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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
None
N/A
N/A
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
iCommon
Stock, par value $0.01
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨iNoþ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨iNoþ
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. iYesþ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). iYesþ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer,”“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated filer
☐
iNon-accelerated
filer
þ
Smaller reporting company
i☐
Emerging growth company
i☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. i☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes i☐ No þ
At March 8, 2021, i494,466,664
shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding, all of which were owned directly by MetLife, Inc.
REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.
As used in this Form 10-K, “MLIC,” the “Company,”“we,”“our” and “us” refer to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, a New York corporation incorporated in 1868, and its subsidiaries. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”).
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10‑K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words and terms such as “anticipate,”“assume,”“become,”“believe,”“can,”“continue,”“could,”“emerge,”“estimate,”“evolve,”“expect,”“forecast,”“foresee,”“future,”“if,”“implement,”“intend,”“likely,”“may,”“permit,”“plan,”“possible,”“potential,”“predict,”“probable,”“project,”“propose,”“prospect,”“remain,”“risk,”“scheduled,”“should,”“target,”“ultimate,”“upcoming,”“vary,”“when,”“will,”“would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning or that are otherwise tied to future periods or future performance, in each case in all derivative forms. They include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, future sales efforts, future expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and future trends in operations and financial results.
Many factors determine Company results, and they involve unpredictable risks and uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements depend on our assumptions, our expectations, and our understanding of the economic environment, but they may be inaccurate and may change. We do not guarantee any future performance. Our results
could differ materially from those we express or imply in forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and others, may cause such differences. These factors include:
(1) economic condition difficulties, including risks relating to public health, interest rates, credit spreads, equity, real estate, obligors and counterparties, currency exchange rates, and derivatives;
(2) global capital and credit market adversity;
(3) credit facility inaccessibility;
(4) financial strength or credit ratings downgrades;
(5) unavailability, unaffordability, or inadequate reinsurance;
(6) statutory life insurance reserve
financing costs or limited market capacity;
(7) legal, regulatory, and supervisory and enforcement policy changes;
(8) tax rate or tax laws changes;
(9) litigation and regulatory investigations;
(10) London Interbank Offered Rate termination and transition to alternative reference rates;
(11) unsuccessful efforts to meet all environmental, social, and governance standards or to enhance our sustainability;
(12) investment defaults, downgrades, or volatility;
(13) investment sales or lending difficulties;
(14) collateral or derivative-related payments;
(15) claims or other results
that differ from our estimates, assumptions, or models;
(16) business competition;
(17) catastrophes;
(18) climate changes or responses to it;
(19) closed block deficiencies;
(20) amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, or value of business acquired;
(21) product guarantee volatility, costs, and counterpart risks;
(23) insufficient protection from operational risks;
(24) confidential information protection or other cybersecurity or disaster recovery failures;
(25) accounting standards changes;
(26) excessive risk-taking; and
(27) marketing and distribution difficulties.
The Company will not publicly correct or update any forward-looking statements if we believe we are not likely to achieve them or for any other reasons; nor will MetLife. Please consult any further disclosures we or MetLife make on related subjects in subsequent reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Note
Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts
See “Exhibit Index — Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts” for information regarding agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As used in this Form 10-K, “MLIC,” the “Company,”“we,”“our” and “us” refer to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, a New York corporation incorporated in 1868, and its subsidiaries. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”).
The
Company is a provider of insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. We are also one of the largest institutional investors in the United States with a general account portfolio invested primarily in fixed income securities (corporate, structured products, municipals, and government and agency) and mortgage loans, as well as real estate, real estate joint ventures, other limited partnerships and equity securities.
Our well-recognized brand, market-leading businesses, competitive and innovative product offerings and financial strength and expertise should help drive future growth. Over the course of the next several years, MetLife will continue to execute on its Next Horizon strategy, creating value focusing on the following three pillars: (i) Focus; (ii) Simplify; and (iii) Differentiate.
Regulation
Overview
United
States (“U.S.”) state regulators primarily regulate our life insurance companies, with additional federal regulation of some products and services. New York’s insurance holding company laws apply to MetLife. Furthermore, consumer protection laws, privacy, anti-money laundering, securities, broker-dealer and investment adviser regulations, environmental and unclaimed property laws and regulations, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) also apply to some of our operations, products and services.
We expect the scope and extent of regulation and regulatory oversight generally to continue to increase. The regulatory environment and changes in laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate could materially harm our results of operations.
Insurance Regulation
Insurance regulation generally aims to protect
policyholders and ensure insurance company solvency. Insurance regulators increasingly seek information about the potential impact of activities on holding company systems as a whole.
MLIC has all material licenses to transact its business in each jurisdiction where it conducts business. The extent of such regulation varies, but most jurisdictions regulate the financial aspects and business conduct of insurers through broad administrative powers with respect to, amongst other things:
•licensing companies and agents to transact business;
•calculating the value of assets to determine compliance with statutory requirements;
•mandating certain insurance benefits;
•regulating
certain premium rates;
•reviewing and approving certain policy forms, including required policyholder disclosures;
•regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales practices, distribution arrangements and payment of inducements, and identifying and paying to the states or local authorities benefits and other property that is not claimed by the owners;
•regulating advertising;
•protecting and safeguarding personal information and other sensitive data, including through cybersecurity standards;
•establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and solvency standards;
•specifying
the conditions under which a ceding company can take credit for reinsurance in its statutory financial statements (i.e., reduce its reserves by the amount of reserves ceded to a reinsurer);
•fixing maximum interest rates on insurance policy loans and minimum rates for guaranteed crediting rates on life insurance policies and annuity contracts;
•adopting and enforcing sales
standards with respect to the sale of annuities and other insurance products;
•approving changes in control of insurance companies;
•restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions between affiliates; and
•regulating the types and amounts ofinvestments.
We must file reports, generally including detailed annual financial statements, with insurance regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which we do business. Such authorities also periodically examine our operations and accounts. We must also file, and in many jurisdictions and in some lines of insurance obtain regulatory approval of, rules, rates, and policy forms relating to the insurance written in
the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Insurance, securities, and other regulatory authorities, other law enforcement agencies, and attorneys general, review our compliance with laws and regulations regarding the conduct of our insurance and securities businesses. We cooperate with such inquiries and take corrective action when warranted. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In 2020, many government and insurance regulators issued regulations, bulletins, directives and guidance in connection with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”), some of which have since expired. These encourage, request or direct health and life insurance companies to waive cost-sharing for coronavirus COVID-19 testing, cover telehealth services, provide extended grace periods for premium payments, forbear on the cancellation or non-renewal of
policies due to non-payment of premium, expand coverage for state-mandated disability and family leave benefits to address COVID-19-related events, and provide other policyholder accommodations. For example, the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) required life insurance- or annuity- authorized insurers to extend premium and fee payment grace periods to 90 days for policyholders who demonstrated COVID-19 Pandemic-related financial hardship. The NYDFS also prohibited New York licensed insurers from imposing any late fees on or reporting policyholders to a credit reporting or debt collection agency for failure to timely pay any life or annuity premiums, and required such insurers to allow policyholders to pay the premium over a 12-month period. Insurers were required to accept a policyholder’s written attestation as proof of financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
U.S. Federal Initiatives
U.S.
federal initiatives often affect our business in a variety of ways. In addition, legislators and policymakers propose various forms of direct and indirect federal regulation of insurance from time to time, including proposals for the establishment of an optional federal charter for insurance companies. See “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — Changes in Laws or Regulation, or in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies, May Reduce Our Profitability, Limit Our Growth, or Otherwise Adversely Affect Us.”
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) increased the potential federal role in regulating businesses such as ours. The Financial Stability Oversight Council may designate certain financial companies as non-bank systemically important financial institutions subject to supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”) and
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (collectively with the Federal Reserve Board, the “Federal Reserve”). Dodd-Frank provisions may also affect our investment activities.
Dodd-Frank and its implementing regulations have changed since the law was adopted. As a result of these changes, and potential changes, we cannot identify all the risks and opportunities, if any, they pose to our businesses. See “Risk Factors — Regulatory and Legal Risks — Changes in Laws or Regulation, or in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies, May Reduce Our Profitability, Limit Our Growth, or Otherwise Adversely Affect Us.”
The U.S. federal government's 2020 response to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us. For example, it established paid sick leave and expanded other leave laws to cover certain COVID-19 Pandemic related events. The U.S. federal government also added certain tax-favored withdrawals
and increased loan withdrawal limitations from eligible retirement plans, and temporarily waived required minimum distribution rules for qualified retirement plan participants and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRA”) owners. We also granted concessions to certain of our commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loan borrowers, including payment deferrals and other loan modifications, as well as to certain of our lessees (operating and direct financing leases), primarily in the form of rent deferrals. In addition, we have made certain accounting elections regarding loan and lease concessions related to the Federal Government’s pandemic relief efforts. See “Investments — Mortgage Loans — Mortgage Loan Concessions” and “Investments — Leases — Lease Concessions” in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Until January 2021, the McCarran–Ferguson Act largely exempted insurance from U.S. antitrust laws. At that time, the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act applied U.S. antitrust laws to the “business of health insurance” and expanded U.S. regulatory authority accordingly. We expect regulatory oversight and litigation risk for some products, including dental and vision, to increase.
Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements
Many jurisdictions in which we transact business require life and health insurers to participate in guaranty or similar associations. These arrangements pay certain insurance benefits owed by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. We have established liabilities for guaranty fund assessments.
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the guaranty association assessments.
Insurance Regulatory Examinations and Other Activities
U.S. state insurance departments periodically examine the books, records, accounts, and business practices of their domiciled insurers. State insurance departments may also conduct examinations of non-domiciliary insurers licensed in their states.
In 2019, MetLife entered into a consent order with the NYDFS relating to the open market conduct quinquennial exam and paid a fine and customer restitution and submitted remediation plans for approval. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements regarding any reportable contingencies related to findings resulting from our state insurance department examinations.
In
2018, Pennsylvania, California, Florida, North Dakota and New Hampshire insurance regulators scheduled a multistate market conduct re-examination of MetLife and its affiliates relating to compliance with a regulatory settlement agreement on unclaimed proceeds. This examination is ongoing.
Regulatory authorities in a small number of states, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and, occasionally, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) have conducted investigations or made inquiries relating to sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities or other products written by our insurance or broker-dealer subsidiaries. These investigations often focus on the conduct and/or supervision of particular financial services representatives, the sale of unregistered or unsuitable products, the misuse
of client assets, or sales and replacements of annuities and certain riders on such annuities. Over the past several years, we resolved these (and a number of investigations by other regulators) for monetary payments and certain other relief, including restitution payments. We may continue to receive, and may resolve, further investigations and actions on these matters in a similar manner.
Insurance standard-setting and regulatory support organizations, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (“NAIC”), encourage insurance supervisors to establish Supervisory Colleges. These organizations facilitate cooperation and coordination among insurance supervisors to enhance their understanding of the risk profile of U.S.-based insurance groups with international operations. Our lead state regulator, the NYDFS, regularly chairs Supervisory College meetings that our key U.S. and non-U.S. regulators attend.
In
addition, regulators have scrutinized insurers’ claims payment practices. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding group annuity benefits, retained asset accounts and unclaimed property inquiries, including pension benefits.
We and our captive reinsurance subsidiary must annually analyze our statutory reserves adequacy. In each case, a qualified actuary must submit an opinion that states that the statutory reserves make adequate provision, according to accepted actuarial standards of practice, for the anticipated cash flows required by its contractual obligations and related expenses. The actuary considers the adequacy of the statutory reserves in light of the assets held by the insurer
with respect to such reserves and related actuarial items, such as the investment earnings on such assets and the consideration the insurer anticipates receiving and retaining under the related policies and contracts. We may increase reserves in order to submit such an opinion without qualification. We and our captive reinsurance subsidiary have provided the opinions, as required, without qualifications since this requirement began.
The NAIC assists state insurance regulatory authorities to serve the public interest and achieve their regulatory goals. State insurance regulators may act independently or adopt regulations proposed by the NAIC. State insurance regulators and the NAIC regularly re-examine existing insurance laws and regulations. State insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate their regulatory oversight through the NAIC. The NAIC also provides standardized insurance industry accounting and reporting guidance through its Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (the “Manual”), which states have largely adopted by regulation. However, individual states establish statutory accounting principles, which may differ from the Manual. Changes to the Manual or modifications by the various state insurance departments may affect our statutory capital and surplus.
State
insurance holding company laws and regulations are generally based on the NAIC Model Holding Company Act and Regulation. These vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally require a controlled insurance company (i.e., insurers that are subsidiaries of insurance holding companies) to register and file reports with state regulatory authorities on its capital structure, ownership, financial condition, intercompany transactions and general business operations. They require the ultimate controlling person of a U.S. insurer to file an annual enterprise risk report with the insurer’s lead state. The holding company laws also authorize state insurance commissioners to act as global group-wide supervisors. In 2020, the NYDFS amended its laws to permit the New York Superintendent of Financial Services (“Superintendent”) to act as a group-wide supervisor.
In
furtherance of the NAIC’s “Solvency Modernization Initiative,” the NAIC has updated model acts and regulations to address insurance company financial regulation, and in particular capital requirements; corporate governance and risk management practices; group supervision; liquidity stress testing, statutory accounting and financial reporting; and reinsurance.
The NAIC’s Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure Model Act requires insurers to annually file detailed information regarding their corporate governance policies. As of December 31, 2020, it had been substantially adopted by most states, including New York.
New York has also adopted the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act, which requires insurers to maintain a risk management framework and to document an internal own risk and solvency assessment
(“ORSA”) of its material risks in normal and stressed environments. MetLife, Inc. has submitted on behalf of the enterprise an ORSA summary report to the NYDFS annually since this requirement became effective.
The NAIC has also approved a valuation manual containing a principle-based approach to the calculation of life insurance reserves (the “Valuation Manual”). Principle-based reserving is designed to better address reserving for life insurance and annuity products. The NYDFS promulgated a regulation in 2019 that affirms the Superintendent’s authority to deviate from the Valuation Manual to adjust the reserves of a New York domestic life insurance company, such as MLIC, if the NYDFS determines that an alternative requirement would be in the best interest of New York policyholders. In February 2020, the NYDFS amended the regulation. As a result, as of December 31,
2020, we increased our statutory reserves by approximately $700 million and our statutory capital requirements by approximately $300 million over the prior reserve and capital requirements. We graded these effects into our statutory financial statements over a one-year period, so the full impact is reflected as of December 31, 2020.
The NAIC has been focused on a macro-prudential initiative since 2017, which is intended to enhance risk identification efforts by building on the state-based regulation system. In furtherance of this initiative, the NAIC adopted changes to its Statutory Annual Statement reporting, effective for year-end 2019, to improve liquidity risk monitoring. In December 2020, the NAIC adopted amendments to the Model Holding Company Holding Act and Regulation that implement requirements related to a liquidity stress-testing framework, consistent with MetLife’s
liquidity risks policies and procedures, for certain large U.S. life insurers and insurance groups, to be used as a regulatory tool, based on amounts of certain types of business written or material exposure to certain investment transactions, such as derivatives and securities lending. These amendments now have to be adopted by state legislatures to become effective.
We use capital markets solutions to finance a portion of our statutory reserve requirements for several products. These include level premium term life products subject to the NAIC’s Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation (commonly referred to as Regulation XXX), universal and variable life policies with secondary guarantees subject to NAIC Actuarial Guideline 38 (commonly referred to as Guideline AXXX), and our closed block. The NAIC created a regulatory framework applicable to the use of captive insurers in connection with Regulation XXX and Guideline
AXXX transactions which has enhanced statutory financial statement disclosure of an insurer's use of captives. The framework narrowed the types of assets permitted to back statutory reserves that are required to support the insurer’s future obligations.
We cannot predict the capital and reserve impacts, compliance costs, or other effects these initiatives will have on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Surplus and Capital
Insurers must maintain
their capital and surplus at or above minimum levels. Regulators generally have discretionary authority to limit or prohibit an insurer’s sales to policyholders if the insurer has not maintained a minimum surplus or capital or if they find that the further transaction of business will be hazardous to policyholders.
New York restricts the dividends or other distributions an insurance company subsidiary may pay to its parent companies and limit the transactions between an insurer and its affiliates. Dividends in excess of prescribed limits and transactions above a specified size between an insurer and its affiliates require the approval of the insurance regulator in the insurer’s state of domicile. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital — Statutory Capital and Dividends.” See also “Dividend Restrictions” in Note 12 of
the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding such limitations.
For developments that could affect our surplus and capital, see “Risk Factors.”
Risk-Based Capital
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is subject to risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements developed by the NAIC and adopted by New York. Insurers calculate RBC annually based on a formula that applies factors to various asset, premium, claim, expense and statutory reserve items, taking into account asset, insurance, interest rate, market and business risk characteristics. Regulators use the formula as an early warning tool to identify insurers that may be inadequately capitalized for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not as a means to rank insurers generally. State insurance laws provide insurance regulators the
authority to require various actions by, or take various actions against, insurers whose total adjusted capital does not meet or exceed certain RBC levels. See “Statutory Equity and Income” in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital — Statutory Capital and Dividends.”
The NYDFS issues annual letters on Special Considerations (“SCL”) to New York-licensed insurance companies, including MLIC, that affect year-end asset adequacy testing. An SCL could require assumptions that require us to increase or release certain asset adequacy reserves, which could materially impact our statutory capital and surplus. We did not change our statutory capital and surplus in either 2019 or 2020 as a result of the SCL. See “Statutory Equity and Income” in Note 12
of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The NAIC adopted revisions to certain factors used to calculate Life RBC, which is the denominator of the RBC ratio, in light of changes to U.S. tax laws in recent years. These revisions have resulted in increased RBC charges and reduced our RBC ratios. The NAIC is also studying RBC revisions for real estate equity, bonds and longevity risk, but it is premature to project the impact of any potential regulatory changes resulting from such proposals.
In 2020, the NAIC issued guidance on RBC addressing debt restructuring due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, where the counterparty might seek concessions. The guidance provides that an insurer does not need to reclassify the RBC category of some loans or other assets on which it has granted a concession. This may avoid a higher capital charge for the asset. The NAIC
extended this guidance through January 1, 2022 in further support of the use of prudent loan modifications to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
NAIC adoptions or NYDFS regulation changes may have a material impact on our RBC ratio.
New York Insurance Regulation 210
Insurance Regulation 210 establishes standards for the determination and any readjustment of non-guaranteed elements (“NGEs”) that may vary at the insurer’s discretion for life insurance policies and annuity contracts delivered or issued for delivery in New York. NGEs include cost of insurance for universal life insurance policies, as well as interest crediting rates for annuities and universal life insurance policies.
The regulation requires insurers to notify policyholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in NGEs that is adverse to policyholders and, with respect to life insurance, to notify the NYDFS at least 120 days prior to any such changes. The regulation also requires insurers to inform the NYDFS annually of any changes adverse to policyholders made in the prior year. The regulation generally prohibits insurers from increasing profit margins for in-force policies or adjusting NGEs in order to recoup past losses.
Various
U.S. federal and state government agencies protect the privacy and security of personal information. These laws and rules vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Insurance and other regulators are also increasingly focused on cybersecurity.
New York’s cybersecurity regulation for financial services institutions, including banking and insurance entities under its jurisdiction, requires these entities to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program designed to protect consumers’ private data. The regulation requires covered entities to assess risks associated with their information systems and establish and maintain a cybersecurity program designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of such systems and data. Specifically, it provides for: (i) controls relating to the governance framework for a cybersecurity program; (ii) risk-based minimum standards for technology systems for data protection;
(iii) minimum standards for cyber breach responses, including notice to the NYDFS of material events; and (iv) identification and documentation of material deficiencies, remediation plans and annual certifications of regulatory compliance to the NYDFS.
The NAIC’s Insurance Data Security Model Law (the “Cybersecurity Model Law”) established standards for data security and for the investigation of and notification of insurance commissioners of cybersecurity events involving unauthorized access to, or the misuse of, certain nonpublic information. The Cybersecurity Model Law imposes regulatory requirements intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems. Several states in which MLIC is licensed have adopted or are considering adopting the Cybersecurity Model Law.
California residents have the right to know what information a business
has collected from them and the sourcing and sharing of that information. They also have a right to have a business delete their personal information (with some exceptions), and in certain instances, to limit the use of their personal information. Regulators may impose fines for violations, and individuals have a private right of action for any unauthorized disclosure of personal information as a result of failure to maintain reasonable security procedures. While a significant portion of our business is exempted from these specific requirements, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the insurance laws of several states grant similar rights to insureds.
ERISA and Fiduciary Considerations
We provide products and services to certain employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). ERISA and the
Code impose restrictions, including fiduciary duties to perform solely in the interests of ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries, and to avoid certain prohibited transactions. The applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code are subject to enforcement by the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”), the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
The prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Code generally restrict the provision of investment advice to ERISA plans and participants and IRAs if the investment recommendation results in fees paid to an individual advisor, the firm that employs the advisor or their affiliates that vary according to the investment recommendation chosen, unless an exemption or exception is available. Similarly, without an exemption or exception, fiduciary advisors are prohibited from receiving compensation from third parties in connection with their advice. ERISA also
affects certain of our in-force insurance policies and annuity contracts, as well as insurance policies and annuity contracts we may sell in the future.
The SEC adopted Regulation Best Interest in 2020, requiring broker-dealers to act in the best interest of individual investor retail clients when recommending securities or investment strategies, including recommendations to IRA owners, as well as non-benefit plan retail clients. In addition, broker-dealers and investment advisers to retail clients must describe their services and conflicts of interest to their retail customers in client relationship summary disclosure and deliver a copy of the Form to their retail customers. In December 2020, the DOL released the final version of the prohibited
transaction exemption (“PTE”) 2020-02 to allow investment advice fiduciaries to receive compensation without violating ERISA, subject to impartial conduct standards and disclosure obligations aligned with the new SEC rules. In the preamble to PTE 2020-02, the DOL also provided its final interpretation of the five-part test used to determine whether a person is acting as an ERISA investment advice fiduciary. PTE 2020-02 became effective on February 16, 2021.
State regulators and legislatures in Nevada,
New Jersey, Maryland and New York have proposed measures that would make broker-dealers, sales agents, and investment advisers and their representatives subject to a fiduciary duty when providing products and services to customers, including pension plans and IRAs, and Massachusetts has enacted a law to that effect. The NYDFS’s regulation incorporates the “best interest” standard and expands the scope of the regulation beyond annuity transactions to include sales of life insurance policies to consumers. This Regulation Best Interest under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) does not include a private right of action, although the SEC did not indicate an intent to pre-empt state regulation in this area, and some of the state proposals and adopted regulations would allow for a private right of action. As a result of these developments, it is possible that it may become more costly to provide our products and services in the states
subject to the new rules.
Investments Regulation
State laws and regulations limit the amount of investments that an insurer may have in certain asset categories, such as below investment grade fixed income securities, real estate equity, other equity investments, and derivatives, and require diversification of investment portfolios. Investments exceeding regulatory limitations are not admitted for purposes of measuring surplus. In some instances, laws require us to divest any non-qualifying investments.
Derivatives Regulation
Dodd-Frank includes a framework of regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives markets requiring clearing of certain types of interest rate and credit default swap transactions and imposes additional costs, including reporting and margin requirements.
Our costs of risk mitigation are increasing under Dodd-Frank. For example, Dodd-Frank imposes requirements to pledge variation and/or initial margin (i) for “OTC-cleared” transactions (OTC derivatives that are cleared and settled through central clearing counterparties), and (ii) for “OTC-bilateral” transactions (OTC derivatives that are bilateral contracts between two counterparties); the margin requirements for OTC-cleared transactions and the variation margin requirements for OTC-bilateral derivatives are already in effect, while the initial margin requirements for OTC-bilateral swap transactions are expected to become applicable to us in September 2021.
We expect increased margin requirements, and capital charges for our counterparties and central clearinghouses related to holding non-cash collateral, to continue to
increase our required holdings of cash and government securities. This may cause lower yields and reduce our income due to less favorable pricing for OTC-cleared and OTC-bilateral transactions. Centralized clearing of certain OTC derivatives exposes us to the risk of a default by a clearing member or clearinghouse with respect to our cleared derivative transactions. We use derivatives to mitigate a wide range of risks in connection with our businesses, including the impact of increased benefit exposures from certain of our annuity products that offer guaranteed benefits. We have always been subject to the risk that hedging and other management procedures might prove ineffective in reducing the risks to which insurance policies expose us, or that unanticipated policyholder behavior or mortality, combined with adverse market events, could produce economic losses beyond the scope of the risk management techniques employed. Any such losses could be increased by higher costs
of writing derivatives (including customized derivatives) and the reduced availability of customized derivatives that might result from the implementation of Dodd-Frank and comparable international derivatives regulations.
Dodd-Frank also expanded the definition of “swap” and mandated the SEC and U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) to study whether “stable value contracts” should be treated as swaps. Pursuant to the new definition and the SEC’s and CFTC’s interpretive regulations, products we offer, other than stable value contracts, might also be treated as swaps. Should such products become regulated as swaps, we cannot predict how the rules would be applied to them or the effect on such products’ profitability
or attractiveness to our clients. Special federal banking rules apply to certain qualified financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, securities lending agreements and repurchase agreements, with banking institutions and certain of their affiliates. These rules generally require the banking institutions and their applicable affiliates to limit or delay their counterparties default rights (such as the right to terminate the contracts or foreclose on collateral) and restrict assignments and transfers of credit enhancements (such as guarantees) in connection with the banking institution or affiliate bankruptcy, insolvency, resolution or similar proceeding. These rules could limit our recovery
in the event of a default, limit our ability to close-out transactions upon the bankruptcy of an affiliate of our counterparty, and increase our counterparty risk.
We expect the amount of collateral we are required to pledge and the payments we are required to make under our OTC swaps transactions to increase as a result of the requirement to pledge initial margin for OTC-bilateral transactions, based on the final margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives.
The SEC’s Capital Requirements for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants are scheduled to take effect in October 2021. However, we do not expect these requirements to affect our business significantly.
Securities, Broker-Dealer and Investment Adviser Regulation
Federal and state securities laws and regulations apply to insurance products that are also “securities,” including variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, and certain fixed interest rate or index-linked contracts with features that require them to be deemed as securities or sold through private placement issuances. As a result, some of our activities in offering and selling variable insurance contracts and
policies are subject to extensive regulation under these securities laws.
Federal and state securities laws and regulations generally grant regulatory agencies broad rulemaking and enforcement powers, including the power to adopt new rules impacting new or existing products, regulate the issuance, sale and distribution of our products and limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply with such laws and regulations.
Some of our activities in offering and selling variable insurance products are subject to extensive regulation under the federal securities laws and regulations administered by the SEC. We issue variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies through separate accounts that are registered with the SEC as investment companies under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, amended (the “Investment Company Act”) or are exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act. Such separate accounts are generally divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in an underlying mutual fund which is itself a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies associated with these registered separate accounts are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or are exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We issue a fixed interest rate contract with features that require it to be registered as a security under the Securities Act.
Certain variable
contract separate accounts sponsored by our subsidiaries are exempt from registration but may be subject to other provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC, CFTC and FINRA from time to time propose rules and regulations that impact products deemed to be securities.
Under SEC rules, broker-dealers recommending our variable products and other securities offerings to retail customers are required to comply with a “best interest” standard. The rule also requires broker-dealers to disclose the nature of services, their standard of conduct, and their conflicts of interest to their retail customers. With regard to insurance products, the NAIC revised its Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation to add a “best interest”
standard for the sale of annuities, but only one of our insurance subsidiaries’ domiciliary states has adopted it and it is under consideration in another domiciliary state.
Federal and state securities regulatory authorities and FINRA from time to time make inquiries and conduct examinations regarding our compliance with securities and other laws and regulations. We cooperate with such inquiries and examinations and take corrective action when warranted.
Environmental Laws and Regulations
As an owner and operator of real property in many jurisdictions, we are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations in such jurisdictions. Inherent in such ownership and operation is also the risk that there may be environmental liabilities and costs
in connection with any required remediation of such properties. In addition, we hold equity interests in companies that could potentially be subject to environmental liabilities. We routinely have environmental assessments performed with respect to real estate being acquired for investment and real property to be acquired through foreclosure. Unexpected environmental liabilities may arise. However, based on information currently available to us, we believe that any costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations or any remediation of such properties will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
The NYDFS announced that it expects insurers to integrate financial risks from climate change into their governance frameworks, risk management processes, and business strategies. The NYDFS will also publish detailed guidance on climate- related financial
supervision and will integrate questions on this topic into their examinations in 2021.
Unclaimed Property
We are subject to the laws and regulations of states and other jurisdictions concerning identification, reporting and escheatment of unclaimed or abandoned funds, and are subject to audit and examination for compliance with these requirements. See “— Insurance Regulation — Insurance Regulatory Examinations and Other Activities,” which references the regulatory settlement agreement relating to unclaimed proceeds. See also “Controls and Procedures” and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) regulator of London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), previously indicated that it intends to stop persuading or compelling panel banks to submit quotes used to determine LIBOR after 2021. On November 30, 2020, the Intercontinental Exchange Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), the administrator of LIBOR, announced a consultation regarding its intention to cease the publication of one week and two-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings at the end of December 2021, but to extend the publication of the remaining U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings (overnight and one, three, six and 12 month U.S. Dollar LIBOR) until
the end of June 2023. The IBA intends to share the results of the consultation with the FCA and publish a summary of the responses. U.S. bank regulators acknowledged the announcement and, subject to certain limited exceptions, advised banks to cease writing new U.S. Dollar LIBOR contracts by the end of 2021.
We use LIBOR and other interbank offered rates as interest reference rates in many of our financial instruments. Existing contract fallback provisions, and whether, how, and when we and others develop and adopt alternative reference rates, will influence the effect of any changes to or discontinuation of LIBOR on us. We are identifying, assessing and monitoring market and regulatory developments, assessing agreement terms, and evaluating operational
readiness. The SEC’s Division of Examinations (formerly Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations) expects to assess registrants’ efforts to prepare for LIBOR discontinuation and their transition to alternatives. We actively participate in the New York Federal Reserve Bank convened Alternative Reference Rate Committee and other industry association efforts on the transition to alternative reference rates. The Company is utilizing the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) 2020 IBOR Fallbacks Protocol to address the transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to other risk-free rates in its OTC bilateral ISDA derivatives contracts. We also monitor the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s, International Accounting Standards Board’s, and U.S. Treasury
Department’s updates on the accounting and tax implications of reference rate reform. We continue to assess current and alternative reference rates’ merits, limitations, risks and suitability for our investment and insurance processes.
Any or each of
the events described below may (or may continue to) adversely affect the global economy, global financial markets, our reputation, our regulatory, customer, or other relationships, our results of operations, our liquidity or cash flows, our statutory capital position, our ability to meet our obligations, our credit and financial strength ratings, our financial condition, or the market price of our common stock. The effects may vary widely from time to time, product to product, market to market, region to region, or segment to segment.
Many of these risks are interrelated and could occur under similar business and economic conditions, and the occurrence of any of them may cause others to emerge or worsen. Such combinations could materially increase the severity of the cumulative or separate impact of these risks.
These risk factors are not a complete set of all potential risks that
could affect us. You should carefully consider the risk factors together with other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Business,”“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and other reports and materials we submit to the SEC.
Economic Environment and Capital Markets Risks
We May Face Difficult Economic Conditions
Market factors, including interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, derivative prices and availability, real estate conditions, foreign currency exchange rates, consumer and government spending, business investment, volatility, disruptions and strength of the capital markets, deflation and inflation, and government
actions may result in investment losses, derivative losses, changes in insurance liabilities, impairments, increased valuation allowances, increases in reserves, reduced net investment income and changes in unrealized gain or loss positions.
Public Health Risks
Pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic), and governmental, business, and consumer reactions to them, have affected and may continue to affect economic conditions. They have and may continue to cause illnesses and deaths, changes in consumer or business confidence and activity, changes to interest rates, and governmental or other restrictions on economic activity for prolonged periods. Any of these issues may cause or exacerbate any of the difficult economic conditions we describe in these risk factors.
Interest Rate Risks
Some
of our products and investments expose us to interest rate risks, including changes in the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates, which may reduce or eliminate our investment spread and net income.
Low interest rates and risk asset returns may reduce income from our investment portfolio, increase our liabilities for claims and future benefits, and increase the cost of risk transfer measures, decreasing our profit margins. During certain market events, such as a global credit crisis, a market downturn, or sustained low market returns, we may incur significant losses due to, among other reasons, losses incurred in our general account and the impact of guarantees, including increases in liabilities, capital maintenance obligations and collateral requirements. In addition, during periods of sustained lower interest rates, we may need to reinvest proceeds from certain investments at lower yields, reducing our
investment spread. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the fixed income securities and loans in our investment portfolio with greater frequency. Although we may be able to lower interest crediting rates to help offset decreases in spreads, our ability to lower these rates is limited to our products that have adjustable interest crediting rates, which could be limited by competition or contractually guaranteed minimum rates and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset yields. As a result, our investment spread may decrease or become negative.
Lower spreads may accelerate the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), reducing net income and in turn, harming our credit instrument covenants or rating agency assessment of our financial condition. During periods of declining interest rates, life insurance and annuity products may be more attractive investments to consumers, resulting
in increased premium payments on certain products, repayment of policy loans and increased persistency, while our new investments carry lower returns. A market interest rate decline could also reduce our return on investments that do not support particular policy obligations. During periods of sustained lower interest rates, we may need to increase our reserves.
Interest rate increases may also harm our profitability. During rapidly increasing interest rates, we may not be able to replace the investments in our general account with higher yielding investments
needed to fund the higher crediting rates required to stay competitive. This could result in a lower spread, lower profitability, decreased sales, and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets. In addition, policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals may increase as policyholders seek investments with higher perceived returns. This may result in cash outflows requiring the sale of investments on less favorable terms, resulting in investment losses. We may accelerate the amortization of DAC and value of business acquired (“VOBA”), reducing net income, harming our credit instrument covenants and rating agency assessment of our financial condition. Furthermore, if interest rates rise, our unrealized gains on fixed income securities may decrease and our unrealized losses may increase. We would recognize the accumulated change in estimated fair value of these fixed income
securities in net income when we realize a gain or loss upon the sale of the security or we determine that the decline in estimated fair value is due to a credit loss. Finally, an increase in interest rates may decrease fee income associated with a decline in the value of variable annuity account balances invested in fixed income funds.
Federal Reserve Board monetary policy (and that of other central banks) may also impact the pricing levels of risk-bearing investments and may harm our investment income or product sales.
The measures we take to mitigate the risks of investing in a changing interest rate environment, such as mitigating our fixed income investments relative to our interest rate sensitive liabilities, may not be sufficient. For some of our liability portfolios, we may not be able to invest assets at the full liability duration, thereby creating some asset/liability mismatch.
Credit Spread Risks
Changes in credit spreads may result in market price volatility and cash flow variability. Market price volatility can make valuations of our securities difficult if trading becomes less frequent, which may require us to add to our reserves. Market volatility may cause changes in credit spreads, defaults and a lack of pricing transparency. An increase in credit spreads relative to U.S. Treasury benchmarks may increase our borrowing costs and decrease certain product fee income. A sustained decrease in credit spreads could reduce the yield on our future investments.
Equity Risks
Downturns and volatility in equity markets may harm our savings and investment products’ revenues and investment returns, where fee income is earned based upon the estimated fair value of our managed
assets. Our variable annuity business is highly sensitive to equity markets, and a sustained weakness or stagnation in the equity markets may decrease these products’ revenues and earnings. Furthermore, certain of our variable annuity products offer guaranteed benefits that increase our potential benefit exposure should equity markets decline or stagnate.
The timing of distributions from and valuations of our investments in leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds and other private equity funds depends on the performance of the underlying investments, distribution schedules, and the funds’ need for cash. The amount of net investment income from these investments can vary substantially from period to period and significant volatility may harm our returns and net investment income. In addition, downturns or volatility in the equity markets may decrease the estimated fair value of our alternative investments and equity securities.
Real
Estate Risks
Changes in leasable commercial space supply and demand, pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic), creditworthiness of tenants and partners, capital markets volatility, interest rate fluctuations, commodity prices, farm incomes, housing and commercial property market conditions, and real estate investment supply and demand may adversely impact our investments in commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, and real estate and real estate joint ventures.
Obligor and Counterparty Risks
The issuers or guarantors of fixed income securities and mortgage loans we own may default on principal and interest payments they owe us. Additionally, the change in value of underlying collateral within asset-backed securities (“ABS”), including mortgage-backed securities, may result in
a default on principal and interest payments, reducing our cash flows. The occurrence of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate malfeasance, widening credit spreads, or other adverse events may reduce the estimated fair value of our portfolio of fixed income securities and mortgage loans and increase the default rate of the fixed income securities and mortgage loans in our investment portfolio.
Many of our transactions with counterparties such as brokers and dealers, central clearinghouses, commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, investment
funds, reinsurers and other financial institutions expose us to the risk of counterparty default. Such credit risk may be exacerbated if we cannot realize on the collateral held by us in secured transactions or cannot liquidate such collateral at prices sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to us. Furthermore, potential action by governments and regulatory bodies, such as controlling investment, nationalization, conservatorship, receivership and other intervention, or lack of action by governments and central banks, as well as deterioration in the banks’ credit standing, could negatively impact these instruments, securities, transactions and investments or limit our ability to trade with them. These may cause losses or impairments to the carrying value of our investments.
Our efforts to manage our total exposure to a single counterparty or limited number of counterparties within or among
any of our investment, derivative, treasury, and reinsurance relationships, which we adjust from time to time, may not completely or adequately mitigate counterparty risks.
Derivatives Risks
If our counterparties, clearing brokers or central clearinghouses fail or refuse to honor their obligations under our derivatives, our risks may not be hedged. A counterparty, clearing broker, or central clearinghouse may become insolvent or otherwise unable or unwilling to make payments or to return collateral under the terms of derivatives agreements, increasing our costs. If the net estimated fair value of a derivative to which we are a party declines, we may need to pledge collateral or make payments. In addition, we may face increased costs to the extent we replace counterparties who suffer financial difficulties. Furthermore, our derivatives valuations may change based on changes to our
valuation methodology or errors in such valuation or valuation methodology.
We May Not Meet Our Liquidity Needs, Access Capital, or May Face Significantly Increased Cost of Capital Due to Adverse Capital and Credit Market Conditions
In cases of volatility, disruptions, or other conditions in global capital markets we may have to seek additional financing, the availability and cost of which could be adversely affected by market conditions, regulatory considerations, availability of credit to our industry generally, our credit ratings and credit capacity, reduced business activity, or investment losses, and the perception of our financial prospects. Our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. We may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing we need on favorable terms or at all. We may be required to
return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice under securities lending or derivatives agreements or post collateral or make payments related to specified counterparty agreements.
Our business and financial results may suffer without sufficient liquidity through impaired ability to pay claims, other operating expenses, interest on our debt, maintain our securities lending, replace certain maturing liabilities, and sustain our operations and investments. Capital and credit market volatility may limit our access to capital we need to operate, limiting our ability to raise capital, issue the types of securities we would prefer, timely replace maturing liabilities, satisfy regulatory requirements, and access capital to grow our business, any of which could decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility.
MetLife, Inc. May Be Unable to Access
Its Credit Facility, Reducing Our Liquidity and Leading to Downgrades in Credit and Financial Strength Ratings
MetLife, Inc. may fail to comply with or fulfill all conditions under the unsecured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc. (“MetLife Funding”) maintain. Lenders may fail to fund their lending commitments under the Credit Facility due to insolvency, illiquidity or other reasons. This could limit our affiliates in supporting our liquidity.
We May Lose Business Due to a Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Financial Strength or Credit Ratings
Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSROs”) and others may, at any time, downgrade MetLife, Inc.’s or our financial strength ratings or credit ratings, lower MetLife, Inc.’s or our ratings outlooks, increase
the scope or frequency of their reviews, or increase capital or other requirements to maintain ratings. Such changes could reduce our product sales, reduce cash flows from funding agreements and other capital market products, and force us to change product pricing and increase our financing costs, policy surrenders or withdrawals, collateral requirements, risk of derivative terminations, cost of reinsurance, regulatory scrutiny, or various other factors.
We May Not Find Available, Affordable or Adequate Reinsurance to Protect Us Against Losses
Reinsurers
may increase our reinsurance costs, or may decline to offer us reinsurance, due to policy changes related to pandemics or other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic), market conditions, or other factors. Our risk of loss may increase if we decrease the amount of our reinsurance. Any of these could harm our ability to write future business or result in the assumption of more risk with respect to the policies we issue.
We may incur costs as a result of a reinsurer’s insolvency, inability or unwillingness to make payments, or inability or unwillingness to maintain collateral.
Our Statutory Life Insurance Reserve Financings Costs May Increase, and We May Find Limited Market Capacity for New Financings
If our ratings decline, market capacity is limited, or on other repricing occasions, our costs to finance statutory life
insurance reserves may increase. If regulators disallow assets to back statutory reserves, we would not be able to take some or all related statutory reserve credit, which may harm the statutory capitalization of certain of our insurance subsidiaries.
Regulatory and Legal Risks
Changes in Laws or Regulation, or in Supervisory and Enforcement Policies, May Reduce Our Profitability, Limit Our Growth, or Otherwise Adversely Affect Us
Insurance or other regulators may change licensing, permit, or approval requirements, or take other actions harmful to us. They may also take actions that harm our customers and independent sales intermediaries or their operations, which may affect our business relationships with them and their ability to purchase or distribute
our products.
Governments may change regulation of financial services, insurance, variable annuities and variable life insurance, securities, derivatives, pension, health care, accounting, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, tort reform legislation, taxation, benefit plan investment advice and related fiduciary duties, antitrust as applied to the business of health insurance or otherwise, and other areas. Laws and regulations may also affect customers, sales intermediaries, or others. We or others may fail to comply with these requirements or suffer adverse regulatory examinations or audits. Regulators may also interpret rules differently from the way we have, or change interpretations of laws or rules, and legislators may change statutes. Any of these changes may harm our ability to continue to offer products we do today or to introduce new products.
We may incur costs to
comply with laws and regulations and changes to these laws and regulations may increase our expenses or require us to increase our reserves or change the assets we hold to cover those reserves. Our failure to comply with our own policies or with regulatory requirements may harm our reputation or result in sanctions or legal claims.
Solvency standards compliance may increase our capital and reserve requirements, risk management costs, and reporting costs. We may be subject to enhanced capital standards, supervision and additional requirements, such as group capital standards or insurer capital standards.
Regulators have reacted and may continue to react to pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic). They may require “no lapse” in policy coverage regardless of whether we receive premiums or are able to assess fees against policyholder account
balances. They may extend insurance coverage beyond our policy or contract terms and may impose premium grace periods, suspend cancellations, lower or freeze premium rates, and extend proof of loss deadlines, including retroactively, exposing us to risks and costs we are unable to foresee or underwrite. We may also adopt customer accommodations, such as waiving exclusions, forgoing rate increases or implementing lower rate increases than we would otherwise, relaxing claim documentation requirements, relaxing eligibility criteria, granting premium credits, or other accommodations for customers experiencing economic or other distress. Regulators may restrict our underwriting on public policy or other grounds, excluding factors such as exposure, quarantine, infection, and association with others suffering public health-related effects.
Our
New York regulator's annual SCL for year-end asset adequacy testing may impose unforeseen assumptions or requirements that require us to increase or release reserves, which could affect our statutory capital and surplus.
Governmental bodies may delay acting on or implementing regulatory or policy changes due to pandemics or other public health issues, or because they are attending to pandemic or public health issues rather than other topics. This may increase uncertainty, prolong deleterious regulations and policies, delay or prevent beneficial regulatory or policy changes, and create the potential for later, more rapid changes to which we find it more difficult to adjust.
Governments or Others May Increase our Taxes by Changing or Re-Interpreting Tax Laws, Making Some of Our Products Less Attractive to Consumers
Changes in tax laws or interpretations of such laws could increase our corporate taxes, reduce our earnings, and increase our deferred income tax liabilities. Changes may increase our effective tax rate or have implications that make our products less attractive to consumers. Tax authorities may enact laws, change regulations to increase existing taxes, or add new types of taxes, and authorities who have not imposed taxes in the past may impose taxes.
Customers shifting away from employee benefits, life insurance and annuity contracts,
or other tax-preferred products would reduce our income from these products and our asset base, reducing our earnings and potentially affecting the value of our deferred tax assets.
We May Face Increasing Litigation and Regulatory Investigations
Legal or regulatory actions, inquiries or investigations, whether ongoing or yet to come, could harm our reputation, ability to attract or retain customers or MetLife employees (our “Associates”), business, financial condition, or results of operations, even if we ultimately prevail. Regulators or private parties may bring class actions, individual suits, or investigations seeking large recoveries alleging wrongs relating to sales or underwriting practices, claims payments and procedures, failure to adequately or appropriately supervise, inappropriate compensation contrary to licensing requirements, product design, disclosure, administration,
investments, denial or delay of benefits, pandemic- or other public health-related practices (such as those related to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic), data security incidents, discriminatory or inequitable practices, and breaches of fiduciary or other duties. We may be unable to anticipate the outcome of a litigation and the amount or range of loss because we do not know how adversaries, fact finders, courts, regulators, or others will evaluate evidence, the law, or accounting principles, and whether they will do so differently than we have.
We May Face Changes to Interest Rates, the Value of our Financial Instruments, the Competitiveness of our Products, the Performance of our Investments, and our Relationships Due to LIBOR’s Termination and the Uncertainties in Our transition to Alternative Reference Rates
Regulators, agencies, or benchmark administrators may change how LIBOR is
determined, discontinue reliance on LIBOR as a benchmark rate as planned, or establish additional alternative reference rates. Any change or discontinuation of LIBOR (or other benchmark rates) may change interest rates and the value of, return on, and markets for, a broad array of our products, our financial instruments, the instruments in which we invest, or interest rates on our borrowing or debt. The effects on our business and investments will vary depending on existing fallback provisions in individual contracts and whether, how, and when industry participants continue to develop and adopt alternative reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products or instruments. Uncertainty regarding the continued use and reliability of LIBOR, regarding the calculation of the applicable interest rate or payment amount depending on the terms of the governing instruments, or
regarding the application or effectiveness of alternative reference rates, could increase our costs, reduce the value of such instruments, or impair our cash or derivative positions. We may not effectively hedge or manage risks from differences among applicable fallback rates or when those rates take effect.
We may fail to adequately prepare for or react to LIBOR discontinuation and replacement, or fail to fully protect ourselves from all the effects of such changes. We may also fail to manage adequately any transition to alternative reference rates in a way that maintains the competitiveness of our products and the performance of our investment portfolio. Our transition may not effectively protect other aspects of our business, such as our operations and the accuracy of the financial models and valuations we use to gauge our risks, for financial reporting, or other purposes.
Any
such uncertainties or ineffective management may harm our reputation, our relationships with our customers, or regulators, financial condition, and our business operations.
Our Efforts to Meet Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards and to Enhance the Sustainability of our Businesses May Not Meet Investors' or Regulators' Expectations
Our investors, regulators, customers, or others may evaluate our practices by environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) criteria that are continually evolving and not always clear. These standards and expectations may also, as a whole, reflect contrasting or conflicting values or agendas. Our efforts to conduct our business in accordance with some or all these expectations may involve trade-offs. We may fail to meet our commitments or targets. We may face adverse regulatory, investor, media, or public scrutiny leading to business,
reputational, or legal challenges.
We May Face Defaults, Downgrades, Volatility or Other Events That Adversely Affect the Investments We Hold
In case of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate malfeasance, widening credit risk spreads, ratings downgrades or other events, our estimated fair value of our fixed income securities and loan portfolios and corresponding earnings may decline, and the default rate of our investment portfolio may increase.
