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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as any variable interest entities (VIEs) that meet the requirements for consolidation (the Company). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company consolidates the results of its Markel Ventures subsidiaries on a one-month lag, with the exception of significant transactions or events that occur during the intervening period. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management periodically reviews its estimates and assumptions. Quarterly reviews include evaluating the adequacy of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, life and annuity reinsurance benefit reserves and litigation contingencies. Estimates and assumptions for goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed in conjunction with an acquisition, and goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reassessed at least annually for impairment. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Investments

Investments. Available-for-sale investments and equity securities are recorded at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, net of income taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity. The Company completes a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary.

Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the lives of the related fixed maturities as an adjustment to the yield using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized investment gains or losses are included in earnings. Realized gains or losses from sales of available-for-sale investments are derived using the first-in, first-out method on the trade date.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. Upon adoption of the ASU, equity securities are no longer classified as available-for-sale and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities, net of income taxes, are included in earnings. In accordance with the provisions of the ASU, prior periods have not been restated to conform to the new presentation.

Investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting are recorded at cost within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and subsequently increased or decreased by the Company's proportionate share of the net income or loss of the investee. The Company records its proportionate share of net income or loss of the investee in net investment income. The Company records its proportionate share of other comprehensive income or loss of the investee as a component of other comprehensive income. Dividends or other equity distributions in excess of the Company's cumulative equity in earnings of the investee are recorded as a reduction of the investment. The Company reviews equity method investments for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that a decline in the fair value of the investment below its carrying value is other-than-temporary.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use are recorded as restricted cash and cash equivalents. The carrying value of the Company’s restricted cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Receivables

Receivables. Receivables include amounts receivable from agents, brokers and insureds, which represent premiums that are both currently due and amounts not yet due on insurance and reinsurance policies. Premiums for insurance policies are generally due at inception. Premiums for reinsurance policies generally become due over the period of coverage based on the policy terms. The Company monitors the credit risk associated with premiums receivable, taking into consideration the fact that in certain instances credit risk may be reduced by the Company's right to offset loss obligations or unearned premiums against premiums receivable. Amounts deemed uncollectible are charged to net income in the period they are determined. Changes in the estimate of reinsurance premiums written will result in an adjustment to premiums receivable in the period they are determined. Receivables also include amounts receivable from contracts with customers, which represent the Company’s unconditional right to consideration for satisfying the performance obligations outlined in the contract.

Reinsurance Recoverables

Reinsurance Recoverables. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured business. Allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible and reinsurance recoverables are recorded net of these allowances. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration risk to minimize its exposure to significant losses from individual reinsurers.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. Costs directly related to the acquisition of insurance premiums are deferred and amortized over the related policy period, generally one year. The Company only defers acquisition costs incurred that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts, including commissions to agents and brokers and premium taxes. Commissions received related to reinsurance premiums ceded are netted against broker commissions in determining acquisition costs eligible for deferral. To the extent that future policy revenues on existing policies are not adequate to cover related costs and expenses, deferred policy acquisition costs are charged to earnings. The Company does not consider anticipated investment income in determining whether a premium deficiency exists.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded as a result of business acquisitions. Goodwill represents the excess of the amount paid to acquire a business over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. Indefinite-lived and other intangible assets are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The determination of the fair value of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed involves significant judgment and the use of valuation models and other estimates, which require assumptions that are inherently subjective. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company completes an annual test during the fourth quarter of each year based upon the results of operations through September 30. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally five to 20 years, and are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is maintained primarily by certain of the Company's Markel Ventures businesses and are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, was $588.6 million and $551.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

Leases. Following the adoption of FASB ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), effective January 1, 2019, the present value of future lease payments for the Company’s leases with terms greater than 12 months are included on the consolidated balance sheet as lease liabilities and right-of-use lease assets.

The Company’s lease portfolio primarily consists of operating leases for real estate. Total expected lease payments are based on the lease payments specified in the contract and the stated term, including any options to extend or terminate that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company has elected the practical expedient to account for lease components and any associated non-lease components within a contract as a single lease component, and therefore allocates all of the expected lease payments to the lease component.

