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Investments and Derivative Instruments Level 1 (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Investments and Derivative Instruments [Abstract]  
Investments and Derivative Instruments
Investments and Derivative Instruments
Net Investment Income
 
For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Fixed maturities [1]
$
1,113

 
$
1,253

 
$
1,953

Equity securities, AFS
14

 
8

 
11

Mortgage loans
156

 
172

 
248

Policy loans
80

 
82

 
116

Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
141

 
119

 
85

Other investments [2]
111

 
125

 
200

Investment expenses
(72
)
 
(76
)
 
(77
)
Total net investment income
$
1,543

 
$
1,683

 
$
2,536

[1]
Includes net investment income on short-term investments.
[2]
Includes income from derivatives that hedge fixed maturities and qualify for hedge accounting.
Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)
 
For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)
2014
2013
2012
Gross gains on sales [1]
$
264

$
2,196

$
478

Gross losses on sales
(235
)
(700
)
(278
)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings [2]
(29
)
(45
)
(255
)
Valuation allowances on mortgage loans
(4
)
(1
)
4

Japanese fixed annuity contract hedges, net [3]
(14
)
6

(36
)
Periodic net coupon settlements on credit derivatives/Japan
11

(3
)
(8
)
Results of variable annuity hedge program
 
 

GMWB derivatives, net
5

262

519

Macro hedge program
(11
)
(234
)
(340
)
Total U.S. program
(6
)
28

179

International Program [4]
(126
)
(963
)
(1,145
)
Total results of variable annuity hedge program
(132
)
(935
)
(966
)
GMIB/GMAB/GMWB reinsurance
579

1,107

1,233

Coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
395

(1,405
)
(1,901
)
Other, net [5]
(258
)
106

248

Net realized capital gains (losses), before-tax
$
577

$
326

$
(1,481
)
[1]
Includes $1.5 billion of gross gains relating to the sales of the Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses in the year ended December 31, 2013.
[2]
Includes $173 of intent-to-sell impairments relating to the Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses sold for the year ended December 31, 2012.
[3]
ncludes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the transactional foreign currency re-valuation gains (losses) of $(51), $324, and $245, respectively, related to the Japan fixed annuity product, as well as the change in value related to the derivative hedging instruments and the Japan government FVO securities of $37, $(318), and $(281), respectively.
[4]
Includes $(2), $(55), and $(66) of transactional foreign currency re-valuation for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[5]
Other, net gains and losses include transactional foreign currency revaluation gains (losses) on the Japan fixed payout annuity liabilities reinsured from HLIKK and gains (losses) on non-qualifying derivatives used to hedge the foreign currency exposure of the liabilities. Gains (losses) from transactional foreign currency revaluation of the reinsured liabilities were $116, $250, and $189, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Gains (losses) on the instruments used to hedge the foreign currency exposure on the reinsured fixed payout annuities were $(148), $(268), and $(300), respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Includes $71 and $110 of gains relating to the sales of the Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as well as changes in value of non-qualifying derivatives. Also includes for the year ended December 31, 2014 a loss of $(213) related to the recapture of the GMIB/GMAB/GMWB reinsurance contracts, which is offset by gains on the termination of the embedded derivative reflected in the GMIB/GMAB/GMWB reinsurance line.
Net realized capital gains and losses from investment sales are reported as a component of revenues and are determined on a specific identification basis. Gross gains and losses on sales and impairments previously reported as unrealized gains in AOCI were $1, $1.4 billion and $(55) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Sales of Available-for-Sale Securities
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Fixed maturities, AFS
 
 
 
 
 
Sale proceeds
$
9,084

 
$
19,190

 
$
23,555

Gross gains [1]
210

 
1,867

 
521

Gross losses
(183
)
 
(421
)
 
(270
)
Equity securities, AFS
 
 

 

Sale proceeds
$
107

 
$
81

 
$
133

Gross gains
9

 
254

 
15

Gross losses
(6
)
 
(263
)
 
(5
)

[1]
Includes $1.5 billion of gross gains relating to the sales of the Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Sales of AFS securities in 2014 were primarily a result of duration and liquidity management, as well as tactical changes to the portfolio as a result of changing market conditions.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses
The following table presents a roll-forward of the Company’s cumulative credit impairments on debt securities held as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
 
For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Balance, beginning of period
$
(410
)
 
$
(813
)
 
$
(1,319
)
Additions for credit impairments recognized on [1]:
 
 
 
 
 
Securities not previously impaired
(7
)
 
(14
)
 
(27
)
Securities previously impaired
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
(15
)
Reductions for credit impairments previously recognized on:
 
 
 
 
 
Securities that matured or were sold during the period
111

 
403

 
543

Securities due to an increase in expected cash flows
19

 
17

 
5

Securities the Company made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell

 
1

 
$

Balance, end of period
$
(296
)
 
$
(410
)
 
$
(813
)
[1]
These additions are included in the net OTTI losses recognized in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Available-for-Sale Securities
The following table presents the Company’s AFS securities by type.
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Non-Credit OTTI [1]
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Non-Credit OTTI [1]
ABS
$
1,181

 
$
20

 
$
(30
)
 
$
1,171

 
$

 
$
1,172

 
$
13

 
$
(56
)
 
$
1,129

 
$
(2
)
CDOs [2]
1,083

 
84

 
(20
)
 
1,148

 

 
1,392

 
98

 
(41
)
 
1,448

 

CMBS
1,797

 
97

 
(7
)
 
1,887

 
(3
)
 
2,275

 
106

 
(34
)
 
2,347

 
(3
)
Corporate
14,166

 
1,685

 
(109
)
 
15,742

 
(3
)
 
15,913

 
1,196

 
(192
)
 
16,917

 
(6
)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
576

 
35

 
(9
)
 
602

 

 
1,267

 
27

 
(117
)
 
1,177

 

Municipal
935

 
118

 
(1
)
 
1,052

 

 
988

 
26

 
(49
)
 
965

 

RMBS
1,805

 
64

 
(12
)
 
1,857

 

 
2,419

 
60

 
(48
)
 
2,431

 
(3
)
U.S. Treasuries
1,717

 
261

 
(1
)
 
1,977

 

 
1,762

 
1

 
(14
)
 
1,749

 

Total fixed maturities, AFS
23,260

 
2,364

 
(189
)
 
25,436

 
(6
)
 
27,188

 
1,527

 
(551
)
 
28,163

 
(14
)
Equity securities, AFS [3]
275

 
10

 
(19
)
 
266

 

 
362

 
35

 
(25
)
 
372

 

Total AFS securities
$
23,535

 
$
2,374

 
$
(208
)
 
$
25,702

 
$
(6
)
 
$
27,550

 
$
1,562

 
$
(576
)
 
$
28,535

 
$
(14
)
[1]
Represents the amount of cumulative non-credit OTTI losses recognized in OCI on securities that also had credit impairments. These losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
[2]
Gross unrealized gains (losses) exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative features of certain securities. Subsequent changes in value will be recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).
[3]
As of December 31, 2014 excludes equity securities, FVO, with a cost of $250 and fair value of $248 which are included in equity securities, AFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturities, AFS, by contractual maturity year.
  