These changes could harm the issuers or guarantors of securities or the underlying collateral of structured securities that we hold. We may have to hold more capital to support our securities to maintain our RBC levels if securities we hold suffer a ratings downgrade. Our intent to sell, or our assessment of the likelihood that we will be required to sell, fixed income securities may increase our write-downs or impairments. Our realized losses or impairments on these securities may harm our net income.
The default rate, loss severity or other performance of our mortgage loan investments may change. Any concentration of our mortgage loans by geography, tenancy or property type may have an adverse effect on our investment portfolio, the prices we can obtain when we sell assets, and our results of operations or financial condition. Legislation or regulations that would allow or require modifications to the terms of, or impact
the value of, mortgage loans could harm our investment portfolio.
Pandemics and other major public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic) have affected and may continue to affect financial markets and our investment portfolio. These have increased and may continue to increase our risk of investment defaults, downgrades and volatility, and lower variable investment income and returns, and may cause or exacerbate any of the investment risks we describe in these risk factors.
Market volatility affects the value of or return on our investments. It may slow or prevent us from reacting to market events as effectively as we otherwise could. When we sell our investment holdings, we may not receive the prices we seek, and may sell at a price lower than our carrying value, due to reduced liquidity during periods of market volatility or disruption, or other reasons. Borrowers
may delay or fail to pay principal and interest when due or may demand loan modifications. Tenants may delay paying rent, or fail to pay it, or demand lease modifications. We may face moratoriums on foreclosures and other enforcement actions impairments, and loan or lease modifications, due to government action or market conditions. We may also encounter credit spreads changes, increasing our borrowing costs and decreasing our product fee income. Issuer or guarantor default rates may increase.
We May Have Difficulty Selling Holdings in Our Investment Portfolio or in Our Securities Lending Program in a Timely Manner to Realize Their Full Value
When we sell holdings in our investment portfolio, we may not receive the price we seek and may sell at a price lower than our carrying value. We may face unfavorable conditions in privately-placed fixed income securities, private structured
credit, certain derivative instruments, mortgage loans, policy loans, direct financing and leveraged leases, other limited partnership interests, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships, and real estate equity, including real estate joint ventures and funds. Our investments may suffer reduced liquidity during periods of market volatility or disruption or for other reasons. In addition, central banks' efforts to provide market liquidity or otherwise address market conditions may not be successful or sufficient. We may realize losses that harm our financial metrics, which could harm our compliance with our credit instruments and rating agency capital adequacy measures.
We may face similar risks if we are required under our securities lending program to return significant amounts of cash collateral that we have invested. Our securities lending activities and profitability may decrease.
We
May Have to Pledge Collateral or Make Payments in Derivatives Transactions
We may have to pledge additional collateral and increase payments we make under our derivatives transactions. Regulators, clearinghouses, or counterparties may restrict or eliminate eligible collateral, increase our collateral requirements, or charge us to pledge such collateral, which would increase our costs, reduce our investment income, and harm our liquidity.
Business Risks
Our Actual Claims or Other Results May Differ From Our Estimates, Assumptions, or Models
If our actual claims experience is less favorable than the underlying underwriting, reserving, and other assumptions we used in establishing claim liabilities, we could be required to reduce DAC or VOBA, increase our liabilities, or incur higher costs.
The amounts that we will ultimately pay to settle our liabilities, particularly when those payments may not occur until well into the future, may vary from what we expect. We may change our liability assumptions and increase our liabilities based on actual experience and accounting requirements. Our operating practices and procedures that support our policyholders and contractholder obligation assumptions, such as obtaining, accumulating, and filtering data, and our use of technology, such as database analysis and electronic communications, may affect our reserve estimates. If these practices and procedures do not accurately produce the data to support our assumptions or cause us to change our assumptions, or if enhanced technological tools become available to us, we may change those assumptions and procedures,
as well as our reserves. If any of our operating practices and procedures do not accurately produce, or reproduce, data that we use to conduct any or all aspects of our business, such deviations or errors may negatively impact our business, reputation, results of operations, or financial condition. We may change our assumptions, models, or reserves due to changes in longevity. Increases in the prevalence and accuracy of genetic testing, or restrictions on its use, may exacerbate adverse selection risks.
Pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic) have caused and may continue to cause increased claims under many of our policies (for example, life, disability, leave, long-term care, and supplemental health products), raising our resulting costs. Governments or others may fail to produce accurate population and impact data that we use in our estimates, assumptions, models, or reserves, such
as death rates, infections, morbidity, hospitalization, or illness. This may cause or exacerbate any of the risks related to our estimates or assumptions. Pandemics and other public health issues may cause related or consequential long-term economic, social, political, policy, regulatory, business, demographic, or other changes to our claims or other areas subject to estimates, assumptions, models, or reserves. We may not accurately predict, prepare, and adjust to these changes.
We May Face Competition for Business
Competitive pressures, based on a number of factors including service, product features, scale, price, financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities, name recognition, performance against ESG metrics, technology, adaptation in light of pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic), and other factors,
may adversely affect the persistency of our products and our ability to sell products in the future. We may be harmed by competition from other insurance companies, as well as non-insurance financial services companies, which may have a broader array of products, more competitive pricing, higher claims paying ability ratings, greater financial resources with which to compete, or pre-existing customer bases for financial services products. Additionally, we may lose purchasers of group insurance products that are underwritten annually due to more favorable terms from competitors.
We May Face Catastrophes That Affect Liabilities for Policyholder Claims and Reinsurance Availability
Catastrophic events could increase claims, impair assets in or otherwise harm our investment portfolio, and could harm our reinsurers’ financial condition, increasing reinsurance defaults. Pandemics and other
public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic) or other events may continue to cause a large number of illnesses or deaths. An event that affects the workforce of one or more of our customers could increase our mortality or morbidity claims. Governmental and non-governmental organizations may not effectively mitigate catastrophes' effects. We may also be called upon to make contributions to guaranty associations or similar organizations as a result of catastrophes.
We May Face Direct or Indirect Effects of Climate Change or Responses to It
Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of near- or long-term weather-related disasters. public health incidents, and pandemics, and their effects may increase over time. Climate change regulation may harm the value of investments we hold or harm our counterparties, including reinsurers. Our regulators may also increasingly
focus their examinations on climate-related risks.
We May Need to Fund Deficiencies in Our Closed Block, and May Not Re-Allocate Closed Block Assets
The closed block assets established in connection with our demutualization, cash flows, and revenue from the closed block policies may not be sufficient to provide for the policies’ guaranteed benefits. If they are not, we must fund the shortfall. We may choose, for competitive or other reasons, to support policyholder dividend payments with our general account funds. Such actions may reduce funds otherwise available for other uses.
We May Be Required to Accelerate the Amortization of or Impair DAC, DSI, or VOBA
Adverse changes to investment returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency, interest crediting rates, dividends paid to policyholders, expenses
to administer the business, creditworthiness of reinsurance counterparties, significant or sustained equity market declines, significantly lower spreads, and certain other economic variables, such as inflation, may harm the gross profit or margins that we use to amortize DAC, deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and VOBA. We may accelerate amortization in the period these occur.
We May Face Volatility, Higher Risk Management Costs, and Increased Counterparty Risk Due to Guarantees Within Certain of Our Products
Our
liabilities for guaranteed benefits, including but not limited to no-lapse guarantee benefits, guaranteed minimum death benefits, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits, guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits, guaranteed minimum income benefits, and minimum crediting rate features could increase if equity or fixed income funds decline or become more volatile, or interest rates remain low or decrease.
Our derivatives and other risk management strategies to hedge our economic exposure to these liabilities may harm our results. Our use of reinsurance, derivatives, or other risk management techniques may not sufficiently offset the costs of guarantees or protect us against losses from changes in policyholder behavior, mortality, or market events.
Policyholders may also change their behavior in unexpected ways. For example, policyholders and contractholders seeking liquidity due to
economic uncertainty or challenges may withdraw or surrender, change their premium payment practices, exercise product options, or take other actions at rates different from those we expect.
Operational Risks
Our Risk Management Policies and Procedures, or Our Models, May Leave Us Exposed to Unidentified or Unanticipated Risk
Our enterprise risk management and business continuity policies and procedures may not be sufficiently comprehensive and may not identify or adequately protect us from every risk to which we are exposed.
Pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic) have caused and may continue to cause extended remote work periods and other unusual conditions. These may strain our risk management and our business continuity plans, introduce or increase
our operational and cybersecurity risks, and otherwise impair our ability to manage our business. They may increase the frequency and sophistication of attempts at unauthorized access to our technology systems. They may hinder our efforts to prevent money-laundering or other fraud, whether due to limited abilities to “know our customers,” strains on our programs to avoid and deter foreign corrupt practices, or otherwise, and may increase both our compliance costs and our risk of violations.
The assumptions, projections and data on which our risk management models are based may be inaccurate, and our models may not be suitable for their purpose, be misused, not operate properly, and contain errors. Our decisions and model adjustments, including determination of reserves, are based on such model output and reports and may be flawed. We may fail to identify or remediate model errors adequately. Our models may not fully
predict future exposures or correctly reflect past experience.
Our evaluation of markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence or other matters may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. We may not effectively identify and monitor all risks or appropriately limit our exposures and our Associates, vendors or non-employee sales agents may not follow our risk management policies and procedures. Past or future misconduct by our Associates, vendors or non-employee sales agents could result in investigations, violations of law, regulatory sanctions, and litigation. We may have to implement more extensive or different risk management policies and procedures due to legal and regulatory requirements.
Our Policies and Procedures May Be Insufficient to Protect Us From Operational Risks
We may make errors in any of the large
number of transactions we process through our complex administrative systems. Our controls and procedures to prevent such errors may not be effective. Our controls and procedures to comply with and enforce contractual obligations may not always be effective. Mistakes can subject us to claims from our customers.
If we are unable to obtain necessary and accurate information from our customers or their employees, we may be unable to provide or verify coverage and pay claims, or we may pay claims without sufficient documentation.
Pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic) have increased, and may continue to increase, our administrative expenses and the reliability and efficacy of our processes. They may affect our Associates, agents, brokers and distribution partners, vendors, other service providers and counterparties. We may have difficulties conducting
our business, including continued challenges in selling some of our products, such as those traditionally sold in person. We may face increased workplace safety costs and risks, lose access to critical Associates, and face increased employment-related claims and employee-relations challenges. Any of the third parties to whom we outsource certain critical business activities may fail to perform due to a force majeure or otherwise.
The controls of our vendors on whom we rely may not meet our standards or be adequate. Our vendors could fail to perform their
services accurately or timely. Our exchange of information with vendors may be imperfect, or our vendors may suffer financial or reputational distress. Each of these may cause errors, misconduct, or discontinuation of services.
We may fail to escheat property timely and completely. As a result, we may incur charges, reserve strengthening, and expenses, regulatory examinations, or penalties.
Our practices and procedures may, at times, limit our efforts to contact all our customers, which may result in delayed, untimely, or missed customer payments.
Our Associates, vendors, non-employee sales agents, customers, or others may commit fraud against us. Our policies and procedures may be ineffective in preventing, detecting or mitigating fraud and other illegal or improper acts.
We may identify internal
control deficiencies, disclosure control deficiencies, or material weaknesses. Pandemics and other public health issues (such as the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic) may affect our internal controls or disclosure controls by imposing new, less-seasoned processes, procedures, and controls to respond to changes in our business environment. If any Associates who are key to our controls become ill or are unable to work effectively, this may also affect our internal or disclosure controls.
We May Fail to Protect Confidential Information Due to a Failure in Our Cybersecurity or Other Information Security Systems or Our Disaster Recovery Plans or Those of Our Vendors
We and our vendors may suffer computer viruses or other malicious codes, unauthorized or fraudulent access, human errors, cyber-attacks or other penetrations of our computer systems. Our efforts to reduce the risk of cyber-incidents
and protect our information technology may be insufficient to prevent break-ins, attacks, fraud, security breaches or other unauthorized access to our and our vendors’ systems. We may not timely detect such incidents.
We or our vendors may fail to maintain adequate internal controls, fail to comply with relevant policies and procedures, or policies, procedures and controls may not be sufficient. As a result, we may intentionally or unintentionally disclose or misuse confidential personal information, or others may misappropriate it.
We, our vendors, and our customers may suffer disasters such as a natural catastrophe, epidemic, pandemic, industrial accident, blackout, computer virus, terrorist attack, cyber-attack or war, and our disaster recovery systems may be insufficient, particularly if these affect computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and retrieval systems
and destroy valuable data. Our ability to conduct business effectively and maintain the security, integrity, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data could be severely compromised if key personnel are unavailable, our vendors’ ability to provide goods and services, and our Associates’ ability to perform their job responsibilities, are impaired by a disaster. Any insurance for liability, operational and other risks may be insufficient to protect us against such losses or may become less readily available or more expensive.
We may not be able to reliably access all the documents and records in the information storage systems we use, whether electronic or physical. We may fail to obtain or maintain all the records we need to administer and establish appropriate reserves for benefits and claims accurately and timely. If a breach released any of our sensitive financial information, then customers or regulators may develop an
inaccurate perception of our financial condition or results of operations. We could be compelled to publicly disclose information prematurely in order to dispel such inaccurate perceptions, or in order to fulfill our disclosure obligations, even if we do not believe the information is yet completely reliable or confirmed per our usual internal controls and disclosure controls.
Regulators’ or others’ scrutiny of cybersecurity, including new laws or regulations, could increase our compliance costs. Regulators, customers, or others may act against us for any cybersecurity failures. Our continuous technological evaluations and enhancements, including changes designed to update our protective measures, may increase our risk of a breach or gap in our security. We may incur higher costs to comply with laws on, or regulators’ scrutiny of, our use, collection, management, or transfer of data and other privacy practices.
We
May Face Changes in Accounting Standards
Authorities may change accounting standards that apply to us, and we may adopt changes earlier than required. We may not be able to predict or assess the effects of these changes.
Our Associates May Take Excessive Risks
Our Associates, including executives and others who manage sales, investments, products, wholesaling, underwriting, and others, may take excessive risks. Our compensation programs and practices, and our other controls, may not effectively deter excessive risk-taking or misconduct.
We May Have Difficulty in or Complications from Marketing and Distributing Our Products
Our product distributors may suspend, alter, reduce or terminate their distribution relationships with us if we change our strategy, if our business performance declines, as a result of rating agency actions or concerns about market-related risks, or for other reasons. Our distributors may merge, change their business models in ways that affect us, or terminate their distribution contracts with us, and new distribution channels could emerge, harming our distribution efforts. Distributors may try to renegotiate the terms of any existing selling agreements to less favorable terms due to consolidation or other industry changes or for other reasons. Disruption or changes to our relationships
with our distributors could harm our ability to market our products.
Our Associates or unaffiliated firms or agents may distribute our products in an inappropriate manner, or our customers may not understand them or whether they are suitable.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties
Not applicable.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
See
Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
No established public trading market exists for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s common equity; all of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s common stock is held by MetLife, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements and Other Financial Information
For purposes of this discussion, “MLIC,” the “Company,”“we,”“our” and “us” refer to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, a New York corporation incorporated in 1868, and its subsidiaries. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”). Management's narrative analysis of the Company’s results of operations
is presented pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(a) of Form 10-K. This narrative analysis should be read in conjunction with “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,”“Risk Factors,”“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and the Company's consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
This narrative analysis may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements.
This narrative analysis includes references to our performance measure, adjusted earnings,
that is not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). See “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures” for definitions and a discussion of this and other financial measures, and “— Results of Operations” and “— Investments” for reconciliations of historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Overview
MLIC is a provider of insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. MLIC is organized into two segments: U.S. and MetLife Holdings. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other. See Note 2 of the Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company’s segments and Corporate & Other.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Current Market Conditions
We continue to closely monitor developments relating to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”) and assess its impact on our business. The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to impact the global economy and financial markets and has caused volatility in the global equity, credit and real estate markets. Governments and businesses have taken numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, social distancing, shelter in place or total lock down
orders, and business limitations and shutdowns. Some governments and businesses have begun to ease some restrictions. Others have reinstated restrictions they previously lifted. Nevertheless, these measures have disrupted and will continue to disrupt business activity and have resulted in an economic slowdown and volatility in the financial markets, to which governments and central banks around the world have responded with unprecedented fiscal and monetary policies. These policy responses include fiscal and monetary stimulus measures, including, but not limited to, financial assistance, liquidity programs, new financing facilities and reductions in the level of interest rates. Although vaccines have become available, distribution and access are expected to take time before a significant percentage of the population is vaccinated.
The economic projections of the Federal Reserve Board suggest that the current low interest rate
environment will continue until 2023, and potentially longer. We believe that our investment portfolio is highly diversified and well positioned to withstand economic downturns; however, we expect that the market-related effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as the sustained low interest rate environment, will continue to have an impact across our investment portfolio.
Events related to the COVID-19 Pandemic may continue to adversely affect certain of our business operations, investment portfolio, derivatives, financial results or financial condition. See “Risk Factors.” We have implemented risk management and business continuity plans and taken preventive measures and other precautions, such as employee business travel restrictions and remote work arrangements which, to date, have enabled us to maintain our critical business processes, customer service levels, relationships with key vendors, financial reporting
systems, internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.
We granted and continue to grant certain accommodations to our customers, borrowers and lessees, including (i) waiving exclusions, such as deferred rate increases, extending premium grace periods, waiving late payment fees, and relaxing claim documentation requirements, (ii) credits on insured dental premiums, (iii) payment deferrals and other loan modifications on certain commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, and (iv) certain operating lease concessions. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding COVID-19 Pandemic-related mortgage loan and lease concessions. See also, “— Results of Operations.”
Our capital stress testing and longstanding commitment to liquidity position us to withstand the current crisis. We have, and may continue to maintain, a higher than normal level of short-term liquidity, which may adversely affect net investment income if the reinvestment process occurs over an extended period of time. We do not expect any material liquidity deficiencies, and we expect to remain able to comply with the applicable financial covenants of our credit agreements. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources.” We will continue reviewing accounting estimates, asset valuations and various financial scenarios for capital and liquidity implications. See “— Investments — Current Environment,”“Business — Regulation” and “Risk Factors” for additional information.
Summary
of Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements. For a discussion of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The most critical estimates include those used in determining:
(i)
liabilities for future policy benefits and the accounting for reinsurance;
(ii)
capitalization and amortization
of DAC and the establishment and amortization of VOBA;
(iii)
estimated fair values of investments in the absence of quoted market values;
(iv)
investment allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) and impairments;
(v)
estimated fair values of freestanding derivatives and the recognition and estimated fair value of embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation;
(vi)
measurement of employee benefit plan liabilities;
(vii)
measurement
of income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets; and
(viii)
liabilities for litigation and regulatory matters.
In applying these policies and estimates, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to our business and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Liability for Future Policy Benefits
Generally, future policy benefits
are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability terminations, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. If experience is less favorable than assumed, additional liabilities may be established,
resulting in a charge to policyholder benefits and claims.
Future policy benefit liabilities for disabled lives are estimated using the present value of benefits method and experience assumptions as to claim terminations, expenses and interest.
Liabilities for unpaid claims are estimated based upon our historical experience and other actuarial assumptions that consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs.
Future policy benefit liabilities for minimum death and income benefit guarantees relating to certain annuity contracts are based on estimates of the expected value of benefits in excess of the projected account balance, recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected
assessments. Liabilities for universal and variable life secondary guarantees and paid-up guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The assumptions used in estimating the secondary and paid-up guarantee liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are thus subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity index, such as the S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) 500 Index.
We regularly review our estimates of liabilities for future policy benefits and compare them with our actual experience. Differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in pricing these policies and guarantees, as well as in the establishment of the related liabilities, result in variances in profit and could result in losses.
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our liability for future policy benefits.
Reinsurance
Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates,
particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risks. We periodically review actual and anticipated experience compared to the aforementioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluate the financial strength of counterparties to our reinsurance agreements using criteria similar to that evaluated in our security impairment process. See “— Investment Allowance for Credit Loss and Impairments.” Additionally, for each of our reinsurance agreements, we determine whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, in accordance with applicable accounting standards. We review all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims. If we determine that a reinsurance
agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, we record the agreement using the deposit method of accounting.
See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our reinsurance programs.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
We incur significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance business. Costs that relate directly to the successful acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts are capitalized as DAC. In addition to commissions, certain direct-response advertising expenses
and other direct costs, deferrable costs include the portion of an employee’s total compensation and benefits related to time spent selling, underwriting or processing the issuance of new and renewal insurance business only with respect to actual policies acquired or renewed. We utilize various techniques to estimate the portion of an employee’s time spent on qualifying acquisition activities that result in actual sales, including surveys, interviews, representative time studies and other methods. These estimates include assumptions that are reviewed and updated on a periodic basis to reflect significant changes in processes or distribution methods.
VOBA represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity and investment-type contracts in force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value
of the acquired obligations is based on projections, by each block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment and other factors. Actual experience on the purchased business may vary from these projections. The recovery of DAC and VOBA is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business.
Separate account rates of return on variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts affect in-force account balances on such contracts
each reporting period, which can result in significant fluctuations in amortization of DAC and VOBA. Our practice to determine the impact of gross profits resulting from returns on separate accounts assumes that long-term appreciation in equity markets is not changed by short-term market fluctuations, but is only changed when sustained interim deviations are expected. We monitor these events and only change the assumption when our long-term expectation changes. The effect of an increase (decrease) by 100 basis points in the assumed future rate of return is reasonably likely to result in a decrease (increase) in the DAC and VOBA amortization with an offset to our unearned revenue liability which nets to approximately $20 million. We use a mean reversion approach to separate account returns where the mean reversion period is five years with a long-term separate account return after the five-year reversion period is over. The current long-term rate of return assumption
for the variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts is 6.0%.
We periodically review long-term assumptions underlying the projections of estimated gross margins and profits. These assumptions primarily relate to investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, interest crediting rates, mortality, persistency, and expenses to administer business. Assumptions used in the calculation of estimated gross margins and profits which may have significantly changed are updated annually. If the update of assumptions causes expected future gross margins and profits to increase, DAC and VOBA amortization will decrease, resulting in a current period increase to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the assumption update causes
expected future gross margins and profits to decrease.
Our most significant assumption updates resulting in a change to expected future gross margins and profits and the amortization of DAC and VOBA are due to revisions to expected future investment returns, expenses, in-force or persistency assumptions and policyholder dividends on participating traditional life contracts, variable and universal life contracts
and annuity contracts. We expect these assumptions to be the ones most reasonably likely to cause significant changes in the future. Changes in these assumptions can be offsetting and we are unable to predict their movement or offsetting impact over time.
See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on DAC and VOBA.
Estimated Fair Value of Investments
In determining the estimated fair value of our investments, fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical investments in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. When such unadjusted quoted prices are
not available, estimated fair values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar but not identical investments, or other observable inputs. If these inputs are not available, or observable inputs are not determinable, unobservable inputs and/or adjustments to observable inputs requiring management judgment are used to determine the estimated fair value of investments.
The methodologies, assumptions and inputs utilized are described in Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial markets are susceptible to severe events evidenced by rapid depreciation in asset values accompanied by a reduction in asset liquidity. Our ability to sell investments, or the price ultimately realized for investments, depends upon the demand and liquidity in the market and increases the use of judgment in determining the estimated fair value
of certain investments.
Investment Allowance for Credit Loss and Impairments
The significant estimates related to our evaluation of credit loss and impairments on our investment portfolio are summarized below. In addition, information about the evaluation processes and measurement methodologies and changes thereto from the implementation of new credit loss guidance on January 1, 2020, is contained in Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Fixed Maturity Securities
The assessment of whether a credit loss has occurred is based on our case-by-case evaluation of whether the net amount expected to be
collected is less than the amortized cost basis. We consider a wide range of factors about the security issuer and use our best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. In accordance with new credit loss guidance adopted January 1, 2020, we evaluate credit loss by considering information about past events, current and forecasted economic conditions, and we measure credit loss by estimating recovery value using a discounted cash flow analysis. In accordance with this new credit loss guidance, we record an ACL for the amount of the credit loss instead of recording a reduction of the amortized cost as an impairment. We revise these evaluations as conditions change and new information becomes available.
Prior to adopting the new credit loss guidance, we used the incurred loss
model. The credit loss evaluation process and the measurement of credit loss are generally similar under the new credit loss guidance and the incurred loss model.
Mortgage Loans
The ACL is established both for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics and for loans with dissimilar risk characteristics, collateral dependent loans and reasonably expected troubled debt restructurings, individually on a loan specific basis. We record an allowance for expected lifetime credit loss in an amount that represents the portion of the amortized cost basis of mortgage loans that we do not expect to collect, resulting in mortgage loans being presented at the net amount expected to be collected. In accordance with new credit loss guidance adopted January 1, 2020, to determine the mortgage loan ACL, we estimate expected lifetime credit loss
over the contractual term of our mortgage loans adjusted for expected prepayments and any extensions; and we consider past events and current and forecasted economic conditions. Our estimates are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
Prior to adopting the new credit loss guidance, we used the incurred loss model. The credit loss evaluation process and the measurement of credit loss are generally similar under the new credit loss guidance and the incurred loss model, except that the new credit loss guidance requires recording an ACL for expected lifetime credit loss.
The determination of the amount of ACL and impairments on real estate, leases and the remaining invested asset classes is highly subjective and is based upon our quarterly evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
Derivatives
The determination of the estimated fair value of freestanding derivatives, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what
other market participants would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, nonperformance risk, volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on significant inputs into the OTC derivative pricing models and credit risk adjustment.
We issue variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits, some of which are embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity product, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). The estimated fair values of these embedded derivatives are determined based on the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected
future fees. The projections of future benefits and future fees require capital market and actuarial assumptions, including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used under which the cash flows from the guarantees are projected under multiple capital market scenarios using observable risk-free rates. The valuation of these embedded derivatives also includes an adjustment for our nonperformance risk and risk margins for non-capital market inputs. The nonperformance risk adjustment, which is captured as a spread over the risk-free rate in determining the discount rate to discount the cash flows of the liability, is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for MetLife, Inc.’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability
of the issuing insurance subsidiaries compared to MetLife, Inc. Risk margins are established to capture the non-capital market risks of the instrument which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties in certain actuarial assumptions. The establishment of risk margins requires the use of significant management judgment, including assumptions of the amount and cost of capital needed to cover the guarantees.
The accounting for derivatives is complex and interpretations of accounting standards continue to evolve in practice. If it is determined that hedge accounting designations were not appropriately applied, reported net income could be materially affected. Assessments of the effectiveness of hedging relationships are also subject to interpretations and estimations
and different interpretations or estimates may have a material effect on the amount reported in net income.
Variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in our nonperformance risk, variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, mortality and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs, may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of the guarantees that could materially affect net income. If interpretations change, there is a risk that features previously not bifurcated may require bifurcation and reporting at estimated fair value on the consolidated financial statements and respective changes in estimated fair value could materially affect net
income.
Additionally, we ceded the risk associated with certain of the variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits described in the preceding paragraphs. The value of the embedded derivatives on the ceded risk is determined using a methodology consistent with that described previously for the guarantees directly written by us with the exception of the input for nonperformance risk that reflects the credit of the reinsurer. Because certain of the direct guarantees do not meet the definition of an embedded derivative and, thus are not accounted for at fair value, significant fluctuations in net income may occur since the change in fair value of the embedded derivative on the ceded risk is being recorded in net income without a corresponding and offsetting change in fair value of the direct guarantee.
See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information on our derivatives and hedging programs.
The Company sponsors a U.S. nonqualified defined benefit pension plan covering MetLife employees who meet specified eligibility requirements of the sponsor and its participating affiliates. In addition, the
Company also provides pension benefits for certain U.S. retired employees and postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for certain non-U.S. retired employees. The calculation of the obligations and expenses associated with these plans requires an extensive use of assumptions such as the discount rate, expected rate of return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases and healthcare cost trend rates, as well as assumptions regarding participant demographics such as rate and age of retirement, withdrawal rates and mortality. In consultation with external actuarial firms, we determine these assumptions based upon a variety of factors such as historical experience of the plan and its assets, currently available market and industry data, and expected benefit payout streams. Assets for the plans are held in a Life Insurance Funding Account. We determine the expected rate of return on plan assets based upon historical experience and future expectations
of the returns declared on the plan assets. We determine the discount rates used to value the pension and postretirement obligations based upon rates commensurate with current yields on high quality corporate bonds. The assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to, among other factors, changing market and economic conditions and changes in participant demographics. These differences may have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and liquidity.
See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of assumptions used in measuring liabilities relating to our employee benefit plans.
Income
Taxes
We provide for federal, state and foreign income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Our accounting for income taxes represents our best estimate of various events and transactions. Tax laws are often complex and may be subject to differing interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, we must make judgments and interpretations about the application of inherently complex tax laws. We must also make estimates about when in the future certain items will affect taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions in which we conduct business.
In establishing a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, assumptions may be made in determining whether, and to what extent, a tax position
may be sustained. Once established, unrecognized tax benefits are adjusted when there is more information available or when events occur requiring a change.
Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets when management determines, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining whether valuation allowances should be established, as well as the amount of such allowances. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information relating to our determination of such valuation allowances.
We may be required to change our provision for income taxes when estimates used in determining valuation allowances on deferred tax assets significantly change, or when receipt of new information indicates the need for adjustment in
valuation allowances. Additionally, future events, such as changes in tax laws, tax regulations, or interpretations of such laws or regulations, could have an impact on the provision for income tax and the effective tax rate. Any such changes could significantly affect the amounts reported on the consolidated financial statements in the year these changes occur.
See also Notes 1 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our income taxes.
We are a defendant in a large number of litigation matters and are involved in a number of regulatory investigations. Given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods. Liabilities are established when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities related to certain lawsuits, including our asbestos-related liability, are especially difficult to estimate due to the limitation of reliable data and uncertainty regarding
numerous variables that can affect liability estimates. On a quarterly and annual basis, we review relevant information with respect to liabilities for litigation, regulatory investigations and litigation-related contingencies to be reflected in our consolidated financial statements. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of our litigation and regulatory investigations, including asbestos-related cases, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded could have a material effect upon our consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our assessment of litigation contingencies.
Economic Capital
Economic
capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in MetLife’s and the Company’s business. MetLife’s economic capital model, coupled with considerations of local capital requirements, aligns segment allocated equity with emerging standards and consistent risk principles. Economic capital-based risk estimation is an evolving science and industry best practices have emerged and continue to evolve. Areas of evolving industry best practices include stochastic liability valuation techniques, alternative methodologies for the calculation of diversification benefits, and the quantification of appropriate shock levels. MetLife’s management is responsible for the ongoing production and
enhancement of the economic capital model and reviews its approach periodically to ensure that it remains consistent with emerging industry practice standards. For further information, see “Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies” in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisition of Willing
In November 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Bequest, Inc. (“Willing”), a leading digital estate planning service. This transaction brings new digital capabilities to the Company
and reinforces its commitment to providing simple and easy-to-use benefits that respond to consumer needs.
During 2020, net income (loss) increased $132 million from 2019, primarily driven by favorable changes in net derivative gains (losses), net of investment hedge adjustments, and adjusted earnings, partially offset by unfavorable changes in net investment gains (losses) and the impact of our annual actuarial assumption review.
Management of Investment Portfolio and Hedging Market Risks with Derivatives. We manage our investment portfolio using disciplined asset/liability management (“ALM”) principles, focusing on cash flow and duration to support our current and future liabilities. Our intent is to match the timing and amount of liability cash outflows with invested assets that have
cash inflows of comparable timing and amount, while optimizing risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return. Our investment portfolio is heavily weighted toward fixed income investments, with over 80% of our portfolio invested in fixed maturity securities available-for-sale (“AFS”) and mortgage loans. These securities and loans have varying maturities and other characteristics which cause them to be generally well suited for matching the cash flow and duration of insurance liabilities.
We purchase investments to support our insurance liabilities and not to generate net investment gains and losses. However, net investment gains and losses are incurred and can change significantly from period to period due to changes in external influences, including changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads and equity markets; counterparty specific factors such
as financial performance, credit rating and collateral valuation; and internal factors such as portfolio rebalancing. Changes in these factors from period to period can significantly impact the levels of provision for credit loss and impairments on our investment portfolio, as well as realized gains and losses on investments sold.
We also use derivatives as an integral part of our management of the investment portfolio and insurance liabilities to hedge certain risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads
and equity market levels. We use freestanding interest rate, equity, credit and currency derivatives to hedge certain invested assets and insurance liabilities. A portion of these hedges are designated and qualify as accounting hedges, which reduce volatility in earnings. For those hedges not designated as accounting hedges, changes in market factors lead to the recognition of fair value changes in net derivative gains (losses) generally without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged, which creates volatility in earnings. We actively evaluate market risk hedging needs and strategies to ensure our liquidity objectives are met under a range of market conditions.
Certain direct or assumed variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits contain embedded derivatives that are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract,
with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). We use freestanding derivatives to hedge the market and other risks inherent in these variable annuity guarantees. We continuously review and refine our strategy and ongoing refinement of the strategy may be required to take advantage of the NAIC rules related to a statutory accounting election for derivatives that mitigate interest rate sensitivity related to variable annuity guarantees. Our macro hedge program, included in the non-VA program derivatives section of the table below, protects our overall statutory capital from significant adverse economic conditions. The valuation of these embedded derivatives includes a nonperformance risk adjustment, which is unhedged, and can be a significant driver of net derivative gains (losses) and volatility in earnings, but does not have an economic impact on us.
Net Derivative Gains (Losses). Direct
and assumed variable annuity embedded derivatives and associated freestanding derivative hedges are collectively referred to as “VA program derivatives.” All other derivatives that are economic hedges of certain invested assets and insurance liabilities are referred to as “non-VA program derivatives.” The table below presents the impact on net derivative gains (losses) from non-VA program derivatives and VA program derivatives:
The
favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on non-VA program derivatives was $966 million ($763 million, net of income tax). This was primarily due to the impact of certain derivative transactions after long-term rates declined during 2020, favorably impacting interest rate options and receive-fixed interest rate swaps acquired primarily as part of our macro hedge program. There was also a change in the value of the underlying assets, favorably impacting non-VA embedded derivatives related to funds withheld on a certain reinsurance agreement. These favorable impacts were partially offset by key equity index increases in 2020 unfavorably impacting equity total rate of return swaps (“TRRs”) acquired in 2020 primarily as part of our macro hedge program. In addition, the impact of the U.S. dollar weakening against the euro in 2020 versus strengthening in 2019, unfavorably impacted foreign currency swaps that primarily hedge foreign currency-denominated bonds.
Also, certain credit spreads widened in 2020 and narrowed in 2019, unfavorably impacting written credit default swaps used in replications. Because certain of these hedging strategies are not designated or do not qualify as accounting hedges, the changes in the estimated fair value of these freestanding derivatives are recognized in net derivative gains (losses) without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the items being hedged.
The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) on VA program derivatives was $60 million ($47 million, net of income tax). This was due to a favorable change of $23 million ($18 million, net of income tax) in the nonperformance risk adjustment on the direct and assumed variable annuity embedded derivatives and a favorable change of $48 million ($38 million, net of income tax) in other risks in embedded derivatives. These favorable changes were partially offset by an unfavorable
change of $11 million ($9 million, net of income tax) in market risks in embedded derivatives net of freestanding derivatives hedging market risks in embedded derivatives. Other risks relate primarily to the impact of policyholder behavior and other non-market risks that generally cannot be hedged.
The aforementioned $23 million ($18 million, net of income tax) favorable change in the nonperformance risk adjustment on the direct and assumed variable annuity embedded derivatives resulted from a favorable change of $17 million, before income tax, related to changes in our own credit spread and a favorable change of $6 million, before income tax, related to model changes and changes in capital market inputs, such as long-term interest rates and key equity index levels, on variable annuity guarantees.
The aforementioned $48 million ($38 million, net of income tax) favorable change in
other risks in embedded derivatives reflects actuarial assumption updates and a combination of factors, which include fees deducted from accounts, changes in the benefit base, premiums, lapses, withdrawals and deaths, in addition to changes in cross-effect, basis mismatch, risk margin and fund allocation.
The aforementioned $11 million ($9 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change reflects a $404 million ($319 million, net of income tax) unfavorable change in market risks in embedded derivatives, partially offset by a $393 million ($310 million, net of income tax) favorable change in freestanding derivatives hedging market risks in embedded derivatives.
The primary change in market factors affecting VA program derivatives is summarized as follows:
•Key equity index levels either increased less or decreased in
2020 compared to 2019, contributing to an unfavorable change in our embedded derivatives and a favorable change in our freestanding derivatives. For example, the S&P 500 equity index increased 16% in 2020 and increased 29% in 2019.
When equity index levels decrease in isolation, the direct and assumed variable annuity guarantees become more valuable to policyholders, which results in an increase in the undiscounted embedded derivative liability. Discounting this unfavorable change by the risk adjusted rate yields a smaller loss than by discounting at the risk-free rate, thus creating a gain from including an adjustment for nonperformance risk on the direct and assumed variable annuity embedded derivatives.
When the risk-free interest rate decreases in isolation, discounting the embedded derivative liability produces a higher valuation of the liability than if the risk-free interest
rate had remained constant. Discounting this unfavorable change by the risk adjusted rate yields a smaller loss than by discounting at the risk-free interest rate, thus creating a gain from including an adjustment for nonperformance risk on the direct and assumed variable annuity embedded derivatives.
When our own credit spread increases in isolation, discounting the embedded derivative liability produces a lower valuation of the liability than if our own credit spread had remained constant. As a result, a gain is created from including an adjustment for nonperformance risk on the direct and assumed variable annuity embedded derivatives. For each of these primary market drivers, the opposite effect occurs when the driver moves in the opposite direction.
Net Investment Gains (Losses). The unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $419 million ($331 million, net of income tax) primarily reflects 2019 gains on sales of real estate joint ventures and a 2019 gain on a renewable energy partnership, higher provisions for credit loss on mortgage loans and fixed maturity securities in 2020 and mark-to-market losses in 2020 on equity securities, which are measured at estimated fair value through net income (loss). These unfavorable changes were partially offset by a 2020 recovery on a leveraged lease that was previously impaired, a 2019 tax credit partnership impairment and foreign currency transaction gains in 2020.
Taxes. Our 2020 effective tax rate on income (loss)
before provision for income tax was 13%. Our effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to tax benefits related to non-taxable investment income, tax credits and the finalization of bankruptcy proceedings for a leveraged lease investment. Our 2019 effective tax rate on income (loss) before provision for income tax was 4%. Our effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to tax benefits related to non-taxable investment income, tax credits and the settlement of certain tax audits.
Actuarial Assumption Review and Certain Other Insurance Adjustments. Results for 2020 include a $252 million ($199 million, net of income tax) charge associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC, of which a $57 million gain ($45 million, net of income tax) was recognized in net derivative gains (losses).
Of
the $252 million charge, $64 million ($51 million, net of income tax) was related to DAC and $188 million ($148 million, net of income tax) was associated with reserves. The portion of the $252 million charge that is included in adjusted earnings is $138 million ($109 million, net of income tax).
The $57 million gain ($45 million, net of income tax) recognized in net derivative gains (losses) associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions is included within the other risks in embedded derivatives line in the table above.
As a result of our annual review of actuarial assumptions, changes were made to economic, biometric, policyholder behavior, and operational assumptions. The most significant impacts were in the MetLife Holdings segment, driven by economic assumption updates, including changes to interest rate projections. The breakdown of total 2020 results is summarized
as follows:
•Economic assumption updates resulted in unfavorable impacts to reserves and DAC for a net charge of $280 million ($222 million, net of income tax).
•Changes in biometric assumptions resulted in favorable impacts to reserves, partially offset by unfavorable changes to DAC for a net gain of $16 million ($12 million, net of income tax).
•Changes in policyholder behavior assumptions resulted in favorable impacts to reserves and DAC for a net gain of $12 million ($11 million, net of income tax).
•Changes in operational assumptions resulted in favorable impacts to reserves offset by unfavorable impacts to DAC and resulted in no impact.
Results for 2019
include a $145 million ($113 million, net of income tax) charge associated with our annual review of actuarial assumptions related to reserves and DAC, of which a $41 million ($33 million, net of income tax) gain was recognized in net derivative gains (losses). Of the $145 million charge, $17 million ($12 million, net of income tax) was related to DAC and $128 million ($101 million, net of income tax) was associated with reserves. The portion of the $145 million charge that is included in adjusted earnings is $113 million ($88 million, net of income tax). Certain other insurance adjustments recorded in 2019 include a $22 million ($17 million, net of income tax) charge due to a 2019 increase in our incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) long-term care reserves reflecting enhancements to our methodology related to potential claims in our MetLife Holdings segment. This adjustment is included in adjusted earnings.
Adjusted
Earnings. As more fully described in “— Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures,” we use adjusted earnings, which does not equate to net income (loss), as determined in accordance with GAAP, to analyze our performance, evaluate segment performance, and allocate resources. We believe that the presentation of adjusted earnings, as we measure it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Adjusted earnings allows analysis of our performance and facilitates comparisons to industry results. Adjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for net income (loss). Adjusted earnings increased $188 million, net of income tax, to $3.8 billion, net of income tax, for 2020 from $3.7 billion, net of income tax, for 2019.
Less: adjustments from net income (loss) to adjusted earnings:
Revenues:
Net investment gains (losses)
(73)
346
Net
derivative gains (losses)
738
(288)
Premiums
—
—
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
84
88
Net investment income
(578)
(289)
Other
revenues
—
—
Expenses:
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
(485)
(206)
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
9
19
Capitalization
of DAC
—
—
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
(60)
36
Interest expense on debt
—
—
Other expenses
(7)
(7)
Provision
for income tax (expense) benefit
78
63
Adjusted earnings
$
3,838
$
3,650
Premiums, fees and other revenues
$
24,398
$
25,218
Less:
adjustments to premiums, fees and other revenues
84
88
Adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues
$
24,314
$
25,130
Consolidated Results — Adjusted Earnings
Business Overview. Adjusted premiums,
fees, and other revenues for 2020 decreased $816 million, or 3%, compared to 2019, primarily in our U.S. segment driven by lower premiums in our Retirement and Income Solutions (“RIS”) business, partially offset by growth in our Group Benefits business. The decrease in RIS was mainly due to a decline in our pension risk transfer business, as well as a decrease in our income annuity business due to market conditions. Changes in RIS premiums are mostly offset by a corresponding change in policyholder benefits. Despite negative pressures from the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the increase in Group Benefits was primarily driven by growth in core and voluntary products. Growth in core products was driven by increases in our group life and vision businesses. In our dental business, higher premiums due to business growth were more than offset by premium credits granted to customers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions. Growth in our voluntary products
increased across the segment, driven by the impact of new sales and growth in membership in our accident & health and legal plans businesses. Growth in RIS’s capital market investments business resulted in higher fees and interest margins.
Our MetLife Holdings segment consists of operations relating to products and businesses that we no longer actively market. We anticipate an annual decline in adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues in our MetLife Holdings segment from expected business run-off. Although we have discontinued selling our long-term care product, we continue to collect premiums and administer the existing block of business, which contributed to asset growth in the segment, and we expect the related reserves to grow as this block matures. Our future policyholder benefit liability for our long-term care business was $14.3 billion and $12.5 billion as of December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
Overview. The primary drivers of the increase in adjusted earnings were a decrease in expenses, including
interest credited expenses, as well as higher net investment income due to a larger asset base and favorable underwriting experience, largely offset by lower investment yields and a higher effective tax rate.
Business Growth. Net investment income improved as a result of higher average invested assets, predominantly in our U.S. segment, due to positive net flows, primarily from capital market products including funding agreement issuances. However, consistent with the growth in the U.S. segment’s average invested assets, interest credited expenses on deposit-type and long-duration liabilities increased. In our U.S. segment, higher volume-related, premium tax and direct expenses, driven by business growth, coupled with the increase in expenses due to the 2020 reinstatement of the annual health insurer fee under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, were more than offset by a corresponding
increase in adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues. In our MetLife Holdings segment, negative net flows from our deferred annuities business resulted in lower fee income, partially offset by lower DAC amortization, decreasing adjusted earnings. The combined impact of the items affecting our business growth increased adjusted earnings by $199 million.
Market Factors. Market factors, including interest rate levels, variability in equity market returns, and foreign currency fluctuations, continued to impact our results; however, certain impacts were mitigated by derivatives used to hedge these risks. Investment yields were negatively affected by lower yields on fixed income securities and mortgage loans and lower returns on real estate investments and fair value option securities (“FVO Securities”). These decreases in net investment income were partially offset by higher net investment income
on derivatives. In our U.S. segment, the impact of interest rate fluctuations resulted in a decline in our average interest credited rates on deposit-type and long-duration liabilities, which drove a decrease in interest credited expenses. The changes in market factors discussed above resulted in a $106 million decrease in adjusted earnings.
Underwriting. Underwriting results increased adjusted earnings by $158 million due to favorable morbidity experience in our U.S. segment and our long-term care business in our MetLife Holdings segment. This was partially offset by unfavorable mortality in our U.S. segment and our life business within our MetLife Holdings segment. Favorable morbidity experience in our U.S. segment was primarily due to: (i) favorable dental results, driven by the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions which limited availability of services and reduced utilization in 2020; (ii) business
growth and favorable claims experience in our accident & health business; and (iii) favorable claims experience in our group disability business, partially offset by less favorable individual disability results. The unfavorable mortality experience was primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 claims experience across our life businesses, as well as the impact of lower incidence in 2019 in our term life business. This was partially offset by favorable mortality in our pension risk transfer, institutional annuity and structured settlement businesses, as well as favorable results in our accidental death & dismemberment business due to lower incidence as a result of COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions.
Actuarial Assumption Review and Other Insurance Adjustments. The impact in both years of our annual actuarial assumption review resulted in a net decrease of $21 million in adjusted earnings. Changes mainly
in economic assumptions, including interest rate projections, and updates to the closed block projections were slightly more unfavorable in 2020 when compared to 2019. Refinements to DAC and certain insurance-related liabilities in both years resulted in a $19 million decrease in adjusted earnings. This includes favorable insurance adjustments in 2019 resulting from enhancements to our claim-related processes in our U.S. segment, as well as a 2019 charge due to an increase in our IBNR long-term care reserves reflecting enhancements to our methodology related to potential claims. A reduction in our dividend scale as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment, as well as run-off in our closed block, contributed to lower dividend expense and resulted in an increase of $102 million in adjusted earnings. The impact of this dividend action was more than offset by lower net investment income, as well as a $97 million increase in DAC amortization.
Expenses.
Adjusted earnings increased $298 million as a result of lower expenses, primarily due to declines in costs associated with corporate initiatives and projects, employee-related costs, and certain corporate-related expenses.
Taxes. Our 2020 effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 14%. Our effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to tax benefits from non-taxable investment income, tax credits and the finalization of bankruptcy proceedings for a leveraged lease investment. Our 2019 effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 5%. Our effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to tax benefits from non-taxable investment income, tax credits and the settlement of certain tax audits.
Management believes that inflation has not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates.
An increase in inflation could affect our business in several ways. During inflationary periods, the value of fixed income investments falls which could increase realized and unrealized losses. Inflation also increases expenses for labor and other costs, potentially putting pressure on profitability if such costs cannot be passed through in our product prices. Prolonged and elevated inflation could adversely affect the financial markets and the economy
generally, and dispelling it may require governments to pursue a restrictive fiscal and monetary policy, which could constrain overall economic activity, inhibit revenue growth and reduce the number of attractive investment opportunities.
Investments
Investment Risks
Our primary investment objective is to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return while ensuring that assets and liabilities are managed on a cash flow and duration basis. The Investments Department, led by the Chief Investment Officer, manages investment risks using a risk control framework
comprised of policies, procedures and limits, as discussed further below. The Investment Risk Committee and Asset-Liability Steering Committee review and monitor investment risk limits and tolerances.
