1 year, subordinated debt securities, and a revolving line of credit) decreased $368.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), as compared to a decrease of $69.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 (Successor Company).
Debt increases (reductions) in the revolving line of credit during 2016 and 2015 are detailed below:
Our insurance subsidiaries maintain investment strategies intended to provide adequate funds to pay benefits and expected surrenders, withdrawals, loans, and redemption obligations without forced sales of investments. In addition, our insurance subsidiaries hold highly liquid, high-quality short-term investment securities and other liquid investment grade fixed maturity securities to fund our expected operating expenses, surrenders, and withdrawals. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), our total cash and invested assets were $51.0 billion. The life insurance subsidiaries were committed as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), to fund mortgage loans in the amount of $855.3 million.
Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Investing Activities-Net cash used in investing activities-Changes in cash from investing activities primarily related to our investment portfolio and the purchase of $2.2 billion of held-to-maturity securities issued by affiliates in conjunction with the GLAIC reinsurance transaction. See Note 3, Significant Transactions and Note 15, Debt and Other Obligations for additional information on the transaction.
2016 (Successor Company), which occurred with the GLAIC reinsurance transaction. See Note 3, Significant Transactions and Note 15, Debt and Other Obligations for additional information on the transaction.
While we anticipate that the cash flows of our operating subsidiaries will be sufficient to meet our investment commitments and operating cash needs in a normal credit market environment, we recognize that investment commitments scheduled to be funded may, from time to time, exceed the funds then available. Therefore, we have established repurchase agreement programs for certain of our insurance subsidiaries to provide liquidity when needed. We expect that the rate received on our investments will equal or exceed our borrowing rate. Under this program, we may, from time to time, sell an investment security at a specific price and agree to repurchase that security at another specified price at a later date. These borrowings are typically for a term less than 90 days. The market value of securities to be repurchased is monitored and collateral levels are adjusted where appropriate to protect the counterparty against credit exposure. Cash received is invested in fixed maturity securities, and the agreements provided for net settlement in the event of default or on termination of the agreements. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the fair value of securities pledged under the repurchase program was $861.7 million and the repurchase obligation of $797.7 million was included in our consolidated balance sheets (at an average borrowing rate of 65 basis points). During 2016 (Successor Company), the maximum balance outstanding at any one point in time related to these programs was $1,065.8 million. The average daily balance was $505.4 million (at an average borrowing rate of 44 basis points) during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). As of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the fair value of securities pledged under the repurchase program was $479.9 million and the repurchase obligation of $438.2 million was included in our consolidated balance sheets. During the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company) and the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), the maximum balance outstanding at any one point in time related to these programs was $912.7 million and $175.0 million, respectively. The average daily balance was $540.3 million and $77.4 million (at an average borrowing rate of 20 and 16 basis points) during the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company) and the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company).
On December 1, 2016, PLICO completed the acquisition of the Pompano Beach, Florida-based USWC Holding Company (“US Warranty”), pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement. The Company accounted for this transaction under the purchase method of accounting as required by FASB guidance under the ASC Business Combinations topic. This guidance requires that the total purchase price be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the acquisition date. The aggregate purchase price for US Warranty was $136.1 million.
Our life insurance subsidiaries are subject to a regulation entitled “Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation,” commonly known as “Regulation XXX,” and a supporting guideline entitled “The Application of the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation,” commonly known as “Guideline AXXX.” The regulation and supporting guideline require insurers to establish statutory reserves for term and universal life insurance policies with long-term premium guarantees that are consistent with the statutory reserves required for other individual life insurance policies with similar guarantees. Many market participants believe that these levels of reserves are non-economic. We use captive reinsurance companies to implement reinsurance and capital management actions to satisfy these reserve requirements by financing the non-economic reserves either through the issuance of non-recourse funding obligations by the captives or obtaining Letters of Credit from third-party financial institutions. For more information regarding our use of captives and their impact on our financial statements, please refer to Note 15, Debt and Other Obligations.
We also use a captive reinsurance company to reinsure risks associated with GLWB and GMDB riders which helps us to manage those risks on an economic basis. In an effort to mitigate the equity market risks relative to our RBC ratio, in the fourth quarter of 2012, we established an indirect wholly owned insurance subsidiary, Shades Creek Captive Insurance Company (“Shades Creek”), to which PLICO has reinsured GLWB and GMDB riders related to certain of its VA contracts. The purpose of Shades Creek is to reduce the volatility in RBC due to non-economic variables included within the RBC calculation.
adversely affect sales, relationships with distributors, the level of policy surrenders and withdrawals, competitive position in the marketplace, and the cost or availability of reinsurance. The rating agencies may take various actions, positive or negative, with respect to the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, including as a result of our status as a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life.
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we had policy liabilities and accruals of approximately $31.4 billion. Our interest-sensitive life insurance policies have a weighted average minimum credited interest rate of approximately 3.49%.
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), we carried a $9.8 million liability for uncertain tax positions, including interest on unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are not included in the long-term contractual obligations table because of the difficulty in making reasonably reliable estimates of the occurrence or timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities.
Represents secured borrowings as part of our repurchase program as well as related interest.
We have not yet determined the total amount we will fund during 2017, but we estimate that the amount will be between $1 million and $10 million.
For a complete discussion of our benefit plans, additional information related to the funded status of our benefit plans, and our funding policy, see Note 18, Employee Benefit Plans, to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), total derivative contracts with a notional amount of $25.5 billion were in a $444.6 million net loss position. Included in the $25.5 billion is a notional amount of $2.5 billion in a $138.7 million net loss position that relates to our Modco trading portfolio. Also included in the total, is $10.6 billion in a $115.4 million net loss position that relates to our GLWB embedded derivatives, $1.5 billion in a $147.4 million net loss position that relates to our FIA embedded derivatives, and $103.8 million in a $46.1 million net loss position that relates to our IUL embedded derivatives. As of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), total derivative contracts with a notional amount of $21.4 billion were in a $508.8 million net loss position. Included in the $21.4 billion is a notional amount of $2.5 billion in a $177.1 million net loss position that relates to our Modco trading portfolio. Also included in the total, is $10.3 billion in a $181.6 million net loss position that relates to our GLWB embedded derivatives, $1.1 billion in a $100.3 million net loss position that relates to our FIA embedded derivatives, and $57.8 million in a $29.6 million net loss position that relates to our IUL embedded derivatives. We recognized losses of $40.3 million, gains of $30.0 million, and losses of $346.9 million related to derivative financial instruments for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), for the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively.
The following presents our estimates of the hypothetical impact to the December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) benefit obligation and to the 2016 benefit cost, associated with sensitivities related to the discount rate assumption:
For our postretirement life insurance plan, we utilized 25 year average and annualized return results on the Barclay's short treasury index to determine an appropriate long-term rate of return assumption.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Such accounting principles differ from statutory reporting practices used by insurance companies in reporting to state regulatory authorities (see also Note 24, Statutory Reporting Practices and Other Regulatory Matters).
