EX-99.1 2 d848626dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

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Manulife Financial Corporation

Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2020


Responsibility for Financial Reporting

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Manulife Financial Corporation are the responsibility of management and have been approved by the Board of Directors. It is also the responsibility of management to ensure that all information in the annual report to shareholders is consistent with these consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the accounting requirements of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Canada. When alternative accounting methods exist, or when estimates and judgment are required, management has selected those amounts that present the Company’s financial position and results of operations in a manner most appropriate to the circumstances.

Appropriate systems of internal control, policies and procedures have been maintained to ensure that financial information is both relevant and reliable. The systems of internal control are assessed on an ongoing basis by management and the Company’s internal audit department.

The actuary appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Appointed Actuary”) is responsible for ensuring that assumptions and methods used in the determination of policy liabilities are appropriate to the circumstances and that reserves will be adequate to meet the Company’s future obligations under insurance and annuity contracts.

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibility for financial reporting and is ultimately responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements. These responsibilities are carried out primarily through an Audit Committee of unrelated and independent directors appointed by the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee meets periodically with management, the internal auditors, the peer reviewers, the external auditors and the Appointed Actuary to discuss internal control over the financial reporting process, auditing matters and financial reporting issues. The Audit Committee reviews the consolidated financial statements prepared by management and then recommends them to the Board of Directors for approval. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors and shareholders the appointment of external auditors and approval of their fees.

The consolidated financial statements have been audited by the Company’s external auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Ernst & Young LLP has full and free access to management and the Audit Committee.

 

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Roy Gori

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

Philip Witherington

Chief Financial Officer

Toronto, Canada

February 10, 2021

Appointed Actuary’s Report to the Shareholders

I have valued the policy liabilities and reinsurance recoverables of Manulife Financial Corporation for its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and their change in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years then ended in accordance with actuarial practice generally accepted in Canada, including selection of appropriate assumptions and methods.

In my opinion, the amount of policy liabilities net of reinsurance recoverables makes appropriate provision for all policyholder obligations and the consolidated financial statements fairly present the results of the valuation.

 

 

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Steven Finch

Appointed Actuary

Toronto, Canada

February 10, 2021

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Manulife Financial Corporation

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Position of Manulife Financial Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 10, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.    

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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. 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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.

 

   
    

Valuation of Insurance Contract Liabilities

 

Description of the Matter

 

 

The Company recorded insurance contract liabilities of $385.6 billion at December 31, 2020 on its consolidated statement of financial position. Insurance contract liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance ceded and represent management’s estimate of the amount which, together with estimated future premiums and net investment income, will be sufficient to pay estimated future benefits, policyholder dividends and refunds, taxes (other than income taxes) and expenses on insurance policies in-force. Insurance contract liabilities are determined using the Canadian Asset Liability Method (CALM), as required by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA). The valuation of insurance contract liabilities is based on an explicit projection of cash flows using current assumptions for each material cash flow item. Cash flows related to insurance contract liabilities have two major components: a best estimate assumption and a provision for adverse deviation. Best estimates are made with respect to key assumptions including mortality, morbidity, investment returns, policy termination rates, premium persistency, expenses, and taxes. A provision for adverse deviation is recorded to reflect the inherent uncertainty related to the timing and amount of the best estimate assumptions and is determined by including a margin of conservatism for each assumption. Disclosures on this matter are found in Note 1 ‘Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies’ and Note 6 ‘Insurance Contract Liabilities and Reinsurance Assets’ of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Auditing the valuation of insurance contract liabilities was complex and required the application of significant auditor judgement due to the complexity of the cash flow models, the selection and use of assumptions, and the interrelationship of these variables in measuring insurance contract liabilities. The audit effort involved professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

 

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Valuation of Insurance Contract Liabilities

 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

 

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of management’s controls over the valuation of insurance contract liabilities. The controls we tested related to, among other areas, actuarial methodology, integrity of data used, controls over relevant information technology, and the assumption setting and implementation processes used by management.

 

To test the valuation of insurance contract liabilities, our audit procedures included, among other procedures, involving our actuarial specialists to assess the methodology and assumptions with respect to compliance with the Company’s policies. We performed audit procedures over key assumptions, including the implementation of those assumptions into the models. These procedures included testing underlying support and documentation, including reviewing a sample of experience studies supporting specific assumptions, challenging the nature, timing, and completeness of changes recorded, assessing whether individual changes were errors or refinements of estimates, and comparing the level of margins for adverse deviation to suggested ranges established by the CIA. We also performed independent recalculation procedures on a sample of insurance policies to evaluate management’s recorded reserves. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the disclosures provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

   
    

Valuation of Invested Assets with Significant Non-Observable Market Inputs

 

Description of the Matter

 

 

The Company recorded invested assets of $17.5 billion at December 31, 2020 on its consolidated statement of financial position which are both (a) measured at fair value and (b) subject to a valuation estimate that includes significant non-observable market inputs. These invested assets are classified as level 3 within the Company’s hierarchy of fair value measurements and include real estate, timber and agriculture, high estimation uncertainty bonds, and private equities which are valued using internal models. There is increased measurement uncertainty associated with these invested assets due to market disruption associated with COVID-19. These assets are valued based on internal models or third-party pricing sources that incorporate assumptions with a high-level of subjectivity. Examples of such assumptions include interest rates, yield curves, credit ratings and related spreads, expected future cash flows and transaction prices of comparable assets. Disclosures on this matter are found in Note 1 ‘Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies’ and Note 3 ‘Invested Assets and Investment Income’ of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Auditing the valuation of these invested assets was complex and required the application of significant auditor judgment in assessing the valuation methodologies and non-observable inputs used. The valuation of these assets is sensitive to the significant non-observable market inputs described above, which are inherently forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. The audit effort involved professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

 

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of management’s controls over the investment valuation process. The controls we tested related to, among other areas, management’s determination and approval of assumptions and methodologies used in model-based valuations and management’s review of valuations provided by third-party pricing sources.

 

To test the valuation of these invested assets, our audit procedures included, among other procedures, involving our valuation specialists to assess the methodologies and significant assumptions used by management. These procedures included assessing the valuation methodologies used with respect to the Company’s policies, valuation guidelines, and industry practice and comparing a sample of valuation assumptions used against benchmarks, including comparable transactions and independent pricing sources where available. We also performed independent investment valuations on a sample of investments with high estimation uncertainty to evaluate management’s recorded values. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the disclosures provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

We have served as Manulife Financial Corporation’s auditors since 1905.

Toronto, Canada

February 10, 2021

 

108   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Manulife Financial Corporation

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Manulife Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, Manulife Financial Corporation (the “Company”) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years then ended, and the related notes and our report dated February 10, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting contained in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

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Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada

February 10, 2021

 

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Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

As at December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

  2020     2019  

Assets

   

Cash and short-term securities

  $ 26,167     $ 20,300  

Debt securities

      218,724         198,122  

Public equities

    23,722       22,851  

Mortgages

    50,207       49,376  

Private placements

    40,756       37,979  

Policy loans

    6,398       6,471  

Loans to bank clients

    1,976       1,740  

Real estate

    12,832       12,928  

Other invested assets

    30,195       28,760  

Total invested assets (note 3)

    410,977       378,527  

Other assets

   

Accrued investment income

    2,523       2,416  

Outstanding premiums

    1,444       1,385  

Derivatives (note 4)

    27,793       19,449  

Reinsurance assets (notes 6 and 7)

    45,836       41,446  

Deferred tax assets (note 16)

    4,842       4,574  

Goodwill and intangible assets (note 5)

    9,929       9,975  

Miscellaneous

    9,569       8,250  

Total other assets

    101,936       87,495  

Segregated funds net assets (note 22)

    367,436       343,108  

Total assets

  $ 880,349     $ 809,130  

Liabilities and Equity

   

Liabilities

   

Insurance contract liabilities (note 6)

  $ 385,554     $ 351,161  

Investment contract liabilities (note 7)

    3,288       3,104  

Deposits from bank clients

    20,889       21,488  

Derivatives (note 4)

    14,962       10,284  

Deferred tax liabilities (note 16)

    2,614       1,972  

Other liabilities

    18,607       16,244  
    445,914       404,253  

Long-term debt (note 9)

    6,164       4,543  

Capital instruments (note 10)

    7,829       7,120  

Segregated funds net liabilities (note 22)

    367,436       343,108  

Total liabilities

    827,343       759,024  

Equity

   

Preferred shares (note 11)

    3,822       3,822  

Common shares (note 11)

    23,042       23,127  

Contributed surplus

    261       254  

Shareholders’ retained earnings

    18,887       15,488  

Shareholders’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

   

Pension and other post-employment plans

    (313     (350

Available-for-sale securities

    1,838       1,511  

Cash flow hedges

    (229     (143

Real estate revaluation reserve

    34       31  

Translation of foreign operations

    4,993       5,398  

Total shareholders’ equity

    52,335       49,138  

Participating policyholders’ equity

    (784     (243

Non-controlling interests

    1,455       1,211  

Total equity

    53,006       50,106  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 880,349     $ 809,130  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Roy Gori

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

John Cassaday

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

110   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statements of Income

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions except per share amounts)

  2020     2019  

Revenue

   

Premium income

   

Gross premiums

  $   41,408     $   41,059  

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

    (8,491     (5,481

Net premiums

    32,917       35,578  

Investment income (note 3)

   

Investment income

    16,433       15,393  

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets supporting insurance and investment contract liabilities and on the macro hedge program

    18,967       18,200  

Net investment income

    35,400       33,593  

Other revenue (note 13)

    10,591       10,399  

Total revenue

    78,908       79,570  

Contract benefits and expenses

   

To contract holders and beneficiaries

   

Gross claims and benefits (note 6)

    30,133       28,660  

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities (note 6)

    36,982       33,727  

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities (note 7)

    178       170  

Benefits and expenses ceded to reinsurers

    (6,795     (5,373

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets (note 6)

    (5,263     (1,269

Net benefits and claims

    55,235       55,915  

General expenses

    7,510       7,686  

Investment expenses (note 3)

    1,787       1,748  

Commissions

    6,043       6,293  

Interest expense

    1,181       1,319  

Net premium taxes

    381       389  

Total contract benefits and expenses

    72,137       73,350  

Income before income taxes

    6,771       6,220  

Income tax expense (note 16)

    (1,195     (718

Net income

  $ 5,576     $ 5,502  

Net income (loss) attributed to:

   

Non-controlling interests

  $ 250     $ 233  

Participating policyholders

    (545     (333

Shareholders

    5,871       5,602  
    $ 5,576     $ 5,502  

Net income attributed to shareholders

    5,871       5,602  

Preferred share dividends

    (171     (172

Common shareholders’ net income

  $ 5,700     $ 5,430  

Earnings per sharea

   

Basic earnings per common share (note 11)

  $ 2.94     $ 2.77  

Diluted earnings per common share (note 11)

    2.93       2.77  

Dividends per common share

    1.12       1.00  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

  2020     2019  

Net income

  $ 5,576     $ 5,502  

Other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”), net of tax:

   

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net income:

   

Foreign exchange gains (losses) on:

   

Translation of foreign operations

    (505     (1,933

Net investment hedges

    100       320  

Available-for-sale financial securities:

   

Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year

    2,506       2,212  

Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses and impairments to net income

    (2,175     (433

Cash flow hedges:

   

Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year

    (81     (28

Reclassification of realized losses to net income

    (5     12  

Share of other comprehensive income (losses) of associates

    2       1  

Total items that may be subsequently reclassified to net income

    (158     151  

Items that will not be reclassified to net income:

   

Change in pension and other post-employment plans

    37       76  

Real estate revaluation reserve

    5       11  

Total items that will not be reclassified to net income

    42       87  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

    (116     238  

Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

  $ 5,460     $    5,740  

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributed to:

   

Non-controlling interests

  $ 254     $ 237  

Participating policyholders

    (541     (334

Shareholders

       5,747       5,837  

Income Taxes included in Other Comprehensive Income

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

  2020     2019  

Income tax expense (recovery) on:

   

Unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale financial securities

  $    574     $ 558  

Reclassification of realized gains/losses and recoveries/impairments to net income on available-for-sale financial securities

    (576     (140

Unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges

    (19     (20

Reclassification of realized gains/losses to net income on cash flow hedges

    (2     4  

Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses on translation of foreign operations

          (1

Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses on net investment hedges

    8       39  

Change in pension and other post-employment plans

    9       18  

Real estate revaluation reserve

    2        

Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates

    (1      

Total income tax expense (recovery)

  $ (5   $      458  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

112   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

  2020     2019  

Preferred shares

   

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 3,822     $ 3,822  

Balance, end of year

    3,822       3,822  

Common shares

   

Balance, beginning of year

    23,127       22,961  

Repurchased (note 11)

    (121     (677

Issued on exercise of stock options and deferred share units

    36       104  

Issued under dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans

          739  

Balance, end of year

      23,042       23,127  

Contributed surplus

   

Balance, beginning of year

    254       265  

Exercise of stock options and deferred share units

    (7     (20

Stock option expense

    14       11  

Impact of deferred tax asset rate change

          (2

Balance, end of year

    261       254  

Shareholders’ retained earnings

   

Balance, beginning of year

    15,488         12,704  

Opening adjustment at adoption of IFRS 16

          (19

Net income attributed to shareholders

    5,871       5,602  

Common shares repurchased (note 11)

    (132     (662

Preferred share dividends

    (171     (172

Common share dividends

    (2,169     (1,965

Balance, end of year

    18,887       15,488  

Shareholders’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”)

   

Balance, beginning of year

    6,447       6,212  

Change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) of net foreign operations

    (405     (1,612

Change in actuarial gains (losses) on pension and other post-employment plans

    37       76  

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale financial securities

    325       1,775  

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges

    (86     (16

Change in real estate revaluation reserve

    3       11  

Share of other comprehensive income (losses) of associates

    2       1  

Balance, end of year

    6,323       6,447  

Total shareholders’ equity, end of year

    52,335       49,138  

Participating policyholders’ equity

   

Balance, beginning of year

    (243     94  

Opening adjustment at adoption of IFRS 16

          (3

Net income (loss) attributed to participating policyholders

    (545     (333

Other comprehensive income attributed to policyholders

    4       (1

Balance, end of year

    (784     (243

Non-controlling interests

   

Balance, beginning of year

    1,211       1,093  

Net income attributed to non-controlling interests

    250       233  

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributed to non-controlling interests

    4       4  

Contributions (distributions/disposal), net

    (10     (119

Balance, end of year

    1,455       1,211  

Total equity, end of year

  $ 53,006     $ 50,106  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

  2020     2019  

Operating activities

   

Net income

  $ 5,576     $ 5,502  

Adjustments:

   

Increase in insurance contract liabilities

       36,982       33,727  

Increase in investment contract liabilities

    178       170  

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets excluding coinsurance transactions (note 6)

    (2,374     (557

Amortization of (premium) discount on invested assets

    154       117  

Other amortization

    656       626  

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses and impairment on assets

    (22,521     (20,265

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

    280       (454

Stock option expense

    14       11  

Cash provided by operating activities before undernoted items

    18,945       18,877  

Changes in policy related and operating receivables and payables

    1,103       1,665  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    20,048          20,542  

Investing activities

   

Purchases and mortgage advances

    (111,981     (80,610

Disposals and repayments

    98,850       65,333  

Change in investment broker net receivables and payables

    (1,017     1,159  

Net cash flows from acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and businesses

          288  

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (14,148     (13,830

Financing activities

   

Issue of long-term debt, net (note 9)

    2,455        

Redemption of long-term debt (note 9)

    (652      

Issue of capital instruments, net (note 10)

    1,990        

Redemption of capital instruments (note 10)

    (1,250     (1,500

Secured borrowings (note 3 (f))

    1,376       107  

Change in repurchase agreements and securities sold but not yet purchased

    24       266  

Changes in deposits from Bank clients, net

    (579     1,819  

Lease payments

    (134     (117

Shareholders’ dividends paid in cash

    (2,340     (1,398

Common shares repurchased (note 11)

    (253     (1,339

Common shares issued, net (note 11)

    36       104  

Contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests, net

    (10     (22

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    663       (2,080

Cash and short-term securities

   

Increase (decrease) during the year

    6,563       4,632  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and short-term securities

    (528     (466

Balance, beginning of year

    19,548       15,382  

Balance, December 31

    25,583       19,548  

Cash and short-term securities

   

Beginning of year

   

Gross cash and short-term securities

    20,300       16,215  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

    (752     (833

Net cash and short-term securities, January 1

    19,548       15,382  

End of year

   

Gross cash and short-term securities

    26,167       20,300  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

    (584     (752

Net cash and short-term securities, December 31

  $ 25,583     $ 19,548  

Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information

   

Interest received

  $ 11,736     $ 11,549  

Interest paid

    1,188       1,299  

Income taxes paid

    1,358       104  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Page Number   Note      
116   Note 1    Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies
124   Note 2    Accounting and Reporting Changes
125   Note 3    Invested Assets and Investment Income
133   Note 4    Derivative and Hedging Instruments
139   Note 5    Goodwill and Intangible Assets
141   Note 6    Insurance Contract Liabilities and Reinsurance Assets
150   Note 7    Investment Contract Liabilities
151   Note 8    Risk Management
158   Note 9    Long-Term Debt
159   Note 10    Capital Instruments
160   Note 11    Share Capital and Earnings Per Share
162   Note 12    Capital Management
162   Note 13    Revenue from Service Contracts
163   Note 14    Stock-Based Compensation
165   Note 15    Employee Future Benefits
169   Note 16    Income Taxes
171   Note 17    Interests in Structured Entities
173   Note 18    Commitments and Contingencies
175   Note 19    Segmented Information
177   Note 20    Related Parties
177   Note 21    Subsidiaries
179   Note 22    Segregated Funds
180   Note 23    Information Provided in Connection with Investments in Deferred Annuity Contracts and SignatureNotes Issued or Assumed by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)
186   Note 24    Comparatives

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Canadian $ in millions except per share amounts or unless otherwise stated)

Note 1    Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

(a)    Reporting entity

Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”) is a publicly traded company and the holding company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (“MLI”), a Canadian life insurance company. MFC and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Manulife” or the “Company”) is a leading financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Manulife’s international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to personal and business clients as well as asset management services to institutional customers. The Company operates as Manulife in Canada and Asia and as John Hancock in the United States.

MFC is domiciled in Canada and incorporated under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada) (“ICA”). These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with “Risk Management” in the 2020 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) dealing with IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” as the discussion on market risk and liquidity risk includes certain disclosures that are considered an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

These Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 were authorized for issue by MFC’s Board of Directors on February 10, 2021.

(b)    Basis of preparation

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The most significant estimation processes relate to evaluating assumptions used in measuring insurance and investment contract liabilities, assessing assets for impairment, determining pension and other post-employment benefit obligation and expense assumptions, determining income taxes and uncertain tax positions, and estimating fair values of certain invested assets. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the year in which the estimates are revised and in any future years affected. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the amounts recorded are appropriate. The significant accounting policies used and the most significant judgments made by management in applying these accounting policies in the preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements are summarized below.

The Company’s results and operations have been and may continue to be adversely impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic and the recent economic downturn. The adverse effects include but are not limited to significant volatility in equity markets, decline in interest rates, increase in credit risk, strain on commodity markets and alternative long duration asset prices, foreign currency exchange rate volatility, increases in insurance claims, persistency and redemptions, and disruption of business operations. The breadth and depth of these events and their duration contribute additional uncertainty around estimates used in determining the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities included in these Consolidated Financial Statements.

The uncertainty regarding key inputs used in establishing the carrying amounts of certain invested assets are outlined in the notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has applied appropriate measurement techniques using reasonable judgment and estimates from the perspective of a market participant to reflect current economic conditions. The impact of these techniques has been reflected in these Financial Statements. Changes in the inputs used could materially impact the respective carrying values.

(c)    Fair value measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (not a forced liquidation or distress sale) between market participants at the measurement date; fair value is an exit value.

When available, quoted market prices are used to determine fair value. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is typically based upon alternative valuation techniques such as discounted cash flows, matrix pricing, consensus pricing services and other techniques. Broker quotes are generally used when external public vendor prices are not available.

The Company has a valuation process in place that includes a review of price movements relative to the market, a comparison of prices between vendors, and a comparison to internal matrix pricing which uses predominately external observable data. Judgment is applied in adjusting external observable data for items including liquidity and credit factors.

 

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The Company categorizes its fair value measurement results according to a three-level hierarchy. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used by the Company’s valuation techniques based on their reliability. A level is assigned to each fair value measurement based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Fair value measurements that reflect unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date, reflecting market transactions.

Level 2 – Fair value measurements using inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in inactive markets, inputs that are observable that are not prices (such as interest rates, credit risks, etc.) and inputs that are derived from or corroborated by observable market data. Most debt securities are classified within Level 2. Also, included in the Level 2 category are derivative instruments that are priced using models with observable market inputs, including interest rate swaps, equity swaps, credit default swaps and foreign currency forward contracts.

Level 3 – Fair value measurements using significant non-market observable inputs. These include valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived using data, some or all of which is not market observable, including assumptions about risk. Level 3 security valuations include less liquid securities such as real estate investment property, other invested assets, timber investments held within segregated funds, certain long-duration bonds and other securities that have little or no price transparency. Certain derivative financial instrument valuations are also included in Level 3.

(d)    Basis of consolidation

MFC consolidates the financial statements of all entities it controls, including certain structured entities. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company has control over an entity when the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity, and is exposed to variable returns from its activities which are significant in relation to the total variable returns of the entity and the Company is able to use its power over the entity to affect its share of variable returns. In assessing control, significant judgment is applied while considering all relevant facts and circumstances. When assessing decision-making power, the Company considers the extent of its rights relative to the management of an entity, the level of voting rights held in an entity which are potentially or presently exercisable, the existence of any contractual management agreements which may provide the Company with power over an entity’s financial and operating policies, and to the extent of other parties’ ownership in an entity, if any, the possibility for de facto control being present. When assessing variable returns, the Company considers the significance of direct and indirect financial and non-financial variable returns to the Company from an entity’s activities in addition to the proportionate significance of such returns. The Company also considers the degree to which its interests are aligned with those of other parties investing in an entity and the degree to which it may act in its own interest.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in MFC’s consolidated results from the date control is established and are excluded from consolidation from the date control ceases. The initial control assessment is performed at inception of the Company’s involvement with the entity and is reconsidered if the Company acquires or loses power over key operating and financial policies of the entity; acquires additional interests or disposes of interests in the entity; the contractual arrangements of the entity are amended such that the Company’s proportionate exposure to variable returns changes; or if the Company’s ability to use its power to affect its variable returns from the entity changes.

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions and events in similar circumstances. Intercompany balances, and income and expenses arising from intercompany transactions, have been eliminated in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Non-controlling interests are interests of other parties in the equity of MFC’s subsidiaries and are presented within total equity, separate from the equity of MFC’s participating policyholders and shareholders. Non-controlling interests in the net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”) of MFC’s subsidiaries are included in total net income and total OCI, respectively. An exception to this occurs where the subsidiary’s shares are either puttable by the shareholder or required to be redeemed for cash on a fixed or determinable date, in which case other parties’ interests in the subsidiary’s capital are presented as liabilities of the Company and other parties’ interests in the subsidiary’s net income and OCI are recorded as expenses of the Company.

The equity method of accounting is used to account for entities over which the Company has significant influence or joint control (“associates” or “joint ventures”), whereby the Company records its share of the associate’s or joint venture’s net assets and financial results using uniform accounting policies for similar transactions and events. Significant judgment is used to determine whether voting rights, contractual management rights and other relationships with the entity, if any, provide the Company with significant influence or joint control over the entity. Gains and losses on the sale of associates or joint ventures are included in income when realized, while impairment losses are recognized immediately when there is objective evidence of impairment. Gains and losses on commercial transactions with associates or joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the associate or joint venture. Investments in associates or joint ventures are included in other invested assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

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(e)    Invested assets

Invested assets that are considered financial instruments are classified as fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), loans and receivables, or as available-for-sale (“AFS”) financial assets. The Company determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition. Invested assets are recognized initially at fair value plus, in the case of investments not at FVTPL, directly attributable transaction costs. Invested assets are classified as financial instruments at FVTPL if they are held for trading, if they are designated by management under the fair value option, or if they are designated by management when they include one or more embedded derivatives. Invested assets classified as AFS are non-derivative financial assets that do not fall into any of the other categories described above.

Valuation methods for the Company’s invested assets are described above. All fair value valuations are performed in accordance with IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurement”. Disclosure of financial instruments carried at fair value within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy and disclosure of the fair value for financial instruments not carried at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position are presented in note 3. Fair value valuations are performed by the Company and by third-party service providers. When third-party service providers are engaged, the Company performs a variety of procedures to corroborate pricing information. These procedures may include, but are not limited to, inquiry and review of valuation techniques, inputs to the valuation and vendor controls reports.

Cash and short-term securities comprise of cash, current operating accounts, overnight bank and term deposits, and fixed income securities held for meeting short-term cash commitments. Short-term securities are carried at fair value. Short-term securities are comprised of investments due to mature within one year of the date of purchase. Commercial paper and discount notes are classified as Level 2 because these securities are typically not actively traded. Net payments in transit and overdraft bank balances are included in other liabilities.

Debt securities are carried at fair value. Debt securities are generally valued by independent pricing vendors using proprietary pricing models incorporating current market inputs for similar instruments with comparable terms and credit quality (matrix pricing). The significant inputs include, but are not limited to, yield curves, credit risks and spreads, prepayment rates and volatility of these inputs. These debt securities are classified as Level 2 but can be Level 3 if significant inputs are market unobservable. Realized gains and losses on sale of debt securities and unrealized gains and losses on debt securities designated as FVTPL are recognized in investment income immediately. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS debt securities are recorded in OCI, except for unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency translation which are included in income. Impairment losses on AFS debt securities are recognized in income on an individual security basis when there is objective evidence of impairment. Impairment is considered to have occurred, based on management’s judgment, when it is deemed probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the debt security’s contractual terms.

Public equities are comprised of common and preferred equities and are carried at fair value. Public equities are generally classified as Level 1, as fair values are normally based on quoted market prices. Realized gains and losses on sale of equities and unrealized gains and losses on equities designated as FVTPL are recognized in investment income immediately. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS equities are recorded in OCI. Impairment losses on AFS equities are recognized in income on an individual security basis when there is objective evidence of impairment. Impairment is considered to have occurred when fair value has declined below cost by a significant amount or for a prolonged period. Significant judgment is applied in determining whether the decline is significant or prolonged.

Mortgages are carried at amortized cost and are classified as Level 3 for fair value purposes due to the lack of market observability of certain significant valuation inputs. Realized gains and losses are recorded in investment income immediately. Impairment losses are recorded on mortgages when there is no longer reasonable assurance as to the timely collection of the full amount of principal and interest and are measured based on the discounted value of expected future cash flows at the original effective interest rates inherent in the mortgage. Expected future cash flows of impaired mortgages are typically determined with reference to the fair value of collateral security underlying the mortgage, net of expected costs of realization and including any applicable insurance recoveries. Significant judgment is applied in the determination of impairment including the timing and amount of future collections.

The Company accounts for insured and uninsured mortgage securitizations as secured financing transactions since the criteria for sale accounting are not met. For these transactions, the Company continues to recognize the mortgages and records a liability in other liabilities for the amounts owed at maturity. Interest income from these mortgages and interest expense on the borrowings are recorded using the effective interest rate method.

Private placements, which include corporate loans for which there is no active market, are carried at amortized cost and are generally classified as Level 2 for fair value disclosure purposes or as Level 3 if significant inputs are market unobservable. Realized gains and losses are recorded in income immediately. Impairment losses are recorded on private placements when there is no longer assurance as to the timely collection of the full amount of principal and interest. Impairment is measured based on the discounted value of expected future cash flows at the original effective interest rate inherent in the loan. Significant judgment is applied in the determination of impairment including the timing and amount of future collections.

Policy loans are carried at an amount equal to their unpaid balances and are classified as Level 2 for fair value disclosure purposes. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying policies.

Loans to Manulife Bank of Canada (“Manulife Bank” or “Bank”) clients are carried at amortized cost and are classified as Level 2 for fair value disclosure purposes. A loan to a Bank client is considered impaired when there is objective evidence of impairment because of one or more loss events that have occurred after initial recognition, with a negative impact on the estimated future cash flows of the loan.

 

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Once established, allowances for impairment of mortgages, private placements and loans to Bank clients are reversed only if the conditions that caused the impairment no longer exist. Reversals of impairment charges on AFS debt securities are only recognized in income to the extent that increases in fair value can be attributed to events after the impairment loss being recorded. Impairment losses for AFS equity instruments are not reversed through income. On disposition of an impaired asset, any allowance for impairment is released.

In addition to impairments and provisions for loan losses (recoveries) reported in investment income, the measurement of insurance contract liabilities, via investment return assumptions, includes expected future credit losses on fixed income investments. Refer to note 6(d).

Interest income is recognized on debt securities, mortgages, private placements, policy loans and loans to Bank clients as it accrues and is calculated using the effective interest rate method. Premiums, discounts and transaction costs are amortized over the life of the underlying investment using the effective yield method for all debt securities as well as mortgages and private placements.

The Company records purchases and sales of invested assets on a trade date basis. Loans originated by the Company are recognized on a settlement date basis.

Real estate consists of both own use and investment property. Own use property is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is calculated based on the cost of an asset less its residual value and is recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life ranging from 30 to 60 years. Impairment losses are recorded in income to the extent the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount. Where own use property is included in assets backing insurance contract liabilities, the fair value of the property is used in the valuation of insurance contract liabilities. Own use property is classified as Level 3 for fair value disclosure purposes.

An investment property is a property held to earn rental income, for capital appreciation, or both. Investment properties are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in income. Fair value is determined using external appraisals that are based on the highest and best use of the property. The valuation techniques include discounted cash flows, the direct capitalization method as well as comparable sales analysis and include both observable and unobservable inputs. Inputs include existing and assumed tenancies, market data from recent comparable transactions, future economic outlook and market risk assumptions, capitalization rates and internal rates of return. Investment properties are classified as Level 3 for fair value disclosure purposes.

When a property changes from own use to investment property, any gain or loss arising on the remeasurement of the property to fair value at the date of transfer is recognized in OCI, to the extent that it is not reversing a previous impairment loss. Reversals of impairment losses are recognized in income.

Other invested assets include private equity and property investments held in infrastructure and timber, as well as in agriculture and oil and gas sectors. Private equity investments are accounted for as associates or joint ventures using the equity method (as described in note 1(d) above) or are classified as FVTPL or AFS and carried at fair value. Investments in oil and gas exploration and evaluation activities are measured on the cost basis using the “successful efforts” method. Timber and agriculture properties are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income, except for buildings, equipment and bearer plants which are measured at amortized cost. The fair value of other invested assets is determined using a variety of valuation techniques as described in note 3. Other invested assets that are measured or disclosed at fair value are classified as Level 3.