We are exposed to the following primary sources of investment risks:
•credit risk, relating to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make timely payments of principal and interest;
•interest rate risk, relating to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in market interest rates. Changes in market interest rates will impact the net unrealized gain (loss) position of our fixed income investment portfolio and the rates of return we receive on both new funds invested and reinvestment of existing funds;
•liquidity
risk, relating to the diminished ability to sell certain investments, in times of strained market conditions;
•market valuation risk, relating to the variability in the estimated fair value of investments associated with changes in market factors such as credit spreads and equity market levels. A widening of credit spreads will adversely impact the net unrealized gain (loss) position of the fixed income investment portfolio, will increase losses associated with credit-based non-qualifying derivatives where we assume credit exposure, and, if credit spreads widen significantly or for an extended period of time, will likely result in higher credit losses. Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with purchases of fixed income investments and will favorably impact the net unrealized gain (loss) position of the fixed income investment portfolio;
•currency
risk, relating to the variability in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign currency denominated investments including as a result of the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union. This risk relates to potential decreases in estimated fair value and net investment income resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. In general, the weakening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar will adversely affect the estimated fair value of our foreign currency denominated investments; and
•real estate risk, relating to commercial, agricultural and residential real estate, and stemming from factors, which include, but are not limited to, market conditions, including the supply and demand of leasable commercial space, creditworthiness of borrowers, tenants and our joint venture partners, capital markets volatility, changes in market interest rates, commodity prices,
farm incomes and U.S. housing market conditions.
We manage investment risk through in-house fundamental credit analysis of the underlying obligors, issuers, transaction structures and real estate properties. We also manage credit, market and liquidity risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation. These risk limits, approved annually by the Investment Risk Committee, promote diversification by asset sector, avoid concentrations in any single issuer and limit overall aggregate credit and equity risk exposure, as measured by our
economic capital framework. For real estate assets, we manage credit and market risk through asset allocation and by diversifying by geography, property and product type. We manage interest rate risk as part of our ALM strategies which are reviewed and approved by the Asset-Liability Steering Committee. These strategies include maintaining an investment portfolio with diversified maturities that has a weighted average duration that reflects the duration of our estimated liability cash flow profile, and utilizing product design, such as the use of market value adjustment features and surrender charges, to manage interest rate risk. We also manage interest rate risk through proactive monitoring and management of certain NGEs of our products, such as the resetting of credited interest and dividend rates for policies that permit such adjustments. We hedge risk to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation with foreign currency derivatives. We also use certain derivatives
in the management of credit, interest rate, and market valuation risk.
We enter into market standard purchased and written credit default swap contracts. Payout under such contracts is triggered by certain credit events experienced by the referenced entities. For credit default swaps covering North American corporate issuers, credit events typically include bankruptcy and failure to pay on borrowed money. For European corporate issuers, credit events typically also include involuntary restructuring. With respect to credit default contracts on sovereign debt, credit events typically include failure to pay debt obligations, repudiation, moratorium, or involuntary
restructuring. In each case, payout on a credit default swap is triggered only after the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association determines that a credit event has occurred.
We use purchased credit default swaps to mitigate credit risk in our investment portfolio. Generally, we purchase credit protection by entering into credit default swaps referencing the issuers of specific assets we own. In certain cases, basis risk exists between these credit default swaps and the specific assets we own. For example, we may purchase credit protection on a macro basis to reduce exposure to specific industries or other portfolio concentrations. In such instances, the referenced entities and obligations under the credit default swaps may not be identical to the individual obligors or securities in our investment portfolio. In addition, our purchased credit default swaps may have shorter
tenors than the underlying investments they are hedging, which gives us more flexibility in managing our credit exposures. We believe that our purchased credit default swaps serve as effective economic hedges of our credit exposure.
Current Environment
As an insurer with a diverse investment portfolio, we continue to be impacted by the changing global financial and economic environment, the fiscal and monetary policy of governments and central banks around the world and other governmental measures. The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to impact the global economy and financial markets and has caused volatility in the global equity, credit and real estate markets.
Governments and central banks around the world are responding
to the COVID-19 Pandemic with unprecedented fiscal and monetary policies, which are expected to have significant and ongoing effects on financial markets and the global economy. These policy responses include fiscal and monetary stimulus measures, including, but not limited to, financial assistance, liquidity programs, new financing facilities and reductions in the level of interest rates. As time progresses, we will know more about the efficacy of these policies and what they may mean for the outlook for the global economy and financial markets, but currently the number of factors makes reliably estimating the duration and severity of the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our business operations, investment portfolio and derivatives difficult.
As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, during the year ended December 31, 2020, there was an economic slowdown and volatility
in the financial markets, including liquidity driven price dislocation and credit spread widening. As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the value of certain investments within our portfolio decreased; however, some of those effects were mitigated by an increase in the value of certain freestanding derivatives that hedge such market risks. These conditions may persist for some time and may continue to impact pricing levels of risk-bearing investments, as well as our business operations, investment portfolio and derivatives.
Selected Country: We have country-specific exposure to volatility posed by local political and economic conditions, as well as those resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic, as a result of our general account investments which support our insurance operations and related policyholder liabilities, as well as our global portfolio diversification objectives. The following table presents a summary of selected country fixed maturity securities AFS, at estimated fair value, that are currently the most affected by these conditions. The information below is presented on a “country of risk basis” (e.g. where the issuer primarily conducts business).
(2)The par value and amortized cost net of ACL of these selected country fixed maturity
securities AFS were $11.4 billion and $11.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Selected Sector:As a result of current economic conditions including the effects on the global economy and financial markets from the COVID-19 Pandemic, certain sectors of our investment portfolio experienced stress during the year ended December 31, 2020. Our fixed maturity securities AFS exposure to stressed sectors is summarized below:
We maintain a portfolio of energy sector fixed maturity securities AFS that is diversified across sub-sectors and issuers. This portfolio is primarily invested in higher quality, highly rated investment grade securities and is defensively positioned in sub-sectors which are less impacted by lower oil prices. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we reduced our exposure to such securities by 15%. Through our energy sector securities, we have exposure to the volatility in oil prices. During 2020, largely as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there were wide fluctuations in oil prices. As a result of recovering oil prices and credit spread tightening in the fourth quarter of 2020, this securities portfolio increased in value during the year ended December 31,
2020, from an unrealized gain at December 31, 2019 of $607 million to an unrealized gain of $796 million at December 31, 2020.
Additional asset types within our investment portfolio may be impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, including fixed maturity securities AFS, mortgage loans, real estate and real estate joint ventures, private equity funds, hedge funds and lease investments.
We manage direct and indirect investment exposure in the selected countries, sectors and asset types through fundamental analysis and we continually monitor and adjust our level of investment exposure.
Investment Allowance for Credit Loss and Impairments - Overview
On January
1, 2020, we adopted the new credit loss guidance. See “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Investment Allowance for Credit Loss and Impairments.” For our mortgage loans and leveraged and direct financing leases, this new credit loss guidance requires that we incorporate the impact of both current and forecasted economic conditions and estimate expected lifetime credit loss in determining the ACL. Upon adoption of this new credit loss guidance, our ACL reflected the then current and forecasted economic conditions and our estimate of expected lifetime credit loss. Subsequently, we incorporated the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic into our economic forecast, using available information, to reflect our best estimate, in determining the level of our ACL for mortgage loans and leveraged and direct financing leases.
Upon adoption of the new credit loss guidance, we increased our mortgage loan and lease ACL and
liability for unfunded mortgage loan commitments by $135 million, or 47%. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we increased our mortgage loan and lease ACL and liability for unfunded mortgage loan commitments by another $137 million, or 47%. Our mortgage loan and lease ACL and liability for unfunded mortgage loan commitments totaled $561 million at December 31, 2020, an increase of 94% from December 31, 2019.
In accordance with this new credit loss guidance, an ACL is recorded for fixed maturity securities AFS for the amount of the credit loss instead of recording a reduction of the amortized cost as an impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an ACL for our fixed maturity securities AFS of $51 million.
As a result, our total investments-related ACL and liability for unfunded mortgage loan commitments totaled $612 million at December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded a charge for provisions for credit loss and impairments of $306 million, prior to the release of the ACL for securities subsequently sold or exchanged of $34 million.
The determination of the amount of our ACL and impairments on our investment portfolio is highly subjective. Our ACL is revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Provisions for credit loss and impairments recognized in future quarters on our investment portfolio will depend primarily on future economic fundamentals, including the evolving impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, performance of our issuers, borrowers, tenants and lessees, changes in credit
ratings, collateral valuation and changes in estimated fair value. In upcoming periods, if there are changes in the above factors, provisions for credit loss and impairments may be recorded, as well as changes in the ACL for which a provision for credit loss was previously recorded.
Investment Portfolio Results
The reconciliation of net investment income under GAAP to adjusted net investment income, is presented below.
(1)See “Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies” in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the adjustments made to
net investment income under GAAP in calculating adjusted net investment income.
The following yield table presentation is consistent with how we measure our investment performance for management purposes, and we believe it enhances understanding of our investment portfolio results.
(1)We calculate yields using adjusted net investment income as a percent of average quarterly asset carrying values. Adjusted net investment income excludes recognized gains (losses) and includes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Average quarterly asset carrying values exclude
unrealized gains (losses), collateral received in connection with our securities lending program, annuities funding structured settlement claims, freestanding derivative assets, collateral received from derivative counterparties, the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain variable interest entities that are treated as consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”) and contractholder-directed equity securities. A yield is not presented for other invested assets, as it is not considered a meaningful measure of performance for this asset class.
(2)Investment income from fixed maturity securities includes amounts from FVO Securities of $48 million and $74 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(3)Investment
income from fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans includes prepayment fees.
(4)See “— Other Limited Partnership Interests” for discussion of results for the year ended December 31, 2020.
See “— Results of Operations — Consolidated Results — Adjusted Earnings” for an analysis of the period over period changes in investment portfolio results.
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
The COVID-19 Pandemic contributed to financial market volatility, credit spread widening and equity market volatility during the year ended December 31, 2020. Governments
and central banks around the world have responded with unprecedented fiscal and monetary policies, including reductions in the level of interest rates. See “— Current Environment.”
As a result of the interest rate reductions, partially offset by credit spread widening, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the net unrealized gain on our fixed maturity securities AFS increased $9.8 billion, from $15.2 billion at December 31, 2019 to $25.0 billion at December 31, 2020.
The following table presents fixed maturity securities AFS by type (public or private) and information about perpetual and redeemable securities held at:
Perpetual securities included within fixed maturity securities AFS
$
209
$
198
Redeemable preferred stock with a stated maturity included within fixed maturity
securities AFS
$
602
$
638
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about fixed maturity securities AFS by sector, contractual maturities and continuous gross unrealized losses.
Included within fixed maturity securities AFS are structured securities including residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), ABS and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (collectively,
“Structured Products”).
Perpetual securities are included within fixed maturity securities AFS and equity securities are reported within other invested assets. Upon acquisition, we classify perpetual securities that have attributes of both debt and equity as fixed maturity securities AFS if the securities have an interest rate step-up feature which, when combined with other qualitative factors, indicates that the securities have more debt-like characteristics; while those with more equity-like characteristics are classified as equity securities reported within other invested assets. Many of such securities, commonly referred to as “perpetual hybrid securities,” have been issued by non-U.S. financial institutions that are accorded the highest two capital treatment categories by their respective regulatory bodies (i.e. core capital, or “Tier 1 capital” and perpetual deferrable securities, or “Upper Tier
2 capital”).
Redeemable preferred stock with a stated maturity is included within fixed maturity securities AFS. These securities, which are commonly referred to as “capital securities,” primarily have cumulative interest deferral features and are primarily issued by U.S. financial institutions.
Valuation of Securities. We are responsible for the determination of the estimated fair value of our investments. We determine the estimated fair value of publicly-traded securities after considering one of three primary sources of information: quoted market prices in active markets, independent pricing services, or independent broker quotations. We determine the estimated fair value of privately-placed securities after considering one of three primary sources of information: market standard internal matrix pricing, market standard
internal discounted cash flow techniques, or independent pricing services (after we determine the independent pricing services’ use of available observable market data). For publicly-traded securities, the number of quotations obtained varies by instrument and depends on the liquidity of the particular instrument. Generally, we obtain prices from multiple pricing services to cover all asset classes and obtain multiple prices for certain securities, but ultimately utilize the price with the highest placement in the fair value hierarchy. Independent pricing services that value these instruments use market standard valuation methodologies based on data about market transactions and inputs from multiple pricing sources that are market observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the types of market standard valuation methodologies utilized and
key assumptions and observable inputs used in applying these standard valuation methodologies. When a price is not available in the active market or through an independent pricing service, management values the security primarily using market standard internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques, and non-binding quotations from independent brokers who are knowledgeable about these securities. Independent non-binding broker quotations utilize inputs that may be difficult to corroborate with observable market data. As shown in the following section, less than 1% of our fixed maturity securities AFS were valued using non-binding quotations from independent brokers at December 31, 2020.
Senior management, independent of the trading and investing functions, is responsible for the oversight of control systems and valuation policies for securities, mortgage loans and derivatives. On a quarterly basis, new transaction types and markets are reviewed and approved to ensure that observable market prices and market-based parameters are used for valuation, wherever possible, and for determining that valuation adjustments, when applied, are based upon established policies and are applied consistently over time. Senior management oversees the selection of independent third-party pricing providers and the controls and procedures to evaluate third-party pricing.
We review our valuation methodologies on an ongoing basis and revise those methodologies when necessary
based on changing market conditions. Assurance is gained on the overall reasonableness and consistent application of input assumptions, valuation methodologies and compliance with fair value accounting standards through controls designed to ensure valuations represent an exit price. Several controls are utilized, including certain monthly controls, which include, but are not limited to, analysis of portfolio returns to corresponding benchmark returns, comparing a sample of executed prices of securities sold to the fair value estimates, comparing fair value estimates to management’s knowledge of the current market, reviewing the bid/ask spreads to assess activity, comparing prices from multiple independent pricing services and ongoing due diligence to confirm that independent pricing services use market-based parameters. The process includes a determination of the observability of inputs used in estimated fair values received from independent pricing services or brokers
by assessing whether these inputs can be corroborated by observable market data. We ensure that prices received from independent brokers, also referred to herein as “consensus pricing,” are representative of estimated fair value by considering such pricing relative to our knowledge of the current market dynamics and current pricing for similar financial instruments. While independent non-binding broker quotations are utilized, they are not used for a significant portion of the portfolio.
We also apply a formal process to challenge any prices received from independent pricing services that are not considered representative of estimated fair value. If prices received from independent pricing services are not considered reflective of market activity or representative of estimated fair value, independent non-binding broker quotations are obtained, or an internally developed valuation is prepared. Internally developed valuations
of current estimated fair value, compared with pricing received from the independent pricing services, did not produce material differences in the estimated fair values for the majority of the portfolio; accordingly, overrides were not material. This is, in part, because internal estimates are generally based on available market evidence and estimates used by other market participants. In the absence of such market-based evidence, management’s best estimate is used.
We have reviewed the significance and observability of inputs used in the valuation methodologies to determine the appropriate fair value hierarchy level for each of our securities. Based on the results of this review and investment class analysis, each instrument is categorized as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the lowest level significant input to its valuation. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for valuation approaches and key inputs
by major category of assets or liabilities that are classified within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
$
12,697
7.0
%
Level
2
Independent pricing sources
148,591
81.9
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
709
0.4
Significant
other observable inputs
149,300
82.3
Level 3
Independent pricing sources
15,219
8.4
Internal
matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
3,956
2.2
Independent broker quotations
168
0.1
Significant unobservable inputs
19,343
10.7
Total
estimated fair value
$
181,340
100.0
%
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fixed maturity securities AFS fair value hierarchy.
The majority of the Level 3 fixed maturity securities AFS were concentrated in three sectors at December 31, 2020: foreign corporate securities, U.S. corporate securities and RMBS. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Level 3 fixed maturity securities AFS
increased by $6.5 billion, or 51%. The increase was driven by purchases in excess of sales, transfers into Level 3 in excess of transfers out of Level 3 and an increase in estimated fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The increase in transfers into Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2020, in part, was from market conditions including decreased liquidity decreased transparency of valuations and an increased use of unobservable inputs, principally for U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a rollforward of the fair value measurements for securities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs; transfers into and/or out of Level 3; and further information about the valuation approaches and inputs by level by major classes of
invested assets that affect the amounts reported above.
The Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC evaluates the fixed maturity security investments of insurers for regulatory reporting and capital assessment purposes. Historically, the NAIC assigned securities to one of six credit quality categories called “NAIC designations.” If no designation is available from the NAIC, then, as permitted by the NAIC, an internally developed designation is used. NAIC designations are generally similar to the credit quality ratings of the NRSRO for fixed maturity securities, except for certain non-agency RMBS and CMBS as described below.
Effective with year-end 2020 NAIC
reporting, the NAIC implemented an expansion of the fixed maturity security rating classification from six to 20 categories. The NAIC retained the six NAIC designations and expanded with 20 “NAIC designation categories.” The NAIC designation categories correspond more closely to the NRSRO’s alpha-numeric credit quality ratings. The NAIC’s goal is to better align RBC charges on fixed maturity securities with the instruments’ actual credit risk. Effective with year-end 2020 regulatory reporting, insurers are required to report both the NAIC designation and the NAIC designation category for each fixed maturity security. The NAIC maintained the current RBC factors for NAIC designations 1-6 until the NAIC completes an impact analysis to confirm or refine the NAIC’s proposed new RBC factors for the 20 NAIC designation categories.
Rating agency ratings are based on availability of applicable ratings from rating agencies on the NAIC credit rating provider list, including Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”), S&P, Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), Dominion Bond Rating Service, A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Egan Jones Ratings Company and Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC (“Morningstar”). If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
The NAIC has adopted revised methodologies for non-agency RMBS, and CMBS. The NAIC’s objective with the revised methodologies for non-agency RMBS and CMBS was to increase the accuracy in assessing expected losses, and to use the improved assessment to determine a more appropriate
capital requirement for non-agency RMBS and CMBS. The revised methodologies reduce regulatory reliance on rating agencies and allow for greater regulatory input into the assumptions used to estimate expected losses from non-agency RMBS and CMBS. We apply the revised NAIC methodologies to non-agency RMBS and CMBS held by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as it maintains the NAIC statutory basis of accounting. The NAIC’s present methodology is to evaluate non-agency RMBS and CMBS held by insurers using the revised NAIC methodologies on an annual basis. If Metropolitan Life Insurance Company acquires non-agency RMBS and CMBS that have not been previously evaluated by the NAIC, but are expected to be evaluated by the NAIC in the upcoming annual review, an internally developed designation is used until a NAIC designation becomes available. NAIC designations may not correspond to NRSRO ratings.
The following table presents total
fixed maturity securities AFS by NRSRO rating and the applicable NAIC designation from the NAIC published comparison of NRSRO ratings to NAIC designations, except for non-agency RMBS and CMBS, held by MetLife, Inc.'s insurance subsidiaries that maintain the NAIC statutory basis of accounting, which are presented using revised NAIC methodologies. NRSRO ratings are as of the dates shown below. Over time, credit ratings can migrate, up or down, through the NRSRO continuous monitoring process. As of December 31, 2020, securities are presented net of ACL, reflecting the adoption of new credit loss guidance on January 1, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, securities are presented at amortized cost in accordance with prior guidance. See Notes
1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The following tables present total fixed maturity securities AFS, based on estimated fair value, by sector and by NRSRO rating and the applicable NAIC designations from the NAIC published comparison of NRSRO ratings to NAIC designations, except for non-agency RMBS and CMBS, which are presented using the revised NAIC methodologies:
U.S. and Foreign Corporate Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
We maintain a diversified portfolio of corporate fixed maturity securities AFS across industries and issuers. This portfolio did not have any exposure to any single issuer in excess of 1% of total investments at December 31, 2020. The top 10 holdings comprised 2% of total investments at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. The table below presents our U.S. and foreign corporate securities holdings by industry at:
As
a result of current economic conditions, including the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have experienced stress within certain sub-sectors of our industrial and consumer corporate securities portfolios, principally in Energy, Airports, Cruise Lines / Leisure, Airlines, Restaurants and Lodging. See “— Current Environment — Selected Country and Sector Investments.”
Structured Products
We held $43.6 billion and $38.7 billion of Structured Products, at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as presented in the RMBS, ABS and CMBS sections below.
RMBS
Our
RMBS portfolio is diversified by security type and risk profile. The following table presents our RMBS portfolio by security type, risk profile and ratings profile at:
Collateralized mortgage obligations are structured by dividing the cash flows of mortgage loans into separate pools or tranches of risk that create multiple classes of bonds with varying maturities and priority of payments. Pass-through mortgage-backed securities are secured by a mortgage loan or collection of mortgage loans. The monthly mortgage loan payments from homeowners pass from the originating bank through an intermediary, such as a government agency or investment bank, which collects the payments and, for a fee, remits or passes these payments through to the holders of the pass-through securities.
The majority of our RMBS holdings were rated Aaa/AAA and were designated NAIC 1 at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Agency RMBS were guaranteed or otherwise supported by Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or Government National Mortgage Association. Non-agency RMBS include prime, alternative residential mortgage loans (“Alt-A”) and sub-prime RMBS. Prime residential mortgage lending includes the origination of residential mortgage loans to the most creditworthy borrowers with high quality credit profiles. Alt-A is a classification of mortgage loans where the risk profile of the borrower is between prime and sub-prime. Sub-prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to borrowers with weak credit profiles.
Historically, we have managed our exposure to sub-prime RMBS holdings by focusing primarily on senior tranche securities, stress testing the portfolio with severe loss assumptions and closely monitoring the performance of the portfolio. Our sub-prime RMBS portfolio
consists predominantly of securities that were purchased after 2012 at significant discounts to par value and discounts to the expected principal recovery value of these securities. The vast majority of these securities are investment grade under the NAIC designations (e.g., NAIC 1 and NAIC 2).
ABS
Our ABS portfolio is diversified by collateral type and issuer. The following table presents our ABS portfolio by collateral type and ratings profile at:
Our CMBS portfolio is comprised primarily of securities collateralized by multiple commercial mortgage loans and is diversified by property type, borrower, geography and vintage year. The following tables present our CMBS portfolio by NRSRO rating and vintage year. As of December 31, 2020, securities are presented net of ACL, reflecting the adoption of new credit loss guidance on January 1, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, securities are presented at amortized cost in accordance with the prior guidance. See Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The
tables above reflect NRSRO ratings including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and Morningstar, Inc. CMBS designated NAIC 1 were 87.1% and 95.9% of total CMBS at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Evaluation of Fixed Maturity Securities AFS for Credit Loss, Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Loss and Credit Loss on Fixed Maturity Securities AFS Recognized in Earnings
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the evaluation of fixed maturity securities AFS for credit loss, rollforward of the ACL, net provision (release) for credit loss, as well as gross gains and gross losses on fixed maturity securities AFS sold at and for
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Overview of Credit Loss on Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
Excluding the impact of securities with an ACL that were subsequently sold or exchanged and the related release of the ACL, the provision for credit loss on fixed maturity securities AFS was
$85 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $39 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The provision for credit loss on U.S. corporate securities and foreign corporate securities was $79 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was concentrated in industrial and consumer securities, as a result of market driven and issuer specific factors, primarily in the energy, communications, consumer cyclical and consumer non-cyclical sectors. The provision for credit loss on foreign government securities was $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was concentrated in Argentine foreign currency denominated sovereign securities, as a result of their default in 2020.
The release of the ACL
for securities that were subsequently sold or exchanged was $34 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Including the impact of these releases and impact of intent-to-sell impairments of $51 million, the net provision for credit loss on fixed maturity securities AFS was $101 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
See Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on new credit loss guidance adopted on January 1, 2020 affecting the credit loss evaluation process and the measurement of credit loss; and a summary of the similarities and the differences of this new credit loss guidance with the previous guidance.
Future
Credit Losses
Provisions for credit loss recognized in future quarters on fixed maturity securities AFS will depend primarily on future economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit ratings and collateral valuation. In upcoming periods, if there are changes in the above factors, provisions for credit loss may be recorded, as well as changes in the ACL on securities for which a provision for credit loss was previously recorded.
Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements
We participate in a securities lending program whereby securities are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. We also
participate in short-term repurchase agreement transactions with unaffiliated financial institutions. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements” and Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Mortgage Loans
Our mortgage loans held-for-investment are principally collateralized by commercial, agricultural and residential properties. Mortgage loans held-for-investment are carried at amortized cost and the related ACL are summarized as follows at:
The
carrying value of all mortgage loans, net of ACL, was 22.2% and 23.4% of cash and invested assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Our commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loan portfolios are subject to uncertain market conditions, including the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we granted concessions (e.g., payment deferrals and other loan modifications) to certain of our commercial mortgage loan borrowers (principally in the hotel and retail sectors) and residential mortgage loan borrowers and, to a much lesser extent, some of our agricultural mortgage loan borrowers. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding COVID-19
Pandemic-related mortgage loan concessions. See also “— Commercial Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region and Property Type.”
We diversify our mortgage loan portfolio by both geographic region and property type to reduce the risk of concentration. Of our commercial and agricultural mortgage loan held-for-investment portfolios, 87% are collateralized by properties located in the United States, with the remaining 13% collateralized by properties located outside the United States, which includes 5% of properties located in the U.K. and 4% of properties
located in Mexico, at December 31, 2020. The carrying values of our commercial and agricultural mortgage loans held-for-investment located in California, New York and Texas were 18%, 9% and 7%, respectively, of total commercial and agricultural mortgage loans held-for-investment at December 31, 2020. Additionally, we manage risk when originating commercial and agricultural mortgage loans by generally lending up to 75% of the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate collateral.
We manage our residential mortgage loan held-for-investment portfolio in a similar manner to reduce risk of concentration. The carrying values of our residential mortgage loans located in California, Florida, and New York were 35%, 10%, and 8%, respectively, of total residential mortgage loans at December 31,
2020.
Commercial Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region and Property Type.Commercial mortgage loans are the largest component of the mortgage loan invested asset class. The tables below present the diversification across geographic regions and property types of commercial mortgage loans held-for-investment at:
Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio is well positioned with exposures concentrated in high quality underlying properties located in primary markets typically with institutional investors who are better positioned to manage their assets during periods of market volatility. Our portfolio is comprised primarily of lower risk loans with higher debt-service coverage ratios (“DSCR”) and lower loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios. See “— Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Monitoring Process” for further information and Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a distribution of our commercial mortgage loans by DSCR and LTV ratios. Excluding loans with a COVID-19 Pandemic-related payment deferral, 100% of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio was current at December 31,
2020. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding COVID-19 Pandemic-related mortgage loan concessions.
Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Monitoring Process.We monitor our mortgage loan investments on an ongoing basis, including a review of loans by credit quality indicator and loans that are current, past due, restructured and under foreclosure. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding mortgage loans by credit quality indicator, past due and nonaccrual mortgage loans.
We review our commercial mortgage loans on an ongoing basis. These reviews may include an analysis of the property financial statements and rent roll, lease rollover analysis, property inspections, market analysis,
estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, LTV ratios, DSCR and tenant creditworthiness. The monitoring process focuses on higher risk loans, which include those that are classified as restructured, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher LTV ratios and lower DSCR and loans with a COVID-19 Pandemic-related payment deferral. The monitoring process for agricultural mortgage loans is generally similar, with a focus on higher risk loans, such as loans with higher LTV ratios. Agricultural mortgage loans are reviewed on an ongoing basis which include, but are not limited to, property inspections, market analysis, estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, LTV ratios and borrower creditworthiness, including reviews on a geographic and property-type basis. We review our residential mortgage loans on an ongoing basis, with a focus on higher risk loans, such as nonperforming loans. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for information on our evaluation of residential mortgage loans and related ACL methodology.
LTV ratios and DSCR are common measures in the assessment of the quality of commercial mortgage loans. LTV ratios are a common measure in the assessment of the quality of agricultural mortgage loans. LTV ratios compare the amount of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. An LTV ratio greater than 100% indicates that the loan amount is greater than the collateral value. An LTV ratio of less than 100% indicates an excess of collateral value over the loan amount. Generally, the higher the LTV ratio, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. The DSCR compares a property’s net operating income to amounts needed to service the principal and interest due under the loan. Generally, the lower the DSCR, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. For our commercial mortgage loans, our average LTV ratio
was 58% and 55% at December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, and our average DSCR was 2.4x and 2.3x at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The DSCR and the values utilized in calculating the ratio, are updated routinely. In addition, the LTV ratio is routinely updated for all but the lowest risk loans as part of our ongoing review of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio. For our agricultural mortgage loans, our average LTV ratio was 47% and 46% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The values utilized in calculating our agricultural mortgage loan LTV ratio are developed in connection with the ongoing review of our agricultural loan portfolio and are routinely
updated.
Mortgage Loan Allowance for Credit Loss. Our ACL is established for both pools of loans with similar risk characteristics and for mortgage loans with dissimilar risk characteristics, collateral dependent loans and reasonably expected troubled debt restructurings, individually on a loan specific basis. We record an allowance for expected lifetime credit loss in an amount that represents the portion of the amortized cost basis of mortgage loans that the Company does not expect to collect, resulting in mortgage loans being presented at the net amount expected to be collected.
In determining our ACL, management (i) pools mortgage loans that share similar risk characteristics, (ii) considers expected lifetime credit loss over the contractual term of our mortgage loans,
as adjusted for expected prepayments and any extensions, and (iii) considers past events and current and forecasted economic conditions. Actual credit loss realized could be different from the amount of the ACL recorded. These evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available, which can cause the ACL to increase or decrease over time as such evaluations are revised. Negative credit migration, including an actual or expected increase in the level of problem loans, will result in an increase in the ACL. Positive credit migration, including an actual or expected decrease in the level of problem loans, will result in a decrease in the ACL. See Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on how the ACL is established and monitored, and activity in and balances of the ACL, as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
See
Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the new credit loss guidance adopted in 2020 affecting the credit loss evaluation process and the measurement of credit loss effective January 1, 2020, as well as a summary of the similarities and the differences of this new credit loss guidance with the previous guidance.
Real estate and real estate joint ventures is comprised of wholly-owned real estate and joint ventures with interests in single property income-producing real estate and, to a lesser extent, joint ventures with interests in multi-property projects with varying strategies ranging from the development of properties to the operation of income-producing properties, as well as a run-off portfolio. The carrying value of real estate and real estate joint ventures was $7.5 billion and $6.7 billion, or 2.5% and 2.4% of cash and invested assets, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, certain of our real estate investments, principally hotel properties, experienced a reduction in income during the year ended December 31,
2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. We lease investment real estate, principally commercial real estate, for office and retail use, through a variety of operating lease arrangements. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we granted lease concessions (e.g., rent payment deferrals) to some of our lessees. In addition, we have interests in certain unconsolidated real estate joint ventures which have granted COVID-19 Pandemic-related lease concessions. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding COVID-19 Pandemic-related lease concessions.
Our real estate investments are typically stabilized properties that we intend to hold for the longer-term for portfolio diversification and long-term appreciation. Our real estate
investment portfolio has significantly appreciated since acquisition to a $4.5 billion unrealized gain position at December 31, 2020 that is available to absorb valuation declines from the current economic conditions. We continuously monitor expected future cash flows of our real estate investments and incorporate them into our periodic impairment analyses. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we performed impairment analyses during the year ended December 31, 2020, which included updated estimates of expected future cash flows. As a result of our impairment analyses, we recorded one impairment during the year ended December 31, 2020 for $13 million. This impairment was recorded in net investment income as the investment is in a real estate fund. There were no impairments recognized in net investment gains (losses) on
real estate and real estate joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2020. There were $10 million in impairments recognized for the year ended December 31, 2019.
We diversify our real estate investments by both geographic region and property type to reduce risk of concentration. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of real estate investments, by income type, as well as income earned.
Geographical diversification: Substantially all of our real estate investments, excluding funds, were located in the United States at December 31, 2020. The carrying value of our real estate investments, excluding funds, located in California, Washington, D.C. and Georgia were 17%, 16% and 12%, respectively,
of total real estate investments, excluding funds, at December 31, 2020. Real estate funds were 29% of our real estate investments at December 31, 2020. The majority of these funds hold underlying real estate investments that are well diversified across the United States.
Property type diversification: Real estate and real estate joint venture investments are categorized by property type as follows at:
Other limited partnership interests are comprised of investments in private funds, including private equity funds and hedge funds. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying value of other limited partnership interests was $5.8 billion and $5.0 billion, which included $271 million and $238 million of hedge funds, respectively. Other limited partnership interests were 1.9% and 1.8% of cash and invested assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Cash distributions
on these investments are generated from investment gains, operating income from the underlying investments of the funds and liquidation of the underlying investments of the funds.
We use the equity method of accounting for most of our private equity funds. We generally recognize our share of a private equity fund’s earnings in net investment income on a three-month lag when the information is reported to us. Accordingly, declines in the equity markets, which can impact the underlying results of these private equity funds, are recorded in our net investment income on a three-month lag. As a result of initial declines in the equity market followed by subsequent increases in the equity market in 2020, we recorded higher net investment income on our private equity and hedge fund investments during the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year.
Other
Invested Assets
The following table presents the carrying value of our other invested assets by type at:
Freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values
$
9,318
52.6
%
$
8,080
47.6
%
Affiliated
investments
2,058
11.6
%
2,225
13.1
%
Tax credit and renewable energy partnerships
1,748
9.9
%
1,990
11.7
%
Annuities
funding structured settlement claims
1,263
7.1
%
1,271
7.5
%
Leveraged leases
816
4.6
%
896
5.3
%
FHLB
common stock
765
4.3
%
737
4.3
%
FVO Securities
688
3.9
%
523
3.1
%
Equity
securities
409
2.3
%
601
3.5
%
Operating joint venture
216
1.2
%
234
1.4
%
Funds
withheld
191
1.1
%
173
1.1
%
Direct financing leases
176
1.0
%
189
1.1
%
Other
75
0.4
%
60
0.3
%
Total
$
17,723
100.0
%
$
16,979
100.0
%
Percentage
of cash and invested assets
5.9
%
6.1
%
Our direct financing and leveraged lease portfolios are subject to uncertain market conditions, including the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and related economic slowdown. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we granted lease concessions, primarily in the form of rent deferrals, to some of our lessees. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding COVID-19 Pandemic-related direct financing
lease concessions.
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the new credit loss guidance adopted in 2020 affecting the credit loss evaluation process and the measurement of credit loss, including direct financing and leveraged leases effective January 1, 2020.
See Notes 1, 7 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships, annuities funding structured settlement claims, direct financing and leveraged leases, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) common stock, FVO Securities, equity securities, operating joint ventures and funds withheld, as well as, gains (losses) on disposals of, and impairments of, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships,
and leveraged lease impairment losses.
We are exposed to various risks relating to our ongoing business operations, including interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, credit and equity market.
We use a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivatives. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for:
•A comprehensive description of the nature of our derivatives, including the strategies for which derivatives are used in managing various risks.
•Information about the primary underlying risk exposure, gross notional amount, and estimated fair value of our derivatives by type of hedge designation, excluding embedded derivatives held at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
•The statement of operations effects of derivatives in cash flow, fair value, or nonqualifying hedge relationships for the years ended December 31,
2020, 2019 and 2018.
See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Management of Market Risk Exposures — Hedging Activities” for more information about our use of derivatives by major hedge program.
Fair Value Hierarchy
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy.
The valuation of Level 3 derivatives involves the use of significant unobservable inputs and generally requires a higher degree of management judgment
or estimation than the valuations of Level 1 and Level 2 derivatives. Although Level 3 inputs are unobservable, management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments and are considered appropriate given the circumstances. The use of different inputs or methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair value of Level 3 derivatives and could materially affect net income.
Derivatives categorized as Level 3 at December 31, 2020 include: interest rate forwards with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the yield curve; interest rate total return swaps with unobservable repurchase rates; foreign currency swaps with certain unobservable inputs, including the unobservable portion of the yield curve; credit default swaps priced using unobservable credit spreads, or that are priced through
independent broker quotations; equity variance swaps with unobservable volatility inputs; and equity index options with unobservable correlation inputs. At December 31, 2020, less than 1% of the estimated fair value of our derivatives was priced through independent broker quotations.
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a rollforward of the fair value measurements for derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.
See “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivatives” for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect derivatives.
Credit
Risk
See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how we manage credit risk related to derivatives and for the estimated fair value of our net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral.
Our policy is not to offset the fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement. This policy applies to the recognition of derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets, and does not affect our legal right of offset.
The
following table presents the gross gains, gross losses and net gains (losses) recognized in net derivative gains (losses) for credit default swaps as follows:
(1)Gains
(losses) do not include earned income (expense) on credit default swaps.
The unfavorable change in net gains (losses) on written credit default swaps was $250 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 due to certain credit spreads on certain credit default swaps used as replications widening in the current period and narrowing in the prior period.
The maximum amount at risk related to our written credit default swaps is equal to the corresponding gross notional amount. In a replication transaction, we pair an asset on our balance sheet with a written credit default swap to synthetically replicate a corporate bond, a core asset holding of life insurance companies. Replications are entered into in accordance with the guidelines approved
by state insurance regulators and the NAIC and are an important tool in managing the overall corporate credit risk within the Company. In order to match our long-dated insurance liabilities, we seek to buy long-dated corporate bonds. In some instances, these may not be readily available in the market, or they may be issued by corporations to which we already have significant corporate credit exposure. For example, by purchasing Treasury bonds (or other high quality assets) and associating them with written credit default swaps on the desired corporate credit name, we can replicate the desired bond exposures and meet our ALM needs. In addition, given the shorter tenor of the credit default swaps (generally five-year tenors) versus a long-dated corporate bond, we have more flexibility in managing our credit exposures.
Embedded
Derivatives
See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy and a rollforward of the fair value measurements for embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.
See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the nonperformance risk adjustment included in the valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits accounted for as embedded derivatives.
See “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivatives” for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect embedded derivatives.
See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources — Credit Facility” and Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Credit Facility, including the classification of expenses and the nature of the associated liability for letters of credit issued and drawdowns on the Credit Facility.
Collateral for
Securities Lending, Repurchase Agreements and Derivatives
We participate in securities lending transactions and repurchase agreements in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the total return on our investment portfolio. Periodically, we receive non-cash collateral for securities lending and repurchase agreements from counterparties, which is not reflected on our consolidated financial statements. The amount of this non-cash collateral was $1 million and $0 at estimated fair value at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our securities lending transactions and repurchase agreements, the classification of revenues and expenses, and the nature of the secured financing arrangements and associated liabilities.
We
enter into derivatives to manage various risks relating to our ongoing business operations. We receive non-cash collateral from counterparties for derivatives, which can be sold or re-pledged subject to certain constraints, and which is not reflected on our consolidated balance sheets. The amount of this non-cash collateral was $1.3 billion at estimated fair value, at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Pledged Collateral” and Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the earned income on and the gross notional amount, estimated fair value of assets and liabilities and primary underlying risk exposure of our derivatives.
Investment Commitments
We enter into the following
commitments in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the total return on our investment portfolio: mortgage loan commitments and commitments to fund partnerships, bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about these investment commitments. See “Net Investment Income” and “Net Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the investment income, investment expense, gains and losses from such investments and the liability for credit loss for unfunded mortgage loan commitments. See also “— Investments — Fixed Maturity Securities AFS,”“— Investments — Mortgage Loans,”“— Investments — Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures” and “— Investments — Other Limited Partnership Interests.”
Lease
Commitments
As lessee, we have entered into various lease and sublease agreements for office space and equipment. Our commitments under such lease agreements are included within the contractual obligations table. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Contractual Obligations” and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Guarantees
See “Guarantees” in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Insolvency Assessments
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally. Stressed conditions, volatility
and disruptions in global capital markets, particular markets, or financial asset classes can have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and our insurance liabilities and derivatives are sensitive to changing market factors. Changing conditions in the global capital markets and the economy may affect our financing costs and market interest for our debt securities. For further information regarding market factors that could affect our ability to meet liquidity and capital needs, see “— Investments — Current Environment.”
Liquidity Management
Based upon the strength of our franchise, diversification of our businesses, strong financial fundamentals and the substantial funding sources available to us as described herein,
we continue to believe we have access to ample liquidity to meet business requirements under current market conditions and reasonably possible stress scenarios. We continuously monitor and adjust our liquidity and capital plans for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries in light of market conditions, as well as changing needs and opportunities.
Short-term Liquidity
We maintain a substantial short-term liquidity position, which was $2.2 billion at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. Short-term liquidity includes cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments,
excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed, including amounts received in connection with securities lending, repurchase agreements, derivatives, and secured borrowings, as well as amounts held in the closed block.
Liquid Assets
An integral part of our liquidity management includes managing our level of liquid assets, which was $91.3 billion and $87.6 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities, excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed. Assets pledged or otherwise committed include amounts received in connection with securities
lending, repurchase agreements, derivatives, regulatory deposits, funding agreements and secured borrowings, as well as amounts held in the closed block.
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet our needs. We determine our liquidity needs based on a rolling 12-month forecast by portfolio of invested assets which we monitor daily. We adjust the asset mix and asset maturities based on this rolling 12-month forecast. To support this forecast, we conduct cash flow and stress testing, which include various scenarios of the potential risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal. We include provisions limiting withdrawal rights on many of our products, including general account pension products sold to employee
benefit plan sponsors. Certain of these provisions prevent the customer from making withdrawals prior to the maturity date of the product. In the event of significant cash requirements beyond anticipated liquidity needs, we have various alternatives available depending on market conditions and the amount and timing of the liquidity need. These available alternatives include cash flows from operations, sales of liquid assets and global funding sources, including commercial paper and the Credit Facility.
Under certain stressful market and economic conditions, our access to liquidity may deteriorate, or the cost to access liquidity may increase. A downgrade in our insurer financial strength or credit ratings, or the credit ratings or insurer financial strength ratings of MetLife, Inc. or its other subsidiaries could also negatively affect
our liquidity. See “— Rating Agencies.” If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of anticipated cash requirements or if we are required to post or return cash collateral in connection with derivatives or our securities lending program, we may have difficulty selling investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both. In addition, in the event of such forced sale, for securities in an unrealized loss position, realized losses would be incurred on securities sold and impairments would be incurred, if there is a need to sell securities prior to recovery, which may negatively impact our financial condition. See “Risk Factors — Investment Risks — We May Have Difficulty Selling Holdings in Our Investment Portfolio or in Our Securities Lending Program in a Timely Manner to Realize Their Full Value.”
All general account
assets within a particular legal entity — other than those which may have been pledged to a specific purpose — are generally available to fund obligations of the general account of that legal entity.
We manage our capital position to maintain our financial strength and credit ratings. See “— Rating Agencies” for information regarding such ratings. Our capital position is supported
by our ability to generate strong cash flows within our operating companies and borrow funds at competitive rates, as well as by our demonstrated ability to raise additional capital to meet operating and growth needs despite adverse market and economic conditions.
Statutory Capital and Dividends
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company has statutory surplus well above levels to meet current regulatory requirements.
RBC requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium, claim, expense and statutory reserve items. The formula takes into account
the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not as a means to rank insurers generally. These rules apply to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. State insurance laws provide insurance regulators the authority to require various actions by, or take various actions against, insurers whose total adjusted capital does not meet or exceed certain RBC levels. At the date of the most recent annual statutory financial statement filed with insurance regulators, the total adjusted capital of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was in excess of each of those RBC levels.
The amount of dividends that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company can pay to MetLife, Inc.
is constrained by the amount of surplus Metropolitan Life Insurance Company holds to maintain its ratings and provides an additional margin for risk protection and investment in its businesses. We proactively take actions to maintain capital consistent with these ratings objectives, which may include adjusting dividend amounts and deploying financial resources from internal or external sources of capital. Certain of these activities may require regulatory approval. Furthermore, the payment of dividends and other distributions to MetLife, Inc. by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is governed by insurance laws and regulations. See “Business — Regulation — Insurance Regulation” and Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Affiliated Captive Reinsurance Transactions
Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company cedes specific policy classes, including ordinary life insurance, participating whole life insurance and long-term disability insurance, to a wholly-owned offshore reinsurer. The wholly-owned offshore reinsurer currently only reinsures Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s business and the results of the offshore reinsurer are eliminated within our consolidated results of operations. MetLife, Inc. has also provided a guarantee of the wholly-owned offshore reinsurer’s payment obligations in a retrocession agreement entered into by the reinsurer. In addition, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company cedes specific policy classes, including term life insurance, universal life insurance and ordinary and industrial life insurance, to other affiliated captive reinsurers. MetLife, Inc. has committed to maintain the surplus of the other affiliated captive reinsurers, as well as provide a guarantee of one such captive reinsurer’s repayment obligations on letters
of credit issued by unaffiliated financial institutions. The statutory reserves of such affiliated captive reinsurers are supported by a combination of funds withheld assets, investment assets and the letters of credit. We enter into reinsurance agreements with affiliated captive reinsurers for risk and capital management purposes, as well as to manage statutory reserve requirements related to universal life and term life insurance policies and other business.
The NYDFS continues to have a moratorium on new reserve financing transactions involving captive insurers. We are not aware of any states other than New York and California implementing such a moratorium. While such a moratorium would not impact our existing reinsurance agreements with affiliated captive reinsurers, a moratorium placed on the use of captives for new reserve financing transactions could impact our ability to write certain products and/or impact our RBC
ratio and ability to deploy excess capital in the future. This could result in our need to increase prices, modify product features or limit the availability of those products to our customers. While this affects insurers across the industry, it could adversely impact our competitive position and our results of operations in the future. We continue to evaluate product modifications, pricing structure and alternative means of managing risks, capital and statutory reserves and we expect the discontinued use of captive reinsurance on new reserve financing transactions would not have a material impact on our future consolidated financial results. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our reinsurance activities.
Rating agencies assign insurer financial strength and credit ratings to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife, Inc.’s other insurance subsidiaries, as well as credit ratings to MetLife, Inc. Financial strength ratings represent the opinion of rating agencies regarding the ability of an insurance company to pay obligations under insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are not statements of fact nor are they recommendations to purchase, hold or sell any security, contract
or policy. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
Rating agencies use an “outlook statement” of “positive,”“stable,” ‘‘negative’’ or “developing” to indicate a medium- or long-term trend in credit fundamentals which, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A rating may have a “stable” outlook to indicate that the rating is not expected to change; however, a “stable” rating does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time, without notice. Certain rating agencies assign rating modifiers such as “CreditWatch” or “under review” to indicate their opinion regarding the potential direction of a rating. These ratings modifiers are generally assigned in connection with certain events such as potential mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or material changes in a company’s results, in order for the rating agency to perform its
analysis to fully determine the rating implications of the event.
Our insurer financial strength ratings at the date of this filing are indicated in the following table. Outlook is stable unless otherwise indicated. Additional information about financial strength ratings can be found on the websites of the respective rating agencies.
A.M.
Best
Fitch
Moody’s
S&P
Ratings Structure
“A++ (superior)” to “S (suspended)”
“AAA (exceptionally strong)” to “C (distressed)”
“Aaa (highest quality)” to “C (lowest rated)”
“AAA (extremely strong)” to “SD (Selective Default)” or “D (Default)”
Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company
A+
AA-
Aa3
AA-
2nd of 16
4th of 19
4th of 21
4th of 22
Credit ratings indicate the rating agency’s opinion regarding a debt issuer’s ability to meet the terms of debt obligations in a timely manner. They are important factors in our overall funding profile and ability to
access certain types of liquidity. The level and composition of regulatory capital of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company are among the many factors considered in determining our insurer financial strength ratings and credit ratings. Each agency has its own capital adequacy evaluation methodology, and assessments are generally based on a combination of factors. In addition to heightening the level of scrutiny that they apply to insurance companies, rating agencies have increased and may continue to increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, may request additional information from the companies that they rate and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the rating agency models for maintenance of certain ratings levels.
