On January 18, 2018, PLC and the Company entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (the "Master Transaction Agreement") with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Group Inc. ("Liberty Mutual"), The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company ("Lincoln Life"), and Lincoln National Corporation, pursuant to which Lincoln Life will acquire Liberty Mutual's Group Benefits Business and Individual Life and Annuity Business (the "Life Business") through the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston ("Liberty") (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, PLC, the Company and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company ("PLAIC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, agreed to enter into reinsurance agreements and related ancillary documents at the closing of the Transaction. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the reinsurance agreements, Liberty will cede to the Company and PLAIC, effective as of the closing of the Transaction, substantially all of the insurance policies relating to the Life Business. The aggregate statutory reserves of Liberty to be ceded to the Company and PLAIC as of the closing of the Transaction are expected to be approximately $13.0 billion. To support its obligations under the reinsurance agreements, the Company and PLAIC will each establish a trust account for the benefit of Lincoln Life. Entry into the reinsurance agreements represents an estimated capital investment by the Company of approximately $1.17 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2018, pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Available-for-sale securities and trading account securities are recorded at fair value, which is primarily based on actively traded markets where prices are based on either direct market quotes or observed transactions. Liquidity is a significant factor in the determination of the fair value for these securities. Market price quotes may not be readily available for some positions or for some positions within a market sector where trading activity has slowed significantly or ceased. These situations are generally triggered by the market’s perception of credit uncertainty regarding a single company or a specific market sector. In these instances, fair value is determined based on limited available market information and other factors, principally from reviewing the issuer’s financial position, changes in credit ratings, and cash flows on the investments. As of December 31, 2017 (Successor Company), $1.2 billion of available-for-sale and trading account assets, excluding other long-term investments, were classified as Level 3 fair value assets.
Guaranteed Living Withdrawal Benefits-We establish reserves for guaranteed living withdrawal benefits ("GLWB") on our VA products. The GLWB is valued in accordance with FASB guidance under the ASC Derivatives and Hedging Topic which utilizes the valuation technique prescribed by the ASC Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic, which requires the embedded derivative to be recorded at fair value using current implied volatilities for the equity indices. The fair value of the GLWB is impacted by equity market conditions and can result in the GLWB embedded derivative being in an overall net asset or net liability position. In times of favorable equity market conditions the likelihood and severity of claims is reduced and expected fee income increases. Since claims are generally expected later than fees, these favorable equity market conditions can result in the present value of fees being greater than the present value of claims, which results in a net GLWB embedded derivative asset. In times of unfavorable equity market conditions the likelihood and severity of claims is increased and expected fee income decreases and can result in the present value of claims exceeding the present value of fees resulting in a net GLWB embedded derivative liability. The methods used to estimate the embedded derivatives employ assumptions about mortality, lapses, policyholder behavior, equity market returns, interest rates, and market volatility. We assume age-based mortality from the Ruark 2015 ALB adjusted table for company experience. Differences between the actual experience and the assumptions used result in variances in profit and could result in losses. As of December 31, 2017 (Successor Company), our net GLWB liability held was $15.5 million.
The following table presents a summary of results and reconciles pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) to consolidated income before income tax and net income (Predecessor and Successor periods are not comparable):
We experienced net realized gains of $102.7 million for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015. The gains realized for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015, were primarily related to net gains of $75.9 million of derivatives related to variable annuity contracts, $15.9 million of gains related to derivatives with PLC, $6.9 million of gains related to investment securities sale activity, $5.0 million of gains related to the net activity of the modified coinsurance portfolio, and net gains of $1.2 million related to other investment and derivative activity. Partially offsetting these gains were net losses of $1.0 million of derivatives related to FIA contracts, net losses of $0.6 million of derivatives related to IUL contracts, and $0.5 million for other-than-temporary impairment credit-related losses.
Net investment income was $47.6 million for the period of January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015. Included in this amount is traditional net investment income of $6.3 million and universal life investment income of $40.1 million.
Other income activity consisted of $92.7 million from the service contract line, $19.0 million from the GAP product line, and $0.1 million from the credit insurance line.
Benefits and settlement expenses included service contract claims of $5.6 million, GAP claims of $1.5 million, and credit insurance claims of $0.3 million.
We invest a portion of our investment portfolio in commercial mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2017 (Successor Company), our mortgage loan holdings were approximately $6.8 billion. We have specialized in making loans on either credit-oriented commercial properties or credit-anchored strip shopping centers and apartments. Our underwriting procedures relative to our commercial loan portfolio are based, in our view, on a conservative and disciplined approach. We concentrate on a small number of commercial real estate asset types associated with the necessities of life (retail, multi-family, senior living, professional office buildings, and warehouses). We believe that these asset types tend to weather economic downturns better than other commercial asset classes in which we have chosen not to participate. We believe this disciplined approach has helped to maintain a relatively low delinquency and foreclosure rate throughout our history. The majority of our mortgage loans portfolio was underwritten and funded by us. From time to time, we may acquire loans in conjunction with an acquisition.