The lease liability, which represents the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the contract, is calculated based on the present value of expected lease payments over the remaining lease term, discounted using the Company’s collateralized incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date. The lease liability is then adjusted for any prepaid rent, lease incentives received or capitalized initial direct costs to determine the lease asset, which represents the Company's right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Lease liabilities and lease assets are included in other liabilities and other assets, respectively, on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Total lease costs are primarily comprised of rental expense for operating leases. Rental expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the lease term and includes amortization of the right-of-use lease asset and imputed interest on the lease liability. Rental expense attributable to the Company's underwriting operations is included in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses and rental expense attributable to the Company's other operations is included in products expenses and services and other expenses in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Inventories

Inventories. Inventories are maintained at certain of the Company's Markel Ventures businesses and consist primarily of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods. Inventories are generally valued using the first-in-first-out method and stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories were $303.1 million and $298.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. The Company owns controlling interests in various companies through its Markel Ventures operations. In some cases, the Company has the option to acquire the remaining equity interests, and the remaining equity interests have the option to sell their interests to the Company, in the future. The redemption value of the remaining equity interests is generally based on the respective company's earnings in specified periods preceding the redemption date. The redeemable noncontrolling interests generally are or become redeemable through 2023.

The Company recognizes changes in the redemption value that exceed the carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests to retained earnings as if the balance sheet date were also the redemption date. Changes in the redemption value also result in an adjustment to net income to shareholders in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. The Company records deferred income taxes to reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management believes it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold are then measured using a probability weighted approach, whereby the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement is recognized. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on the Company's property and casualty insurance business are based on evaluations of reported claims and estimates for losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred but not reported. Estimates for losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred but not reported are based on reserve development studies, among other things. Recorded reserves are estimates, and the ultimate liability may be greater or less than the estimates.

Life and Annuity Benefits

Life and Annuity Benefits. The Company has a run-off block of life and annuity reinsurance contracts that subject the Company to mortality, longevity and morbidity risks. The assumptions used to determine policy benefit reserves are generally locked-in for the life of the contract unless an unlocking event occurs. To the extent existing policy reserves, together with the present value of future gross premiums and expected investment income earned thereon, are not adequate to cover the present value of future benefits, settlement and maintenance costs, the locked-in assumptions are revised to current best estimate assumptions and a charge to earnings for life and annuity benefits is recognized at that time. Because of the assumptions and estimates used in establishing reserves for life and annuity benefit obligations and the long-term nature of these reinsurance contracts, the ultimate liability may be greater or less than the estimates. Results attributable to the run-off of life and annuity reinsurance business are included in services and other revenues and services and other expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition.

Property and Casualty Premiums

Insurance premiums written are generally recorded at the inception of a policy and earned on a pro rata basis over the policy period, typically one year. The cost of reinsurance ceded is initially recorded as prepaid reinsurance premiums and is amortized over the reinsurance contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Premiums ceded are netted against premiums written. For multi-year contracts where insurance premiums are payable in annual installments, written premiums are recorded at the inception of the contract based on management’s best estimate of total premiums to be received. For contracts where the cedent has the ability to unilaterally commute or cancel coverage within the term of the policy, premiums are generally recorded on an annual basis or up to the contract cancellation point. The remaining premiums are estimated and included as written at each successive anniversary date within the multi-year term.

Assumed reinsurance premiums are recorded at the inception of each contract based upon contract terms and information received from cedents and brokers and are earned on a pro rata basis over the coverage period, or for multi-year contracts, in proportion with the underlying risk exposure to the extent there is variability in the exposure through the coverage period. Changes in reinsurance premium estimates are expected and may result in significant adjustments in any period. These estimates change over time as additional information regarding changes in underlying exposures is obtained. Any subsequent differences arising on such estimates are recorded as premiums written in the period they are determined and are earned on a pro rata basis over the coverage period. The Company uses the periodic method to account for assumed reinsurance from foreign reinsurers. The Company's foreign reinsurers provide sufficient information to record foreign assumed business in the same manner as the Company records assumed business from U.S. reinsurers.

Certain contracts that the Company writes provide for reinstatement of coverage. Reinstatement premiums are the premiums for the restoration of the insurance or reinsurance limit of a contract to its full amount after a loss occurrence by the insured or reinsured. The Company accrues for reinstatement premiums resulting from losses recorded. Such accruals are based upon contractual terms and management judgment is involved with respect to the amount of losses recorded. Changes in estimates of losses recorded on contracts with reinstatement premium features will result in changes in reinstatement premiums based on contractual terms. Reinstatement premiums are recognized at the time losses are recorded and are generally earned on a pro rata basis over the coverage period.

