Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: On December 22, 2017, the Tax Legislation was enacted which changed existing tax law, including a reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Company recorded $877 million of tax benefits in net income as a result of re-measuring its deferred tax liabilities using the lower corporate tax rate as of the date of enactment. Based on the analysis of the Tax Legislation, the Company was able to determine that this amount is a reasonable estimate of the impact of the Tax Legislation in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. However, the Company will continue to analyze relevant information to complete the accounting for income taxes which may result in an adjustment to income tax expense in 2018. The accounting is expected to be complete when the 2017 U.S. corporate income tax returns are filed later in 2018. In addition, the Company early adopted ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, and recorded a $252 million reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings to eliminate the stranded tax effects associated with the tax rate change, primarily relating to the unrealized gains and losses on the available-for-sale fixed maturity portfolio. More information concerning income taxes is provided in Note 8-Income Taxes.
Our investment policy regarding fixed maturities is to acquire only investment-grade obligations. Thus, any increases in below investment-grade issues are a result of ratings downgrades of existing holdings. We are not a party to any credit default swaps or other derivative contracts. We do not participate in securities lending, we have no off-balance sheet investments, and we do not have any exposure to European sovereign debt at December 31, 2017. Our exposure to Puerto Rican obligations is insignificant.
debentures was outside the United States. The net proceeds from the sale of the debentures were $123.3 million, after giving effect to the discount payable to the initial purchaser and expenses of the offering of the debentures. Torchmark used the net proceeds from the offering of the debentures to repay the $125 million outstanding principal of the 5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures that were due December 15, 2052 and that were callable beginning December 15, 2017.
as the assets, the effect on equity would be largely offset. Fluctuations in interest rates cause undue volatility in the period-to-period presentation of our shareholders’ equity, capital structure, and financial ratios which would be essentially removed if interest-bearing liabilities were valued in the same manner as assets. From time to time, the market value of our fixed maturity portfolio may be depressed as a result of bond market illiquidity which could result in a significant decrease in shareholders’ equity. Because of the long-term nature of our fixed maturities and liabilities and the strong cash flows consistently generated by our insurance subsidiaries, we have the intent and ability to hold our securities to maturity. As such, we do not expect to incur losses due to fluctuations in market value of fixed maturities caused by interest rate changes and temporarily illiquid markets. Accordingly, our management, credit rating agencies, lenders, many industry analysts, and certain other financial statement users prefer to remove the effect of this accounting rule when analyzing our balance sheet, capital structure, and financial ratios.
Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), under guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
carried at unpaid principal balances. Other long-term investments include equity securities, real estate, mortgage participations, and limited partnerships. Investments in equity securities, which include common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in real estate are reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method. Mortgage participations, a type of investment where the mortgage loan is shared among investors, are accounted for as financing receivables. Investments in limited partnerships are primarily accounted for using the cost method of accounting as Torchmark's partnership interest is minor as Torchmark lacks the ability to exercise significant influence over the partnership's operating and financial policies. The Company considers its cost method investments for impairment when the carrying value of such investments exceeds the net asset value (“NAV”). As further discussed below in Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted, the Company will adopt ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 which removes the cost method for certain investments and replaces it with fair value through net income method. Under the new guidance, limited partnerships will be reported at fair value and all fluctuations in fair value will be reported through realized gains and losses. Short-term investments include investments in interest-bearing assets with original maturities of twelve months or less. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on a specific identification basis.
Assumptions used for traditional life and health insurance products are based primarily on Company experience. Assumptions for interest rates range from 2.5% to 7.0% for Torchmark’s insurance companies with an overall weighted average assumed rate of 5.80%. Mortality tables used for individual life insurance include various statutory tables and modifications of a variety of generally accepted actuarial tables. Morbidity assumptions for individual health are based on Company experience and industry data. Withdrawal and termination assumptions are based on Torchmark’s experience. Once established, assumptions for these products are generally not changed. An additional provision is made on most products to allow for possible adverse deviation from the assumptions. These estimates are reviewed annually and compared with actual experience. If it is determined that existing contract liabilities, together with the present value of future gross premiums, will not be sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits and to recover unamortized deferred acquisition costs, then a premium deficiency exists. Such a deficiency would be recognized immediately by a charge to earnings and either a reduction of unamortized deferred acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future policy benefits. From that point forward, the liability for future policy benefits would be based on revised assumptions.
ASU 2017-08: In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. This guidance was issued to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The guidance requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. It will become effective on January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted, including during interim periods. The adoption is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through an adjustment to retained earnings. This adoption will not have a significant impact on the financial statements.
An analysis in the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for each of the years 2015 through 2017.
Securities, cash, and short-term investments held on deposit with various state and federal regulatory authorities had an amortized cost and fair value, respectively, of $657 million and $753 million at December 31, 2017 and $600 million and $663 million at December 31, 2016.
A schedule of fixed maturities available for sale by contractual maturity date at December 31, 2017 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturity dates could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.
No equity awards were cash settled during the three years ended December 31, 2017.
Restricted stock units outstanding at each of the year ends 2017, 2016, and 2015 were 120,326, 112,591, and 105,679, respectively. All restricted stock units were fully vested at the end of each year of grant.
Equipment leases: Torchmark has guaranteed performance of certain subsidiaries as lessees under three leasing arrangements which include two for aviation equipment and one for computer software, furniture, and equipment. One aviation lease expires in August 2022 and the second expires in September 2024. The office equipment lease expired in December 2017. At December 31, 2017, total remaining undiscounted payments under the leases were approximately $10 million. The Torchmark Parent Company would be responsible for any subsidiary obligation in the event the subsidiary did not make payments or otherwise perform under the terms of the lease.