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, 2017 (Successor Company), we experienced net realized losses on derivatives related to VA contracts of approximately $60.8 million. The net losses on derivatives related to VA contracts for the year ended December 31, 2017 (Successor Company) were affected by capital market impacts.
Liquidity refers to a company’s ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs. We meet our liquidity requirements primarily through positive cash flows from our operating subsidiaries. Primary sources of cash from the operating subsidiaries are premiums, deposits for policyholder accounts, investment sales and maturities, and investment income. Primary uses of cash include benefit payments, withdrawals from policyholder accounts, investment purchases, policy acquisition costs, interest payments, and other operating expenses. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our cash needs under normal operating scenarios.
As of December 31, 2017 (Successor Company), total derivative contracts with a notional amount of $25.1 billion were in a $526.9 million net loss position. Included in the $25.1 billion is a notional amount of $2.5 billion in a $214.2 million net loss position that relates to our Modco trading portfolio. Also included in the total, is $1.5 billion in a $61.7 million net loss position that relates to our funds withheld derivative, $4.1 billion in a $15.5 million net loss position that relates to our GLWB embedded derivatives, $2.0 billion in a $218.7 million net loss position that relates to our FIA embedded derivatives, and $168.3 million in a $80.2 million net loss position that relates to our IUL embedded derivatives.
The Company 's income tax returns, except for MONY which files separately, are included in PLC's consolidated U.S. income tax return.
Reinsurance Allowances-Long-Duration Contracts-Reinsurance allowances are intended to reimburse the ceding company for some portion of the ceding company's commissions, expenses, and taxes. The amount and timing of reinsurance allowances (both first year and renewal allowances) are contractually determined by the applicable reinsurance contract and do not necessarily bear a relationship to the amount and incidence of expenses actually paid by the ceding company in any given year.
ASU No. 2016-18 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Task Force). The amendments in this update provide guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows, thereby reducing diversity in practice related to the presentation of these amounts. The amendments require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. There will be no impact to the Company on adoption.
transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in the Update provide a specific test by which an entity may determine whether an acquisition involves a set of assets or a business. The amendments in the Update are to be applied prospectively for periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has reviewed the revised requirements, and does not anticipate that the changes will impact its policies or recent conclusions related to its acquisition activities.
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, 2016 (Successor Company):
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):
The valuation methodologies used to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities reflect market participant assumptions and are based on the application of the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable market inputs over unobservable inputs. The Company determines the fair values of certain financial assets and financial liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. The Company also determines certain fair values based on future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current 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.
Corporate Securities, U.S. Government-Related Securities, States, Municipals, and Political Subdivisions, and Other Government Related Securities
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, 2017 (Successor Company) is $83.5 million.
The Company has considered all reasonably available quantitative inputs as of December 31, 2017 (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 $50.0 million of financial instruments being classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2017 (Successor Company). Of the $50.0 million, $35.4 million are other asset-backed securities, and $14.6 million are corporate securities.
On January 15, 2016, Golden Gate Captive Insurance Company (“Golden Gate”), a Vermont special purpose financial insurance company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Steel City, LLC (“Steel City”), a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of PLC, 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 the Company and WCL, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Steel City issued notes (the "Steel City 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 PLC, 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, 2017 (Successor Company), the aggregate principal balance of the Steel City Notes was $2.014 billion. In connection with this transaction, PLC 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 PLC 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, PLC 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, 2017 (Successor Company), no payments have been made under these agreements.
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 the Company. This transaction is “non-recourse” to WCL, PLC, and the Company, meaning that none of these companies other than Golden Gate IV are liable for reimbursement on a draw of the LOC. PLC has entered into certain support agreements with Golden Gate IV obligating PLC to make capital contributions or provide support related to certain of Golden Gate IV’s expenses and in certain circumstances, to collateralize certain of PLC’s obligations to Golden Gate IV. The support agreements provide that amounts would become payable by PLC to Golden Gate IV if Golden Gate IV’s 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. PLC 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, 2017 (Successor Company), no payments have been made under these agreements.
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 Qualified Pension Plan's group deposit administration annuity contract with the Company is recorded at contract value, which PLC believes approximates fair value. Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest at the contract rate, less funds used to purchase annuities (the plan has not purchased annuities on behalf of participants under this contract during the periods presented). 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 PLC believes its valuation method is appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
In determining the components of the pre-tax adjusted operating income (loss) for each segment, premiums and policy fees, other income, benefits and settlement expenses, and amortization of DAC and VOBA are attributed directly to each operating segment. Net investment income is allocated based on directly related assets required for transacting the business of that segment. Realized investment gains (losses) and other operating expenses are allocated to the segments in a manner that most appropriately reflects the operations of that segment. Investments and other assets are allocated based on statutory policy liabilities net of associated statutory policy assets, while DAC/VOBA and goodwill are shown in the segments to which they are attributable.