The fair value of fixed maturity, short-term, and equity securities is determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: third party pricing services, non-binding independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices. Security pricing is applied using a "waterfall" approach whereby publicly available prices are first sought from third party pricing services, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers for non-binding prices, or lastly, securities are priced using a pricing matrix. Typical inputs used by these three pricing methods include, but are not limited to: benchmark yields,
In conjunction with the Merger, property and equipment was recorded at fair value as of the Merger date and will be depreciated from this basis in future periods based on the respective estimated useful lives. Real estate assets were recorded at appraised values as of the acquisition date. The Company has estimated the remaining useful life of the home office building to be 25 years. Land is not depreciated.
The Company depreciates its assets using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company's furniture is depreciated over a ten year useful life, office equipment and machines are depreciated over a five year useful life, and computers are depreciated over a three year useful life. Major repairs or improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Other repairs are expensed as incurred. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of property and equipment sold or retired are removed from the accounts, and resulting gains or losses are included in income.
The separate account assets represent funds for which the Company does not bear the investment risk. These assets are carried at fair value and are equal to the separate account liabilities, which represent the policyholder's equity in those assets. The investment income and investment gains and losses on the separate account assets accrue directly to the policyholder. These amounts are reported separately as assets and liabilities related to separate accounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Amounts assessed against policy account balances for the costs of insurance, policy administration, and other services are included in premiums and policy fees in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
The Stable Value Products segment sells fixed and floating rate funding agreements directly to qualified institutional investors. The segment also issues funding agreements to the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"), and markets guaranteed investment contracts ("GICs") to 401(k) and other qualified retirement savings plans. GICs are contracts which specify a return on deposits for a specified period and often provide flexibility for withdrawals at book value in keeping with the benefits provided by the plan.
The segment's products complement the Company's overall asset/liability management in that the terms may be tailored to the needs of PLICO as the seller of the contracts. Stable value product account balances include GICs and funding agreements the Company has issued. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the Company had $1,872.5 million and $400.7 million, respectively, of stable value product account balances marketed through structured programs. Most GICs and funding agreements the Company has written have maturities of one to twelve years.
reported in "Realized investment gains (losses)-Derivative financial instruments". For additional information, see Note 8, Derivative Financial Instruments.
The balance recognized as goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently as events or circumstances may warrant, including those circumstances which would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the Company’s reporting units below its carrying amount. Accounting for goodwill requires an estimate of the future profitability of the associated lines of business within the Company's operating segments to assess the recoverability of the capitalized acquisition goodwill. The Company’s material goodwill balances are attributable to certain of its operating segments (which are each considered to be reporting units). The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill at the segment (or reporting unit) level at least annually and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: 1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, 2) unanticipated competition, or 3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, the Company first determines through qualitative analysis whether relevant events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that segment goodwill balances are impaired as of the testing date. If the qualitative analysis does not indicate that an impairment of segment goodwill is more likely than not then no other specific quantitative impairment testing is required.
The Company holds certain investments in entities in which its ownership interests could possibly be considered variable interests under Topic 810 of the FASB ASC (excluding debt and equity securities held as trading, available for sale, or held to maturity). The Company reviews the characteristics of each of these applicable entities and compares those characteristics to applicable criteria to determine whether the entity is a Variable Interest Entity ("VIE"). If the entity is determined to be a VIE, the Company then performs a detailed review to determine whether the interest would be considered a variable interest under the guidance. The Company then performs a qualitative review of all variable interests with the entity and determines whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. ASC 810 provides that an entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE if the entity has 1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, and 2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For more information on the Company's investment in a VIE refer to Note 6, Investment Operations, to the consolidated financial statements.
Liabilities for future policy benefits on traditional life insurance products have been computed using a net level method including assumptions as to investment yields, mortality, persistency, and other assumptions based on the Company's experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible adverse deviation. Reserve investment yield assumptions on December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), range from approximately 3.0% to 4.5%. The liability for future policy benefits and claims on traditional life, health, and credit insurance products includes estimated unpaid claims that have been reported to us and claims incurred but not yet reported. Policy claims are charged to expense in the period in which the claims are incurred.
Universal life and investment products include universal life insurance, guaranteed investment contracts, guaranteed funding agreements, deferred annuities, and annuities without life contingencies. Premiums and policy fees for universal life and investment products consist of fees that have been assessed against policy account balances for the costs of insurance, policy administration, and surrenders. Such fees are recognized when assessed and earned. Benefit reserves for universal life and investment products represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges plus certain deferred policy initiation fees that are recognized in income over the term of the policies. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy account balances and interest credited to policy account balances.
Interest rates credited to universal life products ranged from 1.0% to 8.75% and investment products ranged from 0.4% to 11.3% in 2016.
applicable financial reporting period. Expense allowances paid by the assuming companies which are allocable to the current period are treated as an offset to other operating expenses. Since reinsurance treaties typically provide for allowance percentages that decrease over the lifetime of a policy, allowances in excess of the "ultimate" or final level allowance are capitalized. Amortization of capitalized reinsurance expense allowances representing recovery of acquisition costs is treated as an offset to direct amortization of DAC or VOBA. Amortization of deferred expense allowances is calculated as a level percentage of expected premiums in all durations given expected future lapses and mortality and accretion due to interest.
ASU No. 2015-03 - Interest-Imputation of Interest. The objective of this Update is to eliminate diversity in practice related to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this Update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this Update. The Update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires revised presentation of debt issuance costs in all periods presented in the financial statements. The Update did not impact the Company's financial position or results of operations, and the Company is prepared to comply with the revised guidance in future periods.
ASU No. 2015-05 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software. The amendments in this Update provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The Update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Update did not impact the Company's financial position or results of operations, and the Company has revised its policies and processes to comply with the new standard.
ASU No. 2015-09 - Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The amendments in this Update require additional disclosures for short-duration contracts issued by insurance entities. The additional disclosures focus on the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses and include incurred and paid claims development information by accident year in tabular form, along with a reconciliation of this information to the statement of financial position. For accident years included in the development tables, the amendments also require disclosure of the total incurred-but-not-reported liabilities and expected development on reported claims, along with claims frequency information unless impracticable. Finally, the amendments require disclosure of the historical average annual percentage payout of incurred claims. With the exception of the current reporting period, claims development information may be presented as supplementary information. The Update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The additional disclosures introduced in this Update were not required for the Company, as the short-duration lines of business to which they apply were not material to the Company’s financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-15 - Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this Update are intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. Specific transactions addressed in the new guidance include: Debt prepayment/extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, and distributions received from equity method investments. The Update does not introduce any new accounting or financial reporting requirements, and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is reviewing its policies and processes to ensure compliance with the requirements in this Update, upon adoption.