A downgrade in our insurer financial strength or credit ratings, or the credit ratings or insurer financial strength ratings of MetLife, Inc. or its other subsidiaries
would likely impact us in the following ways, including:
•impact our ability to generate cash flows from the sale of funding agreements and other capital market products offered by our RIS business;
•impact the cost and availability of financing for MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; and
•result in additional collateral requirements or other required payments under certain agreements, which are eligible to be satisfied in cash or by posting investments held by the entities subject to the agreements. See “— Liquidity and Capital Uses — Pledged Collateral.”
See also “Risk Factors
— Economic Environment and Capital Markets Risks — We May Lose Business Due to a Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Financial Strength or Credit Ratings.”
Net
change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
2,757
1,893
Long-term debt issued
128
—
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances
4
3
Total sources
8,617
8,038
Uses:
Investing
activities, net
3,235
2,184
Net change in policyholder account balances
—
522
Long-term debt repaid
97
28
Financing element on certain derivative instruments and other derivative related transactions, net
40
175
Dividends
paid to MetLife, Inc.
2,832
3,065
Other, net
3
19
Total uses
6,207
5,993
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
2,410
$
2,045
Cash
Flows from Operations
The principal cash inflows from our insurance activities come from insurance premiums, net investment income, annuity considerations and deposit funds. The principal cash outflows are the result of various life insurance, annuity and pension products, operating expenses and income tax, as well as interest expense. A primary liquidity concern with respect to these cash flows is the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal.
Cash Flows from Investments
The principal cash inflows from our investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities and sales of investments and settlements of freestanding derivatives. The principal cash outflows relate to purchases
of investments, issuances of policy loans and settlements of freestanding derivatives. We typically have a net cash outflow from investing activities because cash inflows from insurance operations are reinvested in accordance with our ALM discipline to fund insurance liabilities. We closely monitor and manage these risks through our comprehensive investment risk management process. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are the risk of default by debtors and market disruption.
Cash Flows from Financing
The principal cash inflows from our financing activities come from issuances of debt, deposits of funds associated with policyholder account balances and lending of securities. The principal cash outflows come from repayments of debt, payments
of dividends on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s common stock, withdrawals associated with policyholder account balances and the return of securities on loan. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash flows are market disruption and the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal.
Liquidity and Capital Sources
In addition to the general description of liquidity and capital sources in “— Summary of Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital,”the Company’s primary sources of liquidity and capital are set forth below.
Liquidity is provided by a variety of global funding sources, including funding agreements, the Credit Facility and commercial paper. Capital is provided by a variety of global funding sources, including short-term and long-term debt. The diversity of our global funding sources enhances our funding flexibility, limits dependence on any one market or source of funds and generally lowers the cost of funds. Our primary global funding sources include:
Commercial Paper, Reported in Short-term Debt
MetLife Funding and MetLife, Inc. each have a
commercial paper program that is supported by the Credit Facility (see “— Credit Facility”). MetLife Funding raises cash from its commercial paper program and uses the proceeds to extend loans through MetLife Credit Corp., another subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, to affiliates in order to enhance the financial flexibility and liquidity of these companies.
Federal Home Loan Bank Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a member of the FHLB of New York. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we issued $32.3 billion and $30.0 billion, respectively, and repaid $31.5 billion
and $29.8 billion, respectively, of funding agreements with the FHLB of New York. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $15.2 billion and $14.4 billion, respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Special Purpose Entity Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
We issue fixed and floating rate funding agreements which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, to certain unconsolidated special purpose entities that have issued either debt securities or commercial paper for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such
funding agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we issued $39.3 billion and $37.3 billion, respectively, and repaid $36.7 billion and $36.4 billion, respectively, under such funding agreements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $38.8 billion and $34.6 billion, respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Funding Agreements, Reported in Policyholder Account Balances
We have issued funding agreements to a subsidiary
of Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. The obligations under all such funding agreements are secured by a pledge of certain eligible agricultural mortgage loans. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we issued $250 million and $700 million, respectively, and repaid $425 million and $700 million, respectively, under such funding agreements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, total obligations outstanding under these funding agreements were $2.4 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Credit Facility
See
Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the Credit Facility.
We have no reason to believe that our lending counterparties will be unable to fulfill their respective contractual obligations under this facility. As commitments under the Credit Facility may expire unused, these amounts do not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements.
(1)Includes $20 million and $29 million of debt that is non-recourse to the Company, subject to customary exceptions, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Certain subsidiaries have pledged assets to secure this debt.
(2)Includes
$474 million and $403 million of debt that is non-recourse to the Company, subject to customary exceptions, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Certain investment subsidiaries have pledged assets to secure this debt.
Debt and Facility Covenants
Certain of our debt instruments and the Credit Facility contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. We believe we were in compliance with all applicable financial covenants at December
31, 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Uses
In addition to the general description of liquidity and capital uses in “— Summary of Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital” and “— Contractual Obligations,”the Company’s primary uses of liquidity and capital are set forth below.
Dividends
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company paid cash dividends to MetLife, Inc. of $2.8 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Debt Repayments
See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on long-term and short-term debt.
Support Agreements
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a party to a capital support commitment with its subsidiary, MetLife Funding. Under the arrangement, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company has agreed to cause such entity to meet specified capital requirements. We
anticipate that in the event this arrangement places demands upon us, there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable us to meet such demands.
Insurance Liabilities
Liabilities arising from our insurance activities primarily relate to benefit payments under various life insurance, annuity and group pension products, as well as payments for policy surrenders, withdrawals and loans. For annuity or deposit type products, surrender or lapse behavior differs somewhat by segment. In the MetLife Holdings segment, which includes individual annuities, lapses and surrenders tend to occur in the normal course of business. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,
general account surrenders and withdrawals from annuity products were $1.3 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. In the RIS business within the U.S. segment, which includes pension risk transfers, bank-owned life insurance and other fixed annuity contracts, as well as funding agreements and other capital market products, most of the products offered have fixed maturities or fairly predictable surrenders or withdrawals. With regard to the RIS business products that provide customers with limited rights to accelerate payments, at December 31, 2020, there were funding agreements totaling $132 million that could be put back to the Company.
Pledged
Collateral
We pledge collateral to, and have collateral pledged to us by, counterparties in connection with our derivatives. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had received pledged cash collateral from counterparties of $6.3 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, and provided no excess cash collateral for either period. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
We also pledge collateral
from time to time in connection with funding agreements. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements
We participate in a securities lending program and in short-term repurchase agreements whereby securities are loaned to unaffiliated financial institutions. We obtain collateral, usually cash, from the borrower, which must be returned to the borrower when the loaned securities are returned to us. Through these arrangements, we were liable for cash collateral under our control of $16.8 billion and $15.1 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, including a portion that may require the immediate
return of cash collateral we hold. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Litigation
We establish liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. For material matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible but not probable, no accrual is made but we disclose the nature of the contingency and an aggregate estimate of the reasonably possible range of loss in excess of amounts accrued, when such an estimate can be made. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to herein, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including
punitive and treble damages, are sought. Given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our major contractual obligations at December 31, 2020:
Total
One
Year or Less
More than One Year to Three Years
More than Three Years to Five Years
More than Five Years
(In millions)
Insurance liabilities
$
246,573
$
11,914
$
12,930
$
12,715
$
209,014
Policyholder
account balances
100,828
27,583
21,217
9,236
42,792
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
23,122
23,122
—
—
—
Debt
2,891
269
194
907
1,521
Investment
commitments
6,659
6,487
154
16
2
Operating leases
932
129
242
209
352
Other
22,825
22,719
—
—
106
Total
$
403,830
$
92,223
$
34,737
$
23,083
$
253,787
Insurance
Liabilities
Insurance liabilities include future policy benefits, other policy-related balances, policyholder dividends payable and the policyholder dividend obligation, which are all reported on the consolidated balance sheet and are more fully described in Notes 1 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The amounts presented reflect future estimated cash payments and (i) are based on mortality, morbidity, lapse and other assumptions comparable with our experience and expectations of future payment patterns; and (ii) consider future premium receipts on current policies in-force. All estimated cash payments presented are undiscounted as to interest, net of estimated future premiums on in-force policies and gross of any reinsurance recoverable. Payment of amounts related to policyholder dividends left on deposit are projected based on assumptions of policyholder withdrawal activity. Because the exact timing
and amount of the ultimate policyholder dividend obligation is subject to significant uncertainty and the amount of the policyholder dividend obligation is based upon a long-term projection of the performance of the closed block, we have reflected the obligation at the amount of the liability, if any, presented on the consolidated balance sheet in the more than five years category. Additionally, the more than five years category includes estimated payments due for periods extending for more than 100 years.
The sum of the estimated cash flows of $246.6
billion exceeds the liability amounts of $144.7 billion included on the consolidated balance sheet principally due to (i) the time value of money, which accounts for a substantial portion of the difference; (ii) differences in assumptions, most significantly mortality, between the date the liabilities were initially established and the current date; and (iii) liabilities related to accounting conventions, or which are not contractually due, which are excluded.
Actual cash payments may differ significantly from the liabilities as presented on the consolidated balance sheet and the estimated cash payments as presented due to differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in the establishment of these liabilities and the estimation of these cash payments.
For the majority of our insurance operations, estimated contractual obligations for future policy benefits and policyholder
account balances, as presented, are derived from the annual asset adequacy analysis used to develop actuarial opinions of statutory reserve adequacy for state regulatory purposes. These cash flows are materially representative of the cash flows under GAAP. See “— Policyholder Account Balances.”
Policyholder Account Balances
See Notes 1 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the components of policyholder account balances. See “— Insurance Liabilities” regarding the source and uncertainties associated with the estimation of the contractual obligations related to future policy benefits and policyholder account balances.
Amounts presented represent the estimated cash
payments undiscounted as to interest and including assumptions related to the receipt of future premiums and deposits; withdrawals, including unscheduled or partial withdrawals; policy lapses; surrender charges; annuitization; mortality; future interest credited; policy loans and other contingent events as appropriate for the respective product type. Such estimated cash payments are also presented net of estimated future premiums on policies currently in-force and gross of any reinsurance recoverable. For obligations denominated in foreign currencies, cash payments have been estimated using current spot foreign currency rates.
The sum of the estimated cash flows of $100.8 billion exceeds the liability amount of $96.6 billion included on the consolidated balance sheet principally due to (i) the time value of money, which accounts for a substantial portion of the difference; (ii) differences in assumptions, between the date the
liabilities were initially established and the current date; and (iii) liabilities related to accounting conventions, or which are not contractually due, which are excluded.
Payables for Collateral Under Securities Loaned and Other Transactions
We have accepted cash collateral in connection with securities lending, repurchase agreements and derivatives. As these transactions expire within the next year and the timing of the return of the derivatives collateral is uncertain, the return of the collateral has been included in the one year or less category in the table above. We also held non-cash collateral, which is not reflected as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet, of $1.3 billion at December 31, 2020.
Debt
Amounts
presented for debt include short-term debt and long-term debt, the total of which differs from the total of the corresponding amounts presented on the consolidated balance sheet as the amounts presented herein (i) do not include premiums or discounts upon issuance or purchase accounting fair value adjustments; (ii) include future interest on such obligations for the period from January 1, 2021 through maturity; and (iii) do not include long-term debt relating to CSEs at December 31, 2020 as such debt does not represent our contractual obligation. Future interest on variable rate debt was computed using prevailing rates at December 31, 2020 and, as such, does not consider the impact of future rate movements. Future interest on fixed rate debt was computed using the stated rate on the obligations for the period from January
1, 2021 through maturity. Total debt at December 31, 2020 included affiliated debt obligations of $1.6 billion.
Investment Commitments
To enhance the return on our investment portfolio, we commit to lend funds under mortgage loans, bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments and we commit to fund partnership investments. In the table above, the timing of the funding of mortgage loans and private corporate bond investments is based on the expiration dates of the corresponding commitments. As it relates to commitments to fund partnerships and bank credit facilities, we anticipate that these amounts could be invested any time over the next five years; however, as the timing of the
fulfillment of the obligation cannot be predicted, such obligations are generally presented in the one year or less category. Commitments to fund bridge loans are short-term obligations and, as a result, are presented in the one year or less category. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and “— Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”
As a lessee,
we have various operating leases, primarily for office space. Contractual provisions exist that could increase or accelerate those lease obligations presented, including various leases with early buyouts and/or escalation clauses. However, the impact of any such transactions would not be material to our financial position or results of operations. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other
Other obligations presented are principally comprised of amounts due under reinsurance agreements, payables related to securities purchased but not yet settled, securities sold short, accrued interest on debt obligations, estimated fair value of derivative obligations, deferred compensation arrangements, guaranty liabilities, and accruals and accounts
payable due under contractual obligations, which are all reported in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. If the timing of any of these other obligations is sufficiently uncertain, the amounts are included within the one year or less category. Items reported in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet that were excluded from the table represent accounting conventions or are not liabilities due under contractual obligations. Unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest totaling $48 million were excluded as the timing of payment could not be reliably determined at December 31, 2020.
Separate account liabilities are excluded as they are fully funded by cash flows from the corresponding separate account assets and are set equal to the estimated fair value of separate account assets.
We also enter into
agreements to purchase goods and services in the normal course of business; however, such amounts are excluded as these purchase obligations were not material to our consolidated results of operations or financial position at December 31, 2020.
Additionally, we have agreements in place for intercompany services we conduct, generally at cost, relating to insurance, reinsurance, loans and capitalization. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Transactions between Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been approved by the appropriate insurance regulators as required.
Adoption
of New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures
In this report, the Company presents certain measures of its performance that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance
the understanding for the Company and our investors of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business.
The following non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP:
Non-GAAP financial measures:
Comparable GAAP financial measures:
(i)
adjusted
premiums, fees and other revenues
(i)
premiums, fees and other revenues
(ii)
adjusted earnings
(ii)
net income (loss)
(iii)
adjusted net investment income
(iii)
net investment income
Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable historical GAAP financial measures are included in “— Results of Operations” and “— Investments.”
Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis because we believe it is not possible without unreasonable effort to provide other than a range of net investment gains and losses and net derivative gains and losses, which can fluctuate significantly within or outside the range and from period to period and may have a material impact on net income.
Our definitions of non-GAAP and other financial measures discussed in this report may differ from those used by other companies.
This measure is used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings is also our GAAP measure of segment performance. Adjusted earnings allows analysis of our performance and facilitates comparisons to industry results.
Adjusted earnings is defined as adjusted revenues less adjusted expenses, net of income tax. Adjusted loss is defined as negative adjusted earnings. For information relating to adjusted revenues and adjusted expenses, see “Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies” in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of our performance results:
•We
sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.
•Near-term represents one to three years.
•Allocated equity is the portion of common stockholders’ equity that MetLife’s management allocates to each of its segments and sub-segments based on local capital requirements and economic capital. See “— Economic Capital.”
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Risk
Management
We have an integrated process for managing risk, which we conduct through multiple Board and senior management committees (financial and non-financial) across MetLife, Inc.’s Global Risk Management, ALM, Finance, Treasury, Investments and business segment departments. The risk committee structure is designed to provide a consolidated enterprise-wide assessment and management of risk. MetLife, Inc.’s Enterprise Risk Committee (“ERC”) is responsible for reviewing all material risks to the enterprise and deciding on actions, if necessary, in the event risks exceed desired tolerances, taking into consideration industry best practices and the current environment to resolve or mitigate those risks. Additional committees at the MetLife, Inc. and subsidiary company level manage capital and risk positions and establish corporate business standards.
Global
Risk Management
Independent from the lines of business, the centralized Global Risk Management department, led by MetLife, Inc.’s Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) coordinates across all committees to ensure that all material risks are properly identified, measured, aggregated, managed and reported across the Company. The CRO reports to MetLife, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and is primarily responsible for maintaining and communicating the Company’s enterprise risk policies and for monitoring and analyzing all material risks.
Global Risk Management considers and monitors a full range of risks against the Company’s
solvency, liquidity, earnings, business operations and reputation. Global Risk Management’s primary responsibilities consist of:
•implementing an enterprise risk framework, which outlines MetLife, Inc.’s enterprise approach for managing risk;
•developing policies and procedures for identifying, managing, measuring, monitoring and controlling those risks identified in the enterprise risk framework;
•coordinating ORSA for MetLife, Inc.’s Board and senior management and regulator use;
•recommending risk appetite statements and investment general authorizations to the Board;
•measuring
capital on an economic basis; and
•reporting to (i) the Finance and Risk Committee of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors; (ii) the Investment Committee of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors; (iii) the Compensation Committee of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors; (iv) the Finance Committee of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s Board of Directors; and (v) the financial and non-financial senior management committees of each of MetLife, Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company on various aspects of risk.
We actively manage our assets using an approach that is liability driven and balances quality, diversification, asset/liability matching, liquidity, concentration and investment return. The goals of the investment process are to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return while ensuring that the assets and liabilities are reasonably aligned on a cash flow and duration basis. The ALM process is the shared responsibility of the ALM, Global Risk Management, and Investments departments, with the engagement of senior members of MetLife, Inc.’s business segments and Finance, and is governed by the ALM Committees. The ALM Committees’ duties include reviewing and approving investment guidelines and limits, approving significant portfolio and ALM strategies and providing oversight of the ALM process.
The directives of the ALM Committees are carried out and monitored through ALM Working Groups which are set up to manage risk by geography, product or portfolio type. The ALM Steering Committee oversees the activities of the underlying ALM Committees and Working Groups. The ALM Steering Committee reports to the ERC.
MetLife, Inc. establishes portfolio guidelines that define ranges and limits related to asset allocation, interest rate risk, liquidity, concentration and other risks for each major business segment, legal entity or insurance product group. These guidelines support implementation of investment strategies used to adequately fund our liabilities within acceptable levels of risk. We also establish hedging programs and associated investment portfolios for different blocks of business. The ALM Working Groups monitor these strategies and programs through regular review of portfolio metrics, such as effective duration,
yield curve sensitivity, convexity, value at risk, market sensitivities (to interest rates, equity market levels, equity volatility, and foreign currency exchange rates), stress scenario payoffs, liquidity, asset sector concentration and credit quality.
Market Risk Exposures
We regularly analyze our exposure to interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market price risk. As a result of that analysis, we have determined that the estimated fair values of certain assets and liabilities are materially exposed to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity markets. We have exposure to market risk through our insurance operations and investment activities. For purposes of this disclosure, “market risk” is defined as the
risk of loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity markets.
Interest Rates
Our exposure to interest rate changes results most significantly from our holdings of fixed maturity securities and derivatives, as well as our interest rate sensitive liabilities. The fixed maturity securities AFS include U.S. and foreign government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities and ABS, all of which are mainly exposed to changes in medium- and long-term interest rates. The interest rate sensitive liabilities for purposes of this disclosure include debt, policyholder account balances related to certain investment type contracts,
and embedded derivatives on variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits which have the same type of interest rate exposure (medium- and long-term interest rates) as fixed maturity securities AFS. The interest rate sensitive liabilities for purposes of this disclosure exclude a significant portion of the liabilities relating to insurance contracts. See “Risk Factors — Economic Environment and Capital Markets Risks — We May Face Difficult Economic Conditions.”
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
Our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar results from our holdings in non-U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturity and equity
securities, mortgage loans, and certain liabilities. The foreign currency exchange rate liabilities for purposes of this disclosure exclude a significant portion of the liabilities relating to insurance contracts. The principal currencies that create foreign currency exchange rate risk in our investment portfolios and liabilities are the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. We hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk with foreign currency swaps, forwards and options.
Equity Market
Along with investments in equity securities, we have exposure to equity market risk through certain liabilities that involve long-term guarantees on equity performance such as embedded
derivatives on variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits and certain policyholder account balances. Equity exposures associated with limited partnership interests are excluded from this discussion as they are not considered financial instruments under GAAP.
Management of Market Risk Exposures
We use a variety of strategies to manage interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market risk, including the use of derivatives.
To manage interest rate risk, we analyze interest rate risk using various models, including multi-scenario cash flow projection models that forecast cash flows of the liabilities and their supporting investments, including derivatives. These projections involve evaluating the potential gain or loss on most of our in-force business under various increasing and decreasing interest rate environments. The NYDFS regulations require that we perform some of these analyses annually as part of our review of the sufficiency of our regulatory reserves. We maintain segmented operating and surplus asset portfolios for the purpose of ALM and the allocation of investment income to product lines. In the United States, for each segment, invested assets
greater than or equal to the GAAP liabilities, net of certain non-invested assets allocated to the segment, are maintained, with any excess allocated to Corporate & Other. Statutory results for each line of business within a business segment may differ based on product-related market characteristics which may affect the duration, liquidity or credit quality elements of the investment strategy for a particular business segment.
We measure relative sensitivities of the value of our assets and liabilities to changes in key assumptions utilizing internal models. These models reflect specific product characteristics and include assumptions based on current and anticipated experience regarding lapse, mortality, morbidity and interest crediting rates. In addition, these models include asset cash flow projections reflecting interest payments, sinking fund payments, principal payments, bond calls, mortgage loan prepayments and
defaults.
We employ product design, pricing and ALM strategies to reduce the potential effects of interest rate movements. Product design and pricing strategies include the use of surrender charges or restrictions on withdrawals in some products and the ability to reset crediting rates for certain products. ALM strategies include the use of derivatives. We also use reinsurance to mitigate interest rate risk.
We also use common industry metrics, such as duration and convexity, to measure the relative sensitivity of assets and liability values to changes in interest rates. In computing the duration of liabilities, we consider all policyholder guarantees and how we intend to set indeterminate policy elements such as interest credits or dividends. Each asset portfolio or portfolio group has a duration target based on the liability duration and the investment objectives of that portfolio.
Where a liability cash flow may exceed the maturity of available assets, we may support such liabilities with equity investments, derivatives or interest rate curve mismatch strategies.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Management
MetLife, Inc. has a well-established policy to manage foreign currency exchange rate exposures within MetLife, Inc.’s risk tolerance. In general, investments backing specific liabilities are currency matched. This is achieved through direct investments in matching currency or through the use of foreign currency exchange derivatives. Enterprise foreign currency exchange rate risk limits are established by the ERC. Management of each of the Company’s
segments, with oversight from MetLife, Inc.’s FX Working Group and the ALM committee for the respective segment, is responsible for managing any foreign currency exchange rate exposure. The general authorizations of the Investment Committee of MLIC also set limits on unhedged foreign currency investment exposure.
We use foreign currency swaps, forwards and options to mitigate the liability exposure, risk of loss and financial statement volatility associated with foreign currency denominated fixed income investments and the sale of certain insurance products.
Equity Market Risk Management
We manage equity market risk on an integrated basis with other risks through ALM strategies, including the dynamic hedging of certain
variable annuity guarantee benefits, as well as reinsurance, in order to limit losses, minimize exposure to large risks, and provide additional capacity for future growth. We also manage equity market risk exposure in our investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. These derivatives include exchange-traded equity futures, equity index options contracts, TRRs and equity variance swaps. This risk is managed by the ALM Department in partnership with the Investments Department.
We use derivative contracts primarily to hedge a wide range of risks including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, and equity market risk. Derivative hedges are designed to reduce risk on an economic basis while considering their impact on financial results under different accounting regimes, including U.S. GAAP and local statutory accounting. Our derivative hedge programs vary depending on the type of risk being hedged. Some hedge programs are asset or liability specific while others are portfolio hedges that reduce risk related to a group of liabilities or assets. Our use of derivatives by major hedge programs is as follows:
•Risks Related to Guaranteed Benefits —
We use a wide range of derivative contracts to mitigate the risk associated with living guarantee benefits. These derivatives include equity and interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, currency futures/forwards, equity indexed options, TRRs, interest rate option contracts and equity variance swaps.
•Minimum Interest Rate Guarantees — For certain liability contracts, we provide the contractholder a guaranteed minimum interest rate. These contracts include certain fixed annuities and other insurance liabilities. We purchase interest rate caps
and floors to reduce risk associated with these liability guarantees.
•Reinvestment Risk in Long Duration Liability Contracts — Derivatives are used to hedge interest rate risk related to certain long duration liability contracts. Hedges include interest rate swaps, swaptions and Treasury bond forwards.
•Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk — We use foreign currency swaps, forwards and options to hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk. These hedges are generally used to swap foreign currency denominated bonds or equity market exposures to U.S. dollars.
•General ALM Hedging Strategies —
In the ordinary course of managing our asset/liability risks, we use interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate floors and inflation swaps. These hedges are designed to reduce interest rate risk or inflation risk related to the existing assets or liabilities or related to expected future cash flows.
•Macro Hedge Program — We use equity options, equity TRRs, interest rate swaptions and interest rate swaps to mitigate the potential loss of legal entity statutory capital under stress scenarios.
Risk Measurement: Sensitivity Analysis
We measure market risk related to our market sensitive assets and liabilities based on changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange
rates and equity market prices utilizing a sensitivity analysis. For purposes of this disclosure, a significant portion of the liabilities relating to insurance contracts is excluded, as discussed further below. This analysis estimates the potential changes in estimated fair value based on a hypothetical 10% change (increase or decrease) in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity market prices. We believe that a 10% change (increase or decrease) in these market rates and prices is reasonably possible in the near-term. In performing the analysis summarized below, we used market rates at December 31, 2020. The sensitivity analysis separately calculates each of our market risk exposures (interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market) relating to our assets and liabilities. We modeled the impact
of changes (increases and decreases) in market rates and prices on the estimated fair values of our market sensitive assets and liabilities and present the results with the most adverse level of market risk impact to the Company for each of these market risk exposures as follows:
•the net present values of our interest rate sensitive exposures resulting from a 10% change (increase or decrease) in interest rates;
•estimated fair values of our foreign currency exchange rate sensitive exposures due to a 10% change (appreciation or depreciation) in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to all other currencies; and
•the estimated fair value of our equity market sensitive exposures due to
a 10% change (increase or decrease) in equity market prices.
The sensitivity analysis is an estimate and should not be viewed as predictive of our future financial performance. We cannot ensure that our actual losses in any particular period will not exceed the amounts indicated in the table below. Limitations related to this sensitivity analysis include:
•interest sensitive and foreign currency exchange rate sensitive liabilities do not include $141.4 billion, at carrying value, of
insurance contracts. Management believes that the changes in the economic value of those contracts under changing interest rates and changing foreign currency exchange rates would offset a significant portion of the fair value changes of interest sensitive and foreign currency exchange rate sensitive assets;
•the market risk information is limited by the assumptions and parameters established in creating the related sensitivity analysis, including the impact of prepayment rates on mortgage loans;
•sensitivities do not include the impact on asset or liability valuation of changes in market liquidity or changes in market credit spreads;
•foreign
currency exchange rate risk is not isolated for certain embedded derivatives within host asset and liability contracts, as the risk on these instruments is reflected as equity;
•for the derivatives that qualify as hedges, and for certain other assets such as mortgage loans, the impact on reported earnings may be materially different from the change in market values;
•the analysis excludes liabilities pursuant to insurance contracts, as well as real estate holdings, private equity and hedge fund holdings; and
•the model assumes that the composition of assets and liabilities remains unchanged
throughout the period.
Accordingly, we use such models as tools and not as substitutes for the experience and judgment of our management. Based on our analysis of the impact of a 10% change (increase or decrease) in market rates and prices, we have determined that such a change could have a material adverse effect on the estimated fair value of certain assets and liabilities from interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market exposures.
The table below illustrates the potential loss in estimated fair value for each market risk exposure based on market sensitive assets and liabilities at:
The
risk sensitivities derived used a 10% increase to interest rates, a 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, and a 10% increase in equity prices. The potential losses in estimated fair value presented are for non-trading securities.
The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of our interest sensitive financial instruments due to a 10% increase in interest rates at:
(1)Separate account assets and liabilities, which are interest rate sensitive, are not included herein as any interest rate risk is borne by the contractholder, notwithstanding any general account guarantees which are included within embedded derivatives (see footnote (2) below) or included within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances (see footnote (3) below). Long-term debt excludes $5 million related to CSEs.
(2)Embedded derivatives are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.
(3)Excludes
$141.4 billion of liabilities, at carrying value, pursuant to insurance contracts reported within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances. These liabilities would economically offset a significant portion of the net change in fair value of our financial instruments resulting from a 10% increase in interest rates.
The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of our portfolio due to a 10% depreciation in the U.S. dollar compared to all other currencies at:
(1)Does
not necessarily represent those financial instruments solely subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. Separate account assets and liabilities, which are foreign currency exchange rate sensitive, are not included herein as any foreign currency exchange rate risk is borne by the contractholder, notwithstanding any general account guarantees which are included within embedded derivatives (see footnote (2) below). Long-term debt excludes $5 million related to CSEs.
(2)Embedded derivatives are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.
(3)Excludes $141.4 billion of liabilities, at carrying value, pursuant to insurance contracts reported within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances. These liabilities would economically offset a significant portion of the net change in fair value of our financial instruments resulting from a 10% appreciation in the U.S. dollar compared to all other currencies.
Sensitivity to foreign currency exchange rates increased $27 million to $153 million at December 31, 2020 from $126 million at December 31, 2019. These sensitivities exclude those
liabilities, at carrying value, pursuant to insurance contracts reported within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances. These liabilities would economically offset a significant portion of the net change in fair value of our financial instruments resulting from a 10% depreciation in the U.S. dollar compared to all other currencies.
The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of our portfolio due to a 10% increase in equity prices at:
(1)Does not necessarily represent those financial instruments solely subject to equity price risk. Additionally, separate account assets and liabilities, which are equity market sensitive, are not included herein as any equity market risk is borne by the contractholder, notwithstanding any general account guarantees which are included within embedded derivatives (see footnote (2) below) or included within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances (see footnote (3) below).
(2)Embedded derivatives are recognized on the
consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.
(3)Excludes $141.4 billion of liabilities, at carrying value, pursuant to insurance contracts reported within future policy benefits and other policy-related balances.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholder and the Board of Directors
of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the schedules listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes and Schedules (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The
Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on
the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale – Fair Value of Level 3 Fixed Maturity Securities — Refer to Notes 1, 7, and 9 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company has investments in certain fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale whose fair values are based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. When a price is not available in the active market, from an independent pricing service, or from independent broker quotations, management values the security using internal matrix pricing or discounted cash
flow techniques. These investments are categorized as Level 3 and had an estimated fair value of $4.0 billion as of December 31, 2020.
Given management uses considerable judgment when estimating the fair value of Level 3 fixed maturity securities determined using internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques, performing audit procedures to evaluate the
estimate of fair value required a high degree of auditor judgment
and an increased extent of effort. This audit effort included the use of professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, including our fair value specialists, to assist in performing procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the valuation of Level 3 fixed maturity securities determined using internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over the determination of fair value.
•We
tested the accuracy and completeness of relevant security attributes, including credit ratings, maturity dates and coupon rates, used in the determination of Level 3 fair values.
•With the involvement of our fair value specialists, we developed independent fair value estimates for a sample of securities and compared our estimates to the Company’s estimates and evaluated differences. We developed our estimate by evaluating the observable and unobservable inputs used by management or developing independent inputs.
•We evaluated management’s ability to accurately estimate fair value by comparing management’s historical estimates to subsequent transactions, taking into account
changes in market conditions subsequent to December 31, 2020.
Insurance Liabilities – Valuation of Future Policy Benefits for Long-Term Care Insurance — Refer to Notes 1 and 3 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s products include long-term care insurance. Liabilities for amounts payable under long-term care insurance are recorded in future policy benefits in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Such liabilities are established based on actuarial assumptions
at the time policies are issued, which are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Significant adverse changes in experience on such contracts may require the establishment of premium deficiency reserves, which are based on current assumptions. Management’s estimate of future policy benefits for long-term care insurance was $14.3 billion as of December 31, 2020.
Management applies considerable judgment in evaluating actual experience to determine whether a change in assumptions for long-term care insurance is warranted. Principal assumptions used in the valuation of future policy benefits for long-term care insurance include morbidity, policy lapse, investment returns and mortality.
Given
the inherent uncertainty in selecting assumptions, we have determined that management’s evaluation of actual experience when estimating future policy benefits for long-term care insurance policies is a critical audit matter, which required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate the judgments made and the reasonableness of the assumptions used in the valuation. The audit effort included the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge, including our actuarial specialists, to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the assumptions used to determine the estimate of future
policy benefits for long-term care insurance, included, among others, the following:
•We tested the effectiveness of the control over the assumptions used in the valuation of future policy benefits and the effectiveness of the controls over the underlying data.
•With the involvement of our actuarial specialists, we:
◦evaluated judgments applied by management in setting principal assumptions, including evaluating the results of experience studies used as the basis for setting those assumptions.
◦evaluated management’s estimate of, or developed an independent estimate of future policy benefits, on a sample basis, and evaluated differences. This included confirming that assumptions were applied as intended.
◦evaluated the results of the Company’s annual premium deficiency tests.
Derivatives – Valuation of Embedded Derivative Liabilities — Refer to Notes 1, 3, 8, and 9 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The
Company’s products include variable annuity contracts with guaranteed minimum benefits that provide the policyholder a minimum return based on their initial deposit adjusted for withdrawals. The guarantees on variable annuity contracts are accounted for as insurance liabilities or as embedded derivatives depending on how and when the benefit is paid. Guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives include the non-life contingent portion of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and certain non-life contingent portions of guaranteed minimum income benefits, and are recorded in policyholder account balances on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Embedded derivatives are measured at estimated fair
value separately from the host variable annuity contract using actuarial and capital market assumptions that are updated annually. Management’s estimate of embedded derivative liabilities was $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2020.
Management applies considerable judgment in selecting assumptions used to estimate embedded derivative liabilities and changes in market conditions or variations in certain assumptions could result in significant fluctuations in the estimate. Principal assumptions include mortality, lapse, dynamic lapse, withdrawal, utilization, and risk-free rates and implied volatilities. The valuation of the embedded derivative liabilities is also based on complex calculations which are data intensive.
Given
the inherent uncertainty in selecting assumptions and the complexity of the calculations, we have determined that management’s valuation of the embedded derivative liabilities is a critical audit matter which required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate the judgments made and the reasonableness of the models and assumptions used in the valuation. The audit effort included the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge, including our valuation, modeling and actuarial specialists, to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the valuation of embedded derivative liabilities
included, among others, the following:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over the assumptions, including controls over the underlying data used in the valuation of embedded derivative liabilities.
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over the methodologies and models used for determining the embedded derivative liabilities.
•With the involvement of our valuation, modeling and actuarial specialists, we:
◦evaluated the methods, models, and judgments applied by management in the determination of principal assumptions and
the calculation of the embedded derivative liabilities
◦evaluated the results of underlying experience studies, capital market projections, and judgments applied by management in setting the assumptions
◦developed an independent estimate of the embedded derivative liabilities, on a sample basis, and evaluated differences.
Fixed
maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $i156,423 and $i154,397,
respectively; allowance for credit loss of $i51and $i0, respectively)
$
i181,340
$
i169,564
Mortgage
loans (net of allowance for credit loss of $i517 and $i289, respectively; includes $i199
and $i210, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; includes $i165 and $i188,
respectively, under the fair value option and $i0 and $i59, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale)
i66,405
i65,549
Policy
loans
i5,973
i6,100
Real
estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $i1,435 and $i1,378, respectively, relating to variable interest entities, $i169
and $i127, respectively, under the fair value option and $i128 and $i0,
respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)
i7,478
i6,659
Other
limited partnership interests
i5,775
i4,954
Short-term
investments, at estimated fair value
i2,623
i1,883
Other
invested assets (includes $i992 and $i1,085, respectively, of leveraged and direct financing leases and $i79
and $i94, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
i17,723
i16,979
Total
investments
i287,317
i271,688
Cash
and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $i9 and $i5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
i11,337
i8,927
Accrued
investment income (includes $i1 and $i1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
i1,904
i1,987
Premiums,
reinsurance and other receivables (includes $i3 and $i3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
i21,478
i22,435
Deferred
policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
i2,649
i3,453
Other
assets (includes $i1 and $i2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
i4,276
i4,460
Separate
account assets
i128,646
i117,867
Total
assets
$
i457,607
$
i430,817
Liabilities
and Equity
Liabilities
Future policy benefits
$
i133,921
$
i128,304
Policyholder
account balances
i96,635
i91,708
Other
policy-related balances
i7,430
i7,732
Policyholder
dividends payable
i397
i495
Policyholder
dividend obligation
i2,969
i2,020
Payables
for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
i23,122
i20,365
Short-term
debt
i120
i128
Long-term
debt (includes $i5 and $i5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
i1,619
i1,548
Current
income tax payable
i486
i388
Deferred
income tax liability
i1,980
i1,568
Other
liabilities
i25,424
i26,082
Separate
account liabilities
i128,646
i117,867
Total
liabilities
i422,749
i398,205
Contingencies,
Commitments and Guarantees (Note 16)
i
i
Equity
Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity:
Common stock, par value $ii0.01/
per share; ii1,000,000,000/ shares authorized;
iiii494,466,664///
shares issued and outstanding
i5
i5
Additional
paid-in capital
i12,460
i12,455
Retained
earnings
i10,548
i9,943
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
i11,662
i10,025
Total
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity
i34,675
i32,428
Noncontrolling
interests
i183
i184
Total
equity
i34,858
i32,612
Total
liabilities and equity
$
i457,607
$
i430,817
See
accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
i1.
Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, “MLIC” or the “Company”) is a provider of insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management and is organized into itwo
segments: U.S. and MetLife Holdings. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “MetLife”).
Basis of Presentation
iThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported on the consolidated
financial statements. In applying these policies and estimates, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain, including uncertainties associated with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”). Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to the Company’s business and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
i
Consolidation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, as well as partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company has control, and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Since the Company is a member of a controlled group of affiliated companies, its results may not be indicative of those of a stand-alone entity.
i
Separate
Accounts
Separate accounts are established in conformity with insurance laws. Generally, the assets of the separate accounts cannot be used to settle the liabilities that arise from any other business of the Company. Separate account assets are subject to general account claims only to the extent the value of such assets exceeds the separate account liabilities. The Company reports separately, as assets and liabilities, investments held in separate accounts and liabilities of the separate accounts if:
•such separate accounts are legally recognized;
•assets supporting the contract
liabilities are legally insulated from the Company’s general account liabilities;
•investment objectives are directed by the contractholder; and
•all investment performance, net of contract fees and assessments, is passed through to the contractholder.
The Company reports separate account assets at their fair value, which is based on the estimated fair values of the underlying assets comprising the individual separate account portfolios. Investment performance (including investment income, net investment gains (losses) and changes in
unrealized gains (losses)) and the corresponding amounts credited to contractholders of such separate accounts are offset within the same line on the statements of operations. Separate accounts credited with a contractual investment return are combined on a line-by-line basis with the Company’s general account assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the accounting for these investments is consistent with the methodologies described herein for similar financial instruments held within the general account.
The Company’s revenues reflect fees charged to the separate accounts, including mortality charges, risk charges, policy administration fees, investment management fees and surrender charges. Such fees are included in universal life and investment-type
product policy fees on the statements of operations.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following are the
Company’s significant accounting policies with references to notes providing additional information on such policies and critical accounting estimates relating to such policies.
Accounting Policy
Note
Insurance
3
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles
4
Reinsurance
5
Investments
7
Derivatives
8
Fair
Value
9
Employee Benefit Plans
14
Income Tax
15
Litigation Contingencies
16
Insurance
i
Future
Policy Benefit Liabilities and Policyholder Account Balances
The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability terminations, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. These assumptions are established at the
time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. For long-duration insurance contracts, assumptions such as mortality, morbidity and interest rates are “locked in” upon the issuance of new business. However, significant adverse changes in experience on such contracts may require the establishment of premium deficiency reserves. Such reserves are determined based on the then current assumptions and do not include a provision for adverse deviation.
Premium deficiency reserves may also be established for short-duration contracts
to provide for expected future losses. These reserves are based on actuarial estimates of the amount of loss inherent in that period, including losses incurred for which claims have not been reported. The provisions for unreported claims are calculated using studies that measure the historical length of time between the incurred date of a claim and its eventual reporting to the Company. Anticipated investment income is considered in the calculation of premium deficiency losses for short-duration contracts.
Liabilities for universal and variable life policies with secondary guarantees and paid-up guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits
ratably over the life of the contract based on total expected assessments. The assumptions used in estimating the secondary and paid-up guarantee liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), and are thus subject to the same variability and risk as further discussed herein. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical experience of appropriate underlying equity indices, such as the S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) 500 Index. The benefits used in calculating the liabilities are based on the average benefits payable over a range of scenarios.
The Company regularly reviews its estimates of liabilities for future policy benefits
and compares them with its actual experience. Differences result in changes to the liability balances with related charges or credits to benefit expenses in the period in which the changes occur.
Policyholder account balances relate to contracts or contract features where the Company has no significant insurance risk.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
i
The Company issues directly and assumes through reinsurance variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits that provide the
policyholder a minimum return based on their initial deposit adjusted for withdrawals. These guarantees are accounted for as insurance liabilities or as embedded derivatives depending on how and when the benefit is paid. Specifically, a guarantee is accounted for as an embedded derivative if a guarantee is paid without requiring (i) the occurrence of a specific insurable event, or (ii) the policyholder to annuitize. Alternatively, a guarantee is accounted for as an insurance liability if the guarantee is paid only upon either (i) the occurrence of a specific insurable event, or (ii) annuitization. In certain cases, a guarantee may have elements of both an insurance liability and an embedded derivative and in such cases the guarantee is split and accounted for under both models.
Guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities in future policy benefits include guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDBs”), the life-contingent
portion of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWBs”), elective annuitizations of guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIBs”), and the life contingent portion of GMIBs that require annuitization when the account balance goes to zero.
Guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives in policyholder account balances include guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMABs”), the non-life contingent portion of GMWBs and certain non-life contingent portions of GMIBs. At inception, the Company attributes to the embedded derivative a portion of the projected future guarantee fees to be collected from the policyholder equal to the present value of projected future guaranteed benefits. Any additional fees represent “excess” fees and are reported in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
i
Other
Policy-Related Balances
Other policy-related balances include policy and contract claims, premiums received in advance, unearned revenue liabilities, obligations assumed under structured settlement assignments, policyholder dividends due and unpaid, and policyholder dividends left on deposit.
The liability for policy and contract claims generally relates to incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) death, disability, and dental claims. In addition, included in other policy-related balances are claims which have been reported but not yet settled for death, disability and dental. The liability for these claims is based on the
Company’s estimated ultimate cost of settling all claims. The Company derives estimates for the development of IBNR claims principally from analyses of historical patterns of claims by business line. The methods used to determine these estimates are continually reviewed. Adjustments resulting from this continuous review process and differences between estimates and payments for claims are recognized in policyholder benefits and claims expense in the period in which the estimates are changed or payments are made.
The Company accounts for the prepayment of premiums on its individual life, group life and health contracts as premiums received in advance. These amounts
are then recognized in premiums when due.
The unearned revenue liability relates to universal life and investment-type products and represents policy charges for services to be provided in future periods. The charges are deferred as unearned revenue and amortized using the product’s estimated gross profits and margins, similar to DAC as discussed further herein. Such amortization is recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
i
Recognition of Insurance
Revenues and Deposits
Premiums related to traditional life and annuity contracts with life contingencies are recognized as revenues when due from policyholders. Policyholder benefits and expenses are provided to recognize profits over the estimated lives of the insurance policies. When premiums are due over a significantly shorter period than the period over which benefits are provided, any excess profit is deferred and recognized into earnings in a constant relationship to insurance in-force or, for annuities, the amount of expected future policy benefit payments.
Premiums related to short-duration non-medical health, disability and accident & health contracts are recognized on a pro rata basis over
the applicable contract term.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Deposits related to universal life and investment-type products are credited to policyholder account balances. Revenues
from such contracts consist of fees for mortality, policy administration and surrender charges and are recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees in the period in which services are provided. Amounts that are charged to earnings include interest credited and benefit claims incurred in excess of related policyholder account balances.
All revenues and expenses are presented net of reinsurance, as applicable.
ii
Deferred
Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles
The Company incurs significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance business. Costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts are capitalized as DAC. Such costs include:
•incremental direct costs of contract acquisition, such as commissions;
•the portion of an employee’s total compensation and benefits related to time spent selling, underwriting or processing the issuance of new and renewal
insurance business only with respect to actual policies acquired or renewed; and
•other essential direct costs that would not have been incurred had a policy not been acquired or renewed.
All other acquisition-related costs, including those related to general advertising and solicitation, market research, agent training, product development, unsuccessful sales and underwriting efforts, as well as all indirect costs, are expensed as incurred.
Value of business acquired (“VOBA”) is an intangible asset resulting from a business combination that represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity, and investment-type contracts in-force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair
value of the acquired liabilities is based on projections, by each block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment and other factors. Actual experience with the purchased business may vary from these projections.
DAC and VOBA are amortized as follows:
Products:
In
proportion to the following over estimated lives of the contracts:
•
Nonparticipating and non-dividend-paying traditional contracts:
Actual and expected future gross premiums
•
Term insurance
•
Nonparticipating whole life insurance
•
Traditional
group life insurance
•
Non-medical health insurance
•
Participating, dividend-paying traditional contracts
See Note 4 for additional information on DAC and VOBA amortization. Amortization of DAC and VOBA is included in other expenses.
The recovery of DAC and VOBA is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. DAC and VOBA are aggregated on the financial statements for reporting purposes.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
iThe Company generally has two different types of sales inducements
which are included in other assets: (i) the policyholder receives a bonus whereby the policyholder’s initial account balance is increased by an amount equal to a specified percentage of the customer’s deposit; and (ii) the policyholder receives a higher interest rate using a dollar cost averaging method than would have been received based on the normal general account interest rate credited. The Company defers sales inducements and amortizes them over the life of the policy using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize DAC. The amortization of sales inducements is included in policyholder benefits and claims. Each year, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential recoverability issue exists, the Company reviews deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) to determine the recoverability
of the asset.
iValue of distribution agreements acquired (“VODA”) is reported in other assets and represents the present value of expected future profits associated with the expected future business derived from the distribution agreements acquired as part of a business combination. Value of customer relationships acquired (“VOCRA”) is also reported in other assets and represents the present value of the expected future profits associated with the expected future business acquired through existing customers of the acquired company or business. The VODA and VOCRA associated
with past business combinations are amortized over the assets’ useful lives ranging from i10 to i30 years and such amortization is included in other expenses. Each year, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment exists,
the Company reviews VODA and VOCRA to determine whether the asset is impaired./
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Reinsurance
For each of its reinsurance agreements, the Company determines whether the agreement provides indemnification
against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Cessions under reinsurance agreements do not discharge the Company’s obligations as the primary insurer. The Company reviews all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims.
For reinsurance of existing in-force blocks of long-duration contracts that transfer significant insurance risk, the difference, if any, between the amounts paid (received), and the liabilities ceded (assumed) related to the underlying contracts
is considered the net cost of reinsurance at the inception of the reinsurance agreement. The net cost of reinsurance is amortized on a basis consistent with the methodologies and assumptions used for amortizing DAC related to the underlying reinsured contracts. Subsequent amounts paid (received) on the reinsurance of in-force blocks, as well as amounts paid (received) related to new business, are recorded as ceded (assumed) premiums; and ceded (assumed) premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (future policy benefits) are established.
For prospective reinsurance of short-duration contracts that meet the criteria for reinsurance accounting, amounts paid (received) are recorded as ceded (assumed) premiums and ceded (assumed) unearned premiums.
Unearned premiums are reflected as a component of premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (future policy benefits). Such amounts are amortized through earned premiums over the remaining contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. For retroactive reinsurance of short-duration contracts that meet the criteria for reinsurance accounting, amounts paid (received) in excess of the related insurance liabilities ceded (assumed) are recognized immediately as a loss and are reported in the appropriate line item within the statement of operations. Any gain on such retroactive agreement is deferred and is amortized as part of DAC, primarily using the recovery method.