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2013
Contractual Maturity
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
One year or less
$
1,031

 
$
1,043

$
1,615

 
$
1,639

Over one year through five years
4,902

 
5,168

5,328

 
5,535

Over five years through ten years
3,345

 
3,501

4,319

 
4,481

Over ten years
8,116

 
9,661

8,668

 
9,153

Subtotal
17,394

 
19,373

19,930

 
20,808

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
5,866

 
6,063

7,258

 
7,355

Total fixed maturities, AFS
$
23,260

 
$
25,436

$
27,188

 
$
28,163


Estimated maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to security call or prepayment provisions. Due to the potential for variability in payment spreads (i.e. prepayments or extensions), mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are not categorized by contractual maturity.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company aims to maintain a diversified investment portfolio including issuer, sector and geographic stratification, where applicable, and has established certain exposure limits, diversification standards and review procedures to mitigate credit risk.
The Company did not have exposure to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of the Company's stockholder's equity, other than the U.S. government and certain U.S. government securities as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the Company's only exposure to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of the Company's stockholder's equity, other than the U.S. government and certain U.S. government securities, was the Government of Japan, which represents $853 or 10% of stockholder's equity, and 2% of total invested assets. As of December 31, 2014, other than U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies, the Company’s three largest exposures by issuer were HSBC Holdings PLC, Verizon Communications Inc., and Bank of America Corp. which each comprised less than 1% of total invested assets. As of December 31, 2013, other than U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies, the Company’s three largest exposures by issuer were the Government of Japan, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which each comprised less than 3% of total invested assets.
The Company’s three largest exposures by sector as of December 31, 2014 were financial services, utilities, and consumer non-cyclical which comprised approximately 9%, 8% and 7%, respectively, of total invested assets. The Company’s three largest exposures by sector as of December 31, 2013 were utilities, financial services, and commercial real estate which comprised approximately 9%, 8% and 7%, respectively, of total invested assets.
Security Unrealized Loss Aging
The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for AFS securities by type and length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position.
 
December 31, 2014
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
ABS
$
368

 
$
367

 
$
(1
)
 
$
340

 
$
311

 
$
(29
)
 
$
708

 
$
678

 
$
(30
)
CDOs [1]
123

 
122

 
(1
)
 
771

 
753

 
(19
)
 
894

 
875

 
(20
)
CMBS
109

 
108

 
(1
)
 
194

 
188

 
(6
)
 
303

 
296

 
(7
)
Corporate
1,542

 
1,491

 
(51
)
 
661

 
603

 
(58
)
 
2,203

 
2,094

 
(109
)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
145

 
140

 
(5
)
 
68

 
64

 
(4
)
 
213

 
204

 
(9
)
Municipal
14

 
14

 

 
13

 
12

 
(1
)
 
27

 
26

 
(1
)
RMBS
148

 
147

 
(1
)
 
229

 
218

 
(11
)
 
377

 
365

 
(12
)
U.S. Treasuries
184

 
184

 

 
18

 
17

 
(1
)
 
202

 
201

 
(1
)
Total fixed maturities, AFS
2,633

 
2,573

 
(60
)
 
2,294

 
2,166

 
(129
)
 
4,927

 
4,739

 
(189
)
Equity securities, AFS
81

 
75

 
(6
)
 
92

 
79

 
(13
)
 
173

 
154

 
(19
)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position
$
2,714

 
$
2,648

 
$
(66
)
 
$
2,386

 
$
2,245

 
$
(142
)
 
$
5,100

 
$
4,893

 
$
(208
)
 
December 31, 2013
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
ABS
$
288

 
$
286

 
$
(2
)
 
$
418

 
$
364

 
$
(54
)
 
$
706

 
$
650

 
$
(56
)
CDOs [1]
64

 
63

 
(1
)
 
1,185

 
1,144

 
(40
)
 
1,249

 
1,207

 
(41
)
CMBS
437

 
423

 
(14
)
 
392

 
372

 
(20
)
 
829

 
795

 
(34
)
Corporate [1]
2,449

 
2,360

 
(89
)
 
799

 
696

 
(103
)
 
3,248

 
3,056

 
(192
)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies
542

 
501

 
(41
)
 
303

 
227

 
(76
)
 
845

 
728

 
(117
)
Municipal
508

 
475

 
(33
)
 
99

 
83

 
(16
)
 
607

 
558

 
(49
)
RMBS
922

 
909

 
(13
)
 
475

 
440

 
(35
)
 
1,397

 
1,349

 
(48
)
U.S. Treasuries
1,456

 
1,442

 
(14
)
 

 

 

 
1,456

 
1,442

 
(14
)
Total fixed maturities, AFS
6,666

 
6,459

 
(207
)
 
3,671

 
3,326

 
(344
)
 
10,337

 
9,785

 
(551
)
Equity securities, AFS
77

 
73

 
(4
)
 
135

 
114

 
(21
)
 
212

 
187

 
(25
)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position
$
6,743

 
$
6,532

 
$
(211
)
 
$
3,806

 
$
3,440

 
$
(365
)
 
$
10,549

 
$
9,972

 
$
(576
)
[1]
Unrealized losses exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative features of certain securities. Subsequent changes in value will be recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).
As of December 31, 2014, AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, comprised of 1,944 securities, primarily related to corporate securities and foreign government and government agencies, which are depressed due to an increase in interest rates and/or wider credit spreads since the securities were purchased. As of December 31, 2014, 94% of these securities were depressed less than 20% of cost or amortized cost. The decrease in unrealized losses during 2014 was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest rates.
Most of the securities depressed for twelve months or more relate to certain floating rate corporate securities with greater than 10 years to maturity, concentrated in the financial services sector, and structured securities with exposure to commercial and residential real estate and student loans. Corporate securities are primarily depressed because the securities have floating-rate coupons and have long-dated maturities or are perpetual and current credit spreads are wider than when these securities were purchased. For certain commercial and residential real estate securities, current market spreads continue to be wider than spreads at the securities' respective purchase dates, even though credit spreads have continued to tighten over the past five years. The Company neither has an intention to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell the securities outlined above.
Mortgage Loans
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Amortized Cost [1]
 