Other invested assets also include investments in leveraged leases, which are accounted for using the equity method. The carrying value under the equity method reflects the amortized cost of the lease receivable and related non-recourse debt using the effective yield method.

(f)    Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of purchase consideration of an acquired business and the Company’s proportionate share of the net identifiable assets acquired. It is initially recorded at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable at the cash generating unit (“CGU”) or group of CGUs level. The Company allocates goodwill to CGUs or groups of CGUs for impairment testing at the lowest level within the entity where the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. The allocation is made to those CGUs or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose. Any potential impairment of goodwill is identified by comparing the recoverable amount with the carrying value of a CGU or group of CGUs. Goodwill is reduced by the amount of deficiency, if any. If the deficiency exceeds the carrying amount of goodwill, the carrying values of the remaining assets in the CGU or group of CGUs are subject to being reduced by the excess on a pro-rata basis.

The recoverable amount of a CGU is the higher of the estimated fair value less costs to sell or the value-in-use of the CGU. In assessing value-in-use, estimated future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGU. In some cases, the most recent detailed calculation made in a prior period of the recoverable amount of a CGU is used in the testing of impairment of goodwill in the current period. This is the case only if there are no significant changes to the CGU, the likelihood of impairment is remote based on the analysis of current events and circumstances, and the most recently calculated recoverable amount substantially exceeds the current carrying amount of the CGU.

 

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Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives include the John Hancock brand name, certain investment management contracts and agricultural water rights. The indefinite useful life assessment for the John Hancock brand name is based on the brand name being protected by indefinitely renewable trademarks in markets where branded products are sold, and for certain investment management contracts based on the ability to renew these contracts indefinitely. In addition, there are no legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that limit the useful lives of these intangible assets. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test which is performed more frequently if an indication that it is not recoverable arises.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives include acquired distribution networks, customer relationships, capitalized software, and certain investment management contracts and other contractual rights. Distribution networks, customer relationships, and other finite life intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, six to 68 years, either based on straight-line or in relation to other asset consumption metrics. Software intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of three to 10 years. Finite life intangible assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting period. If any indication of impairment arises, these assets are tested for impairment.

(g)    Miscellaneous assets

Miscellaneous assets include assets held in a rabbi trust with respect to unfunded defined benefit obligations, defined benefit assets, if any, deferred acquisition costs and capital assets. Rabbi trust assets are carried at fair value. Defined benefit assets carrying value is explained in note 1(o). Deferred acquisition costs are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized over the period redemption fees may be charged or over the period revenue is earned. Capital assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization computed on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which vary from two to 10 years.

(h)    Segregated funds

The Company manages segregated funds on behalf of policyholders. The investment returns on these funds are passed directly to policyholders. In some cases, the Company has provided guarantees associated with these funds.

Segregated funds net assets are measured at fair value and include investments in mutual funds, debt securities, equities, cash, short-term investments and other investments. With respect to the consolidation requirement of IFRS, in assessing the Company’s degree of control over the underlying investments, the Company considers the scope of its decision-making rights, the rights held by other parties, its remuneration as an investment manager and its exposure to variability of returns from the investments. The Company has determined that it does not have control over the underlying investments as it acts as an agent on behalf of segregated fund policyholders.

The methodology applied to determine the fair value of investments held in segregated funds is consistent with that applied to invested assets held by the general fund, as described above in note 1(e). Segregated funds liabilities are measured based on the value of the segregated funds net assets. Investment returns on segregated funds assets belong to policyholders and the Company does not bear the risk associated with these assets outside of guarantees offered on certain variable life and annuity products, for which the underlying investments are held within segregated funds. Accordingly, investment income earned by segregated funds and expenses incurred by segregated funds are offset and are not separately presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Fee income earned by the Company for managing the segregated funds is included in other revenue.

Liabilities related to guarantees associated with certain segregated funds, as a result of certain variable life and annuity contracts, are recorded within the Company’s insurance contract liabilities. The Company holds assets supporting these guarantees in the general fund, which are included in invested assets according to their investment type.

(i)    Insurance and investment contract liabilities

Most contracts issued by the Company are considered insurance, investment or service contracts. Contracts under which the Company accepts significant insurance risk from a policyholder are classified as insurance contracts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A contract is considered to have significant insurance risk if, and only if, an insured event could cause an insurer to make significant additional payments in any scenario, excluding scenarios that lack commercial substance at the inception of the contract. Contracts under which the Company does not accept significant insurance risk are either classified as investment contracts or considered service contracts and are accounted for in accordance with IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, respectively.

Once a contract has been classified as an insurance contract it remains an insurance contract even if the insurance risk reduces significantly. Investment contracts can be reclassified as insurance contracts if insurance risk subsequently becomes significant.

Insurance contract liabilities, net of reinsurance assets, represent the amount which, together with estimated future premiums and net investment income, will be sufficient to pay estimated future benefits, policyholder dividends and refunds, taxes (other than income taxes) and expenses on policies in-force. Insurance contract liabilities are presented gross of reinsurance assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company’s Appointed Actuary is responsible for determining the amount of insurance contract liabilities in accordance with standards established by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. Insurance contract liabilities, net of reinsurance assets, have been determined using the Canadian Asset Liability Method (“CALM”) as permitted by IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts”. Refer to note 6.

 

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Investment contract liabilities include contracts issued to retail and institutional investors that do not contain significant insurance risk. Investment contract liabilities and deposits are measured at amortized cost or at FVTPL by election. The election reduces accounting mismatches between FVTPL assets supporting these contracts and the related contract liabilities. Investment contract liabilities are derecognized when the contract expires, is discharged or is cancelled.

Derivatives embedded within insurance contracts are separately accounted for as derivatives if they are not considered to be closely related to the host insurance contract and do not meet the definition of an insurance contract. These embedded derivatives are presented separately in other assets or other liabilities and are measured at FVTPL.

(j)    Reinsurance assets

The Company uses reinsurance in the normal course of business to manage its risk exposure. Insurance ceded to a reinsurer does not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The Company remains liable to its policyholders for the portion reinsured to the extent that any reinsurer does not meet its obligations for reinsurance ceded to it under a reinsurance agreement.

Reinsurance assets represent the benefit derived from reinsurance agreements in-force at the reporting date, considering the financial condition of the reinsurer. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in accordance with the terms of the relevant reinsurance contract.

Gains or losses on reinsurance transactions are recognized in income immediately on the transaction date and are not amortized. Premiums ceded and claims reimbursed are presented on a gross basis on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Reinsurance assets are not offset against the related insurance contract liabilities and are presented separately on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Refer to note 6(a).

(k)    Other financial instruments accounted for as liabilities

The Company issues a variety of other financial instruments classified as liabilities, including notes payable, term notes, senior notes, senior debentures, subordinated notes, surplus notes and preferred shares. These financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost, with issuance costs deferred and amortized using the effective interest rate method.

(l)    Income taxes

The provision for income taxes is calculated based on income tax laws and income tax rates substantively enacted as at the date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The income tax provision is comprised of current income taxes and deferred income taxes. Current and deferred income taxes relating to items recognized in OCI and directly in equity are similarly recognized in OCI and directly in equity, respectively.

Current income taxes are amounts expected to be payable or recoverable for the current year and any adjustments to taxes payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred income taxes are provided for using the liability method and result from temporary differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income taxes are measured at the substantively enacted tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse.

A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that future realization of the tax benefit is probable. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the tax benefit will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The Company records liabilities for uncertain tax positions if it is probable that the Company will make a payment on tax positions due to examinations by tax authorities. These provisions are measured at the Company’s best estimate of the amount expected to be paid. Provisions are reversed to income in the period in which management assesses they are no longer required or determined by statute.

The Company is subject to income tax laws in various jurisdictions. Tax laws are complex and potentially subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant tax authority. The provision for current income taxes and deferred income taxes represents management’s interpretation of the relevant tax laws and its estimate of current and future income tax implications of the transactions and events during the year. The Company may be required to change its provision for income taxes or deferred income tax balances when the ultimate deductibility of certain items is successfully challenged by taxing authorities, or if estimates used in determining the amount of deferred tax balances to recognize change significantly, or when receipt of new information indicates the need for adjustment in the amount of deferred income taxes to be recognized. 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 taxes, deferred tax balances and the effective tax rate. Any such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period these changes occur.

 

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(m)    Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are measured by each entity using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”). If their functional currency is other than Canadian dollar, these entities are foreign operations of the Company.

Transactions in a foreign currency are translated to the functional currency at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Revenue and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the quarter reported. Exchange gains and losses are recognized in income except for translation of net investments in foreign operations and the results of hedging these positions, and for non-monetary items designated as AFS. These foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in OCI until such time that the foreign operation or non-monetary item is disposed of or control or significant influence over it is lost.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in Canadian dollars. The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated from their functional currencies to Canadian dollars; assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the reporting date, and revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. Foreign exchange gains and losses on these translations are recognized in OCI, subject to reclassification to income upon disposal of a foreign operation.

(n)    Stock-based compensation

The Company provides stock-based compensation to certain employees and directors as described in note 14. Compensation expense of equity instruments granted is accrued based on the best estimate of the number of instruments expected to vest, with revisions made to that estimate if subsequent information indicates that actual forfeitures are likely to differ from initial forfeiture estimates, unless forfeitures are due to market-based conditions.

Stock options are expensed with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus. Restricted share units and deferred share units are expensed with a corresponding liability accrued based on the market value of MFC’s common shares at the end of each quarter. Performance share units are expensed with a corresponding liability accrued based on specific performance conditions and the market value of MFC’s common shares at the end of each quarter. The change in the value of the awards resulting from changes in the market value of MFC’s common shares or changes in the specific performance conditions and credited dividends is recognized in income, offset by the impact of total return swaps used to manage the variability of the related liabilities.

Stock-based compensation cost is recognized over the applicable vesting period, unless the employee is eligible to retire at the time of grant or will be eligible to retire during the vesting period. Compensation costs attributable to stock options, restricted share units, and performance share units granted to employees who are eligible to retire on the grant date or who will become eligible to retire during the vesting period, are recognized at the grant date or over the period from the grant date to the date of retirement eligibility, respectively.

The Company’s contributions to the Global Share Ownership Plan (“GSOP”) (refer to note 14(d)), are expensed as incurred. Under the GSOP, subject to certain conditions, the Company will match a percentage of an employee’s eligible contributions to certain maximums. All contributions are used by the plan’s trustee to purchase MFC common shares in the open market.

(o)    Employee future benefits

The Company maintains defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment plans for employees and agents including registered (tax qualified) pension plans that are typically funded as well as supplemental non-registered (non-qualified) pension plans for executives, retiree and disability welfare plans that are typically not funded.

The Company’s obligation in respect of defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefits is calculated for each plan as the estimated present value of future benefits that eligible employees have earned in return for their service up to the reporting date using the projected benefit method. The discount rate used is based on the yield, as at the reporting date, of high-quality corporate debt securities that have approximately the same term as the benefit obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid.

To determine the Company’s net defined benefit asset or liability, the fair value of plan assets is deducted from the defined benefit obligations. When this calculation results in a surplus, the asset that can be recognized is limited to the present value of future economic benefit available in the form of future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan (the asset limit). Defined benefit assets are included in other assets and defined benefit liabilities are included in other liabilities.

Changes in the net defined benefit asset or liability due to re-measurement of pension and retiree welfare plans are recorded in OCI in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income in subsequent periods. They consist of actuarial gains and losses, the impact of the asset limit, if any, and the return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest income or expense. Changes in the net defined benefit asset or liability due to re-measurement of disability welfare plans are recorded in income in the period in which they occur.

The cost of defined benefit pension plans is recognized over the employee’s years of service to retirement while the cost of retiree welfare plans is recognized over the employee’s years of service to their date of full eligibility. The net benefit cost for the year is recorded in income and is calculated as the sum of the service cost in respect of the fiscal year, the net interest income or expense and any applicable

 

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administration expenses, plus past service costs or credits resulting from plan amendments or curtailments. The net interest income or expense is determined by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit asset or liability. The current year cost of disability welfare plans is the year-over-year change in the defined benefit obligation, including any actuarial gains or losses.

The cost of defined contribution plans is the contribution provided by the Company and is recorded in income in the periods during which services are rendered by employees.

(p)    Derivative and hedging instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments (“derivatives”) including swaps, forward and futures agreements, and options to manage current and anticipated exposures to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and equity market prices, and to replicate permissible investments. Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments are separately recorded as derivatives when their economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host instrument, the terms of the embedded derivative are the same as those of a standalone derivative and the host instrument itself is not recorded at FVTPL. Derivatives which are separate financial instruments are recorded at fair value, and those with unrealized gains reported as derivative assets and those with unrealized losses reported as derivative liabilities.

A determination is made for each derivative as to whether to apply hedge accounting. Where hedge accounting is not applied, changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in investment income. Refer to note 3(c).

Where the Company has elected to apply hedge accounting, a hedging relationship is designated and documented at inception. Hedge effectiveness is evaluated at inception and throughout the term of the hedge. Hedge accounting is only applied when the Company expects that the hedging relationship will be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or changes in cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged. The assessment of hedge effectiveness is performed at the end of each reporting period both prospectively and retrospectively. When it is determined that a hedging relationship is no longer effective, or the hedging instrument or the hedged item has been sold or terminated, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. In such cases, if the derivatives are not sold or terminated, any subsequent changes in fair value of the derivatives are recognized in investment income.

For derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recorded according to the nature of the risks being hedged, as discussed below.

In a fair value hedging relationship, changes in fair value of the hedging instruments are recorded in investment income, offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items, which would otherwise not be carried at fair value. Hedge ineffectiveness is recognized in investment income and arises from differences between changes in the fair values of hedging instruments and hedged items. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the carrying value of the hedged item is no longer adjusted and the cumulative fair value adjustments are amortized to investment income over the remaining term of the hedged item unless the hedged item is sold, at which time the balance is recognized immediately in investment income.

In a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recorded in OCI while the ineffective portion is recognized in investment income. Gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) are recognized in income during the same periods that the variability in the hedged cash flows or the hedged forecasted transactions are recognized in income. The reclassifications from AOCI are made to investment income, except for total return swaps that hedge stock-based compensation awards, which are reclassified to general expenses.

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges in AOCI are reclassified immediately to investment income when the hedged item is sold, or the forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur. When a hedge is discontinued, but the hedged forecasted transaction is expected to occur, the amounts in AOCI are reclassified to investment income in the periods during which variability in the cash flows hedged or the hedged forecasted transaction is recognized in income.

In a net investment in foreign operations hedging relationship, gains and losses relating to the effective portion of the hedge are recorded in OCI. Gains and losses in AOCI are recognized in income during the periods when gains or losses on the underlying hedged net investment in foreign operations are recognized in income upon disposal of the foreign operation.

(q)    Premium income and related expenses

Gross premiums for all types of insurance contracts, and contracts with limited mortality or morbidity risk, are generally recognized as revenue when due. Premiums are reported gross of reinsurance ceded (refer to note 6).

(r)    Revenue from service contracts

The Company recognizes revenue from service contracts in accordance with IFRS 15. The Company’s service contracts generally impose single performance obligations, each consisting of a series of similar related services for each customer. Revenue is recorded as performance obligations are satisfied over time because the customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the services rendered, measured using an output method. Revenue for variable consideration is recognized to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved. Refer to note 13.

 

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Note 2     Accounting and Reporting Changes

(a) Changes in accounting and reporting policy

(i) Amendments to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations”

Amendments to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations” were issued in October 2018 and are effective for business combinations occurring on or after January 1, 2020, with earlier application permitted. The amendments revise the definition of a business and permit a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets qualifies as a business. Application of the amendments are expected to result in fewer acquisitions qualifying as business combinations. Adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(ii) Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors”

Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors” were issued in October 2018. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020 and are to be applied prospectively. The amendments update the definition of material. Adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(iii) Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 were issued in September 2019 related to interest rate benchmark reform and are effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The amendments provide temporary relief for hedge accounting to continue during the period of uncertainty before replacement of an existing interest rate benchmark with an alternative risk-free rate. The amendments apply to all hedge accounting relationships that are affected by the interest rate benchmark reform. The IASB has issued further guidance addressing various accounting issues that will arise when the existing interest rate benchmark has been replaced (refer to note 2(b)). Adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(b) Future accounting and reporting changes

(i) IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” and IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”

Amendments to IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” were issued in June 2020 and include a two-year deferral of the effective date along with other changes targeted to address implementation concerns and challenges raised by stakeholders. Amendments include changes to loss recovery components for reinsurance contracts held, services related to investment activities and the allocation of acquisition cash flows. IFRS 17 as amended, is effective for years beginning on January 1, 2023, to be applied retrospectively. If full retrospective application to a group of contracts is impractical, the modified retrospective or fair value methods may be used.

In conjunction with the amendments to IFRS 17, the IASB also amended IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts” to permit eligible insurers to apply IFRS 9 effective January 1, 2023, alongside IFRS 17.

The Company continues its assessment of the implications of this standard and expects that it will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The establishment of a Contractual Service Margin on the Company’s in-force business is expected to lead to an increase in insurance contract liabilities and corresponding decrease in equity upon transition. The Contractual Service Margin represents unearned profits that are expected to amortize into income as services are provided. The Company continues to evaluate the potential impacts of all other changes including available accounting policy choices under IFRS 17 on the measurement of its insurance contract liabilities.

(ii) Annual Improvements 2018–2020 Cycle

Annual Improvements 2018–2020 Cycle was issued in May 2020 and is effective on or after January 1, 2022. The IASB issued four minor amendments to different standards as part of the Annual Improvements process, to be applied prospectively. Adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(iii) Amendments to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations”

Amendments to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations” were issued in May 2020, and are effective on or after January 1, 2022, with earlier application permitted. The amendments update references within IFRS 3 to the 2018 Conceptual Framework and require that the principles in IAS 37 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets” be used to identify liabilities and contingent assets arising from a business combination. Adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(iv) Amendments to IAS 37 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets”

Amendments to IAS 37 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets” were issued in May 2020, and are effective on or after January 1, 2022, with earlier application permitted. The amendments address identifying onerous contracts and specify the cost of fulfilling a contract which includes all costs directly relate to the contract. These include incremental direct costs and allocations of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling the contract. Adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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(v) Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 were issued in August 2020 related to interest rate benchmark reform and are effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning January 1, 2021. The amendments provide relief from modification of financial assets and liabilities, and discontinuation of hedge relationships, when changing interest rate benchmarks from LIBOR to a replacement benchmark. The amendments include a practical expedient to treat changes in risk free rates as a change to a floating interest rate with an update to the effective rate of interest, rather than as a change in future cash flows which might require adjustments to carrying values through recording a modification gain or loss. Adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 3    Invested Assets and Investment Income

(a) Carrying values and fair values of invested assets

 

As at December 31, 2020   FVTPL(1)     AFS(2)     Other(3)     Total carrying
value(4)
    Total fair
value(5)
 

Cash and short-term securities(6)

  $ 2,079     $ 18,314     $ 5,774     $ 26,167     $ 26,167  

Debt securities(7)

         

Canadian government and agency

    20,667       4,548             25,215       25,215  

U.S. government and agency

    11,449       19,787             31,236       31,236  

Other government and agency

    19,732       4,613             24,345       24,345  

Corporate

    128,297       6,566             134,863       134,863  

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

    2,916       149             3,065       3,065  

Public equities(8)

    22,071       1,651             23,722       23,722  

Mortgages

                50,207       50,207       54,230  

Private placements

                40,756       40,756       47,890  

Policy loans

                6,398       6,398       6,398  

Loans to Bank clients

                1,976       1,976       1,982  

Real estate

         

Own use property(9)

                1,850       1,850       3,017  

Investment property

                10,982       10,982       10,982  

Other invested assets

         

Alternative long-duration assets(10),(11)

    16,183       88       9,901       26,172       27,029  

Various other (12)

    145             3,878       4,023       4,023  

Total invested assets

  $ 223,539     $ 55,716     $ 131,722     $ 410,977     $ 424,164  
As at December 31, 2019   FVTPL(1)     AFS(2)     Other(3)     Total carrying
value(4)
    Total fair
value(5)
 

Cash and short-term securities(6)

  $ 1,859     $ 13,084     $ 5,357     $ 20,300     $ 20,300  

Debt securities(7)

         

Canadian government and agency

    18,582       4,779             23,361       23,361  

U.S. government and agency

    11,031       17,221             28,252       28,252  

Other government and agency

    17,383       4,360             21,743       21,743  

Corporate

    116,044       5,285             121,329       121,329  

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

    3,267       170             3,437       3,437  

Public equities(8)

    20,060       2,791             22,851       22,851  

Mortgages

                49,376       49,376       51,450  

Private placements

                37,979       37,979       41,743  

Policy loans

                6,471       6,471       6,471  

Loans to Bank clients

                1,740       1,740       1,742  

Real estate

         

Own use property(9)

                1,926       1,926       3,275  

Investment property

                11,002       11,002       11,002  

Other invested assets

         

Alternative long-duration assets(10),(11)

    15,252       99       9,492       24,843       25,622  

Various other (12)

    149             3,768       3,917       3,918  

Total invested assets

  $   203,627     $   47,789     $   127,111     $   378,527     $   386,496  

 

(1)

FVTPL classification was elected for securities backing insurance contract liabilities to substantially reduce any accounting mismatch arising from changes in the fair value of these assets and changes in the value of the related insurance contract liabilities. If this election had not been made and instead the AFS classification was selected, there would be an accounting mismatch because changes in insurance contract liabilities are recognized in net income rather than in OCI.

(2)

Securities that are designated as AFS are not actively traded by the Company, but sales do occur as circumstances warrant. Such sales result in a reclassification of any accumulated unrealized gain (loss) in AOCI to net income as a realized gain (loss).

(3)

Primarily includes assets classified as loans and carried at amortized cost, own use properties, investment properties, equity method accounted investments, oil and gas investments, and leveraged leases. Refer to note 1(e) for further details regarding accounting policy.

 

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(4)

Fixed income invested assets above include debt securities, mortgages, private placements and approximately $246 (2019 – $179) of other invested assets, which primarily have contractual cash flows that qualify as Solely Payment of Principal and Interest (“SPPI”). Fixed income invested assets which do not have SPPI qualifying cash flows as at December 31, 2020 include debt securities, private placements and other invested assets with fair values of $94, $211 and $380, respectively (2019 – $98, $257 and $373). The change in the fair value of these invested assets during the year was $44 (2019 – $71).

(5)

The methodologies used in determining fair values of invested assets are described in note 1(c) and note 3(g).

(6)

Includes short-term securities with maturities of less than one year at acquisition amounting to $7,062 (2019 – $3,806), cash equivalents with maturities of less than 90 days at acquisition amounting to $13,331 (2019 – $11,136) and cash of $5,774 (2019 – $5,358).

(7)

Debt securities include securities which were acquired with maturities of less than one year and less than 90 days of $1,971 and $129, respectively (2019 – $537 and $69).

(8)

Includes $229 (2019 – $12) of public equities that are managed in conjunction with the Company’s alternative long duration asset (“ALDA”) strategy.

(9)

Includes accumulated depreciation of $376 (2019 – $414).

(10)

Includes investments in private equity of $7,954, infrastructure of $9,127, oil and gas of $2,296, timber and agriculture of $4,819 and various other invested assets of $1,976 (2019 – $6,396, $8,854, $3,245, $4,669 and $1,679, respectively). In 2019, a group of investments in hydro-electric power of $418 was sold.

(11)

In 2019, the Company sold $1,112 of North American Private Equity investments to Manulife Private Equity Partners, L.P, a closed-end pooled fund of funds. The Company provides management services to the fund.

(12)

Includes $3,371 (2019 – $3,371) of leveraged leases. Refer to note 1(e) regarding accounting policy.

(b) Equity method accounted invested assets

Other invested assets include investments in associates and joint ventures which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting as presented in the following table.

 

    2020           2019  
As at December 31,   Carrying
value
    % of total           Carrying
value
    % of total  

Leveraged leases

  $ 3,371       40       $ 3,371       43  

Timber and agriculture

    694       8         668       9  

Real estate

    1,187       14         1,031       13  

Other

    3,222       38         2,716       35  

Total

  $   8,474       100       $   7,786       100  

The Company’s share of profit and dividends from these investments for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $315 and $2, respectively (2019 – $369 and $2).

 

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(c) Investment income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   FVTPL     AFS     Other(1)     Total  

Cash and short-term securities

       

Interest income

  $ 24     $ 145     $     $ 169  

Gains (losses)(2)

    (24     (112           (136

Debt securities

       

Interest income

    5,805       692             6,497  

Gains (losses)(2)

    10,739       2,785             13,524  

Impairment loss, net

    (113     (6           (119

Public equities

       

Dividend income

    517       38             555  

Gains (losses)(2)

    2,020       21             2,041  

Impairment loss, net

          (54           (54

Mortgages

       

Interest income

                1,837       1,837  

Gains (losses)(2)

                86       86  

Provision, net

                (18     (18

Private placements

       

Interest income

                1,883       1,883  

Gains (losses)(2)

                (18     (18

Impairment loss, net

                (88     (88

Policy loans

                390       390  

Loans to Bank clients

       

Interest income

                72       72  

Provision, net

                (2     (2

Real estate

       

Rental income, net of depreciation(3)

                468       468  

Gains (losses)(2)

                (18     (18

Derivatives

       

Interest income, net

    924             (31     893  

Gains (losses)(2)

    6,501             28       6,529  

Other invested assets

       

Interest income

                72       72  

Oil and gas, timber, agriculture and other income

                1,435       1,435  

Gains (losses)(2)

    (210     1       32       (177

Impairment loss, net

    (9     (16     (396     (421

Total investment income

  $ 26,174     $ 3,494     $ 5,732     $ 35,400  

Investment income

       

Interest income

  $ 6,753     $ 837     $ 4,223     $ 11,813  

Dividend, rental and other income

    517       38       1,903       2,458  

Impairments, provisions and recoveries, net

    (123     (76     (504     (703

Other

    241       2,685       (61     2,865  
      7,388       3,484       5,561       16,433  

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets supporting insurance and investment contract liabilities and on macro equity hedges

       

Debt securities

    10,747       1             10,748  

Public equities

    1,908       9             1,917  

Mortgages

                86       86  

Private placements

                (47     (47

Real estate

                1       1  

Other invested assets

    (318           103       (215

Derivatives, including macro equity hedging program

    6,449             28       6,477  
      18,786       10       171       18,967  

Total investment income

  $   26,174     $   3,494     $   5,732     $   35,400  

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2019   FVTPL     AFS     Other(1)     Total  

Cash and short-term securities

       

Interest income

  $ 32     $ 281     $     $ 313  

Gains (losses)(2)

    11       (29           (18

Debt securities

       

Interest income

    5,557       783             6,340  

Gains (losses)(2)

    11,525       472             11,997  

Recovery (impairment loss), net

    (9     1             (8

Public equities

       

Dividend income

    551       69             620  

Gains (losses)(2)

    3,079       109             3,188  

Impairment loss, net

          (24           (24

Mortgages

       

Interest income

                1,951       1,951  

Gains (losses)(2)

                26       26  

Provision, net

                31       31  

Private placements

       

Interest income

                1,782       1,782  

Gains (losses)(2)

                (62     (62

Impairment loss, net

                (35     (35

Policy loans

                391       391  

Loans to Bank clients

       

Interest income

                87       87  

Provision, net

                (1     (1

Real estate

       

Rental income, net of depreciation(3)

                505       505  

Gains (losses)(2)

                508       508  

Derivatives

       

Interest income, net

    579             (24     555  

Gains (losses)(2)

    2,653             (6     2,647  

Other invested assets

       

Interest income

                69       69  

Oil and gas, timber, agriculture and other income

                1,862       1,862  

Gains (losses)(2)

    742       (1     35       776  

Recovery, net

                93       93  

Total investment income

  $   24,720     $     1,661     $     7,212     $   33,593  

Investment income

       

Interest income

  $ 6,168     $ 1,064     $ 4,256     $ 11,488  

Dividend, rental and other income

    552       69       2,367       2,988  

Impairments, provisions and recoveries, net

    (9     (23     88       56  

Other

    265       539       57       861  
      6,976       1,649       6,768       15,393  

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets supporting insurance and investment contract liabilities and on macro equity hedges

       

Debt securities

    11,521       7             11,528  

Public equities

    2,865       5             2,870  

Mortgages

                26       26  

Private placements

                (62     (62

Real estate

                514       514  

Other invested assets

    776             (28     748  

Derivatives, including macro equity hedging program

    2,582             (6     2,576  
      17,744       12       444       18,200  

Total investment income

  $ 24,720     $ 1,661     $ 7,212     $ 33,593  

 

(1)

Primarily includes investment income on loans carried at amortized cost, own use properties, investment properties, derivative and hedging instruments in cash flow hedging relationships, equity method accounted investments, oil and gas investments, and leveraged leases.

(2)

Includes net realized and unrealized gains (losses) for financial instruments at FVTPL, real estate investment properties, and other invested assets measured at fair value. Also includes net realized gains (losses) for financial instruments at AFS and other invested assets carried at amortized cost.

(3)

Rental income from investment properties is net of direct operating expenses.

 

128   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(d) Investment expenses

The following table presents total investment expenses.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Related to invested assets

  $ 649     $ 617  

Related to segregated, mutual and other funds

    1,138       1,131  

Total investment expenses

  $   1,787     $   1,748  

(e) Investment properties

The following table presents the rental income and direct operating expenses of investment properties.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Rental income from investment properties

  $ 874     $ 864  

Direct operating expenses of rental investment properties

      (491     (464

Total

  $ 383     $   400  

(f) Mortgage securitization

The Company securitizes certain insured and uninsured fixed and variable rate residential mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit (“HELOC”) through creation of mortgage-backed securities under the Canadian Mortgage Bond Program (“CMB”), and the HELOC securitization program.

Benefits received from the securitization include interest spread between the asset and associated liability. There are no expected credit losses on securitized mortgages under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (“CMHC”) sponsored CMB and the Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust (“PCMT”) HELOC securitization programs as they are insured by CMHC and other third-party insurance programs against borrowers’ default. Mortgages securitized in the Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust II (“PCMT II”) program are uninsured.

Cash flows received from the underlying securitized assets/mortgages are used to settle the related secured borrowing liability. For CMB transactions, receipts of principal are deposited into a trust account for settlement of the liability at time of maturity. These transferred assets and related cash flows cannot be transferred or used for other purposes. For the HELOC transactions, investors are entitled to periodic interest payments, and the remaining cash receipts of principal are allocated to the Company (the “Seller”) during the revolving period of the deal and are accumulated for settlement during an accumulation period or repaid to the investor monthly during a reduction period, based on the terms of the note.