Amounts currently recoverable under reinsurance agreements
are included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and amounts currently payable are included in other liabilities. Assets and liabilities relating to reinsurance agreements with the same reinsurer may be recorded net on the balance sheet, if a right of offset exists within the reinsurance agreement. In the event that reinsurers do not meet their obligations to the Company under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, reinsurance recoverable balances could become uncollectible. In such instances, reinsurance recoverable balances are stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The funds withheld liability represents amounts withheld by the Company in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements. The Company withholds the funds rather than transferring the underlying investments and, as a result, records funds withheld liability within other liabilities. The Company recognizes interest
on funds withheld, included in other expenses, at rates defined by the terms of the agreement which may be contractually specified or directly related to the investment portfolio.
Premiums, fees and policyholder benefits and claims include amounts assumed under reinsurance agreements and are net of reinsurance ceded. Amounts received from reinsurers for policy administration are reported in other revenues. With respect to GMIBs, a portion of the directly written GMIBs are accounted for as insurance liabilities, but the associated reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives are included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). Certain assumed GMWBs, GMABs and GMIBs are also accounted for as embedded derivatives with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses).
If
the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company records the agreement using the deposit method of accounting. Deposits received are included in other liabilities and deposits made are included within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables. As amounts are paid or received, consistent with the underlying contracts, the deposit assets or liabilities are adjusted. Interest on such deposits is recorded as other revenues or other expenses, as appropriate. Periodically, the Company evaluates the adequacy of the expected
payments or recoveries and adjusts the deposit asset or liability through other revenues or other expenses, as appropriate.
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Investments
Net Investment Income and Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Income from investments is reported within net investment income, unless otherwise stated herein. Gains and losses on sales of investments, intent-to-sell impairments, as well as provisions for credit loss in the allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) on fixed maturity securities
available-for-sale (“AFS”), mortgage loans and investments in leases and subsequent changes in the ACL or for impairment losses on real estate investments and other asset classes, are reported within net investment gains (losses), unless otherwise stated herein. Accrued investment income is presented separately on the consolidated balance sheet and excluded from the carrying value of the related investments, primarily fixed maturity securities AFS and mortgage loans.
Fixed Maturity Securities
The majority of the Company’s fixed maturity securities are classified as AFS and are reported at their estimated fair value. Unrealized investment gains and losses on these securities are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”), net of policy-related amounts
and deferred income taxes. All security transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis.
Interest income and prepayment fees are recognized when earned. Interest income is recognized using an effective yield method giving effect to amortization of premium and accretion of discount, and is based on the estimated economic life of the securities, which for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities considers the estimated timing and amount of prepayments of the underlying loans. See Note 7 “— Fixed Maturity Securities AFS — Methodology for Amortization of Premium and Accretion of Discount on Structured Products.” The amortization of premium and accretion of discount also take into consideration call and maturity dates.
The Company
periodically evaluates these securities for impairment. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on management’s case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value as described in Note 7 “— Fixed Maturity Securities AFS — Evaluation of Fixed Maturity Securities AFS for Credit Loss.”
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Prior to January 1, 2020, the Company applied other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) guidance for securities in an unrealized loss position. An OTTI was recognized in earnings within net investment gains (losses) when it was anticipated that the amortized cost would not be recovered. When either: (i) the Company had the intent to sell the security, or (ii) it was more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before recovery, the reduction of amortized cost and the OTTI recognized in earnings was the entire difference between
the security’s amortized cost and estimated fair value. If neither of these conditions existed, the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected was recognized as a reduction of amortized cost and an OTTI in earnings. If the estimated fair value was less than the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected, this portion of OTTI related to other-than-credit factors was recorded in OCI.
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted accounting standards update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), using a modified retrospective approach. Under ASU 2016-13, for securities in an unrealized
loss position, a credit loss is recognized in earnings within net investment gains (losses) when it is anticipated that the amortized cost will not be recovered. When either: (i) the Company has the intent to sell the security; or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery, the reduction of amortized cost and the loss recognized in earnings is the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost and estimated fair value. If neither of these conditions exists, the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected is recognized as a credit loss by establishing an ACL with a corresponding charge to earnings in net investment gains (losses). However, the ACL
is limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost. This limitation is known as the “fair value floor.” If the estimated fair value is less than the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected, this portion of the decline in value related to other-than-credit factors (“noncredit loss”) is recorded in OCI.
The new credit loss guidance also replaces the model for purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) fixed maturity securities AFS and financing receivables and requires the establishment of an ACL at acquisition, which is added to the purchase price to establish the initial amortized cost of the investment. Upon adoption, the replacement of the PCI model did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Mortgage
Loans
ASU 2016-13 requires an ACL based on expected lifetime credit loss on financing receivables carried at amortized cost, including, but not limited to, mortgage loans and leveraged and direct financing leases, as described in Note 7.
The Company disaggregates its mortgage loan investments into three portfolio segments: commercial, agricultural and residential. Also included in commercial mortgage loans are revolving line of credit loans collateralized by commercial properties. The accounting policies that are applicable to all portfolio segments are presented below and the accounting policies related to each of the portfolio segments are included in Note 7.
Mortgage loans are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or
discount, deferred fees or expenses, and are net of ACL. Interest income and prepayment fees are recognized when earned. Interest income is recognized using an effective yield method giving effect to amortization of premium and accretion of discount.
The Company ceases to accrue interest when the collection of interest is not considered probable, which is based on a current evaluation of the status of the borrower, including the number of days past due. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, uncollected past due accrued interest income that is considered uncollectible is charged-off against net investment income. Generally, the accrual of interest income resumes after all delinquent amounts are paid and management believes all future principal and interest payments will be collected. The
Company records cash receipts on non-accruing loans in accordance with the loan agreement. The Company records charge-offs upon the realization of a credit loss, typically through foreclosure or after a decision is made to sell a loan, or for residential loans when, after considering the individual consumer’s financial status, management believes amounts are not collectible. Gain or loss upon charge-off is recorded, net of previously established ACL, in net investment gains (losses). Cash recoveries on principal amounts previously charged-off are generally recorded in net investment gains.
Also included in mortgage loans are residential mortgage loans for which the fair value option (“FVO”) was elected, and which are stated at estimated fair value. Changes in estimated fair value are recognized in net investment income.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Mortgage loans that were previously designated as held-for-investment, but now are designated as held-for-sale, are stated at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value.
Policy Loans
Policy loans are stated at unpaid principal balances. Interest income is recorded as earned using the contractual interest rate. Generally, accrued interest is capitalized on the policy’s anniversary date. Valuation allowances
are not established for policy loans, as they are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying insurance policies. Any unpaid principal and accrued interest are deducted from the cash surrender value or the death benefit prior to settlement of the insurance policy.
Real Estate
Real estate held-for-investment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset (typically i20
to i55 years). Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases. The Company periodically reviews its real estate held-for-investment for impairment and tests for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Properties whose carrying values are greater than their undiscounted cash flows are written down to their estimated fair value, which is
generally computed using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the underlying risks.
Real estate for which the Company commits to a plan to sell within one year and actively markets in its current condition for a reasonable price in comparison to its estimated fair value is classified as held-for-sale. Real estate held-for-sale is stated at the lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs and is not depreciated.
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnership Interests
The Company uses the equity method of accounting or the FVO for real estate joint ventures and other limited
partnership interests (“investee”) when it has more than a minor ownership interest or more than a minor influence over the investee’s operations. The Company generally recognizes its share of the investee’s earnings in net investment income on a three-month lag in instances where the investee’s financial information is not sufficiently timely or when the investee’s reporting period differs from the Company’s reporting period.
The Company accounts for its interest in real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests in which it has virtually no influence over the investee’s operations at estimated fair value. Changes in estimated fair value of these
investments are included in net investment gains (losses). Because of the nature and structure of these investments, they do not meet the characteristics of an equity security in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
The Company routinely evaluates its equity method investments for impairment. For equity method investees, the Company considers financial and other information provided by the investee, other known information and inherent risks in the underlying investments, as well as future capital commitments, in determining whether an impairment has occurred.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments include highly liquid securities and other investments
with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of purchase. Securities included within short-term investments are stated at estimated fair value, while other investments included within short-term investments are stated at amortized cost less ACL, which approximates estimated fair value. Short-term investments also include investments in affiliated money market pools.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1.
Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Other Invested Assets
Other invested assets consist principally of the following:
•Freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values which are described in “— Derivatives” below.
•Affiliated investments include affiliated loans and affiliated preferred stock. Affiliated loans are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount. Interest income is recognized using an effective yield method giving effect to amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Affiliated preferred stock is stated at cost. Dividends are recognized in net investment income when declared.
•Tax
credit and renewable energy partnerships which derive a significant source of investment return in the form of income tax credits or other tax incentives. Where tax credits are guaranteed by a creditworthy third party, the investment is accounted for under the effective yield method. Otherwise, the investment is accounted for under the equity method. See Note 15.
•Annuities funding structured settlement claims represent annuities funding claims assumed by the Company in its capacity as a structured settlements assignment company. The annuities are stated at their contract value, which represents the present value of the future periodic claim payments to be provided. The net investment income recognized reflects the amortization
of discount of the annuity at its implied effective interest rate. See Note 3.
•Leveraged leases net investment is equal to the minimum lease payment receivables plus the unguaranteed residual value, less the unearned income, less ACL and is recorded net of non-recourse debt. Income is determined by applying the leveraged lease’s estimated rate of return to the net investment in the lease in those periods in which the net investment at the beginning of the period is positive. Leveraged leases derive investment returns in part from their income tax treatment. The Company regularly reviews its minimum lease payment receivables for credit loss and residual value for impairments.
•Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) common stock are carried
at redemption value and are considered restricted investments until redeemed by the respective regional FHLBs.
•Fair value option securities (“FVO Securities”) are primarily investments in fixed maturity securities held-for-investment that are managed on a total return basis where the FVO has been elected, with changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income.
•Equity securities are reported at their estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value included in net investment gains (losses). Sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividends are recognized in net investment income when declared.
•Investment in an operating joint venture that engages in insurance underwriting activities is accounted for under
the equity method.
•Funds withheld represent a receivable for amounts contractually withheld by ceding companies in accordance with reinsurance agreements. The Company recognizes interest on funds withheld at rates defined by the terms of the agreement which may be contractually specified or directly related to the underlying investments.
•Direct financing leases net investment is equal to the minimum lease payment receivables plus the unguaranteed residual value, less the unearned income, less ACL. Income is determined by applying the pre-tax internal rate of return to the investment balance. The Company regularly reviews its minimum lease payment receivables for credit
loss and residual value for impairments.
Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements
The Company accounts for securities lending transactions and repurchase agreements as financing arrangements and the associated liability is recorded at the amount of cash received. Income and expenses associated with securities lending transactions and repurchase agreements are reported as investment income and investment expense, respectively, within net investment income.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Securities Lending
The Company enters into securities lending transactions, whereby blocks of securities are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. The Company obtains collateral at the inception of the loan, usually cash, in an amount generally equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned, and maintains it at
a level greater than or equal to 100% for the duration of the loan. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee. The Company is liable to return to the counterparties the cash collateral received. Security collateral on deposit from counterparties in connection with securities lending transactions may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company monitors the ratio of the collateral held to the estimated fair value of the securities loaned on a daily basis and additional collateral is obtained as necessary throughout the duration of the loan.
Repurchase
Agreements
The Company participates in short-term repurchase agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions. Under these agreements, the Company lends fixed maturity securities and receives cash as collateral in an amount generally equal to 95% to 100% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned at the inception of the transaction. The Company monitors the ratio of the collateral held to the estimated fair value of the securities loaned throughout the duration of the transaction and additional collateral is obtained as necessary. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or re-pledged by the transferee.
i
Derivatives
Freestanding
Derivatives
Freestanding derivatives are carried on the Company’s balance sheet either as assets within other invested assets or as liabilities within other liabilities at estimated fair value. The Company does not offset the estimated fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement.
Accruals on derivatives are generally recorded in accrued investment income or within other liabilities. However, accruals that are not scheduled to settle within one year are included with the derivative’s carrying value in other invested assets or other liabilities.
If a derivative is not designated as an accounting
hedge or its use in managing risk does not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative are reported in net derivative gains (losses) except as follows:
Statement of Operations Presentation:
Derivative:
Policyholder benefits and claims
•
Economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits
Net investment income
•
Economic
hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures
•
Economic hedges of FVO Securities which are linked to equity indices
Hedge Accounting
To qualify for hedge accounting, at the inception of the hedging relationship, the Company formally documents its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transaction, as well as its designation of the hedge. Hedge designation and financial statement presentation of changes in estimated fair value of the hedging derivatives are as follows:
•Fair value hedge - a hedge of the estimated
fair value of a recognized asset or liability - in the same line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The carrying value of the hedged recognized asset or liability is adjusted for changes in its estimated fair value due to the hedged risk.
•Cash flow hedge - a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability - in OCI and reclassified into the statement of operations when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The changes in estimated fair values of the hedging derivatives are exclusive of any accruals that are separately reported on the statement of operations within interest income or interest expense to match the location of the hedged item.
In its hedge documentation, the Company sets forth how the hedging instrument is expected to hedge the designated risks related to the hedged
item and sets forth the method that will be used to retrospectively and prospectively assess the hedging instrument’s effectiveness. A derivative designated as a hedging instrument must be assessed as being highly effective in offsetting the designated risk of the hedged item. Hedge effectiveness is formally assessed at inception and at least quarterly throughout the life of the designated hedging relationship. Assessments of hedge effectiveness are also subject to interpretation and estimation and different interpretations or estimates may have a material effect on the amount reported in net income.
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires,
is sold, terminated, or exercised; (iii) it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur; or (iv) the derivative is de-designated as a hedging instrument.
When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item, the derivative continues to be carried on the balance sheet at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in net derivative gains (losses). The carrying value of the hedged recognized asset or liability under a fair value hedge is no longer adjusted for changes in its estimated fair value due to the hedged risk, and the cumulative adjustment to its carrying value is amortized into income over the remaining life of the hedged item. Provided the hedged forecasted transaction is still probable of occurring, the changes in estimated
fair value of derivatives recorded in OCI related to discontinued cash flow hedges are released into the statement of operations when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item.
When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transactions will occur on the anticipated date or within two months of that date, the derivative continues to be carried on the balance sheet at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in net derivative gains (losses). Deferred gains and losses of a derivative recorded in OCI pursuant to the discontinued cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction that is no longer probable of occurring are recognized immediately in net investment gains (losses).
In
all other situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative is carried at its estimated fair value on the balance sheet, with changes in its estimated fair value recognized in the current period as net derivative gains (losses).
Embedded Derivatives
The Company issues certain products, which include variable annuities, and investment contracts and is a party to certain reinsurance agreements that have embedded derivatives. The Company assesses each identified embedded derivative to determine whether it is required to be bifurcated. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract
and accounted for as a freestanding derivative if:
•the combined instrument is not accounted for in its entirety at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value recorded in earnings;
•the terms of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; and
•a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would qualify as a derivative instrument.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Such embedded derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value with the host contract and changes in their estimated fair value are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses). If the Company is unable to properly identify and measure an embedded derivative for separation from its host contract,
the entire contract is carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income. Additionally, the Company may elect to carry an entire contract on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income if that contract contains an embedded derivative that requires bifurcation. At inception, the Company
attributes to the embedded derivative a portion of the projected future guarantee fees to be collected from the policyholder equal to the present value of projected future guaranteed benefits. Any additional fees represent “excess” fees and are reported in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
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Fair Value
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous
market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In most cases, the exit price and the transaction (or entry) price will be the same at initial recognition.
Subsequent to initial recognition, fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. When such unadjusted quoted prices are not available, estimated fair values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar but not identical assets or liabilities, or other observable inputs. If these inputs are not available, or observable inputs are not determinable, unobservable inputs and/or adjustments to observable inputs requiring management’s judgment are used to determine the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities.
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Employee
Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors a U.S. nonqualified defined benefit pension plan covering MetLife employees who meet specified eligibility requirements of the sponsor and its participating affiliates. In addition, the Company also provides pension benefits for certain U.S. retired employees and postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for certain non-U.S. retired employees. A December 31 measurement date is used for all of the Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
The Company recognizes the funded
status of each of its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, which is the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) for other postretirement benefits in other assets or other liabilities.
Actuarial gains and losses result from differences between each plan’s actual experience and the assumed experience on plan assets or PBO during a particular period and are recorded in accumulated OCI (“AOCI”). To the extent such gains and losses exceed 10% of the greater of the PBO or the estimated fair value of plan assets, the excess is amortized into net periodic benefit costs, generally over the average projected future service years of the active employees. In addition, prior service costs (credit) are recognized in AOCI
at the time of the amendment and then amortized to net periodic benefit costs over the average projected future service years of the active employees.
Net periodic benefit costs are determined using management’s estimates and actuarial assumptions and are comprised of service cost, interest cost, settlement and curtailment costs, expected return on plan assets, amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses, and amortization of prior service costs (credit). Fair value is used to determine the expected return on plan assets.
The Company sponsors a nonqualified defined contribution plan for all MetLife employees who qualify. This nonqualified defined contribution plan provides supplemental benefits in excess of limits applicable to a qualified plan which is sponsored by an affiliate. Through September
30, 2018, the Company sponsored qualified defined contribution plans for substantially all MetLife employees under which a portion of employee contributions were matched. As of October 1, 2018, except for the nonqualified defined contribution plan, the plan sponsor of the qualified defined contribution plans was changed from the Company to an affiliate.
See Note 14 for information on the plan sponsor change.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
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Income Tax
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its includable subsidiaries
join with MetLife, Inc. and its includable subsidiaries in filing a consolidated U.S. life insurance and non-life insurance federal income tax return in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Current taxes (and the benefits of tax attributes such as losses) are allocated to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its includable subsidiaries under the consolidated tax return regulations and a tax sharing agreement. Under the consolidated tax return regulations, MetLife, Inc. has elected the “percentage method” (and 100% under such method) of reimbursing companies for tax attributes, e.g., net operating losses. As a result, 100% of tax attributes are reimbursed by MetLife, Inc. to the extent that consolidated federal income tax of the consolidated
federal tax return group is reduced in a year by tax attributes. On an annual basis, each of the profitable subsidiaries pays to MetLife, Inc. the federal income tax which it would have paid based upon that year’s taxable income. If Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or its includable subsidiaries have current or prior deductions and credits (including but not limited to losses) which reduce the consolidated tax liability of the consolidated federal tax return group, the deductions and credits are characterized as realized (or realizable) by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its includable subsidiaries when those tax attributes are realized (or realizable) by the consolidated federal tax return
group, even if Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or its includable subsidiaries would not have realized the attributes on a stand-alone basis under a “wait and see” method.
The Company’s accounting for income taxes represents management’s best estimate of various events and transactions.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of
sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax law in the applicable tax jurisdiction. Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets when management determines, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining whether valuation allowances should be established, as well as the amount of such allowances. When making such determination, the Company considers many factors, including:
•the nature, frequency, and amount of cumulative financial reporting income and losses in recent years;
•the jurisdiction in which the deferred tax asset was generated;
•the
length of time that carryforward can be utilized in the various taxing jurisdictions;
•future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
•future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
•taxable income in prior carryback years; and
•tax planning strategies.
The Company may be required to change its provision for income taxes when estimates used in determining valuation allowances on deferred tax assets significantly change or when receipt of new information indicates the need for adjustment in valuation allowances. Additionally,
the effect of changes in tax laws, tax regulations, or interpretations of such laws or regulations, is recognized in net income tax expense (benefit) in the period of change.
The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded on the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits due to tax uncertainties that do not meet the threshold are included within other liabilities and are charged to earnings in the period that such determination is made.
The
Company classifies interest recognized as interest expense and penalties recognized as a component of income tax expense.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
In December 2017, H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“U.S. Tax Reform”)
was signed into law. See Note 15 for additional information on U.S. Tax Reform and related Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) provisional amounts.
i
Litigation Contingencies
The Company is a defendant in a large number of litigation matters and is involved in a number of regulatory investigations. Given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible
that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods. Liabilities are established when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Except as otherwise disclosed in Note 16, legal costs are recognized as incurred. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to liabilities for litigation, regulatory investigations and litigation-related contingencies to be reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other Accounting Policies
i
Stock-Based
Compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation on its consolidated results of operations based on MetLife, Inc.’s allocation. MetLife, Inc. applies the accounting policies described below to determine those expenses.
MetLife, Inc. grants certain employees stock-based compensation awards under various plans subject to vesting conditions. MetLife, Inc. recognizes compensation expense in an amount fixed at grant date or remeasured quarterly, depending on characteristics of the award. MetLife, Inc. generally recognizes this expense over the vesting period. However, MetLife, Inc. truncates the expense period to the date the employee attained age-and-service criteria to exercise or receive payment for the award regardless of continued employment. In such a case, MetLife, Inc. does not accelerate
award exercise or payment timing. MetLife, Inc. also takes an estimation of forfeitures into account.
i
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers highly liquid securities and other investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Securities included within cash equivalents are stated at estimated fair value, while other investments included within cash equivalents
are stated at amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value.
iProperty, Equipment, Leasehold Improvements and Computer Software
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, which are included in other assets, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as appropriate. The estimated life is generally i40
years for company occupied real estate property, from one to i25 years for leasehold improvements, and from three to iseven years for all other property and equipment. The cost basis of the property, equipment
and leasehold improvements was $i856 million and $i890 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. Accumulated depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $i657 million and $i635 million
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Related depreciation and amortization expense was $i26 million, $i24 million and
$i81 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
iComputer
software, which is included in other assets, is stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Purchased software costs, as well as certain internal and external costs incurred to develop internal-use computer software during the application development stage, are capitalized. Such costs are amortized over a four-year period using the straight-line method. The cost basis of computer software was $ii1.3/ billion
at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. Accumulated amortization of capitalized software was $ii1.3/ billion
at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. Related amortization expense was $i2 million, $i0
and $i90 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
i
Leases
The Company, as lessee, has entered into
various lease and sublease agreements for office space and equipment. At contract inception, the Company determines that an arrangement contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. For contracts that contain a lease, the Company recognizes the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset in Other assets and the lease liability in Other liabilities. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.
ROU
assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are determined using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based upon information available at commencement date to recognize the present value of lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets also include lease payments and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease and are included in the lease measurement when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise
that option.
The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The Company does not separate lease and non-lease components and accounts for these items as a single lease component for all asset classes.
The majority of the Company’s leases and subleases are operating leases related to office space. The Company recognizes lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
i
Other
Revenues
Other revenues primarily include fees related to service contracts from customers for prepaid legal plans, administrative services-only contracts, and recordkeeping and related services. Substantially all of the revenue from the services is recognized over time as the applicable services are provided or are made available to the customers. The revenue recognized includes variable consideration to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur. In addition to the service fees, other revenues also include certain stable value fees and reinsurance ceded. These fees are recognized as earned.
i
Policyholder
Dividends
Policyholder dividends are approved annually by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s Board of Directors. The aggregate amount of policyholder dividends is related to actual interest, mortality, morbidity and expense experience for the year, as well as management’s judgment as to the appropriate level of statutory surplus to be retained by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
i
Foreign Currency
Assets, liabilities and operations of foreign
affiliates and subsidiaries are recorded based on the functional currency of each entity. The determination of the functional currency is made based on the appropriate economic and management indicators. The local currencies of foreign operations are the functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of foreign affiliates and subsidiaries are translated from the functional currency to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at each year-end and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the year. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited directly to OCI, net of applicable taxes. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, including the effect of re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities to the appropriate functional currency,
are reported as part of net investment gains (losses) in the period in which they occur.
i
Goodwill
On January 1,2020, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, using a prospective transition approach for goodwill impairment testing. Goodwill represents the future
economic benefits arising from net assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and recognized. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of cost over the estimated fair value of such net assets acquired, is not amortized, and is tested for impairment based on a fair value approach at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter based upon data as of the close of the second quarter. Goodwill associated with a business acquisition is not tested for impairment during the year the business is acquired unless there is a significant identified impairment event.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment or a business one level below the operating segment, if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level. For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss
recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, the Company will consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying value of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.
On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates potential triggering events that may affect the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units to assess whether any goodwill impairment exists. Deteriorating or adverse market conditions for certain reporting units may have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these reporting units and could result in future impairments of goodwill.
For
the 2020 annual goodwill impairment tests, the Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired. The goodwill balance was $ii86/ million
in the U.S. segment at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. The goodwill balance was $ii31/
million in the MetLife Holdings segment at both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
i
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of ASUs to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Company
considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. The following tables provide a description of new ASUs issued by the FASB and the impact of the adoption on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
The table below describes the impacts of the ASUs adopted by the Company, effective during 2020 and 2019.
Standard
Description
Effective
Date and Method of Adoption
Impact on Financial Statements
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting; as clarified and amended by ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope
The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract
modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, with certain exceptions. ASU 2021-01 amends the scope of the recent reference rate reform guidance. New optional expedients allow derivative instruments impacted by changes in the interest rate used for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment (i.e., discount transition) to qualify for certain optional relief.
The
new guidance reduces the operational and financial impacts of contract modifications that replace a reference rate, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), affected by reference rate reform. The adoption of the new guidance provides relief from current GAAP and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company will continue to evaluate the impacts of reference rate reform on contract modifications and hedging relationships through December 31, 2022.
ASU
2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
The new guidance simplifies the former two-step goodwill impairment test by eliminating Step 2 of the test. The new guidance requires a one-step impairment test in which an entity compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, if any.
The adoption of the new guidance reduced the complexity involved with the evaluation
of goodwill for impairment and did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Standard
Description
Effective
Date and Method of Adoption
Impact on Financial Statements
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as clarified and amended by ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses; ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments; ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief; and ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses
The
new guidance requires an ACL based on the expected lifetime credit loss on financing receivables carried at amortized cost, including, but not limited to, mortgage loans, premium receivables, reinsurance receivables and leveraged and direct financing leases.
The former model for OTTI on fixed maturity securities AFS has been modified and requires the recording of an ACL instead of a reduction of the amortized cost. Any improvements in expected future cash flows will no longer be reflected as a prospective yield adjustment, but instead will be reflected as a reduction in the ACL. The new guidance also replaces the model for PCI fixed maturity securities AFS and financing receivables and requires the establishment of an ACL at acquisition, which is added to the purchase price to establish the initial amortized cost of the investment.
The new guidance
also requires enhanced disclosures.
January 1, 2020 for substantially all financial assets, the Company adopted using a modified retrospective approach. For previously impaired fixed maturity securities AFS and certain fixed maturity securities AFS acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration since origination, the Company adopted prospectively on January 1,2020.
The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $i113
million, net of income tax, decrease to retained earnings primarily related to the Company’s mortgage loan investments. The Company has included the required disclosures within Note 7.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as clarified andamended by ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): TargetedImprovements, and ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic
842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors
The guidance requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases are classified as finance or operating leases and both types of leases are recognized on the balance sheet. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged from previous guidance except for certain targeted changes. The new guidance also requires new qualitative and quantitative disclosures. In July 2018, two amendments to the guidance were issued. The amendments provided the option to adopt the new guidance prospectively without adjusting comparative periods. Also, the amendments provided lessors with a practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for certain operating leases. In December 2018, an amendment was issued to clarify lessor accounting relating to taxes, certain
lessor’s costs and variable payments related to both lease and non-lease components.
The Company elected the package of practical expedients allowed under the transition guidance. This allowed the Company to carry forward its historical lease classification. In addition, the Company elected all other practical expedients that were allowed under the new guidance and
were applicable, including the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components into one lease component for certain real estate leases.
The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recording of additional net ROU assets and lease liabilities of approximately $i866 million and $i950 million,
respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The reduction of ROU assets was a result of adjustments for prepaid/deferred rent, unamortized initial direct costs and impairment of certain ROU assets based on the net present value of the remaining minimum lease payments and sublease revenues. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, retained earnings increased by $i95 million, net of income tax, as a result of the recognition of deferred gains on previous sale leaseback transactions.
The guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated net income and cash flows. The Company has included expanded disclosures on the consolidated balance sheets and in Notes 7 and 10.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
1.
Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
ASUs not listed below were assessed and either determined to be not applicable or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures. ASUs issued but not yet adopted as of December 31, 2020 that are currently being assessed and may or may not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures are summarized in the table below.
Standard
Description
Effective
Date and Method of Adoption
Impact on Financial Statements
ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
The new guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the tax accounting guidance and providing clarification to other specific tax accounting guidance to eliminate variations in practice. Specifically, it removes the exceptions related to the a) incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or a gain from other items, b) recognition of a deferred tax liability when foreign investment ownership changes from equity method investment to consolidated subsidiary and vice versa and c) use of interim
period tax accounting for year-to-date-losses that exceed anticipated losses. The guidance also simplifies the application of the income tax guidance for franchise taxes that are partially based on income and the accounting for tax law changes during interim periods, clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in tax basis of goodwill, provides for the option to elect allocation of consolidated income taxes to entities disregarded by taxing authorities for their stand-alone reporting, and requires that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date.
January 1, 2021. The new guidance should be applied either on a retrospective, modified retrospective or prospective basis based on the items to which the amendments relate.
Early adoption is permitted.
The new guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will be adopted on a prospective basis.
ASU 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts, as amended by ASU 2019-09, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944): Effective Date, as amended by ASU 2020-11, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944): Effective Date and Early Application
The new guidance (i) prescribes
the discount rate to be used in measuring the liability for future policy benefits for traditional and limited payment long-duration contracts, and requires assumptions for those liability valuations to be updated after contract inception, (ii) requires more market-based product guarantees on certain separate account and other account balance long-duration contracts to be accounted for at fair value, (iii) simplifies the amortization of DAC for virtually all long-duration contracts, and (iv) introduces certain financial statement presentation requirements, as well as significant additional quantitative and qualitative
disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2019-09 defer the effective date of ASU 2018-12 to January 1, 2022 for all entities, and the amendments in ASU 2020-11 further defer the effective date of ASU 2018-12 for an additional one year to January 1, 2023 for all entities.
The implementation efforts of the Company and the evaluation of the impact of the new guidance are in progress. Given the nature and extent of the required changes to a significant portion of the
Company’s operations, the adoption of this guidance is expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i2.
Segment Information
The Company is organized into itwo segments: U.S. and MetLife Holdings. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other.
U.S.
The
U.S. segment offers a broad range of protection products and services aimed at serving the financial needs of customers throughout their lives. These products are sold to corporations and their respective employees, other institutions and their respective members, as well as individuals. The U.S. segment is organized into two businesses: Group Benefits and Retirement and Income Solutions (“RIS”).
•The Group Benefits business offers products such as term, variable and universal life insurance, dental, group and individual disability, vision and accident & health insurance.
•The RIS business offers a broad range of life and annuity-based insurance and investment products, including stable value and pension risk transfer products, institutional income annuities, structured settlements, and capital markets investment products,
as well as solutions for funding postretirement benefits and company-, bank- and trust-owned life insurance.
MetLife Holdings
The MetLife Holdings segment consists of operations relating to products and businesses that the Company no longer actively markets. These include variable, universal, term and whole life insurance, variable, fixed and index-linked annuities, and long-term care insurance.
Corporate & Other
Corporate & Other contains various start-up, developing and run-off businesses. Also included in Corporate & Other are: the excess capital, as well as certain charges and activities, not allocated to the segments (including enterprise-wide strategic initiative restructuring charges), the
Company’s ancillary non-U.S. operations, interest expense related to the majority of the Company’s outstanding debt, expenses associated with certain legal proceedings and income tax audit issues, and the elimination of intersegment amounts (which generally relate to affiliated reinsurance and intersegment loans, bearing interest rates commensurate with related borrowings).
Financial Measures and Segment Accounting Policies
Adjusted earnings is used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings is also the Company’s GAAP measure of segment performance and is reported below. Adjusted earnings should not be viewed as a substitute
for net income (loss). The Company believes the presentation of adjusted earnings, as the Company measures it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of its performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business.
Adjusted earnings is defined as adjusted revenues less adjusted expenses, net of income tax.
The financial measures of adjusted revenues and adjusted expenses focus on the Company’s primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of market volatility, which could distort trends, and revenues and costs related to non-core products and certain entities
required to be consolidated under GAAP. Also, these measures exclude results of discontinued operations under GAAP and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MLIC but do not meet the discontinued operations criteria under GAAP and are referred to as divested businesses. Divested businesses also include the net impact of transactions with exited businesses that have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP and costs relating to businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MLIC that do not meet the criteria to be included in results of discontinued operations under GAAP. Adjusted revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)
The following additional adjustments are made to revenues, in the line items indicated, in calculating adjusted revenues:
•Universal life and investment-type product policy fees excludes the amortization of unearned revenue related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) and certain variable annuity GMIB fees (“GMIB fees”); and
•Net investment income: (i) includes adjustments for earned income on derivatives and amortization
of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments or that are used to replicate certain investments, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, (ii) excludes post-tax adjusted earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iii) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP and (iv) includes distributions of profits from certain other limited partnership interests that were previously accounted for under the cost method, but are now accounted for at estimated fair value, where the change in estimated fair value is recognized in net investment gains (losses) under GAAP.
The following additional adjustments are made to expenses, in the line items indicated, in calculating adjusted expenses:
•Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
excludes: (i) amortization of basis adjustments associated with de-designated fair value hedges of future policy benefits, (ii) changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), (iii) amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets and other pass-through adjustments, (iv) benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs (“GMIB costs”) and (v) market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts (“Market value adjustments”);
•Interest credited to policyholder account balances includes adjustments for earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but
do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment;
•Amortization of DAC and VOBA excludes amounts related to: (i) net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), (ii) GMIB fees and GMIB costs and (iii) Market value adjustments;
•Interest expense on debt excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and
•Other expenses excludes: (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) acquisition, integration and other costs, and (iii) goodwill impairments.
The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above are calculated net of the U.S. or foreign statutory tax rate, which could differ from the Company’s
effective tax rate. Additionally, the provision for income tax (expense) benefit also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.
Set forth in the tables below is certain financial information with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and at December 31, 2020 and 2019. The segment accounting policies are the same as those used to prepare the Company’s consolidated financial statements,
except for adjusted earnings adjustments as defined above. In addition, segment accounting policies include the method of capital allocation described below.
Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in MetLife’s and the Company’s businesses.
MetLife’s economic capital model, coupled with considerations of local capital requirements, aligns segment allocated equity with emerging standards and consistent risk principles. The model applies statistics-based risk evaluation principles to the material risks to which the
Company is exposed. These consistent risk principles include calibrating required economic capital shock factors to a specific confidence level and time horizon while applying an industry standard method for the inclusion of diversification benefits among risk types. MetLife’s management is responsible for the ongoing production and enhancement of the economic capital model and reviews its approach periodically to ensure that it remains consistent with emerging industry practice standards.
Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)
Segment net investment income is credited or charged based on the level of allocated equity; however, changes in allocated equity do not impact the Company’s consolidated net investment income, net income (loss) or adjusted earnings.
Net investment income is based upon the actual results of each segment’s specifically identifiable investment portfolios adjusted for allocated equity. Other costs are allocated to each of the segments based upon: (i) a review of the nature of such costs; (ii) time studies analyzing the amount of employee compensation costs incurred by each segment; and (iii) cost estimates included in the
Company’s product pricing.
Universal
life and investment-type product policy fees
i1,023
i1,008
i—
i2,031
i93
i2,124
Net
investment income
i6,678
i4,780
(i154)
i11,304
(i385)
i10,919
Other
revenues
i775
i240
i571
i1,586
i—
i1,586
Net
investment gains (losses)
i—
i—
i—
i—
i153
i153
Net
derivative gains (losses)
i—
i—
i—
i—
i766
i766
Total
revenues
i31,864
i9,233
i437
i41,534
i627
i42,161
Expenses
Policyholder
benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
i24,202
i5,870
i5
i30,077
i105
i30,182
Interest
credited to policyholder account balances
i1,735
i748
i—
i2,483
(i4)
i2,479
Capitalization of DAC
(i40)
i6
i—
(i34)
i—
(i34)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
i75
i245
i—
i320
i150
i470
Interest expense
on debt
i12
i8
i88
i108
i—
i108
Other
expenses
i2,838
i980
i834
i4,652
(i5)
i4,647
Total
expenses
i28,822
i7,857
i927
i37,606
i246
i37,852
Provision
for income tax expense (benefit)
i648
i269
(i823)
i94
i79
i173
Adjusted
earnings
$
i2,394
$
i1,107
$
i333
i3,834
Adjustments
to:
Total revenues
i627
Total
expenses
(i246)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
(i79)
Net
income (loss)
$
i4,136
$
i4,136
i
The
following table presents total premiums, universal life and investment-type product policy fees and other revenues by major product groups of the Company’s segments, as well as Corporate & Other:
Substantially
all of the Company’s consolidated premiums, universal life and investment-type product policy fees and other revenues originated in the U.S.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
2. Segment Information (continued)
Revenues derived from one U.S. segment
customer were $i3.3 billion, $i3.0 billion and $i3.1
billion for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which represented i14%, i12%
and i10% of the consolidated premiums, universal life and investment-type product policy fees and other revenues, respectively. Revenues derived from the second U.S. segment customer were $i6.0 billion for the year ended December
31, 2018, which represented i20% of consolidated premiums, universal life and investment-type product policy fees and other revenues. The revenue was from a single premium received for a pension risk transfer. Revenues derived from any other customer did not exceed iii10//%
of consolidated premiums, universal life and investment-type product policy fees and other revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
i3. Insurance
Insurance
Liabilities
i
Insurance liabilities, including affiliated insurance liabilities on reinsurance assumed and ceded, are comprised of future policy benefits, policyholder account balances and other policy-related balances. Information regarding insurance liabilities by segment, as well as Corporate & Other, was as follows at:
See
Note 5 for discussion of affiliated reinsurance liabilities included in the table above.
Future policy benefits are measured as follows:
Product Type:
Measurement Assumptions:
Participating life
Aggregate of (i) net level premium reserves for death and endowment policy benefits (calculated based upon the non-forfeiture interest rate, ranging from i3%
to i7%, and mortality rates guaranteed in calculating the cash surrender values described in such contracts); and (ii) the liability for terminal dividends.
Nonparticipating life
Aggregate of the present value of future expected benefit payments and related expenses less the present value of future expected net premiums. Assumptions as to mortality and
persistency are based upon the Company’s experience when the basis of the liability is established. Interest rate assumptions for the aggregate future policy benefit liabilities range from i2% to i11%.
Individual
and group traditional fixed annuities after annuitization
Present value of future expected payments. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from i1% to i11%.
Non-medical
health insurance
The net level premium method and assumptions as to future morbidity, withdrawals and interest, which provide a margin for adverse deviation. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from i1% to i7%.
Disabled
lives
Present value of benefits method and experience assumptions as to claim terminations, expenses and interest. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from i2% to i8%.
Participating
business represented ii3/%
of the Company’s life insurance in-force at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. Participating policies represented i17%, i19%
and i20% of gross traditional life insurance premiums for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Policyholder account balances are equal to: (i) policy account values, which consist of an accumulation of gross premium payments; and (ii) credited interest, ranging from less than i1%
to i8%, less expenses, mortality charges and withdrawals.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)
Guarantees
The Company issues directly and assumes through reinsurance variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. GMABs, the non-life contingent portion of GMWBs and certain non-life contingent portions of GMIBs are accounted for as embedded derivatives in policyholder account balances and are further discussed in Note 8. Guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities include:
Guarantee:
Measurement
Assumptions:
GMDBs
•
A return of purchase payment upon death even if the account value is reduced to zero.
•
Present value of expected death benefits in excess of the projected account balance recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on the present value of total expected assessments.
•
An enhanced death benefit may be available
for an additional fee.
•
Assumptions are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are thus subject to the same variability and risk.
•
Investment performance and volatility assumptions are consistent with the historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity index, such as the S&P 500 Index.
•
Benefit
assumptions are based on the average benefits payable over a range of scenarios.
GMIBs
•
After a specified period of time determined at the time of issuance of the variable annuity contract, a minimum accumulation of purchase payments, even if the account value is reduced to zero, that can be annuitized to receive a monthly income stream that is not less than a specified amount.
•
Present value of expected income benefits in excess of the projected account balance
at any future date of annuitization and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on present value of total expected assessments.
•
Certain contracts also provide for a guaranteed lump sum return of purchase premium in lieu of the annuitization benefit.
•
Assumptions are consistent with those used for estimating GMDB liabilities.
•
Calculation
incorporates an assumption for the percentage of the potential annuitizations that may be elected by the contractholder.
GMWBs
•
A return of purchase payment via partial withdrawals, even if the account value is reduced to zero, provided that cumulative withdrawals in a contract year do not exceed a certain limit.
•
Expected value of the life contingent payments and expected assessments using assumptions consistent with those used for estimating the GMDB liabilities.
•
Certain
contracts include guaranteed withdrawals that are life contingent.
The Company also issues other annuity contracts that apply a lower rate on funds deposited if the contractholder elects to surrender the contract for cash and a higher rate if the contractholder elects to annuitize. These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death, maturity or at annuitization. Certain other annuity contracts
contain guaranteed annuitization benefits that may be above what would be provided by the current account value of the contract. Additionally, the Company issues universal and variable life contracts where the Company contractually guarantees to the contractholder a secondary guarantee or a guaranteed paid-up benefit.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)
i
Information regarding the liabilities for guarantees (excluding base policy liabilities and embedded derivatives) relating to annuity and universal and variable life contracts
was as follows:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)
i
Information regarding the Company’s guarantee exposure,
which includes direct business, but excludes offsets from hedging or reinsurance, if any, was as follows at:
(1)The Company’s annuity and life contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract. Therefore, the amounts listed above may not be mutually exclusive.
(2)Includes the contractholder’s investments in the general account and separate account, if applicable.
(3)Defined as the death benefit less the total account value, as of the balance sheet date. It represents the amount of the claim that the
Company would incur if death claims were filed on all contracts on the balance sheet date and includes any additional contractual claims associated with riders purchased to assist with covering income taxes payable upon death.
(4)Defined as the amount (if any) that would be required to be added to the total account value to purchase a lifetime income stream, based on current annuity rates, equal to the minimum amount provided under the guaranteed benefit. This amount represents the Company’s potential economic exposure to such guarantees in the event all contractholders were to annuitize on the balance sheet date, even though the contracts
contain terms that allow annuitization of the guaranteed amount only after the 10th anniversary of the contract, which not all contractholders have achieved.
(5)Defined as either the excess of the upper tier, adjusted for a profit margin, less the lower tier, as of the balance sheet date or the amount (if any) that would be required to be added to the total account value to purchase a lifetime income stream, based on current annuity rates, equal to the minimum amount provided under the guaranteed benefit. These amounts represent the Company’s potential economic exposure to such guarantees in the event all contractholders were to annuitize on the balance sheet date.
(6)Defined
as the guarantee amount less the account value, as of the balance sheet date. It represents the amount of the claim that the Company would incur if death claims were filed on all contracts on the balance sheet date.
Obligations
Assumed Under Structured Settlement Assignments
The Company assumed structured settlement claim obligations as an assignment company. These liabilities are measured at the present value of the future periodic claims to be provided and reported as other policy-related balances. The Company received a fee for assuming these claim obligations and, as the assignee of the claim, is legally obligated to ensure periodic payments are made to the claimant. The Company purchased annuities to fund these future periodic payment claim obligations and designates payments to be made directly to the claimant by the annuity writer. These annuities funding structured settlement claims are recorded
as an investment. The Company has recorded unpaid claim obligations and annuity contracts of equal amounts of $iiii1.3/// billion
at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. See Note 1.
Obligations Under Funding Agreements
The Company issues fixed and floating rate funding agreements, which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, to certain unconsolidated special purpose entities that have issued either debt securities or commercial paper for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018,
the Company issued $i39.3 billion, $i37.3 billion
and $i41.8 billion, respectively, and repaid $i36.7 billion,
$i36.4 billion and $i43.7 billion, respectively,
of such funding agreements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, liabilities for funding agreements outstanding, which are included in policyholder account balances, were $i38.8 billion and $i34.6 billion,
respectively.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is a member of the FHLB of New York. Holdings of common stock of the FHLB of New York, included in other invested assets, were $i765 million and $i737 million
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
i
The Company has also entered into funding agreements with the FHLB of New York and a subsidiary of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, a federally chartered instrumentality of the U.S. (“Farmer Mac”). The liability for
such funding agreements is included in policyholder account balances. Information related to such funding agreements was as follows at:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)
(1)Represents funding agreements issued to the FHLB of New York in exchange for cash and for which the FHLB of New York has been granted a lien on certain assets, some of which are in the custody of the FHLB of New York, including residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), to collateralize obligations under such funding agreements. The Company is permitted to withdraw any portion of the collateral in the custody
of the FHLB of New York as long as there is no event of default and the remaining qualified collateral is sufficient to satisfy the collateral maintenance level. Upon any event of default by the Company, the FHLB of New York’s recovery on the collateral is limited to the amount of the Company’s liability to the FHLB of New York.
(2)Advances are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities. The amount of collateral presented is at estimated fair value.
(3)Represents funding agreements issued to a subsidiary of Farmer Mac. The obligations under these funding agreements are secured by a pledge of certain eligible agricultural mortgage loans and may, under certain circumstances,
be secured by other qualified collateral. The amount of collateral presented is at carrying value.
Liabilities for Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses
The following is information about incurred and paid claims development by segment at December 31, 2020. Such amounts are presented net of reinsurance, and are not discounted. The tables present claims development and cumulative claim payments by incurral year. The development tables are only presented for significant short-duration product liabilities within each segment. The information about incurred and paid claims development prior to 2020 is presented as supplementary information.
U.S.
i
Group
Life - Term
Incurred
Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net of Reinsurance
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)
Cumulative
Paid Claims and Paid Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance
For the Years Ended December 31,
(Unaudited)
Incurral Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
(In
millions)
2011
$
i44
$
i217
$
i337
$
i411
$
i478
$
i537
$
i588
$
i635
$
i670
$
i703
2012
i43
i229
i365
i453
i524
i591
i648
i694
i730
2013
i43
i234
i382
i475
i551
i622
i676
i722
2014
i51
i266
i428
i526
i609
i677
i732
2015
i50
i264
i427
i524
i601
i665
2016
i49
i267
i433
i548
i628
2017
i56
i290
i476
i579
2018
i54
i314
i497
2019
i57
i342
2020
i59
Total
cumulative paid claims and paid allocated claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
$
i5,657
Average Annual Percentage Payout
The following is supplementary information about average historical
claims duration at December 31, 2020:
Average
Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance
Years
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Group
Long-Term Disability
i4.6%
i20.0%
i14.6%
i8.9%
i7.2%
i6.4%
i5.4%
i4.7%
i3.7%
i3.6%
Significant
Methodologies and Assumptions
Group Life - Term and Group Long-Term Disability incurred but not paid (“IBNP”) liabilities are developed using a combination of loss ratio and development methods. Claims in the course of settlement are then subtracted from the IBNP liabilities, resulting in the IBNR liabilities. The loss ratio method is used in the period in which the claims are neither sufficient nor credible. In developing the loss ratios, any material rate increases that could change the underlying premium without affecting the estimated incurred losses are taken into account. For periods where sufficient and credible claim data exists, the development method is used based on the claim triangles which categorize claims according to both the period in which they were incurred and the period in which they were paid, adjudicated or reported. The end result is a triangle of known data that is used to develop known completion
ratios and factors. Claims paid are then subtracted from the estimated ultimate incurred claims to calculate the IBNP liability.
An expense liability is held for the future expenses associated with the payment of incurred but not yet paid claims (IBNR and pending). This is expressed as a percentage of the underlying claims liability and is based on past experience and the anticipated future expense structure.
For Group Life - Term and Group Long-Term Disability, first year incurred claims and allocated loss adjustment expenses increased in 2020 compared to the 2019 incurral year due to the growth in the size of the business.