Valuation Allowance
 
Carrying Value
 
Amortized Cost [1]
 
Valuation Allowance
 
Carrying Value
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
3,124

 
$
(15
)
 
$
3,109

 
$
3,482

 
$
(12
)
 
$
3,470

[1]
Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying value of mortgage loans associated with the valuation allowance was $49 and $86, respectively. Included in the table above are mortgage loans held-for-sale with a carrying value and valuation allowance of $53 and $3, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. The carrying value of these loans is included in mortgage loans in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2014, loans within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio that have had extensions or restructurings other than what is allowable under the original terms of the contract are immaterial.
The following table presents the activity within the Company’s valuation allowance for mortgage loans. These loans have been evaluated both individually and collectively for impairment. Loans evaluated collectively for impairment are immaterial.
 
For the years ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Balance as of January 1
$
(12
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(23
)
(Additions)/Reversals
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
4

Deductions
1

 
4

 
5

Balance as of December 31
$
(15
)
 
$
(12
)
 
$
(14
)

The weighted-average LTV ratio of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was 57% as of December 31, 2014, while the weighted-average LTV ratio at origination of these loans was 63%. LTV ratios compare the loan amount to the value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan. The loan values are updated no less than annually through property level reviews of the portfolio. Factors considered in the property valuation include, but are not limited to, actual and expected property cash flows, geographic market data and capitalization rates. DSCRs compare a property’s net operating income to the borrower’s principal and interest payments. The weighted average DSCR of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was 2.36x as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company held no delinquent commercial mortgage loans past due by 90 days or more.
The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s commercial mortgage loans by LTV and DSCR.
Commercial Mortgage Loans Credit Quality
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Loan-to-value
Carrying Value
 
Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
 
Carrying Value
 
Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
Greater than 80%
$
21

 
1.14x
 
$
35

 
1.15x
65% - 80%
452

 
1.71x
 
777

 
1.94x
Less than 65%
2,636

 
2.49x
 
2,658

 
2.34x
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
3,109

 
2.36x
 
$
3,470

 
2.23x

The following tables present the carrying value of the Company’s mortgage loans by region and property type.
Mortgage Loans by Region
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying Value
 
Percent of Total
 
Carrying Value
 
Percent of Total
East North Central
$
64

 
2.1%
 
$
79

 
2.3%
Middle Atlantic
272

 
8.7%
 
255

 
7.3%
Mountain
35

 
1.1%
 
40

 
1.2%
New England
146

 
4.7%
 
163

 
4.7%
Pacific
905

 
29.1%
 
1,019

 
29.4%
South Atlantic
532

 
17.1%
 
548

 
15.8%
West North Central
15

 
0.5%
 
17

 
0.5%
West South Central
125

 
4.0%
 
144

 
4.1%
Other [1]
1,015

 
32.7%
 
1,205

 
34.7%
Total mortgage loans
$
3,109

 
100%
 
$
3,470

 
100%
[1]
Primarily represents loans collateralized by multiple properties in various regions.
Mortgage Loans by Property Type
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying Value
 
Percent of Total
 
Carrying Value
 
Percent of Total
Commercial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agricultural
$
22

 
0.7
%
 
$
93

 
2.7
%
Industrial
989

 
31.8
%
 
1,182

 
34.1
%
Lodging
26

 
0.8
%
 
27

 
0.8
%
Multifamily
522

 
16.8
%
 
576

 
16.6
%
Office
723

 
23.3
%
 
723

 
20.8
%
Retail
713

 
22.9
%
 
745

 
21.5
%
Other
114

 
3.7
%
 
124

 
3.5
%
Total mortgage loans
$
3,109

 
100
%
 
$
3,470

 
100
%

Variable Interest Entities
The Company is involved with various special purpose entities and other entities that are deemed to be VIEs primarily as a collateral or investment manager and as an investor through normal investment activities.
A VIE is an entity that either has investors that lack certain essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest or lacks sufficient funds to finance its own activities without financial support provided by other entities.
The Company performs ongoing qualitative assessments of its VIEs to determine whether the Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIE and therefore is the primary beneficiary. The Company is deemed to have a controlling financial interest when it has both the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Based on the Company’s assessment, if it determines it is the primary beneficiary, the Company consolidates the VIE in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated VIEs
The following table presents the carrying value of assets and liabilities, and the maximum exposure to loss relating to the VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Creditors have no recourse against the Company in the event of default by these VIEs nor does the Company have any implied or unfunded commitments to these VIEs. The Company’s financial or other support provided to these VIEs is limited to its collateral or investment management services and original investment.  
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Total Assets
 
Total Liabilities  [1]
 
Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]
 
Total Assets
 
Total Liabilities  [1]
 
Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]
CDOs [3]
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
13

