Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") and are unaudited. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Those estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Voya Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as well as partnerships (voting interest entities ("VOEs")) in which the Company has control and variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. See Note 13. Consolidated Investment Entities to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (including normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2014, and its results of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year performance. The December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet is from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which included all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Therefore, these unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Adoption of New Pronouncements

Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, "Income Taxes (Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" ("ASU 2013-11"), which clarifies that:


•	An unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, except,

•

An unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and not be combined with a deferred tax asset (i) to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or (ii) the tax law does not require the entity to use, or the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such a purpose.


•	The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date.

The provisions of ASU 2013-11 were adopted prospectively by the Company on January 1, 2014, to all unrecognized tax benefits existing on that date. The adoption had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, as the guidance is consistent with that previously applied.

Investment Companies

In June 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-08, "Financial Services-Investment Companies (ASC Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements" ("ASU 2013-08"), which provides comprehensive guidance for assessing whether an entity is an investment company and requires an investment company to measure noncontrolling ownership interests in other investment companies at fair value. ASU 2013-08 also requires an entity to disclose that it is an investment company and any changes to that status, as well as information about financial support provided or required to be provided to investees.

The provisions of ASU 2013-08 were adopted prospectively by the Company on January 1, 2014, for entities that are investment companies at that date. The adoption had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Joint and Several Liability Arrangements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, "Liabilities (ASC Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date" ("ASU 2013-04"), which requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liable arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of (1) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and (2) any additional amount it expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation, as well as other information about those obligations. The adoption had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, as the Company did not have any fixed obligations under joint and several liable arrangements as of January 1, 2014.

Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Health Insurers

In July 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-06, "Other Expenses (Topic 720): Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Health Insurers" ("ASU 2011-06"), which specifies how health insurers should recognize and classify the annual fee imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act (the "Acts"). The liability for the fee should be estimated and recorded in full at the time the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the year in which the fee is payable, with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense.

The provisions of ASU 2011-06 were adopted by the Company on January 1, 2014, when the fee initially became effective. The adoption of ASU 2011-06 had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, as the amount of net premium written for qualifying health insurance by the Company in 2014 is expected to be below the $25.0 threshold as defined by the Acts and, thus, not subject to the fee.

Future Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements

Discontinued Operations and Disposals

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (ASC Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (ASC Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" ("ASU 2014-08"), which requires the disposal of a component of an entity to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the entity's operations and financial results. The component should be reported in discontinued operations when it meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, is disposed of by sale or is disposed of other than by sale.

The amendments also require additional disclosures about discontinued operations, including disclosures about an entity’s significant continuing involvement with a discontinued operation, and disclosures for a disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations.

The provisions of ASU 2014-08 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments should be applied prospectively to disposals and classifications as held for sale that occur within those periods. The Company does not expect ASU 2014-08 to have an impact on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures, as the Company does not have any discontinued operations as of March 31, 2014.

Derivatives

Interest rate caps: The Company uses interest rate cap contracts to hedge the interest rate exposure arising from duration mismatches between assets and liabilities. Interest rate caps are also used to hedge interest rate exposure if rates rise above a specified level. Such increases in rates will require the Company to incur additional expenses. The future payout from the interest rate caps fund

this increased exposure. The Company pays an upfront premium to purchase these caps. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Interest rate swaps: Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and/or liabilities. Interest rate swaps are also used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the value of assets it owns or in an anticipation of acquiring them. Using interest rate swaps, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest payments, calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made to/from the counterparty at each due date. The Company utilizes these contracts in qualifying hedging relationships as well as non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Foreign exchange swaps: The Company uses foreign exchange or currency swaps to reduce the risk of change in the value, yield or cash flows associated with certain foreign denominated invested assets. Foreign exchange swaps represent contracts that require the exchange of foreign currency cash flows against U.S. dollar cash flows at regular periods, typically quarterly or semi-annually. The Company utilizes these contracts in qualifying hedging relationships as well as non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Credit default swaps: Credit default swaps are used to reduce credit loss exposure with respect to certain assets that the Company owns, or to assume credit exposure on certain assets that the Company does not own. Payments are made to or received from the counterparty at specified intervals. In the event of a default on the underlying credit exposure, the Company will either receive a payment (purchased credit protection) or will be required to make a payment (sold credit protection) equal to the par minus recovery value of the swap contract. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Total return swaps: The Company uses total return swaps as a hedge against a decrease in variable annuity account values, which are invested in certain indices. Using total return swaps, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the economic risk and reward of assets or a market index and the LIBOR rate, calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount. No cash is exchanged at the onset of the contracts. Cash is paid and received over the life of the contract based upon the terms of the swaps. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Currency forwards: The Company uses currency forward contracts to hedge policyholder liabilities associated with the variable annuity contracts which are linked to foreign indices. The currency fluctuations may result in a decrease in account values, which would increase the possibility of the Company incurring an expense for guaranteed benefits in excess of account values. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Forwards: The Company uses forward contracts to hedge certain invested assets against movement in interest rates, particularly mortgage rates. The Company uses To Be Announced mortgage-backed securities as an economic hedge against rate movements. The Company utilizes forward contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Futures: Futures contracts are used to hedge against a decrease in certain equity indices. Such decreases may result in a decrease in variable annuity account values which would increase the possibility of the Company incurring an expense for guaranteed benefits in excess of account values. The Company also uses futures contracts as a hedge against an increase in certain equity indices. Such increases may result in increased payments to the holders of the fixed index annuity ("FIA") contracts. The Company enters into exchange traded futures with regulated futures commissions that are members of the exchange. The Company also posts initial and variation margin with the exchange on a daily basis. The Company utilizes exchange-traded futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Swaptions: A swaption is an option to enter into a swap with a forward starting effective date. The Company uses swaptions to hedge the interest rate exposure associated with the minimum crediting rate and book value guarantees embedded in the retirement products that the Company offers. Increases in interest rates will generate losses on assets that are backing such liabilities. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased swaptions by entering into offsetting written swaptions. Swaptions are also used to hedge against an increase in the interest rate benchmarked crediting strategies within FIA contracts. Such increases may result in increased payments to contract holders of FIA contracts and the interest rate swaptions offset this increased exposure. The Company pays a premium when it purchases the swaption. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Options: The Company uses put options to manage the equity, interest rate and equity volatility risk of the economic liabilities associated with certain variable annuity minimum guaranteed benefits. The Company also uses call options to hedge against an increase in various equity indices. Such increases may result in increased payments to the holders of the FIA contracts. The Company pays an upfront premium to purchase these options. The Company utilizes these options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Variance swaps: The Company uses variance swaps to manage equity volatility risk on the economic liabilities associated with certain minimum guaranteed living benefits. An increase in the equity volatility results in a higher valuations of such liabilities. In an equity variance swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange amounts in the future, based on the changes in equity volatility over a defined period. The Company utilizes equity variance swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Managed custody guarantees ("MCG"): The Company issues certain credited rate guarantees on externally managed variable bond funds that represent stand-alone derivatives. The market value is partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in interest rates, prepayment rates and credit ratings/spreads.

Embedded derivatives: The Company also invests in certain fixed maturity instruments and has issued certain annuity products that contain embedded derivatives whose market value is at least partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in domestic and/or foreign interest rates (short-term or long-term), exchange rates, prepayment rates, equity rates, or credit ratings/spreads. In addition, the Company has entered into a coinsurance with a funds withheld arrangement which contains an embedded derivative whose fair value is based on the change in the fair value of the underlying assets held in trust. The embedded derivatives for certain fixed maturity instruments, certain annuity products and coinsurance with funds withheld arrangements are reported with the host contract in investments, in Future policy benefits or Funds held under reinsurance agreements, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives within fixed maturity investments and within annuity products are recorded in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Changes in fair value of embedded derivatives with reinsurance agreements are reported in Policyholder benefits in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company's use of derivatives is limited mainly to economic hedging to reduce the Company's exposure to cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, interest rate risk, credit risk, exchange rate risk and market risk. It is the Company's policy not to offset amounts recognized for derivative instruments and amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement, which provides the Company with the legal right of offset.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, pursuant to the Fair Value Measurements and disclosures of the FASB ASC Topic 820. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3), as described in the Fair Value Measurements (excluding Consolidated Investment Entities) Note in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

When available, the estimated fair value of financial instruments is based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or other similar techniques.

The following disclosures are made in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 825 which requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

ASC Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments, including insurance contracts and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

The following valuation methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of the following financial instruments, which are not carried at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Mortgage loans on real estate: The fair values for mortgage loans on real estate are estimated on a monthly basis using discounted cash flow analyses and rates currently being offered in the marketplace for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. Mortgage loans on real estate are classified as Level 3.

Policy loans: The fair value of policy loans approximates the carrying value of the loans. Policy loans are collateralized by the cash surrender value of the associated insurance contracts and are classified as Level 2.

Limited partnerships/corporations: The fair value for these investments, primarily private equity fund of funds and hedge funds, is based on actual or estimated Net Asset Value ("NAV") information, as provided by the investee and are classified as Level 3.

Other investments: Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock is carried at cost and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value and is classified as Level 1.

Investment contract liabilities:

Funding agreements without a fixed maturity and deferred annuities: Fair value is estimated as the mean present value of stochastically modeled cash flows associated with the contract liabilities taking into account assumptions about contract holder behavior. The stochastic valuation scenario set is consistent with current market parameters and discount is taken using stochastically evolving risk-free rates in the scenarios plus an adjustment for nonperformance risk. Margins for non-financial risks associated with the contract liabilities are also included. These liabilities are classified as Level 3.

Funding agreements with a fixed maturity and guaranteed investment contracts: Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows, including associated expenses for maintaining the contracts, at rates, that are risk-free rates plus an adjustment for nonperformance risk. These liabilities are classified as Level 2.

Supplementary contracts and immediate annuities: Fair value is estimated as the mean present value of the single deterministically modeled cash flows associated with the contract liabilities discounted using stochastically evolving short risk-free rates in the scenarios plus an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The valuation is consistent with current market parameters. Margins for non-financial risks associated with the contract liabilities are also included. These liabilities are classified as Level 3.

Long-term debt: Estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is based upon discounted future cash flows using a discount rate approximating the current market rate, incorporating nonperformance risk. Long-term debt is classified as Level 2.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about various financial instruments, such as estimates of timing and amounts of future cash flows. Such estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized capital gains (losses). In many cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. In evaluating the Company’s management of interest rate, price and liquidity risks, the fair values of all assets and liabilities should be taken into consideration, not only those presented above.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Level 3 Financial Instruments

The fair values of certain assets and liabilities are determined using prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (i.e., Level 3 as defined by ASC Topic 820), including but not limited to liquidity spreads for investments within markets deemed not currently active. These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third-party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability. In addition, the Company has determined, for certain financial instruments, an active market is such a significant input to determine fair value that the presence of an inactive market may lead to classification in Level 3. In light of the methodologies employed to obtain the fair values of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3, additional information is presented below.

Valuation of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at estimated fair value on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The exit price and the transaction (or entry) price will be the same at initial recognition in many circumstances. However, in certain cases, the transaction price may not represent fair value. The fair value of a liability is based on the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability to a third-party with an equal credit standing. Fair value is required to be a market-based measurement that is determined based on a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date from a market participant’s perspective. The Company considers three broad valuation techniques when a quoted price is unavailable: (i) the market approach, (ii) the income approach and (iii) the cost approach. The Company determines the most appropriate valuation technique to use, given the instrument being measured and the availability of sufficient inputs. The Company prioritizes the inputs to fair valuation techniques and allows for the use of unobservable inputs to the extent that observable inputs are not available.

The Company utilizes a number of valuation methodologies to determine the fair values of its financial assets and liabilities in conformity with the concepts of "exit price" and the fair value hierarchy as prescribed in ASC Topic 820. Valuations are obtained from third-party commercial pricing services, brokers and industry-standard, vendor-provided software that models the value based on market observable inputs. The valuations obtained from third-party commercial pricing services are non-binding. The Company reviews the assumptions and inputs used by third-party commercial pricing services for each reporting period in order to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level. The documentation and analysis obtained from third-party commercial pricing services are reviewed by the Company, including in-depth validation procedures confirming the observability of inputs. The valuations are reviewed and validated monthly through the internal valuation committee price variance review, comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades or monitoring of trading volumes.

Compensation Expense

The Company measures the cost of the share-based awards at their grant date fair value, based upon the market value of the stock, and recognizes that cost over the vesting period. Differences in actual versus expected experience or changes in expected forfeitures are recognized in the period of change. Compensation expense is principally related to the granting of PSUs, RSUs and stock options and is recognized in Operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The liability related to the awards made under the Phantom Plan is recorded within Other liabilities. Unlike equity-based awards, which have a fixed grant-date fair value, the fair value of unsettled liability awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period until the awards vest.

Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various transactions with affiliated companies. Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial or operating decisions.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for its derivative instruments and hedging activities.

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