Securitized assets and secured borrowing liabilities

 

As at December 31, 2020    Securitized assets         
Securitization program    Securitized
mortgages
     Restricted cash and
short-term securities
     Total      Secured borrowing
liabilities(2)
 

HELOC securitization(1)

   $ 2,356      $      $ 2,356      $ 2,250  

CMB securitization

     2,273               2,273        2,332  

Total

   $ 4,629      $      $ 4,629      $ 4,582  
As at December 31, 2019    Securitized assets         
Securitization program    Securitized
mortgages
     Restricted cash and
short-term securities
     Total      Secured borrowing
liabilities(2)
 

HELOC securitization(1)

   $ 2,285      $ 8      $ 2,293      $   2,250  

CMB securitization

     1,620               1,620        1,632  

Total

   $   3,905      $   8      $   3,913      $   3,882  

 

(1)

Manulife Bank, a subsidiary, securitizes a portion of its HELOC receivables through Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust (“PCMT”), and Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust II (“PCMT II”). PCMT funds the purchase of the co-ownership interests from Manulife Bank by issuing term notes collateralized by an underlying pool of CMHC insured HELOCs to institutional investors. PCMT II funds the purchase of the co-ownership interests from Manulife Bank by issuing term notes collateralized by an underlying pool of uninsured HELOCs to institutional investors. The restricted cash balance for the HELOC securitization reflects a cash reserve fund established in relation to the transactions. The reserve will be drawn upon only in the event of insufficient cash flows from the underlying HELOCs to satisfy the secured borrowing liability.

(2)

Secured borrowing liabilities primarily comprise of Series 2011-1 notes with a floating rate which are expected to mature on December 15, 2021, and the Series 2016-1 notes with a floating rate which are expected to mature on May 15, 2022. Manulife Bank also securitizes insured amortizing mortgages under the National Housing Act Mortgage-Backed Securities (“NHA MBS”) program sponsored by CMHC. Manulife Bank participates in CMB programs by selling NHA MBS securities to Canada Housing Trust (“CHT”), as a source of fixed rate funding.

As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of securitized assets and associated liabilities were $4,679 and $4,661, respectively (2019 – $3,950 and $3,879).

 

LOGO            129


(g) Fair value measurement

The following table presents the fair values of invested assets and segregated funds net assets measured at fair value categorized by the fair value hierarchy.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Total fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Cash and short-term securities

       

FVTPL

  $ 2,079     $     $ 2,079     $  

AFS

    18,314             18,314        

Other

    5,774       5,774              

Debt securities

       

FVTPL

       

Canadian government and agency

    20,667             20,667        

U.S. government and agency

    11,449             11,449        

Other government and agency

    19,732             19,732        

Corporate

    128,297             127,787       510  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    9             9        

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    1,172             1,172        

Other asset-backed securities

    1,735             1,690       45  

AFS

       

Canadian government and agency

    4,548             4,548        

U.S. government and agency

    19,787             19,787        

Other government and agency

    4,613             4,613        

Corporate

    6,566             6,563       3  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    1             1        

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    93             93        

Other asset-backed securities

    55             55        

Public equities

       

FVTPL

    22,071       22,071              

AFS

    1,651       1,651              

Real estate – investment property(1)

    10,982                   10,982  

Other invested assets(2)

    19,149       100             19,049  

Segregated funds net assets(3)

    367,436       327,437       35,797       4,202  

Total

  $ 666,180     $ 357,033     $ 274,356     $ 34,791  
As at December 31, 2019   Total fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Cash and short-term securities

       

FVTPL

  $ 1,859     $     $ 1,859     $  

AFS

    13,084             13,084        

Other

    5,357       5,357              

Debt securities

       

FVTPL

       

Canadian government and agency

    18,582             18,582        

U.S. government and agency

    11,031             11,031        

Other government and agency

    17,383             17,383        

Corporate

    116,044             115,411       633  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    13             13        

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    1,271             1,271        

Other asset-backed securities

    1,983             1,983        

AFS

       

Canadian government and agency

    4,779             4,779        

U.S. government and agency

    17,221             17,221        

Other government and agency

    4,360             4,360        

Corporate

    5,285             5,270       15  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    1             1        

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    102             102        

Other asset-backed securities

    67             67        

Public equities

       

FVTPL

    20,060       20,060              

AFS

    2,791       2,788       3        

Real estate – investment property(1)

    11,002                   11,002  

Other invested assets(2)

    18,194       91             18,103  

Segregated funds net assets(3)

    343,108       303,567       35,029       4,512  

Total

  $   613,577     $   331,863     $   247,449     $   34,265  

 

(1)

For investment properties, the significant unobservable inputs are capitalization rates (ranging from 2.75% to 8.50% during the year and ranging from 2.75% to 8.75% during 2019) and terminal capitalization rates (ranging from 3.25% to 9.25% during the year and ranging from 3.80% to 9.25% during 2019). Holding other factors constant, a lower capitalization or terminal capitalization rate will tend to increase the fair value of an investment property. Changes in fair value based on variations in unobservable inputs generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship between the directional changes of each input is not usually linear.

 

130   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(2)

Other invested assets measured at fair value are held primarily in infrastructure and timber sectors. The significant inputs used in the valuation of the Company’s infrastructure investments are primarily future distributable cash flows, terminal values and discount rates. Holding other factors constant, an increase to future distributable cash flows or terminal values would tend to increase the fair value of an infrastructure investment, while an increase in the discount rate would have the opposite effect. Discount rates during the year ranged from 7.00% to 15.6% (2019 – ranged from 7.00% to 16.5%). Disclosure of distributable cash flow and terminal value ranges are not meaningful given the disparity in estimates by project. The significant inputs used in the valuation of the Company’s investments in timberland are timber prices and discount rates. Holding other factors constant, an increase to timber prices would tend to increase the fair value of a timberland investment, while an increase in the discount rates would have the opposite effect. Discount rates during the year ranged from 5.0% to 7.0% (2019 – ranged from 5.0% to 7.0%). A range of prices for timber is not meaningful as the market price depends on factors such as property location and proximity to markets and export yards.

(3)

Segregated funds net assets are measured at fair value. The Company’s Level 3 segregated funds assets are predominantly in investment properties and timberland properties valued as described above.

The following table presents fair value of invested assets not measured at fair value by the fair value hierarchy.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Carrying value     Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Mortgages(1)

  $ 50,207     $ 54,230     $     $     $ 54,230  

Private placements(2)

    40,756       47,890             41,398       6,492  

Policy loans(3)

    6,398       6,398             6,398        

Loans to Bank clients(4)

    1,976       1,982             1,982        

Real estate–own use property(5)

    1,850       3,017                   3,017  

Other invested assets(6)

    11,046       11,903       128             11,775  

Total invested assets disclosed at fair value

  $ 112,233     $ 125,420     $ 128     $ 49,778     $ 75,514  
As at December 31, 2019   Carrying value     Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Mortgages(1)

  $ 49,376     $ 51,450     $     $     $ 51,450  

Private placements(2)

    37,979       41,743             36,234       5,509  

Policy loans(3)

    6,471       6,471             6,471        

Loans to Bank clients(4)

    1,740       1,742             1,742        

Real estate–own use property(5)

    1,926       3,275                   3,275  

Other invested assets(6)

    10,566       11,346       165             11,181  

Total invested assets disclosed at fair value

  $   108,058     $   116,027     $   165     $   44,447     $   71,415  

 

(1)

Fair value of commercial mortgages is determined through an internal valuation methodology using both observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include credit assumptions and liquidity spread adjustments. Fair value of fixed-rate residential mortgages is determined using the discounted cash flow method. Inputs used for valuation are primarily comprised of prevailing interest rates and prepayment rates, if applicable. Fair value of variable-rate residential mortgages is assumed to be their carrying value.

(2)

Fair value of private placements is determined through an internal valuation methodology using both observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include credit assumptions and liquidity spread adjustments. Private placements are classified within Level 2 unless the liquidity adjustment constitutes a significant price impact, in which case the securities are classified as Level 3.

(3)

Fair value of policy loans is equal to their unpaid principal balances.

(4)

Fair value of fixed-rate loans to Bank clients is determined using the discounted cash flow method. Inputs used for valuation are primarily comprised of current interest rates. Fair value of variable-rate loans is assumed to be their carrying value.

(5)

Fair value of own use real estate and the fair value hierarchy are determined in accordance with the methodologies described for real estate – investment property in note 1.

(6)

Primarily include leveraged leases, oil and gas properties and equity method accounted other invested assets. Fair value of leveraged leases is disclosed at their carrying values as fair value is not routinely calculated on these investments. Fair value for oil and gas properties is determined using external appraisals based on discounted cash flow methodology. Inputs used in valuation are primarily comprised of forecasted price curves, planned production, as well as capital expenditures, and operating costs. Fair value of equity method accounted other invested assets is determined using a variety of valuation techniques including discounted cash flows and market comparable approaches. Inputs vary based on the specific investment.

As a result of COVID-19 and the recent economic downturn, significant measurement uncertainty exists in determining the fair value of real estate and other invested assets. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company has recognized a reduction in the carrying value of oil and gas investments of $837 based on reasonable estimates and assumptions reflecting both the nature of the assets and currently available information which was subject to significant judgment. For the methodologies used in determining carrying values of the invested assets, refer to note 1.

Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2

The Company records transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 at their fair values as at the end of each reporting period. Assets are transferred out of Level 1 when they are no longer transacted with sufficient frequency and volume in an active market. Conversely, assets are transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 when transaction volume and frequency are indicative of an active market. The Company had $nil of assets transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

For segregated funds net assets, the Company had $nil transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 – $nil). The Company had $15 transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 – $nil).

Invested assets and segregated funds net assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)

The Company classifies fair values of invested assets and segregated funds net assets as Level 3 if there are no observable markets for these assets or, in the absence of active markets, most of the inputs used to determine fair value are based on the Company’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. The Company prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-based assumptions in determining Level 3 fair values. The gains and losses in the table below includes the changes in fair value due to both observable and unobservable factors.

 

LOGO            131


The following table presents a roll forward for invested assets, derivatives and segregated funds net assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

For the year ended

December 31, 2020

  Balance,
January 1,
2020
    Total
gains
(losses)
included
in net
income(1)
    Total
gains
(losses)
included
in AOCI(2)
    Purchases     Sales     Settlements    

Transfer

in(3),(4)

   

Transfer

out(3),(4)

    Currency
movement
    Balance,
December 31,
2020
    Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
assets still
held
 

Debt securities

                     

FVTPL

                     

Corporate

  $ 633     $ 4     $     $ 54     $ (272   $ (1   $ 151     $ (50   $ (9   $ 510     $ 105  

Other securitized assets

          (8                       (1     55             (1     45        

AFS

                     

Corporate

    15       (6     2                         5       (13           3        

Real estate – investment property

    11,002       (255           572       (318           47             (66     10,982       (300

Other invested assets

    18,103       (401     (49     3,162       (1,076     (638     92       (3     (141     19,049       (902

Total invested assets

    29,753       (666     (47     3,788       (1,666     (640     350       (66     (217     30,589       (1,097

Derivatives

    1,456       2,953       (18     12             (1,165           342       (137     3,443          2,033  

Segregated funds net assets

    4,512       (6           (84     (149     (26     2       (3     (44     4,202       45  

Total

  $   35,721     $   2,281     $   (65   $   3,716     $   (1,815   $   (1,831   $   352     $   273     $   (398   $   38,234     $ 981  

 

For the year ended
December 31, 2019
  Balance,
January 1,
2019
    Total
gains
(losses)
included
in net
income(1)
    Total
gains
(losses)
included
in AOCI(2)
    Purchases     Sales     Settlements    

Transfer

in(3),(4)

   

Transfer

out(3),(4)

    Currency
movement
    Balance,
December 31,
2019
    Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
on assets
still held
 

Debt securities

                     

FVTPL

                     

Other government & agency

  $ 180     $ 1     $     $ 16     $ (18   $     $     $ (178   $ (1   $     $  

Corporate

    784       35             43       (88     (18     514       (604     (33     633       47  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    7                         (1                 (6                  

AFS

                     

Other government & agency

    37       1             5       (12                 (31                  

Corporate

    122       1             13       (21     (4           (94     (2     15        

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

                      37                         (37                  

Public equities

                     

FVTPL

    3       1,739                   (1,679                       (63           1,510  

Real estate – investment property

    10,761       506             440       (457           15             (263     11,002       468  

Other invested assets

    17,562       (1,028     2       3,401       (144     (1,031     2             (661     18,103       (923

Total invested assets

    29,456       1,255       2       3,955       (2,420     (1,053     531       (950     (1,023     29,753       1,102  

Derivatives

    106       1,884       44       42             (685     135       (34     (36     1,456       1,423  

Segregated funds net assets

    4,447           148             193       (140     (30                 (106     4,512       111  

Total

  $   34,009     $   3,287     $   46     $   4,190     $   (2,560   $   (1,768   $   666     $   (984   $   (1,165   $   35,721     $   2,636  

 

132   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(1)

These amounts are included in net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income except for the amount related to segregated funds net assets, where the amount is recorded in changes in segregated funds net assets, refer to note 22.

(2)

These amounts are included in AOCI on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

(3)

The Company uses fair values of the assets at the beginning of the year for assets transferred into and out of Level 3 except for derivatives, refer to footnote 4 below.

(4)

For derivatives transfer into or out of Level 3, the Company uses fair value at the end of the year and at the beginning of the year, respectively.

Transfers into Level 3 primarily result from securities that were impaired during the year or securities where a lack of observable market data (versus the previous period) resulted in reclassifying assets into Level 3. Transfers from Level 3 primarily result from observable market data now being available for the entire term structure of the debt security.

Note 4    Derivative and Hedging Instruments

Derivatives are financial contracts, the value of which is derived from underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates, other financial instruments, commodity prices or indices. The Company uses derivatives including swaps, forward and futures agreements, and options to manage current and anticipated exposures to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and equity market prices, and to replicate permissible investments.

Swaps are over-the-counter (“OTC”) contractual agreements between the Company and a third party to exchange a series of cash flows based upon rates applied to a notional amount. For interest rate swaps, counterparties generally exchange fixed or floating interest rate payments based on a notional value in a single currency. Cross currency swaps involve the exchange of principal amounts between parties as well as the exchange of interest payments in one currency for the receipt of interest payments in another currency. Total return swaps are contracts that involve the exchange of payments based on changes in the values of a reference asset, including any returns such as interest earned on these assets, in return for amounts based on reference rates specified in the contract.

Forward and futures agreements are contractual obligations to buy or sell a financial instrument, foreign currency or other underlying commodity on a predetermined future date at a specified price. Forward contracts are OTC contracts negotiated between counterparties, whereas futures agreements are contracts with standard amounts and settlement dates that are traded on regulated exchanges.

Options are contractual agreements whereby the holder has the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) a security, exchange rate, interest rate, or other financial instrument at a predetermined price/rate within a specified time.

See variable annuity dynamic hedging strategy in the “Risk Management” section of the Company’s 2020 MD&A for an explanation of the Company’s dynamic hedging strategy for its variable annuity product guarantees.

(a) Fair value of derivatives

The pricing models used to value OTC derivatives are based on market standard valuation methodologies and the inputs to these models are consistent with what a market participant would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk (including the counterparties to the contract), and market volatility. The significant inputs to the pricing models for most OTC derivatives are inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data and are classified as Level 2. Inputs that are observable generally include interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rate curves. However, certain OTC derivatives may rely on inputs that are significant to the fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data and these derivatives are classified as Level 3. Inputs that are unobservable generally include broker quoted prices, volatilities and inputs that are outside of the observable portion of the interest rate curve or other relevant market measures. 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 consistent with what market participants would use when pricing such instruments. The Company’s use of unobservable inputs is limited and the impact on derivative fair values does not represent a material amount as evidenced by the limited amount of Level 3 derivatives. The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the fair value for all OTC derivatives after considering the effects of netting agreements and collateral arrangements.

 

LOGO            133


The following table presents gross notional amount and fair value of derivative instruments by the underlying risk exposure.

 

As at December 31,   2020           2019  
        Notional
amount
    Fair value           Notional
amount
    Fair value  
Type of hedge   Instrument type   Assets     Liabilities           Assets     Liabilities  

Qualifying hedge accounting relationships

             

Fair value hedges

  Interest rate swaps   $ 82     $ 1     $       $ 350     $     $ 5  
  Foreign currency swaps     57             4         86       3       1  

Cash flow hedges

  Foreign currency swaps     1,756       24       468         1,790       39       407  
  Equity contracts     127       6               132       16        

Net investment hedges

  Forward contracts     628       1       10         2,822       7       22  

Total derivatives in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

    2,650       32       482         5,180       65       435  

Derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

             
  Interest rate swaps     287,182       21,332       12,190         283,172       15,159       8,140  
  Interest rate futures     16,750                     13,069              
  Interest rate options     11,622       663               12,248       423        
  Foreign currency swaps     31,491       838       1,659         26,329       606       1,399  
  Currency rate futures     3,467                     3,387              
  Forward contracts     38,853       3,833       565         33,432       2,337       273  
  Equity contracts     15,738       1,092       66         14,582       853       37  
  Credit default swaps     241       3               502       6        
    Equity futures     10,984                     10,576              

Total derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

    416,328       27,761       14,480         397,297       19,384       9,849  

Total derivatives

  $   418,978     $   27,793     $   14,962       $   402,477     $   19,449     $   10,284  

The following table presents fair values of derivative instruments by the remaining term to maturity. The fair values disclosed below do not incorporate the impact of master netting agreements. Refer to note 8.

 

    Remaining term to maturity        
As at December 31, 2020  

Less than

1 year

   

1 to 3

years

   

3 to 5

years

   

Over 5

years

    Total  

Derivative assets

  $ 1,656     $ 3,524     $ 1,228     $ 21,385     $ 27,793  

Derivative liabilities

    386       250       555       13,771       14,962  
    Remaining term to maturity        
As at December 31, 2019  

Less than

1 year

   

1 to 3

years

   

3 to 5

years

   

Over 5

years

    Total  

Derivative assets

  $   1,248     $   1,659     $   1,309     $   15,233     $   19,449  

Derivative liabilities

    332       145       218       9,589       10,284  

 

134   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents gross notional amount by the remaining term to maturity, total fair value (including accrued interest), credit risk equivalent and risk-weighted amount by contract type.

 

    Remaining term to maturity (notional amounts)           Fair value          

Risk-
weighted
amount(2)

 
As at December 31, 2020   Under 1
year
    1 to 5 years     Over 5 years     Total            Positive     Negative     Net     Credit risk
equivalent(1)
 

Interest rate contracts

                   

OTC swap contracts

  $ 7,567     $ 20,852     $ 110,166     $ 138,585       $ 21,803     $ (12,816   $ 8,987     $ 8,773     $ 1,181  

Cleared swap contracts

    2,314       18,784       127,581       148,679         432       (424     8              

Forward contracts

    11,092       18,355       1,259       30,706         3,739       (462     3,277       603       80  

Futures

    16,750                   16,750                                  

Options purchased

    1,572       3,922       6,128       11,622               664             664       665       93  

Subtotal

    39,295       61,913       245,134       346,342         26,638       (13,702     12,936       10,041       1,354  

Foreign exchange

                   

Swap contracts

    1,670       8,490       23,144       33,304         855       (2,195     (1,340     2,979       327  

Forward contracts

    8,741       34             8,775         95       (113     (18     160       18  

Futures

    3,467                   3,467                                  

Credit derivatives

    192       49             241         3             3              

Equity contracts

                   

Swap contracts

    1,227       289             1,516         43       (51     (8     384       46  

Futures

    10,984                   10,984                                  

Options purchased

    8,168       6,181             14,349               1,051       (15     1,036       5,116       664  

Subtotal including accrued interest

    73,744       76,956       268,278       418,978         28,685       (16,076     12,609       18,680       2,409  

Less accrued interest

                                    892       (1,114     (222            

Total

  $ 73,744     $ 76,956     $ 268,278     $ 418,978             $ 27,793     $   (14,962   $   12,831     $ 18,680     $ 2,409  
    Remaining term to maturity (notional amounts)           Fair value          

Risk-
weighted
amount(2)

 
As at December 31, 2019   Under 1
year
    1 to 5 years     Over 5 years     Total            Positive     Negative     Net     Credit risk
equivalent(1)
 

Interest rate contracts

                   

OTC swap contracts

  $ 5,105     $ 22,288     $ 112,863     $ 140,256       $ 15,627     $ (8,910   $ 6,717     $ 6,891     $ 957  

Cleared swap contracts

    3,932       11,499       127,835       143,266         238       (240     (2            

Forward contracts

    11,709       15,089       1,283       28,081         2,312       (253     2,059       398       53  

Futures

    13,069                   13,069                                  

Options purchased

    1,266       4,454       6,528       12,248               423             423       560       77  

Subtotal

    35,081       53,330       248,509       336,920         18,600       (9,403     9,197       7,849       1,087  

Foreign exchange

                   

Swap contracts

    998       7,519       19,688       28,205         642       (1,864     (1,222     2,515       279  

Forward contracts

    8,173                   8,173         32       (42     (10     138       16  

Futures

    3,387                   3,387                                  

Credit derivatives

    275       227             502         6             6              

Equity contracts

                   

Swap contracts

    1,233       164             1,397         43       (16     27       236       29  

Futures

    10,576                   10,576                                  

Options purchased

    6,604       6,633       80       13,317               821       (20     801       3,418       448  

Subtotal including accrued interest

    66,327       67,873       268,277       402,477         20,144       (11,345     8,799       14,156       1,859  

Less accrued interest

                                    695       (1,061     (366            

Total

  $   66,327     $   67,873     $   268,277     $   402,477             $   19,449     $ (10,284   $   9,165     $   14,156     $   1,859  

 

(1)

Credit risk equivalent is the sum of replacement cost and the potential future credit exposure. Replacement cost represents the current cost of replacing all contracts with a positive fair value. The amounts take into consideration legal contracts that permit offsetting of positions. The potential future credit exposure is calculated based on a formula prescribed by OSFI.

(2)

Risk-weighted amount represents the credit risk equivalent, weighted according to the creditworthiness of the counterparty, as prescribed by OSFI.

The total notional amount of $419 billion (2019 – $402 billion) includes $183 billion (2019 – $128 billion) related to derivatives utilized in the Company’s variable annuity guarantee dynamic hedging and macro equity risk hedging programs. Due to the Company’s variable annuity hedging practices, a large number of trades are in offsetting positions, resulting in materially lower net fair value exposure to the Company than what the gross notional amount would suggest.

 

LOGO            135


Fair value and the fair value hierarchy of derivative instruments

 

As at December 31, 2020   Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Derivative assets

       

Interest rate contracts

  $ 25,735     $     $ 21,902     $ 3,833  

Foreign exchange contracts

    957             957        

Equity contracts

    1,098             1,051       47  

Credit default swaps

    3             3        

Total derivative assets

  $ 27,793     $     $ 23,913     $ 3,880  

Derivative liabilities

       

Interest rate contracts

  $ 12,652     $     $ 12,271     $ 381  

Foreign exchange contracts

    2,244             2,239       5  

Equity contracts

    66             15       51  

Total derivative liabilities

  $ 14,962     $     $ 14,525     $ 437  
As at December 31, 2019   Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Derivative assets

       

Interest rate contracts

  $ 17,894     $     $ 15,801     $ 2,093  

Foreign exchange contracts

    680             680        

Equity contracts

    869             821       48  

Credit default swaps

    6             6        

Total derivative assets

  $ 19,449     $     $   17,308     $   2,141  

Derivative liabilities

       

Interest rate contracts

  $ 8,397     $     $ 7,730     $ 667  

Foreign exchange contracts

    1,850             1,849       1  

Equity contracts

    37             20       17  

Total derivative liabilities

  $   10,284     $   –     $ 9,599     $ 685  

Level 3 roll forward information for net derivative contracts measured using significant unobservable inputs is disclosed in note 3(g).

(b) Hedging relationships

The Company uses derivatives for economic hedging purposes. In certain circumstances, these hedges also meet the requirements of hedge accounting. Risk management strategies eligible for hedge accounting are designated as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or net investment hedges, as described below.

Fair value hedges

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed rate financial instruments due to changes in interest rates. The Company also uses cross currency swaps to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate fluctuations, or both.

The Company recognizes gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges in investment income. These investment gains (losses) are shown in the following table.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   Hedged items in qualifying
fair value hedging
relationships
  Gains (losses)
recognized on
derivatives
    Gains (losses)
recognized for
hedged items
    Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Interest rate swaps

 

Fixed rate liabilities

  $ 4     $   (2   $   2  

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

      (2     3       1  

Total

      $ 2     $ 1     $ 3  
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Hedged items in qualifying
fair value hedging
relationships
  Gains (losses)
recognized on
derivatives
    Gains (losses)
recognized for
hedged items
    Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Interest rate swaps

 

Fixed rate liabilities

  $ 8     $ (6   $ 2  

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

    (1     2       1  

Total

      $ 7     $ (4   $ 3  

Cash flow hedges

The Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows from variable rate financial instruments and forecasted transactions. The Company also uses cross currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the variability from foreign currency financial instruments and foreign currency expenses. Total return swaps are used to hedge the variability in cash flows

 

136   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


associated with certain stock-based compensation awards. Inflation swaps are used to reduce inflation risk generated from inflation-indexed liabilities.

The effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are shown in the following table.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   Hedged items in qualifying
cash flow hedging
relationships
  Gains (losses)
deferred in
AOCI on
derivatives
    Gains (losses)
reclassified
from AOCI into
investment
income
    Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

  $ 1     $     $  
 

Floating rate liabilities

      (64     14        
 

Fixed rate liabilities

    (14     (2      

Equity contracts

 

Stock-based compensation

    (2     16        

Total

      $ (79   $ 28     $  
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Hedged items in qualifying
cash flow hedging
relationships
  Gains (losses)
deferred in
AOCI on
derivatives
    Gains (losses)
reclassified
from AOCI into
investment
income
    Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

  $ (2   $ 1     $   –  
 

Floating rate liabilities

    (40       37        
 

Fixed rate liabilities

    (41       (35      

Forward contracts

 

Forecasted expenses

       –       (9      

Equity contracts

 

Stock-based compensation

    35       (9      

Total

      $ (48   $ (15   $  

The Company anticipates that net losses of approximately $11 will be reclassified from AOCI to net income within the next 12 months. The maximum time frame for which variable cash flows are hedged is 16 years.

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations

The Company primarily uses forward currency contracts, cross currency swaps and non-functional currency denominated debt to manage its foreign currency exposures to net investments in foreign operations.

The effects of net investment hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income are shown in the following table.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   Gains (losses)
deferred in AOCI
    Gains (losses)
reclassified from
AOCI into
investment income
    Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Non-functional currency denominated debt

  $ 161     $     $  

Forward contracts

    (53            

Total

  $ 108     $     $  
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Gains (losses)
deferred in AOCI
    Gains (losses)
reclassified from
AOCI into
investment income
    Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Non-functional currency denominated debt

  $ 279     $  –     $  –  

Forward contracts

    80              

Total

  $   359     $     $  

(c) Derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

Derivatives used in portfolios supporting insurance contract liabilities are generally not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships because the change in the value of the insurance contract liabilities economically hedged by these derivatives is recorded through net income. Since changes in fair value of these derivatives and related hedged risks are recognized in investment income as they occur, they generally offset the change in hedged risk to the extent the hedges are economically effective. Interest rate and cross currency swaps are used in the portfolios supporting insurance contract liabilities to manage duration and currency risks.

 

LOGO            137


Investment income on derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Interest rate swaps

  $ 2,423     $ 1,483  

Interest rate futures

    894       571  

Interest rate options

    291       96  

Foreign currency swaps

    (55     (242

Currency rate futures

    (47     88  

Forward contracts

       3,785       2,815  

Equity futures

    (1,111     (2,436

Equity contracts

    322       277  

Credit default swaps

    (4     (3

Total

  $ 6,498     $   2,649  

(d) Embedded derivatives

Certain insurance contracts contain features that are classified as embedded derivatives and are measured separately at FVTPL, including reinsurance contracts related to guaranteed minimum income benefits and contracts containing certain credit and interest rate features.

Certain reinsurance contracts related to guaranteed minimum income benefits contain embedded derivatives requiring separate measurement at FVTPL as the financial component contained in the reinsurance contracts does not contain significant insurance risk. As at December 31, 2020, reinsurance ceded guaranteed minimum income benefits had a fair value of $1,007 (2019 – $981) and reinsurance assumed guaranteed minimum income benefits had a fair value of $112 (2019 – $109). Claims recovered under reinsurance ceded contracts offset claims expenses and claims paid on the reinsurance assumed are reported as contract benefits.

The Company’s credit and interest rate embedded derivatives promise to pay the returns on a portfolio of assets to the contract holder. These embedded derivatives contain a credit and interest rate risk that is a financial risk embedded in the underlying insurance contract. As at December 31, 2020, these embedded derivatives had a fair value of $(229) (2019 – $(137)).

Other financial instruments classified as embedded derivatives but exempt from separate measurement at fair value include variable universal life and variable life products’ minimum guaranteed credited rates, no lapse guarantees, guaranteed annuitization options, CPI indexing of benefits, and segregated fund minimum guarantees other than reinsurance ceded/assumed guaranteed minimum income benefits. These embedded derivatives are measured and reported within insurance contract liabilities and are exempt from separate fair value measurement as they contain insurance risk and/or are closely related to the insurance host contract.

 

138   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 5     Goodwill and Intangible Assets

(a) Change in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets

The following table presents the change in carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Balance,
January 1
    Net additions/
(disposals)
    Amortization
expense
    Effect of changes
in foreign
exchange rates
    Balance,
December 31
 

Goodwill

  $ 5,743     $ (5   $ n/a     $ (24   $ 5,714  

Indefinite life intangible assets

         

Brand

    779             n/a       (15     764  

Fund management contracts and other(1)

    805       (2     n/a       (7     796  
      1,584       (2     n/a       (22     1,560  

Finite life intangible assets(2)

         

Distribution networks

    801       59       42       (12     806  

Customer relationships

    795             54       (3     738  

Software

    991       262       189       (5     1,059  

Other

    61       (9     4       4       52  
      2,648       312       289       (16     2,655  

Total intangible assets

    4,232       310       289       (38     4,215  

Total goodwill and intangible assets

  $ 9,975     $ 305     $ 289     $ (62   $ 9,929  
As at December 31, 2019   Balance,
January 1
    Net additions/
(disposals)
    Amortization
expense
    Effect of changes
in foreign
exchange rates
    Balance,
December 31
 

Goodwill

  $ 5,864     $ (6   $ n/a     $ (115   $ 5,743  

Indefinite life intangible assets

         

Brand

    819             n/a       (40     779  

Fund management contracts and other(1)

    798       32       n/a       (25     805  
      1,617       32       n/a       (65     1,584  

Finite life intangible assets(2)

         

Distribution networks

    868       6       44       (29     801  

Customer relationships

    860       (2     54       (9     795  

Software

    821       357       168       (19     991  

Other

    67             5       (1     61  
      2,616       361       271       (58     2,648  

Total intangible assets

    4,233       393       271       (123     4,232  

Total goodwill and intangible assets

  $   10,097     $   387     $   271     $   (238   $   9,975  

 

(1)

Fund management contracts were mostly allocated to Canada WAM and U.S. WAM CGUs with the carrying values of $273 (2019 – $273) and $373 (2019 – $380), respectively.