 
$

Investment funds [4]
154

 
20

 
138

 
134

 
20

 
119

Limited partnerships and other alternative investments
3

 
2

 
1

 
4

 
2

 
2

Total
$
157

 
$
22

 
$
139

 
$
150

 
$
35

 
$
121

[1]
Included in other liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]
The maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss amount that the Company could recognize as a reduction in net investment income or as a realized capital loss and is the cost basis of the Company’s investment.
[3]
Total assets included in fixed maturities, AFS and short-term investments in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[4]
Total assets included in fixed maturities, FVO, short-term investments, and equity, AFS in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
CDOs represent structured investment vehicles for which the Company has a controlling financial interest as it provides collateral management services, earns a fee for those services and also holds investments in the securities issued by these vehicles. Investment funds represents wholly-owned fixed income funds for which the Company has exclusive management and control including management of investment securities which is the activity that most significantly impacts its economic performance. Limited partnerships represent one hedge fund for which the Company holds a majority interest in the fund as an investment.
Non-Consolidated VIEs
The Company does not hold any investments issued by VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. In addition, the Company, through normal investment activities, makes passive investments in structured securities issued by VIEs for which the Company is not the manager which are included in ABS, CDOs, CMBS and RMBS in the Available-for-Sale Securities table and fixed maturities, FVO, in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has not provided financial or other support with respect to these investments other than its original investment. For these investments, the Company determined it is not the primary beneficiary due to the relative size of the Company’s investment in comparison to the principal amount of the structured securities issued by the VIEs, the level of credit subordination which reduces the Company’s obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits and the Company’s inability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to the amount of the Company’s investment.
Repurchase Agreements, Dollar Roll Transactions and Other Collateral Transactions
From time to time, the Company enters into repurchase agreements and dollar roll transactions to manage liquidity or to earn incremental spread income. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which one party (transferor) agrees to sell securities to another party (transferee) in return for cash (or securities), with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the same securities at a specified price at a later date. A dollar roll is a type of repurchase agreement where a mortgage backed security is sold with an agreement to repurchase substantially the same security at a specified time in the future. These transactions generally have a contractual maturity of ninety days or less and the carrying amounts of these instruments approximates fair value.
As part of repurchase agreements and dollar roll transactions, the Company transfers collateral of U.S. government and government agency securities and receives cash. For the repurchase agreements, the Company obtains cash in an amount equal to at least 95% of the fair value of the securities transferred. The agreements contain contractual provisions that require additional collateral to be transferred when necessary and provide the counterparty the right to sell or re-pledge the securities transferred. The cash received from the repurchase program is typically invested in short-term investments or fixed maturities. Repurchase agreements include master netting provisions that provide the counterparties the right to offset claims and apply securities held by them with respect to their obligations in the event of a default. Although the Company has the contractual right to offset claims, fixed maturities do not meet the specific conditions for net presentation under U.S. GAAP. The Company accounts for the repurchase agreements and dollar roll transactions as collateralized borrowings. The securities transferred under repurchase agreements and dollar roll transactions are included in fixed maturities, AFS with the obligation to repurchase those securities recorded in other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has no outstanding repurchase agreements or dollar roll transactions.
The Company is required by law to deposit securities with government agencies in states where it conducts business. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the fair value of securities on deposit was approximately $14 and $13, respectively.
Refer to Derivative Collateral Arrangements section of this note for disclosure of collateral in support of derivative transactions.
Equity Method Investments
The majority of the Company's investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments, including hedge funds, mortgage and real estate funds, mezzanine debt funds, and private equity and other funds (collectively, “limited partnerships”), are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as of December 31, 2014 is limited to the total carrying value of $1.3 billion. In addition, the Company has outstanding commitments totaling approximately $220, to fund limited partnership and other alternative investments as of December 31, 2014. The Company’s investments in limited partnerships are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not take an active role in the management of the limited partnerships. In 2014, aggregate investment income (losses) from limited partnerships and other alternative investments exceeded 10% of the Company’s pre-tax consolidated net income. Accordingly, the Company is disclosing aggregated summarized financial data for the Company’s limited partnership investments. This aggregated summarized financial data does not represent the Company’s proportionate share of limited partnership assets or earnings. Aggregate total assets of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $72.0 billion and $77.2 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Aggregate total liabilities of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $9.0 billion and $10.7 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Aggregate net investment income (loss) of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $3.5 billion, $1.8 billion and $0.9 billion for the periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $8.7 billion, $7.1 billion, and $6.5 billion for the periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of, and for the period ended, December 31, 2014, the aggregated summarized financial data reflects the latest available financial information.
Derivative Instruments
The Company utilizes a variety of OTC, OTC-cleared and exchange traded derivative instruments as a part of its overall risk management strategy as well as to enter into replication transactions. Derivative instruments are used to manage risk associated with interest rate, equity market, credit spread, issuer default, price, and currency exchange rate risk or volatility. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that would be permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. The Company also may enter into and has previously issued financial instruments and products that either are accounted for as free-standing derivatives, such as certain reinsurance contracts, or may contain features that are deemed to be embedded derivative instruments, such as the GMWB rider included with certain variable annuity products.
Strategies that qualify for hedge accounting
Certain derivatives the Company enters into satisfy the hedge accounting requirements as outlined in Note 1 of these financial statements. Typically, these hedge relationships include interest rate and foreign currency swaps where the terms or expected cash flows of the securities being hedged closely match the terms of the swap. The swaps are typically used to manage interest rate duration of certain fixed maturity securities or liability contracts. The hedge strategies by hedge accounting designation include:
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps are predominantly used to manage portfolio duration and better match cash receipts from assets with cash disbursements required to fund liabilities. These derivatives primarily convert interest receipts on floating-rate fixed maturity securities to fixed rates. The Company also enters into forward starting swap agreements to hedge the interest rate exposure related to the purchase of fixed-rate securities, primarily to hedge interest rate risk inherent in the assumptions used to price certain liabilities.
Foreign currency swaps are used to convert foreign currency-denominated cash flows related to certain investment receipts and liability payments to U.S. dollars in order to reduce cash flow fluctuations due to changes in currency rates.
Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps are used to hedge the changes in fair value of fixed maturity securities due to fluctuations in interest rates.
Non-qualifying strategies
Derivative relationships that do not qualify for hedge accounting (“non-qualifying strategies”) primarily include the hedge program for the Company's variable annuity products as well as the hedging and replication strategies that utilize credit default swaps. In addition, hedges of interest rate and foreign currency risk of certain fixed maturities and liabilities do not qualify for hedge accounting.
The non-qualifying strategies include:
Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures
The Company may use interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures to manage duration between assets and liabilities in certain investment portfolios. In addition, the Company enters into interest rate swaps to terminate existing swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the notional amount of interest rate swaps in offsetting relationships was $4.5 billion.
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
The Company enters into foreign currency swaps and forwards to convert the foreign currency exposures of certain foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity investments to U.S. dollars.
Japan fixed payout annuity hedge
The Company reinsures fixed payout annuity liabilities associated with a GMIB contract issued before HLIKK was sold during 2014. The reinsurance of the fixed payout annuities remains in place. For discussion on the sale of HLIKK, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company invests in U.S. dollar denominated assets to support the reinsurance liability. The Company entered into pay U.S. dollar, receive yen swap contracts to hedge the currency and yen interest rate exposure between the U.S. dollar denominated assets and the yen denominated fixed liability reinsurance payments.
Credit contracts
Credit default swaps are used to purchase credit protection on an individual entity or referenced index to economically hedge against default risk and credit-related changes in value on fixed maturity securities. Credit default swaps are also used to assume credit risk related to an individual entity or referenced index as a part of replication transactions. These contracts require the Company to pay or receive a periodic fee in exchange for compensation from the counterparty should the referenced security issuers experience a credit event, as defined in the contract. The Company is also exposed to credit risk related to credit derivatives embedded within certain fixed maturity securities which are comprised of structured securities that contain credit derivatives that reference a standard index of corporate securities. In addition, the Company enters into credit default swaps to terminate existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap going forward.
Equity index swaps and options
Beginning in 2014, the Company entered into total return swaps to hedge equity risk of equity common stock investments which are accounted for using fair value option in order to align the accounting treatment with net realized capital gains (losses). The Company also enters into equity index options with the purpose of hedging the impact of an adverse equity market environment on the investment portfolio. In addition, the Company formerly offered certain equity indexed products, a portion of which contain embedded derivatives that require bifurcation. The Company uses equity index swaps to economically hedge the equity volatility risk associated with the equity indexed products.
GMWB derivatives, net
The Company formerly offered certain variable annuity products with GMWB riders. The GMWB product is a bifurcated embedded derivative (“GMWB product derivatives”) that has a notional value equal to the GRB. The Company uses reinsurance contracts to transfer a portion of its risk of loss due to GMWB. The reinsurance contracts covering GMWB (“GMWB reinsurance contracts”) are accounted for as free-standing derivatives with a notional amount equal to the GRB amount.
The Company utilizes derivatives (“GMWB hedging instruments”) as part of an actively managed program designed to hedge a portion of the capital market risk exposures of the non-reinsured GMWB riders due to changes in interest rates, equity market levels, and equity volatility. These derivatives include customized swaps, interest rate swaps and futures, and equity swaps, options and futures, on certain indices including the S&P 500 index, EAFE index and NASDAQ index. The following table presents notional and fair value for GMWB hedging instruments.
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Customized swaps
$
7,041

