Closed Block

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

5. Closed Block

On April 7, 2000 (the “Demutualization Date”), Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) converted from a mutual life insurance company to a stock life insurance company and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. The conversion was pursuant to an order by the New York Superintendent of Insurance approving MLIC’s plan of reorganization, as amended (the “Plan of Reorganization”). On the Demutualization Date, MLIC established a closed block for the benefit of holders of certain individual life insurance policies of MLIC.

Experience within the closed block, in particular mortality and investment yields, as well as realized and unrealized gains and losses, directly impact the policyholder dividend obligation. Amortization of the closed block DAC, which resides outside of the closed block, is based upon cumulative actual and expected earnings within the closed block. Accordingly, the Company’s net income continues to be sensitive to the actual performance of the closed block.

Closed block assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are combined on a line-by-line basis with the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses outside the closed block based on the nature of the particular item.

Information regarding the closed block liabilities and assets designated to the closed block was as follows at:


	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(In millions)
Closed Block Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$	38,521	$	38,758
Other policy-related balances	321		321
Policyholder dividends payable	338		337
Policyholder dividend obligation	1,546		2,969
Deferred income tax liability	149		130
Other liabilities	271		172
Total closed block liabilities	41,146		42,687
Assets Designated to the Closed Block
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value	25,696		27,186
Equity securities, at estimated fair value	22		24
Mortgage loans	6,559		6,807
Policy loans	4,314		4,355
Real estate and real estate joint ventures	556		559
Other invested assets	471		468
Total investments	37,618		39,399
Cash and cash equivalents	228		—
Accrued investment income	400		402
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables	79		50
Current income tax recoverable	40		28
Total assets designated to the closed block	38,365		39,879
Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block	2,781		2,808
AOCI:
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax	2,460		3,524
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of income tax	12		23
Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax	(1,221)		(2,346)
Total amounts included in AOCI	1,251		1,201
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities	$	4,032	$	4,009

Information regarding the closed block policyholder dividend obligation was as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021		Year Ended December 31, 2020
	(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period	$	2,969	$	2,020
Change in unrealized investment and derivative gains (losses)	(1,423)		949
Balance, end of period	$	1,546	$	2,969

Information regarding the closed block revenues and expenses was as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
	(In millions)
Revenues
Premiums	$	320	$	367
Net investment income	393		407
Net investment gains (losses)	6		(19)
Net derivative gains (losses)	1		26
Total revenues	720		781
Expenses
Policyholder benefits and claims	546		550
Policyholder dividends	178		219
Other expenses	25		27
Total expenses	749		796
Revenues, net of expenses before provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(29)		(15)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(6)		(3)
Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit)	$	(23)	$	(12)

MLIC charges the closed block with federal income taxes, state and local premium taxes and other state or local taxes, as well as investment management expenses relating to the closed block as provided in the Plan of Reorganization. MLIC also charges the closed block for expenses of maintaining the policies included in the closed block.