On January 15, 2016, PLICO completed the transaction contemplated by the Master Agreement, dated September 30, 2015 (the “Master Agreement”), with Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company (“GLAIC”). Pursuant to the Master Agreement, effective January 1, 2016, PLICO entered into a reinsurance agreement (the “Reinsurance Agreement”) under the terms of which PLICO coinsures certain term life insurance business of GLAIC (the “GLAIC Block”). In connection with the reinsurance transaction, on January 15, 2016, Golden Gate Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate”), a wholly owned subsidiary of PLICO, and Steel City, LLC (“Steel City”), a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an 18-year transaction to finance $2.188 billion of “XXX” reserves related to the acquired GLAIC Block and the other term life insurance business reinsured to Golden Gate by PLICO and West Coast Life Insurance Company ("WCL"), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of PLICO. Steel City issued notes with an aggregate initial principal amount of $2.188 billion to Golden Gate in exchange for a surplus note issued by Golden Gate with an initial principal amount of $2.188 billion. Through the structure, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America (Bermuda) Ltd., The Canada Life Assurance Company (Barbados Branch) and Nomura Americas Re Ltd. (collectively, the “Risk-Takers”) provide credit enhancement to the Steel City notes for the 18-year term in exchange for credit enhancement fees. The transaction is “non-recourse” to PLICO, WCL and the Company, meaning that none of these companies are liable to reimburse the Risk-Takers for any credit enhancement payments required to be made. In connection with the transaction, the Company has entered into certain support agreements under which it guarantees or otherwise supports certain obligations of Golden Gate or Steel City, including a guarantee of the fees to the Risk-Takers. As a result of the financing transaction described above, the $800 million of Golden Gate Series A Surplus Notes held by the Company were contributed to PLICO and then subsequently contributed to Golden Gate, which resulted in the extinguishment of these notes. Also on January 15, 2016, Golden Gate paid an extraordinary dividend of $300 million to PLICO as approved by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation.
On December 1, 2016, PLICO completed the acquisition of the Pompano Beach, Florida-based USWC Holding Company (“US Warranty”) pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement. US Warranty's primary operating subsidiary is United States Warranty Corp., which currently markets vehicle service contracts, GAP coverage, and a suite of ancillary automotive maintenance and protection products nationwide. This acquisition is expected to provide the Company's Asset Protection segment and USWC with expanded market reach, enhanced product and operational capabilities, and higher collective growth potential.
(including identifiable intangibles) in the Merger, and reflected the Company’s assembled workforce, future growth potential and other sources of value not associated with identifiable assets. During the measurement period subsequent to February 1, 2015, the Company made adjustments to provisional amounts related to certain tax balances that resulted in a decrease to goodwill of $3.3 million from the amount recorded at the Merger date. The balance of goodwill associated with the Merger as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) is $732.4 million. None of the goodwill is tax deductible.
The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the acquisition and the preliminary determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Merger date:
The Company recorded costs related to the Merger in either the predecessor or successor periods based on the specific facts and circumstances underlying each individual transaction. Certain of these costs were fully contingent on the consummation of the Merger on February 1, 2015 (Successor Company). These costs are not expensed in either the Predecessor or Successor Company Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Liabilities for payment of these contingent costs are included in the opening balance sheet as of February 1, 2015 (Successor Company), and the nature and amount of the costs are discussed below.
The number of performance shares earned for each award of performance shares granted under any Stock Plan was calculated by determining the number of performance shares that would have been paid if the subject award period had ended on the December 31 immediately preceding the Merger (based on the conditions set for payment of performance share awards for the subject award period), provided that the number of performance shares earned for each award were not less than the aggregate number of performance shares at the target performance level. Each performance share earned that was outstanding immediately prior to the Merger, whether or not vested, was cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding taxes, determined by multiplying (i) the Per Share Merger Consideration by (ii) the number of Performance Shares.
Summarized financial information for the Closed Block as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company) and is as follows:
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity fixed maturities as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), by expected maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities of securities without a single maturity date are allocated based on estimated rates of prepayment that may differ from actual rates of prepayment.
The following table includes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company's investments that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company):
The book value of the Company’s investment portfolio was marked to fair value as of February 1, 2015 (Successor Company), in conjunction with the Dai-ichi Merger which resulted in the elimination of previously unrealized gains and losses from accumulated other comprehensive income. The level of interest rates as of February 1, 2015 (Successor Company) resulted in an increase in the carrying value of the Company’s investments. Since February 1, 2015 (Successor Company), interest rates have increased resulting in net unrealized losses in the Company’s investment portfolio.
The Company does not consider these unrealized loss positions to be other-than-temporary, based on the aggregate factors discussed previously and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until the fair values recover, and does not intend to sell or expect to be required to sell the securities before recovering the Company's amortized cost of the securities.
The amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), are as follows:
The Company’s held-to-maturity securities had $78.3 million of gross unrecognized holding losses as of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company). The Company does not consider these unrecognized holding losses to be other-than-temporary based on certain positive factors associated with the securities which include credit ratings of the guarantor, financial health of the issuer and guarantor, continued access of the issuer to capital markets and other pertinent information.
The activity most significant to Red Mountain is the issuance of a note in connection with a financing transaction involving Golden Gate V Vermont Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate V”) in which Golden Gate V issued non-recourse funding obligations to Red Mountain and Red Mountain issued a note (the "Red Mountain Note") to Golden Gate V. For details of this transaction, see Note 15, Debt and Other Obligations. The Company has the power, via its 100% ownership through an affiliate, to direct the activities of the VIE, but did not have the obligation to absorb losses related to the primary risks or sources of variability to the VIE. The variability of loss would be borne primarily by the third party in its function as provider of credit enhancement on the Red Mountain Note. Accordingly, it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company’s risk of loss related to the VIE is limited to its investment, through an affiliate, of $10,000. Additionally, the Company has guaranteed Red Mountain’s payment obligation for the credit enhancement fee to the unrelated third party provider. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), no payments have been made or required related to this guarantee.
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or significant inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include the following:
The following table presents the Company's hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company):
market rate. Fair values reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, the Company’s credit standing, liquidity and where appropriate, risk margins on unobservable parameters. The following is a discussion of the methodologies used to determine fair values for the financial instruments as listed in the above table.
The fair value of fixed maturity, short-term, and equity securities is determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: third party pricing services, non-binding independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices. Security pricing is applied using a "waterfall" approach whereby publicly available prices are first sought from third party pricing services, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers for non-binding prices, or lastly, securities are priced using a pricing matrix. Typical inputs used by these three pricing methods include, but are not limited to: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. Third party pricing services price approximately 91% of the Company's available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for available-for-sale and trading fixed maturities, third party pricing services derive the majority of security prices from observable market inputs such as recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information outlined above. If there are no recent reported trades, the third party pricing services and brokers may use matrix or model processes to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Certain securities are priced via independent non-binding broker quotations, which are considered to have no significant unobservable inputs. When using non-binding independent broker quotations, the Company obtains one quote per security, typically from the broker from which we purchased the security. A pricing matrix is used to price securities for which the Company is unable to obtain or effectively rely on either a price from a third party pricing service or an independent broker quotation.
For securities that are priced via non-binding independent broker quotations, the Company assesses whether prices received from independent brokers represent a reasonable estimate of fair value through an analysis using internal and external cash flow models developed based on spreads and, when available, market indices. The Company uses a market-based cash flow analysis to validate the reasonableness of prices received from independent brokers. These analytics, which are updated daily, incorporate various metrics (yield curves, credit spreads, prepayment rates, etc.) to determine the valuation of such holdings. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines there is a more appropriate fair value based upon the analytics, the price received from the independent broker is adjusted accordingly. The Company did not adjust any quotes or prices received from brokers during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
This category mainly consists of residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities (collectively referred to as asset-backed securities or "ABS"). As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company held $4.9 billion of ABS classified as Level 2. These securities are priced from information provided by a third party pricing service and independent broker quotes. The third party pricing services and brokers mainly value securities using both a market and income approach to valuation. As part of this valuation process they consider the following characteristics of the item being measured to be relevant inputs: 1) weighted-average coupon rate, 2) weighted-average years to maturity, 3) types of underlying assets, 4) weighted-average coupon rate of the underlying assets, 5) weighted-average years to maturity of the underlying assets, 6) seniority level of the tranches owned, and 7) credit ratings of the securities.