There were no significant changes in methodologies for the year ended December 31, 2020. The assumptions used in calculating the unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses
for Group Life - Term and Group Long-Term Disability are updated annually to reflect emerging trends in claim experience.
No additional premiums or return premiums have been accrued as a result of the prior year development.
Liabilities for Group Life - Term unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses are not discounted.
The liabilities for Group Long-Term Disability unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses were $ii6.0/ billion
at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. Using interest rates ranging from i3% to i8%,
based on the incurral year, the total discount applied to these liabilities was $ii1.2/
billion at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. The amount of interest accretion recognized was $i452 million, $i470 million
and $i509 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These amounts were reflected in policyholder benefits and claims.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
3. Insurance (continued)
For Group Life - Term, claims were based upon individual death claims. For Group Long-Term Disability, claim frequency was determined by the number of reported claims as identified by a unique claim number assigned to individual claimants. Claim counts initially include claims that do not ultimately result in a liability. These claims are omitted from the claim counts once it is determined that there is no liability.
The incurred and paid claims disclosed for the Group Life - Term product
includes activity related to the product’s continued protection feature; however, the associated actuarial reserve for future benefit obligations under this feature is excluded from the liability for unpaid claims.
The Group Long-Term Disability IBNR, included in the development tables above, was developed using discounted cash flows, and is presented on a discounted basis.
Reconciliation of the Disclosure of Incurred and Paid Claims Development to the Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
i
The
reconciliation of the net incurred and paid claims development tables to the liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses on the consolidated balance sheet was as follows at:
(1)For
the year ended December 31, 2020, claims and claim adjustment expenses associated with prior years decreased due to favorable claims experience in the current year. For the years ended December 31,2019 and 2018, claims and claim adjustment expenses associated with prior years increased due to events incurred in prior years but reported in the current year.
/
Separate Accounts
Separate
account assets and liabilities include two categories of account types: pass-through separate accounts totaling $i78.0 billion and $i72.2 billion at December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively, for which the policyholder assumes all investment risk, and separate accounts for which the Company contractually guarantees either a minimum return or account value to the policyholder which totaled $i50.6 billion and $i45.6 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The latter category consisted primarily of guaranteed interest contracts (“GICs”). The average interest rate credited on these contracts was i2.54% and
i2.91% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there were iiino//
investment gains (losses) on transfers of assets from the general account to the separate accounts.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i4.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles
See Note 1 for a description of capitalized acquisition costs.
Nonparticipating and Non-Dividend-Paying Traditional Contracts
The Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to these contracts (term insurance, nonparticipating whole life insurance, traditional group life insurance, and non-medical health insurance) over the appropriate premium paying period in proportion
to the actual and expected future gross premiums that were set at contract issue. The expected premiums are based upon the premium requirement of each policy and assumptions for mortality, morbidity, persistency and investment returns at policy issuance, or policy acquisition (as it relates to VOBA), include provisions for adverse deviation, and are consistent with the assumptions used to calculate future policyholder benefit liabilities. These assumptions are not revised after policy issuance or acquisition unless the DAC or VOBA balance is deemed to be unrecoverable from future expected profits. Absent a premium deficiency, variability in amortization after policy issuance or acquisition is caused only by variability in premium volumes.
Participating, Dividend-Paying Traditional Contracts
The
Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to these contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in proportion to actual and expected future gross margins. The amortization includes interest based on rates in effect at inception or acquisition of the contracts. The future gross margins are dependent principally on investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, mortality, persistency, expenses to administer the business, creditworthiness of reinsurance counterparties and certain economic variables, such as inflation. For participating contracts within the closed block (dividend-paying traditional contracts)
future gross margins are also dependent upon changes in the policyholder dividend obligation. See Note 6. Of these factors, the Company anticipates that investment returns, expenses, persistency and other factor changes, as well as policyholder dividend scales, are reasonably likely to impact significantly the rate of DAC and VOBA amortization. Each reporting period, the Company updates the estimated gross margins with the actual gross margins for that period. When the actual gross margins change from previously estimated gross margins, the cumulative DAC and VOBA amortization is re-estimated and adjusted by a cumulative charge or credit to current operations. When actual gross margins exceed those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge
to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the actual gross margins are below the previously estimated gross margins. Each reporting period, the Company also updates the actual amount of business in-force, which impacts expected future gross margins. When expected future gross margins are below those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the expected future gross margins are above the previously estimated expected future gross margins. Each period, the Company also reviews the estimated gross margins for each block of business to determine the recoverability of DAC and VOBA balances.
Fixed and Variable Universal Life Contracts
and Fixed and Variable Deferred Annuity Contracts
The Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to these contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in proportion to actual and expected future gross profits. The amortization includes interest based on rates in effect at inception or acquisition of the contracts. The amount of future gross profits is dependent principally upon returns in excess of the amounts credited to policyholders, mortality, persistency, interest crediting rates,
expenses to administer the business, creditworthiness of reinsurance counterparties, the effect of any hedges used and certain economic variables, such as inflation. Of these factors, the Company anticipates that investment returns, expenses and persistency are reasonably likely to significantly impact the rate of DAC and VOBA amortization. Each reporting period, the Company updates the estimated gross profits with the actual gross profits for that period. When the actual gross profits change from previously estimated gross profits, the cumulative DAC and VOBA amortization is re-estimated and adjusted by a cumulative charge or credit to current operations. When actual gross profits exceed those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to
earnings. The opposite result occurs when the actual gross profits are below the previously estimated gross profits. Each reporting period, the Company also updates the actual amount of business remaining in-force, which impacts expected future gross profits. When expected future gross profits are below those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the expected future gross profits are above the previously estimated expected future gross profits. Each period, the Company also reviews the estimated gross profits for each block of business to determine the recoverability of DAC and VOBA balances.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
4. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (continued)
Factors Impacting Amortization
Separate account rates of return on variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts affect in-force account balances on such contracts
each reporting period, which can result in significant fluctuations in amortization of DAC and VOBA. Returns that are higher than the Company’s long-term expectation produce higher account balances, which increases the Company’s future fee expectations and decreases future benefit payment expectations on minimum death and living benefit guarantees, resulting in higher expected future gross profits. The opposite result occurs when returns are lower than the Company’s long-term expectation. The Company’s practice to determine the impact of gross profits resulting from returns on separate accounts assumes that long-term appreciation in
equity markets is not changed by short-term market fluctuations, but is only changed when sustained interim deviations are expected. The Company monitors these events and only changes the assumption when its long-term expectation changes.
The Company also periodically reviews other long-term assumptions underlying the projections of estimated gross margins and profits. These assumptions primarily relate to investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, interest crediting rates, mortality, persistency, policyholder behavior and expenses to administer business. Management annually updates assumptions used in the calculation of estimated gross margins and profits which may have significantly changed. If the update of assumptions causes expected future gross
margins and profits to increase, DAC and VOBA amortization will decrease, resulting in a current period increase to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the assumption update causes expected future gross margins and profits to decrease.
Periodically, the Company modifies product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occur by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by election or coverage within a contract. If
such modification, referred to as an internal replacement, substantially changes the contract, the associated DAC or VOBA is written off immediately through income and any new deferrable costs associated with the replacement contract are deferred. If the modification does not substantially change the contract, the DAC or VOBA amortization on the original contract will continue and any acquisition costs associated with the related modification are expensed.
Amortization of DAC and VOBA is attributed to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses), and
to other expenses for the amount of gross margins or profits originating from transactions other than investment gains and losses. Unrealized investment gains and losses represent the amount of DAC and VOBA that would have been amortized if such gains and losses had been recognized.
The
estimated future amortization expense to be reported in other expenses for the next five years is as follows:
VOBA
VODA and VOCRA
(In millions)
2021
$
i2
$
i19
2022
$
i2
$
i17
2023
$
i2
$
i15
2024
$
i2
$
i13
2025
$
i2
$
i12
/
i5.
Reinsurance
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements that transfer risk from its various insurance products to affiliated and unaffiliated companies. These cessions limit losses, minimize exposure to significant risks and provide additional capacity for future growth. The Company also provides reinsurance by accepting risk from affiliates and nonaffiliates.
Under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, the reinsurer agrees to reimburse the Company for the ceded amount in the event a claim is paid.
Cessions under reinsurance agreements do not discharge the Company’s obligation as the primary insurer. In the event that reinsurers do not meet their obligations under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, reinsurance recoverable balances could become uncollectible.
Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risks. The Company periodically reviews actual and anticipated experience compared to the aforementioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluates the financial strength of counterparties to its reinsurance agreements using criteria
similar to that evaluated in the security impairment process discussed in Note 7.
U.S.
For its Group Benefits business, the Company generally retains most of the risk and only cedes particular risk on certain client arrangements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
5.
Reinsurance (continued)
The majority of the Company’s reinsurance activity within this business relates to client agreements for employer sponsored captive programs, risk-sharing agreements and multinational pooling. The risks ceded under these agreements are generally quota shares of group life and disability policies. The cessions vary from 50% to 100% of all the risks of the policies.
The Company’s RIS business has engaged in reinsurance activities on an opportunistic basis. There were no new transactions during the periods presented.
MetLife Holdings
For its life products, the
Company has historically reinsured the mortality risk primarily on an excess of retention basis or on a quota share basis. In addition to reinsuring mortality risk as described above, the Company reinsures other risks, as well as specific coverages. Placement of reinsurance is done primarily on an automatic basis and also on a facultative basis for risks with specified characteristics.
Catastrophe Coverage
The Company has exposure to catastrophes which could contribute to significant fluctuations in its results of operations. For its U.S. segment, the Company purchases catastrophe coverage to reinsure risks issued within territories
that it believes are subject to the greatest catastrophic risks. For its MetLife Holdings segment, the Company uses excess of retention and quota share reinsurance agreements to provide greater diversification of risk and minimize exposure to larger risks. Excess of retention reinsurance agreements provide for a portion of a risk to remain with the direct writing company and quota share reinsurance agreements provide for the direct writing company to transfer a fixed percentage of all risks of a class of policies.
Reinsurance Recoverables
The Company reinsures its business through a diversified
group of well-capitalized reinsurers. The Company analyzes recent trends in arbitration and litigation outcomes in disputes, if any, with its reinsurers. The Company monitors ratings and evaluates the financial strength of its reinsurers by analyzing their financial statements. In addition, the reinsurance recoverable balance due from each reinsurer is evaluated as part of the overall monitoring process. Recoverability of reinsurance recoverable balances is evaluated based on these analyses. The Company generally secures large reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts, and irrevocable letters of credit. These reinsurance recoverable balances are
stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance, which at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were not significant.
The Company has secured certain reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit. The Company had $i1.7 billion
and $i1.8 billion of unsecured unaffiliated reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had $i2.5 billion
of net unaffiliated ceded reinsurance recoverables. Of this total, $i1.8 billion, or i72%, were with the
Company’s five largest unaffiliated ceded reinsurers, including $i1.2 billion of net unaffiliated ceded reinsurance recoverables which were unsecured. At December 31, 2019, the Company had $i2.6 billion
of net unaffiliated ceded reinsurance recoverables. Of this total, $i1.9 billion, or i73%, were with the
Company’s five largest unaffiliated ceded reinsurers, including $i1.3 billion of net unaffiliated ceded reinsurance recoverables which were unsecured.
The Company has reinsured with an unaffiliated third-party reinsurer, i59%
of the closed block through a modified coinsurance agreement. The Company accounts for this agreement under the deposit method of accounting. The Company, having the right of offset, has offset the modified coinsurance deposit with the deposit recoverable.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
5. Reinsurance (continued)
i
The amounts on the consolidated statements of operations include the impact of reinsurance. Information regarding the significant effects of reinsurance was as follows:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
5. Reinsurance (continued)
The amounts on the consolidated balance sheets include the impact of reinsurance. Information regarding the significant effects of reinsurance was as follows at:
Reinsurance
agreements that do not expose the Company to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk are recorded using the deposit method of accounting. The deposit assets on reinsurance were $i12.8 billion and $i13.7 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The deposit liabilities on reinsurance were $i1.8 billion and $i1.7 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Related Party Reinsurance Transactions
The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain of MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries, including MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston (“MRC”), MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont, and Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, all of which are related parties. Additionally, the Company has reinsurance agreements
with Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Brighthouse”), a former subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. In August 2017, MetLife, Inc. completed the separation of Brighthouse and retained i19.2% of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock outstanding. In June 2018, MetLife, Inc. sold its Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock and Brighthouse was
no longer considered a related party.
Deferred
policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
i—
(i145)
i—
(i160)
Total
assets
$
i1
$
i12,308
$
i—
$
i12,424
Liabilities
Future
policy benefits
$
i48
$
(i14)
$
i55
$
(i6)
Policyholder
account balances
i123
i—
i131
i—
Other
policy-related balances
i1
i5
i1
i9
Other
liabilities
i864
i12,816
i824
i12,695
Total
liabilities
$
i1,036
$
i12,807
$
i1,011
$
i12,698
The
Company ceded two blocks of business to an affiliate on a i75% coinsurance with funds withheld basis. Certain contractual features of these agreements qualify as embedded derivatives, which are separately accounted for at estimated fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The embedded derivatives related to the funds withheld associated with these reinsurance agreements are included within other liabilities and were $i45 million
and $i21 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with these embedded derivatives were ($i24) million,
($i17) million and $i12 million for the years ended December 31,
2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Certain contractual features of the closed block agreement with MRC create an embedded derivative, which is separately accounted for at estimated fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The embedded derivative related to the funds withheld associated with this reinsurance agreement is included within other liabilities and was $i1.4 billion
and $i996 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) associated with the embedded derivative were ($i387) million,
($i535) million and $i421 million for the years ended December 31,
2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company has secured certain reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit. The Company had $i606 million and $i528 million
of unsecured affiliated reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Affiliated reinsurance agreements that do not expose the Company to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk are recorded using the deposit method of accounting. The deposit assets on affiliated reinsurance were $i11.0 billion and
$i11.2 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The deposit liabilities on affiliated reinsurance were $i863 million
and $i821 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
6i. Closed Block
i
On
April 7, 2000 (the “Demutualization Date”), Metropolitan Life Insurance Company converted from a mutual life insurance company to a stock life insurance company and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. The conversion was pursuant to an order by the New York Superintendent of Insurance approving Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s plan of reorganization, as amended (the “Plan of Reorganization”). On the Demutualization Date, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company established a closed block for the benefit of holders of certain individual life insurance policies of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Assets have been allocated to the closed block in an amount that has been determined to produce cash flows which, together
with anticipated revenues from the policies included in the closed block, are reasonably expected to be sufficient to support obligations and liabilities relating to these policies, including, but not limited to, provisions for the payment of claims and certain expenses and taxes, and to provide for the continuation of policyholder dividend scales in effect for 1999, if the experience underlying such dividend scales continues, and for appropriate adjustments in such scales if the experience changes. At least annually, the Company compares actual and projected experience against the experience assumed in the then-current dividend scales. Dividend scales are adjusted periodically to give effect to changes in experience.
The closed block assets, the cash flows generated by the closed block assets and the anticipated revenues from the policies
in the closed block will benefit only the holders of the policies in the closed block. To the extent that, over time, cash flows from the assets allocated to the closed block and claims and other experience related to the closed block are, in the aggregate, more or less favorable than what was assumed when the closed block was established, total dividends paid to closed block policyholders in the future may be greater than or less than the total dividends that would have been paid to these policyholders if the policyholder dividend scales in effect for 1999 had been continued. Any cash flows in excess of amounts assumed will be available for distribution over time to closed block policyholders and will not be available to stockholders. If the closed block has insufficient funds to make guaranteed policy benefit payments, such payments will be made from assets outside of the closed block. The closed block will continue in effect as long as any policy in the closed block
remains in-force. The expected life of the closed block is over 100 years from the Demutualization Date.
The Company uses the same accounting principles to account for the participating policies included in the closed block as it used prior to the Demutualization Date. However, the Company establishes a policyholder dividend obligation for earnings that will be paid to policyholders as additional dividends as described below. The excess of closed block liabilities over closed block assets at the Demutualization Date (adjusted to eliminate the impact of related amounts in AOCI) represents the estimated maximum future earnings from the closed block expected to result from operations, attributed net of income tax, to the closed block. Earnings of the closed block
are recognized in income over the period the policies and contracts in the closed block remain in-force. Management believes that over time the actual cumulative earnings of the closed block will approximately equal the expected cumulative earnings due to the effect of dividend changes. If, over the period the closed block remains in existence, the actual cumulative earnings of the closed block are greater than the expected cumulative earnings of the closed block, the Company will pay the excess to closed block policyholders as additional policyholder dividends unless offset by future unfavorable experience of the closed block and, accordingly, will recognize only the expected cumulative earnings in income with the excess recorded as a policyholder dividend obligation. If over such period, the
actual cumulative earnings of the closed block are less than the expected cumulative earnings of the closed block, the Company will recognize only the actual earnings in income. However, the Company may change policyholder dividend scales in the future, which would be intended to increase future actual earnings until the actual cumulative earnings equal the expected cumulative earnings.
Experience within the closed block, in particular mortality and investment yields, as well as realized and unrealized gains and losses, directly impact the policyholder dividend obligation. Amortization of the closed block DAC, which resides outside of the closed block, is based upon cumulative actual and expected earnings within the closed block. Accordingly, the
Company’s net income continues to be sensitive to the actual performance of the closed block.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
6. Closed Block (continued)
Closed block assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are combined on a line-by-line basis with the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses outside the closed block based on the nature of the particular
item.
i
Information regarding the closed block liabilities and assets designated to the closed block was as follows at:
Revenues,
net of expenses before provision for income tax expense (benefit)
(i173)
(i1)
(i179)
Provision
for income tax expense (benefit)
(i36)
(i2)
(i39)
Revenues,
net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit)
$
(i137)
$
i1
$
(i140)
/
Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company charges the closed block with federal income taxes, state and local premium taxes and other state or local taxes, as well as investment management expenses relating to the closed block as provided in the Plan of Reorganization. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company also charges the closed block for expenses of maintaining the policies included in the closed block.
7i.
Investments
See Note 9 for information about the fair value hierarchy for investments and the related valuation methodologies.
Investment Risks and Uncertainties
Investments are exposed to the following primary sources of risk: credit, interest rate, liquidity, market valuation, currency and real estate risk. The financial statement risks, stemming from such investment risks, are those associated with the determination of estimated fair values, the diminished ability to sell certain investments in times of strained market conditions, the recognition of ACL and impairments, the recognition of income on certain investments and the potential consolidation of VIEs. The
use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs relating to these financial statement risks may have a material effect on the amounts presented within the consolidated financial statements.
The determination of ACL and impairments is highly subjective and is based upon quarterly evaluations and assessments of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
The recognition of income on certain investments (e.g. structured securities, including mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities (“ABS”), certain structured investment transactions and FVO Securities) is dependent upon certain factors such as prepayments and defaults, and changes in such factors could result in changes in amounts to be earned.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS by Sector
i
The
following table presents the fixed maturity securities AFS by sector. U.S. corporate and foreign corporate sectors include redeemable preferred stock. RMBS includes agency, prime, alternative and sub-prime mortgage-backed securities. ABS includes securities collateralized by corporate loans and consumer loans. Municipals includes taxable and tax-exempt revenue bonds and, to a much lesser extent, general obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) primarily includes securities collateralized by multiple commercial mortgage loans. RMBS, ABS and CMBS are, collectively, “Structured Products.” In accordance with new credit loss guidance adopted January 1, 2020, securities that incurred a credit loss after December 31, 2019 and were still held as of December 31,
2020, are presented net of ACL. In accordance with previous guidance, both the temporary loss and OTTI loss are presented for securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2019.
(1) Noncredit
OTTI losses included in AOCI in an unrealized gain position are due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of noncredit losses on such securities. See also “— Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses).”
/
Methodology for Amortization of Premium and Accretion of Discount on Structured Products
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on Structured Products considers the estimated timing and amount of prepayments of the underlying loans. Actual prepayment experience is periodically reviewed and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between the originally anticipated and the actual prepayments received and currently anticipated. Prepayment assumptions for Structured Products are estimated
using inputs obtained from third-party specialists and based on management’s knowledge of the current market. For credit-sensitive and certain prepayment-sensitive Structured Products, the effective yield is recalculated on a prospective basis. For all other Structured Products, the effective yield is recalculated on a retrospective basis.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Maturities
of Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
i
The amortized cost, net of ACL, and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities AFS, by contractual maturity date, were as follows at December 31, 2020:
Due
in One
Year or Less
Due After One
Year Through
Five Years
Due After Five
Years Through Ten
Years
Due After Ten
Years
Structured
Products
Total Fixed
Maturity
Securities
AFS
(In millions)
Amortized cost, net of ACL
$
i7,763
$
i22,891
$
i26,776
$
i57,431
$
i41,511
$
i156,372
Estimated
fair value
$
i7,762
$
i24,207
$
i30,874
$
i74,867
$
i43,630
$
i181,340
/
Actual
maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to the exercise of call or prepayment options. Fixed maturity securities AFS not due at a single maturity date have been presented in the year of final contractual maturity. Structured Products are shown separately, as they are not due at a single maturity.
Continuous Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturity Securities AFS by Sector
i
The
following table presents the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities AFS in an unrealized loss position by sector and aggregated by length of time that the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. Included in the table below are securities without an ACL as of December 31, 2020, in accordance with new credit loss guidance adopted January 1, 2020. Also included in the table below are all securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2019, in accordance with previous guidance.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Evaluation of Fixed Maturity Securities AFS for Credit Loss
Evaluation and Measurement Methodologies
Management considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer and uses its best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions
and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Considerations used in the credit loss evaluation process include, but are not limited to:(i) the extent to which the estimated fair value has been below amortized cost, (ii) adverse conditions specifically related to a security, an industry sector or sub-sector, or an economically depressed geographic area, adverse change in the financial condition of the issuer of the security, changes in technology, discontinuance of a segment of the business that may affect future earnings, and changes in the quality of credit enhancement, (iii) payment structure of the security and likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments, (iv) failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest and principal payments, (v) whether the issuer, or series of issuers or an industry has suffered a catastrophic loss or has exhausted natural resources, (vi) whether the
Company has the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before the decline in estimated fair value below amortized cost recovers, (vii) with respect to Structured Products, changes in forecasted cash flows after considering the changes in the financial condition of the underlying loan obligors and quality of underlying collateral, expected prepayment speeds, current and forecasted loss severity, consideration of the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security, and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security, (viii) changes in the rating of the security by a rating agency, and (ix) other subjective factors, including concentrations and information obtained from regulators.
The methodology and significant inputs used to determine the amount of credit loss are as follows:
•The
Company calculates the recovery value by performing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the present value of future cash flows. The discount rate is generally the effective interest rate of the security at the time of purchase for fixed-rate securities and the spot rate at the date of evaluation of credit loss for floating-rate securities.
•When determining collectability and the period over which value is expected to recover, the Company applies considerations utilized in its overall credit loss evaluation process which incorporates information regarding the specific security, fundamentals of the industry and geographic area in which the security issuer operates, and overall macroeconomic conditions. Projected future cash flows are estimated using assumptions derived from management’s single best estimate,
the most likely outcome in a range of possible outcomes, after giving consideration to a variety of variables that include, but are not limited to: payment terms of the security; the likelihood that the issuer can service the interest and principal payments; the quality and amount of any credit enhancements; the security’s position within the capital structure of the issuer; possible corporate restructurings or asset sales by the issuer; any private and public sector programs to restructure foreign government securities and municipals; and changes to the rating of the security or the issuer by rating agencies.
•Additional considerations are made when assessing the unique features that apply to certain Structured Products including, but not limited to: the quality of underlying collateral, historical performance of the underlying loan obligors, historical rent and vacancy levels, changes in the financial
condition of the underlying loan obligors, expected prepayment speeds, current and forecasted loss severity, consideration of the payment terms of the underlying loans or assets backing a particular security, changes in the quality of credit enhancement and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security.
With respect to securities that have attributes of debt and equity (“perpetual hybrid securities”), consideration is given in the credit loss analysis as to whether there has been any deterioration in the credit of the issuer and the likelihood of recovery in value of the securities that are in a severe unrealized loss position. Consideration is also given as to whether any perpetual hybrid securities with an unrealized loss, regardless of credit rating, have deferred any dividend payments.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
After the adoption of new credit loss guidance on January 1, 2020, in periods subsequent to the recognition of an initial ACL on a security, the Company reassesses credit loss quarterly. Subsequent increases or decreases in the expected cash flow from the security result in corresponding decreases or increases in the ACL which are recorded within net investment
gains (losses); however, the previously recorded ACL is not reduced to an amount below zero. Full or partial write-offs are deducted from the ACL in the period the security, or a portion thereof, is considered uncollectible. Recoveries of amounts previously written off are recorded to the ACL in the period received. When the Company has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, any ACL is written off and the amortized cost is written down to estimated fair value through a charge within net investment gains (losses), which becomes the new amortized cost of the security.
In accordance with the previous guidance, methodologies to evaluate the recoverability
of a security in an unrealized loss position were similar, except: (i) the length of time estimated fair value had been below amortized cost was considered for securities, and (ii) for non-functional currency denominated securities, the impact from weakening non-functional currencies on securities that were near maturity was considered in the evaluation. In addition, measurement methodologies were similar, except: (i) a fair value floor was not utilized to limit the credit loss recognized, (ii) the amortized cost of securities was adjusted for the OTTI to the expected recoverable amount and an ACL was not utilized, (iii) subsequent to a credit loss being recognized, increases in expected cash flows from the security did not result in an immediate increase in valuation recognized in earnings through net investment gains (losses) from reduction of the ACL instead such increases in value were recorded as unrealized gains in OCI, and (iv) in periods subsequent to the recognition
of OTTI on a security, the Company accounted for the impaired security as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the impairment; accordingly, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis was accreted over the remaining term of the security in a prospective manner based on the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows.
Evaluation of Fixed Maturity Securities AFS in an Unrealized Loss Position
Gross unrealized losses on securities without an ACL decreased $i301 million
for the year ended December 31, 2020 to $i630 million primarily due to decreases in interest rates and movement in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by widening credit spreads.
Gross unrealized losses on securities without an ACL that have been in a continuous gross unrealized loss position for 12 months or greater were $i180 million
at December 31, 2020, or i29% of the total gross unrealized losses on securities without an ACL.
Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
Of the $i180 million
of gross unrealized losses on securities without an ACL that have been in a continuous gross unrealized loss position for 12 months or greater, $i158 million, or i88%,
were related to i337 investment grade securities. Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to widening credit spreads since purchase and, with respect to fixed-rate securities, rising interest rates since purchase.
Of the $i180 million
of gross unrealized losses on securities without an ACL that have been in a continuous gross unrealized loss position for 12 months or greater, $i22 million, or i12%,
were related to i48 below investment grade securities. Unrealized losses on below investment grade securities are principally related to U.S. and foreign corporate securities (primarily industrial and consumer), ABS and CMBS and are the result of significantly wider credit spreads resulting from higher risk premiums since purchase, largely due to economic and market uncertainty, as well as with respect to fixed-rate securities, rising interest rates since purchase.
Management evaluates U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities based on factors such as expected cash flows, financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuers. Management evaluates ABS and CMBS based on actual and projected cash flows after considering the quality of underlying collateral, credit enhancements, expected prepayment speeds, current and forecasted loss severity, the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Current Period Evaluation
At December 31, 2020, with respect to securities in an unrealized loss position without an ACL, the Company did not intend to sell these securities, and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell these securities before the anticipated recovery of the remaining amortized cost. Based on the
Company’s current evaluation of its securities in an unrealized loss position without an ACL, the Company concluded that these securities had not incurred a credit loss and should not have an ACL at December 31, 2020.
Future provisions for credit loss will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit ratings and collateral valuation.
Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Loss for Fixed Maturity Securities AFS By Sector
i
The
rollforward of ACL for fixed maturity securities AFS by sector for the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:
U.S.
Corporate
Foreign Government
Foreign Corporate
RMBS
Total
(In millions)
Balance at January 1,
$
i—
$
i—
$
i—
$
i—
$
i—
Additions:
ACL
not previously recorded
i74
i6
i9
i2
i91
Changes
for securities with previously recorded ACL
(i2)
i—
(i1)
(i2)
(i5)
Reductions:
Securities
sold or exchanged
(i28)
(i6)
i—
i—
(i34)
Securities
intended/required to be sold prior to recovery of amortized cost basis
The
Company elects the FVO for certain residential mortgage loans that are managed on a total return basis. See Note 9 for further information.
The amount of net discounts, included within total amortized cost, primarily attributable to residential mortgage loans was $i924 million and $i852
million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The accrued interest income excluded from total amortized cost for commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $i164 million and $i155 million;
$i158 million and $i176 million; and $i101 million
and $i89 million, respectively.
Purchases of mortgage loans, primarily residential, were $i2.8 billion, $i4.0
billion and $i3.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company originates and acquires unaffiliated mortgage loans and simultaneously sells a portion to affiliates under master participation agreements. The aggregate amount
of mortgage loan participation interests in unaffiliated mortgage loans sold by the Company to affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $i59 million, $i100 million
and $i1.5 billion, respectively. In connection with the mortgage loan participations, the Company collected mortgage loan principal and interest payments from unaffiliated borrowers on behalf of affiliates and remitted such receipts to the affiliates in the amount of $i540 million,
$i951 million and $i1.5 billion for the years ended December
31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company purchases mortgage loan participation interests under a master participation agreement from an affiliate, simultaneously with the affiliate’s origination or acquisition of mortgage loans. The aggregate amount of mortgage loan participation interests purchased by the Company from such affiliate for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $i3.8 billion
and $i4.1 billion and $i3.7 billion, respectively. In connection with the mortgage loan participations,
the affiliate collected mortgage loan principal and interest payments on the Company’s behalf and the affiliate remitted such payments to the Company in the amount of $i696 million, $i403 million
and $i119 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(1)Represents
the initial credit losses on purchased mortgage loans accounted for as purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (“PCD”).
/
Allowance for Credit Loss Methodology
After the adoption of new credit loss guidance on January 1, 2020, the Company records an allowance for expected lifetime credit loss in an amount that represents the portion of the amortized cost basis of mortgage loans that the Company does not expect to collect, resulting in mortgage loans being presented at the net amount
expected to be collected. In determining the Company’s ACL, management: (i) pools mortgage loans that share similar risk characteristics, (ii) considers expected lifetime credit loss over the contractual term of its mortgage loans adjusted for expected prepayments and any extensions, and (iii) considers past events and current and forecasted economic conditions. Each of the Company’s commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loan portfolio segments are evaluated separately. The ACL is calculated for each mortgage loan portfolio segment based on inputs unique to each loan portfolio segment. On a quarterly basis, mortgage loans within a portfolio segment that share similar risk characteristics, such as internal risk ratings or consumer credit scores, are pooled for calculation of ACL. On an ongoing
basis, mortgage loans with dissimilar risk characteristics (i.e., loans with significant declines in credit quality), collateral dependent mortgage loans (i.e., when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, including when foreclosure is reasonably possible or probable) and reasonably expected troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) (i.e., the Company grants concessions to borrower that is experiencing financial difficulties) are evaluated individually for credit loss. The ACL for loans evaluated individually are established using the same methodologies for all three portfolio segments. For example, the ACL for a collateral dependent loan is established as the excess of amortized cost over the estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral, less selling cost when foreclosure is probable. Accordingly, the change in the estimated fair value of collateral dependent
loans, which are evaluated individually for credit loss, is recorded as a change in the ACL which is recorded on a quarterly basis as a charge or credit to earnings in net investment gains (losses).
In accordance with the previous guidance, evaluation and measurement methodologies in determining the ACL were similar, except: (i) credit loss was recognized when incurred (when it was probable, based on current information and events, that all amounts due under the loan agreement would not be collected), (ii) pooling of loans with similar risk characteristics was permitted, but not required, (iii) forecasts of economic conditions were not considered in the evaluation, (iv) measurement of the expected lifetime credit loss over the contractual term, or expected term, was not considered in the measurement, and (v) the credit loss for loans evaluated individually could also be determined using either discounted cash flows using the
loans’ original effective interest rate or observable market prices.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Commercial and Agricultural Mortgage Loan Portfolio Segments
Commercial and agricultural mortgage loan ACL are calculated
in a similar manner. Within each loan portfolio segment, commercial and agricultural, loans are pooled by internal risk rating. Estimated lifetime loss rates, which vary by internal risk rating, are applied to the amortized cost of each loan, excluding accrued investment income, on a quarterly basis to develop the ACL. Internal risk ratings are based on an assessment of the loan’s credit quality, which can change over time. The estimated lifetime loss rates are based on several loan portfolio segment-specific factors, including (i) the Company’s experience with defaults and loss severity, (ii) expected default and loss severity over the forecast period, (iii) current and forecasted economic conditions including growth, inflation, interest rates and unemployment levels, (iv) loan specific characteristics including loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios, and (v) internal risk ratings. These
evaluations are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. The Company uses its several decades of historical default and loss severity experience which capture multiple economic cycles. The Company uses a forecast of economic assumptions for a two-year period for most of its commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, while a one-year period is used for loans originated in certain markets. After the applicable forecast period, the Company reverts to its historical loss experience using a straight-line basis over two years. For evaluations of commercial mortgage loans, in addition to historical experience, management considers factors that include the impact of a rapid change to the economy,
which may not be reflected in the loan portfolio, recent loss and recovery trend experience as compared to historical loss and recovery experience, and loan specific characteristics including debt service coverage ratios (“DSCR”). In estimating expected lifetime credit loss over the term of its commercial mortgage loans, the Company adjusts for expected prepayment and extension experience during the forecast period using historical prepayment and extension experience considering the expected position in the economic cycle and the loan profile (i.e., floating rate, shorter-term fixed rate and longer-term fixed rate) and after the forecast period using long-term historical prepayment experience. For evaluations of agricultural mortgage loans, in addition to historical experience, management considers factors that include increased stress in certain sectors, which may be evidenced
by higher delinquency rates, or a change in the number of higher risk loans. In estimating expected lifetime credit loss over the term of its agricultural mortgage loans, the Company’s experience is much less sensitive to the position in the economic cycle and by loan profile; accordingly, historical prepayment experience is used, while extension terms are not prevalent with the Company’s agricultural mortgage loans.
Commercial mortgage loans are reviewed on an ongoing basis, which review includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of the property financial statements and rent roll, lease rollover analysis, property inspections, market analysis, estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, LTV ratios, DSCR and tenant creditworthiness. The monitoring
process focuses on higher risk loans, which include those that are classified as restructured, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher LTV ratios and lower DSCR. Agricultural mortgage loans are reviewed on an ongoing basis, which review includes, but is not limited to, property inspections, market analysis, estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, LTV ratios and borrower creditworthiness, as well as reviews on a geographic and property-type basis. The monitoring process for agricultural mortgage loans also focuses on higher risk loans.
For commercial mortgage loans, the primary credit quality indicator is the DSCR, which compares a property’s net operating income to amounts needed to service the principal and interest due under the loan. Generally, the lower the DSCR, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. The
Company also reviews the LTV ratio of its commercial mortgage loan portfolio. LTV ratios compare the unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. Generally, the higher the LTV ratio, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. The DSCR and the values utilized in calculating the ratio are updated routinely. In addition, the LTV ratio is routinely updated for all but the lowest risk loans as part of the Company’s ongoing review of its commercial mortgage loan portfolio.
For agricultural mortgage loans, the Company’s primary credit quality indicator is the LTV ratio. The values utilized in calculating this ratio are developed in connection with the ongoing review of the agricultural mortgage loan portfolio
and are routinely updated.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Commitments to lend: After loans are approved, the Company makes commitments to lend and, typically, borrowers draw
down on some or all of the commitments. The timing of mortgage loan funding is based on the commitment expiration dates. A liability for credit loss for unfunded commercial and agricultural mortgage loan commitments is recorded within net investment gains (losses). The liability is based on estimated lifetime loss rates as described above and the amount of the outstanding commitments, which for lines of credit, considers estimated utilization rates. When the commitment is funded or expires, the liability is adjusted accordingly.
Residential Mortgage Loan Portfolio Segment
The Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised primarily of purchased closed end, amortizing residential mortgage loans, including both performing loans purchased within 12 months of origination and reperforming
loans purchased after they have been performing for at least 12 months post-modification. Residential mortgage loans are pooled by loan type (i.e., new origination and reperforming) and pooled by similar risk profiles (including consumer credit score and LTV ratios). Estimated lifetime loss rates, which vary by loan type and risk profile, are applied to the amortized cost of each loan excluding accrued investment income on a quarterly basis to develop the ACL. The estimated lifetime loss rates are based on several factors, including (i) industry historical experience and expected results over the forecast period for defaults, (ii) loss severity, (iii) prepayment rates, (iv) current and forecasted economic conditions including growth, inflation, interest rates and unemployment levels, and (v) loan pool specific characteristics including consumer credit scores, LTV ratios, payment history and home prices. These evaluations are revised as conditions change and new information
becomes available. The Company uses industry historical experience which captures multiple economic cycles as the Company has purchased most of its residential mortgage loans in the last five years. The Company uses a forecast of economic assumptions for a two-year period for most of its residential mortgage loans. After the applicable forecast period, the Company immediately reverts to industry historical loss experience.
For residential mortgage loans, the Company’s primary credit quality indicator is whether
the loan is performing or nonperforming. The Company generally defines nonperforming residential mortgage loans as those that are 60 or more days past due and/or in nonaccrual status which is assessed monthly. Generally, nonperforming residential mortgage loans have a higher risk of experiencing a credit loss.
Mortgage Loan Concessions
In response to the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, during 2020 the Company granted concessions to certain of its commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loan borrowers, including payment deferrals and other loan modifications. The Company has elected the option under the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) (“Interagency Statement”) issued by bank regulatory agencies, not to account for or report qualifying concessions as TDRs and not to classify such loans as either past due or nonaccrual during the payment deferral period. Additionally, in accordance with the FASB’s published response to a COVID-19 Pandemic technical inquiry, the Company continues to accrue interest income on such loans that have deferred payment. The Company records an ACL on this accrued interest income.
Commercial
For
some commercial mortgage loan borrowers (principally in the retail and hotel sectors), the Company granted concessions which were primarily interest and principal payment deferrals generally ranging from three to four months and, to a much lesser extent, maturity date extensions. Deferred commercial mortgage loan interest and principal payments were $i48 million at December 31, 2020.
Agricultural
For
some agricultural mortgage loan borrowers (principally in the annual crops and agribusiness sectors), the Company granted concessions which were primarily principal payment deferrals generally ranging from three to 12 months, and covenant changes and, to a much lesser extent, maturity date extensions. Deferred agricultural mortgage loan interest and principal payments were $i6 million at December 31,
2020.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Residential
For some residential mortgage loan borrowers, the Company granted concessions
which were primarily three-month interest and principal payment deferrals. Deferred residential mortgage loan interest and principal payments were $i33 million at December 31, 2020.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
The Company assesses loan concessions prior to the issuance of, or outside the scope
of, the CARES Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the Interagency Statement on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether a TDR has occurred. The Company may grant concessions to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, which, if not significant, are not classified as TDRs, while more significant concessions are classified as TDRs. Generally, the types of concessions include: reduction of the contractual interest rate, extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than current market interest rates, and/or a reduction of accrued interest. The amount, timing and extent of the concessions granted are considered in determining any ACL recorded.
For both years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the
Company did iino/t
have commercial mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did inot have a significant amount of agricultural mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the
Company had ithree agricultural mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring with carrying value of $ii111/ million
for both pre-modification and post-modification.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did inot have a significant amount of residential mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the
Company had i396 residential mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring with carrying value of $i97 million
and $i87 million pre-modification and post-modification, respectively.
For both years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have a significant amount of mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring with subsequent payment
default.
Credit Quality of Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment
i
The amortized cost of commercial mortgage loans by credit quality indicator and vintage year was as follows at December 31, 2020:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
i
The amortized cost of agricultural mortgage loans by credit quality indicator and vintage year was as
follows at December 31, 2020:
Credit
Quality Indicator
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Prior
Revolving Loans
Total
% of Total
(Dollars in millions)
LTV
ratios:
Less than 65%
$
i2,303
$
i2,027
$
i2,689
$
i1,003
$
i2,387
$
i3,646
$
i1,049
$
i15,104
i91.9
%
65%
to 75%
i344
i144
i36
i38
i179
i458
i30
i1,229
i7.5
76%
to 80%
i—
i—
i—
i—
i—
i51
i—
i51
i0.3
Greater
than 80%
i—
i—
i—
i—
i—
i42
i—
i42
i0.3
Total
$
i2,647
$
i2,171
$
i2,725
$
i1,041
$
i2,566
$
i4,197
$
i1,079
$
i16,426
i100
%
/i
The
amortized cost of residential mortgage loans by credit quality indicator and vintage year was as follows at December 31, 2020:
Credit
Quality Indicator
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Prior
Revolving Loans
Total
% of Total
(Dollars in millions)
Performance
indicators:
Performing
$
i302
$
i1,490
$
i850
$
i357
$
i228
$
i8,060
$
i—
$
i11,287
i95.6
%
Nonperforming
(1)
i5
i85
i20
i5
i1
i400
i—
i516
i4.4
Total
$
i307
$
i1,575
$
i870
$
i362
$
i229
$
i8,460
$
i—
$
i11,803
i100.0
%
__________________
/
(1)Includes
residential mortgage loans in process of foreclosure of $i102 million and $i117 million at December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
LTV ratios compare the unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. At December 31, 2020, the amortized cost of commercial and agricultural mortgage loans with an LTV ratio in excess of 100% was $i531 million, or less than i1%
of total commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, however after considering the reduction in carrying value from the related ACL, ino loans have a ratio greater than 100%.
Past Due and Nonaccrual Mortgage Loans
The Company has a high quality, well performing mortgage loan portfolio, with ii99/%
of all mortgage loans classified as performing at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company defines delinquency consistent with industry practice, when mortgage loans are past due more than two or more months, as applicable, by portfolio segment. iThe past due and nonaccrual mortgage loans at amortized cost, prior to ACL, by portfolio
segment, were as follows:
Past Due
Greater
than 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Interest
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
The amortized cost for nonaccrual commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans at beginning of year 2019 was $i167 million,
$i105 million and $i402 million, respectively. The amortized
cost for nonaccrual commercial mortgage loans with no ACL was $i156 million and $i0 at December 31, 2020
and December 31, 2019, respectively. The amortized cost for nonaccrual agricultural mortgage loans with no ACL was $i173 million and $i93 million
at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. There were iino/
nonaccrual residential mortgage loans without an ACL at either December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
i
Purchased Investments with Credit Deterioration
Investments that, as of the date of acquisition, have experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are classified as PCD. The amortized cost for PCD investments is the purchase price plus an ACL for the
initial estimate of expected lifetime credit losses established upon purchase. Subsequent changes in the ACL on PCD investments are recorded in net investment gains (losses). The non-credit discount or premium is accreted or amortized to net investment income on an effective yield basis.
The following table reconciles the contractual principal to the purchase price of PCD investments:
Prior
to the adoption of new credit loss guidance for the recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, the Company applied applicable guidance for investments acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration since origination, known as PCI investments. The Company’s PCI investments had an outstanding principal balance of $i3.2 billion
at December 31, 2019, which represents the contractually required principal and accrued interest payments whether or not currently due and a carrying value (estimated fair value of the investments plus accrued interest) of $i2.7 billion at December 31, 2019. Accretion of accretable yield on PCI investments recognized in net
investment income was $i170 million and $i266 million
for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures
The Company’s real estate investment portfolio is diversified by property type, geography and income stream, including income from operating leases, operating income and equity in earnings from equity method real estate joint ventures. iReal
estate investments, by income type, as well as income earned, were as follows at and for the periods indicated:
The
carrying value of real estate investments acquired through foreclosure was $i18 million and $i34 million at December 31, 2020
and 2019, respectively. Depreciation expense on real estate investments was $i73 million, $i62 million and $i65 million
for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Real estate investments were net of accumulated depreciation of $i789 million and $i652
million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, earnings from certain of the Company’s equity method real estate joint ventures were reduced for the year ended December 31, 2020, principally hotel properties. Certain of these real estate joint ventures have granted some lessees COVID-19 Pandemic-related lease concessions. See “— Leases — Lease Concessions.”
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Leases
Leased Real Estate Investments - Operating Leases
The Company, as lessor, leases investment real estate, principally commercial real estate for office and retail use, through a variety of operating lease arrangements, which typically include tenant reimbursement for property operating costs and options to renew or extend the lease. In some circumstances, leases may include an option
for the lessee to purchase the property. In addition, certain leases of retail space may stipulate that a portion of the income earned is contingent upon the level of the tenants’ revenues. The Company has elected a practical expedient of not separating non-lease components related to reimbursement of property operating costs from associated lease components. These property operating costs have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the related lease component, because they are incurred over the same period of time as the operating lease. Therefore, the combined component is accounted for as a single operating lease. Risk is managed through lessee credit analysis, property type diversification, and geographic diversification. iLeased
real estate investments and income earned, by property type, were as follows at and for the periods indicated:
Future
contractual receipts under operating leases at December 31, 2020 were $i143 million in 2021, $i136 million
in 2022, $i127 million in 2023, $i107 million
in 2024, $i96 million in 2025, $i287 million
thereafter and, in total, $i896 million.
Leveraged and Direct Financing Leases
The Company has diversified leveraged lease and direct financing lease portfolios. Its leveraged leases principally include renewable energy generation facilities, rail cars, commercial real estate and commercial aircraft, and its direct financing leases principally include renewable
energy generation facilities. These assets are leased through a variety of lease arrangements, which may include options to renew or extend the lease and options for the lessee to purchase the property. Residual values are estimated using available third-party data at inception of the lease. Risk is managed through lessee credit analysis, asset allocation, geographic diversification, and ongoing reviews of estimated residual values, using available third-party data and, in certain leases, linking the amount of future rental receipts to changes in inflation rates. Generally, estimated residual values are not guaranteed by the lessee or a third party.
(1)Future
contractual receipts under direct financing leases as of December 31, 2020 are $i21 million in 2021, $i21 million
in 2022, $i21 million in 2023, $i21 million
in 2024, $i21 million in 2025, $i105 million
thereafter and, in total, $i210 million.
Lease receivables are generally due in periodic installments. iThe payment periods for leveraged
leases generally range from one to 11 years, but in certain circumstances can be over 11 years, while the payment periods for direct financing leases generally range from one to 16 years. For lease receivables, the primary credit quality indicator is whether the lease receivable is performing or nonperforming, which is assessed monthly. The Company generally defines nonperforming lease receivables as those that are 90 days or more past due. At both December 31, 2020 and 2019, all lease receivables were performing.
The deferred income tax liability related to leveraged leases was $i287 million
and $i425 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
i
The
components of income from investment in leveraged and direct financing leases, excluding net investment gains (losses), were as follows:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
In accordance with new credit loss guidance adopted January 1, 2020, the Company records an allowance for expected lifetime credit loss in an amount that represents the portion of the investment in leases that the Company does not expect to collect, resulting in the investment
in leases being presented at the net amount expected to be collected. In determining the ACL, management: (i) pools leases that share similar risk characteristics, (ii) considers expected lifetime credit loss over the contractual term of the lease, and (iii) considers past events and current and forecasted economic conditions. Leases with dissimilar risk characteristics are evaluated individually for credit loss. Expected lifetime credit loss on leveraged and direct financing lease receivables is estimated using a probability of default and loss given default model, where the probability of default incorporates third party credit ratings of the lessee and the related historical default data. The Company also assesses the non-guaranteed residual values for recoverability by comparison to the current estimated fair value of the leased asset and considers other relevant market information
such as independent third-party forecasts, consulting, asset brokerage and investment banking reports and data, comparable market transactions, and factors such as the competitive dynamics impacting specific industries, technological change and obsolescence, government and regulatory rules, tax policy, potential environmental liabilities and litigation.
