Investments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

4. INVESTMENTS

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 which provides guidance on the accounting for fixed maturity securities. The guidance requires the Company to record allowances for credit losses for

securities that are deemed to have valuation deterioration due to credit risk issues. The initial table below presents the amortized cost, allowance for credit losses, gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and market value of fixed maturity securities as of June 30, 2020 in accordance with ASU 2016-13 guidance. The second table presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation), market value and other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) in AOCI as of December 31, 2019, in accordance with previously applicable guidance.

		At June 30, 2020
		Amortized		Allowance for		Unrealized		Unrealized		Market
(Dollars in thousands)		Cost		Credit Losses		Appreciation		Depreciation		Value
Fixed maturity securities
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
	U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	1,355,970	$	-	$	79,243	$	(282)	$	1,434,931
	Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		508,478		-		27,597		(3,794)		532,281
	Corporate securities		6,349,631		(22,253)		356,702		(66,292)		6,617,788
	Asset-backed securities		1,076,648		-		16,728		(23,818)		1,069,558
	Mortgage-backed securities
	Commercial		850,616		-		71,017		(1,837)		919,796
	Agency residential		2,016,481		-		74,813		(2,043)		2,089,251
	Non-agency residential		3,153		-		-		(42)		3,111
	Foreign government securities		1,461,380		(92)		73,849		(33,937)		1,501,200
	Foreign corporate securities		2,769,881		(3,492)		158,296		(37,342)		2,887,343
Total fixed maturity securities		$	16,392,238		(25,837)	$	858,245	$	(169,387)	$	17,055,259

		At December 31, 2019
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Market		OTTI in AOCI
(Dollars in thousands)		Cost		Appreciation		Depreciation		Value		(a)
Fixed maturity securities
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
	U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	1,489,660	$	28,357	$	(2,214)	$	1,515,803	$	-
	Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		507,353		29,651		(89)		536,915		-
	Corporate securities		6,227,661		185,052		(37,767)		6,374,946		469
	Asset-backed securities		892,373		6,818		(1,858)		897,333		-
	Mortgage-backed securities
	Commercial		814,570		31,236		(1,249)		844,557		-
	Agency residential		2,173,099		36,361		(10,879)		2,198,581		-
	Non-agency residential		5,723		-		(20)		5,703		-
	Foreign government securities		1,492,315		47,148		(33,513)		1,505,950		71
	Foreign corporate securities		2,870,737		107,999		(33,580)		2,945,156		447
Total fixed maturity securities		$	16,473,491	$	472,622	$	(121,169)	$	16,824,944	$	987

(a) Represents the amount of OTTI recognized in AOCI. Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.

The amortized cost and market value of fixed maturity securities are shown in the following table by contractual maturity. Mortgage-backed securities are generally more likely to be prepaid than other fixed maturity securities. As the stated maturity of such securities may not be indicative of actual maturities, the totals for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are shown separately.

	At June 30, 2020				At December 31, 2019
	Amortized		Market		Amortized		Market
(Dollars in thousands)	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
Fixed maturity securities – available for sale:
Due in one year or less	$	1,401,446	$	1,413,299	$	1,456,960	$	1,457,919
Due after one year through five years		6,415,691		6,636,170		6,757,107		6,869,359
Due after five years through ten years		3,712,330		3,987,207		3,471,370		3,609,816
Due after ten years		915,873		936,867		902,289		941,676
Asset-backed securities		1,076,648		1,069,558		892,373		897,333
Mortgage-backed securities:
Commercial		850,616		919,796		814,570		844,557
Agency residential		2,016,481		2,089,251		2,173,099		2,198,581
Non-agency residential		3,153		3,111		5,723		5,703
Total fixed maturity securities	$	16,392,238	$	17,055,259	$	16,473,491	$	16,824,944

The changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the Company’s investments are derived from the following sources for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:
Fixed maturity securities	$	614,077	$	227,266	$	337,053	$	481,160
Fixed maturity securities, other-than-temporary impairment		-		(1,499)		-		(1,743)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax		614,077		225,767		337,053		479,417
Deferred tax benefit (expense)		(69,581)		(29,954)		(40,557)		(52,431)
Deferred tax benefit (expense), other-than-temporary impairment		-		77		-		147
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation),
net of deferred taxes, included in shareholders’ equity	$	544,496	$	195,890	$	296,496	$	427,133

The Company reviews all of its fixed maturity, available for sale securities whose fair value has fallen below their amortized cost at the time of review. The Company then assesses whether the decline in value is temporary or credit related. In making its assessment, the Company evaluates the current market and interest rate environment as well as specific issuer information. Generally, a change in a security’s value caused by a change in the market, interest rate or foreign exchange environment does not constitute a credit impairment, but rather a temporary decline in market value. Temporary declines in market value are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell the security or is more likely than not to sell the security, the Company records the entire fair value adjustment in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). If the Company determines that the decline is credit related and the Company does not have the intent to sell the security; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the Company establishes a credit allowance equal to the estimated credit loss and is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The amount of the allowance for a given security will generally be the difference between a discounted cash flow model and the Company’s carrying value. The fair value adjustment that is non-credit related is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. We will adjust the credit allowance account for future changes in credit loss estimates for a security and record this adjustment through net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The Company does not create an allowance for uncollectible interest. If interest is not received when due, the interest receivable is immediately reversed and no additional interest is accrued. If future interest is received that has not been accrued, it is recorded as income at that time.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020, estimated credit losses were recorded as adjustments to the carrying value of the security and any subsequent improvement in market value were recorded through other comprehensive income.

The Company’s assessments are based on the issuers’ current and expected future financial position, timeliness with respect to interest and/or principal payments, speed of repayments and any applicable credit enhancements or breakeven constant default rates on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.

Retrospective adjustments are employed to recalculate the values of asset-backed securities. All of the Company’s asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities have a pass-through structure. Each acquisition lot is reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The recalculated effective yield is used to derive a book value as if the new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding principal factors from the time of acquisition to the adjustment date are used to calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities. Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor histories and weighted average maturities, are used in the calculation of projected prepayments for pass-through security types.  

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:

		Duration of Unrealized Loss at June 30, 2020 By Security Type
	Less than 12 months				Greater than 12 months				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands)	Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	28,192	$	(282)	$	-	$	-	$	28,192	$	(282)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		71,054		(3,569)		3,331		(225)		74,385		(3,794)
Corporate securities		712,066		(28,954)		170,908		(37,338)		882,974		(66,292)
Asset-backed securities		457,430		(16,504)		138,272		(7,314)		595,702		(23,818)
Mortgage-backed securities
Commercial		47,046		(1,196)		6,017		(641)		53,063		(1,837)
Agency residential		137,030		(1,067)		90,425		(976)		227,455		(2,043)
Non-agency residential		213		(3)		2,898		(39)		3,111		(42)
Foreign government securities		112,183		(6,363)		201,603		(27,574)		313,786		(33,937)
Foreign corporate securities		401,754		(10,593)		217,672		(26,749)		619,426		(37,342)
Total fixed maturity securities	$	1,966,968	$	(68,531)	$	831,126	$	(100,856)	$	2,798,094	$	(169,387)

		Duration of Unrealized Loss at June 30, 2020 By Maturity
	Less than 12 months				Greater than 12 months				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands)	Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation
Fixed maturity securities
Due in one year or less	$	74,911	$	(897)	$	154,772	$	(24,782)	$	229,683	$	(25,679)
Due in one year through five years		738,690		(23,176)		325,533		(32,475)		1,064,223		(55,651)
Due in five years through ten years		368,721		(16,989)		51,998		(8,556)		420,719		(25,545)
Due after ten years		142,927		(8,699)		61,211		(26,073)		204,138		(34,772)
Asset-backed securities		457,430		(16,504)		138,272		(7,314)		595,702		(23,818)
Mortgage-backed securities		184,289		(2,266)		99,340		(1,656)		283,629		(3,922)
Total fixed maturity securities	$	1,966,968	$	(68,531)	$	831,126	$	(100,856)	$	2,798,094	$	(169,387)

