During 2019, management continued to identify and purchase investments, including alternative investments, with attractive risk-adjusted yields relative to market conditions without venturing into asset classes or individual securities that would be inconsistent with the Company's overall conservative investment guidelines.
The annuity reinsurance agreement entered into in the second quarter of 2019, which reinsured a $2.2 billion block of in force fixed annuities with a minimum crediting rate of 4.5%, helps mitigate the risk of not being able to generate appropriate spreads on the annuity business. Information regarding the interest crediting rates and balances equal to the minimum guaranteed rate for deferred annuity account values is shown below.
At December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, the Company is not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if the Company had engaged in such relationships as of December 31, 2019.
flows implied by the period end fair value, market discount rates and effective yield are the primary factors used to estimate an ultimate recovery value.
Amortizing intangible assets (i.e., VODA, agency relationships and customer relationships) are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of an amortizing intangible asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value is not recoverable from undiscounted cash flows, the impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and fair value.
The weighted average fair value of nonvested stock options outstanding on December 31, 2019 was $6.42. Total unrecognized compensation expense relating to the nonvested stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2019 was approximately $2.4 million. This amount will be recognized as expense over the remainder of the vesting period, which is scheduled to be 2020 through 2023. Expense is reflected on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. Forfeitures of unvested amounts due to terminations and/or early retirements are recognized as a reduction to the related expenses.
The Company's investment portfolio is comprised primarily of fixed maturity securities. Amortized cost, net unrealized investment gains (losses) and fair values of all fixed maturity securities in the portfolio were as follows:
The Company has various other financial assets and financial liabilities used in the normal course of business that are not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosure is required. The following table presents the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy of these financial assets and financial liabilities.
While all product lines are exposed to these risks, there are some loss types or product lines for which the financial effect will be more significant. For instance, given the relatively large proportion (approximately 80.0% as of December 31, 2019) of the Company's reserves that are in the longer-tail automobile liability coverages, regulatory and court actions, changes in economic conditions and trends, and medical costs could be expected to impact this product line more extensively than others.
No other adjustments were made in the determination of the liabilities during the periods covered by these consolidated financial statements. Management believes that, based on data currently available, it has reasonably estimated the Company's ultimate losses.
reinsured each loss above a retention of $1.0 million up to $5.0 million on a per risk basis, including catastrophe losses. Also, the Company could submit to the reinsurers two per risk losses from the same occurrence for a total of $8.0 million of property recovery in any one event.
The Company retains all of the risk on its supplemental health product lines, including accidental death risk embedded within certain products. However, the Company’s other accidental death and dismemberment risk issued through all other policies and riders are ceded 100%. The maximum risk retained on any individual life by the Company is $0.1 million.
On November 23, 2015, the Company issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.50% senior notes, which will mature on December 1, 2025, issued at a discount of 0.265% resulting in an effective yield of 4.53% (Senior Notes). Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 4.50%. The Senior Notes are redeemable in whole or in part, at any time, at the Company's option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted, on a semi-annual basis, at the Treasury yield (as defined in the indenture) plus 35 basis points, plus, in either of the above cases, accrued interest to the date of redemption.
The Company recognizes tax benefits from tax return positions only if it is more likely than not the position will be sustainable, upon examination, on its technical merits and any relevant administrative practices or precedents. As a result, the Company applies a more likely than not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties.
The Company has principal insurance subsidiaries domiciled in Illinois, New York and Texas. The statutory financial statements of these subsidiaries are prepared in accordance with accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the Illinois Department of Insurance, the New York Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Insurance, as applicable. Prescribed statutory accounting principles include a variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules.
Excludes the annuity reinsurance agreement accounted for under the deposit method that is discussed in Note 6.