The following is a discussion of our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity and capital resources as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related Notes, under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
On October 31, 2016, we harmonized and amended several U.S. retirement programs to create a unified retirement savings program. These changes reduced benefit obligations by $496 million. Net income was favorably impacted by the one-time curtailment benefit of $113 million pre-tax related to the harmonization of our U.S. pension plans, as well as a favorable recurring impact of approximately $17 million pre-tax related to harmonizing the post-retirement benefit programs. Refer to the outlook section below for the expected benefit in 2017 related to the plan changes.
As an insurance and reinsurance company, we are required by applicable laws and regulations and GAAP to establish loss and loss expense reserves for the estimated unpaid portion of the ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses under the terms of our policies and agreements with our insured and reinsured customers. At December 31, 2016, our gross unpaid loss and loss expense reserves were $60.5 billion and our net unpaid loss and loss expense reserves were $47.8 billion. With the exception of certain structured settlements, for which the timing and amount of future claim payments are reliably determinable, and certain reserves for unsettled claims that are discounted in statutory filings, our loss reserves are not discounted for the time value of money. In connection with such structured settlements and certain reserves for unsettled claims, we carried net discounted reserves of $88 million and $92 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Management established benefit reserves based on a long-term benefit ratio (or loss ratio) calculated using assumptions reflecting management’s best estimate of the future short-term and long-term performance of the variable annuity line of business. Despite the long-term nature of the risk, the benefit ratio calculation is impacted by short-term market movements that may be judged by management to be transient. Management regularly examines both qualitative and quantitative analysis, including a review of the differential between the benefit ratio used at the most recent valuation date and the benefit ratio calculated on subsequent dates. Management regularly evaluates its estimates and uses judgment to determine the extent to which assumptions underlying the benefit ratio calculation should be adjusted. As part of that evaluation, during the fourth quarter of 2016, management determined that certain assumptions underlying the long-term benefit ratio, primarily long-term interest rates, should be updated based on changes in expected future market conditions. Our current Long term benefit ratio is now 80 percent. This adjustment resulted in a charge to Policy benefits expense of $17 million. Since we carry the overall
GMIB reserves at fair value, there was a realized gain recognized that offset this expense. On an annualized basis, we expect a similar incremental impact to Policy benefits expense of approximately $60 million in 2017 as we apply these updated assumptions to our expected future earned premium with an offsetting impact to realized gains.