The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2020 were $2,798,094 thousand and $169,387 thousand, respectively. The market value of securities for the single issuer whose securities comprised the largest unrealized loss position at June 30, 2020, did not exceed 0.1% of the overall market value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities. In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector. The $68,531 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of domestic and foreign corporate securities, asset-backed securities and foreign government securities. Of these unrealized losses, $43,605 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency. The $100,856 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and asset-backed securities. Of these unrealized losses, $68,587 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency. There was no gross unrealized depreciation for mortgage-backed securities related to sub-prime and alt-A loans. In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations. The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.

The Company, given the size of its investment portfolio and capital position, does not have the intent to sell these securities; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. In addition, all securities currently in an unrealized loss position are current with respect to principal and interest payments.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:

		Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2019 By Security Type
	Less than 12 months				Greater than 12 months				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands)	Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	85,527	$	(1,005)	$	249,371	$	(1,209)	$	334,898	$	(2,214)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		4,600		(38)		5,522		(51)		10,122		(89)
Corporate securities		547,120		(9,877)		395,369		(27,890)		942,489		(37,767)
Asset-backed securities		176,222		(1,027)		94,190		(831)		270,412		(1,858)
Mortgage-backed securities
Commercial		83,127		(689)		23,063		(560)		106,190		(1,249)
Agency residential		344,267		(1,834)		488,680		(9,045)		832,947		(10,879)
Non-agency residential		332		-		3,976		(20)		4,308		(20)
Foreign government securities		210,766		(4,770)		283,648		(28,743)		494,414		(33,513)
Foreign corporate securities		278,403		(7,553)		365,808		(26,027)		644,211		(33,580)
Total fixed maturity securities	$	1,730,364	$	(26,793)	$	1,909,627	$	(94,376)	$	3,639,991	$	(121,169)

		Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2019 By Maturity
	Less than 12 months				Greater than 12 months				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands)	Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation		Market Value		Depreciation
Fixed maturity securities
Due in one year or less	$	67,879	$	(1,237)	$	416,583	$	(23,004)	$	484,462	$	(24,241)
Due in one year through five years		464,753		(7,960)		689,195		(38,138)		1,153,948		(46,098)
Due in five years through ten years		495,741		(12,388)		103,612		(11,100)		599,353		(23,488)
Due after ten years		98,043		(1,658)		90,328		(11,678)		188,371		(13,336)
Asset-backed securities		176,222		(1,027)		94,190		(831)		270,412		(1,858)
Mortgage-backed securities		427,726		(2,523)		515,719		(9,625)		943,445		(12,148)
Total fixed maturity securities	$	1,730,364	$	(26,793)	$	1,909,627	$	(94,376)	$	3,639,991	$	(121,169)

The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2019 were $3,639,991 thousand and $121,169 thousand, respectively. The market value of securities for the single issuer whose securities comprised the largest unrealized loss position at December 31, 2019, did not exceed 0.8% of the overall market value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities. In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector. The $26,793 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of domestic and foreign corporate securities and foreign government securities. Of these unrealized losses, $23,104 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency. The $94,376 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and agency residential mortgage-backed securities. Of these unrealized losses, $73,144 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency. There was no gross unrealized depreciation for mortgage-backed securities related to sub-prime and alt-A loans. In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations. The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.