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company held $647.2 million of Level 3 ABS, which included $562.6 million of other asset-backed securities classified as available-for-sale and $84.6 million of other asset-backed securities classified as trading. These securities within the available-for-sale portfolio are predominantly ARS whose underlying collateral is at least 97% guaranteed by the FFELP. Due to the limited activity in the market for these securities, in periods where there are insufficient market transactions the Company prices its ARS using an income approach valuation model. As part of the valuation process the Company reviews the following characteristics of the ARS in determining the relevant inputs: 1) weighted-average
The Company has assumed and ceded certain blocks of policies under modified coinsurance agreements in which the investment results of the underlying portfolios inure directly to the reinsurers. As a result, these agreements contain embedded derivatives that are reported at fair value. Changes in their fair value are reported in earnings. The investments supporting these agreements are designated as "trading securities"; therefore changes in their fair value are also reported in earnings. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the fair value of the embedded derivative is based upon the relationship between the statutory policy liabilities (net of policy loans) of $2.4 billion and the statutory unrealized gain (loss) of the securities of $147.3 million. As a result, changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are largely offset by the changes in fair value of the related investments and each are reported in earnings. The fair value of the embedded derivative is considered a Level 3 valuation due to the unobservable nature of the policy liabilities.
The Company records a certain legacy block of FIA reserves at fair value. Based on the characteristics of these reserves, the Company believes that the fund value approximates fair value. The fair value measurement of these reserves is considered a Level 3 valuation due to the unobservable nature of the fund values. The Level 3 fair value as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) is $87.6 million.
The Company has considered all reasonably available quantitative inputs as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), but the valuation techniques and inputs used by some brokers in pricing certain financial instruments are not shared with the Company. This resulted in $128.2 million of financial instruments being classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). Of the $128.2 million, $93.9 million are other asset-backed securities, $31.3 million are corporate securities, and $3.1 million are equity securities.
In certain cases the Company has determined that book value materially approximates fair value. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company held $65.9 million of financial instruments where book value approximates fair value which was predominantly FHLB stock.
The asset-backed securities classified as Level 3 are predominantly ARS. A change in the paydown rate (the projected annual rate of principal reduction) of the ARS can significantly impact the fair value of these securities. A decrease in the paydown rate would increase the projected weighted average life of the ARS and increase the sensitivity of the ARS’ fair value to changes
in interest rates. An increase in the liquidity premium would result in a decrease in the fair value of the securities, while a decrease in the liquidity premium would increase the fair value of these securities. The liquidation value for these securities are sensitive to the issuer's available cash flows and ability to redeem the securities, as well as the current holders' willingness to liquidate at the specified price.
For the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), there were $12.2 million transfers from Level 2 to Level 1.
For the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), there were $0.1 million transfers from Level 1 into Level 2. In addition, there was transfers of $169.4 million in other long-term investments and $120.0 million in other liabilities from Level 1 to Level 2.
For the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), there were $90.4 million transfers from Level 2 to Level 1.
For the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), there were $21.0 million transfers from Level 1 into Level 2.
Of this carrying amount $565.0 million, fair value of $567.1 million, as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), and $500.0 million, fair value of $495.5 million, as of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), relates to non-recourse funding obligations issued by Golden Gate V.
from the policy. Due to the collateralized nature of policy loans and unpredictable timing of repayments, the Company believes the fair value of policy loans approximates carrying value.
Previously, the Company's policy had been to disclose the fair value of annuity account balances, as reported on the consolidated balance sheets, in the table above. During 2016, the Company revised its classification criteria with respect to the disclosure of its insurance products to include only guaranteed investment contracts, term-certain annuities, and similar products which are classified as investment contracts pursuant to ASC 944 - Insurance Contracts. Amounts in the table above, including the comparative figures as of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), reflect this policy change, which the Company believes this provides more detailed and useful information to financial statement users.
The Company may use the following types of derivative contracts to mitigate its exposure to certain guaranteed benefits related to VA contracts and fixed indexed annuities:
The Company reports changes in fair values of derivatives that are not part of a qualifying hedge relationship through earnings in the period of change. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are recognized in current earnings are reported in "Realized investment gains (losses)-Derivative financial instruments."
To hedge certain inflation-adjusted funding agreements, the Company entered into swaps to essentially convert the floating CPI-linked interest rate on the agreements to a fixed rate. The Company paid a fixed rate on the swap and received a floating rate primarily determined by the period's change in the CPI. The amounts received on the swaps almost equal to the amounts that were paid on the agreements. None of these positions were held as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), as these funding agreements and correlating swaps matured in June 2015.
The Company uses equity, interest rate, currency, and volatility futures to mitigate the risk related to certain guaranteed minimum benefits, including GLWB, within its VA products. In general, the cost of such benefits varies with the level of equity and interest rate markets, foreign currency levels, and overall volatility.
The Company uses interest rate swaps and interest rate swaptions to mitigate the risk related to certain guaranteed minimum benefits, including GLWB, within its VA products.
The Company markets certain IUL products. The IUL component is considered an embedded derivative, not considered to be clearly and closely related to the host contract.
Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that provide for the net settlement of all derivative contracts between the Company and a counterparty in the event of default or upon the occurrence of certain termination events. Collateral support agreements associated with each master netting arrangement provide that the Company will receive or pledge financial collateral in the event either minimum thresholds, or in certain cases ratings levels, have been reached. Additionally, certain of the Company's repurchase agreements provide for net settlement on termination of the agreement. Refer to Note 15, Debt and Other Obligations for details of the Company's repurchase agreement programs.
The Company invests a portion of its investment portfolio in commercial mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company's mortgage loan holdings were approximately $6.1 billion. The Company has specialized in making loans on credit-oriented commercial properties, credit-anchored strip shopping centers, senior living facilities, and apartments. The Company’s underwriting procedures relative to its commercial loan portfolio are based, in the Company’s view,
The following table includes a breakdown of the Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio by property type as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company):
The Company specializes in originating mortgage loans on either credit-oriented or credit-anchored commercial properties. No single tenant's exposure represents more than 1.7% of mortgage loans. Approximately 65.7% of the mortgage loans are on properties located in the following states:
The Company offers a type of commercial mortgage loan under which the Company will permit a loan-to-value ratio of up to 85% in exchange for a participating interest in the cash flows from the underlying real estate. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), approximately $595.2 million and $449.2 million, respectively, of the Company's mortgage loans have this participation feature. Cash flows received as a result of this participation feature are recorded as interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), and the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), the Company recognized $16.7 million, $29.8 million, and $0.1 million of participating mortgage loan income, respectively.