Other Revenues

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and related amendments, which created a new comprehensive revenue recognition standard, FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, that serves as a single source of revenue guidance for contracts with customers unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, such as insurance contracts. ASC 606 is not applicable to the Company's insurance premium revenues or revenues from its investment portfolio but is applicable to most of the Company's other revenues, as described below.

Other revenues primarily relate to the Company's Markel Ventures operations and consist of revenues from the sale of products and services. Revenues are recognized when, or as, control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the Company's customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. All contracts with customers either have an original expected length of one year or less or the Company recognizes revenue at the amount for which it has a right to invoice for the products delivered or services performed. Certain customers may receive volume rebates or credits for products and services, which are accounted for as variable consideration. The Company estimates these amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to the customer and reduces revenues recognized by a corresponding amount. The Company does not expect significant changes to its estimates of variable consideration over the term of the contracts.

Payment terms for products and services vary by the type of product or service offered and the location of the customer, and payment is typically received at or shortly after the point of sale. For certain products, the Company requires partial payment in the form of a deposit before the products are delivered to the customer, which is included in other liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Products revenues are primarily generated from the sale of equipment used in baking systems, portable dredges, over-the-road transportation equipment, flooring for the trucking industry, ornamental plants and residential homes. Most of the Company's product revenues are recognized when the products are shipped to the customer or the products arrive at the agreed upon destination with the end customer. Some of the Company's contracts include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, revenues are allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price, which is derived from amounts stated in the contract.

Services revenues are primarily generated by delivering healthcare services, retail intelligence and consulting services. Service revenues are generally recognized over the term of the contracts based on hours incurred or as services are provided.

Investment management fee income in the Company's insurance-linked securities operations is recognized over the period in which investment management services are provided and is calculated and recognized monthly based on the net asset value of the accounts managed. For certain accounts, the Company is also entitled to participate, on a fixed-percentage basis, in any net income generated in excess of an agreed-upon threshold as established by the underlying investment management agreements. In general, net income is calculated at the end of each calendar year and incentive fees are payable annually. Incentive fee income is recognized at the conclusion of the contractual performance period, when the uncertainty related to performance has been resolved.

Program services fees, or ceding fees, received in exchange for providing access to the U.S. property and casualty insurance market are based on the gross premiums written on behalf of general agent and capacity provider clients. Ceding fees are earned in a manner consistent with the recognition of the gross premiums earned on the underlying insurance policies, generally on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies reinsured.

Other Revenues

Program Services

Program Services. In connection with its program services business, the Company enters into contractual agreements with both producing general agents and reinsurers, whereby the general agents and reinsurers are typically obligated to each other for payment of insurance amounts, including premiums, commissions and losses. To the extent these funds are not the obligation of the Company and are settled directly between the general agent and the reinsurer, no receivables or payables are recorded for these amounts. All obligations of the Company's insurance subsidiaries owed to or on behalf of their policyholders are recorded by the Company and, to the extent appropriate, offsetting reinsurance recoverables are recorded.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is generally recognized as part of underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses over the requisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense, net of taxes, was $24.6 million in 2019, $13.0 million in 2018 and $11.9 million in 2017.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign Currency Transactions. The U.S. Dollar is the Company’s reporting currency and the primary functional currency of its foreign underwriting operations. The functional currencies of the Company's other foreign operations are the currencies of the primary economic environments in which the majority of their business is transacted.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are the result of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency at each foreign entity. Monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency at current exchange rates, with resulting gains and losses included in net foreign exchange gains within net income. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency at historic exchange rates. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with resulting gains and losses, including the portion attributable to movements in exchange rates, included in the change in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments, net of taxes within other comprehensive income. While we attempt to naturally hedge our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by matching assets and liabilities in the same currencies, there is a financial statement mismatch between the gains or losses recorded in net income related to insurance reserves denominated in non-functional currencies and the gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income related to the available-for-sale securities held in non-functional currencies supporting the reserves.

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations denominated in a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar are translated into the U.S. Dollar at current exchange rates, with resulting gains or losses included, net of taxes, in the change in foreign currency translation adjustments within other comprehensive income.