Prior to the adoption of the new credit loss guidance, lease impairment losses were recorded as incurred. Under the incurred loss model, if all amounts due under the lease agreement would not be collected, based on current information and events, an impairment loss was recorded. The impairment loss was recorded as a reduction of the investment in lease and within net investment gains (losses).
Lease Concessions
In response to the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the
Company granted concessions to certain of its operating lease lessees, primarily in the form of rent deferrals. In accordance with a Question and Answer document issued by the FASB in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Company has elected not to evaluate whether such lease concessions are lease modifications, continues to accrue income on such leases and records rent receivables. The rent deferrals generally range from one to five months. Deferred rental payments and rental abatements for operating leases were each $iii2// million
at December 31, 2020. The Company also has interests in certain unconsolidated real estate joint ventures which have granted COVID-19 Pandemic-related lease concessions.
Other Invested Assets
Other invested assets is comprised primarily of freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values (see Note 8), affiliated investments, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships, annuities funding structured settlement claims, and leveraged and direct financing leases. See “— Related Party Investment Transactions” for information regarding affiliated investments.
Tax
Credit Partnerships
The carrying value of tax credit partnerships was $i1.1 billion and $i1.3 billion
at December 31, 2020and 2019, respectively. Losses from tax credit partnerships included within net investment income were $i225 million, $i240 million
and $i257 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Cash Equivalents
The carrying value of cash equivalents,
which includes securities and other investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, was $i6.8 billion and $i5.5 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Net
Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities AFS and derivatives and the effect on DAC, VOBA, DSI, future policy benefits and the policyholder dividend obligation, that would result from the realization of the unrealized gains (losses), are included in net unrealized investment gains (losses) in AOCI.
i
The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in AOCI, were as follows:
Cumulative
effects of changes in accounting principles, net of income tax
i—
i17
i1,310
Unrealized
investment gains (losses) during the year
i10,018
i11,520
(i7,898)
Unrealized
investment gains (losses) relating to:
Future policy benefits
(i6,482)
(i1,116)
i14
DAC,
VOBA and DSI
(i460)
(i480)
i219
Policyholder
dividend obligation
(i949)
(i1,592)
i1,693
Deferred
income tax benefit (expense)
(i448)
(i1,750)
i1,302
Balance
at December 31,
$
i12,175
$
i10,496
$
i3,897
Change
in net unrealized investment gains (losses)
$
i1,679
$
i6,599
$
(i3,360)
Concentrations
of Credit Risk
There were iino/
investments in any counterparty that were greater than i10% of the Company’s equity, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, at both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Cash Collateral Received from Counterparties (2), (3)
Reinvestment Portfolio at Estimated Fair Value
Estimated Fair Value
Cash Collateral Received from Counterparties (2), (3)
Reinvestment Portfolio at Estimated Fair Value
(In
millions)
Securities lending
$
i13,289
$
i13,566
$
i13,739
$
i12,455
$
i12,791
$
i12,847
Repurchase
agreements
$
i3,276
$
i3,210
$
i3,251
$
i2,333
$
i2,310
$
i2,320
__________________
(1)Securities
on loan in connection with these programs are included within fixed maturity securities AFS, and short-term investments.
(2)In connection with securities lending and repurchase agreements, in addition to cash collateral received, the Company received from counterparties non-cash security collateral of $i1 million and $i0
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.
(3)The liability for cash collateral for these programs is included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions and other liabilities.
/
Contractual Maturities
A summary of the remaining contractual maturities of securities lending and repurchase agreements is as follows:
Cash collateral liability by loaned security type:
Securities
lending:
U.S. government and agency
$
i1,705
$
i8,768
$
i3,093
$
i13,566
$
i2,260
$
i5,040
$
i5,491
$
i12,791
Repurchase
agreements:
U.S. government and agency
$
i—
$
i3,210
$
i—
$
i3,210
$
i—
$
i2,310
$
i—
$
i2,310
________________
(1)The
related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day, which would require the Company to immediately return the cash collateral.
If the Company is required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice and is forced to sell securities to meet the return obligation, it may have difficulty selling such collateral that is invested in securities in a timely manner, be forced to sell securities in a volatile or illiquid market for less than what otherwise would have been realized under normal market conditions, or both.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
The securities lending and repurchase agreements reinvestment portfolios consist principally of high quality, liquid, publicly-traded fixed maturity securities AFS, short-term investments, cash equivalents or cash. If the securities on loan, securities pledged or the reinvestment portfolio become less liquid, liquidity resources within the general account are available to meet any potential cash demands when securities on loan or securities pledged are put back by the counterparty.
Invested
Assets on Deposit and Pledged as Collateral
Invested assets on deposit and pledged as collateral are presented below at estimated fair value for all asset classes, except mortgage loans, which are presented at carrying value at:
Total
invested assets on deposit and pledged as collateral
$
i22,528
$
i20,721
__________________
(1)The
Company has pledged invested assets in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding agreements (see Note 3), derivative transactions (see Note 8) and secured debt (see Note 11).
See “— Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements” for information regarding securities supporting securities lending and repurchase agreement transactions and Note 6 for information regarding investments designated to the closed block. In addition, the Company’s investment in FHLB common stock, which is considered restricted until redeemed by the issuers, was $i765 million
and $i737 million, at redemption value, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company holds investments in real estate joint
ventures, real estate funds and other limited partnership interests consisting of leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, joint ventures and other funds. The portion of these investments accounted for under the equity method had a carrying value of $i12.5 billion at December 31, 2020. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to these equity method investments is limited to the carrying value of these investments plus unfunded
commitments of $i3.5 billion at December 31, 2020. Except for certain real estate joint ventures and certain funds, the Company’s investments in its remaining real estate funds and other limited partnership interests are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not participate
in the management of the entities.
As described in Note 1, the Company generally records its share of earnings in its equity method investments using a three-month lag methodology and within net investment income. Aggregate net investment income from these equity method investments exceeded ii10/%
of the Company’s consolidated pre-tax income (loss) for two of the three most recent annual periods: 2020 and 2019.
The following aggregated summarized financial data reflects the latest available financial information and does not represent the Company’s proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, or earnings of such entities.
Aggregate total assets of these entities totaled $i593.9 billion
and $i527.8 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Aggregate total liabilities of these entities totaled $i80.5 billion and $i77.6 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) of these entities totaled $i34.4 billion, $i40.9 billion
and $i42.7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) from the underlying entities in which the Company invests is primarily comprised of investment income, including recurring investment income and realized and unrealized investment gains (losses).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Variable Interest Entities
The Company has invested in legal entities that are VIEs. In certain instances, the Company holds both the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity, as well as an economic interest in the entity and, as such, is deemed to be the primary
beneficiary or consolidator of the entity. The determination of the VIE’s primary beneficiary requires an evaluation of the contractual and implied rights and obligations associated with each party’s relationship with or involvement in the entity, an estimate of the entity’s expected losses and expected residual returns and the allocation of such estimates to each party involved in the entity.
Consolidated VIEs
Creditors or beneficial interest holders of VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, as the Company’s obligation to the VIEs is limited to the amount of its
committed investment.
i
The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to investment related VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated at:
(1)The
Company’s investment in affiliated real estate joint ventures was $i1.3 billion and $i1.2 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Other affiliates’
investments in these affiliated real estate joint ventures were $i130 million and $i129 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2)The
Company’s investment in this affiliated investment fund was $i164 million and $i172 million, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. An affiliate had an
investment in this affiliated investment fund of $i37 million and $i39 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(3)Assets of the renewable energy partnership
primarily consisted of other invested assets.
(4)Assets of other investments primarily consisted of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 and other invested assets at December 31, 2019.
Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Unconsolidated VIEs
i
The carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs in which the Company holds a significant variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary and which have not been consolidated were as follows
at:
(1)The
maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity securities AFS is equal to their carrying amounts or the carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by creditworthy third parties. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by income tax credits guaranteed by third parties of $i3 million
and $i6 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee.
(2)For these variable interests, the
Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor in mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities issued by trusts that do not have substantial equity.
/
As described in Note 16, the Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. Excluding these commitments, the Company did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The
Company securitizes certain residential mortgage loans and acquires an interest in the related RMBS issued. While the Company has a variable interest in the issuer of the securities, it is not the primary beneficiary of the issuer of the securities since it does not have any rights to remove the servicer or veto rights over the servicer’s actions. The resulting gains (losses) from the securitizations are included within net investment gains (losses). The estimated fair value of the related RMBS acquired in connection with the securitizations is included in the carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss for Structured Products presented in the table above.
The carrying value and the estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans securitized were $i308 million
and $i313 million, respectively, during 2020, and $i443
million and $i467 million, respectively, during 2019. Gains on securitizations of $i5
million and $i24 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were included within net investment gains (losses). The estimated fair value of RMBS acquired in connection with the securitizations was $i43 million
and $i131 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
See Note 9 for information on how the estimated fair value of mortgage loans and RMBS is determined, the valuation approaches and key inputs, their placement in the fair value hierarchy, and for certain RMBS, quantitative information
about the significant unobservable inputs and the sensitivity of their estimated fair value to changes in those inputs.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Net
Investment Income
i
The components of net investment income were as follows:
Years
Ended December 31,
Asset Type
2020
2019
2018
(In millions)
Investment income:
Fixed maturity securities AFS
$
i6,535
$
i7,015
$
i7,268
Equity
securities
i25
i35
i42
Mortgage
loans
i2,836
i3,147
i2,822
Policy
loans
i305
i307
i297
Real
estate and real estate joint ventures
i256
i401
i472
Other
limited partnership interests
i633
i545
i519
Cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments
i77
i183
i121
FVO
Securities (1)
i48
i74
i22
Operating
joint venture
i80
i69
i37
Other
i154
i221
i261
Subtotal
i10,949
i11,997
i11,861
Less:
Investment expenses
i699
i1,024
i942
Net
investment income
$
i10,250
$
i10,973
$
i10,919
________________
(1)Changes
in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for investments still held as of the end of the respective periods and included in net investment income were principally from equity-linked notes included within FVO Securities were $i46 million, $i74
million and $i22 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
/
See “— Related Party Investment Transactions” for discussion
of affiliated net investment income and investment expenses.
Net investment income from equity method investments, comprised of real estate joint ventures, other limited partnership interests, tax credit and renewable energy partnerships and operating joint ventures, totaled $i427 million, $i458 million
and $i344 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses)
i
The
components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
Asset Type
2020
2019
2018
(In
millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS:
Net
credit loss (provision) release (1)
$
(i101)
$
(i39)
$
(i23)
Net
gains (losses) on sales and disposals
i43
i51
i107
Total
gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities AFS
(i58)
i12
i84
Equity
securities:
Net
gains (losses) on sales and disposals
i10
i12
i17
Change
in estimated fair value (2)
(i86)
i38
(i101)
Total
gains (losses) on equity securities
(i76)
i50
(i84)
Mortgage
loans
(i188)
(i13)
(i50)
Real
estate and real estate joint ventures
i7
i396
i311
Other
limited partnership interests
(i12)
i3
i8
Other
(3)
i293
(i46)
(i162)
Subtotal
(i34)
i402
i107
Change
in estimated fair value of other limited partnership interest and real estate joint ventures
(i5)
(i15)
i11
Non-investment
portfolio gains (losses)
(i34)
(i41)
i35
Subtotal
(i39)
(i56)
i46
Total
net investment gains (losses)
$
(i73)
$
i346
$
i153
_________________
(1)Net
credit loss provision by sector for industrial corporate, consumer corporate, foreign government securities and RMBS for the year ended December 31, 2019 were ($i19) million, ($i16) million,
($i2) million and ($i2) million,
respectively. Net credit loss provision by sector for consumer corporate, industrial corporate and finance corporate securities for the year ended December 31, 2018were ($i19) million, ($i2) million
and ($i2) million, respectively. See “— Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Loss for Fixed Maturity Securities AFS By Sector.” Due to the adoption of new credit loss guidance on January 1, 2020, prior period OTTI loss is presented as credit loss.
(2)Changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for equity securities still held as of the end of the period
included in net investment gains (losses) were ($i80) million, $i31
million and ($i82) million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.
/
(3)Other
gains (losses) included (i) $i128 million reclassified from AOCI to earnings due to the sale of certain investments that were hedged in qualifying cash flow hedges and a leveraged lease gain of $i87 million
for the year ended December 31, 2020, (ii) tax credit partnership impairment losses of $i92 million, and a renewable energy partnership disposal gain of $i46 million
for the year ended December 31, 2019, and (iii) renewable energy partnership disposal losses of $i83 million and leveraged lease impairment losses of $i105
million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
See “— Related Party Investment Transactions” for discussion of affiliated net investment gains (losses) related to transfers of invested assets to affiliates.
Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions included within net investment gains (losses) were ($i19) million, ($i57) million
and $i21 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
Fixed Maturity Securities AFS - Sales and Disposals and Credit Loss
Sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. iProceeds
from sales or disposals and the components of net investment gains (losses) were as shown in the table below:
The Company transfers invested assets primarily consisting of fixed maturity securities AFS, mortgage loans and real estate and real estate joint ventures to and from affiliates. Invested assets transferred were as follows:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
7. Investments (continued)
(1)Represents an investment in affiliated senior notes. The affiliated senior notes have maturity dates from July 2021 to October 2029 and bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate per annum ranging from i1.60%
to i3.14%.
(2)In September 2020, MetLife, Inc. repaid in cash at maturity a ¥i26.5 billion i0.82%
affiliated senior note issued to MLIC.
(3)Represents an affiliated surplus note. In June 2020, the affiliated surplus note, which bore interest at a fixed rate of i3.17%, matured and was refinanced with a $i100 million
affiliated surplus note, which bears interest at a fixed rate of i1.88%, payable semiannually, and is due June 2025.
(4)Represents an investment in affiliated preferred stock. Dividends are payable quarterly at a variable rate.
Through March 31, 2018, the Company provided investment administrative services to certain affiliates.
The related investment administrative service charges to these affiliates were $i19 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Effective April 1, 2018, the Company receives investment advisory services from an affiliate. The related
affiliated investment advisory charges to the Company were $i280 million, $i299 million
and $i198 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for information on investments in affiliated real estate joint ventures and an affiliated investment fund.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8i. Derivatives
Accounting for Derivatives
See Note 1 for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for derivatives and Note 9 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.
Derivative Strategies
The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, credit and equity market. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivatives.
Derivatives are financial instruments with values derived from interest rates,
foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads and/or other financial indices. Derivatives may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. Certain of the Company’s OTC derivatives are cleared and settled through central clearing counterparties (“OTC-cleared”), while others are bilateral contracts between two counterparties (“OTC-bilateral”). The types of derivatives the Company uses include swaps, forwards, futures and option contracts. To a lesser extent, the Company uses credit default
swaps and structured interest rate swaps to synthetically replicate investment risks and returns which are not readily available in the cash markets.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company uses a variety of interest rate derivatives to reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates, including interest rate swaps, interest rate total return swaps, caps, floors, swaptions, futures and forwards.
Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches). In an interest rate swap, the
Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts as calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps in fair value, cash flow and nonqualifying hedging relationships.
The Company uses structured interest rate swaps to synthetically create investments that are either more expensive to acquire or otherwise unavailable in the cash markets. These transactions are a combination of a derivative and a cash instrument such as a U.S. government and agency, or other fixed maturity securities AFS. Structured interest rate swaps are included in interest rate swaps and are not designated as hedging instruments.
Interest
rate total return swaps are swaps whereby the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the economic risk and reward of an asset or a market index and a benchmark interest rate, calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount. No cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract. Cash is paid and received over the life of the contract based on the terms of the swap. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by the counterparty at each due date. Interest rate total return swaps are used by the Company
to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches). The Company utilizes interest rate total return swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
The Company purchases interest rate caps primarily to protect its floating rate liabilities against rises in interest rates above a specified level, and against interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities, and interest rate floors primarily to protect its minimum rate guarantee liabilities against declines in interest rates below a specified level. In certain instances, the Company locks
in the economic impact of existing purchased caps and floors by entering into offsetting written caps and floors. The Company utilizes interest rate caps and floors in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
In exchange-traded
interest rate (Treasury and swap) futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by the different classes of interest rate securities, to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts and to pledge initial margin based on futures exchange requirements. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded interest rate (Treasury and swap) futures are used primarily to hedge mismatches
between the duration of assets in a portfolio and the duration of liabilities supported by those assets, to hedge against changes in value of securities the Company owns or anticipates acquiring, to hedge against changes in interest rates on anticipated liability issuances by replicating Treasury or swap curve performance, and to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products issued by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded interest rate futures in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
Swaptions are used by the Company to hedge interest rate risk associated
with the Company’s long-term liabilities and invested assets. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap with a forward starting effective date. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased swaptions by entering into offsetting written swaptions. The Company pays a premium for purchased swaptions and receives a premium for written swaptions. The Company utilizes swaptions in nonqualifying hedging relationships. Swaptions are included in interest rate options.
The Company
enters into interest rate forwards to buy and sell securities. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made at a specified future date. The Company utilizes interest rate forwards in cash flow and nonqualifying hedging relationships.
A synthetic GIC is a contract that simulates the performance of a traditional GIC through the use of financial instruments. The contractholder owns the underlying assets, and the Company provides a guarantee (or
“wrap”) on the participant funds for an annual risk charge. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on synthetic GICs is the notional amount, in the event the values of all of the underlying assets were reduced to zero. The Company’s risk is substantially lower due to contractual provisions that limit the portfolio to high quality assets, which are pre-approved and monitored for compliance, as well as the collection of risk charges. In addition, the crediting rates reset periodically to amortize market value gains and losses over a period equal to the duration of the wrapped portfolio, subject to a 0% floor. While plan participants may transact at book value, contractholder withdrawals may only occur immediately at market value, or at book value paid over a period of time per contract
provisions. Synthetic GICs are not designated as hedging instruments.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Derivatives
The Company uses foreign currency exchange rate derivatives, including foreign currency swaps and foreign currency forwards, to reduce the risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.
In a foreign currency swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between one currency and another at a fixed exchange rate, generally set at inception, calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. The notional amount
of each currency is exchanged at the inception and termination of the currency swap by each party. The Company utilizes foreign currency swaps in fair value, cash flow and nonqualifying hedging relationships.
In a foreign currency forward transaction, the Company agrees with another party to deliver a specified amount of an identified currency at a specified future date. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made at the specified future date. The Company
utilizes foreign currency forwards in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
Credit Derivatives
The Company enters into purchased credit default swaps to hedge against credit-related
changes in the value of its investments. In a credit default swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to pay, at specified intervals, a premium to hedge credit risk. If a credit event occurs, as defined by the contract, the contract may be cash settled or it may be settled gross by the delivery of par quantities of the referenced investment equal to the specified swap notional amount in exchange for the payment of cash amounts by the counterparty equal to the par value of the investment surrendered. Credit events vary by type of issuer but typically include bankruptcy, failure to pay debt obligations and involuntary restructuring for corporate obligors, as well as repudiation, moratorium or
governmental intervention for sovereign obligors. In each case, payout on a credit default swap is triggered only after the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) deems that a credit event has occurred. The Company utilizes credit default swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
The Company enters into written credit default swaps to synthetically create credit investments that are either more expensive to acquire or otherwise unavailable in the cash markets. These transactions are a combination of a derivative and one or more cash instruments, such as U.S. government and agency, or other fixed maturity securities AFS. These credit default swaps are not designated as hedging
instruments.
The Company enters into forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of certain securities. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for the contract is made at a specified future date. When the primary purpose of entering into these transactions is to hedge against the risk of changes in purchase price due to changes in credit spreads, the Company designates these transactions as credit forwards. The Company utilizes credit forwards in cash
flow hedging relationships.
Equity Derivatives
The Company uses a variety of equity derivatives to reduce its exposure to equity market risk, including equity index options, equity variance swaps, exchange-traded equity futures and equity total return swaps.
Equity index options are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products issued by the Company. To hedge against adverse changes in equity indices, the Company enters into contracts
to sell the underlying equity index within a limited time at a contracted price. The contracts will be net settled in cash based on differentials in the indices at the time of exercise and the strike price. Certain of these contracts may also contain settlement provisions linked to interest rates. In certain instances, the Company may enter into a combination of transactions to hedge adverse changes in equity indices within a pre-determined range through the purchase and sale of options. The Company utilizes equity index options in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
Equity variance
swaps are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products issued by the Company. In an equity variance swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange amounts in the future, based on changes in equity volatility over a defined period. The Company utilizes equity variance swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
In exchange-traded equity futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts,
the value of which is determined by the different classes of equity securities, to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts and to pledge initial margin based on futures exchange requirements. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded equity futures are used primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products issued by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded equity futures in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
In
an equity total return swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the economic risk and reward of an asset or a market index and a benchmark interest rate, calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount. No cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract. Cash is paid and received over the life of the contract based on the terms of the swap. The Company uses equity total return swaps to hedge its equity market guarantees in certain of its insurance products. Equity total return swaps can be used as hedges or to synthetically create investments. The
Company utilizes equity total return swaps in nonqualifying hedging relationships.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives
i
The
following table presents the primary underlying risk exposure, gross notional amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s derivatives, excluding embedded derivatives, held at:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
Based on gross notional amounts, a substantial portion of the Company’s derivatives was not designated or did not qualify as part of a hedging relationship at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company’s use of derivatives includes (i) derivatives that serve as macro hedges of the
Company’s exposure to various risks and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting due to the criteria required under the portfolio hedging rules; (ii) derivatives that economically hedge insurance liabilities that contain mortality or morbidity risk and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting because the lack of these risks in the derivatives cannot support an expectation of a highly effective hedging relationship; (iii) derivatives that economically hedge embedded derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting because the changes in estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives are already recorded in net income; and (iv) written credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are used to synthetically create investments and that do not qualify for hedge accounting because they do not involve a hedging relationship. For these nonqualified derivatives, changes in market factors can lead to the recognition of fair value changes on the
statement of operations without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
The Effects of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
The following table presents the consolidated financial statement location and amount of gain (loss) recognized on fair value, cash flow, nonqualifying hedging relationships and embedded derivatives:
Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances
OCI
(In millions)
Gain
(Loss) on Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)
$
i—
$
i—
$
(i220)
$
i—
$
i—
N/A
Hedged
items
i—
i—
i226
i—
i—
N/A
Foreign
currency exchange rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)
i—
i—
i75
i—
i—
N/A
Hedged
items
i—
i—
(i78)
i—
i—
N/A
Subtotal
i—
i—
i3
i—
i—
N/A
Gain
(Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$
(i262)
Amount
of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income
i20
i—
i22
i—
i—
(i42)
Foreign
currency exchange rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
i180
Amount
of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income
(i3)
i—
(i469)
i—
i—
i472
Foreign
currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items
i—
i—
i475
i—
i—
i—
Credit
derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
i—
Amount
of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income
i1
i—
i1
i—
i—
(i2)
Subtotal
i18
i—
i29
i—
i—
i346
Gain
(Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate derivatives (1)
i4
i—
(i340)
i—
i—
N/A
Foreign
currency exchange rate derivatives (1)
i—
i—
i429
i—
i—
N/A
Credit
derivatives — purchased (1)
i—
i—
i9
i—
i—
N/A
Credit
derivatives — written (1)
i—
i—
(i90)
i—
i—
N/A
Equity
derivatives (1)
i1
i—
i166
i45
i—
N/A
Foreign
currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items
i—
i—
(i155)
i—
i—
N/A
Subtotal
i5
i—
i19
i45
i—
N/A
Earned
income on derivatives
i371
i—
i339
i8
(i113)
i—
Embedded
derivatives (2)
N/A
N/A
i376
i—
N/A
N/A
Total
$
i394
$
i—
$
i766
$
i53
$
(i113)
$
i346
__________________
(1)Excludes
earned income on derivatives.
(2)The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes a nonperformance risk adjustment. The amounts included in net derivative gains (losses) in connection with this adjustment were $i7 million, ($i16)
million and $i51 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
Fair Value Hedges
The Company designates and accounts for the following as fair value hedges when they have met the requirements of fair value hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate assets and liabilities to floating rate assets and liabilities; and (ii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
i
The
following table presents the balance sheet classification, carrying amount and cumulative fair value hedging adjustments for items designated and qualifying as hedged items in fair value hedges:
Balance Sheet Line Item
Carrying
Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) (1)
(1)Includes
($ii1/) million
of hedging adjustments on discontinued hedging relationships at both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
/
All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company designates and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges when they have met the
requirements of cash flow hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate assets and liabilities to fixed rate assets and liabilities; (ii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency cash flow exposure of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities; (iii) interest rate forwards and credit forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of investments; and (iv) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge the forecasted purchases of fixed rate investments.
In certain instances, the Company discontinued cash flow hedge accounting because the forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring. Because certain of the forecasted transactions also were not probable of occurring within two months of the anticipated date, the
Company reclassified amounts from AOCI into income. These amounts were $i45 million, $i51
million, and $i0 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
At both the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the maximum length
of time over which the Company was hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions did not exceed iieight
years/.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the balance in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges was $i2.3 billion and $i2.0 billion,
respectively.
All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
At December 31, 2020, the Company expected to reclassify $i11 million of deferred net gains (losses) on derivatives in AOCI, to earnings within the next 12 months.
Credit
Derivatives
In connection with synthetically created credit investment transactions, the Company writes credit default swaps for which it receives a premium to insure credit risk. Such credit derivatives are included within the effects of derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) table. If a credit event occurs, as defined by the contract, the contract may be cash settled or it may be settled gross by the Company paying the counterparty the specified swap notional amount in exchange for the delivery of par quantities of the referenced
credit obligation. The Company’s maximum amount at risk, assuming the value of all referenced credit obligations is zero, was $i7.0 billion and $i8.7 billionat December 31, 2020 and2019, respectively. The Company can terminate these contracts at any time through cash settlement
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8.
Derivatives (continued)
with the counterparty at an amount equal to the then current estimated fair value of the credit default swaps. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company would have received $i126 million and $i199 million,
respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.
i
The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at:
Rating
Agency Designation of Referenced Credit Obligations (1)
Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps
Maximum
Amount
of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps
Weighted Average Years to Maturity (2)
Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps
Maximum
Amount
of Future
Payments under
Credit
Default
Swaps
Weighted Average Years to Maturity (2)
(Dollars in millions)
Aaa/Aa/A
Single name credit default swaps (3)
$
i—
$
i54
i0.6
$
i1
$
i94
i1.7
Credit
default swaps referencing indices
i27
i1,779
i2.5
i34
i2,099
i2.3
Subtotal
i27
i1,833
i2.4
i35
i2,193
i2.2
Baa
Single
name credit default swaps (3)
i2
i174
i2.1
i2
i124
i1.6
Credit
default swaps referencing indices
i97
i4,954
i5.3
i141
i6,165
i5.0
Subtotal
i99
i5,128
i5.2
i143
i6,289
i5.0
B
Single
name credit default swaps (3)
i—
i—
—
i—
i10
i0.5
Credit
default swaps referencing indices
i—
i—
—
i21
i219
i5.0
Subtotal
i—
i—
—
i21
i229
i4.8
Total
$
i126
$
i6,961
i4.5
$
i199
$
i8,711
i4.3
__________________
(1)The
rating agency designations are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), S&P and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
(2)The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average gross notional amounts.
(3)Single name credit default swaps may be referenced to the credit of corporations, foreign governments, or municipals.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives
The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by its counterparties to derivatives. Generally, the current credit exposure of the Company’s derivatives is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivatives at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence
of master netting or similar agreements and any collateral received pursuant to such agreements.
The Company manages its credit risk related to derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties and establishing and monitoring exposure limits. The Company’s OTC-bilateral derivative transactions are governed by ISDA Master Agreements which provide for legally enforceable set-off and close-out netting of exposures to specific counterparties in the event of early termination of a transaction, which includes, but is not limited to, events of default and bankruptcy. In the event of an early termination, the Company is permitted to set off receivables from
the counterparty against payables to the same counterparty arising out of all included transactions. All of the Company’s ISDA Master Agreements also include Credit Support Annex provisions which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral in connection with its OTC-bilateral derivatives.
The Company’s OTC-cleared derivatives are effected through central clearing counterparties and its exchange-traded derivatives are effected through regulated exchanges. Such positions are marked to market and margined on a daily basis (both initial margin and variation margin), and the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties
to such derivatives.
See Note 9 for a description of the impact of credit risk on the valuation of derivatives.
i
The estimated fair values of the Company’s net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral were as follows at:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
(1)At December 31, 2020 and 2019, derivative assets included income (expense) accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of $i65
million and $i85 million, respectively, and derivative liabilities included (income) expense accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of ($i47) million
and ($i9) million, respectively.
(2)Estimated fair value of derivatives is limited to the amount that is subject to set-off and includes income or expense accruals.
(3)Cash collateral received by the Company for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives, where the centralized clearinghouse treats variation margin as collateral, is included
in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments or in fixed maturity securities AFS, and the obligation to return it is included in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions on the balance sheet.
(4)The receivable for the return of cash collateral provided by the Company is inclusive of initial margin on exchange-traded and OTC-cleared derivatives and is included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables on the balance sheet. The amount of cash collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the
Company received excess cash collateral of $i175 million and $i290 million, respectively, and provided iino/
excess cash collateral for either period.
(5)Securities collateral received by the Company is held in separate custodial accounts and is not recorded on the balance sheet. Subject to certain constraints, the Company is permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral, but at December 31, 2020, inone
of the collateral had been sold or re-pledged. Securities collateral pledged by the Company is reported in fixed maturity securities AFS on the balance sheet. Subject to certain constraints, the counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral. The amount of securities collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreements and cash collateral. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company received excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $i150
million and $i97 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company provided excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $i185
million and $i48 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, $i1.4 billion and $i462 million,
respectively, for its OTC-cleared derivatives, and $i188 million and $i90 million, respectively, for its exchange-traded derivatives,
which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.
The Company’s collateral arrangements for its OTC-bilateral derivatives generally require the counterparty in a net liability position, after considering the effect of netting agreements, to pledge collateral when the collateral amount owed by that counterparty reaches a minimum transfer amount. All of the Company’s netting agreements for derivatives contain provisions that require both Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and the counterparty to maintain a specific investment grade financial strength or credit rating from each of Moody’s and S&P. If a party’s financial strength or credit rating were to fall below that specific investment grade financial strength or credit rating,
that party would be in violation of these provisions, and the other party to the derivatives could terminate the transactions and demand immediate settlement and payment based on such party’s reasonable valuation of the derivatives.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
8. Derivatives (continued)
i
The
following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC-bilateral derivatives that were in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements, together with the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the collateral pledged.
Derivatives Subject
to Financial Strength- Contingent Provisions
Derivatives Not Subject to Financial Strength- Contingent Provisions
Total
Derivatives Subject to Financial Strength- Contingent Provisions
Derivatives Not Subject to Financial Strength- Contingent Provisions
Total
(In millions)
Estimated fair value of derivatives in
a net liability position (1)
$
i196
$
i—
$
i196
$
i120
$
i—
$
i120
Estimated
fair value of collateral provided:
Fixed maturity securities AFS
$
i239
$
i—
$
i239
$
i135
$
i—
$
i135
__________________
(1)After
taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.
/
Embedded Derivatives
The Company issues certain products or purchases certain investments that contain embedded derivatives that are required to be separated from their host contracts and accounted for as freestanding derivatives.
i
The
following table presents the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the Company’s embedded derivatives that have been separated from their host contracts at:
December 31,
Balance Sheet
Location
2020
2019
(In millions)
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits
Policyholder account balances
$
i488
$
i175
Assumed
guaranteed minimum benefits
Policyholder account balances
i5
i3
Funds
withheld on ceded reinsurance (including affiliated)
Other liabilities
i1,428
i1,017
Fixed
annuities with equity indexed returns
Policyholder account balances
i139
i130
Other
guarantees
Policyholder account balances
i1
i—
Embedded
derivatives within liability host contracts
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i9. Fair Value
When developing estimated fair values, the
Company considers three broad valuation approaches: (i) the market approach, (ii) the income approach, and (iii) the cost approach. The Company determines the most appropriate valuation approach to use, given what is being measured and the availability of sufficient inputs, giving priority to observable inputs. The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value into a three-level hierarchy, based on the significant input with the lowest level in its valuation. The input levels are as follows:
Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company defines active markets based on average trading volume for equity securities. The size of the bid/ask spread is used as an indicator of market activity for fixed maturity securities AFS.
Level 2
Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs can include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities other than quoted prices in Level 1, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other significant inputs that are observable
or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the determination of estimated fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Financial markets are susceptible to severe events evidenced by rapid depreciation in asset values accompanied by a reduction
in asset liquidity. The Company’s ability to sell securities, as well as the price ultimately realized for these securities, depends upon the demand and liquidity in the market and increases the use of judgment in determining the estimated fair value of certain securities.
Considerable judgment is often required in interpreting the market data used to develop estimates of fair value, and the use of different assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
i
The assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring
basis and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, including those items for which the Company has elected the FVO, are presented below at:
Embedded
derivatives within liability host contracts (4)
i—
i—
i1,325
i1,325
Separate
account liabilities (2)
i1
i14
i7
i22
Total
liabilities
$
i6
$
i1,902
$
i1,541
$
i3,449
__________________
(1)Derivative
assets are presented within other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheets and derivative liabilities are presented within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation on the consolidated balance sheets, but are presented net for purposes of the rollforward in the Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) tables.
(2)Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders whose liability is reflected within separate account liabilities. Separate account liabilities are set equal to the estimated fair value of separate account assets. Separate account liabilities presented in the tables above represent derivative liabilities.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
(3)Total assets included in the fair value hierarchy exclude other limited partnership interests that are measured at estimated fair value using the net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient. At December 31, 2020 and2019, the estimated fair value of such investments was $i70
million and$i90 million, respectively.
(4)Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts are presented within policyholder account balances and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The
following describes the valuation methodologies used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
Investments
Securities, Short-term Investments and Other Investments
When available, the estimated fair value of these financial instruments is based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. Generally, these are the most liquid of the Company’s securities holdings and valuation of these securities does not involve management’s judgment.
When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies, giving priority to observable inputs. The significant inputs to the market standard valuation
methodologies for certain types of securities with reasonable levels of price transparency are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. When observable inputs are not available, the market standard valuation methodologies rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. These unobservable inputs can be based in large part on management’s judgment or estimation and cannot be supported by reference to market activity. Even though these inputs are unobservable, management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities and are considered appropriate given the circumstances.
The estimated fair value of short-term investments and other investments is determined
on a basis consistent with the methodologies described herein for securities.
The valuation approaches and key inputs for each category of assets or liabilities that are classified within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are presented below. The primary valuation approaches are the market approach, which considers recent prices from market transactions involving identical or similar assets or liabilities, and the income approach, which converts expected future amounts (e.g. cash flows) to a single current, discounted amount. The valuation of most instruments listed below is determined using independent pricing sources, matrix pricing, discounted cash flow methodologies or other similar techniques that use either observable market inputs or unobservable inputs.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
Instrument
Level 2
Observable
Inputs
Level 3
Unobservable Inputs
Fixed maturity securities AFS
U.S. corporate and Foreign corporate securities
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market and income approaches.
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
•
quoted
prices in markets that are not active
•
illiquidity premium
•
benchmark yields; spreads off benchmark yields; new issuances; issuer ratings
•
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
•
trades of identical or comparable securities; duration
•
credit spreads
•
privately-placed
securities are valued using the additional key inputs:
•
quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
•
market yield curve; call provisions
•
observable prices and spreads for similar public or private securities that incorporate the credit quality
and industry sector of the issuer
•
independent non-binding broker quotations
•
delta spread adjustments to reflect specific credit-related issues
U.S. government and agency securities, Municipals and Foreign government securities
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market
approach.
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
•
quoted prices in markets that are not active
•
independent non-binding broker quotations
•
benchmark U.S. Treasury yield or other yields
•
quoted
prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
•
the spread off the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the identical security
•
issuer ratings and issuer spreads; broker-dealer quotations
•
credit spreads
•
comparable securities
that are actively traded
Structured Products
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market and income approaches.
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market and income approaches.
Key Inputs:
Key Inputs:
•
quoted prices in markets that are not active
•
credit
spreads
•
spreads for actively traded securities; spreads off benchmark yields
•
quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2
•
expected prepayment speeds and volumes
•
current
and forecasted loss severity; ratings; geographic region
•
independent non-binding broker quotations
•
weighted average coupon and weighted average maturity
•
credit ratings
•
average delinquency rates; debt-service coverage ratios
•
credit
ratings
•
issuance-specific information, including, but not limited to:
•
collateral type; structure of the security; vintage of the loans
•
payment terms of the underlying assets
•
payment
priority within the tranche; deal performance
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
Instrument
Level 2
Observable
Inputs
Level 3
Unobservable Inputs
Short-term investments and Other investments
•
Certain short-term investments and other investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity securities AFS described above; while certain other investments are similar to equity securities. The valuation approaches and observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above. Other investments contain equity securities valued using quoted prices in markets that are not considered active.
•
Certain
short-term investments and other investments are of a similar nature and class to the fixed maturity securities AFS described above, while certain other investments are similar to equity securities. The valuation approaches and unobservable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described above. Other investments contain equity securities that use key unobservable inputs such as credit ratings; issuance structures, in addition to those described above for fixed maturities AFS.
Residential mortgage loans — FVO
•
N/A
Valuation Approaches: Principally the market approach.
Valuation
Techniques and Key Inputs: These investments are based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques that utilize inputs from mortgage servicers that are unobservable or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Separate account assets and Separate account liabilities (1)
Mutual funds and hedge funds without readily determinable fair values as prices are not published publicly
Key Input:
•
N/A
•
quoted
prices or reported NAV provided by the fund managers
Other limited partnership interests
•
N/A
Valued giving consideration to the underlying holdings
of the partnerships and adjusting, if appropriate.
Key Inputs:
•
liquidity;
bid/ask spreads; performance record of the fund manager
•
other relevant variables that may impact the exit value of the particular partnership interest
__________________
(1)Estimated fair value equals carrying value, based on the value of the underlying assets, including: mutual fund interests, fixed maturity securities, equity securities, derivatives, hedge funds, other limited partnership interests, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. Fixed maturity securities, equity securities, derivatives, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents are similar in nature to the instruments described under “— Securities,
Short-term Investments and Other Investments” and “— Derivatives — Freestanding Derivatives.”
Derivatives
The estimated fair value of derivatives is determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives, or through the use of pricing models for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that management believes are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk, nonperformance risk, volatility,
liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models.
The significant inputs to the pricing models for most OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Certain OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives may rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. These unobservable inputs may involve significant management judgment or estimation. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and management believes they are consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments.
Most inputs for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared
derivatives are mid-market inputs but, in certain cases, liquidity adjustments are made when they are deemed more representative of exit value. Market liquidity, as well as the use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs, may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s derivatives and could materially affect net income.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
— (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the estimated fair value for all OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives, and any potential credit adjustment is based on the net exposure by counterparty after taking into account the effects of netting agreements and collateral arrangements. The Company values its OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives using standard swap curves which may include a spread to the risk-free rate, depending upon specific collateral arrangements. This credit spread is appropriate for those parties that execute trades at pricing levels consistent with similar collateral arrangements. As the
Company and its significant derivative counterparties generally execute trades at such pricing levels and hold sufficient collateral, additional credit risk adjustments are not currently required in the valuation process. The Company’s ability to consistently execute at such pricing levels is, in part, due to the netting agreements and collateral arrangements that are in place with all of its significant derivative counterparties. An evaluation of the requirement to make additional credit risk adjustments is performed by the Company each reporting period.
Freestanding Derivatives
Level 2 Valuation Approaches and Key Inputs:
This level includes all types of derivatives
utilized by the Company with the exception of exchange-traded derivatives included within Level 1 and those derivatives with unobservable inputs as described in Level 3.
Level 3 Valuation Approaches and Key Inputs:
These valuation methodologies generally use the same inputs as described in the corresponding sections for Level 2 measurements of derivatives. However, these derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Freestanding derivatives are principally valued using the income approach. Valuations of non-option-based derivatives utilize present value techniques, whereas valuations of option-based
derivatives utilize option pricing models. Key inputs are as follows:
Instrument
Interest Rate
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate
Credit
Equity
Market
Inputs common to Level 2 and Level 3 by instrument type
•
swap yield curves
•
swap yield curves
•
swap yield curves
•
swap yield curves
•
basis curves
•
basis
curves
•
credit curves
•
spot equity index levels
•
interest rate volatility (1)
•
currency spot rates
•
recovery rates
•
dividend yield curves
•
cross
currency basis curves
•
equity volatility (1)
Level 3
•
swap yield curves (2)
•
swap yield curves (2)
•
swap
yield curves (2)
•
dividend yield curves (2)
•
basis curves (2)
•
basis curves (2)
•
credit curves (2)
•
equity volatility (1), (2)
•
repurchase
rates
•
cross currency basis curves (2)
•
credit spreads
•
correlation between model inputs (1)
•
currency correlation
•
repurchase rates
•
independent
non-binding broker quotations
__________________
(1)Option-based only.
(2)Extrapolation beyond the observable limits of the curve(s).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value
(continued)
Embedded Derivatives
Embedded derivatives principally include certain direct and assumed variable annuity guarantees, annuity contracts,and investment risk within funds withheld related to certain reinsurance agreements. Embedded derivatives are recorded at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value reported in net income.
The Company issues certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs contain embedded derivatives, which are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract,
with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). These embedded derivatives are classified within policyholder account balances on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company calculates the fair value of these embedded derivatives, which is estimated as the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees using actuarial and capital market assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. The calculation is based on in-force business, projecting future cash flows from the embedded derivative over multiple risk neutral stochastic scenarios using observable risk-free rates.
Capital market assumptions, such as risk-free rates and implied volatilities, are based on market prices for publicly traded instruments
to the extent that prices for such instruments are observable. Implied volatilities beyond the observable period are extrapolated based on observable implied volatilities and historical volatilities. Actuarial assumptions, including mortality, lapse, withdrawal and utilization, are unobservable and are reviewed at least annually based on actuarial studies of historical experience.
The valuation of these guarantee liabilities includes nonperformance risk adjustments and adjustments for a risk margin related to non-capital market inputs. The nonperformance adjustment is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for MetLife, Inc.’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries
as compared to MetLife, Inc.
Risk margins are established to capture the non-capital market risks of the instrument which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties of such actuarial assumptions as annuitization, premium persistency, partial withdrawal and surrenders. The establishment of risk margins requires the use of significant management judgment, including assumptions of the amount and cost of capital needed to cover the guarantees. These guarantees may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates; changes in nonperformance risk; and variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, mortality and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs, may result
in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of the guarantees that could materially affect net income.
The estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain ceded reinsurance is determined based on the change in estimated fair value of the underlying assets held by the Company in a reference portfolio backing the funds withheld liability. The estimated fair value of the underlying assets is determined as described in “— Investments — Securities, Short-term Investments and Other Investments.” The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives is included, along with their funds withheld hosts, in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). Changes in the credit spreads on the underlying assets,
interest rates and market volatility may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives that could materially affect net income.
The Company issues certain annuity contracts which allow the policyholder to participate in returns from equity indices. These equity indexed features are embedded derivatives which are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host fixed annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). These embedded derivatives are classified within policyholder account balances on the consolidated balance sheets.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
The estimated fair value of the embedded equity indexed derivatives, based on the present value of future equity returns to the policyholder using actuarial and present value assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior, is calculated by the Company’s actuarial department. The calculation is based on in-force business and uses standard capital market techniques, such as Black-Scholes, to calculate the value of the portion of the embedded derivative for which the
terms are set. The portion of the embedded derivative covering the period beyond where terms are set is calculated as the present value of amounts expected to be spent to provide equity indexed returns in those periods. The valuation of these embedded derivatives also includes the establishment of a risk margin, as well as changes in nonperformance risk.
Embedded Derivatives Within Asset and Liability Host Contracts
Level 3 Valuation Approaches and Key Inputs:
Direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits
These embedded derivatives are principally valued using the income approach. Valuations are based on option pricing techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include swap yield curves, currency
exchange rates and implied volatilities. These embedded derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant unobservable inputs generally include: the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curves and implied volatilities, actuarial assumptions for policyholder behavior and mortality and the potential variability in policyholder behavior and mortality, nonperformance risk and cost of capital for purposes of calculating the risk margin.
Embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain ceded reinsurance
These embedded derivatives are principally valued using the income approach. The valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap
yield curves and the fair value of assets within the reference portfolio. These embedded derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant unobservable inputs generally include the fair value of certain assets within the reference portfolio which are not observable in the market and cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
i
Transfers
between Levels
Overall, transfers between levels occur when there are changes in the observability of inputs and market activity.
Transfers into or out of Level 3:
Assets and liabilities are transferred into Level 3 when a significant input cannot be corroborated with market observable data. This occurs when market activity decreases significantly and underlying inputs cannot be observed, current prices are not available, and/or when there are significant variances in quoted prices, thereby affecting transparency. Assets and liabilities are transferred out of Level 3 when circumstances change such that a significant input can be corroborated with market observable data. This may be due to a significant increase in market activity, a specific event, or one or more significant input(s) becoming observable.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
i
The
following table presents certain quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement, and the sensitivity of the estimated fair value to changes in those inputs, for the more significant asset and liability classes measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at:
Impact of Increase in Input on Estimated Fair Value (2)
Valuation Techniques
Significant Unobservable Inputs
Range
Weighted Average (1)
Range
Weighted Average (1)
Fixed
maturity securities AFS (3)
U.S. corporate and foreign corporate
•
Matrix pricing
•
Offered quotes (4)
i—
-
i186
i118
i5
-
i145
i110
Increase
•
Market
pricing
•
Quoted prices (4)
i—
-
i116
i99
i25
-
i131
i101
Increase
RMBS
•
Market
pricing
•
Quoted prices (4)
i—
-
i159
i98
i—
-
i119
i95
Increase
(5)
ABS
•
Market pricing
•
Quoted prices (4)
i1
-
i107
i100
i8
-
i101
i98
Increase
(5)
Derivatives
Interest rate
•
Present value techniques
•
Swap
yield (6)
i92
-
i184
i149
i190
-
i251
Increase
(7)
•
Repurchase rates (8)
(i12)
-
i1
(i6)
(i6)
-
i6
Decrease
(7)
Foreign currency exchange rate
•
Present value techniques
•
Swap yield (6)
(i31)
-
(i13)
(i20)
(i22)
-
(i5)
Increase
(7)
Credit
•
Present value techniques
•
Credit spreads (9)
i96
-
i99
i98
i96
-
i100
Decrease
(7)
•
Consensus pricing
•
Offered quotes (10)
Equity market
•
Present value techniques or option
pricing models
•
Volatility (11)
i21%
-
i28%
i28%
i14%
-
i23%
Increase
(7)
•
Correlation (12)
i10%
-
i30%
i10%
i10%
-
i30%
Embedded
derivatives
Direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits
•
Option pricing techniques
•
Mortality rates:
Ages
0 - 40
i0.01%
-
i0.12%
i0.06%
i0.01%
-
i0.18%
Decrease
(13)
Ages 41 - 60
i0.05%
-
i0.65%
i0.30%
i0.04%
-
i0.57%
Decrease
(13)
Ages 61 - 115
i0.31%
-
i100%
i1.90%
i0.26%
-
i100%
Decrease
(13)
•
Lapse rates:
Durations 1 - 10
i0.25%
-
i100%
i6.86%
i0.25%
-
i100%
Decrease
(14)
Durations 11 - 20
i4.70%
-
i100%
i5.18%
i3%
-
i100%
Decrease
(14)
Durations 21 - 116
i2%
-
i100%
i5.18%
i2%
-
i100%
Decrease
(14)
•
Utilization rates
i0%
-
i22%
i0.17%
i0%
-
i22%
Increase
(15)
•
Withdrawal rates
i0.25%
-
i10%
i3.98%
i0.25%
-
i10%
(16)
•
Long-term
equity volatilities
i16.66%
-
i22.21%
i18.70%
i16.24%
-
i21.65%
Increase
(17)
•
Nonperformance risk spread
i0.04%
-
i0.39%
i0.40%
i0.03%
-
i0.43%
Decrease
(18)
__________________
(1)The weighted average for fixed maturity securities AFS and derivatives is determined based on the estimated fair value of the securities and derivatives. The weighted average for embedded derivatives is determined based on a combination of account values and experience data.