As of December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), approximately $24.5 million, or 0.05%, of invested assets consisted of nonperforming, restructured or mortgage loans that were foreclosed and were converted to real estate properties. The Company does not expect these investments to adversely affect its liquidity or ability to maintain proper matching of assets and liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), certain mortgage loan transactions occurred that were accounted for as troubled debt restructurings. For all mortgage loans, the impact of troubled debt restructurings is generally reflected in our investment balance and in the allowance for mortgage loan credit losses. Transactions accounted for as troubled debt restructurings during the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company) included either the acceptance of assets in satisfaction of principal at a future date or the recognition of permanent impairments to principal, and were the result of agreements between the creditor and the debtor. During the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), the Company accepted or agreed to accept assets of $33.0 million in satisfaction of $41.7 million of principal. The Company also identified one loan whose principal of $12.6 million was permanently impaired to a value of $7.3 million. These transactions resulted in realized losses of $10.3 million and a decrease in the Company’s investment in mortgage loans net of existing allowances for mortgage loans losses.
The Company's mortgage loan portfolio consists of two categories of loans: 1) those not subject to a pooling and servicing agreement and 2) those subject to a contractual pooling and servicing agreement. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), $1.5 million of mortgage loans not subject to a pooling and servicing agreement were nonperforming, restructured, or mortgage loans that were foreclosed and were converted to real estate. None of the restructured loans were nonperforming during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). The Company foreclosed on $1.0 million nonperforming loans during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), none of the loans subject to a pooling and servicing agreement were nonperforming or restructured. The Company did not foreclose on any nonperforming loans subject to a pooling and servicing agreement during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
risk of credit impairment. The Company has a team of professionals that monitors borrower conditions such as payment practices, borrower credit, operating performance, and property conditions, as well as ensuring the timely payment of property taxes and insurance. Through this monitoring process, the Company assesses the risk of each loan. When issues are identified, the severity of the issues are assessed and reviewed for possible credit impairment. If a loss is probable, an expected loss calculation is performed and an allowance is established for that loan based on the expected loss. The expected loss is calculated as the excess carrying value of a loan over either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, or the current estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral. A loan may be subsequently charged off at such point that the Company no longer expects to receive cash payments, the present value of future expected payments of the renegotiated loan is less than the current principal balance, or at such time that the Company is party to foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings associated with the borrower and does not expect to recover the principal balance of the loan.
It is the Company's policy to cease accuring interest on loans that are over 90 days delinquent. For loans less than 90 days delinquent, interest is accrued unless it is determined that the accrued interest is not collectible. If a loan becomes over 90 days delinquent, it is the Company's general policy to initiate foreclosure proceedings unless a workout arrangement to bring the loan current is in place. For loans subject to a pooling and servicing agreement, there are certain additional restrictions and/or requirements related to workout proceedings, and as such, these loans may have different attributes and/or circumstances affecting the status of delinquency or categorization of those in nonperforming status. An analysis of the delinquent loans is shown in the following chart:
The Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists of mortgage loans that are collateralized by real estate. Due to the collateralized nature of the loans, any assessment of impairment and ultimate loss given a default on the loans is based upon a consideration of the estimated fair value of the real estate. The Company limits accrued interest income on impaired loans to ninety days of interest. Once accrued interest on the impaired loan is received, interest income is recognized on a cash basis. For information regarding impaired loans, please refer to the following chart:
As of February 1, 2015, the existing DAC and VOBA balance was written off in conjunction with the Merger previously disclosed in Note 4, Dai-ichi Merger and in accordance with ASC Topic 805-Business Combinations.
Concurrently, a VOBA asset was created representing the actuarial estimated present value of future cash flows from the Company's insurance policies and investment contracts in-force on the date of the Merger.
On the date of the Merger, goodwill of $735.7 million was recognized as the excess of the purchase considerations over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the measurement period subsequent to February 1, 2015, the Company has made adjustments to provisional amounts related to certain tax balances that resulted in a decrease to goodwill of $3.3 million from the amount recorded at the Merger date. The balance of goodwill associated with the Merger as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) was $732.4 million. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company performed its annual qualitative evaluation of goodwill based on the circumstances that existed as of October 1, 2016 (Successor Company) and determined that there was no indication that its segment goodwill was more likely than not impaired, thus no quantitative assessment was performed and no adjustment to impair goodwill was necessary. The Company has assessed whether events have occurred subsequent to October 1, 2016 that would impact the Company's conclusion and no such events were identified. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company increased its goodwill balance by approximately $61.0 million in the Asset Protection segment, which was attributed to the US Warranty acquisition. Refer to Note 3, Significant Transactions. The balance of goodwill for the Company as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) was $793.5 million. See Note 3, Significant Transactions for more information.
Reinsurance ceded arrangements do not discharge the Company as the primary insurer. Ceded balances would represent a liability of the Company in the event the reinsurers were unable to meet their obligations to us under the terms of the reinsurance agreements. The Company monitors the concentration of credit risk the Company has with any reinsurer, as well as the financial condition of its reinsurers. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company had reinsured approximately 41% of the face value of its life insurance in-force. The Company has reinsured approximately 18% of the face value of its life insurance in-force with the following three reinsurers:
has set limits on the amount of insurance retained on the life of any one person. The amount of insurance retained by the Company on any one life on traditional life insurance was $500,000 in years prior to mid-2005. In 2005, this retention amount was increased to $1,000,000 for certain policies, and during 2008, was increased to $2,000,000 for certain policies. During 2016, the retention amount was increased to $5,000,000.
The Company's future maturities of debt, excluding notes payable to banks and subordinated debt securities, are $156.7 million in 2018, $454.7 million in 2019, and $381.9 million thereafter.
During 2014 (Predecessor Company), the Company announced that it had issued notice to redeem the entire $100.0 million outstanding principal amount of the Company's 8.00% Senior Notes issued on October 9, 2009. The payment in respect of the redemption of the Senior Notes was made on October 15, 2014. In conjunction with this redemption, the Company wrote off $2.4 million of deferred issue costs.
During 2014 (Predecessor Company), $150.0 million of the Company's Senior Notes matured and were paid in full, along with applicable accrued interests.
On February 2, 2015, the Company amended and restated the Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility”). Under the Credit Facility, the Company has the ability to borrow on an unsecured basis up to an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. The Company has the right in certain circumstances to request that the commitment under the Credit Facility be increased up to a maximum principal amount of $1.25 billion. Balances outstanding under the Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to, at the option of the Borrowers, (i) LIBOR plus a spread based on the ratings of the Company’s Senior Debt, or (ii) the sum of (A) a rate equal to the highest of (x) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate, (y) 0.50% above the Funds rate, or (z) the one-month LIBOR plus 1.00% and (B) a spread based on the ratings of the Company's Senior Debt. The Credit Facility also provided for a facility fee at a rate that varies with the ratings of the Company’s Senior Debt and that is calculated on the aggregate amount of commitments under the Credit Facility, whether used or unused. The initial facility fee rate was 0.15% on February 2, 2015, and was adjusted to 0.125% upon the Company's subsequent ratings upgrade on February 2, 2015. The Credit Facility provides that the Company is liable for the full amount of any obligations for borrowings or letters of credit, including those of PLICO, under the Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is February 2, 2020. The Company is not aware of any non-compliance with the financial debt covenants of the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). There was an outstanding balance of $170.0 million bearing interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.00% as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). As of June 30, 2016 (Successor Company), PLICO had used $30.0 million of borrowing capacity by executing a Letter of Credit under the Credit Facility for the benefit on an affiliated captive reinsurance subsidiary of the Company. This Letter of Credit was terminated during the period and no Letter of Credit was outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company).
