Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

7. Derivatives

Accounting for Derivatives

See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for derivatives and Note 8 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.

Derivative Strategies

Types of Derivative Instruments and Derivative Strategies

The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, credit and equity market. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivatives. Commonly used derivative instruments include, but are not limited to:    

•Interest rate derivatives: swaps, total return swaps, caps, floors, futures, swaptions, forwards and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts (“GICs”);

•Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives: swaps, forwards, options and exchange-traded futures;

•Credit derivatives: purchased or written single name or index credit default swaps, and forwards; and

•Equity derivatives: index options, variance swaps, exchange-traded futures and total return swaps.        

For detailed information on these contracts and the related strategies, see Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2020 Annual Report.

Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives

The following table presents the primary underlying risk exposure, gross notional amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s derivatives, excluding embedded derivatives, held at:

		September 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Primary Underlying Risk Exposure	Gross Notional Amount		Estimated Fair Value				Gross Notional Amount		Estimated Fair Value
				Assets		Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
		(In millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate swaps	Interest rate	$	3,549	$	2,154	$	2	$	3,186	$	3,224	$	4
Foreign currency swaps	Foreign currency exchange rate	908		8		32		1,106		8		78
Foreign currency forwards	Foreign currency exchange rate	1,545		—		52		1,936		24		—
Subtotal		6,002		2,162		86		6,228		3,256		82
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps	Interest rate	4,429		35		1		4,750		44		—
Interest rate forwards	Interest rate	6,874		60		155		7,377		513		120
Foreign currency swaps	Foreign currency exchange rate	41,201		1,602		1,456		38,604		1,549		2,017
Subtotal		52,504		1,697		1,612		50,731		2,106		2,137
Net investment in a foreign operation (“NIFO”) hedges:
Foreign currency forwards	Foreign currency exchange rate	341		18		—		164		—		3
Currency options	Foreign currency exchange rate	3,000		114		—		3,600		70		—
Subtotal		3,341		132		—		3,764		70		3
Total qualifying hedges		61,847		3,991		1,698		60,723		5,432		2,222
Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate swaps	Interest rate	41,430		3,793		144		49,561		3,683		38
Interest rate floors	Interest rate	8,201		202		—		12,701		350		—
Interest rate caps	Interest rate	77,814		69		—		40,730		13		—
Interest rate futures	Interest rate	2,239		3		1		1,498		—		2
Interest rate options	Interest rate	12,508		485		17		17,746		502		5
Interest rate forwards	Interest rate	367		—		37		351		—		10
Interest rate total return swaps	Interest rate	1,048		6		31		1,048		—		59
Synthetic GICs	Interest rate	39,365		—		—		38,646		—		—
Foreign currency swaps	Foreign currency exchange rate	12,635		690		664		13,265		603		693
Foreign currency forwards	Foreign currency exchange rate	15,911		99		563		15,643		209		310
Currency futures	Foreign currency exchange rate	867		1		—		914		3		—
Currency options	Foreign currency exchange rate	900		—		—		1,350		—		—
Credit default swaps — purchased	Credit	3,042		14		110		2,978		9		121
Credit default swaps — written	Credit	8,739		180		5		9,609		196		—
Equity futures	Equity market	4,417		48		14		5,427		14		38
Equity index options	Equity market	31,016		898		441		22,954		834		437
Equity variance swaps	Equity market	733		17		15		716		15		12
Equity total return swaps	Equity market	3,482		23		11		3,294		3		282
Total non-designated or nonqualifying derivatives		264,714		6,528		2,053		238,431		6,434		2,007
Total		$	326,561	$	10,519	$	3,751	$	299,154	$	11,866	$	4,229

Based on gross notional amounts, a substantial portion of the Company’s derivatives was not designated or did not qualify as part of a hedging relationship at both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company’s use of derivatives includes (i) derivatives that serve as macro hedges of the Company’s exposure to various risks and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting due to the criteria required under the portfolio hedging rules, (ii) derivatives that economically hedge insurance liabilities that contain mortality or morbidity risk and that generally do not qualify for hedge accounting because the lack of these risks in the derivatives cannot support an expectation of a highly effective hedging relationship, (iii) derivatives that economically hedge embedded derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting because the changes in estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives are already recorded in net income, and (iv) written credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are used to synthetically create investments and that do not qualify for hedge accounting because they do not involve a hedging relationship. For these nonqualified derivatives, changes in market factors can lead to the recognition of fair value changes on the statement of operations without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged.