(2)

Gross carrying amount of finite life intangible assets was $1,332 for distribution networks, $1,130 for customer relationships, $2,310 for software and $123 for other (2019 – $1,292, $1,133, $2,239 and $130), respectively.

(b) Goodwill impairment testing

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2020 by determining the recoverable amounts of its businesses using valuation techniques discussed below (refer to notes 1(f) and 5(c)). The review indicated that there was no impairment of goodwill in 2020 (2019 – $nil).

 

LOGO            139


The following tables present the carrying value of goodwill by CGU or group of CGUs.

 

As at December 31, 2020

CGU or group of CGUs

  Balance,
January 1,
   

Net additions/
(disposals)

    Effect of
changes in
foreign
exchange
rates
   

Balance,

December 31,

 

Asia

       

Asia Insurance (excluding Japan)

  $ 159     $     $     $ 159  

Japan Insurance

    420             13       433  

Canada Insurance

    1,957             (2     1,955  

U.S. Insurance

    349       (5     (6     338  

Global Wealth and Asset Management

       

Asia WAM

    187             (2     185  

Canada WAM

    1,436                   1,436  

U.S. WAM

    1,235             (27     1,208  

Total

  $ 5,743     $ (5   $ (24   $ 5,714  

As at December 31, 2019

CGU or group of CGUs

  Balance,
January 1,
    Net additions/
(disposals)
    Effect of
changes in
foreign
exchange
rates
    Balance,
December 31,
 

Asia

       

Asia Insurance (excluding Japan)

  $ 165     $   –     $ (6   $ 159  

Japan Insurance

    435             (15     420  

Canada Insurance

      1,962             (5     1,957  

U.S. Insurance

    367             (18     349  

Global Wealth and Asset Management

       

Asia WAM

    196             (9     187  

Canada WAM

    1,436                   –       1,436  

U.S. WAM

    1,303       (6     (62     1,235  

Total

  $ 5,864     $   (6   $   (115   $   5,743  

The valuation techniques, significant assumptions and sensitivities, where applicable, applied in the goodwill impairment testing are described below.

(c) Valuation techniques

When determining if a CGU is impaired, the Company compares its recoverable amount to the allocated capital for that unit, which is aligned with the Company’s internal reporting practices. The recoverable amounts were based on fair value less costs to sell (“FVLCS”) for Asia Insurance (excluding Japan) and Asia WAM. For other CGUs, value-in-use (“VIU”) was used.

Under the FVLCS approach, the Company determines the fair value of the CGU or group of CGUs using an earnings-based approach which incorporates forecasted earnings, excluding interest and equity market impacts and normalized new business expenses multiplied by an earnings-multiple derived from the observable price-to-earnings multiples of comparable financial institutions. The price-to-earnings multiple used by the Company for testing was 10.7 (2019 – 10.3). These FVLCS valuations are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (2019 – Level 3).

Under the VIU approach, used for CGUs with insurance business, an embedded appraisal value is determined from a projection of future distributable earnings derived from both the in-force business and new business expected to be sold in the future, and therefore, reflects the economic value for each CGU’s or group of CGUs’ profit potential under a set of assumptions. This approach requires assumptions including sales and revenue growth rates, capital requirements, interest rates, equity returns, mortality, morbidity, policyholder behaviour, tax rates and discount rates. For non-insurance CGUs, the VIU is based on discounted cash flow analysis which incorporates relevant aspects of the embedded appraisal value approach.

(d) Significant assumptions

To calculate embedded appraisal value, the Company discounted projected earnings from in-force contracts and valued 20 years of new business growing at expected plan levels, consistent with the periods used for forecasting long-term businesses such as insurance. In arriving at its projections, the Company considered past experience, economic trends such as interest rates, equity returns and product mix as well as industry and market trends. Where growth rate assumptions for new business cash flows were used in the embedded appraisal value calculations, they ranged from zero per cent to 10 per cent (2019 – zero per cent to 20 per cent).

Interest rate assumptions are based on prevailing market rates at the valuation date.

 

140   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Tax rates applied to the projections include the impact of internal reinsurance treaties and amounted to 28.0 per cent, 26.5 per cent and 21.0 per cent (2019 – 28.0 per cent, 26.5 per cent and 21.0 per cent) for the Japan, Canada and U.S. jurisdictions, respectively. Tax assumptions are sensitive to changes in tax laws as well as assumptions about the jurisdictions in which profits are earned. It is possible that actual tax rates could differ from those assumed.

Discount rates assumed in determining the value-in-use for applicable CGUs or group of CGUs ranged from 8.0 per cent to 10.0 per cent on an after-tax basis or 10.0 per cent to 12.5 per cent on a pre-tax basis (2019 – 7.5 per cent to 10.0 per cent on an after-tax basis or 9.4 per cent to 12.5 per cent on a pre-tax basis).

Key assumptions may change as economic and market conditions change, which may lead to impairment charges in the future. Adverse changes in discount rates (including from decline in interest rates) and growth rate assumptions for new business cash flow projections used in the determination of embedded appraisal values or reductions in market-based earnings multiples calculations may result in impairment charges in the future which could be material.

Note 6     Insurance Contract Liabilities and Reinsurance Assets

(a) Insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets

Insurance contract liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance ceded and the ceded liabilities are reported separately as reinsurance assets. Insurance contract liabilities include actuarial liabilities, benefits payable, provision for unreported claims and policyholder amounts on deposit. The components of gross and net insurance contract liabilities are shown below.

 

As at December 31,   2020     2019  

Insurance contract liabilities

  $   369,230     $ 336,156  

Benefits payable and provision for unreported claims

    4,837       4,229  

Policyholder amounts on deposit

    11,487       10,776  

Gross insurance contract liabilities

    385,554       351,161  

Reinsurance assets(1)

    (45,769     (41,353

Net insurance contract liabilities

  $ 339,785     $   309,808  

 

(1)

Reinsurance assets of $67 (2019 – $93) are related to investment contract liabilities, refer to note 7(b).

Net insurance contract liabilities represent the amount which, together with estimated future premiums and net investment income, will be sufficient to pay estimated future benefits, policyholder dividends and refunds, taxes (other than income taxes) and expenses on policies in-force net of reinsurance premiums and recoveries.

Net insurance contract liabilities are determined using CALM, as required by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

The determination of net insurance contract liabilities is based on an explicit projection of cash flows using current assumptions for each material cash flow item. Investment returns are projected using the current asset portfolios and projected reinvestment strategies.

Each assumption is based on the best estimate, adjusted by a margin for adverse deviation. For fixed income returns, this margin is established by scenario testing a range of prescribed and company-developed scenarios consistent with Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice. For all other assumptions, this margin is established by directly adjusting the best estimate assumption.

Cash flows used in the net insurance contract liabilities valuation adjust the gross policy cash flows to reflect projected cash flows from ceded reinsurance. The cash flow impact of ceded reinsurance varies depending upon the amount of reinsurance, the structure of reinsurance treaties, the expected economic benefit from treaty cash flows and the impact of margins for adverse deviation. Gross insurance contract liabilities are determined by discounting gross policy cash flows using the same discount rate as the net CALM model discount rate.

The reinsurance asset is determined by taking the difference between the gross insurance contract liabilities and the net insurance contract liabilities. The reinsurance asset represents the benefit derived from reinsurance arrangements in force at the date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

The period used for the projection of cash flows is the policy lifetime for most individual insurance contracts. For other types of contracts, a shorter projection period may be used, with the contract generally ending at the earlier of the first renewal date on or after the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position date where the Company can exercise discretion in renewing its contractual obligations or terms of those obligations and the renewal or adjustment date that maximizes the insurance contract liabilities. For segregated fund products with guarantees, the projection period is generally set as the period that leads to the largest insurance contract liability. Where the projection period is less than the policy lifetime, insurance contract liabilities may be reduced by an allowance for acquisition expenses expected to be recovered from policy cash flows beyond the projection period used for the liabilities. Such allowances are tested for recoverability using assumptions that are consistent with other components of the actuarial valuation.

 

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(b) Composition

The composition of insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets by the line of business and reporting segment is as follows.

Gross insurance contract liabilities

 

    Individual insurance    

Annuities
and
pensions

   

Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)

   

Total, net of
reinsurance
ceded

   

Total
reinsurance
ceded

   

Total,
gross of
reinsurance
ceded

 
As at December 31, 2020   Participating     Non-
participating
 

Asia

  $ 55,262     $ 36,930     $ 7,114     $ 3,652     $ 102,958     $ 2,127     $ 105,085  

Canada

    12,796       44,468       18,462       14,620       90,346       443       90,789  

U.S.

    8,422       68,001       16,292       54,224       146,939       42,875       189,814  

Corporate and Other

          (684     34       192       (458     324       (134

Total, net of reinsurance ceded

    76,480       148,715       41,902       72,688       339,785     $ 45,769     $ 385,554  

Total reinsurance ceded

    8,780       19,944       16,065       980       45,769      

Total, gross of reinsurance ceded

  $ 85,260     $ 168,659     $ 57,967     $ 73,668     $ 385,554      
    Individual insurance    

Annuities
and
pensions

   

Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)

   

Total, net of
reinsurance
ceded

   

Total
reinsurance
ceded

   

Total,
gross of
reinsurance
ceded

 
As at December 31, 2019   Participating     Non-
participating
 

Asia

  $ 46,071     $ 32,887     $ 5,915     $ 3,064     $ 87,937     $ 1,432     $ 89,369  

Canada

    12,012       39,655       17,871       13,759       83,297       286       83,583  

U.S.

    8,734       66,163       14,763       49,199       138,859       39,411       178,270  

Corporate and Other

          (609     36       288       (285     224       (61

Total, net of reinsurance ceded

    66,817       138,096       38,585       66,310       309,808     $   41,353     $   351,161  

Total reinsurance ceded

    9,869       13,588       16,850       1,046       41,353      

Total, gross of reinsurance ceded

  $   76,686     $   151,684     $   55,435     $   67,356     $   351,161      

 

(1)

Other insurance contract liabilities include group insurance and individual and group health including long-term care insurance.

Separate sub-accounts were established for participating policies in-force at the demutualization of MLI and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. These sub-accounts permit this participating business to be operated as separate “closed blocks” of participating policies. As at December 31, 2020, $29,480 (2019 – $29,402) of both reinsurance assets and insurance contract liabilities were related to these closed blocks of participating policies.

(c) Assets backing insurance contract liabilities, other liabilities and capital

Assets are segmented and matched to liabilities with similar underlying characteristics by product line and major currency. The Company has established target investment strategies and asset mixes for each asset segment supporting insurance contract liabilities which consider the risk attributes of the liabilities supported by the assets and expectations of market performance. Liabilities with rate and term guarantees are predominantly backed by fixed-rate instruments on a cash flow matching basis for a targeted duration horizon. Longer duration cash flows on these liabilities as well as on adjustable products such as participating life insurance are backed by a broader range of asset classes, including equity and alternative long-duration investments. The Company’s capital is invested in a range of debt and equity investments, both public and private.

Changes in the fair value of assets backing net insurance contract liabilities, that the Company considers to be other than temporary, would have a limited impact on the Company’s net income wherever there is an effective matching of assets and liabilities, as these changes would be substantially offset by corresponding changes in the value of net insurance contract liabilities. The fair value of assets backing net insurance contract liabilities as at December 31, 2020, excluding reinsurance assets, was estimated at $350,264 (2019 – $315,952).

As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of assets backing capital and other liabilities was estimated at $543,273 (2019 – $501,147).

 

142   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents the carrying value of assets backing net insurance contract liabilities, other liabilities and capital.

 

    Individual insurance    

Annuities
and pensions

   

Other insurance
contract
liabilities(1)

   

Other
liabilities(2)

   

Capital(3)

   

Total

 
As at December 31, 2020   Participating     Non-
participating
 

Assets

             

Debt securities

  $ 39,523     $ 81,548     $ 20,936     $ 34,725     $ 8,872     $ 33,121     $ 218,725  

Public equities

    12,365       6,971       461       310       402       3,213       23,722  

Mortgages

    3,069       12,536       4,923       8,315       21,338       26       50,207  

Private placements

    5,549       17,276       7,499       9,439       817       176       40,756  

Real estate

    3,385       6,466       1,027       1,697       57       200       12,832  

Other

    12,589       23,918       7,056       18,202       448,014       24,328       534,107  

Total

  $ 76,480     $ 148,715     $ 41,902     $ 72,688     $ 479,500     $ 61,064     $ 880,349  
    Individual insurance    

Annuities
and pensions

   

Other insurance
contract
liabilities(1)

   

Other
liabilities(2)

   

Capital(3)

   

Total

 
As at December 31, 2019   Participating     Non-
participating
 

Assets

             

Debt securities

  $ 34,169     $ 74,113     $ 19,865     $ 31,620     $ 8,828     $ 29,527     $ 198,122  

Public equities

    10,907       6,453       204       253       381       4,653       22,851  

Mortgages

    2,921       12,140       5,203       7,916       21,165       31       49,376  

Private placements

    4,658       16,020       6,957       9,122       1,090       132       37,979  

Real estate

    3,336       6,446       1,082       1,731       113       220       12,928  

Other

    10,826       22,924       5,274       15,668       410,376       22,806       487,874  

Total

  $   66,817     $   138,096     $   38,585     $   66,310     $   441,953     $   57,369     $   809,130  

 

(1)

Other insurance contract liabilities include group insurance and individual and group health including long-term care insurance.

(2)

Other liabilities are non-insurance contract liabilities which include segregated funds, bank deposits, long-term debt, deferred tax liabilities, derivatives, investment contracts, embedded derivatives and other miscellaneous liabilities.

(3)

Capital is defined in note 12.

(d) Significant insurance contract liability valuation assumptions

The determination of insurance contract liabilities involves the use of estimates and assumptions. Insurance contract liabilities have two major components: a best estimate amount and a provision for adverse deviation.

Best estimate assumptions

Best estimate assumptions are made with respect to mortality and morbidity, investment returns, rates of policy termination, operating expenses and certain taxes. Actual experience is monitored to ensure that assumptions remain appropriate and assumptions are changed as warranted. Assumptions are discussed in more detail in the following table.

 

   

Nature of factor and assumption methodology

 

  

Risk management

 

 

Mortality

and

morbidity

  

 

Mortality relates to the occurrence of death. Mortality is a key assumption for life insurance and certain forms of annuities. Mortality assumptions are based on the Company’s internal experience as well as past and emerging industry experience. Assumptions are differentiated by sex, underwriting class, policy type and geographic market. Assumptions are made for future mortality improvements.

 

Morbidity relates to the occurrence of accidents and sickness for insured risks. Morbidity is a key assumption for long-term care insurance, disability insurance, critical illness and other forms of individual and group health benefits. Morbidity assumptions are based on the Company’s internal experience as well as past and emerging industry experience and are established for each type of morbidity risk and geographic market. Assumptions are made for future morbidity improvements.

 

  

 

The Company maintains underwriting standards to determine the insurability of applicants. Claim trends are monitored on an ongoing basis. Exposure to large claims is managed by establishing policy retention limits, which vary by market and geographic location. Policies in excess of the limits are reinsured with other companies.

 

Mortality is monitored monthly and the overall 2020 experience was unfavourable (2019 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions. Morbidity is also monitored monthly and the overall 2020 experience was favourable (2019 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions.

 

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Nature of factor and assumption methodology

 

  

Risk management

 

 

Investment returns

  

 

The Company segments assets to support liabilities by business segment and geographic market and establishes investment strategies for each liability segment. Projected cash flows from these assets are combined with projected cash flows from future asset purchases/sales to determine expected rates of return on these assets for future years. Investment strategies are based on the target investment policies for each segment and the reinvestment returns are derived from current and projected market rates for fixed income investments and a projected outlook for other alternative long-duration assets.

 

Investment return assumptions include expected future asset credit losses on fixed income investments. Credit losses are projected based on past experience of the Company and industry as well as specific reviews of the current investment portfolio.

 

Investment return assumptions for each asset class and geographic market also incorporate expected investment management expenses that are derived from internal cost studies. The costs are attributed to each asset class to develop unitized assumptions per dollar of asset for each asset class and geographic market.

  

 

The Company’s policy of closely matching asset cash flows with those of the corresponding liabilities is designed to mitigate the Company’s exposure to future changes in interest rates. The interest rate risk positions in business segments are monitored on an ongoing basis. Under CALM, the reinvestment rate is developed using interest rate scenario testing and reflects the interest rate risk positions.

 

In 2020, the movement in interest rates negatively (2019 – negatively) impacted the Company’s net income. This negative impact was driven by decreases in risk free interest rates and corporate spreads, as well the impact of swap spreads on policy liabilities.

 

The exposure to credit losses is managed against policies that limit concentrations by issuer, corporate connections, ratings, sectors and geographic regions. On participating policies and some non-participating policies, credit loss experience is passed back to policyholders through the investment return crediting formula. For other policies, premiums and benefits reflect the Company’s assumed level of future credit losses at contract inception or most recent contract adjustment date. The Company holds explicit provisions in actuarial liabilities for credit risk including provisions for adverse deviation.

 

In 2020, credit loss experience on debt securities and mortgages was unfavourable (2019 – favourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions.

 

Equities, real estate and other alternative long-duration assets are used to support liabilities where investment return experience is passed back to policyholders through dividends or credited investment return adjustments. Equities, real estate, oil and gas and other alternative long-duration assets are also used to support long-dated obligations in the Company’s annuity and pension businesses and for long-dated insurance obligations on contracts where the investment return risk is borne by the Company.

 

In 2020, investment experience on alternative long-duration assets backing policyholder liabilities was unfavourable (2019 – favourable) primarily due to losses in real estate properties, and private equities, timber and agriculture properties as well as in oil and gas properties. In 2020, alternative long-duration asset origination did not exceed (2019 – exceeded) valuation requirements.

 

In 2020, for the business that is dynamically hedged, segregated fund guarantee experience on residual, non-dynamically hedged market risks were unfavourable (2019 – favourable). For the business that is not dynamically hedged, experience on segregated fund guarantees due to changes in the market value of assets under management was also unfavourable (2019 – favourable). This excludes the experience on the macro equity hedges.

 

In 2020, investment expense experience was unfavourable (2019 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions.

 

 

144   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


   

Nature of factor and assumption methodology

 

  

Risk management

 

 

Policy termination and premium persistency

  

 

Policies are terminated through lapses and surrenders, where lapses represent the termination of policies due to non-payment of premiums and surrenders represent the voluntary termination of policies by policyholders. Premium persistency represents the level of ongoing deposits on contracts where there is policyholder discretion as to the amount and timing of deposits. Policy termination and premium persistency assumptions are primarily based on the Company’s recent experience adjusted for expected future conditions. Assumptions reflect differences by type of contract within each geographic market.

 

  

 

The Company seeks to design products that minimize financial exposure to lapse, surrender and premium persistency risk. The Company monitors lapse, surrender and persistency experience.

 

In aggregate, 2020 policyholder termination and premium persistency experience was unfavourable (2019 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions used in the computation of actuarial liabilities.

 

Expenses and taxes

  

 

Operating expense assumptions reflect the projected costs of maintaining and servicing in-force policies, including associated overhead expenses. The expenses are derived from internal cost studies projected into the future with an allowance for inflation. For some developing businesses, there is an expectation that unit costs will decline as these businesses grow.

 

Taxes reflect assumptions for future premium taxes and other non-income related taxes. For income taxes, policy liabilities are adjusted only for temporary tax timing and permanent tax rate differences on the cash flows available to satisfy policy obligations.

  

 

The Company prices its products to cover the expected costs of servicing and maintaining them. In addition, the Company monitors expenses monthly, including comparisons of actual expenses to expense levels allowed for in pricing and valuation.

 

Maintenance expenses for 2020 were unfavourable (2019 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions used in the computation of actuarial liabilities.

 

The Company prices its products to cover the expected cost of taxes.

 

Policyholder  dividends, experience rating refunds, and other adjustable policy elements

 

  

 

The best estimate projections for policyholder dividends and experience rating refunds, and other adjustable elements of policy benefits are determined to be consistent with management’s expectation of how these elements will be managed should experience emerge consistently with the best estimate assumptions used for mortality and morbidity, investment returns, rates of policy termination, operating expenses and taxes.

  

 

The Company monitors policy experience and adjusts policy benefits and other adjustable elements to reflect this experience.

 

Policyholder dividends are reviewed annually for all businesses under a framework of Board-approved policyholder dividend policies.

 

Foreign currency

  

 

Foreign currency risk results from a mismatch of the currency of liabilities and the currency of the assets designated to support these obligations. Where a currency mismatch exists, the assumed rate of return on the assets supporting the liabilities is reduced to reflect the potential for adverse movements in foreign exchange rates.

 

 

  

 

The Company generally matches the currency of its assets with the currency of the liabilities they support, with the objective of mitigating the risk of loss arising from movements in currency exchange rates.

The Company reviews actuarial methods and assumptions on an annual basis. If changes are made to assumptions (refer to note 6(h)), the full impact is recognized in income immediately.

(e) Sensitivity of insurance contract liabilities to changes in non-economic assumptions

The sensitivity of net income attributed to shareholders to changes in non-economic assumptions underlying insurance contract liabilities is shown below, assuming a simultaneous change in the assumption across all business units. The sensitivity of net income attributed to shareholders to a deterioration or improvement in non-economic assumptions for Long-Term Care (“LTC”) as at December 31, 2020 is also shown below.

In practice, experience for each assumption will frequently vary by geographic market and business, and assumption updates are made on a business/geographic specific basis. Actual results can differ materially from these estimates for a variety of reasons including the interaction among these factors when more than one changes; changes in actuarial and investment return and future investment activity assumptions; changes in business mix, effective tax rates and other market factors; and the general limitations of internal models.

 

LOGO            145


Potential impact on net income attributed to shareholders arising from changes to non-economic assumptions(1)

 

As at December 31,

  Decrease in net income
attributed to shareholders
 
  2020     2019  

Policy related assumptions

   

2% adverse change in future mortality rates(2),(4)

   

Products where an increase in rates increases insurance contract liabilities

  $ (500   $ (500

Products where a decrease in rates increases insurance contract liabilities

    (600     (500

5% adverse change in future morbidity rates (incidence and termination)(3),(4),(5)

      (5,700       (5,100

10% adverse change in future policy termination rates(4)

    (2,600     (2,400

5% increase in future expense levels

    (600     (600

 

(1)

The participating policy funds are largely self-supporting and generate no material impact on net income attributed to shareholders as a result of changes in non-economic assumptions. Experience gains or losses would generally result in changes to future dividends, with no direct impact to shareholders.

(2)

An increase in mortality rates will generally increase policy liabilities for life insurance contracts whereas a decrease in mortality rates will generally increase policy liabilities for policies with longevity risk such as payout annuities.

(3)

No amounts related to morbidity risk are included for policies where the policy liability provides only for claims costs expected over a short period, generally less than one year, such as Group Life and Health.

(4)

The impacts of the adverse sensitivities on LTC for morbidity, mortality and lapse do not assume any partial offsets from the Company’s ability to contractually raise premium rates in such events, subject to state regulatory approval. In practice, the Company would plan to file for rate increases equal to the amount of deterioration resulting from the sensitivities.

(5)

5% deterioration in incidence rates and 5% deterioration in claim termination rates.

Potential impact on net income attributed to shareholders arising from changes to non-economic assumptions for Long-Term Care included in the above table(1),(2)

 

As at December 31,

  

Decrease in net income
attributed to shareholders

 

 
   2020      2019  

Policy related assumptions

     

2% adverse change in future mortality rates

   $ (300    $ (300

5% adverse change in future morbidity incidence rates(3)

       (2,100        (1,900

5% adverse change in future morbidity claims termination rates(3)

     (3,100      (2,800

10% adverse change in future policy termination rates

     (400      (400

5% increase in future expense levels

     (100      (100

 

(1)

The impacts of the adverse sensitivities on LTC for morbidity, mortality and lapse do not assume any partial offsets from the Company’s ability to contractually raise premium rates in such events, subject to state regulatory approval. In practice, the Company would plan to file for rate increases equal to the amount of deterioration resulting from the sensitivities.

(2)

The impact of favourable changes to all the sensitivities is relatively symmetrical.

(3) 

The comparatives for 2019 have been updated to reflect refinements between incidence and termination impacts implemented in 2020.

(f) Provision for adverse deviation assumptions

The assumptions made in establishing insurance contract liabilities reflect expected best estimates of future experience. To recognize the uncertainty in these best estimate assumptions, to allow for possible misestimation of and deterioration in experience and to provide a greater degree of assurance that the insurance contract liabilities are adequate to pay future benefits, the Appointed Actuary is required to include a margin in each assumption.

Margins are released into future earnings as the policy is released from risk. Margins for interest rate risk are included by testing a number of scenarios of future interest rates. The margin can be established by testing a limited number of scenarios, some of which are prescribed by the Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice, and determining the liability based on the worst outcome. Alternatively, the margin can be set by testing many scenarios, which are developed according to actuarial guidance. Under this approach the liability would be the average of the outcomes above a percentile in the range prescribed by the Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice.

Specific guidance is also provided for other risks such as market, credit, mortality and morbidity risks. For other risks which are not specifically addressed by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, a range is provided of five per cent to 20 per cent of the expected experience assumption. The Company uses assumptions within the permissible ranges, with the determination of the level set considering the risk profile of the business. On occasion, in specific circumstances for additional prudence, a margin may exceed the high end of the range, which is permissible under the Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice. This additional margin would be released if the specific circumstances which led to it being established were to change.

Each margin is reviewed annually for continued appropriateness.

 

146   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(g) Change in insurance contract liabilities

The change in insurance contract liabilities was a result of the following business activities and changes in actuarial estimates.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   Net actuarial
liabilities
    Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)
    Net
insurance
contract
liabilities
    Reinsurance
assets
    Gross
insurance
contract
liabilities
 

Balance, January 1

  $ 296,589     $ 13,219     $ 309,808     $ 41,353     $ 351,161  

New policies(2)

    3,166             3,166       481       3,647  

Normal in-force movement(2)

    32,340       1,312       33,652       (3,030     30,622  

Changes in methods and assumptions(2)

    563             563       4,559       5,122  

Reinsurance transactions(3)

    (3,360           (3,360     3,360        

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

    (3,890     (154     (4,044     (954     (4,998

Balance, December 31

  $ 325,408     $ 14,377     $ 339,785     $ 45,769     $ 385,554  
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Net actuarial
liabilities
    Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)
    Net
insurance
contract
liabilities
    Reinsurance
assets
    Gross
insurance
contract
liabilities
 

Balance, January 1

  $ 272,761     $ 12,968     $ 285,729     $ 42,925     $ 328,654  

New policies(4)

    3,251             3,251       521       3,772  

Normal in-force movement(4)

    30,171       750       30,921       (972     29,949  

Changes in methods and assumptions(4)

    74             74       927       1,001  

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

    (9,668     (499     (10,167     (2,048     (12,215

Balance, December 31

  $   296,589     $   13,219     $   309,808     $   41,353     $   351,161  

 

(1)

Other insurance contract liabilities are comprised of benefits payable and provisions for unreported claims and policyholder amounts on deposit.

(2)

In 2020, the $36,982 increase reported as the change in insurance contract liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Income primarily consists of changes due to normal in-force movement, new policies, associated embedded derivatives and changes in methods and assumptions. These three items in the gross insurance contract liabilities were netted off by an increase of $39,391, of which $37,876 is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income increase in insurance contract liabilities and $1,515 is included in gross claims and benefits. The Consolidated Statements of Income change in insurance contract liabilities also includes the change in embedded derivatives associated with insurance contracts; however, these embedded derivatives are included in other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

(3) 

On September 30, 2020, the Company, through its subsidiary John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), entered into a reinsurance agreement with Global Atlantic Financial Group Ltd to reinsure a block of legacy U.S. bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”). Under the terms of the transaction, the Company will maintain responsibility for servicing the policies with no expected impact to the BOLI policyholders. The transaction was structured such that the Company ceded policyholder contract liabilities and transferred invested assets backing these liabilities.

(4)

In 2019, the $33,727 increase reported as the change in insurance contract liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Income primarily consists of changes due to normal in-force movement, new policies, associated embedded derivatives and changes in methods and assumptions. These three items in the gross insurance contract liabilities were netted off by an increase of $34,721, of which $34,056 is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income increase in insurance contract liabilities and $665 is included in gross claims and benefits. The Consolidated Statements of Income change in insurance contract liabilities also includes the change in embedded derivatives associated with insurance contracts; however, these embedded derivatives are included in other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

(h) Actuarial methods and assumptions

A comprehensive review of valuation assumptions and methods is performed annually. The review reduces the Company’s exposure to uncertainty by ensuring assumptions for both asset and liability risks remain appropriate. This is accomplished by monitoring experience and updating assumptions which represent a best estimate of expected future experience, and margins that are appropriate for the risks assumed. While the assumptions selected represent the Company’s current best estimates and assessment of risk, the ongoing monitoring of experience and the changes in economic environment are likely to result in future changes to the actuarial assumptions, which could materially impact the insurance contract liabilities.

Annual review 2020

The completion of the 2020 annual review of actuarial methods and assumptions resulted in an increase in insurance contract liabilities of $563, net of reinsurance, and a decrease in net income attributed to shareholders of $198 post-tax.

 

    Change in insurance contract liabilities,
net of reinsurance
       
For the year ended December 31, 2020   Total     Attributed to
participating
policyholders’
account(1)
    Attributed to
shareholders’
account
    Change in net
income attributed
to shareholders
(post-tax)
 

Canada variable annuity product review

  $ (42   $     $ (42   $ 31  

Mortality and morbidity updates

    (304     (1     (303         232  

Lapses and policyholder behaviour

    893             893       (682

Investment related updates

    (212     (153     (59     31  

Other updates

    228       455       (227     190  

Net impact

  $    563     $     301     $     262     $ (198

 

(1)

The change in insurance contract liabilities, net of reinsurance, attributable to the participating policyholders’ account was driven by refinements to the Company’s valuation models, primarily due to annual updates to reflect market movements in the first half of 2020.

 

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Canada variable annuity product review

The review of the Company’s variable annuity product in Canada resulted in a $31 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders.

The gain was driven by refinements to the segregated fund guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit valuation models, partially offset by updates to lapse assumptions to reflect emerging experience.

Updates to mortality and morbidity

Mortality and morbidity updates resulted in a $232 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders.

The gain was primarily driven by a review of the Company’s reinsurance arrangements and mortality margins for preferred risk classes in Canada Individual Insurance business, as well as updates to the morbidity assumptions on certain products in Japan. This was partially offset by a charge from the review of mortality assumptions in the U.S. Insurance business, where emerging experience showed higher mortality at older attained ages.