In December 2007, the Company issued a new series of debt securities of 6.40% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "Senior Notes"), from which net proceeds of approximately $148.7 million were received. Under the terms of the Senior Notes, interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15. The maturity date is January 15, 2018.
On January 15, 2016, Golden Gate Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate”), a Vermont special purpose financial insurance company and a wholly owned subsidiary of PLICO, and Steel City, LLC (“Steel City”), a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an 18-year transaction to finance $2.188 billion of “XXX” reserves related to the acquired GLAIC Block and the other term life insurance business reinsured to Golden Gate by PLICO and WCL, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of PLICO. Steel City issued notes with an aggregate initial principal amount of $2.188 billion to Golden Gate in exchange for a surplus note issued by Golden Gate with an initial principal amount of $2.188 billion. Through the structure, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America (Bermuda) Ltd., The Canada Life Assurance Company (Barbados Branch) and Nomura Americas Re Ltd. (collectively, the “Risk-Takers”) provide credit enhancement to the Steel City Notes for the 18-year term in exchange for credit enhancement fees. The transaction is “non-recourse” to PLICO, WCL and the Company, meaning that none of these companies, other than Golden Gate, are liable to reimburse the Risk-Takers for any credit enhancement payments required to be made. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the aggregate principal balance of the Steel City Notes was $2.116 billion. In connection with this transaction, the Company has entered into certain support agreements under which it guarantees or otherwise supports certain obligations of Golden Gate or Steel City, including a guarantee of the fees to the Risk-Takers. The support agreements provide that amounts would become payable by the Company if Golden Gate’s annual general corporate expenses were higher than modeled amounts, certain reinsurance rates applicable to the subject business increase beyond modeled amounts or in the event write-downs due to other-than-temporary impairments on assets held in certain accounts exceed defined threshold levels. Additionally, the Company has entered into a separate agreement to guarantee payment of certain fee amounts in connection with the credit enhancement of the Steel City Notes. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), no payments have been made under these agreements.
Golden Gate II Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate II”), a South Carolina special purpose financial captive insurance company and a wholly owned by PLICO, had $575 million of outstanding non-recourse funding obligations as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). These outstanding non-recourse funding obligations were issued to special purpose trusts, which in turn issued securities to third parties. Certain of our affiliates own a portion of these securities. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), securities related to $58.6 million of the outstanding balance of the non-recourse funding obligations were held by external parties and securities related to $516.4 million of the non-recourse funding obligations were held by the Company and its affiliates. The Company has entered into certain support agreements with Golden Gate II obligating the Company to make capital contributions or provide support related to certain of Golden Gate II's expenses and in certain circumstances, to collateralize certain of the Company's obligations to Golden Gate II. These support agreements provide that amounts would become payable by the Company to Golden Gate II if its annual general corporate expenses were higher than modeled amounts or if Golden Gate II's investment income on certain investments or premium income was below certain actuarially determined amounts. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), no payments have been made under these agreements, however, certain support agreement obligations to Golden Gate II of approximately $1.5 million have been collateralized by the Company. Re-evaluation and, if necessary, adjustments of any support agreement collateralization amounts occur annually during the first quarter pursuant to the terms of the support agreements.
support agreements with Golden Gate III obligating the Company to make capital contributions or provide support related to certain of Golden Gate III's expenses and in certain circumstances, to collateralize certain of the Company's obligations to Golden Gate III. Future scheduled capital contributions amount to approximately $122.5 million and will be paid in three installments with the last payment occurring in 2021, and these contributions may be subject to potential offset against dividend payments as permitted under the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Reimbursement Agreement. The support agreements provide that amounts would become payable by the Company to Golden Gate III if its annual general corporate expenses were higher than modeled amounts or if specified catastrophic losses occur during defined time periods with respect to the policies reinsured by Golden Gate III. Pursuant to the terms of an amended and restated letter agreement with UBS, the Company has continued to guarantee the payment of fees to UBS as specified in the Third Amended and Restated Reimbursement Agreement. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), no payments have been made under these agreements.
Golden Gate IV Vermont Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate IV”), a Vermont special purpose financial insurance company and wholly owned subsidiary of PLICO, is party to a Reimbursement Agreement with UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as issuing lender. Under the Reimbursement Agreement, dated December 10, 2010, UBS issued an LOC in the initial amount of $270 million to a trust for the benefit of WCL. Pursuant to the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement, the LOC reached its scheduled peak amount of $790 million in 2016 and remained at this level as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). The term of the LOC is expected to be 12 years from the original issuance date (stated maturity of December 30, 2022). The LOC was issued to support certain obligations of Golden Gate IV to WCL under an indemnity reinsurance agreement, pursuant to which WCL cedes liabilities relating to the policies of WCL and retrocedes liabilities relating to the policies of PLICO. This transaction is “non-recourse” to WCL, PLICO, and the Company, meaning that none of these companies other than Golden Gate IV are liable for reimbursement on a draw of the LOC. The Company has entered into certain support agreements with Golden Gate IV obligating the Company to make capital contributions or provide support related to certain of Golden Gate IV’s expenses and in certain circumstances, to collateralize certain of the Company’s obligations to Golden Gate IV. The support agreements provide that amounts would become payable by the Company to Golden Gate IV if its annual general corporate expenses were higher than modeled amounts or if specified catastrophic losses occur during defined time periods with respect to the policies reinsured by Golden Gate IV. The Company has also entered into a separate agreement to guarantee the payments of LOC fees under the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), no payments have been made under these agreements.
Interest expense on long-term debt and subordinated debt securities totaled $62.1 million, $58.6 million, $8.9 million, and $118.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), for the periods of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company). The interest expense on non-recourse funding obligations and other obligations was $163.7 million, $54.1 million, $4.9 million, and $54.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), for the periods of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company).
The Company leases administrative and marketing office space in approximately 20 cities including 24,090 square feet in Birmingham (excluding the home office building), with most leases being for periods of three to ten years. The Company had rental expense of $6.7 million, $6.3 million, $0.6 million, and $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), for the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and for the years ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively. The aggregate annualized rent was approximately $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company). The following is a schedule by year of future minimum rental payments required under these leases:
Under the insurance guaranty fund laws of most states, insurance companies doing business therein can be assessed up to prescribed limits for policyholder losses incurred by insolvent companies. From time to time, companies may be asked to contribute amounts beyond prescribed limits. It is possible that the Company could be assessed with respect to product lines not offered by the Company. In addition, legislation may be introduced in various states with respect to guaranty fund assessment laws related to insurance products, including long term care insurance and other specialty products, that alters future premium tax offsets received in connection with guaranty fund assessments. The Company cannot predict the amount, nature or timing of any future assessments or legislation, any of which could have a material and adverse impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs") were granted to certain officers of the Company to provide long-term incentive compensation based solely on the performance of the Company's common stock. The SARs were exercisable either 5 years after the date of grant or in three or four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant (earlier upon the death, disability, or retirement of the officer, or in certain circumstances, of a change in control of the Company) and expire after ten years or upon termination of employment. The SARs activity as well as weighted-average base price was as follows:
Restricted stock units were awarded to participants and include certain restrictions relating to vesting periods. The Company issued 98,700 restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company). These awards had a total fair value at grant date of $5.1 million. Approximately half of these restricted stock units were to vest after three years from grant date and the remainder vest after four years.