The Effects of Derivatives on the Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents the interim condensed consolidated financial statement location and amount of gain (loss) recognized on fair value, cash flow, NIFO, nonqualifying hedging relationships and embedded derivatives:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Net Investment Income		Net Investment Gains (Losses)		Net Derivative Gains (Losses)		Policyholder Benefits and Claims		Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances		Other Expenses		Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(In millions)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	(53)	$	—	$	—	N/A
Hedged items	(2)		—		—		48		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	28		(9)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Hedged items	(22)		9		—		—		—		—		N/A
Amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness	—		(2)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	5		(2)		—		(5)		—		—		N/A
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		$	24
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	14		6		—		—		—		1		(21)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		398
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	2		(259)		—		—		—		—		257
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		256		—		—		—		—		—
Credit derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		20
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal	16		3		—		—		—		1		678
Gain (Loss) on NIFO Hedges:
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		12
Non-derivative hedging instruments	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		2
Subtotal	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		14
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate derivatives (1)	(1)		—		(379)		(12)		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	—		—		(128)		(2)		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — purchased (1)	—		—		4		—		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — written (1)	—		—		(2)		—		—		—		N/A
Equity derivatives (1)	(1)		—		47		5		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		—		(65)		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	(2)		—		(523)		(9)		—		—		N/A
Earned income on derivatives	62		—		258		55		(43)		—		—
Embedded derivatives (2)	N/A		N/A		47		—		N/A		N/A		N/A
Total	$	81	$	1	$	(218)	$	41	$	(43)	$	1	$	692

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Net Investment Income		Net Investment Gains (Losses)		Net Derivative Gains (Losses)		Policyholder Benefits and Claims		Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances		Other Expenses		Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(In millions)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	(154)	$	—	$	—	N/A
Hedged items	—		—		—		139		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	(50)		44		—		—		—		—		N/A
Hedged items	46		(41)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness	—		(4)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	(3)		(1)		—		(15)		—		—		N/A
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		$	(203)
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	9		10		—		—		—		1		(20)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(615)
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	2		435		—		—		—		—		(437)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		(393)		—		—		—		—		—
Credit derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(28)
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal	11		52		—		—		—		1		(1,303)
Gain (Loss) on NIFO Hedges:
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(29)
Non-derivative hedging instruments	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(8)
Subtotal	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(37)
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		—		(601)		(9)		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	—		—		(190)		2		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — purchased (1)	—		—		(8)		—		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — written (1)	—		—		(9)		—		—		—		N/A
Equity derivatives (1)	(6)		—		(499)		(90)		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		—		56		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	(6)		—		(1,251)		(97)		—		—		N/A
Earned income on derivatives	50		—		262		52		(36)		—		—
Embedded derivatives (2)	N/A		N/A		408		—		N/A		N/A		N/A
Total	$	52	$	51	$	(581)	$	(60)	$	(36)	$	1	$	(1,340)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
	Net Investment Income		Net Investment Gains (Losses)		Net Derivative Gains (Losses)		Policyholder Benefits and Claims		Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances		Other Expenses		Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(In millions)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	$	4	$	—	$	—	$	(418)	$	—	$	—	N/A
Hedged items	(4)		—		—		379		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	40		(144)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Hedged items	(33)		139		—		—		—		—		N/A
Amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness	—		(6)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	7		(11)		—		(39)		—		—		N/A
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		$	(687)
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	41		54		—		—		—		2		(97)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		567
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	6		(383)		—		—		—		1		376
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		372		—		—		—		—		—
Credit derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(52)
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal	47		43		—		—		—		3		107
Gain (Loss) on NIFO Hedges:
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		58
Non-derivative hedging instruments	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		31
Subtotal	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		89
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate derivatives (1)	1		—		(1,993)		(51)		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	—		—		(734)		1		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — purchased (1)	—		—		16		—		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — written (1)	—		—		33		—		—		—		N/A
Equity derivatives (1)	(33)		—		(992)		(202)		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		—		167		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	(32)		—		(3,503)		(252)		—		—		N/A
Earned income on derivatives	128		—		755		160		(120)		—		—
Embedded derivatives (2)	N/A		N/A		716		—		N/A		N/A		N/A
Total	$	150	$	32	$	(2,032)	$	(131)	$	(120)	$	3	$	196