Other updates to mortality and morbidity assumptions were made across several products, largely in Canada, to reflect recent experience resulting in a net post-tax gain to net income attributable to shareholders.

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour assumptions resulted in a $682 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

The Company completed a detailed review of the lapse assumptions for universal life policies in Canada, including both yearly renewable term, and level cost of insurance products. The Company lowered the ultimate lapse assumptions due to the emergence of more recent data, which resulted in a post-tax charge of $504 to net income attributed to shareholders, primarily driven by adverse experience on large policies.

Other updates to lapse and policyholder behaviour assumptions were made across several products to reflect recent experience resulting in a net post-tax charge to net income attributable to shareholders. The primary driver of the charge was adverse lapse experience from retail policies in Japan.

Investment related updates

Updates to investment return assumptions resulted in a $31 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders.

Other updates

Other updates resulted in a $190 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders. This incorporated several positive items including updates to the Company’s U.S. segregated fund guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit valuation models, as well as updates to the projection of the tax and liability cash flows in the U.S. to align with updated U.S. tax and statutory reporting standard changes, partially offset by refinements to the valuation models, primarily driven by annual updates to reflect market movements in the first half of 2020.

Annual review 2019

The 2019 annual review of actuarial methods and assumptions resulted in an increase in insurance contract liabilities of $74, net of reinsurance, and a decrease in net income attributed to shareholders of $21 post-tax.

 

    Change in insurance contract liabilities,
net of reinsurance
       
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Total     Attributed to
participating
policyholders’
account
    Attributed to
shareholders’
account
    Change in net
income attributed
to shareholders
(post-tax)
 

Long-term care triennial review

  $ 11     $        –     $ 11     $ (8

Mortality and morbidity updates

    25       47       (22     14  

Lapses and policyholder behaviour

    135       17         118       (75

Investment return assumptions

    12       81       (69         70  

Other updates

    (109     (163     54       (22

Net impact

  $      74     $ (18   $ 92     $ (21

Long-term care triennial review

U.S. Insurance completed a comprehensive long-term care (“LTC”) experience study in 2019. The review included all aspects of claim assumptions, the impact of policyholder benefit reductions as well as the progress on future premium rate increases and a review of margins on the business. The impact of the LTC review was approximately net neutral to net income attributed to shareholders.

The experience study showed lower termination rates than expected during the elimination or “qualifying” period (which is the period between when a claim is filed and when benefit payments begin), and favourable incidence as policyholders are filing claims at a lower rate than expected. In addition, policyholders are electing to reduce their benefits in lieu of paying increased premiums. The overall claims experience review led to a post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $1.9 billion, which includes a gain of approximately $0.2 billion for the impact of benefit reductions.

 

148   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The experience study included additional claims data due to the natural aging of the block of business. As a result, the Company reduced certain margins for adverse deviations, which resulted in a post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $0.7 billion.

While the study continues to support the assumptions of both future morbidity and mortality improvement, the Company reduced its morbidity improvement assumption, which resulted in a post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $0.7 billion.

The review of premium increases assumed in the policy liabilities resulted in a post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $2.0 billion related to the expected timing and amount of premium increases that are subject to state approval and reflects a 30% margin. The expected premium increases are informed by past approval rates applied to prior state filings that remain outstanding and estimated new requests based on the Company’s 2019 review of morbidity, mortality and lapse assumptions. The Company’s actual experience in obtaining premium increases could be materially different than what it has assumed, resulting in further increases or decreases in policy liabilities, which could be material.

Updates to mortality and morbidity

Mortality and morbidity updates resulted in a $14 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders. This included a review of the Company’s Canada Individual Insurance mortality and reinsurance arrangements.

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour assumptions resulted in a $75 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

The primary driver of the charge was an update to the Company’s lapse assumptions across several term and whole life product lines within the Company’s Canada Individual Insurance business, partially offset by several updates to lapse and premium persistency assumptions in other geographies.

Updates to investment return assumptions

Updates to investment return assumptions resulted in a $70 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders.

The primary driver of the gain was an update to the Company’s senior secured loan default rates to reflect recent experience, as well as its investment and crediting rate strategy for certain universal life products. This was partially offset by updates to certain private equity investment assumptions in Canada.

Other updates

Other updates resulted in a $22 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

(i) Insurance contracts contractual obligations

Insurance contracts give rise to obligations fixed by agreement. As at December 31, 2020, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments relating to insurance contracts are as follows.

 

Payments due by period    Less than
1 year
    

1 to 3

years

    

3 to 5

years

     Over 5 years      Total  

Insurance contract liabilities(1)

   $   10,672      $   9,859      $   15,416      $   791,780      $   827,727  

 

(1)

Insurance contract liability cash flows include estimates related to the timing and payment of death and disability claims, policy surrenders, policy maturities, annuity payments, minimum guarantees on segregated fund products, policyholder dividends, commissions and premium taxes offset by contractual future premiums on in-force contracts. These estimated cash flows are based on the best estimate assumptions used in the determination of insurance contract liabilities. These amounts are undiscounted and reflect recoveries from reinsurance agreements. Due to the use of assumptions, actual cash flows may differ from these estimates. Cash flows include embedded derivatives measured separately at fair value.

(j) Gross claims and benefits

The following table presents a breakdown of gross claims and benefits.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Death, disability and other claims

  $   18,064     $   15,752  

Maturity and surrender benefits

    8,613       8,433  

Annuity payments

    3,560       4,030  

Policyholder dividends and experience rating refunds

    1,411       1,445  

Net transfers from segregated funds

    (1,515     (1,000

Total

  $ 30,133     $ 28,660  

(k) Reinsurance transactions

On September 30, 2020, the Company, through its subsidiary John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), entered into a reinsurance agreement with Global Atlantic Financial Group Ltd to reinsure a block of legacy U.S. bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”). Under the terms

 

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of the transaction, the Company will maintain responsibility for servicing the policies with no expected impact to the BOLI policyholders. The transaction was structured such that the Company ceded policyholder contract liabilities and transferred invested assets backing these liabilities.

The transaction closed with an effective date of July 1, 2020. The Company recorded an after-tax gain of $262, which includes an increase in reinsurance assets and ceded premiums of $3.4 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

On September 26, 2018, the Company entered into coinsurance agreements with Reinsurance Group of America (“RGA”) to reinsure a block of legacy U.S. individual pay-out annuities business from John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHUSA”) with a 100% quota share and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (“JHNY”) with a 90% quota share. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company will maintain responsibility for servicing the policies. The transaction was structured such that the Company ceded policyholder contract liabilities and transferred invested assets backing these liabilities. The JHUSA transaction closed in 2018. The JHNY transaction closed with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The Company recorded an after-tax gain of $18, which includes an increase in reinsurance assets of $132 and ceded premiums of $131 in the Consolidated Statements of Income in 2019.

On October 31, 2018, the Company entered into coinsurance agreements with Jackson National Life Insurance Company (“Jackson”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc, to reinsure a block of legacy U.S. group pay-out annuities business from JHUSA with a 100% quota share and from JHNY with a 90% quota share. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company will maintain responsibility for servicing the policies. The transaction was structured such that the Company ceded policyholder contract liabilities and transferred related invested assets backing these liabilities. The JHUSA transaction closed in 2018. The JHNY transaction closed with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The Company recorded an after-tax gain of $31 in 2019, which includes an increase in reinsurance assets of $621, a ceding commission paid of $35 and ceded premiums of $581 in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 7    Investment Contract Liabilities

Investment contract liabilities are contractual obligations that do not contain significant insurance risk. Those contracts are measured either at fair value or at amortized cost.

(a) Investment contract liabilities measured at fair value

Investment contract liabilities measured at fair value include certain investment savings and pension products sold primarily in Hong Kong and mainland China. The following table presents the movement in investment contract liabilities measured at fair value.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Balance, January 1

  $ 789     $ 782  

New policies

    180       66  

Changes in market conditions

    90       62  

Redemptions, surrenders and maturities

      (108     (86

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

    (19     (35

Balance, December 31

  $ 932     $     789  

(b) Investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost

Investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost include several fixed annuity products sold in the U.S. and Canada that provide guaranteed income payments for a contractually determined period and are not contingent on survivorship.

The following table presents carrying and fair values of investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost.

 

    2020           2019  
As at December 31,  

Amortized

cost, gross of
reinsurance
ceded(1)

    Fair value          

Amortized

cost, gross of
reinsurance
ceded(1)

    Fair value  

U.S. fixed annuity products

  $   1,361     $   1,680           $   1,248     $   1,482  

Canadian fixed annuity products

    995       1,086         1,067       1,158  

Investment contract liabilities

  $ 2,356     $ 2,766           $   2,315     $ 2,640  

 

(1)

As at December 31, 2020, investment contract liabilities with carrying value and fair value of $67 and $76, respectively (2019 – $93 and $103, respectively), were reinsured by the Company. The net carrying value and fair value of investment contract liabilities were $2,289 and $2,690 (2019 – $2,222 and $2,537), respectively.

 

150   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The changes in investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost was a result of the following business activities.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Balance, January 1

  $   2,315     $   2,483  

Policy deposits

    202       2  

Interest

    61       62  

Withdrawals

    (194     (182

Fees

    (1     (3

Other

          17  

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

    (27     (64

Balance, December 31

  $ 2,356     $ 2,315  

Carrying value of fixed annuity products is amortized at a rate that exactly discounts the projected actual cash flows to the net carrying amount of the liability at the date of issue.

Fair value of fixed annuity products is determined by projecting cash flows according to the contract terms and discounting the cash flows at current market rates adjusted for the Company’s own credit standing. As at December 31, 2020 and 2019, fair value of all investment contract liabilities was determined using Level 2 valuation techniques.

(c) Investment contracts contractual obligations

As at December 31, 2020, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments relating to the investment contracts are as follows.

 

Payments due by period    Less than
1 year
    

1 to 3

years

    

3 to 5

years

     Over 5
years
     Total  

Investment contract liabilities(1)

   $   297      $   514      $   520      $   4,220      $   5,551  

 

(1)

Due to the nature of the products, the timing of net cash flows may be before contract maturity. Cash flows are undiscounted.

Note 8     Risk Management

The Company’s policies and procedures for managing risks of financial instruments are disclosed in denoted components of the “Risk Management and Risk Factors” section of the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020. These disclosures are in accordance with IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” and an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

(a) Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss due to inability or unwillingness of a borrower, or counterparty, to fulfill its payment obligations. Worsening regional and global economic conditions, segment or industry sector challenges, or company specific factors could result in defaults or downgrades and could lead to increased provisions or impairments related to the Company’s general fund invested assets, derivative financial instruments and reinsurance assets and an increase in provisions for future credit impairments that are included in actuarial liabilities.

The Company’s exposure to credit risk is managed through risk management policies and procedures which include a defined credit evaluation and adjudication process, delegated credit approval authorities and established exposure limits by borrower, corporate connection, credit rating, industry and geographic region. The Company measures derivative counterparty exposure as net potential credit exposure, which takes into consideration mark-to-market values of all transactions with each counterparty, net of any collateral held, and an allowance to reflect future potential exposure. Reinsurance counterparty exposure is measured reflecting the level of ceded liabilities.

The Company also ensures where warranted, that mortgages, private placements and loans to Bank clients are secured by collateral, the nature of which depends on the credit risk of the counterparty.

An allowance for losses on loans is established when a loan becomes impaired. Allowances for loan losses are calculated to reduce the carrying value of the loans to estimated net realizable value. The establishment of such allowances takes into consideration normal historical credit loss levels and future expectations, with an allowance for adverse deviations. In addition, policy liabilities include general provisions for credit losses from future asset impairments. Impairments are identified through regular monitoring of all credit related exposures, considering such information as general market conditions, industry and borrower specific credit events and any other relevant trends or conditions. Allowances for losses on reinsurance contracts are established when a reinsurance counterparty becomes unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligations. The allowance for loss is based on current recoverable amounts and ceded policy liabilities.

Credit risk associated with derivative counterparties is discussed in note 8(d) and credit risk associated with reinsurance counterparties is discussed in note 8(i).

 

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(i) Credit exposure

The following table presents the gross carrying amount of financial instruments subject to credit exposure, without considering any collateral held or other credit enhancements.

 

As at December 31,   2020     2019  

Debt securities

   

FVTPL

  $   183,061     $ 166,307  

AFS

    35,663       31,815  

Mortgages

    50,207       49,376  

Private placements

    40,756       37,979  

Policy loans

    6,398       6,471  

Loans to Bank clients

    1,976       1,740  

Derivative assets

    27,793       19,449  

Accrued investment income

    2,523       2,416  

Reinsurance assets

    45,836       41,446  

Other financial assets

    6,156       5,628  

Total

  $ 400,369     $   362,627  

As at December 31, 2020, 97% (2019 – 99%) of debt securities were investment grade-rated with ratings ranging between AAA to BBB.

(ii) Credit quality

Credit quality of commercial mortgages and private placements

Credit quality of commercial mortgages and private placements is assessed at least annually by using an internal rating based on regular monitoring of credit-related exposures, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors.

A provision is recorded when the internal risk ratings indicate that a loss represents the most likely outcome. These assets are designated as non-accrual and an allowance is established based on an analysis of the security and repayment sources.

The following table presents the credit quality of commercial mortgages and private placements.

 

As at December 31, 2020   AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB     B and lower     Total  

Commercial mortgages

             

Retail

  $ 110     $ 1,339     $ 4,761     $ 2,242     $ 168     $ 1     $ 8,621  

Office

    66       1,297       5,948       1,174       164       20       8,669  

Multi-family residential

    613       1,675       2,896       582       33             5,799  

Industrial

    25       320       2,353       259       3             2,960  

Other

    238       966       914       984       355       7       3,464  

Total commercial mortgages

    1,052       5,597       16,872       5,241       723       28       29,513  

Agricultural mortgages

                127       77       106             310  

Private placements

    1,061       4,829       15,585       15,825       1,206       2,250       40,756  

Total

  $ 2,113     $ 10,426     $ 32,584     $ 21,143     $   2,035     $ 2,278     $ 70,579  
As at December 31, 2019   AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB     B and lower     Total  

Commercial mortgages

             

Retail

  $ 132     $ 1,374     $ 5,285     $ 2,039     $ 10     $     $ 8,840  

Office

    77       1,540       5,808       1,402       26       18       8,871  

Multi-family residential

    640       1,585       2,397       714       35             5,371  

Industrial

    38       364       1,820       237       10             2,469  

Other

    260       739       976       1,290             8       3,273  

Total commercial mortgages

    1,147       5,602       16,286       5,682       81       26       28,824  

Agricultural mortgages

          27       137       312                   476  

Private placements

    1,098       5,513       14,311       14,139       823       2,095       37,979  

Total

  $   2,245     $   11,142     $   30,734     $   20,133     $   904     $   2,121     $   67,279  

Credit quality of residential mortgages and loans to Bank clients

Credit quality of residential mortgages and loans to Bank clients is assessed at least annually with the loan being performing or non-performing as the key credit quality indicator.

Full or partial write-offs of loans are recorded when management believes that there is no realistic prospect of full recovery. Write-offs, net of recoveries, are deducted from the allowance for credit losses. All impairments are captured in the allowance for credit losses.

 

152   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents credit quality of residential mortgages and loans to Bank clients.

 

   

 

2020

             2019  
As at December 31,   Insured     Uninsured     Total           Insured     Uninsured     Total  

Residential mortgages

             

Performing

  $   6,349     $   13,980     $   20,329       $ 6,613     $ 13,411     $ 20,024  

Non-performing(1)

    9       46       55         25       27       52  

Loans to Bank clients

             

Performing

    n/a       1,976       1,976         n/a       1,740       1,740  

Non-performing(1)

      n/a                     n/a              

Total

  $ 6,358     $ 16,002     $ 22,360       $   6,638     $   15,178     $   21,816  

 

(1)

Non-performing refers to assets that are 90 days or more past due.

The carrying value of government-insured mortgages was 13% of the total mortgage portfolio as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – 14%). Most of these insured mortgages are residential loans as classified in the table above.

(iii) Past due or credit impaired financial assets

The Company provides for credit risk by establishing allowances against the carrying value of impaired loans and recognizing impairment losses on AFS debt securities. In addition, the Company reports as impairment losses certain declines in the fair value of debt securities designated as FVTPL which it deems represent an impairment due to non-recoverability of due amount.

The following table presents past due but not impaired and impaired financial assets.

 

    Past due but not impaired        
As at December 31, 2020   Less than
90 days
    90 days
and greater
    Total     Total
impaired
 

Debt securities

       

FVTPL

  $     $     $     $ 54  

AFS

                      1  

Private placements

    30             30       170  

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

    66             66       69  

Other financial assets

    56       58       114       2  

Total

  $ 152     $ 58     $ 210     $ 296  
    Past due but not impaired        
As at December 31, 2019   Less than
90 days
    90 days
and greater
    Total     Total
impaired
 

Debt securities

       

FVTPL

  $ 11     $     $ 11     $ 167  

AFS

    4       1       5        

Private placements

    215             215       7  

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

    61             61       59  

Other financial assets

    60       42       102       1  

Total

  $   351     $   43     $   394     $   234  

The following table presents gross carrying value and allowances for loan losses for impaired loans.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Gross
carrying value
    Allowances
for loan losses
    Net carrying
value
 

Private placements

  $ 249     $ 79     $ 170  

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

    97       28       69  

Total

  $   346     $   107     $   239  
As at December 31, 2019   Gross
carrying value
    Allowances
for loan losses
    Net carrying
value
 

Private placements

  $ 11     $ 4     $ 7  

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

    75       16       59  

Total

  $   86     $   20     $   66  

 

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The following table presents movement of allowance for loan losses during the year.

 

    2020           2019  
For the years ended December 31,   Private
placements
    Mortgages
and loans to
Bank clients
    Total           Private
placements
    Mortgages
and loans to
Bank clients
    Total  

Balance, January 1

  $ 4     $ 16     $ 20       $   43     $   52     $   95  

Provisions

    94       31       125         35       15       50  

Recoveries

    (6     (6     (12               (46       (46

Write-offs(1)

      (13       (13       (26         (74     (5     (79

Balance, December 31

  $   79     $   28     $   107       $ 4     $ 16     $ 20  

 

(1)

Includes disposals and impact of changes in foreign exchange rates.

(b) Securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions

The Company engages in securities lending to generate fee income. Collateral exceeding the market value of the loaned securities is retained by the Company until the underlying security has been returned to the Company. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored daily and additional collateral is obtained or refunded as the market value of the underlying loaned securities fluctuates. As at December 31, 2020, the Company had loaned securities (which are included in invested assets) with a market value of $889 (2019 – $558). The Company holds collateral with a current market value that exceeds the value of securities lent in all cases.

The Company engages in reverse repurchase transactions to generate fee income, to take possession of securities to cover short positions in similar instruments and to meet short-term funding requirements. As at December 31, 2020, the Company had engaged in reverse repurchase transactions of $716 (2019 – $990) which are recorded as short-term receivables. In addition, the Company had engaged in repurchase transactions of $353 as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – $333) which are recorded as payables.

(c) Credit default swaps

The Company replicates exposure to specific issuers by selling credit protection via credit default swaps (“CDS”) to complement its cash debt securities investing. The Company does not write CDS protection more than its government bond holdings. A CDS is a derivative instrument representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a single specified entity or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities (all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), in return for a periodic premium. CDS contracts typically have a five-year term.

The following table presents details of the credit default swap protection sold by type of contract and external agency rating for the underlying reference security.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Notional
amount(1)
    Fair value    

Weighted
average maturity

(in years)(2)

 

Single name CDS(3) – Corporate debt

     

A

  $ 136     $ 2         1  

BBB

    105       1       2  

Total single name CDS

  $ 241     $ 3       1  

Total CDS protection sold

  $ 241     $   3       1  
As at December 31, 2019   Notional
amount(1)
    Fair value    

Weighted
average

maturity

(in years)(2)

 

Single name CDS(3) – Corporate debt

     

AA

  $ 24     $   –       1  

A

    371       5       1  

BBB

    107       1       2  

Total single name CDS

  $ 502     $ 6       1  

Total CDS protection sold

  $   502     $ 6       1  

 

(1)

Notional amounts represent the maximum future payments the Company would have to pay its counterparties assuming a default of the underlying credit and zero recovery on the underlying issuer obligation.

(2)

The weighted average maturity of the CDS is weighted based on notional amounts.

(3)

Standard & Poor’s assigned credit ratings are used where available followed by Moody’s, DBRS, and Fitch. If no external rating is available, an internally developed rating is used.

The Company held no purchased credit protection as at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

154   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(d) Derivatives

The Company’s point-in-time exposure to losses related to credit risk of a derivative counterparty is limited to the amount of any net gains that may have accrued with a counterparty. Gross derivative counterparty exposure is measured as the total fair value (including accrued interest) of all outstanding contracts in a gain position excluding any offsetting contracts in a loss position and the impact of collateral on hand. The Company limits the risk of credit losses from derivative counterparties by: using investment grade counterparties; entering into master netting arrangements which permit the offsetting of contracts in a loss position in the case of a counterparty default; and entering into Credit Support Annex agreements, whereby collateral must be provided when the exposure exceeds a certain threshold. All contracts are held with counterparties rated BBB+ or higher. As at December 31, 2020, the percentage of the Company’s derivative exposure with counterparties rated AA- or higher was 20 per cent (2019 – 23 per cent). The Company’s exposure to credit risk was mitigated by $16,696 fair value of collateral held as security as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – $12,038).

As at December 31, 2020, the largest single counterparty exposure, without considering the impact of master netting agreements or the benefit of collateral held, was $4,110 (2019 – $3,047). The net exposure to this counterparty, after considering master netting agreements and the fair value of collateral held, was $nil (2019 – $nil). As at December 31, 2020, the total maximum credit exposure related to derivatives across all counterparties, without considering the impact of master netting agreements and the benefit of collateral held, was $28,685 (2019 – $20,144).

(e) Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

Certain derivatives, securities lent and repurchase agreements have conditional offset rights. The Company does not offset these financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, as the rights of offset are conditional.

In the case of derivatives, collateral is collected from and pledged to counterparties and clearing houses to manage credit risk exposure in accordance with Credit Support Annexes to swap agreements and clearing agreements. Under master netting agreements, the Company has a right of offset in the event of default, insolvency, bankruptcy or other early termination.

In the case of reverse repurchase and repurchase transactions, additional collateral may be collected from or pledged to counterparties to manage credit exposure according to bilateral reverse repurchase or repurchase agreements. In the event of default by a counterparty, the Company is entitled to liquidate the collateral held to offset against the same counterparty’s obligation.

 

LOGO            155


The following table presents the effect of conditional master netting and similar arrangements. Similar arrangements may include global master repurchase agreements, global master securities lending agreements, and any related rights to financial collateral.

 

          Related amounts not set off in the
Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position
             
As at December 31, 2020   Gross amounts of
financial instruments(1)
    Amounts subject to
an enforceable
master netting
arrangement or
similar agreements
    Financial
and cash
collateral
pledged
(received)(2)
    Net
amount
including
financing
entities(3)
    Net
amounts
excluding
financing
entities
 

Financial assets

         

Derivative assets

  $   28,685     $ (13,243   $ (15,323   $   119     $   119  

Securities lending

    889             (889            

Reverse repurchase agreements

    716             (715     1       1  

Total financial assets

  $   30,290     $ (13,243   $ (16,927   $   120     $   120  

Financial liabilities

         

Derivative liabilities

  $ (16,076   $     13,243     $   2,482     $ (351   $ (71

Repurchase agreements

    (353           353              

Total financial liabilities

  $ (16,429   $ 13,243     $   2,835     $ (351   $ (71
          Related amounts not set off in the
Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position
             
As at December 31, 2019   Gross amounts of
financial instruments(1)
    Amounts subject to
an enforceable
master netting
arrangement or
similar agreements
    Financial
and cash
collateral
pledged
(received)(2)
    Net
amount
including
financing
entities(3)
    Net
amounts
excluding
financing
entities
 

Financial assets

         

Derivative assets

  $    20,144     $ (9,188   $ (10,889   $ 67     $     67  

Securities lending

    558             (558            

Reverse repurchase agreements

    990             (989            1       1  

Total financial assets

  $ 21,692     $ (9,188   $ (12,436   $ 68     $ 68  

Financial liabilities

         

Derivative liabilities

  $ (11,345   $    9,188     $      1,903     $ (254   $ (53

Repurchase agreements

    (333           330       (3     (3

Total financial liabilities

  $ (11,678   $ 9,188     $ 2,233     $ (257   $ (56

 

(1)

Financial assets and liabilities include accrued interest of $892 and $1,114, respectively (2019 – $696 and $1,061, respectively).

(2)

Financial and cash collateral exclude over-collateralization. As at December 31, 2020, the Company was over-collateralized on OTC derivative assets, OTC derivative liabilities, securities lending and reverse purchase agreements and repurchase agreements in the amounts of $1,373, $627, $74 and $nil, respectively (2019 – $1,149, $526, $44 and $nil, respectively). As at December 31, 2020, collateral pledged (received) does not include collateral-in-transit on OTC instruments or initial margin on exchange traded contracts or cleared contracts.

(3)

Includes derivative contracts entered between the Company and its financing trusts which it does not consolidate. The Company does not exchange collateral on derivative contracts entered with these trusts. Refer to note 17.

The Company has certain credit linked note assets and variable surplus note liabilities which have unconditional offset rights. Under the netting agreements, the Company has rights of offset including in the event of the Company’s default, insolvency, or bankruptcy. These financial instruments are offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

A credit linked note is a security that allows the issuer to transfer a specific credit risk to the buyer. A surplus note is a subordinated debt obligation that often qualifies as surplus (the U.S. statutory equivalent of equity) by some U.S. state insurance regulators. Interest payments on surplus notes are made after all other contractual payments are made. The following table presents the effect of unconditional netting.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Gross amounts of
financial instruments
    Amounts subject to
an enforceable
netting arrangement
    Net amounts of
financial instruments
 

Credit linked note(1)

  $    932     $ (932   $   –  

Variable surplus note

    (932        932        

 

As at December 31, 2019   Gross amounts of
financial instruments
    Amounts subject to
an enforceable
netting arrangement
    Net amounts of
financial instruments
 

Credit linked note(1)

  $     782     $ (782   $   –  

Variable surplus note

    (782         782        

 

(1)

As at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no fixed surplus notes outstanding, refer to note 18(g).

 

156   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(f) Risk concentrations

The Company defines enterprise-wide investment portfolio level targets and limits to ensure that portfolios are diversified across asset classes and individual investment risks. The Company monitors actual investment positions and risk exposures for concentration risk and reports its findings to the Executive Risk Committee and the Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

As at December 31,   2020     2019  

Debt securities and private placements rated as investment grade BBB or higher(1)

    97%       98%  

Government debt securities as a per cent of total debt securities

    37%       37%  

Government private placements as a per cent of total private placements

    11%       12%  

Highest exposure to a single non-government debt security and private placement issuer

  $   1,148     $ 1,083  

Largest single issuer as a per cent of the total equity portfolio

    2%       2%  

Income producing commercial office properties (2020 – 53% of real estate, 2019 – 56%)

  $ 6,745     $ 7,279  

Largest concentration of mortgages and real estate(2) – Ontario Canada (2020 – 28%, 2019 – 27%)

  $   17,367     $   17,038  

 

(1)

Investment grade debt securities and private placements include 40% rated A, 16% rated AA and 16% rated AAA (2019 – 41%, 17% and 16%) investments based on external ratings where available.

(2)

Mortgages and real estate investments are diversified geographically and by property type.

The following table presents debt securities and private placements portfolio by sector and industry.

 

    2020           2019  
As at December 31,   Carrying value     % of total           Carrying value     % of total  

Government and agency

  $ 85,357       33       $ 77,883       33  

Utilities

    47,902       18         44,426       19  

Financial

    35,656       15         31,929       13  

Consumer

    29,684       11         25,931       11  

Energy

    20,963       8         20,196       9  

Industrial

    22,070       9         19,024       8  

Other

    17,850       6         16,712       7  

Total

  $   259,482         100       $   236,101       100  

(g) Insurance risk

Insurance risk is the risk of loss due to actual experience for mortality and morbidity claims, policyholder behaviour and expenses emerging differently than assumed when a product was designed and priced. A variety of assumptions are made related to these experience factors, for reinsurance costs, and for sales levels when products are designed and priced, as well as in the determination of policy liabilities. Assumptions for future claims are generally based on both Company and industry experience, and assumptions for future policyholder behaviour and expenses are generally based on Company experience. Such assumptions require significant professional judgment, and actual experience may be materially different than the assumptions made by the Company. Claims may be impacted unexpectedly by changes in the prevalence of diseases or illnesses, medical and technology advances, widespread lifestyle changes, natural disasters, large-scale man-made disasters and acts of terrorism. Policyholder behaviour including premium payment patterns, policy renewals, lapse rates and withdrawal and surrender activity are influenced by many factors including market and general economic conditions, and the availability and relative attractiveness of other products in the marketplace. Some reinsurance rates are not guaranteed and may be changed unexpectedly. Adjustments the Company seeks to make to Non-Guaranteed elements to reflect changing experience factors may be challenged by regulatory or legal action and the Company may be unable to implement them or may face delays in implementation.

The Company manages insurance risk through global policies, standards and best practices with respect to product design, pricing, underwriting and claim adjudication, and a global underwriting manual. Each business unit establishes underwriting policies and procedures, including criteria for approval of risks and claims adjudication policies and procedures. The current global life retention limit is US$30 for individual policies (US$35 for survivorship life policies) and is shared across businesses. Lower limits are applied in some markets and jurisdictions. The Company aims to further reduce exposure to claims concentrations by applying geographical aggregate retention limits for certain covers. Enterprise-wide, the Company aims to reduce the likelihood of high aggregate claims by operating globally, insuring a wide range of unrelated risk events, and reinsuring some risk.

 

LOGO            157


(h) Concentration risk

The geographic concentration of the Company’s insurance and investment contract liabilities, including embedded derivatives, is shown below. The disclosure is based on the countries in which the business is written.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Gross
liabilities
    Reinsurance
assets
    Net liabilities  

U.S. and Canada

  $   273,848     $ (44,645   $   229,203  

Asia and Other

    114,878       (1,191     113,687  

Total

  $   388,726     $ (45,836   $   342,890  
As at December 31, 2019   Gross
liabilities
    Reinsurance
assets
    Net liabilities  

U.S. and Canada

  $   255,999     $   (40,944   $ 215,055  

Asia and Other

    98,237       (502     97,735  

Total

  $ 354,236     $ (41,446   $   312,790  

(i) Reinsurance risk

In the normal course of business, the Company limits the amount of loss on any one policy by reinsuring certain levels of risk with other insurers. In addition, the Company accepts reinsurance from other reinsurers. Reinsurance ceded does not discharge the Company’s liability as the primary insurer. Failure of reinsurers to honour their obligations could result in losses to the Company; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible. To minimize losses from reinsurer insolvency, the Company monitors the concentration of credit risk both geographically and with any one reinsurer. In addition, the Company selects reinsurers with high credit ratings.