The Company recognized all stock-based compensation expense over the related service period of the award, or earlier for retirement eligible employees. The expense recorded by the Company for its stock-based compensation plans was $25.9 million in 2014. The Company's obligations of its stock-based compensation plans that are expected to be settled in shares of the Company's
common stock are reported as a component of shareowner's equity, net of deferred taxes. As of December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), the total compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation not yet recognized was $27.0 million. Due to the Merger, the unrecognized stock compensation expense was accelerated as of the date of the merger due to a change in control provision.
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), regarding equity compensation plans under which the Company's common stock was authorized for issuance:
Includes the following number of shares: (a) 102,458 shares issuable with respect to outstanding SARs (assuming for this purpose that one share of common stock will be payable with respect to each outstanding SAR); (b) 907,487 shares issuable with respect to outstanding performance share awards (assuming for this purpose that the awards are payable based on estimated performance under the awards as of September 30, 2014); (c) 313,199 shares issuable with respect to outstanding restricted stock units (assuming for this purpose that shares will be payable with respect to all outstanding restricted stock units); (d) 475,386 shares issuable with respect to stock equivalents representing previously earned awards under the LTIP that the recipient deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers; and (e) 162,429 shares issuable with respect to stock equivalents representing previous awards under the Company's Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors that the recipient deferred under our Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors Who Are Not Employees of the Company.
Includes the following number of shares of common stock: (a) 152,709 shares issuable with respect to stock equivalents representing (i) stock awards to the Company's Directors before June 1, 2004 that the recipient deferred pursuant to the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors Who Are Not Employees of the Company and (ii) cash retainers and fees that the Company's Directors deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors Who Are Not Employees of the Company, and (b) 41,011 shares issuable with respect to stock equivalents pursuant to the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers.
Represents shares of common stock available for future issuance under the LTIP and the Company's Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its employees. Benefits are based on years of service and the employee's compensation.
Employees hired after December 31, 2007, will receive benefits under a cash balance plan.
Employees active on December 31, 2007, with age plus vesting service less than 55 years will receive a final pay-based pension benefit for service through December 31, 2007, plus a cash balance benefit for service after December 31, 2007.
The Company also sponsors an unfunded excess benefit plan, which is a nonqualified plan that provides defined pension benefits in excess of limits imposed on qualified plans by federal tax law.
The following table presents the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, funded status, and amounts not yet recognized as components of net periodic pension costs for the Company's defined benefit pension plan and unfunded excess benefit plan as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (Successor Company) and January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company):
Employer contributions disclosed are based on the Company's fiscal filing year
The benefit obligations as of January 31 were determined based on the assumptions used in the 2014 year end disclosures with the following exception:
Components of the net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), for the period of the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and for the year ended and December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company) are as follows:
For the defined benefit pension plan, the Company does not expect to amortize any net actuarial loss/(gain) from other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost during 2017 since the net actuarial loss/(gain) subject to amortization is less than 10% of the greater of the smooth value of assets or the projected benefit obligation. For the unfunded excess benefit plan, The Company expects to amortize a loss of approximately $0.2 million from other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost during 2017.
Prior to July 1999, upon an employee's retirement, a distribution from pension plan assets was used to purchase a single premium annuity from PLICO in the retiree's name. Therefore, amounts shown above as plan assets exclude assets relating to such retirees. Since July 1999, retiree obligations have been fulfilled from pension plan assets. The defined benefit pension plan has a target asset allocation of 60% domestic equities, 38% fixed income, and 2% cash. When calculating asset allocation, the Company includes reserves for pre-July 1999 retirees.
Plan assets of the defined benefit pension plan by category as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), are as follows:
The valuation methodologies used to determine the fair values reflect market participant assumptions and are based on the application of the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable market inputs over unobservable inputs. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. The Plan's group deposit administration annuity contract with PLICO is recorded at contract value, which, by utilizing a long-term view, the Company believes approximates fair value. Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest at the contract rate, less funds used to purchase annuities. Units in collective short-term and collective investment funds are valued at the unit value, which approximates fair value, as reported by the trustee of the collective short-term and collective investment funds on each valuation date. These methods of valuation may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation method is appropriate and consistent with other market participants,
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the fair value measurements for the year ended December 31, 2016, for the period of February 1, 2105 to December 31, 2015, and for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015, for which the Company has used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
The following table represents the Plan's Level 3 financial instrument, the valuation technique used, and the significant unobservable input and the ranges of values for that input as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company):
The Company's funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") plus such additional amounts as the Company may determine to be appropriate from time to time. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company contributed $1.9 million to the defined benefit pension plan for the 2015 plan year and $19.0 million to its defined benefit pension plan for the 2016 plan year. The $19.0 million contribution for the 2016 plan year was an acceleration of the contributions due during 2017 and was related to the funding of payments resulting from the lump sum window offered during the year as previously discussed herein. The Company has not yet determined what amount it will fund for 2017, but estimates that the amount will be between $1 million and $10 million.
In addition to pension benefits, the Company provides limited healthcare benefits to eligible retired employees until age 65. This postretirement benefit is provided by an unfunded plan. As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation associated with these benefits was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
For the postretirement life insurance plan, the Company's discount rate assumption used to determine benefit obligation and the net periodic benefit cost as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), is 4.35% and 4.60%, respectively.
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan's assets at fair value as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company):
Prior to the Merger date of February 1, 2015, the Company's outstanding and publicly traded common stock was a component of the investment options allowed to participants in the 401(k) Plan.
As of February 1, 2015, the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life, and for the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the Company's outstanding common stock was delisted from public exchanges, and there was no market for the Company’s common stock, which is held entirely by Dai-ichi Life, and therefore the Company will no longer disclose earnings per share information.
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company):
The following tables summarize the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of AOCI as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company).
As of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), net unrealized losses reported in AOCI were offset by $623.0 million and $424.1 million, respectively, due to the impact those net unrealized losses would have had on certain of the Company's insurance assets and liabilities if the net unrealized losses had been recognized in net income.
As of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), net unrealized losses reported in AOCI were offset by $623.0 million, respectively, due to the impact those net unrealized losses would have had on certain of the Company's insurance assets and liabilities if the net unrealized losses had been recognized in net income.