(2)The impact of a decrease in input would have resulted in the opposite impact on estimated fair value. For embedded derivatives, changes to direct and assumed guaranteed minimum benefits are based on liability positions.
(3)Significant increases (decreases) in expected default rates in isolation would have resulted in substantially lower (higher) valuations.
(4)Range
and weighted average are presented in accordance with the market convention for fixed maturity securities AFS of dollars per hundred dollars of par.
(5)Changes in the assumptions used for the probability of default would have been accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumptions used for prepayment rates.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
(6)Ranges represent the rates across different yield curves and are presented in basis points. The swap yield curves are utilized among different types of derivatives to project cash flows, as well as to discount future cash flows to present value. Since this valuation methodology uses a range of inputs across a yield curve to value the derivative, presenting a range is more representative of the unobservable input used in the valuation.
(7)Changes in estimated fair value are based on long U.S. dollar net asset positions and will be inversely impacted
for short U.S. dollar net asset positions.
(8)Ranges represent different repurchase rates utilized as components within the valuation methodology and are presented in basis points.
(9)Represents the risk quoted in basis points of a credit default event on the underlying instrument. Credit derivatives with significant unobservable inputs are primarily comprised of written credit default swaps.
(10)At bothDecember 31, 2020 and 2019, independent non-binding broker quotations were used in the determination of less than 1% of the total
net derivative estimated fair value.
(11)Ranges represent the underlying equity volatility quoted in percentage points. Since this valuation methodology uses a range of inputs across multiple volatility surfaces to value the derivative, presenting a range is more representative of the unobservable input used in the valuation.
(12)Ranges represent the different correlation factors utilized as components within the valuation methodology. Presenting a range of correlation factors is more representative of the unobservable input used in the valuation. Increases (decreases) in correlation in isolation will increase (decrease) the significance of the change in valuations.
(13)Mortality rates vary by age and by demographic characteristics such as gender. Mortality rate assumptions
are based on company experience. A mortality improvement assumption is also applied. For any given contract, mortality rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(14)Base lapse rates are adjusted at the contract level based on a comparison of the actuarially calculated guaranteed values and the current policyholder account value, as well as other factors, such as the applicability of any surrender charges. A dynamic lapse function reduces the base lapse rate when the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value as in the money contracts are less likely
to lapse. Lapse rates are also generally assumed to be lower in periods when a surrender charge applies. For any given contract, lapse rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(15)The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contractholders with GMIBs or a lifetime withdrawal benefit who will elect to utilize the benefit upon becoming eligible. The rates may vary by the type of guarantee, the amount by which the guaranteed amount is greater than the account value, the contract’s withdrawal history and by the age of the policyholder. For any given contract,
utilization rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(16)The withdrawal rate represents the percentage of account balance that any given policyholder will elect to withdraw from the contract each year. The withdrawal rate assumption varies by age and duration of the contract, and also by other factors such as benefit type. For any given contract, withdrawal rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative. For GMWBs, any increase (decrease) in withdrawal rates results in an increase (decrease)
in the estimated fair value of the guarantees. For GMABs and GMIBs, any increase (decrease) in withdrawal rates results in a decrease (increase) in the estimated fair value.
(17)Long-term equity volatilities represent equity volatility beyond the period for which observable equity volatilities are available. For any given contract, long-term equity volatility rates vary throughout the period over which cash flows are projected for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
(18)Nonperformance risk spread varies by duration and by currency. For any given contract, multiple nonperformance risk spreads will apply, depending on the duration of the cash flow
being discounted for purposes of valuing the embedded derivative.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
Generally, all other classes of assets and liabilities classified within Level 3 that are not included in the preceding table use the same valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs as previously described for Level 3. The sensitivity
of the estimated fair value to changes in the significant unobservable inputs for these other assets and liabilities is similar in nature to that described in the preceding table. The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement for the more significant assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis and determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are summarized in “— Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements.”
i
The
following tables summarize the change of all assets (liabilities) measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Fair
Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net
income (loss) (1), (2)
$
i7
$
(i8)
$
(i69)
$
i376
$
i7
Total
realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI
$
i—
$
i—
$
(i110)
$
i—
$
i—
__________________
(1)Amortization
of premium/accretion of discount is included within net investment income. Impairments charged to net income (loss) on securities are included in net investment gains (losses), while changes in estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans — FVO are included in net investment income. Lapses associated with net embedded derivatives are included in net derivative gains (losses). Substantially all realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for net derivatives and net embedded derivatives are reported in net derivative gains (losses).
(2)Interest and dividend accruals, as well as cash interest coupons and dividends received, are excluded from the rollforward.
(3)Items purchased/issued and then sold/settled in the same period are excluded from the rollforward. Fees attributed to embedded derivatives are included
in settlements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
(4)Items transferred into and then out of Level 3 in the same period are excluded from the rollforward.
(5)Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) and included in AOCI relate
to assets and liabilities still held at the end of the respective periods. Substantially all changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for net derivatives and net embedded derivatives are reported in net derivative gains (losses).
(6)Comprised of U.S. and foreign corporate securities.
(7)Freestanding derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(8)Embedded derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
(9)Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders within separate account liabilities. Therefore, such changes in estimated
fair value are not recorded in net income (loss). For the purpose of this disclosure, these changes are presented within net investment gains (losses). Separate account assets and liabilities are presented net for the purposes of the rollforward.
i
Fair Value Option
The Company elects the FVO for certain residential
mortgage loans that are managed on a total return basis. The following table presents information for residential mortgage loans which are accounted for under the FVO and were initially measured at fair value.
Difference
between estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance
(i7)
(i21)
Carrying
value at estimated fair value
$
i165
$
i188
Loans
in nonaccrual status
$
i45
$
i47
Loans
more than 90 days past due
$
i27
$
i18
Loans
in nonaccrual status or more than 90 days past due, or both — difference between aggregate estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance
$
(i13)
$
(i19)
/
Nonrecurring
Fair Value Measurements
i
The following table presents information for assets measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the periods and still held at the reporting dates (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The estimated fair values for these assets were determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
9. Fair Value (continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Carried
at Other Than Fair Value
The following tables provide fair value information for financial instruments that are carried on the balance sheet at amounts other than fair value. These tables exclude the following financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions, short-term debt and those short-term investments that are not securities, such as time deposits, and therefore are not included in the three-level hierarchy table disclosed in the “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements” section. The Company believes that due to the short-term nature of these excluded assets, which are primarily classified in Level 2, the estimated fair value approximates carrying value. All remaining balance sheet amounts excluded from the tables below are not considered
financial instruments subject to this disclosure.
i
The carrying values and estimated fair values for such financial instruments, and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, are summarized as follows at:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i10. Leases
The
Company, as lessee, has entered into various lease and sublease agreements primarily for office space. The Company has operating leases with remaining lease terms of less than ione year to i10
years. The remaining lease terms for the subleases are less than ione year to ieight years.
ROU Assets and Lease Liabilities
i
ROU
assets and lease liabilities for operating leases were:
Operating
lease expense was $i116 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Non-cancelable sublease income was $i66 million for the
year ended December 31, 2018.
Other Information
Supplemental other information related to operating leases was as follows:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i11.
Long-term and Short-term Debt
i
Long-term and short-term debt outstanding, excluding debt relating to consolidated securitization entities, was as follows:
December 31,
Interest
Rates (1)
2020
2019
Range
Weighted Average
Maturity
Face Value
Unamortized Discount and Issuance Costs
Carrying Value
Face Value
Unamortized Discount
and Issuance Costs
Carrying Value
(In millions)
Surplus notes - affiliated
i7.38%
-
i7.38%
i7.38%
2037
$
i700
$
(i8)
$
i692
$
i700
$
(i9)
$
i691
Surplus
notes
i7.80%
-
i7.88%
i7.83%
2024
-
2025
i400
(i2)
i398
i400
(i2)
i398
Other
notes
i0.14%
-
i3.75%
i2.89%
2021
-
2058
i527
(i3)
i524
i457
(i3)
i454
Total
long-term debt
i1,627
(i13)
i1,614
i1,557
(i14)
i1,543
Total
short-term debt
i120
i—
i120
i128
i—
i128
Total
$
i1,747
$
(i13)
$
i1,734
$
i1,685
$
(i14)
$
i1,671
__________________
(1)Range
of interest rates and weighted average interest rates are for the year ended December 31, 2020.
/
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2020 for the next five years and thereafter are $i50 million
in 2021, $i0 in 2022, $i0 in 2023, $i496
million in 2024, $i249 million in 2025 and $i819 million
thereafter.
Unsecured senior debt which consists of senior notes and other notes rank highest in priority. Payments of interest and principal on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s surplus notes are subordinate to all other obligations and may be made only with the prior approval of the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”).
Other Notes
At December 31, 2020, MetLife Private Equity Holdings, LLC (“MPEH”), a wholly-owned indirect investment subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, was party to a credit agreement providing for $i350 million
of term loans and $i75 million of a revolving loan (the “Credit Agreement”), which matures in November 2024. In December 2018, MPEH repaid $i50
million of an initial borrowing of a $i350 million term loan under the Credit Agreement. In March 2020, MPEH borrowed $ii75/ million
on a revolving loan under the Credit Agreement and repaid this loan in July 2020. Simultaneously, in July 2020, MPEH borrowed $i50 million on the term loan under the Credit Agreement. MPEH has pledged invested assets to secure the loans; however, these loans are non-recourse to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
Short-term Debt
i
Short-term
debt with maturities of one year or less was as follows:
(1)Represents
short-term debt related to repurchase agreements, secured by assets consolidated by the Company.
/
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the weighted average interest rate on short-term debt was i1.51%,
i2.74% and i3.03%, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
11. Long-term and Short-term Debt (continued)
Interest Expense
Interest expense included in other expenses was $i99 million, $i105 million
and $i108 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These amounts include $iii52// million
of interest expense related to affiliated debt for each of the three years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Credit Facility
At December 31, 2020, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife Funding”), maintained a $i3.0 billion
unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). When drawn upon, this facility bears interest at varying rates in accordance with the agreement.
The Company’s Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes, to support the borrowers’ commercial paper programs and for the issuance of letters of credit. Total fees associated with the Credit Facility were $i7 million, $i7 million
and $i6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and were included in other expenses.
i
Information
on the Credit Facility at December 31, 2020 was as follows:
(1)MetLife,
Inc. and MetLife Funding are severally liable for their respective obligations under the Credit Facility. MetLife Funding was not an applicant under letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and is not responsible for any reimbursement obligations under such letters of credit.
(2)All borrowings under the Credit Facility must be repaid by December 20, 2021, except that letters of credit outstanding upon termination may remain outstanding until December 20, 2022.
(3)On February 26, 2021, the Credit Facility was amended and restated to, among other things, extend the maturity date to February 2026. All borrowings under the amended
and restated Credit Facility must be repaid by February 26, 2026, except that letters of credit outstanding upon termination may remain outstanding until February 26, 2027.
/
Debt and Facility Covenants
Certain of the Company’s debt instruments and the Credit Facility contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. The Company believes it was in compliance with all applicable financial covenants at December 31, 2020.
i12.
Equity
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Company does not issue any awards payable in its common stock or options to purchase its common stock.
An affiliate employs the personnel who conduct most of the Company’s business. In accordance with a services agreement with that affiliate, the Company bears a proportionate share of stock-based compensation expense for those employees. Stock-based compensation expense principally relates to Stock Options, Performance
Shares and Restricted Stock Units under the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan and the MetLife, Inc. 2015 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan, most of which MetLife, Inc. grants in the first quarter of each year.
The Company’s expense related to stock-based compensation included in other expenses was $i44 million, $i57 million
and $i35 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
12. Equity (continued)
Statutory Equity and Income
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company prepares statutory-basis financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NYDFS. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has adopted the Codification of Statutory Accounting Principles (“Statutory Codification”). Statutory Codification is intended to standardize regulatory accounting and reporting to state insurance departments. However, statutory accounting principles continue
to be established by individual state laws and permitted practices. Modifications by the NYDFS may impact the effect of Statutory Codification on the statutory capital and surplus of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
New York, the state of domicile of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, imposes risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements that were developed by the NAIC. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of a company’s total adjusted capital, calculated in the manner prescribed by the NAIC (“TAC”), with modifications by the state insurance department, to its authorized control level RBC, calculated in the manner prescribed by the NAIC (“ACL RBC”), based on the statutory-based filed financial statements. Companies below specific trigger levels or ratios are classified by their respective levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. The minimum level of TAC before corrective action
commences is twice ACL RBC (“CAL RBC”). The CAL RBC ratios for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company were iiin excess of 350%/
at both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s ancillary foreign insurance operations are regulated by applicable authorities of the jurisdictions in which each entity operates and are subject to minimum capital and solvency requirements in those jurisdictions before corrective action commences. The aggregate required capital and surplus of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s foreign insurance operations was $i422 million
and the aggregate actual regulatory capital and surplus of such operations was $i668 million as of the date of the most recent required capital adequacy calculation for each jurisdiction. The Company’s foreign insurance operations exceeded the minimum capital and solvency requirements as of the date of the most recent fiscal year-end capital adequacy calculation for each jurisdiction.
Statutory
accounting principles differ from GAAP primarily by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit liabilities using different actuarial assumptions, reporting surplus notes as surplus instead of debt and valuing securities on a different basis.
In addition, certain assets are not admitted under statutory accounting principles and are charged directly to surplus. The most significant assets not admitted by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company are net deferred income tax assets resulting from temporary differences between statutory accounting principles basis and tax basis not expected to reverse and become recoverable within three years. Further, statutory accounting principles do not give recognition to purchase accounting adjustments.
New York has adopted certain prescribed accounting practices, primarily consisting of the continuous
Commissioners’ Annuity Reserve Valuation Method, which impacts deferred annuities, and the New York Special Considerations Letter, which mandates certain assumptions in asset adequacy testing. The collective impact of these prescribed accounting practices decreased the statutory capital and surplus of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company by $i1.6 billion and $i1.2 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, compared to what capital and surplus would have been had it been measured under NAIC guidance.
Statutory net income (loss) of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, a New York domiciled insurer, was $i3.4 billion, $i3.9
billion and $i3.7 billion at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus was $i11.3 billion
and $i10.9 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All such amounts are derived from the statutory–basis financial statements as filed with the NYDFS.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
12. Equity (continued)
Dividend Restrictions
Under the New York State Insurance Law, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay stockholder dividends to MetLife, Inc. in any calendar year based on either of two standards. Under one standard, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay dividends out of earned surplus (defined as positive unassigned funds (surplus), excluding 85% of the change in net unrealized capital gains or losses
(less capital gains tax), for the immediately preceding calendar year), in an amount up to the greater of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains), not to exceed 30% of surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year. In addition, under this standard, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company may not, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, pay any dividends in any calendar year immediately following a calendar year for which its net gain from operations, excluding realized capital gains, was negative. Under the second standard, if dividends are paid out of other than earned surplus, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company may, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, pay an amount up to the lesser of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the
end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains). In addition, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company will be permitted to pay a dividend to MetLife, Inc. in excess of the amounts allowed under both standards only if it files notice of its intention to declare such a dividend and the amount thereof with the New York Superintendent of Financial Services (the “Superintendent”) and the Superintendent either approves the distribution of the dividend or does not disapprove the dividend within 30 days of its filing. Under the New York State Insurance Law, the Superintendent has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its stockholder.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company paid $i2.8
billion and $i3.1 billion in dividends to MetLife, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, including amounts where regulatory approval was obtained as required. Under New York State Insurance Law, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company has calculated that it may pay approximately $i3.4 billion
to MetLife, Inc. without prior regulatory approval by the end of 2021.
(1)See
Note 7 for information on offsets to investments related to future policy benefits, DAC, VOBA and DSI, and the policyholder dividend obligation.
(2)See Note 14 for information on the transfer of a pension plan to an affiliate.
Pension,
postretirement and postemployment benefit costs
i33
i107
i66
Premium
taxes, other taxes, and licenses & fees
i399
i274
i366
Commissions
and other variable expenses
i1,842
i1,814
i1,757
Capitalization
of DAC
(i51)
(i43)
(i34)
Amortization
of DAC and VOBA
i406
i239
i470
Interest
expense on debt
i99
i105
i108
Total
other expenses
$
i5,013
$
i4,976
$
i5,191
__________________
(1)Includes
($i104) million, ($i165) million and ($i6)
million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for the net change in cash surrender value of investments in certain life insurance policies, net of premiums paid.
/
Capitalization of DAC and Amortization of DAC and VOBA
See Note 4 for additional information on DAC and VOBA including impacts of capitalization and amortization. See also Note 6 for a description of the DAC amortization impact associated with the closed block.
Expenses related to Debt
See Note 11
for additional information on interest expense on debt.
Affiliated Expenses
Commissions and other variable expenses, capitalization of DAC and amortization of DAC and VOBA include the impact of affiliated reinsurance transactions. See Notes 5, 11 and 18 for a discussion of affiliated expenses included in the table above.
Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i14. Employee Benefit Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors a U.S. nonqualified defined benefit
pension plan covering MetLife employees who meet specified eligibility requirements of the sponsor and its participating affiliates. Participating affiliates are allocated a proportionate share of net expense related to the plan. Pension benefits are provided utilizing either a traditional formula or cash balance formula. The traditional formula provides benefits that are primarily based upon years of credited service and final average earnings. The cash balance formula utilizes hypothetical or notional accounts which credit participants with benefits equal to a percentage of eligible pay, as well as interest credits, determined annually based upon the annual rate of interest on 30-year U.S. Treasury securities, for each account balance. In September 2018, the nonqualified defined benefit pension plan was amended, effective January 1, 2023, to provide benefit accruals for all active participants under the cash balance
formula and to cease future accruals under the traditional formula. The pension plan sponsored by the Company provides supplemental benefits in excess of limits applicable to a qualified plan which is sponsored by an affiliate.
The Company also provides pension benefits for certain U.S. retired employees and postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for certain non-U.S. retired employees.
Estimated
fair value of plan assets at December 31,
i—
i17
i—
i17
Over
(under) funded status at December 31,
$
(i1,343)
$
(i5)
$
(i1,210)
$
(i3)
Amounts recognized on the
consolidated balance sheets:
Other assets
$
i—
$
i2
$
i—
$
i3
Other
liabilities
(i1,343)
(i7)
(i1,210)
(i6)
Net
amount recognized
$
(i1,343)
$
(i5)
$
(i1,210)
$
(i3)
AOCI:
Net
actuarial (gains) losses
$
i598
$
(i1)
$
i494
$
(i3)
Prior
service costs (credit)
(i14)
i—
(i16)
i—
AOCI,
before income tax
$
i584
$
(i1)
$
i478
$
(i3)
Accumulated
benefit obligation
$
i1,275
N/A
$
i1,143
N/A
__________________
(1)Significant
sources of actuarial (gains) losses for pension and other postretirement benefits during 2020 included the impact of changes to the financial assumptions of $i106 million and $i2
million, respectively, demographic assumptions of $i5 million and $i0, respectively, and plan experience of $i32
million and $i0, respectively. Significant sources of actuarial (gains) losses for pension and other postretirement benefits during 2019 include the impact of changes to the financial assumptions of $i137
million and $i2 million, respectively, and plan experience of $i25 million and $i0,
respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
14. Employee Benefit Plans (continued)
ii
Information
on pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans with PBOs and/or accumulated benefit obligations (“ABO”) or APBO in excess of plan assets was as follows:
Other
changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI:
Net actuarial (gains) losses
i143
i2
i161
i3
(i40)
(i4)
Prior
service costs (credit)
i—
i—
i3
i—
(i20)
i—
Amortization
of net actuarial (gains) losses
(i39)
i—
(i27)
i—
(i35)
i—
Amortization
of prior service (costs) credit
i2
i—
i3
i—
i1
i—
Transfer
to affiliate (2)
i—
i—
i—
i—
(i2,389)
i81
Total
recognized in OCI
i106
i2
i140
i3
(i2,483)
i77
Total
recognized in net periodic benefit costs and OCI
$
i180
$
i2
$
i205
$
i3
$
(i2,389)
$
i47
__________________
(1)Includes
costs (credits) related to transferred plans of $i65 million and ($i49) million for pension benefits
and other postretirement benefits, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(2)Transfer to affiliate represents the transferred plans’ book value as of September 30, 2018, net of the related 2018 other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI.
Weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets
i5.75%
i5.11%
Rate
of compensation increase
i2.25%
-
i8.50%
N/A
/
The
weighted average discount rate is determined annually based on the yield, measured on a yield to worst basis, of a hypothetical portfolio constructed of high quality debt instruments available on the measurement date, which would provide the necessary future cash flows to pay the aggregate PBO when due.
The weighted average interest crediting rate is determined annually based on the plan selected rate, long-term financial forecasts of that rate and the demographics of the plan participants.
Assets for the plans are held in a Life Insurance Funding Account (“LIFA”). A LIFA is used to pay premiums and receive experience credits on policies that provide life insurance benefits and survivor benefits to retirees of the plan. Interest is credited at a rate determined annually by MLIC, as insurer, in a manner consistent with its practices for determining such rates but that may not
be less than three percent. We determine the expected rate of return on plan assets based upon historical experience and future expectations of the returns declared on the plan assets.
The weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets for use in the plan valuation in 2021 is currently anticipated to be i4.00% for other postretirement benefits.
Ultimate
rate to which cost increase is assumed to decline
i4.0
%
i4.0
%
i4.0
%
i4.0
%
Year
in which the ultimate trend rate is reached
i2040
i2040
i2040
i2040
/
Expected
Future Contributions and Benefit Payments
Benefit payments due under the nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans are primarily funded from the Company’s general assets as they become due under the provisions of the plans. The Company expects to make benefit payments of $i74 million
in 2021. No contributions are expected to be paid to the LIFA in 2021.
i
Gross benefit payments for the next 10 years, which reflect expected future service where appropriate, are expected to be as follows:
Pension
Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In millions)
2021
$
i72
$
i2
2022
$
i69
$
i2
2023
$
i77
$
i1
2024
$
i77
$
i1
2025
$
i73
$
i1
2026-2030
$
i400
$
i6
/
Defined
Contribution Plans
The Company contributed to defined contribution plans $i23 million, $i26 million
and $i42 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(1)As
discussed further below, prior year tax includes a non-cash benefit related to an uncertain tax position of $i158 million and $i168 million
for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2)For the year ended December 31, 2019, U.S. Tax Reform impact includes a $i6 million tax benefit related to the effect of sequestration on the alternative minimum tax credit.
(3)For
the year ended December 31, 2018, U.S. Tax Reform impact includes a $i139 million tax benefit related to the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the U.S. tax rate change. This excludes $i12 million
of tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate for a total tax reform benefit of $i151 million.
/
In December 2017, U.S. Tax Reform was signed into law. U.S. Tax Reform includes numerous changes in tax law, including a permanent reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from i35%
to i21%, which took effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. U.S. Tax Reform moves the United States from a worldwide tax system to a participation exemption system by providing corporations a 100% dividends received deduction for dividends distributed by a controlled foreign corporation. To transition to that new system, U.S. Tax Reform imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on unremitted earnings and profits at a rate of i8.0%
for illiquid assets and i15.5% for cash and cash equivalents.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
15.
Income Tax (continued)
The Company recorded estimates of the impacts of U.S. Tax Reform in the period of enactment, the fourth quarter of 2017. In 2018, these estimates were updated in accordance with SAB 118. However, the impact of certain provisions of U.S. Tax Reform remains uncertain. For instance, many regulations under the new law have not been finalized or have only recently been finalized, including certain rules on international taxation. As a result, the Company continued to report additional revisions resulting from U.S. Tax Reform in 2019.
i
The
incremental financial statement impact related to U.S. Tax Reform was as follows:
In
accordance with SAB 118, the Company recorded provisional amounts for certain items for which the income tax accounting was not complete. For these items, the Company recorded a reasonable estimate of the tax effects of U.S. Tax Reform. The estimates were reported as provisional amounts during the measurement period, which did not exceed one year from the date of enactment of U.S. Tax Reform. In 2018, the Company reflected adjustments to its provisional amounts upon obtaining, preparing, or analyzing additional information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the enactment date that, if known, would have affected the income tax effects initially reported as provisional amounts. While the SAB 118 provisional
measurement period ended December 31, 2018, the Company continued to revise certain U.S. Tax Reform amounts in 2019.
As of December 31, 2017, the following items were considered provisional estimates due to complexities and ambiguities in U.S. Tax Reform which resulted in incomplete accounting for the tax effects of these provisions. Further guidance, either legislative or interpretive, and analysis were completed and updates were made to complete the accounting for these items during the measurement period as of December 31, 2018 and subsequent to the measurement period as of December 31, 2019:
•Alternative
Minimum Tax Credits - U.S. Tax Reform eliminates the corporate alternative minimum tax and allows for minimum tax credit carryforwards to be used to offset future regular tax or to be refunded 50% each tax year beginning in 2018, with any remaining balance fully refunded in 2021. However, pursuant to the requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, refund payments issued for corporations claiming refundable prior year alternative minimum tax credits are subject to a sequestration rate of i6.2%. The application of this fee to refunds in future years is subject to further guidance. Additionally,
the sequestration reduction rate in effect at the time is subject to uncertainty. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company determined that ino additional adjustment was required. In early 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued guidance indicating that for years beginning after December 31, 2017, refund payments and credit elect
and refund offset transactions due to refundable alternative minimum tax credits will not be subject to the sequestration fee. Accordingly, to reflect this guidance the Company recorded a $i6 million tax benefit in 2019.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
15. Income Tax (continued)
•Tax Credit Partnerships - The reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate due to U.S. Tax Reform required adjustments for multiple investment portfolios, including tax credit partnerships and tax-advantaged leveraged leases. Certain tax credit partnership investments derive returns in part from income tax credits. The Company recognizes changes in tax attributes at the partnership level when reported by the investee in its financial information. The
Company did not receive the necessary investee financial information to determine the impact of U.S. Tax Reform on the tax attributes of its tax credit partnership investments until the third quarter of 2018. Accordingly, prior to the third quarter of 2018, the Company applied prior law to these equity method investments in accordance with SAB 118. For the year ended December 31, 2018, after receiving additional investee information, a reduction in tax credit partnerships’ equity method income of $i46
million, net of income tax, was included in net investment income. The tax-advantaged leveraged lease portfolio is valued on an after-tax yield basis. In 2018, the Company received third party data that was used to complete a comprehensive review of its portfolio to determine the full and complete impact of U.S. Tax Reform on these investments. As a result of this review, a tax benefit of $i126 million was recorded for the year ended December 31,
2018. iiNo/ additional adjustment was required
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
i
Deferred income tax represents the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Net deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following at:
(1)The
Company has recorded a deferred tax asset of $i80 million primarily related to U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and an offsetting valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2020. U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2021 and 2040, whereas others have an unlimited carryforward period.
(2)Tax credit carryforwards for the year ended December 31,
2020 primarily reflect general business credits expiring between 2037 and 2040 and are reduced by $i93 million related to unrecognized tax benefits.
/
The Company participates in a tax sharing agreement with MetLife, Inc., as described in Note 1. Pursuant to this tax sharing agreement,
the amounts due to (from) MetLife, Inc. included $i183 million and ($i43) million at December 31, 2020
and 2019, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
15. Income Tax (continued)
The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various U.S. state and local jurisdictions, as well as non-U.S. jurisdictions.
The Company is under continuous examination by the IRS and other tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations. The income tax years under examination vary by jurisdiction and subsidiary. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2010. For tax years 2007 through 2009, the Company has established adequate reserves for payment of tax liabilities resulting from the completed IRS audit of 2007-2009 which is expected to be settled in 2021.
The
Company filed refund claims in 2017 with the IRS for 2000 through 2002 to recover tax and interest predominantly related to the disallowance of certain foreign tax credits for which the Company received a statutory notice of deficiency in 2015 and paid the tax thereon. The disallowed foreign tax credits relate to certain non-U.S. investments held by MLIC in support of its life insurance business through a United Kingdom investment subsidiary that was structured as a joint venture until early 2009. In 2020, the Company received refunds from these claims filed in 2017, and as a result, the Company recorded a $i28 million
interest benefit ($i22 million, net of tax) included in other expenses.
For tax years 2000 through 2002 and tax years 2007 through 2009, the Company entered into binding agreements with the IRS in 2019 under which all remaining issues regarding the foreign tax credit matter noted above were resolved. Accordingly, in 2019, the Company recorded a non-cash benefit to net income
of $i226 million, net of tax, comprised of a $i158 million tax benefit recorded in provision
for income tax expense (benefit) and a $i86 million interest benefit ($i68 million, net of tax) included in other expenses. For tax years 2003 through 2006, the
Company entered into binding agreements with the IRS in 2018 under which all remaining issues, including the foreign tax credit matter noted above, were resolved. Accordingly, in 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash benefit to net income of $i349 million, net of tax, comprised of a $i168
million tax benefit recorded in provision for income tax expense (benefit) and a $i229 million interest benefit ($i181 million, net of tax) included in other expenses.
The
Company’s overall liability for unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the next 12 months. For example, U.S. federal tax legislation and regulation could impact unrecognized tax benefits. A reasonable estimate of the increase or decrease cannot be made at this time. However, the Company continues to believe that the ultimate resolution of the pending issues will not result in a material change to its consolidated financial statements, although the resolution of income tax matters could impact the Company’s effective tax rate for a particular future period.
i
A
reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits was as follows:
Unrecognized
tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective rate
$
i35
$
i33
$
i442
__________________
(1)The
decreases in 2019 and 2018 are primarily related to non-cash benefits from tax audit settlements.
(2)The decreases in 2019 and 2018 are primarily related to the tax audit settlement, of which $i251 million and $i284 million,
respectively, was reclassified to the current income tax payable account.
/
The Company classifies interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense, included within other expenses.
Interest included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets
$
i13
$
i9
__________________
(1) The
decreases in 2019 and 2018 are primarily related to the tax audit settlement, of which $i68 million and $i184 million,
respectively, was recorded in other expenses and $i119 million and $i273
million, respectively, was reclassified to the current income tax payable account.
i16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
Contingencies
Litigation
The
Company is a defendant in a large number of litigation matters. Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation and claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed below and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, mortgage lending bank, employer, investor, investment advisor, broker-dealer, and taxpayer.
The Company also receives and responds to subpoenas or other inquiries
seeking a broad range of information from state regulators, including state insurance commissioners; state attorneys general or other state governmental authorities; federal regulators, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; federal governmental authorities, including congressional committees; and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, as well as from local and national regulators and government authorities in jurisdictions outside the United States where the Company conducts business. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely, but can include inquiries or investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations. The
Company cooperates in these inquiries.
In some of the matters, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Modern pleading practice in the United States permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief. Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the trial court. In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters. This variability in pleadings, together with the Company’s actual experience in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management
that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)
It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. The
Company establishes liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities have been established for a number of the matters noted below. In certain circumstances where liabilities have been established there may be coverage under one or more corporate insurance policies, pursuant to which there may be an insurance recovery. Insurance recoveries are recognized as gains when any contingencies relating to the insurance claim have been resolved, which is the earlier of when the gains are realized or realizable. It is possible that some of the matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be reasonably estimated at December 31, 2020. While
the potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known to management, management does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position. Given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Matters as to Which an Estimate Can Be Made
For some of the matters disclosed below, the
Company is able to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. For matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, the Company has not made an accrual. As of December 31, 2020, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for these matters to be $i0
to $i175 million.
Matters as to Which an Estimate Cannot Be Made
For other matters disclosed below, the Company is not currently able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss. The Company is often unable to estimate the possible loss or range
of loss until developments in such matters have provided sufficient information to support an assessment of the range of possible loss, such as quantification of a damage demand from plaintiffs, discovery from other parties and investigation of factual allegations, rulings by the court on motions or appeals, analysis by experts, and the progress of settlement negotiations. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to litigation contingencies and updates its accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews.
Asbestos-Related Claims
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is and has been a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts. These suits principally allege
that the plaintiff or plaintiffs suffered personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos and seek both actual and punitive damages. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company has never engaged in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products nor has Metropolitan Life Insurance Company issued liability or workers’ compensation insurance to companies in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products. The lawsuits principally have focused on allegations with respect to certain research, publication and other activities of one or more of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s employees during the period from the 1920s through approximately the 1950s and allege that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company learned or should have learned of certain health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things, improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company believes that it should not have legal liability in these cases. The outcome of most asbestos litigation matters, however, is uncertain and can be impacted by numerous variables, including differences in legal rulings in various jurisdictions, the nature of the alleged injury and factors unrelated to the ultimate legal merit of the claims asserted against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company employs a number of resolution strategies to manage its asbestos loss exposure, including seeking resolution of pending litigation by judicial rulings and settling individual or groups of claims or lawsuits under appropriate circumstances.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)
Claims asserted against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company have included negligence, intentional tort and conspiracy concerning the health risks associated with asbestos. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s defenses (beyond denial of certain factual allegations) include that: (i) Metropolitan Life Insurance Company owed no duty to the plaintiffs — it had no special relationship with the plaintiffs and did not manufacture, produce, distribute or sell the asbestos products that allegedly injured plaintiffs; (ii) plaintiffs did not rely on any actions of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (iii) Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company’s conduct was not the cause of the plaintiffs’ injuries; (iv) plaintiffs’ exposure occurred after the dangers of asbestos were known; and (v) the applicable time with respect to filing suit has expired. During the course of the litigation, certain trial courts have granted motions dismissing claims against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, while other trial courts have denied Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s motions. There can be no assurance that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company will receive favorable decisions on motions in the future. While most cases brought to date have settled, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company intends to continue to defend aggressively against claims based on asbestos exposure, including defending claims at trials.
i
The
approximate total number of asbestos personal injury claims pending against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as of the dates indicated, the approximate number of new claims during the years ended on those dates and the approximate total settlement payments made to resolve asbestos personal injury claims at or during those years are set forth in the following table:
(1)Settlement
payments represent payments made by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company during the year in connection with settlements made in that year and in prior years. Amounts do not include Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s attorneys’ fees and expenses.
/
The number of asbestos cases that may be brought, the aggregate amount of any liability that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company may incur, and the total amount paid in settlements in any given year are uncertain and may vary significantly from year to year.
The ability of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company to estimate its ultimate asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty, and the conditions impacting its liability can be dynamic and subject to change. The availability
of reliable data is limited and it is difficult to predict the numerous variables that can affect liability estimates, including the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease in pending and future claims, the impact of the number of new claims filed in a particular jurisdiction and variations in the law in the jurisdictions in which claims are filed, the possible impact of tort reform efforts, the willingness of courts to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company when exposure to asbestos took place after the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known, and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts.
The ability to make estimates regarding ultimate asbestos exposure declines significantly as the estimates relate to years further in the future. In the
Company’s judgment, there is a future point after which losses cease to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s total exposure to asbestos claims may be materially greater than the asbestos liability currently accrued and that future charges to income may be necessary. While the potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known by management, management does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)
The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for asbestos-related claims. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s recorded asbestos liability is based on its estimation of the following elements, as informed by the facts presently known to it, its understanding of current law and its past experiences: (i) the probable and reasonably estimable liability for asbestos
claims already asserted against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, including claims settled but not yet paid; (ii) the probable and reasonably estimable liability for asbestos claims not yet asserted against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, but which Metropolitan Life Insurance Company believes are reasonably probable of assertion; and (iii) the legal defense costs associated with the foregoing claims. Significant assumptions underlying Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s analysis of the adequacy of its recorded liability with respect to asbestos litigation include: (i) the number of future claims; (ii) the cost to resolve claims; and (iii) the cost to defend claims.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company reevaluates on a quarterly and annual basis its exposure from asbestos litigation, including studying its claims experience, reviewing external literature regarding asbestos claims experience in the United States, assessing
relevant trends impacting asbestos liability and considering numerous variables that can affect its asbestos liability exposure on an overall or per claim basis. These variables include bankruptcies of other companies involved in asbestos litigation, legislative and judicial developments, the number of pending claims involving serious disease, the number of new claims filed against it and other defendants and the jurisdictions in which claims are pending. Based upon its regular reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company has updated its recorded liability for asbestos-related claims to $i425
million at December 31, 2020.
Julian & McKinney v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (S.D.N.Y., filed February 9, 2017)
Plaintiffs filed this putative class and collective action on behalf of themselves and all current and former long-term disability (“LTD”) claims specialists between February 2011 and the present for alleged wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the New York Labor Law, and the Connecticut Minimum Wage Act. The suit alleges that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company improperly reclassified the plaintiffs and similarly situated LTD claims specialists from non-exempt to exempt from overtime pay in November 2013. As a result, they and members of the putative class were no longer eligible for overtime pay even though they allege they continued
to work more than 40 hours per week. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as other relief. On March 22, 2018, the court conditionally certified the case as a collective action, requiring that notice be mailed to LTD claims specialists who worked for the Company from February 8, 2014 to the present. The Company intends to defend this action vigorously.
Total Asset Recovery Services, LLC. v. MetLife, Inc., et al. (Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, filed December 27, 2017)
Total Asset Recovery Services (the “Relator”)
brought an action under the qui tam provision of the New York False Claims Act (the “Act”) on behalf of itself and the State of New York. The Relator originally filed this action under seal in 2010, and the complaint was unsealed on December 19, 2017. The Relator alleges that MetLife, Inc., Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and several other insurance companies violated the Act by filing false unclaimed property reports with the State of New York from 1986 to 2017, to avoid having to escheat the proceeds of more than 25,000 life insurance policies, including policies for which the defendants escheated funds as part of their demutualizations in the late 1990s. The Relator seeks treble damages and other relief. On April 3, 2019, the court granted MetLife, Inc.’s and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s motion to dismiss and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
The Relator filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, First Department. On December 10, 2020, the Appellate Division reversed the court’s order granting MetLife, Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s motion to dismiss, remanded the case to the trial court, and permitted the Relator’s counsel to file an amended complaint. On March 5, 2021, the Relator filed an amended complaint. The Company intends to defend the action vigorously.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)
Matters Related to Group Annuity Benefits
In 2018, the Company announced that it identified a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting related to the practices and procedures for estimating reserves for certain group annuity benefits. Several regulators have made inquiries into this issue and it is possible that other jurisdictions may pursue similar investigations or inquiries. The
Company is also exposed to lawsuits and could be exposed to additional legal actions relating to this issue. These may result in payments, including damages, fines, penalties, interest and other amounts assessed or awarded by courts or regulatory authorities under applicable escheat, tax, securities, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or other laws or regulations. The Company could incur significant costs in connection with these actions.
Insolvency Assessments
Many jurisdictions in which the Company is admitted to transact business require insurers doing business within the jurisdiction
to participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay contractual benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers or those that may become impaired, insolvent or fail. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular jurisdiction on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer engaged. In addition, certain jurisdictions have government owned or controlled organizations providing life, health and property and casualty insurance to their citizens, whose activities could place additional stress on the adequacy of guaranty fund assessments. Many of these organizations have the power to levy assessments similar to those of the guaranty associations. Some jurisdictions permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax
offsets.
i
Assets and liabilities held for insolvency assessments were as follows:
Premium tax offset for future discounted and undiscounted assessments
$
i36
$
i38
Premium
tax offset currently available for paid assessments
i34
i39
Total
$
i70
$
i77
Other
Liabilities:
Insolvency assessments
$
i51
$
i53
/
Commitments
Mortgage
Loan Commitments
The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loan commitments. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $i2.4 billion and $i3.7 billion
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments, Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments
The Company commits to fund partnership investments and to lend funds under bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $i4.3 billion
and $i4.6 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (continued)
Guarantees
In the normal course of its business, the Company has provided certain indemnities, guarantees and commitments to third parties such that it may be required to make payments now or in the future. In the context of acquisition, disposition, investment and other transactions, the Company has provided indemnities and
guarantees, including those related to tax, environmental and other specific liabilities and other indemnities and guarantees that are triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in contracts with triggers similar to the foregoing, as well as for certain other liabilities, such as third-party lawsuits. These obligations are often subject to time limitations that vary in duration, including contractual limitations and those that arise by operation of law, such as applicable statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential obligation
under the indemnities and guarantees is subject to a contractual limitation ranging from less than $i1 million to $i339 million,
with a cumulative maximum of $i465 million, while in other cases such limitations are not specified or applicable. Since certain of these obligations are not subject to limitations, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future. Management believes that it is unlikely the Company will
have to make any material payments under these indemnities, guarantees, or commitments.
In addition, the Company indemnifies its directors and officers as provided in its charters and by-laws. Also, the Company indemnifies its agents for liabilities incurred as a result of their representation of the Company’s interests. Since these indemnities are generally not subject to limitation with respect to duration or amount, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount
that could become due under these indemnities in the future.
The Company’s recorded liabilities were $ii3/ million
at both December 31, 2020 and 2019 for indemnities, guarantees and commitments.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
i17.
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
i
The unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the table below:
Three
Months Ended
March 31,
June 30,
September 30,
December 31,
(In millions)
2020
Total revenues
$
i12,166
$
i6,871
$
i8,450
$
i7,826
Total
expenses
$
i7,829
$
i7,327
$
i8,038
$
i8,041
Net
income (loss)
$
i3,547
$
(i285)
$
i405
$
(i123)
Less:
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
$
(i2)
$
i—
$
i1
$
(i5)
Net
income (loss) attributable to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
$
i3,549
$
(i285)
$
i404
$
(i118)
2019
Total
revenues
$
i8,237
$
i9,146
$
i10,810
$
i8,056
Total
expenses
$
i7,729
$
i7,923
$
i9,238
$
i7,799
Net
income (loss)
$
i508
$
i1,067
$
i1,339
$
i498
Less:
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
$
i1
$
i—
$
i1
$
(i8)
Net
income (loss) attributable to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
$
i507
$
i1,067
$
i1,338
$
i506
/
i18. Related
Party Transactions
Service Agreements
The Company has entered into various agreements with affiliates for services necessary to conduct its activities. Typical services provided under these agreements include personnel, policy administrative functions and distribution services. The bases for such charges are modified and adjusted by management when necessary or appropriate to reflect fairly and equitably the actual cost incurred by the Company and/or its affiliates. Expenses and fees incurred with affiliates related to these agreements, recorded in other expenses, were $i2.4
billion, $i2.9 billion and $i2.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018,
respectively. Total revenues received from affiliates related to these agreements were $i40 million, $i29 million and $i135 million
for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Prior to 2019, the Company also entered into agreements with affiliates to provide additional services necessary to conduct the affiliates’ activities. Typical services provided under these agreements included management, policy administrative functions, investment advice and distribution services. Expenses incurred by the Company related to these agreements, included in other expenses, were $i1.1
billion for the year ended December 31, 2018, and were reimbursed to the Company by these affiliates.
In 2018, the Company and the MetLife enterprise updated their shared facilities and services structure to more efficiently share enterprise assets and services. Effective as of October 1, 2018, the Company entered into new service agreements with its affiliates, which replaced existing agreements. Under the new agreements, the Company will no longer be the primary provider of services to affiliates
and will receive further services from affiliates to conduct its activities.
The Company had net payables to affiliates, related to the items discussed above, of $i198 million and $i250 million
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
See Notes 1, 5, 7, 11, 12 and 14 for additional information on related party transactions.
(1)Amortized
cost for fixed maturity securities AFS, mortgage loans and short-term investments represents original cost reduced by repayments and adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount; for real estate, cost represents original cost reduced by impairments and depreciation; for real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests, cost represents original cost reduced for impairments or original cost adjusted for equity in earnings and distributions.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, reinsurance ceded and assumed included affiliated transactions for life insurance in-force of $i14.0 billion and $i1.1 billion,
respectively, and life insurance premiums of $i113 million and $i8 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019, reinsurance
ceded and assumed included affiliated transactions for life insurance in-force of $i14.2 billion and $i1.3 billion, respectively, and life insurance premiums of $i115 million
and $i9 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, reinsurance ceded and assumed included affiliated transactions for life insurance in-force of $i14.7 billion
and $i1.2 billion, respectively, and life insurance premiums of $i117 million and $i9 million,
respectively.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. The Company has designed these controls and procedures to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to Company management, including the CEO and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management, including
the CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.
There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. In fulfilling this responsibility, management’s estimates and judgments must assess the expected benefits and related costs of control procedures. The Company’s internal control objectives include providing management with reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the Company has safeguarded assets against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, and that the
Company has executed transactions in accordance with management’s authorization and recorded them properly to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP.
Management evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In the opinion of management, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), the independent auditor of MetLife, Inc., has served as the independent auditor of the Company since at least 1968, but the specific year of its commencement of service to the Company has not been determined. Its long-term knowledge of the MetLife group of companies, combined with its insurance industry expertise and global presence, has enabled it to carry out its audits of the Company’s financial statements with effectiveness and efficiency. Deloitte is a registered public accounting firm with the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) and the Rules of the PCAOB.
Under current legal requirements, the lead or concurring audit partner for MetLife may not serve in that role for more than five consecutive fiscal years, and the Audit Committee of MetLife, Inc. (“Audit Committee”) ensures the regular rotation of the audit engagement team partners as required by law. The Chair of the Audit Committee is actively involved in the selection process for the lead and concurring partners.
Independent Auditor’s Fees for 2020 and 2019
The table below presents fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte for
the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, audit-related services, tax services and all other services for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. All fees shown in the table were related to services that were approved by the Audit Committee.
2020
2019
(In
millions)
Audit fees (1)
$
44.3
$
43.9
Audit-related fees (2)
$
4.2
$
3.6
Tax fees (3)
$
—
$
0.3
All
other fees (4)
$
4.1
$
2.5
______________
(1)Fees for services to perform an audit or review in accordance with auditing standards of the PCAOB and services that generally only the Company’s independent auditor can reasonably provide, such as comfort letters, statutory audits, attest services, consents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.
(2)Fees for assurance and related services that are traditionally performed by the
Company’s independent auditor, such as audit and related services for employee benefit plan audits, due diligence related to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, accounting consultations and audits in connection with proposed or consummated acquisitions and divestitures, control reviews, attest services not required by statute or regulation, and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
(3)Fees for tax compliance, consultation and planning services. Tax compliance generally involves preparation of original and amended tax returns, claims for refunds and tax payment planning services. Tax consultation and tax planning encompass a diverse range of advisory services, including assistance in connection with tax audits and filing appeals, tax advice related to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, advice related to employee benefit plans and requests for rulings or technical
advice from taxing authorities.
(4)Fees for other types of permitted services, including employee benefit advisory services, risk and other consulting services, financial advisory services and valuation services.
Approval of Fees
The Audit Committee approves Deloitte’s audit and non-audit services in advance as required under Sarbanes-Oxley and SEC rules. Before the commencement of each fiscal year, the Audit Committee
appoints the independent auditor to perform pre-approved audit services and pre-approved audit-related tax and other permitted non-audit services that MetLife expects to be performed for the fiscal year. The Audit Committee or a designated member of the Audit Committee to whom authority has been delegated may, from time to time, pre-approve additional audit and non-audit services to be performed by MetLife’s independent auditor. Any pre-approval of services between Audit Committee meetings must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
The Audit Committee is responsible for approving fees for the audit and for any audit-related, tax or other permitted non-audit services. If the audit, audit-related, tax and other permitted non-audit fees for a particular period or service exceed the amounts previously approved, the Audit Committee determines whether or not to approve the additional fees.
(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements
in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements
prove to be inaccurate; (ii) have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s other public filings,
which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.)
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Pursuant to the requirements
of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