As at December 31, 2020, the Company had $45,836 (2019 – $41,446) of reinsurance assets. Of this, 94 per cent (2019 – 94 per cent) were ceded to reinsurers with Standard and Poor’s ratings of A- or above. The Company’s exposure to credit risk was mitigated by $27,360 fair value of collateral held as security as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – $26,638). Net exposure after considering offsetting agreements and the benefit of the fair value of collateral held was $18,476 as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – $14,808).

Note 9     Long-Term Debt

(a) Carrying value of long-term debt instruments

 

As at December 31,    Issue date    Maturity date   Par value    2020      2019  

3.050% Senior notes(1),(2)

  

August 27, 2020

  

August 27, 2060

 

US$  1,155

   $   1,460      $  

4.70% Senior notes(1)

  

June 23, 2016

  

June 23, 2046

 

US$  1,000

     1,265        1,290  

5.375% Senior notes(1)

  

March 4, 2016

  

March 4, 2046

 

US$     750

     943        962  

2.396% Senior notes(3)

  

June 1, 2020

  

June 1, 2027

 

US$     200

     254         

2.484% Senior notes(1),(3)

  

May 19, 2020

  

May 19, 2027

 

US$     500

     632         

3.527% Senior notes(1)

  

December 2, 2016

  

December 2, 2026

 

US$     270

     343        350  

4.150% Senior notes(1)

  

March 4, 2016

  

March 4, 2026

 

US$  1,000

     1,267        1,292  

4.90% Senior notes(4)

  

September 17, 2010

  

September 17, 2020

 

US$     500

            649  

Total

                 $   6,164      $   4,543  

 

(1)

These U.S. dollar senior notes have been designated as hedges of the Company’s net investment in its U.S. operations which reduces the earnings volatility that would otherwise arise from the re-measurement of these senior notes into Canadian dollars.

(2)

Issued by MFC during the year, interest is payable semi-annually. The senior notes may be redeemed at the option of MFC in whole, but not in part, on August 27, 2025, and thereafter on every August 27 at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(3)

Issued by MFC during the year, interest is payable semi-annually. The senior notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the option of MFC at any time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of par and a price based on the yield of a corresponding U.S. Treasury bond plus 30 basis points.

(4)

The 4.90% senior notes matured on September 17, 2020.

The cash amount of interest paid on long-term debt during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $229 (2019 – $216). Issue costs are amortized over the term of the debt.

(b) Fair value measurement

Fair value of long-term debt instruments is determined using the following hierarchy:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined using quoted market prices where available.

Level 2 – When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined with reference to quoted prices of similar debt instruments or estimated using discounted cash flows based on observable market rates.

The Company measures long-term debt at amortized cost in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of long-term debt was $7,042 (2019 – $5,078). Fair value of long-term debt was determined using Level 2 valuation techniques (2019 – Level 2).

 

158   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(c) Aggregate maturities of long-term debt

 

As at December 31      Less than
1 year
       1 to 3
years
       3 to 5
years
       Over 5
years
       Total  

2020

     $        $   –        $   –        $ 6,164        $   6,164  

2019

         649                              3,894          4,543  

Note 10     Capital Instruments

(a) Carrying value of capital instruments

 

As at December 31,   Issuance date     Earliest par
redemption date
    Maturity date     Par value     2020     2019  

JHFC Subordinated notes(1)

    December 14, 2006       n/a       December 15, 2036     $ 650     $ 647     $ 647  

2.818% MFC Subordinated debentures(2)

    May 12, 2020       May 13, 2030       May 13, 2035     $    1,000       995        

4.061% MFC Subordinated notes(3),(4)

    February 24, 2017       February 24, 2027       February 24, 2032     US$       750       951       969  

2.237% MFC Subordinated debentures(5)

    May 12, 2020       May 12, 2025       May 12, 2030     $ 1,000       996        

3.00% MFC Subordinated notes(6)

    November 21, 2017       November 21, 2024       November 21, 2029     S$ 500       480       481  

3.049% MFC Subordinated debentures(7)

    August 18, 2017       August 20, 2024       August 20, 2029     $ 750       748       747  

3.317% MFC Subordinated debentures(7)

    May 9, 2018       May 9, 2023       May 9, 2028     $ 600       598       598  

3.181% MLI Subordinated debentures(8)

    November 20, 2015       November 22, 2022       November 22, 2027     $ 1,000       999       998  

3.85% MFC Subordinated notes(6)

    May 25, 2016       May 25, 2021       May 25, 2026     S$ 500       481       482  

2.389% MLI Subordinated debentures(8),(9)

    June 1, 2015       January 5, 2021       January 5, 2026     $ 350       350       350  

2.10% MLI Subordinated debentures(10)

    March 10, 2015       June 1, 2020       June 1, 2025     $ 750             750  

2.64% MLI Subordinated debentures(11)

    December 1, 2014       January 15, 2020       January 15, 2025     $ 500             500  

7.375% JHUSA Surplus notes(12)

    February 25, 1994       n/a       February 15, 2024     US$ 450       584       598  

Total

                                  $   7,829     $   7,120  

 

(1)

Issued by Manulife Holdings (Delaware) LLC (“MHDLL”), now John Hancock Financial Corporation (“JHFC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of MFC, to Manulife Finance (Delaware) LLC (“MFLLC”), a subsidiary of Manulife Finance (Delaware) L.P. (“MFLP”). MFLP and its subsidiaries are wholly owned unconsolidated related parties to the Company. The note bears interest at a floating rate equal to the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus 0.72%. With regulatory approval, JHFC may redeem the note, in whole or in part, at any time, at par, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Refer to note 17.

(2)

Issued by MFC during the year, interest is payable semi-annually. After May 13, 2030, the interest rate will reset to equal the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus 1.82%. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole, or in part, on or after May 13, 2025, at a redemption price together with accrued and unpaid interest. If the redemption date is on or after May 13, 2025, but prior to May 13, 2030, the redemption price shall be the greater of: (i) the Canada yield price as defined in the prospectus; and (ii) par. If the redemption date is on or after May 13, 2030, the redemption price shall be equal to par.

(3)

On the earliest par redemption date, the interest rate will reset to equal the 5-Year US Dollar Mid-Swap Rate plus 1.647%. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole, but not in part, on the earliest par redemption date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(4) 

Designated as a hedge of the Company’s net investment in its U.S. operations which reduces the earnings volatility that would otherwise arise from the re-measurement of the subordinated notes into Canadian dollars.

(5)

Issued by MFC during the year, interest is payable semi-annually. After May 12, 2025, the interest rate will reset to equal the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus 1.49%. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole, or in part, on or after May 12, 2025, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(6)

On the earliest par redemption date, the interest rate will reset to equal the 5-Year Singapore Dollar Swap Rate plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 3.00% – 83.2 bps, 3.85% – 197 bps. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole, but not in part, on the earliest par redemption date and thereafter on each interest payment date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(7)

Interest is fixed for the period up to the earliest par redemption date, thereafter, the interest rate will reset to a floating rate equal to the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 3.049% – 105 bps, 3.317% – 78 bps. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, on or after the earliest par redemption date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(8)

Interest is fixed for the period up to the earliest par redemption date, thereafter the interest rate will reset to a floating rate equal to the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 3.181% – 157 bps, 2.389% – 83 bps. With regulatory approval, MLI may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, on or after the earliest par redemption date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(9) 

MLI redeemed in full the 2.389% subordinated debentures at par, on January 5, 2021, the earliest par redemption date.

(10)

MLI redeemed in full the 2.10% subordinated debentures at par, on June 1, 2020, the earliest par redemption date.

(11)

MLI redeemed in full the 2.64% subordinated debentures at par, on January 15, 2020, the earliest par redemption date.

(12)

Issued by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, now John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.). Any payment of interest or principal on the surplus notes requires prior approval from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services of the State of Michigan. The carrying value of the surplus notes reflects an unamortized fair value increment of US$13 (2019 – US$17), which arose as a result of the acquisition of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. The amortization of the fair value adjustment is recorded in interest expense.

(b) Fair value measurement

Fair value of capital instruments is determined using the following hierarchy:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined using quoted market prices where available.

Level 2 – When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined with reference to quoted prices of similar debt instruments or estimated using discounted cash flows based on observable market rates.

 

LOGO            159


The Company measures capital instruments at amortized cost in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As at December 31, 2020, the fair value of capital instruments was $8,295 (2019 – $7,333). Fair value of capital instruments was determined using Level 2 valuation techniques (2019 – Level 2).

Note 11     Share Capital and Earnings Per Share

The authorized capital of MFC consists of:

 

 

an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value; and

 

an unlimited number of Class A, Class B and Class 1 preferred shares without nominal or par value, issuable in series.

(a) Preferred shares

The following table presents information about the outstanding preferred shares as at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Issue date   Annual
dividend rate(1)
     Earliest redemption date(2)   Number of
shares
(in millions)
    Face
amount
    Net amount(3)  
  2020     2019  

Class A preferred shares

            

Series 2

 

February 18, 2005

    4.65   

n/a

    14     $ 350     $ 344     $ 344  

Series 3

 

January 3, 2006

    4.50   

n/a

    12       300       294       294  

Class 1 preferred shares

            

Series 3(4),(5)

 

March 11, 2011

    2.178   

June 19, 2021

    6       158       155       155  

Series 4(6)

 

June 20, 2016

    floating     

June 19, 2021

    2       42       41       41  

Series 5(4),(5)

 

December 6, 2011

    3.891   

December 19, 2021

    8       200       195       195  

Series 7(4),(5)

 

February 22, 2012

    4.312   

March 19, 2022

    10       250       244       244  

Series 9(4),(5)

 

May 24, 2012

    4.351   

September 19, 2022

    10       250       244       244  

Series 11(4),(5)

 

December 4, 2012

    4.731   

March 19, 2023

    8       200       196       196  

Series 13(4),(5)

 

June 21, 2013

    4.414   

September 19, 2023

    8       200       196       196  

Series 15(4),(5)

 

February 25, 2014

    3.786   

June 19, 2024

    8       200       195       195  

Series 17(4),(5)

 

August 15, 2014

    3.80   

December 19, 2024

    14       350       343       343  

Series 19(4),(5),(7)

 

December 3, 2014

    3.675   

March 19, 2025

    10       250       246       246  

Series 21(4),(5)

 

February 25, 2016

    5.60   

June 19, 2021

    17       425       417       417  

Series 23(4),(5)

 

November 22, 2016

    4.85   

March 19, 2022

    19       475       467       467  

Series 25(4),(5)

 

February 20, 2018

    4.70   

June 19, 2023

    10       250       245       245  

Total

                     156     $   3,900     $   3,822     $   3,822  

 

(1)

Holders of Class A and Class 1 preferred shares are entitled to receive non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, as and when declared by the Board of Directors.

(2)

Redemption of all preferred shares is subject to regulatory approval. MFC may redeem each series, in whole or in part, at par, on the earliest redemption date or every five years thereafter, except for Class A Series 2, Class A Series 3 and Class 1 Series 4 preferred shares. Class A Series 2 and Series 3 preferred shares are past their respective earliest redemption date and MFC may redeem these shares, in whole or in part, at par at any time, subject to regulatory approval, as noted. MFC may redeem the Class 1 Series 4, in whole or in part, at any time, at $25.00 per share if redeemed on June 19, 2021 and on June 19 every five years thereafter, or at $25.50 per share if redeemed on any other date after June 19, 2016, subject to regulatory approval, as noted.

(3)

Net of after-tax issuance costs.

(4)

On the earliest redemption date and every five years thereafter, the annual dividend rate will be reset to the five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus a yield specified for each series. The specified yield for Class 1 shares is: Series 3 – 1.41%, Series 5 – 2.90%, Series 7 – 3.13%, Series 9 – 2.86%, Series 11 – 2.61%, Series 13 – 2.22%, Series 15 – 2.16%, Series 17 – 2.36%, Series 19 – 2.30%, Series 21 – 4.97%, Series 23 – 3.83% and Series 25 – 2.55%.

(5)

On the earliest redemption date and every five years thereafter, Class 1 preferred shares are convertible at the option of the holder into a new series that is one number higher than their existing series, and the holders are entitled to non-cumulative preferential cash dividends, payable quarterly if and when declared by the Board of Directors, at a rate equal to the three month Government of Canada Treasury bill yield plus the rate specified in footnote 4 above.

(6)

The floating dividend rate for the Class 1 Shares Series 4 equals the three-month Government of Canada Treasury bill yield plus 1.41%.

(7)

MFC did not exercise its right to redeem all or any of the outstanding Class 1 Shares Series 19 on March 19, 2020, the earliest redemption date. The dividend rate was reset as specified in footnote 4 above to an annual fixed rate of 3.675%, for a five-year period commencing on March 20, 2020.

(b) Common shares

The following table presents changes in common shares issued and outstanding.

 

    2020           2019  
For the years ended December 31,  

Number of shares

(in millions)

    Amount          

Number of shares

(in millions)

    Amount  

Balance, January 1

    1,949     $ 23,127         1,971     $   22,961  

Repurchased for cancellation

    (10     (121       (58     (677

Issued under dividend reinvestment plan

                  31       739  

Issued on exercise of stock options and deferred share units

    1       36         5       104  

Total

    1,940     $   23,042         1,949     $ 23,127  

 

160   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Normal Course Issuer Bid

On March 13, 2020, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (“OSFI”) announced measures to support the resilience of financial institutions. Consistent with these measures, OSFI set the expectation for all federally regulated financial institutions that dividend increases and share buybacks should be halted for the time being. Accordingly, the Company has not repurchased its common shares since March 13, 2020.

MFC’s NCIB expired on November 13, 2020. During 2020, MFC purchased and subsequently cancelled 10.2 million (2019 – 57.6 million) of its common shares at an average price of $24.86 (2019 – $23.22) per common share for a total cost of $253 (2019 – $1.3 billion). Of this, the book value of shares purchased was $121 (2019 - $677) which was recorded in common shares, and the excess market value over book value of these shares was $132 (2019 – $662) which was recorded in retained earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity.

Since the commencement of this NCIB on November 14, 2019, MFC purchased for cancellation 16.5 million of its common shares at an average price of $25.26 per share for a total cost of $416.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Company offers a Dividend Reinvestment Program (“DRIP”) whereby shareholders may elect to automatically reinvest dividends in the form of MFC common shares instead of receiving cash. The offering of the program and its terms of execution are subject to the Board of Directors’ discretion.

During 2020, the Company purchased common shares for this program in the open market.

(c) Earnings per share

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per common share of the Company.     

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Basic earnings per common share

  $         2.94     $         2.77  

Diluted earnings per common share

    2.93       2.77  

The following is a reconciliation of the numbers of shares in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019     

Weighted average number of common shares (in millions)

              1,941           1,958     

Dilutive stock-based awards(1) (in millions)

    2       4     

Weighted average number of diluted common shares (in millions)

    1,943       1,962     

 

(1)

The dilutive effect of stock-based awards was calculated using the treasury stock method. This method calculates the number of incremental shares by assuming the outstanding stock-based awards are (i) exercised and (ii) then reduced by the number of shares assumed to be repurchased from the issuance proceeds, using the average market price of MFC common shares for the year. Excluded from the calculation was a weighted average of 18 million (2019 – 9 million) anti-dilutive stock-based awards.

(d) Quarterly dividend declaration subsequent to year end

On February 10, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share on the common shares of MFC, payable on or after March 19, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 23, 2021.

The Board also declared dividends on the following non-cumulative preferred shares, payable on or after March 19, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 23, 2021.

 

Class A Shares Series 2 – $0.29063 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 13 – $0.275875 per share

Class A Shares Series 3 – $0.28125 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 15 – $0.236625 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 3 – $0.136125 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 17 – $0.2375 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 4 – $0.092465 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 19 – $0.229688 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 5 – $0.243188 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 21 – $0.35 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 7 – $0.2695 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 23 – $0.303125 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 9 – $0.271938 per share

 

Class 1 Shares Series 25 – $0.29375 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 11 – $0.295688 per share

   

 

LOGO            161


Note 12     Capital Management

(a) Capital management

The Company monitors and manages its consolidated capital in compliance with the Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test (“LICAT”) guideline, the capital framework issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (“OSFI”). Under the capital framework, the Company’s consolidated capital resources, including available capital, surplus allowance, and eligible deposits, are measured against the base solvency buffer, which is the risk-based capital requirement determined in accordance with the guideline.

The Company’s operating activities are primarily conducted within MLI and its subsidiaries. MLI is also regulated by OSFI and is therefore subject to consolidated risk-based capital requirements using the OSFI LICAT framework.

The Company seeks to manage its capital with the objectives of:

 

 

Operating with sufficient capital to be able to honour all commitments to its policyholders and creditors with a high degree of confidence;

 

Retaining the ongoing confidence of regulators, policyholders, rating agencies, investors and other creditors in order to ensure access to capital markets; and

 

Optimizing return on capital to meet shareholders’ expectations subject to constraints and considerations of adequate levels of capital established to meet the first two objectives.

Capital is managed and monitored in accordance with the Capital Management Policy. The policy is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors annually and is integrated with the Company’s risk and financial management frameworks. It establishes guidelines regarding the quantity and quality of capital, internal capital mobility, and proactive management of ongoing and future capital requirements.

The capital management framework considers the requirements of the Company as a whole as well as the needs of each of the Company’s subsidiaries. Internal capital targets are set above the regulatory requirements, and consider a number of factors, including expectations of regulators and rating agencies, results of sensitivity and stress testing and the Company’s own risk assessments. The Company monitors against these internal targets and initiates actions appropriate to achieving its business objectives.

Consolidated capital, based on accounting standards, is presented in the table below for MFC. For regulatory reporting purposes, LICAT available capital is based on consolidated capital with adjustments for certain deductions, limits and restrictions, as mandated by the LICAT guideline.

Consolidated capital

 

As at December 31,   2020        2019  

Total equity

  $   53,006        $   50,106  

Adjusted for AOCI loss on cash flow hedges

    (229        (143

Total equity excluding AOCI on cash flow hedges

    53,235          50,249  

Qualifying capital instruments

    7,829          7,120  

Consolidated capital

  $ 61,064        $ 57,369  

(b) Restrictions on dividends and capital distributions

Dividends and capital distributions are restricted under the Insurance Companies Act (“ICA”). These restrictions apply to both MFC and its primary operating subsidiary MLI. The ICA prohibits the declaration or payment of any dividend on shares of an insurance company if there are reasonable grounds for believing a company does not have adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity or the declaration or the payment of the dividend would cause the company to be in contravention of any regulation made under the ICA respecting the maintenance of adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity, or of any direction made to the company by OSFI. The ICA also requires an insurance company to notify OSFI of the declaration of a dividend at least 15 days prior to the date fixed for its payment. Similarly, the ICA prohibits the purchase for cancellation of any shares issued by an insurance company or the redemption of any redeemable shares or other similar capital transactions, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company does not have adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity or the payment would cause the company to be in contravention of any regulation made under the ICA respecting the maintenance of adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity, or any direction made to the company by OSFI. These latter transactions would require the prior approval of OSFI.

The ICA requires Canadian insurance companies to maintain adequate levels of capital at all times.

Since MFC is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through regulated insurance subsidiaries (or companies owned directly or indirectly by these subsidiaries), its ability to pay future dividends will depend on the receipt of sufficient funds from its regulated insurance subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are also subject to certain regulatory restrictions under laws in Canada, the United States and certain other countries that may limit their ability to pay dividends or make other upstream distributions.

On March 13, 2020, OSFI set the expectation for all federally regulated financial institutions that dividend increases and share buybacks should be halted for the time being. Refer to note 11(b).

Note 13     Revenue from Service Contracts

The Company provides investment management services, administrative services, distribution and related services to proprietary and third-party investment funds, retirement plans, group benefit plans and other arrangements. The Company also provides real estate management services to tenants of the Company’s investment properties.

 

162   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The Company’s service contracts generally impose single performance obligations, each consisting of a series of similar related services for each customer.

The Company’s performance obligations within service arrangements are generally satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services rendered, measured using an output method. Fees typically include variable consideration and the related revenue is recognized to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved.

Asset-based fees vary with asset values of accounts under management, subject to market conditions and investor behaviors beyond the Company’s control. Transaction processing and administrative fees vary with activity volume, also beyond the Company’s control. Some fees, including distribution fees, are based on account balances and transaction volumes. Fees related to account balances and transaction volumes are measured daily. Real estate management service fees include fixed portions plus recovery of variable costs of services rendered to tenants. Fees related to services provided are generally recognized as services are rendered, which is when it becomes highly probable that no significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will occur. The Company has determined that its service contracts have no significant financing components as fees are collected monthly. The Company has no significant contract assets or contract liabilities.

The following tables present revenue from service contracts by service lines and reporting segments as disclosed in note 19.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Global
WAM
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Investment management and other related fees

  $ 171     $ 202     $ 514     $ 2,770     $ (201   $ 3,456  

Transaction processing, administration, and service fees

    239       814       15       2,215       2       3,285  

Distribution fees and other

    227       16       67       718       (52     976  

Total included in other revenue

    637       1,032       596       5,703       (251     7,717  

Revenue from non-service lines

    709       (19     2,115       7       62       2,874  

Total other revenue

  $ 1,346     $ 1,013     $ 2,711     $ 5,710     $ (189   $ 10,591  

Real estate management services included in net investment income

  $ 37     $ 144     $ 143     $     $ 8     $ 332  
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Global
WAM
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Investment management and other related fees

  $   164     $ 161     $   542     $ 2,773     $   (198)     $ 3,442  

Transaction processing, administration, and service fees

    223       827       17       2,048             3,115  

Distribution fees and other

    199       52       72       741       (44     1,020  

Total included in other revenue

    586       1,040       631       5,562       (242     7,577  

Revenue from non-service lines

    629       48       2,023             122       2,822  

Total other revenue

  $   1,215     $   1,088     $   2,654     $   5,562     $ (120   $   10,399  

Real estate management services included in net investment income

  $ 36     $ 160     $ 137     $     $ 9     $ 342  

Note 14     Stock-Based Compensation

(a) Stock options

The Company grants stock options under its Executive Stock Option Plan (“ESOP”) to selected individuals. The options provide the holder the right to purchase MFC common shares at an exercise price equal to the higher of the prior day, prior five-day or prior ten-day average closing market price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the date the options are granted. The options vest over a period not exceeding four years and expire not more than 10 years from the grant date. Effective with the 2015 grant, options may only be exercised after the fifth-year anniversary. A total of 73,600,000 common shares have been reserved for issuance under the ESOP.

Options outstanding

 

    2020           2019  
For the years ended December 31,  

Number of
options

(in millions)

    Weighted
average
exercise price
         

Number of
options

(in millions)

    Weighted
average
exercise price
 

Outstanding, January 1

    21     $   20.91         23     $   20.29  

Granted

    5       24.38         3       22.62  

Exercised

    (2     18.17         (4     18.79  

Expired

          24.27               18.88  

Forfeited

          23.73         (1     23.41  

Outstanding, December 31

    24     $ 21.74         21     $ 20.91  

Exercisable, December 31

    6     $ 19.52         5     $ 17.56  

 

LOGO            163


    Options outstanding           Options exercisable  
For the year ended December 31, 2020  

Number of
options

(in millions)

    Weighted average
exercise price
    Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
(in years)
         

Number of
options

(in millions)

    Weighted average
exercise price
    Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
(in years)
 

$12.64—$20.99

    6     $   16.77       3.75         2     $   15.32       1.27  

$21.00—$24.83

    18     $ 23.53       6.90         4     $ 21.85       3.72  

Total

    24     $ 21.74       6.06         6     $ 19.52       2.84  

The weighted average fair value of each option granted in 2020 has been estimated at $3.66 (2019 – $4.57) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The pricing model uses the following assumptions for these options: risk-free interest rate of 1.50% (2019 – 2.50%), dividend yield of 3.50% (2019 – 3.50%), expected volatility of 23% (2019 – 28.0%) and expected life of 8 (2019 – 6.3) years. Expected volatility is estimated by evaluating a number of factors including historical volatility of the share price over multi-year periods.

Compensation expense related to stock options was $14 for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 – $11).

(b) Deferred share units

In 2000, the Company granted deferred share units (“DSUs”) to certain employees under the ESOP. These DSUs vest over a three-year period and each DSU entitles the holder to receive one common share on retirement or termination of employment. When dividends are paid on common shares, holders of DSUs are deemed to receive dividends at the same rate, payable in the form of additional DSUs. In 2020, nil DSUs were granted to employees under the ESOP (2019 – nil). The number of DSUs outstanding was 285,000 as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – 298,000).

In addition, for certain employees and pursuant to the Company’s deferred compensation program, the Company grants DSUs under the Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) Plan which entitle the holder to receive payment in cash equal to the value of the same number of common shares plus credited dividends on retirement or termination of employment. In 2020, the Company granted 28,000 DSUs to certain employees which vest after 36 months (2019 – 46,000). In 2020, 38,000 DSUs (2019 – 49,000) were granted to certain employees who elected to defer receipt of all or part of their annual bonus. These DSUs vested immediately. Also, in 2020, 2,600 DSUs (2019 – 24,000) were granted to certain employees to defer payment of all or part of their RSUs and/or Performance Share Units (“PSUs”). These DSUs also vested immediately.

Under the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, each eligible director may elect to receive his or her annual director’s retainer and fees in DSUs or common shares in lieu of cash. Upon termination of the Board service, an eligible director who has elected to receive DSUs will be entitled to receive cash equal to the value of the DSUs accumulated in his or her account, or at his or her direction, an equivalent number of common shares. The Company is allowed to issue up to one million common shares under this plan after which awards may be settled using shares purchased in the open market.

The fair value of 214,000 DSUs issued during the year was $22.65 per unit as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – 229,000 at $26.36 per unit).

 

For the years ended December 31,

Number of DSUs (in thousands)

  2020        2019  

Outstanding, January 1

    2,395          2,538  

Issued

    214          229  

Reinvested

    145          102  

Redeemed

    (576        (416

Forfeitures and cancellations

    (9        (58

Outstanding, December 31

    2,169          2,395  

Of the DSUs outstanding as at December 31, 2020, 285,000 (2019 – 298,000) entitle the holder to receive common shares, 811,000 (2019 – 1,055,000) entitle the holder to receive payment in cash and 1,073,000 (2019 – 1,042,000) entitle the holder to receive payment in cash or common shares, at the option of the holder.

Compensation expense related to DSUs was $5 for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 – $10).

The carrying and fair value of the DSUs liability as at December 31, 2020 was $43 (2019 – $55) and was included in other liabilities.

(c) Restricted share units and performance share units

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 6.7 million RSUs (2019 – 6.5 million) and 1.1 million PSUs (2019 – 1.1 million) were granted to certain eligible employees under MFC’s Restricted Share Unit Plan. The fair value of the RSUs and PSUs granted during the year was $22.65 per unit as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – $26.36 per unit). Each RSU and PSU entitles the holder to receive payment equal to the market value of one common share, plus credited dividends, at the time of vesting, subject to any performance conditions.

RSUs and PSUs granted in February 2020 will vest after 36 months from their grant date and the related compensation expense is recognized over these periods, except where the employee is eligible to retire prior to a vesting date, in which case the cost is recognized over the period between the grant date and the date on which the employee is eligible to retire. Compensation expense related to RSUs and PSUs was $140 and $15, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 – $128 and $17, respectively).

 

164   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The carrying and fair value of the RSUs and PSUs liability as at December 31, 2020 was $194 (2019 – $205) and was included in other liabilities.

(d) Global share ownership plan

The Company’s Global Share Ownership Plan allows qualifying employees to apply up to five per cent of their annual base earnings toward the purchase of common shares. The Company matches a percentage of the employee’s eligible contributions up to a maximum amount. The Company’s contributions vest immediately. All contributions are used to purchase common shares in the open market.

Note 15     Employee Future Benefits

The Company maintains defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment plans for employees and agents including registered (tax-qualified) pension plans that are typically funded, as well as supplemental non-registered (non-qualified) pension plans for executives, retiree welfare plans and disability welfare plans that are typically not funded.

(a) Plan characteristics

The Company’s final average pay defined benefit pension plans and retiree welfare plans are closed to new members. All employees may participate in capital accumulation plans including defined benefit cash balance plans, 401(k) plans and/or defined contribution plans, depending on the country of employment.

All pension arrangements are governed by local pension committees or management, but significant plan changes require approval from the Company’s Board of Directors.

The Company’s funding policy for defined benefit pension plans is to make the minimum annual contributions required by regulations in the countries in which the plans are offered. Assumptions and methods prescribed for regulatory funding purposes typically differ from those used for accounting purposes.

The Company’s remaining defined benefit pension and/or retiree welfare plans are in the U.S., Canada, Japan and Taiwan (China). There are also disability welfare plans in the U.S. and Canada.

The largest defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans are the primary plans for employees in the U.S. and Canada. These are the material plans that are discussed in the balance of this note. The Company measures its defined benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for accounting purposes as at December 31 each year.

U.S. defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans

The Company operates a qualified cash balance plan that is open to new members, a closed non-qualified cash balance plan, and a closed retiree welfare plan.

Actuarial valuations to determine the Company’s minimum funding contributions for the qualified cash balance plan are required annually. Deficits revealed in the funding valuations must generally be funded over a period of up to seven years. It is expected that there will be no required funding for this plan in 2020. There are no plan assets set aside for the non-qualified cash balance plan.

The retiree welfare plan subsidizes the cost of life insurance and medical benefits. The majority of those who retired after 1991 receive a fixed-dollar subsidy from the Company based on service. The plan was closed to all employees hired after 2004. While assets have been set aside in a qualified trust to pay future retiree welfare benefits, this funding is optional. Retiree welfare benefits offered under the plan coordinate with the U.S. Medicare program to make optimal use of available federal financial support.

The qualified pension and retiree welfare plans are governed by the U.S. Benefits Committee, while the non-qualified pension plan is governed by the U.S. Non-Qualified Plans Subcommittee.

Canadian defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans

The Company’s defined benefit plans in Canada include two registered final average pay pension plans, a non-registered supplemental final average pay pension plan and a retiree welfare plan, all of which have been closed to new members.

Actuarial valuations to determine the Company’s minimum funding contributions for the registered pension plans are required at least once every three years. Deficits revealed in the funding valuation must generally be funded over a period of ten years. For 2021, the required funding for these plans is expected to be $2. The non-registered supplemental pension plan is not funded.

The retiree welfare plan subsidizes the cost of life insurance, medical and dental benefits. These subsidies are a fixed-dollar amount for those who retired after April 30, 2013 and have been eliminated for those who retire after 2019. There are no assets set aside for this plan.