 
$
7,839

 
$
124

 
$
74

Equity swaps, options, and futures
3,761

 
4,237

 
39

 
44

Interest rate swaps and futures
3,640

 
6,615

 
11

 
(77
)
Total
$
14,442

 
$
18,691

 
$
174

 
$
41


Macro hedge program
The Company utilizes equity options, swaps and foreign currency options to partially hedge against a decline in the equity markets and the resulting statutory surplus and capital impact primarily arising from the guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") and GMWB obligations. The following table presents notional and fair value for the macro hedge program.
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Equity options and swaps
$
5,983

 
$
9,934

 
$
141

 
$
139

Foreign currency options
$
400

 
$

 
$

 
$

Total
$
6,383

 
$
9,934

 
$
141

 
$
139


Coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company had approximately $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, of invested assets supporting other policyholder funds and benefits payable reinsured under a modified coinsurance arrangement in connection with the sale of the Individual Life business structured as a reinsurance transaction. The assets are primarily held in a trust established by the Company. The Company pays or receives cash quarterly to settle the results of the reinsured business, including the investment results. As a result of this modified coinsurance arrangement, the Company has an embedded derivative that transfers to the reinsurer certain unrealized changes in fair value due to interest rate and credit risks of these assets. The notional amounts of the embedded derivative reinsurance contracts are the invested assets that are carried at fair value supporting the reinsured reserves.
As of December 31, 2013 coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts included $28.2 billion of notional related to a previous coinsurance agreement which was terminated during 2014. Provisions of this agreement include reinsurance to cede a portion of direct written U.S. GMWB riders, which were accounted for as an embedded derivative, to a former affiliated captive reinsurer. Additional provisions of this agreement cede variable annuity contract GMIB, GMAB and GMWB contracts reinsured by the Company that had been assumed from HLIKK and were accounted for as a free-standing derivative. Effective April 1, 2014 this agreement was terminated. For further information on this transaction, refer to Note 12 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Derivative Balance Sheet Classification
The following table summarizes the balance sheet classification of the Company’s derivative related fair value amounts as well as the gross asset and liability fair value amounts. For reporting purposes, the Company has elected to offset the fair value amounts, income accruals, and related cash collateral receivables and payables of OTC derivative instruments executed in a legal entity and with the same counterparty or under a master netting agreement, which provides the Company with the legal right of offset. The Company has also elected to offset the fair value amounts, income accruals and related cash collateral receivables and payables of OTC-cleared derivative instruments based on clearing house agreements. The fair value amounts presented below do not include income accruals or related cash collateral receivables and payables, which are netted with derivative fair value amounts to determine balance sheet presentation. Derivatives in the Company’s separate accounts where the associated gains and losses accrue directly to policyholders are not included. The Company’s derivative instruments are held for risk management purposes, unless otherwise noted in the following table. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and is presented in the table to quantify the volume of the Company’s derivative activity. Notional amounts are not necessarily reflective of credit risk. The tables below exclude investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Net Derivatives
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type
Dec 31, 2014
 
Dec 31, 2013
 
Dec 31, 2014
 
Dec 31, 2013
 
Dec 31, 2014
 
Dec 31, 2013
 
Dec 31, 2014
 
Dec 31, 2013
Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
2,242

 
$
3,215

 
$
37

 
$
16

 
$
37

 
$
49

 
$

 
$
(33
)
Foreign currency swaps
143

 
143

 
(19
)
 
(5
)
 
3

 
2

 
(22
)
 
(7
)
Total cash flow hedges
2,385

 
3,358

 
18

 
11

 
40

 
51

 
(22
)
 
(40
)
Fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
32

 
1,261

 

 
(24
)
 

 
2

 

 
(26
)
Total fair value hedges
32

 
1,261

 

 
(24
)
 

 
2

 

 
(26
)
Non-qualifying strategies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps, swaptions, caps, floors, and futures
4,857

 
4,633

 
(323
)
 
(368
)
 
385

 
123

 
(708
)
 
(491
)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
60

 
118

 

 
(4
)
 

 
6

 

 
(10
)
Japan fixed payout annuity hedge
1,319

 
1,571

 
(427
)
 
(354
)
 

 

 
(427
)
 
(354
)
Japanese fixed annuity hedging instruments [1]

 
1,436

 

 
(6
)
 

 
88

 

 
(94
)
Credit contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
276

 
243

 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
4

 

 
(5
)
 