The deferred tax assets reported above include certain deferred tax assets related to nonqualified deferred compensation and other employee benefit liabilities that were assumed by AXA and they were not acquired by the Company in connection with the acquisition of MONY. The future tax deductions stemming from these liabilities will be claimed by the Company on MONY's tax returns in its post-acquisition periods. These deferred tax assets have been estimated as of the MONY Acquisition date (and through the December 31, 2016 reporting date) based on all available information. However, it is possible that these estimates may be adjusted in future reporting periods based on actuarial changes to the projected future payments associated with these liabilities. Any such adjustments will be recognized by the Company as an adjustment to income tax expense during the period in which they are realized.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company entered into a reinsurance transaction, as discussed in Note 3, Significant Transactions. This transaction is expected to generate an operating loss on the Company's consolidated 2016 U.S. income tax return. The Company has evaluated its ability to carry this loss back to receive
As of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company) and December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), some of the Company's fixed maturities were reported at an unrealized loss. If the Company were to realize a tax-basis net capital loss for a year, then such loss could not be deducted against that year's other taxable income. However, such a loss could be carried back and forward against any prior year or future year tax-basis net capital gains. Therefore, the Company has relied upon a prudent and feasible tax-planning strategy regarding its fixed maturities that were reported at an unrealized loss. The Company has the ability and the intent to either hold such fixed maturities to maturity, thereby avoiding a realized loss, or to generate an offsetting realized gain from unrealized gain fixed maturities if such unrealized loss fixed maturities are sold at a loss prior to maturity.
Any accrued interest related to the unrecognized tax benefits and other accrued income taxes have been included in income tax expense. These amounts were a $3.1 million benefit, a $1.6 million detriment, a $0.9 million benefit, and a $3.9 million detriment for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the years ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively. The Company has approximately $2.8 million, $15.4 million, $12.7 million, and $14.3 million of accrued interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), as of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), as of January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company), and as of December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively (before taking into consideration the related income tax benefit that is associated with such an expense).
In June 2012, the IRS proposed favorable and unfavorable adjustments to the Company’s 2003 through 2007 reported taxable incomes. The Company protested certain unfavorable adjustments and sought resolution at the IRS’ Appeals Division. In October 2015, Appeals accepted the Company’s earlier proposed settlement offer. In September 2015, the IRS proposed favorable and unfavorable adjustments to the Company’s 2008 through 2011 reported taxable income. The Company agreed to these
These agreements with the IRS are the primary cause for the reductions of unrecognized tax benefits shown in the earlier chart. The Company believes that in the next 12 months, none of the unrecognized tax benefits will be significantly increased or reduced. In general, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by taxing authorities for tax years that began before 2014. Nevertheless, certain of these pre-2014 years have pending U.S. tax refunds. Due to their size, these refunds are being reviewed by Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation. Furthermore, due to the aforementioned IRS adjustments to the Company's pre-2014 taxable income, the Company is amending certain of its 2003 through 2013 state income tax returns. Such amendments will cause such years to remain open, pending the states' acceptances of the returns. At this time, the Company believes that the Joint Committee's review of its U.S. tax refunds and the states' acceptance of its amending returns will be completed next year. The underlying statutes of limitations are expected to close in due course on or before December 31, 2017.
Total cash interest paid on debt for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), was $234.9 million. Of this amount, $68.1 million related to interest on long-term debt, $27.0 million related to interest on subordinated debt, $2.2 million on repurchase agreements, and $137.6 million related to non-recourse funding obligations and other obligations.
Certain corporations with which the Company's directors were affiliated paid us premiums and policy fees or other amounts for various types of insurance and investment products, interest on bonds we own and commissions on securities underwritings in which our affiliates participated. Such amounts totaled $7.2 million, $45.3 million, $2.6 million, and $33.4 million, for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively. The Company paid commissions, interest on debt and investment products, and fees to these same corporations totaling $8.6 million, $10.0 million, $0.8 million, and $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the years ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company), respectively.
Prior to the Merger, the Company had no related party transactions with Dai-ichi Life. During the period ending December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the Company paid a management fee to Dai-ichi Life of $6.4 million for certain services provided to the Company.
The Company has guaranteed PLICO's obligations for borrowings or letters of credit under the revolving line of credit arrangement to which the Company is also a party. The Company has also issued guarantees, entered into support agreements and/or assumed a duty to indemnify its indirect wholly owned captive insurance companies in certain respects. In addition, as of December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the Company was the sole holder of the $800 million balance of outstanding surplus
The Company's insurance subsidiaries prepare statutory financial statements for regulatory purposes in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by the NAIC and the applicable state insurance department laws and regulations. These financial statements vary materially from GAAP. Statutory accounting practices include publications of the NAIC, state laws, regulations, general administrative rules as well as certain permitted accounting practices granted by the respective state insurance department. Generally, the most significant differences are that statutory financial statements do not reflect 1) deferred acquisition costs and VOBA, 2) benefit liabilities that are calculated using Company estimates of expected mortality, interest, and withdrawals, 3) deferred income taxes that are not subject to statutory limits, 4) recognition of realized gains and losses on the sale of securities in the period they are sold, and 5) fixed maturities recorded at fair values, but instead at amortized cost.
The Company's insurance subsidiaries are subject to various state statutory and regulatory restrictions on the insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to Protective Life Corporation. In general, dividends up to specified levels are considered ordinary and may be paid thirty days after written notice to the insurance commissioner of the state of domicile unless such commissioner objects to the dividend prior to the expiration of such period. Dividends in larger amounts are considered extraordinary and are subject to prior approval by such commissioner. The maximum amount that would qualify as ordinary dividends to the Company from our insurance subsidiaries, and which would consequently be free from restriction and available for the payment of dividends to the Company's shareowner in 2017 is approximately to be $423.7 million. This results in approximately $5.0 billion of the Company's net assets being restricted from transfer to PLC without prior approval from the respective state insurance department.
A company's risk-based statutory surplus is calculated by applying factors and performing calculations relating to various asset, premium, claim, expense and reserve items. Regulators can then measure the adequacy of a company's statutory surplus by comparing it to the RBC. Under specific RBC requirements, regulatory compliance is determined by the ratio of a company's total adjusted capital, as defined by the insurance regulators, to its company action level of RBC (known as the RBC ratio), also as defined by insurance regulators. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's total adjusted capital and company action level RBC were approximately $4.5 billion and $731.0 million, respectively, providing an RBC ratio of approximately 619%.
Additionally, the Company has certain assets that are on deposit with state regulatory authorities and restricted from use. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's insurance subsidiaries had on deposit with regulatory authorities, fixed maturity and short-term investments with a fair value of approximately $43.4 million.
The Asset Protection segment markets extended service contracts, GAP products, credit life and disability insurance, and specialized ancillary products to protect consumers’ investments in automobiles, recreational vehicles, watercraft, and powersports. GAP covers the difference between the loan pay-off amount and an asset’s actual cash value in the case of a total loss. Each type of specialized ancillary product protects against damage or other loss to a particular aspect of the underlying asset.
The Company's management and Board of Directors analyzes and assesses the operating performance of each segment using "pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss)" and "after-tax adjusted operating income (loss)". Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) is the Company's measure of segment performance. Pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) is calculated by adjusting "income (loss) before income tax," by excluding the following items:
There were no significant intersegment transactions during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Successor Company), the period of February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (Successor Company), the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company) and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Predecessor Company).
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), shareowner’s equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Protective Life Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Successor Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (2) present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedules, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in “Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting” appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedules, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), shareowner’s equity and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and of cash flows of Protective Life Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Predecessor Company”) for such respective periods in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules for the period from January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (2) present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.