The registered pension plans are governed by Pension Committees, while the supplemental non-registered plan is governed by the Board of Directors. The retiree welfare plan is governed by management.

 

LOGO            165


(b) Risks

In final average pay pension plans and retiree welfare plans, the Company generally bears the material risks which include interest rate, investment, longevity and health care cost inflation risks. In defined contribution plans, these risks are typically borne by the employee. In cash balance plans, the interest rate, investment and longevity risks are partially transferred to the employee.

Material sources of risk to the Company for all plans include:

 

 

A decline in discount rates that increases the defined benefit obligations by more than the change in value of plan assets;

 

Lower than expected rates of mortality; and

 

For retiree welfare plans, higher than expected health care costs.

The Company has managed these risks through plan design and eligibility changes that have limited the size and growth of the defined benefit obligations. Investment risks for funded plans are managed by investing significantly in asset classes which are highly correlated with the plans’ liabilities.

In the U.S., delegated committee representatives and management review the financial status of the qualified defined benefit pension plan at least monthly, and steps are taken in accordance with an established dynamic investment policy to increase the plan’s allocation to asset classes which are highly correlated with the plan’s liabilities and reduce investment risk as the funded status improves. As at December 31, 2020, the target asset allocation for the plan was 27% return-seeking assets and 73% liability-hedging assets.

In Canada, internal committees and management review the financial status of the registered defined benefit pension plans on at least a quarterly basis. As at December 31, 2020, the target asset allocation for the plans was 20% return-seeking assets and 80% liability-hedging assets.

(c) Pension and retiree welfare plans

 

     Pension plans            Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,    2020      2019            2020      2019  

Changes in defined benefit obligation:

             

Opening balance

   $ 4,817      $ 4,675        $ 645      $ 640  

Current service cost

     41        40                  

Interest cost

     150        182          20        25  

Plan participants’ contributions

            1          3        3  

Actuarial losses (gains) due to:

             

Experience

     2        8          (14      (10

Demographic assumption changes

     (67               (12       

Economic assumption changes

     333        413          49        56  

Benefits paid

     (318      (358        (45      (46

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (57      (144        (8      (23

Defined benefit obligation, December 31

   $   4,901      $   4,817        $   638      $ 645  
     Pension plans            Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,    2020      2019            2020      2019  

Change in plan assets:

             

Fair value of plan assets, opening balance

   $ 4,453      $ 4,187        $ 598      $   610  

Interest income

     140        164          19        25  

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

     310        529          33        25  

Employer contributions

     71        75          11        12  

Plan participants’ contributions

            1          3        3  

Benefits paid

     (318      (358        (45      (46

Administration costs

     (7      (9        (2      (2

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (54      (136        (11      (29

Fair value of plan assets, December 31

   $ 4,595      $ 4,453        $ 606      $ 598  

 

166   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(d) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

     Pension plans            Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31,    2020      2019            2020      2019  

Development of net defined benefit liability

             

Defined benefit obligation

   $   4,901      $   4,817        $     638      $     645  

Fair value of plan assets

     4,595        4,453          606        598  

Deficit

     306        364          32        47  

Effect of asset limit(1)

            4                  

Deficit (surplus) and net defined benefit liability (asset)

     306        368          32        47  

Deficit is comprised of:

             

Funded or partially funded plans

     (446      (391        (134      (120

Unfunded plans

     752        759          166        167  

Deficit (surplus) and net defined benefit liability (asset)

   $   306      $ 368        $ 32      $ 47  

 

(1) 

In 2019, the Company recognized an impairment of $4 on the net defined benefit asset for one of its registered pension plans in Canada.

(e) Disaggregation of defined benefit obligation

 

     U.S. plans            Canadian plans  
     Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans            Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31,    2020      2019      2020      2019            2020      2019      2020      2019  

Active members

   $ 551      $ 550      $ 27      $ 31        $ 211      $ 301      $      $ 25  

Inactive and retired members

     2,528        2,529        445        447          1,611        1,437        166        142  

Total

   $   3,079      $   3,079      $   472      $   478        $   1,822      $   1,738      $   166      $   167  

(f) Fair value measurements

The major categories of plan assets and the allocation to each category are as follows.

 

     U.S. plans(1)            Canadian plans(2)  
     Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans            Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31, 2020    Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total            Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 17        1%      $ 30        5%        $ 10        1%      $         

Equity securities(3)

     612        20%        49        8%          339        22%                

Debt securities

     2,175        71%        520        86%          1,186        77%                

Other investments(4)

     254        8%        7        1%          2        0%                

Total

   $   3,058        100%      $   606        100%        $   1,537        100%      $   –         
     U.S. plans(1)            Canadian plans(2)  
     Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans            Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31, 2019    Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total            Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 32        1%      $ 35        6%        $ 12        1%      $   –         

Equity securities(3)

     563        19%        45        8%          311        21%                

Debt securities

     2,155        72%        511        85%          1,123        78%                

Other investments(4)

     255        8%        7        1%          2        0%                

Total

   $ 3,005        100%      $ 598        100%        $ 1,448        100%      $         

 

(1)

All the U.S. pension and retiree welfare plan assets have daily quoted prices in active markets, except for the private equity, timber and agriculture assets. In the aggregate, the latter assets represent approximately 7% of all U.S. pension and retiree welfare plan assets as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – 7%).

(2)

All the Canadian pension plan assets have daily quoted prices in active markets, except for the group annuity contract assets that represent approximately 0.1% of all Canadian pension plan assets as at December 31, 2020 (2019 – 0.1%).

(3)

Equity securities include direct investments in MFC common shares of $1.1 (2019 – $1.3) in the U.S. retiree welfare plan and $nil (2019 – $nil) in Canada.

(4)

Other U.S. plan assets include investment in private equity, timberland and agriculture, and managed futures. Other Canadian pension plan assets include investment in the group annuity contract.

 

LOGO            167


(g) Net benefit cost recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income

Components of the net benefit cost for the pension plans and retiree welfare plans were as follows.

 

     Pension plans            Retiree welfare
plans
 
For the years ended December 31,    2020      2019            2020      2019  

Defined benefit current service cost

   $   41      $ 40        $      $  

Defined benefit administrative expenses

     7        9          2        2  

Service cost

     48        49          2        2  

Interest on net defined benefit (asset) liability

     10        18          1         

Defined benefit cost

     58        67          3        2  

Defined contribution cost

     84        80                  

Net benefit cost

   $   142      $      147        $     3      $     2  

(h) Re-measurement effects recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

 

     Pension plans            Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,    2020      2019            2020      2019  

Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit obligations due to:

             

Experience

   $ (2    $ (8      $ 14      $     10  

Demographic assumption changes

     67                     12         

Economic assumption changes

     (333      (413        (49      (56

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

         310            529          33            25  

Change in effect of asset limit

     5        5                  

Total re-measurement effects

   $ 47      $ 113        $ 10      $ (21

(i) Assumptions

The key assumptions used by the Company to determine the defined benefit obligation and net benefit cost for the defined benefit pension plans and retiree welfare plans were as follows.

 

    U.S. Plans            Canadian Plans  
    Pension plans     Retiree welfare plans            Pension plans     Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019     2020     2019            2020     2019     2020     2019  

To determine the defined benefit obligation at end of year(1):

                 

Discount rate

    2.4%       3.2%       2.4%       3.2%         2.5%       3.1%       2.6%       3.1%  

Initial health care cost trend rate(2)

    n/a       n/a       7.3%       7.5%         n/a       n/a       5.5%       5.6%  

To determine the defined benefit cost for the year(1):

                 

Discount rate

    3.2%       4.3%       3.2%       4.3%         3.1%       3.8%       3.1%       3.8%  

Initial health care cost trend rate(2)

    n/a       n/a       7.5%       7.8%               n/a       n/a       5.6%       5.7%  

 

(1)

Inflation and salary increase assumptions are not shown as they do not materially affect obligations and cost.

(2)

The health care cost trend rate used to measure the U.S. based retiree welfare obligation was 7.3% grading to 4.5% for 2032 and years thereafter (2019 – 7.5% grading to 4.5% for 2032) and to measure the net benefit cost was 7.5% grading to 4.5% for 2032 and years thereafter (2019 – 7.8% grading to 5.0% for 2030). In Canada, the rate used to measure the retiree welfare obligation was 5.5% grading to 4.8% for 2026 and years thereafter (2019 – 5.6% grading to 4.8% for 2026) and to measure the net benefit cost was 5.6% grading to 4.8% for 2026 and years thereafter (2019 – 5.7% grading to 4.8% for 2026).

Assumptions regarding future mortality are based on published statistics and mortality tables. The current life expectancies underlying the values of the obligations in the defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans are as follows.

 

As at December 31, 2020   U.S.     Canada  

Life expectancy (in years) for those currently age 65

   

Males

    21.9       23.8  

Females

    23.4       25.6  

Life expectancy (in years) at age 65 for those currently age 45

   

Males

    23.3       24.7  

Females

    24.8       26.5  

 

168   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(j) Sensitivity of assumptions on obligations

Assumptions used can have a significant effect on the obligations reported for defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans. The potential impact on the obligations arising from changes in the key assumptions is set out in the following table. The sensitivities assume all other assumptions are held constant. In actuality, inter-relationships with other assumptions may exist.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Pension plans     Retiree welfare plans  

Discount rate:

   

Impact of a 1% increase

  $ (467   $ (67

Impact of a 1% decrease

        554           82  

Health care cost trend rate:

   

Impact of a 1% increase

    n/a       20  

Impact of a 1% decrease

    n/a       (17

Mortality rates(1)

   

Impact of a 10% decrease

    143       16  

 

(1)

If the actuarial estimates of mortality are adjusted in the future to reflect unexpected decreases in mortality, the effect of a 10% decrease in mortality rates at each future age would be an increase in life expectancy at age 65 of 0.8 years for U.S. males and females and 0.7 years and 0.8 years for Canadian males and females, respectively.

(k) Maturity profile

The weighted average duration (in years) of the defined benefit obligations is as follows.

 

       Pension plans              Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31,      2020        2019              2020        2019  

U.S. plans

       9.9          9.3            9.8          9.7  

Canadian plans

       12.5          12.3            14.7          14.3  

(l) Cash flows – contributions

Total cash payments for all employee future benefits, comprised of cash contributed by the Company to funded defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans, cash payments directly to beneficiaries in respect of unfunded pension and retiree welfare plans, and cash contributed to defined contribution pension plans, are as follows.

 

       Pension plans              Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,      2020        2019              2020        2019  

Defined benefit plans

     $   71        $ 75          $   11        $ 12  

Defined contribution plans

       84          80                      

Total

     $   155        $   155          $ 11        $   12  

The Company’s best estimate of expected cash payments for employee future benefits for the year ending December 31, 2021 is $65 for defined benefit pension plans, $85 for defined contribution pension plans and $13 for retiree welfare plans.

Note 16     Income Taxes

(a) Income tax expense

The following table presents income tax expense (recovery) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020        2019  

Current tax

      

Current year

  $ 998        $   1,246  

Adjustments related to prior years

    (83        (74

Total current tax

    915          1,172  

Deferred tax

      

Change related to temporary differences

    253          (454

Effects of changes in tax rates

    27           

Total deferred tax

    280          (454

Income tax expense

  $   1,195        $ 718  

 

LOGO            169


The following table discloses income tax expense (recovery) recognized directly in equity.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020        2019  

Recognized in other comprehensive income

      

Current income tax expense (recovery)

  $     (92      $ 92  

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

    87          366  

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

  $ (5      $   458  

Recognized in equity, other than other comprehensive income

      

Current income tax expense (recovery)

  $ 25        $ 5  

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

    (25        (6

Total income tax recognized directly in equity

  $        $ (1

(b) Current tax receivable and payable

As at December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $993 and $87 of current tax receivable and current tax payable, respectively (2019 – $600 and $121).

(c) Tax reconciliation

The effective income tax rate reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income varies from the Canadian tax rate of 26.50 per cent for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 – 26.75 per cent) for the items outlined in the following table.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020        2019  

Income before income taxes

  $   6,770        $   6,220  

Income tax expense at Canadian statutory tax rate

  $ 1,794        $ 1,664  

Increase (decrease) in income taxes due to:

      

Tax-exempt investment income

    (171        (260

Differences in tax rate on income not subject to tax in Canada

    (528        (754

Adjustments to taxes related to prior years

    (96        (106

Tax rate change

    27           

Other differences

    169          174  

Income tax expense

  $ 1,195        $ 718  

(d) Deferred tax assets and liabilities

The following table presents the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

As at December, 31   2020        2019  

Deferred tax assets

  $     4,842        $     4,574  

Deferred tax liabilities

    (2,614        (1,972

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

  $ 2,228        $ 2,602  

The following table presents movement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

As at December 31, 2020   Balance,
January 1,
2020
    Disposals     Recognized
in Income
Statement
    Recognized in Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Recognized
in Equity
    Translation
and Other
    Balance,
December 31,
2020
 

Loss carryforwards

  $ 705     $         –     $ (210   $     $     $ 2     $ 497  

Actuarial liabilities

    8,443                 1,063                     (134     9,372  

Pensions and post-employment benefits

    226                   (10           (1     215  

Tax credits

                                         

Accrued interest

    1                                     1  

Real estate

    (1,046           5       (2     1       9       (1,033

Securities and other investments

    (4,704           (1,254     (59     2       72       (5,943

Sale of investments

    (69           13                         (56

Goodwill and intangible assets

    (876           24                   3       (849

Other

    (78           79       (16     22       17       24  

Total

  $     2,602     $     $ (280   $   (87   $   25     $     (32   $     2,228  

 

170   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


As at December 31, 2019   Balance,
January 1,
2019
    Disposals     Recognized
in Income
Statement
    Recognized in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Recognized
in Equity
    Translation
and Other
    Balance,
December 31,
2019
 

Loss carryforwards

  $    1,019     $ (18   $ (278   $     $ (1   $ (17   $ 705  

Actuarial liabilities

    5,466             3,093             (1     (115     8,443  

Pensions and post-employment benefits

    242             4       (20                 226  

Tax credits

    261             (253                 (8      

Accrued interest

    1                                     1  

Real estate

    (959           (110                 23       (1,046

Securities and other investments

    (2,689             (1,863     (347     39       156       (4,704

Sale of investments

    (87           17                   1       (69

Goodwill and intangible assets

    (847           (49                 20       (876

Other

    97       (37     (107     1       (31     (1     (78

Total

  $ 2,504     $   (55   $ 454       $  (366   $         6     $       59     $    2,602  

The total deferred tax assets as at December 31, 2020 of $4,842 (2019 – $4,574) includes $1,005 (2019 – $98) where the Company has suffered losses in either the current or preceding year and where the recognition is dependent on future taxable profits in the relevant jurisdictions and feasible management actions.

As at December 31, 2020, tax loss carryforwards available were approximately $2,479 (2019 – $3,440) of which $2,321 expire between the years 2022 and 2040 while $137 have no expiry date, and capital loss carryforwards available were approximately $21 (2019 – $31) and have no expiry date. A $497 (2019 – $705) tax benefit related to these tax loss carryforwards has been recognized as a deferred tax asset as at December 31, 2020, and a benefit of $99 (2019 – $93) has not been recognized. In addition, the Company has approximately $154 (2019 – $157) of tax credit carryforwards which will expire between the years 2027 and 2029 of which a benefit of $154 (2019 – $157) has not been recognized.

The total deferred tax liability as at December 31, 2020 was $2,614 (2019 – $1,972). This amount includes the deferred tax liability of consolidated entities. The aggregate amount of taxable temporary differences associated with the Company’s own investments in subsidiaries is not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and was $22,782 (2019 – $19,623).

Note 17     Interests in Structured Entities

The Company is involved with both consolidated and unconsolidated structured entities (“SEs”) which are established to generate investment and fee income. The Company is also involved with SEs that are used to facilitate financing for the Company. These entities may have some or all the following features: control is not readily identified based on voting rights; restricted activities designed to achieve a narrow objective; high amount of leverage; and/or highly structured capital.

The Company only discloses its involvement in significant consolidated and unconsolidated SEs. In assessing the significance, the Company considers the nature of its involvement with the SE, including whether it is sponsored by the Company (i.e. initially organized and managed by the Company). Other factors considered include the Company’s investment in the SE as compared to total investments, its returns from the SE as compared to total net investment income, the SE’s size as compared to total funds under management, and its exposure to any other risks from its involvement with the SE.

The Company does not provide financial or other support to its SEs, when it does not have a contractual obligation to do so.

(a) Consolidated SEs

Investment SEs

The Company acts as an investment manager of timberlands and timber companies. The Company’s general fund and segregated funds invest in many of these companies. The Company has control over one timberland company which it manages, Hancock Victoria Plantations Holdings PTY Limited (“HVPH”). HVPH is a SE primarily because the Company’s employees exercise voting rights over it on behalf of other investors. As at December 31, 2020, the Company’s consolidated timber assets relating to HVPH were $949 (2019 – $936). The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from HVPH.

Financing SEs

The Company securitizes certain insured and variable rate commercial and residential mortgages and HELOC. This activity is facilitated by consolidated entities that are SEs because their operations are limited to issuing and servicing the Company’s funding. Further information regarding the Company’s mortgage securitization program is included in note 3.

(b) Unconsolidated SEs

Investment SEs

The following table presents the Company’s investments and maximum exposure to loss from significant unconsolidated investment SEs, some of which are sponsored by the Company. The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from these SEs.

 

LOGO            171


     Company’s investment(1)           

Company’s maximum

exposure to loss(2)

 
As at December 31,    2020      2019            2020      2019  

Leveraged leases(3)

   $   3,371      $   3,371        $   3,371      $   3,371  

Timberland companies(4)

       776        752            776        765  

Real estate companies(5)

       497        541            497        541  

Total

   $   4,644      $ 4,664        $   4,644      $   4,677  

 

(1)

The Company’s investments in these unconsolidated SEs are included in invested assets and the Company’s returns from them are included in net investment income and AOCI.

(2)

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from each SE is limited to amounts invested in each, plus unfunded capital commitments, if any. The Company’s investment commitments are disclosed in note 18. The maximum loss is expected to occur only upon the entity’s bankruptcy/liquidation, or in case a natural disaster in the case of the timber companies.

(3)

These entities are statutory business trusts which use capital provided by the Company and senior debt provided by other parties to finance the acquisition of assets. These assets are leased to third-party lessees under long-term leases. The Company owns equity capital in these business trusts. The Company does not consolidate any of the trusts that are party to the lease arrangements because the Company does not have decision-making power over them.

(4)

These entities own and operate timberlands. The Company invests in their equity and debt. The Company’s returns include investment income, investment advisory fees, forestry management fees and performance advisory fees. The Company does not control these entities because it either does not have the power to govern their financial and operating policies or does not have significant variable returns from them, or both.

(5)

These entities, which include the Manulife U.S. REIT, own and manage commercial real estate. The Company invests in their equity. The Company’s returns include investment income, investment management fees, property management fees, acquisition/disposition fees and leasing fees. The Company does not control these entities because it either does not have the power to govern their financial and operating policies or does not have significant variable returns from them, or both.

Financing SEs

The Company’s interests and maximum exposure to loss from significant unconsolidated financing SEs are as follows.

 

     Company’s interests(1)  
As at December 31,    2020      2019  

Manulife Finance (Delaware), L.P.(2)

   $   931      $   852  

Manulife Financial Capital Trust II(3)

       –        1  

Total

   $   931      $   853  

 

(1)

The Company’s interests include amounts borrowed from the SEs and the Company’s investment in their subordinated capital, and foreign currency and interest swaps with them, if any.

(2)

This entity is a wholly owned partnership used to facilitate the Company’s financing. Refer to notes 10 and 18.

(3)

This entity is an open-ended trust that was used to facilitate the Company’s financing. The Company redeemed all outstanding $1billion principal amount of MFCT II Senior debenture notes, at par, on December 30, 2019. Using these proceeds, the trust redeemed MFCT II Series 1 held by third parties, at par, on December 31, 2019.

(i) Other invested assets

The Company has investment relationships with a variety of other entities, which result from its direct investment in their debt and/or equity and which have been assessed for control. These other entities’ investments include but are not limited to investments in power and infrastructure, oil and gas, private equity, real estate and agriculture, organized as limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Most of these other entities are not sponsored by the Company. The Company’s involvement with these other entities is not individually significant. As such, the Company neither provides summary financial data for these entities nor individually assesses whether they are SEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to losses because of its involvement with these other entities is limited to its investment in them and amounts committed to be invested but not yet funded. The Company records its income from these entities in net investment income and AOCI. The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from these other entities.

(ii) Interest in securitized assets

The Company invests in mortgage/asset-backed securities issued by securitization vehicles sponsored by other parties, including private issuers and government sponsored issuers, to generate investment income. The Company does not own a controlling financial interest in any of the issuers. These securitization vehicles are SEs based on their narrow scope of activities and highly leveraged capital structures. Investments in mortgage/asset-backed securities are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as debt securities and private placements, and their fair value and carrying value are disclosed in note 3. The Company’s maximum loss from these investments is limited to amounts invested.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) are secured by commercial mortgages and residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) are secured by residential mortgages. Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) may be secured by various underlying assets including credit card receivables, automobile loans and aviation leases. The mortgage/asset-backed securities that the Company invests in primarily originate in North America.

 

172   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents investments in securitized holdings by the type and asset quality.

 

    2020           2019  
As at December 31,   CMBS     RMBS     ABS     Total           Total  

AAA

  $   1,438     $   7     $   1,020     $   2,465       $ 2,805  

AA

      –         –         32         32         648  

A

      53         3         605         661         372  

BBB

      –         –         208         208         63  

BB and below

                76       76          

Total company exposure

  $   1,491     $   10     $   1,941     $   3,442       $   3,888  

(iii) Mutual funds

The Company sponsors and may invest in a range of public mutual funds with a broad range of investment styles. As sponsor, the Company organizes mutual funds that implement investment strategies on behalf of current and future investors. The Company earns fees which are at market rates for providing advisory and administrative services to these mutual funds. Generally, the Company does not control its sponsored mutual funds because either the Company does not have power to govern their financial and operating policies, or its returns in the form of fees and ownership interests are not significant, or both. Certain mutual funds are SEs because their decision-making rights are not vested in voting equity interests and their investors are provided with redemption rights.

The Company’s relationships with these mutual funds are not individually significant. As such, the Company neither provides summary financial data for these mutual funds nor individually assesses whether they are SEs. The Company’s interest in mutual funds is limited to its investment and fees earned, if any. The Company’s investments in mutual funds are recorded as part of its investment in public equities within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. For information regarding the Company’s invested assets, refer to note 3. The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from these mutual funds.

As sponsor, the Company’s investment in (“seed”) startup capital of mutual funds as at December 31, 2020 was $1,428 (2019 – $1,576). The Company’s retail mutual fund assets under management as at December  31, 2020 were $238,068 (2019 – $217,015).

Note 18     Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Legal proceedings

The Company is regularly involved in legal actions, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The legal actions where the Company is a party ordinarily relate to its activities as a provider of insurance protection or wealth management products, reinsurance, or in its capacity as an investment adviser, employer, or taxpayer. Other life insurers and asset managers, operating in the jurisdictions in which the Company does business, have been subject to a wide variety of other types of actions, some of which resulted in substantial judgments or settlements against the defendants; it is possible that the Company may become involved in similar actions in the future. In addition, government and regulatory bodies in Canada, the United States, Asia and other jurisdictions where the Company conducts business regularly make inquiries and, from time to time, require the production of information or conduct examinations concerning the Company’s compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers.

In June 2018, a class action was initiated against John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHUSA”) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (“JHNY”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of owners of approximately 1,500 Performance Universal Life (“UL”) policies issued between 2003 and 2009 whose policies were subject to a Cost of Insurance (“COI”) increase announced in 2018. In October 2018, a second and almost identical class action was initiated against JHUSA and JHNY in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The two cases were determined to be related, and they were consolidated and assigned to the same judge. Discovery has commenced in these cases. No hearings on substantive matters have been scheduled. It is too early to assess the range of potential outcomes for these two related lawsuits. In addition to the consolidated class action, there are seven non-class lawsuits opposing the Performance UL COI increases that also have been filed. Each of the lawsuits, except one, is brought by plaintiffs owning multiple policies and by entities managing them for investment purposes. Two of the non-class lawsuits are pending in New York state court; two of the lawsuits are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; and three lawsuits are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Whether individually or on a combined basis, it remains premature, given the procedural status of these cases, as well as the relatively early development of parties’ respective legal theories, to suggest a reliable estimate of potential outcomes.

(b) Investment commitments

In the normal course of business, various investment commitments are outstanding which are not reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. There were $9,937 (2019 – $8,682) of outstanding investment commitments as at December 31, 2020, of which $638 (2019 – $411) mature in 30 days, $2,634 (2019 – $2,507) mature in 31 to 365 days and $6,665 (2019 – $5,764) mature after one year.

 

LOGO            173


(c) Letters of credit

In the normal course of business, third-party relationship banks issue letters of credit on the Company’s behalf. The Company’s businesses utilize letters of credit for which third parties are the beneficiaries, as well as for affiliate reinsurance transactions between its subsidiaries. As at December 31, 2020, letters of credit for which third parties are beneficiary, in the amount of $103 (2019 – $57), were outstanding.

(d) Guarantees

(i) Guarantees regarding Manulife Finance (Delaware), L.P. (“MFLP”)

MFC has guaranteed the payment of amounts on the $650 subordinated debentures due on December 15, 2041 issued by MFLP, a wholly owned unconsolidated partnership.

(ii) Guarantees regarding The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

MFC has provided a subordinated guarantee on the day of issuance for the following subordinated debentures issued by MLI: $350 issued on June 1, 2015; and $1,000 issued on November 20, 2015.

The following table presents certain condensed consolidated financial information for MFC and MFLP.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Information

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   MFC
(Guarantor)
    MLI
consolidated
    Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Total
consolidated
amounts
          MFLP  

Total revenue

  $ 547     $ 78,929     $ 520     $   (1,088   $   78,908       $ 32  

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

    5,871       6,179       (500     (5,679     5,871         (1
For the year ended December 31, 2019   MFC
(Guarantor)
    MLI
consolidated
    Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Total
consolidated
amounts
          MFLP  

Total revenue

  $ 371     $   79,711     $       417     $ (929   $ 79,570       $       32  

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

      5,602       5,963       (401     (5,562     5,602         (1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

As at December 31, 2020   MFC
(Guarantor)
    MLI
consolidated
    Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Total
consolidated
amounts
          MFLP  

Invested assets

  $ 47     $ 410,919     $ 11     $     $ 410,977       $          5  

Total other assets

    64,419       102,439       3       (64,925     101,936           1,166  

Segregated funds net assets

          367,436                   367,436          

Insurance contract liabilities

          385,554                   385,554          

Investment contract liabilities

          3,288                   3,288          

Segregated funds net liabilities

          367,436                   367,436          

Total other liabilities

    12,131       59,683             (749     71,065         936  
As at December 31, 2019   MFC
(Guarantor)
    MLI
consolidated
    Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Total
consolidated
amounts
          MFLP  

Invested assets

  $ 21     $   378,496     $   10     $     $   378,527       $ 6  

Total other assets

      57,474       87,774       3         (57,756     87,495         1,088  

Segregated funds net assets

          343,108                   343,108          

Insurance contract liabilities

          351,161                   351,161          

Investment contract liabilities

          3,104                   3,104          

Segregated funds net liabilities

          343,108                   343,108          

Total other liabilities

    8,357       53,998             (704     61,651         858  

(iii) Guarantees regarding John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHUSA”)

Details of guarantees regarding certain securities issued or to be issued by JHUSA are outlined in note 23.

 

174   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(e) Pledged assets

In the normal course of business, the Company pledges its assets in respect of liabilities incurred, strictly for providing collateral to the counterparty. In the event of the Company’s default, the counterparty is entitled to apply the collateral to settle the liability. The pledged assets are returned to the Company if the underlying transaction is terminated or, in the case of derivatives, if there is a decrease in the net exposure due to market value changes.

The amounts pledged are as follows.

 

    2020           2019  
As at December 31,   Debt securities      Other           Debt securities      Other  

In respect of:

           

Derivatives

  $   5,924      $   35       $   4,257      $ 17  

Secured borrowings(1)

           2,790                 

Regulatory requirements

    452        80         433        67  

Repurchase agreements

    353                330         

Non-registered retirement plans in trust

           424                407  

Other

    2        302         3        331  

Total

  $ 6,731      $   3,631       $ 5,023      $   822  

 

(1) 

During the year, the Company pledged its mortgage loans with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”). Of this amount, $937 is required collateral for the US$500 outstanding borrowing to JHUSA under the FHLBI facility; and $1,853 is excess collateral that can be called back by JHUSA at any time.

(f) Participating business

In some territories where the Company maintains participating accounts, there are regulatory restrictions on the amounts of profit that can be transferred to shareholders. Where applicable, these restrictions generally take the form of a fixed percentage of policyholder dividends. For participating businesses operating as separate “closed blocks”, transfers are governed by the terms of MLI’s and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company’s plans of demutualization.

(g) Fixed surplus notes

A third party contractually provides standby financing arrangements for the Company’s U.S. operations under which, in certain circumstances, funds may be provided in exchange for the issuance of fixed surplus notes. As at December 31, 2020, the Company had no fixed surplus notes outstanding.

Note 19     Segmented Information

The Company’s reporting segments are Asia, Canada, U.S., Global WAM and Corporate and Other. Each reporting segment is responsible for managing its operating results, developing products, defining strategies for services and distribution based on the profile and needs of its business and market. The Company’s significant product and service offerings by the reporting segments are mentioned below.

Wealth and asset management businesses (Global WAM) – include mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services across all major asset classes. These products and services are distributed through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the Company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks.

Insurance and annuity products (Asia, Canada and U.S.) – includes a variety of individual life insurance, individual and group long-term care insurance and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products. Products are distributed through multiple distribution channels, including insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners and direct marketing. Manulife Bank of Canada offers a variety of deposit and credit products to Canadian customers.

Corporate and Other Segment – comprised of investment performance on assets backing capital, net of amounts allocated to operating segments; costs incurred by the corporate office related to shareholder activities (not allocated to operating segments); financing costs; Property and Casualty (“P&C”) Reinsurance Business; and run-off reinsurance operations including variable annuities and accident and health.