The components of net investment income are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Fixed maturities	$	133,918	$	126,593	$	271,842	$	253,301
Equity securities		3,662		4,596		7,183		8,103
Short-term investments and cash		1,687		5,393		3,862		9,598
Other invested assets
Limited partnerships		(88,254)		48,243		(66,686)		56,540
Other		(2,962)		3,299		(16,033)		6,279
Gross investment income before adjustments		48,051		188,124		200,168		333,821
Funds held interest income (expense)		2,021		1,422		10,237		7,390
Future policy benefit reserve income (expense)		(303)		(359)		(514)		(593)
Gross investment income		49,769		189,187		209,891		340,618
Investment expenses		(11,686)		(10,159)		(24,008)		(20,614)
Net investment income	$	38,083	$	179,028	$	185,883	$	320,004

The Company records results from limited partnership investments on the equity method of accounting with changes in value reported through net investment income. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag. If the Company determines there has been a significant decline in value of a limited partnership during this lag period, a loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company identifies the decline.

The Company had contractual commitments to invest up to an additional $1,501,536 thousand in limited partnerships and private placement loans at June 30, 2020. These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership and loan agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2026.

The Company participates in a private placement liquidity sweep facility (“the facility”). The primary purpose of the facility is to enhance the Company’s return on its short-term investments and cash positions. The facility invests in high quality, short-duration securities and permits daily liquidity. The Company consolidates its participation in the facility. As of June 30, 2020, the market value of investments in the facility consolidated within the Company’s balance sheets was $586,104 thousand.

The components of net realized capital gains (losses) are presented in the tables below for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020			2019	2020			2019
Fixed maturity securities, market value:
Allowance for credit losses	$	(4,063)	$	-	$	(25,837)	$	-
Other-than-temporary impairments		-		(5,157)		-		(8,090)
Gains (losses) from sales		9,619		6,097		(4,457)		11,370
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:
Gains (losses) from sales		-		356		-		356
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments		(272)		-		(1,395)		13
Equity securities, fair value:
Gains (losses) from sales		16,274		(1,315)		(11,325)		3,733
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments		161,694		30,362		17,691		114,803
Other invested assets		1,293		(153)		(1,034)		243
Short-term investments gain (loss)		103		82		417		76
Total net realized capital gains (losses)	$	184,648	$	30,272	$	(25,940)	$	122,504

	Roll Forward of Alowance for Credit Losses
	Three Months Eded June 30, 2020								Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
			Foreign		Foreign						Foreign		Foreign
	Corporate		Government		Corporate				Corporate		Government		Corporate
	Securities		Securities		Securities		Total		Securities		Securities		Securities		Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning Balance	$	(17,305)	$	(519)	$	(3,950)	$	(21,774)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Credit losses on securities where credit
losses were not previously recorded		(10,355)		-		(605)		(10,960)		(27,660)		(519)		(4,555)		(32,734)
Increases in allowance on previously
impaired securities		(782)		-		(300)		(1,082)		(782)		-		(300)		(1,082)
Decreases in allowance on previously
impaired securities		3,431		212		693		4,336		3,431		212		693		4,336
Reduction in allowance due to disposals		2,758		215		670		3,643		2,758		215		670		3,643
Balance as of June 30, 2020	$	(22,253)	$	(92)	$	(3,492)	$	(25,837)	$	(22,253)	$	(92)	$	(3,492)	$	(25,837)

The Company recorded as net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) fair value re-measurements, allowances for credit losses per ASU 2016-13 and write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis in prior years as displayed in the table above. The Company had no other-than-temporary impaired securities where the impairment had both a credit and non-credit component.

The proceeds and split between gross gains and losses, from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities, are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities	$	488,320	$	522,687	$	990,273	$	2,320,913
Gross gains from sales		21,355		11,908		35,356		28,046
Gross losses from sales		(11,736)		(5,455)		(39,813)		(16,320)
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	$	100,344	$	79,733	$	213,185	$	149,233
Gross gains from sales		18,172		2,576		20,756		8,251
Gross losses from sales		(1,898)		(3,891)		(32,081)		(4,518)