(4
)
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk [2]
946

 
1,507

 
7

 
27

 
11

 
28

 
(4
)
 
(1
)
Credit derivatives in offsetting positions
2,175

 
3,501

 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
21

 
35

 
(22
)
 
(38
)
Equity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity index swaps and options
422

 
131

 
1

 
(2
)
 
30

 
18

 
(29
)
 
(20
)
Variable annuity hedge program
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMWB product derivatives [3]
17,908

 
21,512

 
(139
)
 
(36
)
 

 

 
(139
)
 
(36
)
GMWB reinsurance contracts
3,659

 
4,508

 
56

 
29

 
56

 
29

 

 

GMWB hedging instruments
14,442

 
18,691

 
174

 
41

 
289

 
333

 
(115
)
 
(292
)
Macro hedge program
6,383

 
9,934

 
141

 
139

 
180

 
178

 
(39
)
 
(39
)
International program hedging instruments [1]

 
57,025

 

 
(27
)
 

 
649

 

 
(676
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMIB, GMAB, and GMWB reinsurance contracts [1]

 
11,999

 

 
(540
)
 

 

 

 
(540
)
Coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
974

 
29,423

 
34

 
(427
)
 
34

 
383

 

 
(810
)
Total non-qualifying strategies
53,421

 
166,232

 
(478
)
 
(1,535
)
 
1,010

 
1,870

 
(1,488
)
 
(3,405
)
Total cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and non-qualifying strategies
$
55,838

 
$
170,851

 
$
(460
)
 
$
(1,548
)
 
$
1,050

 
$
1,923

 
$
(1,510
)
 
$
(3,471
)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
$
186

 
$
196

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
Other investments
13,588

 
40,564

 
339

 
272

 
478

 
721

 
(139
)
 
(449
)
Other liabilities
19,473

 
62,599

 
(725
)
 
(827
)
 
481

 
789

 
(1,206
)
 
(1,616
)
Reinsurance recoverable
4,633

 
33,931

 
90

 
(398
)
 
90

 
413

 

 
(811
)
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable
17,958

 
33,561

 
(165
)
 
(594
)
 

 

 
(165
)
 
(594
)
Total derivatives
$
55,838

 
$
170,851

 
$
(460
)
 
$
(1,548
)
 
$
1,050

 
$
1,923

 
$
(1,510
)
 
$
(3,471
)
[1]
Represents hedge programs formerly associated with the Japan variable and fixed annuity products which were terminated due to the sale of HLIKK during 2014. For further information on the sale, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
[2]
The derivative instruments related to this strategy are held for other investment purposes.
[3]
These derivatives are embedded within liabilities and are not held for risk management purposes.
Change in Notional Amount
The net decrease in notional amount of derivatives since December 31, 2013 was primarily due to the following:
The decrease in notional amount related to the international program hedging instruments resulted from the termination of the hedging program associated with the Japan variable annuity product due to the sale of HLIKK. In addition, the GMIB, GMAB, and GMWB reinsurance contracts were terminated as a result of the recapture of the related risks by HLIKK, which was concurrent with the sale. For further discussion on the sale, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The decrease in notional amount related to coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts was due to the termination of a certain reinsurance contract, which were with an affiliated captive reinsurer and were accounted for as an embedded derivative. For further discussion on this transaction, see Note 12 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The decrease in notional amount related to the GMWB hedging instruments primarily resulted from portfolio re-balancing, including the termination of offsetting positions.
The decrease in notional amount associated with the macro hedge program was primarily driven by the expiration of certain out-of-the-money options.
Change in Fair Value
The net improvement in the total fair value of derivative instruments since December 31, 2013 was primarily related to the following:
The change in fair value associated with the GMIB, GMAB, and GMWB reinsurance contracts and the international program hedging instruments resulted from the sale of HLIKK and concurrent recapture of the associated risks by HLIKK. For further discussion on the sale, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The change in fair value related to the coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts was due to the termination of certain reinsurance contracts, which were with an affiliated captive reinsurer and were accounted for as an embedded derivative.  For discussion on this transaction, see Note 12 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The net increase in fair value related to the combined GMWB hedging program, which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, was primarily driven by liability model assumption updates and increased volatility, partially offset by a decline in fair value resulting from policyholder behavior primarily related to increased surrenders.
These improvements in fair value were partially offset by a decrease in fair value associated with the fixed payout annuity hedges primarily driven by a decline in U.S. interest rates and by a depreciation of the Japanese yen in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities
The following tables present the gross fair value amounts, the amounts offset, and net position of derivative instruments eligible for offset in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Amounts offset include fair value amounts, income accruals and related cash collateral receivables and payables associated with derivative instruments that are traded under a common master netting agreement, as described above.  Also included in the tables are financial collateral receivables and payables, which is contractually permitted to be offset upon an event of default, although is disallowed for offsetting under U.S. GAAP.
As of December 31, 2014
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
(iv)
 
(v) = (iii) - (iv)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Collateral Disallowed for Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Assets [1]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Received [2]
 
Financial Collateral Received [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other investments
$
959

 
$
801

 
$
339

 
$
(181
)
 
$
83

 
$
75


 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Liabilities [3]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Pledged [3]
 
Financial Collateral Pledged [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
(1,345
)
 
$
(574
)
 
$
(722
)
 
$
(49
)
 
$
(900
)
 
$
129


As of December 31, 2013
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
(iv)
 
(v) = (iii) - (iv)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Collateral Disallowed for Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Assets [1]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Received [2]
 
Financial Collateral Received [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other investments
$
1,510

 
$
1,290

 
$
272

 
$
(52
)
 
$
121

 
$
99


 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
Derivative Liabilities [3]
 
Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral Pledged [3]
 
Financial Collateral Pledged [4]
 
Net Amount
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
(2,063
)
 
$
(1,308
)
 
$
(825
)
 
$
70

 
$
(826
)
 
$
71


[1]
Included in other investments in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]
Included in other assets in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and is limited to the net derivative receivable associated with each counterparty.
[3]
Included in other liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and is limited to the net derivative payable associated with each counterparty. Not included in this amount are embedded derivatives associated with consumer notes of $(3) and $(2) as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which were not eligible for offset in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[4]
Excludes collateral associated with exchange-traded derivatives instruments.
Cash Flow Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current period earnings. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
The following table presents the components of the gain or loss on derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges:
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective  Portion)
 
Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Interest rate swaps
$
34

 
$
(158
)
 
$
26

 
$
2

 
$
(2
)
 
$

Foreign currency swaps
(10
)
 
12

 
(18
)
 

 

 

Total
$
24

 
$
(146
)
 
$
8

 
$
2

 
$
(2
)
 
$

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective  Portion)
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Interest rate swaps
Net realized capital gains (losses)
$
(1
)
 
$
70

 
$
85

Interest rate swaps
Net investment income (loss)
50

 
57

 
97

Foreign currency swaps
Net realized capital gains (losses)
(13
)
 
4

 
(4
)
Total
 
$
36

 
$
131

 
$
178


As of December 31, 2014, the before-tax deferred net gains on derivative instruments recorded in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are $33. This expectation is based on the anticipated interest payments on hedged investments in fixed maturity securities that will occur over the next twelve months, at which time the Company will recognize the deferred net gains (losses) as an adjustment to net investment income over the term of the investment cash flows.
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company had no net reclassifications from AOCI to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of cash-flow hedges due to forecasted transactions that were no longer probable of occurring. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the before-tax deferred net gains on derivative instruments reclassified from AOCI to earnings totaled $91 which primarily resulted from the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to forecasted transactions no longer probable of occurring associated with variable rate bonds sold as part of the Individual Life and Retirement Plans business dispositions. For further information on the business dispositions, see Note 2 - Business Dispositions of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the derivative in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
The Company recognized in income gains (losses) representing the ineffective portion of fair value hedges as follows:  
Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income [1]
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Derivative
 
Hedged Item
 
Derivative
 
Hedged Item
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized capital gains (losses)
$
(2
)
 
$
4

 
$
27

 
$
(24
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)
Foreign currency swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized capital gains (losses)

 

 
1

 
(1
)
 
(7
)
 
7

Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 
(2
)
 
2

 
(6
)
 
6

Total
$
(2
)
 
$
4

 
$
26

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(16
)
 
$
10

[1]
The amounts presented do not include the periodic net coupon settlements of the derivative or the coupon income (expense) related to the hedged item. The net of the amounts presented represents the ineffective portion of the hedge.
Non-qualifying Strategies
For non-qualifying strategies, including embedded derivatives that are required to be bifurcated from their host contracts and accounted for as derivatives, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized currently in earnings within net realized capital gains (losses). The following table presents the gain or loss recognized in income on non-qualifying strategies:
Non-qualifying Strategies
Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Interest rate contracts
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and forwards
$
(6
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
26

Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency swaps and forwards
4

 
4

 
10

Japan fixed payout annuity hedge [1]
(148
)
 
(268
)
 
(300
)
Japanese fixed annuity hedging instruments [2]
22

 
(207
)
 
(178
)
Credit contracts
 
 
 
 
 
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection
(6
)
 
(20
)
 
(19
)
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk
10

 
46

 
204

Equity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
Equity index swaps and options
7

 
(22
)
 
(31
)
Variable annuity hedge program
 
 
 
 
 
GMWB product derivatives
(2
)
 
1,306

 
1,430

GMWB reinsurance contracts
4

 
(192
)
 
(280
)
GMWB hedging instruments
3

 
(852
)
 
(631
)
Macro hedge program
(11
)
 
(234
)
 
(340
)
International program hedging instruments
(126
)
 
(963
)
 
(1,145
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
GMAB, GMWB, and GMIB reinsurance contracts
579

 
1,107

 
1,233

Coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts
395

 
(1,405
)
 
(1,901
)
Derivatives formerly associated with Japan [3]
(2
)
 

 

Total [4]
$
723

 
$
(1,705
)
 
$
(1,922
)
[1]
The associated liability is adjusted for changes in spot rates through realized capital gains and was $116, $250 and $189 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[2]
The associated liability is adjusted for changes in spot rates through realized capital gains and losses and was $(51), $324 and $245 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
[3]
These amounts relate to the termination of the hedging program associated with the Japan variable annuity product due to the sale of HLIKK.
[4]
Excludes investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements.
For the year ended December 31, 2014 the net realized capital gain (loss) related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily comprised of the following:
The net gain on the GMIB, GMAB, and GMWB reinsurance contracts was driven by the sale of HLIKK and concurrent recapture of the associated risks by HLIKK. For further discussion on the sale, see Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The net gain on the coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts was primarily due to the termination of a certain reinsurance contract, which were with an affiliated captive reinsurer and were accounted for as an embedded derivative. For a discussion related to the reinsurance agreement and the termination, refer to Note 5 - Reinsurance, and Note 12 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The net losses related to the Japan fixed payout annuity hedge were driven by a decline is U.S. interest rates and a depreciation of the Japanese yen in relation to the U.S. dollar.
The net losses related to the international program hedging instruments was primarily driven by an improvement in global equity markets and declines in volatility levels and interest rates.
In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company recognized gains of $12, due to cash recovered on derivative receivables that were previously written-off related to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Inc. The derivative receivables were the result of the contractual collateral threshold amounts and open collateral calls prior to the bankruptcy filing as well as interest rate and credit spread movements from the date of the last collateral call to the date of the bankruptcy filing. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 there were no recognized gains and gains of $9, respectively, due to derivative receivables that were previously written-off related to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2013 the net realized capital gain (loss) related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily comprised of the following:
The net loss associated with the international program hedging instruments was primarily driven by an improvement in global equity markets and depreciation of the Japanese yen in relation to the euro.
The net gain related to the combined GMWB hedging program, which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, was primarily driven by revaluing the liability for living benefits resulting from favorable policyholder behavior largely related to increased full surrenders and liability assumption updates for partial lapses and withdrawal rates.
The net gain associated with GMAB, GMWB, and GMIB reinsurance contracts, which are reinsured to an affiliated captive reinsurer, was primarily due to a depreciation of the Japanese yen and an improvement in equity markets.
The net loss on the coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance agreement, which is accounted for as a derivative instrument primarily offsets the net gain on GMAB, GMWB, and GMIB reinsurance contracts. For a discussion related to the reinsurance agreement refer to Note 12 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The net loss related to the Japan fixed annuity payout hedge was primarily driven by a depreciation of the Japanese yen in relation to the U.S. dollar.
The net loss on the macro hedge program was primarily due to an improvement in domestic equity markets, an increase in interest rates, and a decline in equity volatility.
For the year ended December 31, 2012 the net realized capital gain (loss) related to derivatives used in non-qualifying strategies was primarily due to the following:
The net loss associated with the international program hedging instruments was primarily driven by an improvement in global equity markets and depreciation of the Japanese yen in relation to the euro and the U.S. dollar.
The net gain related to the combined GMWB hedging program, which includes the GMWB product, reinsurance, and hedging derivatives, was primarily driven by liability model assumption updates largely related to a reduction in the reset assumptions to better align with actual experience, outperformance of underlying actively managed funds compared to their respective indices, and lower equity volatility.
The net loss on the macro hedge program was primarily due to the passage of time, an improvement in domestic equity markets, and a decrease in equity volatility.
The net gain associated with GMAB, GMWB, and GMIB reinsurance contracts, which are reinsured to an affiliated captive reinsurer, was primarily due to a depreciation of the Japanese yen and an improvement in equity markets.
The net loss on the coinsurance and modified coinsurance reinsurance agreement, which is accounted for as a derivative instrument primarily offsets the net gain on GMAB, GMWB, and GMIB reinsurance contracts. For a discussion related to the reinsurance agreement refer to Note 12 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The net loss related to the Japan fixed annuity payout hedge was primarily driven by a depreciation of the Japanese yen in relation to the U.S. dollar, the strengthening of the currency basis swap spread between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, and a decline in U.S. interest rates.
Refer to Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding contingent credit related features in derivative agreements.
Credit Risk Assumed through Credit Derivatives
The Company enters into credit default swaps that assume credit risk of a single entity or referenced index in order to synthetically replicate investment transactions. The Company will receive periodic payments based on an agreed upon rate and notional amount and will only make a payment if there is a credit event. A credit event payment will typically be equal to the notional value of the swap contract less the value of the referenced security issuer’s debt obligation after the occurrence of the credit event. A credit event is generally defined as a default on contractually obligated interest or principal payments or bankruptcy of the referenced entity. The credit default swaps in which the Company assumes credit risk primarily reference investment grade single corporate issuers and baskets, which include standard and customized diversified portfolios of corporate issuers. The diversified portfolios of corporate issuers are established within sector concentration limits and may be divided into tranches that possess different credit ratings.
The following tables present the notional amount, fair value, weighted average years to maturity, underlying referenced credit obligation type and average credit ratings, and offsetting notional amounts and fair value for credit derivatives in which the Company is assuming credit risk as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underlying Referenced
Credit Obligation(s) [1]
 