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Net Investment Income		Net Investment Gains (Losses)		Net Derivative Gains (Losses)		Policyholder Benefits and Claims		Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances		Other Expenses		Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(In millions)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	$	(11)	$	—	$	—	$	589	$	—	$	—	N/A
Hedged items	9		—		—		(613)		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments (1)	17		58		—		—		—		—		N/A
Hedged items	(14)		(54)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness	—		(38)		—		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	1		(34)		—		(24)		—		—		N/A
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		$	1,700
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	24		58		—		—		—		2		(84)
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		554
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	3		271		—		—		—		1		(275)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		(190)		—		—		—		—		—
Credit derivatives: (1)
Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(52)
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal	27		139		—		—		—		3		1,843
Gain (Loss) on NIFO Hedges:
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		70
Non-derivative hedging instruments	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		(11)
Subtotal	N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		59
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate derivatives (1)	(6)		—		3,364		58		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency exchange rate derivatives (1)	—		—		(187)		(7)		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — purchased (1)	—		—		4		—		—		—		N/A
Credit derivatives — written (1)	—		—		(158)		—		—		—		N/A
Equity derivatives (1)	(6)		—		17		19		—		—		N/A
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items	—		—		(104)		—		—		—		N/A
Subtotal	(12)		—		2,936		70		—		—		N/A
Earned income on derivatives	196		—		617		135		(118)		—		—
Embedded derivatives (2)	N/A		N/A		(643)		—		N/A		N/A		N/A
Total	$	212	$	105	$	2,910	$	181	$	(118)	$	3	$	1,902

__________________

(1)Excludes earned income on derivatives.

(2)The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes a nonperformance risk adjustment. The amounts included in net derivative gains (losses) in connection with this adjustment were $3 million and ($48) million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and ($12) million and $63 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

The Company designates and accounts for the following as fair value hedges when they have met the requirements of fair value hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate assets and liabilities to floating rate assets and liabilities, (ii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, and (iii) foreign currency forwards to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated investments.

The following table presents the balance sheet classification, carrying amount and cumulative fair value hedging adjustments for items designated and qualifying as hedged items in fair value hedges:

Balance Sheet Line Item	Carrying Amount  of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)				Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) (1)
	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020		September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS	$	2,117	$	2,699	$	(1)	$	(1)
Mortgage loans	$	749	$	952	$	(3)	$	20
Future policy benefits	$	(4,713)	$	(5,512)	$	(911)	$	(1,307)

__________________

(1)Includes ($169) million and ($1) million of hedging adjustments on discontinued hedging relationships at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

For the Company’s foreign currency forwards, the change in the estimated fair value of the derivative related to the changes in the difference between the spot price and the forward price is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Company has elected to record changes in estimated fair value of excluded components in earnings. For all other derivatives, all components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company designates and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges when they have met the requirements of cash flow hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate assets and liabilities to fixed rate assets and liabilities, (ii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency cash flow exposure of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, (iii) interest rate forwards and credit forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of investments, (iv) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge the forecasted purchases of fixed-rate investments, and (v) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge forecasted fixed-rate borrowings.

In certain instances, the Company discontinued cash flow hedge accounting because the forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring. Because certain of the forecasted transactions also were not probable of occurring within two months of the anticipated date, the Company reclassified amounts from AOCI into income. These amounts were $6 million and $5 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and ($8) million and $19 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

At both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the maximum length of time over which the Company was hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions did not exceed eight years.

At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balance in AOCI associated with cash flow hedges was $2.0 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively.

All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

At September 30, 2021, the Company expected to reclassify ($137) million of deferred net gains (losses) on derivatives in AOCI to earnings within the next 12 months.

NIFO Hedges

The Company uses foreign currency exchange rate derivatives, which may include foreign currency forwards and currency options, to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The Company also designates a portion of its foreign-denominated debt as a non-derivative hedging instrument of its net investments in foreign operations. The Company assesses hedge effectiveness of its derivatives based upon the change in forward rates and assesses its non-derivative hedging instruments based upon the change in spot rates. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

When net investments in foreign operations are sold or substantially liquidated, the amounts in AOCI are reclassified to the statement of operations.

At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in AOCI related to NIFO hedges was $253 million and $164 million, respectively. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of debt designated as a non-derivative hedging instrument was $376 million and $407 million, respectively.

Credit Derivatives

In connection with synthetically created credit investment transactions, the Company writes credit default swaps for which it receives a premium to insure credit risk. Such credit derivatives are included within the effects of derivatives on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) table. If a credit event occurs, as defined by the contract, the contract may be cash settled or it may be settled gross by the Company paying the counterparty the specified swap notional amount in exchange for the delivery of par quantities of the referenced credit obligation. The Company’s maximum amount at risk, assuming the value of all referenced credit obligations is zero, was $8.7 billion and $9.6 billion at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company can terminate these contracts at any time through cash settlement with the counterparty at an amount equal to the then current estimated fair value of the credit default swaps. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company would have received $175 million and $196 million, respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.

The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at:

	September 30, 2021					December 31, 2020
Rating Agency Designation of Referenced Credit Obligations (1)	Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps		Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps		Weighted Average Years to Maturity (2)	Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps		Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps		Weighted Average Years to Maturity (2)
	(Dollars in millions)
Aaa/Aa/A
Single name credit default swaps (3)	$	5	$	169	3.2	$	5	$	208	2.7
Credit default swaps referencing indices	21		1,778		1.7	27		1,779		2.5
Subtotal	26		1,947		1.9	32		1,987		2.5
Baa
Single name credit default swaps (3)	2		152		2.5	3		249		2.5
Credit default swaps referencing indices	145		6,468		5.7	156		7,318		5.5
Subtotal	147		6,620		5.6	159		7,567		5.4
Ba
Single name credit default swaps (3)	2		82		1.5	—		—		—
Credit default swaps referencing indices	(1)		20		4.2	—		—		—
Subtotal	1		102		2.0	—		—		—
B
Credit default swaps referencing indices	5		55		4.2	5		55		5.0
Subtotal	5		55		4.2	5		55		5.0
Caa3
Credit default swaps referencing indices	(4)		15		4.2	—		—		—
Subtotal	(4)		15		4.2	—		—		—
Total	$	175	$	8,739	4.7	$	196	$	9,609	4.8

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(1)The rating agency designations are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.

(2)The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average gross notional amounts.

(3)Single name credit default swaps may be referenced to the credit of corporations, foreign governments, or municipals.

Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives

The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by its counterparties to derivatives. Generally, the current credit exposure of the Company’s derivatives is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivatives at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of master netting or similar agreements and any collateral received pursuant to such agreements.

Derivatives may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. Certain of the Company’s OTC derivatives are cleared and settled through central clearinghouses (“OTC-cleared”), while others are bilateral contracts between two counterparties (“OTC-bilateral”).

The Company manages its credit risk related to derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties and establishing and monitoring exposure limits. The Company enters into contracts with counterparties in jurisdictions in which it understands that close-out netting should be enforceable. The Company’s OTC-bilateral derivative transactions are

governed by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements which provide for legally enforceable set-off and close-out netting of exposures to specific counterparties in the event of early termination of a transaction, which includes, but is not limited to, events of default and bankruptcy. In the event of an early termination, close-out netting permits the Company (subject to financial regulations such as the Orderly Liquidation Authority under Title II of Dodd-Frank) to set off receivables from the counterparty against payables to the same counterparty arising out of all included transactions and to apply collateral to the obligations, without application of the automatic stay, upon the counterparty’s bankruptcy. All of the Company’s ISDA Master Agreements also include Credit Support Annex provisions which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral in connection with its OTC-bilateral derivatives as required by applicable law. Additionally, effective September 1, 2021, the Company is required to pledge initial margin for certain new OTC-bilateral derivative transactions to third party custodians.

The Company’s OTC-cleared derivatives are effected through central clearing counterparties and its exchange-traded derivatives are effected through regulated exchanges. Such positions are marked to market and margined on a daily basis (both initial margin and variation margin), and the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by brokers and central clearinghouses to such derivatives.

See Note 8 for a description of the impact of credit risk on the valuation of derivatives.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral were as follows at:

	September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
Derivatives Subject to a Master Netting Arrangement or a Similar Arrangement	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities
	(In millions)
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives:
OTC-bilateral (1)	$	10,034	$	3,675	$	11,348	$	4,111
OTC-cleared (1)	516		39		593		20
Exchange-traded	52		15		17		40
Total gross estimated fair value of derivatives presented on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets (1)	10,602		3,729		11,958		4,171
Gross amounts not offset on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets:
Gross estimated fair value of derivatives: (2)
OTC-bilateral	(2,206)		(2,206)		(2,926)		(2,926)
OTC-cleared	(13)		(13)		(7)		(7)
Exchange-traded	(2)		(2)		—		—
Cash collateral: (3), (4)
OTC-bilateral	(6,396)		—		(6,842)		—
OTC-cleared	(434)		(16)		(530)		(5)
Exchange-traded	—		(9)		—		(23)
Securities collateral: (5)
OTC-bilateral	(1,249)		(1,367)		(1,453)		(1,100)
OTC-cleared	—		(9)		—		(1)
Exchange-traded	—		(3)		—		(1)
Net amount after application of master netting agreements and collateral	$	302	$	104	$	200	$	108

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(1)At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, derivative assets included income (expense) accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of $83 million and $92 million, respectively, and derivative liabilities included (income) expense accruals reported in accrued investment income or in other liabilities of ($22) million and ($58) million, respectively.

(2)Estimated fair value of derivatives is limited to the amount that is subject to set-off and includes income or expense accruals.

(3)Cash collateral received by the Company for OTC-bilateral and OTC-cleared derivatives, where the centralized clearinghouse treats variation margin as collateral, is included in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments or in fixed maturity securities AFS, and the obligation to return it is included in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions on the balance sheet. For certain collateral agreements, cash collateral is pledged to the Company as initial margin on its OTC-bilateral derivatives.

(4)The receivable for the return of cash collateral provided by the Company is inclusive of initial margin on exchange-traded and OTC-cleared derivatives and is included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables on the balance sheet. The amount of cash collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreements. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company received excess cash collateral of $103 million and $265 million, respectively, and provided excess cash collateral of $158 million and $238 million, respectively, which is not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.

(5)Securities collateral received by the Company is held in separate custodial accounts and is not recorded on the balance sheet. Subject to certain constraints, the Company is permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral, but at September 30, 2021, none of the collateral had been sold or re-pledged. Securities collateral pledged by the Company is reported in fixed maturity securities AFS on the balance sheet. Subject to certain constraints, the counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or re-pledge this collateral. The amount of securities collateral offset in the table above is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting agreements and cash collateral. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company received excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $98 million and $231 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company provided excess securities collateral with an estimated fair value of $194 million and $269 million, respectively, for its OTC-bilateral derivatives, $1.2 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, for its OTC-cleared derivatives, and $214 million and $318 million, respectively, for its exchange-traded derivatives, which are not included in the table above due to the foregoing limitation.

The Company’s collateral arrangements for its OTC-bilateral derivatives generally require the counterparty in a net liability position, after considering the effect of netting agreements, to pledge collateral when the collateral amount owed by that counterparty reaches a minimum transfer amount. Substantially all of the Company’s netting agreements for derivatives contain provisions that require both the Company and the counterparty to maintain a specific investment grade credit rating from each of Moody’s and S&P. If a party’s credit or financial strength rating, as applicable, were to fall below that specific investment grade credit rating, that party would be in violation of these provisions, and the other party to the derivatives could terminate the transactions and demand immediate settlement and payment based on such party’s reasonable valuation of the derivatives. A small number of these arrangements also include credit-contingent provisions that include a threshold above which collateral must be posted. Such agreements provide for a reduction of these thresholds (on a sliding scale that converges toward zero) in the event of downgrades in the credit ratings of MetLife, Inc. and/or the counterparty. At September 30, 2021, the amount of collateral not provided by the Company due to the existence of these thresholds was $15 million.

The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s OTC-bilateral derivatives that were in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements, together with the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the collateral pledged.

	September 30, 2021						December 31, 2020
	Derivatives Subject to Credit- Contingent Provisions		Derivatives Not Subject to Credit- Contingent Provisions		Total		Derivatives Subject to Credit- Contingent Provisions		Derivatives Not Subject to Credit- Contingent Provisions		Total
	(In millions)
Estimated fair value of derivatives in a net liability position (1)	$	1,242	$	227	$	1,469	$	1,182	$	3	$	1,185
Estimated fair value of collateral provided:
Fixed maturity securities AFS	$	1,300	$	188	$	1,488	$	1,222	$	2	$	1,224

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(1)After taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.

Embedded Derivatives

The Company issues certain products or purchases certain investments that contain embedded derivatives that are required to be separated from their host contracts and accounted for as freestanding derivatives.

The following table presents the estimated fair value and balance sheet location of the Company’s embedded derivatives that have been separated from their host contracts at:

	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
		(In millions)
Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts:
Ceded guaranteed minimum benefits	Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables	$	39	$	55
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits	Policyholder account balances	$	296	$	651
Assumed guaranteed minimum benefits	Policyholder account balances	131		283
Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance	Other liabilities	41		100
Fixed annuities with equity indexed returns	Policyholder account balances	157		138
Other guarantees	Policyholder account balances	1		24
Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts		$	626	$	1,196