 

LOGO            175


Reporting segments

 

As at and for the year ended December 31, 2020   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Global WAM     Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Revenue

           

Life and health insurance

  $ 17,983     $ 8,833     $ 3,011     $     $ 140     $ 29,967  

Annuities and pensions

    2,496       334       120                   2,950  

Net premium income

    20,479       9,167       3,131             140       32,917  

Net investment income (loss)

    6,630       8,458       17,519       39       2,754       35,400  

Other revenue

    1,346       1,013       2,711       5,710       (189     10,591  

Total revenue

    28,455       18,638       23,361       5,749       2,705       78,908  

Contract benefits and expenses

           

Life and health insurance

    17,997       10,385       16,099             (131     44,350  

Annuities and pensions

    3,430       4,380       2,929       146             10,885  

Net benefits and claims

    21,427       14,765       19,028       146       (131     55,235  

Interest expense

    269       342       54       2       514       1,181  

Other expenses

    5,123       3,141       2,714       4,329       414       15,721  

Total contract benefits and expenses

    26,819       18,248       21,796       4,477       797       72,137  

Income (loss) before income taxes

    1,636       390       1,565       1,272       1,908       6,771  

Income tax recovery (expense)

    (233     (131     (296     (172     (363     (1,195

Net income (loss)

    1,403       259       1,269       1,100       1,545       5,576  

Less net income (loss) attributed to:

           

Non-controlling interests

    250                               250  

Participating policyholders

    (609     64                         (545

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

  $ 1,762     $ 195     $ 1,269     $ 1,100     $ 1,545     $ 5,871  

Total assets

  $ 145,801     $ 167,236     $ 288,814     $ 236,593     $ 41,905     $ 880,349  
The following table presents results by reporting segments.            
As at and for the year ended December 31, 2019   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Global WAM     Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Revenue

           

Life and health insurance

  $ 17,107     $ 8,714     $ 6,522     $     $ 112     $ 32,455  

Annuities and pensions

    2,900       361       (138                 3,123  

Net premium income

    20,007       9,075       6,384             112       35,578  

Net investment income (loss)

    7,451       9,446       15,556       33       1,107       33,593  

Other revenue

    1,215       1,088       2,654       5,562       (120     10,399  

Total revenue

    28,673       19,609       24,594       5,595       1,099       79,570  

Contract benefits and expenses

           

Life and health insurance

    17,975       10,572       19,320             (36     47,831  

Annuities and pensions

    3,090       4,312       599       83             8,084  

Net benefits and claims

    21,065       14,884       19,919       83       (36     55,915  

Interest expense

    236       508       43       6       526       1,319  

Other expenses

    5,148       3,237       2,944       4,362       425       16,116  

Total contract benefits and expenses

    26,449       18,629       22,906       4,451       915       73,350  

Income (loss) before income taxes

    2,224       980       1,688       1,144       184       6,220  

Income tax recovery (expense)

    (277     25       (260     (122     (84     (718

Net income (loss)

    1,947       1,005       1,428       1,022       100       5,502  

Less net income (loss) attributed to:

           

Non-controlling interests

    228                         5       233  

Participating policyholders

    (216     (117                       (333

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

  $ 1,935     $ 1,122     $ 1,428     $ 1,022     $ 95     $ 5,602  

Total assets

  $   127,367     $   159,042     $   274,993     $   216,348     $   31,380     $   809,130  

 

Geographical location

The results of the Company’s reporting segments differ from its geographical location primarily due to the allocation of Global WAM and Corporate and Other segments into the geographical location to which its businesses relate.

 

176   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents results by geographical location.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Other     Total  

Revenue

         

Life and health insurance

  $ 18,072     $ 8,474     $ 3,012     $ 409     $ 29,967  

Annuities and pensions

    2,496       334       120             2,950  

Net premium income

    20,568       8,808       3,132       409       32,917  

Net investment income (loss)

    7,085       8,531       19,735       49       35,400  

Other revenue

    2,300       2,671       5,600       20       10,591  

Total revenue

  $ 29,953     $ 20,010     $ 28,467     $ 478     $ 78,908  
For the year ended December 31, 2019   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Other     Total  

Revenue

         

Life and health insurance

  $ 17,178     $ 8,388     $ 6,523     $ 366     $ 32,455  

Annuities and pensions

    2,900       361       (138           3,123  

Net premium income

    20,078       8,749       6,385       366       35,578  

Net investment income (loss)

    7,750       9,801       15,816       226       33,593  

Other revenue

    2,100       2,651       5,641       7       10,399  

Total revenue

  $   29,928     $   21,201     $   27,842     $   599     $   79,570  

Note 20    Related Parties

The Company enters into transactions with related parties in the normal course of business and at the terms that would exist in arm’s-length transactions.

(a) Transactions with certain related parties

Transactions with MFLP, a wholly owned unconsolidated partnership, and MFCT, a wholly owned unconsolidated trust, are described in notes 10, 17 and 18. Refer to note 3(a) for additional transactions with related parties.

(b) Compensation of key management personnel

The Company’s key management personnel are those personnel who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company. Directors (both executive and non-executive) and senior management are considered key personnel. A summary of compensation of key management personnel is as follows.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020        2019  

Short-term employee benefits

  $ 69        $ 67  

Post-employment benefits

    5          5  

Share-based payments

    57          55  

Termination benefits

             8  

Other long-term benefits

    3          2  

Total

  $   134        $   137  

Note 21    Subsidiaries

The following is a list of Manulife’s directly and indirectly held major operating subsidiaries.

 

As at December 31, 2020

(100% owned unless otherwise noted in brackets beside company name)

  Equity
Interest
  Address   Description

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

  $  63,379   Toronto, Canada   Leading Canadian-based financial services company that offers a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services

Manulife Holdings (Alberta) Limited

  $  23,967   Calgary, Canada   Holding company

John Hancock Financial Corporation

      Boston, U.S.A.   Holding company

The Manufacturers Investment Corporation

      Boston, U.S.A.   Holding company

John Hancock Reassurance Company Ltd.

      Boston, U.S.A.   Captive insurance subsidiary that provides life, annuity and long-term care reinsurance to affiliates

 

LOGO            177


As at December 31, 2020

(100% owned unless otherwise noted in brackets beside company name)

  Equity
Interest
  Address   Description

John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)

      Boston, U.S.A.   U.S. life insurance company licensed in all states, except New York

John Hancock Subsidiaries LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Holding company

John Hancock Financial Network, Inc.

      Boston, U.S.A.   Financial services distribution organization

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Broker-dealer

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Investment advisor

Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc.

      Boston, U.S.A.   Manager of globally diversified timberland and agricultural portfolios

John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York

      New York, U.S.A.   U.S. life insurance company licensed in New York

John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Investment advisor for open-end mutual funds

John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company

      Boston, U.S.A.   U.S. life insurance company licensed in all states

John Hancock Distributors LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Broker-dealer

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.

      Boston, U.S.A.   Insurance agency

Manulife Reinsurance Limited

      Hamilton, Bermuda   Provides life and financial reinsurance to affiliates

Manulife Reinsurance (Bermuda) Limited

      Hamilton, Bermuda   Provides life and annuity reinsurance to affiliates

Manulife Bank of Canada

  $  1,686   Waterloo, Canada   Provides integrated banking products and service options not available from an insurance company

Manulife Investment Management Holdings (Canada) Inc.

  $  945   Toronto, Canada   Holding company

Manulife Investment Management Limited

      Toronto, Canada   Provides investment counseling, portfolio and mutual fund management in Canada

First North American Insurance Company

  $  8   Toronto, Canada   Property and casualty insurance company

NAL Resources Management Limited

      Calgary, Canada   Management company for oil and gas properties

Manulife Resources Limited

  $  20   Calgary, Canada   Holds oil and gas properties

Manulife Property Limited Partnership

      Toronto, Canada   Holds oil and gas royalties

Manulife Property Limited Partnership II

  $  479   Toronto, Canada   Holds oil and gas royalties and foreign bonds and equities

Manulife Western Holdings Limited Partnership

      Calgary, Canada   Holds oil and gas properties

Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc.

  $  76   Oakville, Canada   Mutual fund dealer for Canadian operations

Manulife Holdings (Bermuda) Limited

  $  21,794   Hamilton, Bermuda   Holding company

Manufacturers P&C Limited

      St. Michael, Barbados   Provides property and casualty reinsurance

Manulife Financial Asia Limited

      Hong Kong, China   Holding company

Manulife (Cambodia) PLC

      Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Life insurance company

Manulife Myanmar Life Insurance Company Limited

      Yangon, Myanmar   Life insurance company

Manufacturers Life Reinsurance Limited

      St. Michael, Barbados   Provides life and annuity reinsurance to affiliates

Manulife (Vietnam) Limited

      Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam   Life insurance company

Manulife Investment Fund Management (Vietnam) Company Limited

      Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam   Fund management company

Manulife International Holdings Limited

      Hong Kong, China   Holding company

Manulife (International) Limited

      Hong Kong, China   Life insurance company

Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (51%)

      Shanghai, China   Life insurance company

Manulife Investment Management International Holdings Limited

      Hong Kong, China   Holding company

 

178   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


As at December 31, 2020

(100% owned unless otherwise noted in brackets beside company name)

  Equity
Interest
  Address   Description

Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited

      Hong Kong, China   Investment management and advisory company marketing mutual funds

Manulife Investment Management (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.

      Taipei, Taiwan (China)   Asset management company

Manulife Life Insurance Company (Japan)

      Tokyo, Japan   Life insurance company

Manulife Investment Management (Japan) Limited

      Tokyo, Japan   Investment management and advisory company and mutual fund business

Manulife Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited (85.6%)(1)

      Bangkok, Thailand   Life insurance company

Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited (93.5%)(1)

      Bangkok, Thailand   Investment management company

Manulife Holdings Berhad (60.2%)

      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Holding company

Manulife Insurance Berhad (60.2%)

      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Life insurance company

Manulife Investment Management (Malaysia) Bhd (60.2%)

      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Asset management company

Manulife (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

      Singapore   Life insurance company

Manulife Investment Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

      Singapore   Asset management company

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc.

      Makati City, Philippines   Life insurance company

Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance Corporation (60%)

      Makati City, Philippines   Life insurance company

PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia

      Jakarta, Indonesia   Life insurance company

PT Manulife Aset Manajemen Indonesia

      Jakarta, Indonesia   Investment management and investment advisor

Manulife Investment Management (Europe) Limited

  $  37   London, England   Investment management company for Manulife Financial’s international funds

Manulife Assurance Company of Canada

  $  71   Toronto, Canada   Life insurance company

EIS Services (Bermuda) Limited

  $  1,064   Hamilton, Bermuda   Investment holding company

Berkshire Insurance Services Inc.

  $  1,726   Toronto, Canada   Investment holding company

JH Investments (Delaware), LLC

      Boston, U.S.A.   Investment holding company

Manulife Securities Incorporated

  $  133   Oakville, Canada   Investment dealer

Manulife Investment Management (North America) Limited

  $  5   Toronto, Canada   Investment advisor

 

(1)

MFC voting rights percentages are the same as the ownership percentages except for Manulife Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited and Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited where MFC’s voting rights are 97.0% and 98.7%, respectively.

Note 22    Segregated Funds

The Company manages segregated funds on behalf of policyholders. Policyholders are provided with the opportunity to invest in different categories of segregated funds that respectively hold a range of underlying investments. The Company retains legal title to the underlying investments; however, returns from these investments belong to the policyholders. Accordingly, the Company does not bear the risk associated with these assets outside of guarantees offered on certain variable life and annuity products. The “Risk Management” section of the Company’s 2020 MD&A provides information regarding the variable annuity and segregated fund guarantees.

The composition of net assets by categories of segregated funds was within the following ranges for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

    Ranges in per cent  
Type of fund   2020     2019  

Money market funds

    2% to 3%       2% to 3%  

Fixed income funds

    14% to 16%       14% to 15%  

Balanced funds

    23% to 24%       24% to 25%  

Equity funds

    58% to 60%       58% to 60%  

 

 

LOGO            179


Money market funds consist of investments that have a term to maturity of less than one year. Fixed income funds primarily consist of investments in fixed grade income securities and may contain smaller investments in diversified equities or high-yield bonds. Relative to fixed income funds, balanced funds consist of fixed income securities and a larger equity investment component. The types of equity funds available to policyholders range from low volatility equity funds to aggressive equity funds. Equity funds invest in a varying mix of Canadian, U.S. and global equities.

The underlying investments of the segregated funds consist of both individual securities and mutual funds (collectively “net assets”), some of which may be structured entities. The carrying value and change in segregated funds net assets are as follows. Fair value related information of segregated funds is disclosed in note 3(g).

Segregated funds net assets

 

As at December 31,   2020     2019  

Investments at market value

   

Cash and short-term securities

  $ 4,054     $ 3,364  

Debt securities

    17,913       16,883  

Equities

    14,227       12,989  

Mutual funds

    326,889       304,753  

Other investments

    4,599       4,785  

Accrued investment income

    1,670       1,678  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (1,543     (975

Total segregated funds net assets

  $ 367,809     $   343,477  

Composition of segregated funds net assets

   

Held by policyholders

  $ 367,436     $ 343,108  

Held by the Company

    373       369  

Total segregated funds net assets

  $   367,809     $ 343,477  

Changes in segregated funds net assets

 

For the years ended December 31,   2020     2019  

Net policyholder cash flow

   

Deposits from policyholders

  $ 38,898     $ 38,561  

Net transfers to general fund

    (1,515     (1,000

Payments to policyholders

    (44,818     (49,372
      (7,435     (11,811

Investment related

   

Interest and dividends

    16,775       18,872  

Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)

    24,514       37,643  
      41,289       56,515  

Other

   

Management and administration fees

    (3,942     (3,926

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

    (5,580     (10,897
      (9,522     (14,823

Net additions

    24,332       29,881  

Segregated funds net assets, beginning of year

    343,477       313,596  

Segregated funds net assets, end of year

  $   367,809     $   343,477  

Segregated funds assets may be exposed to a variety of financial and other risks. These risks are primarily mitigated by investment guidelines that are actively monitored by professional and experienced portfolio advisors. The Company is not exposed to these risks beyond the liabilities related to guarantees associated with certain variable life and annuity products. Accordingly, the Company’s exposure to loss from segregated fund products is limited to the value of these guarantees.

These guarantees are recorded within the Company’s insurance contract liabilities. Assets supporting these guarantees are recognized in invested assets according to their investment type.

Note 23    Information Provided in Connection with Investments in Deferred Annuity Contracts and SignatureNotes Issued or Assumed by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)

The following condensed consolidated financial information, presented in accordance with IFRS, and the related disclosure have been included in these Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to JHUSA in compliance with Regulation S-X and Rule 12h-5 of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). These financial statements are incorporated by reference in the MFC and its subsidiaries registration statements that are described below and which relate to MFC’s guarantee of certain securities to be issued by its subsidiaries.

 

180   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


JHUSA maintains a book of deferred annuity contracts that feature a market value adjustment, some of which are registered with the Commission. The deferred annuity contracts may contain variable investment options along with fixed investment period options, or may offer only fixed investment period options. The fixed investment period options enable the participant to invest fixed amounts of money for fixed terms at fixed interest rates, subject to a market value adjustment if the participant desires to terminate a fixed investment period before its maturity date. The annuity contract provides for the market value adjustment to keep the parties whole with respect to the fixed interest bargain for the entire fixed investment period. These fixed investment period options that contain a market value adjustment feature are referred to as “MVAs”.

JHUSA may also sell medium-term notes to retail investors under its SignatureNotes program.

Effective December 31, 2009, John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company (the “Variable Company”) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (the “Life Company”) merged with and into JHUSA. In connection with the mergers, JHUSA assumed the Variable Company’s rights and obligations with respect to the MVAs issued by the Variable Company and the Life Company’s rights and obligations with respect to the SignatureNotes issued by the Life Company.

MFC fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of JHUSA’s obligations under the MVAs and under the SignatureNotes (including the MVAs and SignatureNotes assumed by JHUSA in the merger), and such MVAs and the SignatureNotes were registered with the Commission. The SignatureNotes and MVAs assumed or issued by JHUSA are collectively referred to in this note as the “Guaranteed Securities”. JHUSA is, and each of the Variable Company and the Life Company was, a wholly owned subsidiary of MFC.

MFC’s guarantees of the Guaranteed Securities are unsecured obligations of MFC and are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all other obligations of MFC, except for other guarantees or obligations of MFC which by their terms are designated as ranking equally in right of payment with or subordinate to MFC’s guarantees of the Guaranteed Securities.

The laws of the State of New York govern MFC’s guarantees of the SignatureNotes issued or assumed by JHUSA and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts govern MFC’s guarantees of the MVAs issued or assumed by JHUSA. MFC has consented to the jurisdiction of the courts of New York and Massachusetts. However, because a substantial portion of MFC’s assets are located outside the United States, the assets of MFC located in the United States may not be sufficient to satisfy a judgment given by a federal or state court in the United States to enforce the subordinate guarantees. In general, the federal laws of Canada and the laws of the Province of Ontario, where MFC’s principal executive offices are located, permit an action to be brought in Ontario to enforce such a judgment provided that such judgment is subsisting and unsatisfied for a fixed sum of money and not void or voidable in the United States and a Canadian court will render a judgment against MFC in a certain dollar amount, expressed in Canadian dollars, subject to customary qualifications regarding fraud, violations of public policy, laws limiting the enforcement of creditor’s rights and applicable statutes of limitations on judgments. There is currently no public policy in effect in the Province of Ontario that would support avoiding the recognition and enforcement in Ontario of a judgment of a New York or Massachusetts court on MFC’s guarantees of the SignatureNotes issued or assumed by JHUSA or a Massachusetts court on guarantees of the MVAs issued or assumed by JHUSA.

MFC is a holding company. MFC’s assets primarily consist of investments in its subsidiaries. MFC’s cash flows primarily consist of dividends and interest payments from its operating subsidiaries, offset by expenses and shareholder dividends and MFC stock repurchases. As a holding company, MFC’s ability to meet its cash requirements, including, but not limited to, paying any amounts due under its guarantees, substantially depends upon dividends from its operating subsidiaries.

These subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory restrictions under laws in Canada, the United States and certain other countries, which may limit their ability to pay dividends or make contributions or loans to MFC. For example, some of MFC’s subsidiaries are subject to restrictions prescribed by the ICA on their ability to declare and pay dividends. The restrictions related to dividends imposed by the ICA are described in note 12.

In the United States, insurance laws in Michigan, New York, and Massachusetts, the jurisdictions in which certain of MFC’s U.S. insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled, impose general limitations on the payment of dividends and other upstream distributions or loans by these insurance subsidiaries. These limitations are described in note 12.

In Asia, the insurance laws of the jurisdictions in which MFC operates either provide for specific restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions or loans by subsidiaries or impose solvency or other financial tests, which could affect the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends in certain circumstances.

There can be no assurance that any current or future regulatory restrictions in Canada, the United States or Asia will not impair MFC’s ability to meet its cash requirements, including, but not limited to, paying any amounts due under its guarantees.

The following condensed consolidated financial information, presented in accordance with IFRS, reflects the effects of the mergers and is provided in compliance with Regulation S-X and in accordance with Rule 12h-5 of the Commission.

 

LOGO            181


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

As at December 31, 2020   MFC
(Guarantor)
    JHUSA
(Issuer)
    Other
subsidiaries
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Consolidated
MFC
 

Assets

         

Invested assets

  $ 47     $ 112,735     $ 298,524     $ (329   $ 410,977  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

    64,209       8,078       17,194       (89,481      

Reinsurance assets

          65,731       11,172       (31,067     45,836  

Other assets

    210       25,489       52,648       (22,247     56,100  

Segregated funds net assets

          191,955       178,224       (2,743     367,436  

Total assets

  $ 64,466     $ 403,988     $ 557,762     $ (145,867   $ 880,349  

Liabilities and equity

         

Insurance contract liabilities

  $     $ 167,453     $ 249,909     $ (31,808   $ 385,554  

Investment contract liabilities

          1,208       2,081       (1     3,288  

Other liabilities

    718       25,594       52,761       (22,001     57,072  

Long-term debt

    6,164                         6,164  

Capital instruments

    5,249       584       1,996             7,829  

Segregated funds net liabilities

          191,955       178,224       (2,743     367,436  

Shareholders’ equity

    52,335       17,194       72,120       (89,314     52,335  

Participating policyholders’ equity

                (784           (784

Non-controlling interests

                1,455             1,455  

Total liabilities and equity

  $   64,466     $   403,988     $   557,762     $   (145,867   $   880,349  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

As at December 31, 2019   MFC
(Guarantor)
    JHUSA
(Issuer)
    Other
subsidiaries
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Consolidated
MFC
 

Assets

         

Invested assets

  $ 21     $ 107,746     $ 271,100     $ (340   $ 378,527  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

    57,068       7,467       16,983       (81,518      

Reinsurance assets

          61,310       10,080       (29,944     41,446  

Other assets

    406       20,859       45,111       (20,327     46,049  

Segregated funds net assets

          181,982       162,845       (1,719     343,108  

Total assets

  $ 57,495     $ 379,364     $ 506,119     $   (133,848   $   809,130  

Liabilities and equity

         

Insurance contract liabilities

  $     $ 157,398     $ 224,378     $ (30,615   $ 351,161  

Investment contract liabilities

          1,091       2,014       (1     3,104  

Other liabilities

    537       21,311       48,226       (20,086     49,988  

Long-term debt

    4,543                         4,543  

Capital instruments

    3,277       599       3,244             7,120  

Segregated funds net liabilities

          181,982       162,845       (1,719     343,108  

Shareholders’ equity

    49,138       16,983       64,444       (81,427     49,138  

Participating policyholders’ equity

                (243           (243

Non-controlling interests

                1,211             1,211  

Total liabilities and equity

  $   57,495     $   379,364     $   506,119     $ (133,848   $ 809,130  

 

182   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020   MFC
(Guarantor)
    JHUSA
(Issuer)
    Other
subsidiaries
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Consolidated
MFC
 

Revenue

         

Gross premiums

  $     $ 8,057     $ 34,459     $ (1,108   $   41,408  

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

          (6,585     (3,014     1,108       (8,491

Net premium income

          1,472       31,445             32,917  

Net investment income (loss)

    542       14,204       21,727       (1,073     35,400  

Net other revenue

    5       2,869       12,884       (5,167     10,591  

Total revenue

    547       18,545       66,056       (6,240     78,908  

Contract benefits and expenses

         

Net benefits and claims

          14,804       44,293       (3,862     55,235  

Commissions, investment and general expenses

    17       3,146       13,573       (1,396     15,340  

Other expenses

    434       230       1,880       (982     1,562  

Total contract benefits and expenses

    451         18,180         59,746       (6,240       72,137  

Income (loss) before income taxes

    96       365       6,310             6,771  

Income tax (expense) recovery

    (26     54       (1,223           (1,195

Income (loss) after income taxes

    70       419       5,087             5,576  

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

    5,801       1,344       1,763       (8,908      

Net income (loss)

  $ 5,871     $ 1,763     $ 6,850     $ (8,908   $ 5,576  

Net income (loss) attributed to:

         

Non-controlling interests

  $     $     $ 250     $     $ 250  

Participating policyholders

                (545           (545

Shareholders

    5,871       1,763       7,145       (8,908     5,871  
    $   5,871     $ 1,763     $ 6,850     $   (8,908   $ 5,576  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019   MFC
(Guarantor)
    JHUSA
(Issuer)
    Other
subsidiaries
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Consolidated
MFC
 

Revenue

         

Gross premiums

  $     $ 8,599     $ 33,620     $ (1,160   $   41,059  

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

          (3,575     (3,066     1,160       (5,481

Net premium income

          5,024       30,554             35,578  

Net investment income (loss)

    355         12,128       22,108       (998     33,593  

Net other revenue

    16       2,866       11,447       (3,930     10,399  

Total revenue

    371       20,018       64,109       (4,928     79,570  

Contract benefits and expenses

         

Net benefits and claims

          17,133       41,220       (2,438       55,915  

Commissions, investment and general expenses

    20       3,299       13,938       (1,530     15,727  

Other expenses

    421       206       2,041       (960     1,708  

Total contract benefits and expenses

    441       20,638         57,199       (4,928     73,350  

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (70     (620     6,910             6,220  

Income tax (expense) recovery

    18       347       (1,083           (718

Income (loss) after income taxes

    (52     (273     5,827             5,502  

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

    5,654       772       499       (6,925      

Net income (loss)

  $   5,602     $ 499     $ 6,326     $   (6,925   $ 5,502  

Net income (loss) attributed to:

         

Non-controlling interests

  $     $     $ 233     $     $ 233  

Participating policyholders

          2       (333     (2     (333

Shareholders

    5,602       497       6,426       (6,923     5,602  
    $ 5,602     $ 499     $ 6,326     $ (6,925   $ 5,502  

 

LOGO            183


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020  

MFC

(Guarantor)

   

JHUSA

(Issuer)

   

Other

subsidiaries

   

Consolidation

adjustments

   

Consolidated

MFC

 

Operating activities

         

Net income (loss)

  $     5,871     $       1,763     $       6,850     $ (8,908   $       5,576  

Adjustments:

         

Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

    (5,801     (1,344     (1,763           8,908        

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities

          11,937       25,045               36,982  

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities

          48       130             178  

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets excluding coinsurance transactions

          (3,133     759             (2,374

Amortization of (premium) discount on invested assets

          54       100             154  

Other amortization

    7       145       504             656  

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses and impairment on assets

    1       (9,420     (13,102           (22,521

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

    25       (784     1,039             280  

Stock option expense

          3       11             14  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities before undernoted items

    103       (731     19,573             18,945  

Dividends from unconsolidated subsidiary

    3,000       411       1,270       (4,681      

Changes in policy related and operating receivables and payables

    91       8,459       (7,447           1,103  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    3,194       8,139       13,396       (4,681     20,048  

Investing activities

         

Purchases and mortgage advances

          (34,392     (77,589             (111,981

Disposals and repayments

          29,635       69,215             98,850  

Changes in investment broker net receivables and payables

          (431     (586           (1,017

Investment in common shares of subsidiaries

    (4,483                 4,483        

Capital contribution to unconsolidated subsidiaries

          (1           1        

Return of capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries

          22             (22      

Notes receivable from parent

                1,501       (1,501      

Notes receivable from subsidiaries

    1,494                   (1,494      

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (2,989     (5,167     (7,459     1,467       (14,148

Financing activities

         

Issue of long-term debt, net

    2,455                         2,455  

Redemption of long-term debt

    (652                       (652

Issue of capital instruments, net

    1,990                         1,990  

Redemption of capital instruments

                (1,250           (1,250

Secured borrowings

          709       667             1,376  

Change in repurchase agreements and securities sold but not yet purchased

                24             24  

Changes in deposits from Bank clients, net

                (579           (579

Lease payments

          (9     (125           (134

Shareholders’ dividends paid in cash

    (2,340                       (2,340

Dividends paid to parent

          (1,270     (3,411     4,681        

Common shares repurchased

    (253                       (253

Common shares issued, net

    36             4,483       (4,483     36  

Contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests, net

                (10           (10

Capital contributions by parent

                1       (1      

Return of capital to parent

                (22     22        

Notes payable to parent

                (1,494     1,494        

Notes payable to subsidiaries

    (1,501                 1,501        

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (265     (570     (1,716     3,214       663  

Cash and short-term securities

         

Increase (decrease) during the year

    (60     2,402       4,221             6,563  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and short-term securities

    85       (59     (554           (528

Balance, beginning of year

    22       2,564       16,962             19,548  

Balance, end of year

    47       4,907       20,629             25,583  

Cash and short-term securities

         

Beginning of year

         

Gross cash and short-term securities

    22       3,058       17,220             20,300  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

          (494     (258           (752

Net cash and short-term securities, beginning of year

    22       2,564       16,962             19,548  

End of year

         

Gross cash and short-term securities

    47       5,213       20,907             26,167  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

          (306     (278           (584

Net cash and short-term securities, end of year

  $ 47     $ 4,907     $ 20,629     $     $   25,583  

Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information:

         

Interest received

  $ 522     $ 4,334     $ 7,992     $ (1,112   $ 11,736  

Interest paid

    426       109       1,765       (1,112     1,188  

Income taxes paid (refund)

    (2     721       639             1,358  

 

184   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019  

MFC

(Guarantor)

   

JHUSA

(Issuer)

   

Other

subsidiaries

   

Consolidation

adjustments

   

Consolidated

MFC

 

Operating activities

         

Net income (loss)

  $     5,602     $ 499     $ 6,326     $ (6,925   $ 5,502  

Adjustments:

         

Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

    (5,654     (772     (499           6,925        

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities

              11,381           22,346                 33,727  

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities

          51       119             170  

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets excluding coinsurance transactions

          (1,236     679             (557

Amortization of (premium) discount on invested assets

          40       77             117  

Other amortization

    5       118       503             626  

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses and impairment on assets

    (12     (7,105     (13,148           (20,265

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

    (18     (192     (244           (454

Stock option expense

          (1     12             11  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities before undernoted items

    (77     2,783       16,171             18,877  

Dividends from unconsolidated subsidiary

    3,000       623       1,123       (4,746      

Changes in policy related and operating receivables and payables

    (39     (146     1,850             1,665  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    2,884       3,260       19,144       (4,746     20,542  

Investing activities

         

Purchases and mortgage advances

          (24,898     (55,712             (80,610

Disposals and repayments

          22,324       43,009             65,333  

Changes in investment broker net receivables and payables

          631       528             1,159  

Investment in common shares of subsidiaries

    (404                 404        

Net cash flows from acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and businesses

                288             288  

Capital contribution to unconsolidated subsidiaries

          (1           1        

Return of capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries

          177             (177      

Notes receivable from parent

                (157     157        

Notes receivable from subsidiaries

    (1     13             (12      

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (405     (1,754     (12,044     373       (13,830

Financing activities

         

Change in repurchase agreements and securities sold but not yet purchased

                266             266  

Redemption of capital instruments

                (1,500           (1,500

Secured borrowings

                107             107  

Changes in deposits from Bank clients, net

                1,819             1,819  

Lease payments

          (8     (109           (117

Shareholders’ dividends paid in cash

    (1,398                       (1,398

Contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests, net

                (22           (22

Common shares repurchased

    (1,339                       (1,339

Common shares issued, net

    104             404       (404     104  

Dividends paid to parent

          (1,123     (3,623     4,746        

Capital contributions by parent

                1       (1      

Return of capital to parent

                (177     177        

Notes payable to parent

                (12     12        

Notes payable to subsidiaries

    157                   (157      

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (2,476     (1,131     (2,846     4,373       (2,080

Cash and short-term securities

         

Increase (decrease) during the year

    3       375       4,254             4,632  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and short-term securities

    (2     (128     (336           (466

Balance, beginning of year

    21       2,317       13,044             15,382  

Balance, end of year

    22       2,564       16,962             19,548  

Cash and short-term securities

         

Beginning of year

         

Gross cash and short-term securities

    21       2,783       13,411             16,215  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

          (466     (367           (833

Net cash and short-term securities, beginning of year

    21       2,317       13,044             15,382  

End of year

         

Gross cash and short-term securities

    22       3,058       17,220             20,300  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

          (494     (258           (752

Net cash and short-term securities, end of year

  $ 22     $ 2,564     $ 16,962     $     $     19,548  

Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information:

         

Interest received

  $ 422     $ 4,252     $ 7,823     $ (948   $ 11,549  

Interest paid

    423       83       1,741       (948     1,299  

Income taxes paid (refund)

          (788     892             104  

 

LOGO            185


Note 24     Comparatives

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

186   |  2020 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements