Deferred Policy Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Deferred Policy Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

($ in millions)	2014			2013			2012
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,331		$	1,834		$	2,165
Classified as held for sale, beginning balance	743			—			—
Total, including those classified as held for sale	2,074			1,834			2,165
Acquisition costs deferred	163			254			262
Amortization charged to income	(162		)	(240		)	(324		)
Effect of unrealized gains and losses	(97		)	226			(269		)
Sold in LBL disposition	(707		)	(743		)	—
Balance, end of year	$	1,271		$	1,331		$	1,834

DSI activity, which primarily relates to fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life contracts, for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

($ in millions)	2014			2013			2012
Balance, beginning of year	$	42		$	41		$	41
Classified as held for sale, beginning balance	28			—			—
Total, including those classified as held for sale	70			41			41
Sales inducements deferred	4			24			22
Amortization charged to income	(4		)	(7		)	(14		)
Effect of unrealized gains and losses	(3		)	12			(8		)
Sold in LBL disposition	(23		)	—			—
Classified as held for sale, ending balance	—			(28		)	—
Balance, end of year	$	44		$	42		$	41