 
 
 
Credit Derivative type by derivative risk exposure
 
Notional
Amount [2]
 
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity
 
Type
 
Average
Credit
Rating
 
Offsetting
Notional
Amount [3]
 
Offsetting
Fair Value [3]
Single name credit default swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
 
$
212

 
$
3

 
3 years
 
Corporate Credit/ Foreign Gov.
 
A-
 
$
163

 
$
(3
)
Below investment grade risk exposure
 
4

 

 
1 year
 
Corporate Credit
 
CCC
 
4

 

Basket credit default swaps [4]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
 
1,240

 
14

 
4 years
 
Corporate Credit
 
BBB+
 
667

 
(6
)
Below investment grade risk exposure
 
9

 
(1
)
 
5 years
 
Corporate Credit
 
BBB-
 

 

Investment grade risk exposure
 
344

 
(4
)
 
5 years
 
CMBS Credit
 
AA
 
179

 
2

Below investment grade risk exposure
 
75

 
(11
)
 
2 years
 
CMBS Credit
 
CCC+
 
75

 
11

Embedded credit derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
 
150

 
147

 
2 years
 
Corporate Credit
 
A
 

 

Total [5]
 
$
2,034

 
$
148

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,088

 
$
4

As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underlying Referenced
Credit Obligation(s) [1]
 
 
 
 
Credit Derivative type by derivative risk exposure
 
Notional
Amount
[2]
 
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity
 
Type
 
Average
Credit
Rating
 
Offsetting
Notional
Amount
[3]
 
Offsetting
Fair
Value [3]
Single name credit default swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
 
$
735

 
$
6

 
2 years
 
Corporate Credit/ Foreign Gov.
 
A
 
$
592

 
$
(4
)
Below investment grade risk exposure
 
24

 

 
1 year
 
Corporate Credit
 
CCC
 
25

 

Basket credit default swaps [4]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
 
1,912

 
25

 
3 years
 
Corporate Credit
 
BBB+
 
784

 
(10
)
Below investment grade risk exposure
 
87

 
8

 
5 years
 
Corporate Credit
 
BB-
 

 

Investment grade risk exposure
 
235

 
(5
)
 
3 years
 
CMBS Credit
 
A
 
235

 
5

Below investment grade risk exposure
 
115

 
(18
)
 
3 years
 
CMBS Credit
 
B-
 
115

 
18

Embedded credit derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade risk exposure
 
150

 
145

 
3 years
 
Corporate Credit
 
BBB+
 

 

Total [5]
 
$
3,258

 
$
161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,751

 
$
9


[1]
The average credit ratings are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Morningstar. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
[2]
Notional amount is equal to the maximum potential future loss amount. These derivatives are governed by agreements and clearing house rules and applicable law which include collateral posting requirements. There is no additional specific collateral related to these contracts or recourse provisions included in the contracts to offset losses going forward.
[3]
The Company has entered into offsetting credit default swaps to terminate certain existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the future changes in value of, or losses paid related to, the original swap.
[4]
Includes $1.7 billion and $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of standard market indices of diversified portfolios of corporate and CMBS issuers referenced through credit default swaps. These swaps are subsequently valued based upon the observable standard market index.
[5]
Excludes investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements.
Derivative Collateral Arrangements
The Company enters into various collateral arrangements in connection with its derivative instruments, which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company pledged cash collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $16 and $290, respectively, for which the collateral receivable has been primarily included within other assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also pledged securities collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $900 and $865, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 which have been included in fixed maturities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The counterparties have the right to sell or re-pledge these securities.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company accepted cash collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $33 and $171, respectively, which was invested and recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in fixed maturities and short-term investments with corresponding amounts recorded in other liabilities. The Company also accepted securities collateral as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $83 and $121, respectively, of which the Company has the ability to sell or repledge $83 and $117, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of repledged securities totaled $0 and $39, respectively, and the Company did not sell any securities. In addition, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, noncash collateral accepted was held in separate custodial accounts and was not included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.