Historically, the Company also designated certain additional currencies, including the British Pound Sterling, the Euro, and the Canadian Dollar, as functional currencies within its foreign underwriting operations that were deemed to contain distinct and separable operations in those foreign economic environments. However, over time the Company’s foreign underwriting operations have evolved and are now managed on a global basis. Effective January 1, 2018, management reassessed its functional currency determination as required by ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, and concluded that its foreign underwriting operations have evolved to function as an extension, or integral component, of the Company’s global underwriting operations, and are no longer deemed to contain distinct and separable operations. As a result, more foreign currency denominated transactions are designated as non-functional, with related remeasurement gains and losses included in net income. The change in the Company’s functional currency determination has been applied on a prospective basis in accordance with ASC 830. Therefore, any translation gains and losses that were previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income through December 31, 2017 remain unchanged through December 31, 2019.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative instruments, including derivative instruments resulting from hedging activities, are measured at fair value and recognized as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value of derivatives are recognized in earnings.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income represents all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events during the period. Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in comprehensive income but excluded from net income, such as unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments, foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in net actuarial pension loss.

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities. The Company determines whether it has relationships with entities defined as VIEs in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation. Under this guidance, a VIE is consolidated by the variable interest holder that is determined to be the primary beneficiary.

An entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a VIE if any of the following conditions exist: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) as a group, the holders of equity investment at risk lack either the direct or indirect ability through voting rights or similar rights to make decisions about an entity's activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance or the obligation to absorb the expected losses or right to receive the expected residual returns, or (c) the voting rights of some investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately few voting rights.

The primary beneficiary is defined as the variable interest holder that is determined to have the controlling financial interest as a result of having both (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The Company determines whether an entity is a VIE at the inception of its variable interest in the entity and upon the occurrence of certain reconsideration events. The Company continually reassesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of VIEs in which it holds a variable interest.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2019

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted FASB ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and several other ASUs that were issued as amendments to ASU No. 2016-02, which require lessees to record most leases in their balance sheets as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset, but continue to recognize the related rent expense within net income. The Company elected to apply the optional transition method, under which an entity initially applies the new lease standard to existing leases at the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company continues to apply the previous guidance to 2018 and prior periods. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed companies to carry forward their historical lease classification. As a result of adopting ASU No. 2016-02, the Company recorded a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability of $243.7 million and $264.6 million, respectively as of January 1, 2019. ASU No. 2016-02 also requires expanded lease disclosures, which are included in note 7. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

The following ASU issued by the FASB is relevant to the Company's operations and was adopted effective January 1, 2019. This ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows:


•	ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The FASB subsequently issued several ASUs as amendments to ASU No. 2016-13. The standard replaces the current incurred loss model used to measure impairment losses with a current expected credit loss (CECL) model for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, including reinsurance recoverables and trade receivables. For available-for-sale fixed maturities, which are measured at fair value, the ASU requires entities to record impairments as an allowance, rather than a reduction of the amortized cost, as is currently required under the other-than-temporary impairment model. ASU No. 2016-13 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2020 and will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. Application of the CECL model will not impact the Company's investment portfolio, none of which is measured at amortized cost, but will impact certain of the Company's other financial assets, including its reinsurance recoverables and receivables. The adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2020 will not be material. Upon adoption of this ASU, any impairment losses on the Company's available-for-sale fixed maturities will be recorded as an allowance, subject to reversal, rather than as a reduction in amortized cost. None of these changes are expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts. The ASU requires insurance entities with long duration contracts to: (1) review and, if there is a change, update the assumptions used to measure cash flows at least annually, as well as update the discount rate assumption at each reporting date; (2) measure all market risk benefits associated with deposit (or account balance) contracts at fair value; and (3) disclose liability rollforwards and information about significant inputs, judgments, assumptions and methods used in measurement, including changes thereto and the effect of those changes on measurement. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-09, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944): Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of ASU No. 2018-12 for the Company until the first quarter of 2022. ASU No. 2018-12 will, among other things, impact the discount rate used in estimating reserves for the Company’s life and annuity reinsurance portfolio, which is in runoff. Currently, the discount rate assumption is locked-in for the life of the contracts, unless there is a loss recognition event. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2018-12 to determine the impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The ASU requires an entity to expense the implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. Currently, such costs are generally expensed as incurred. ASU No. 2018-15 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2020 and will be applied on a prospective basis. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The following ASUs issued by the FASB are also relevant to the Company's operations and are not yet effective. These ASUs are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows:


•	ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement


•	ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans


•	ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest

Entities

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ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes