XML 34 R16.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.0.1
POLICY LIABILITIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]  
POLICY LIABILITIES POLICY LIABILITIES
Future Policy Benefits

The liability for future policy benefits is determined as the present value of expected future policy benefits to be paid to or on the behalf of policyholders and certain related expenses less the present value of expected future net premiums receivable under the Company's insurance contracts. Future net premiums receivable are future gross premiums receivable under the contract multiplied by the NPR.

The following tables present the changes in the present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type for the years ended December 31. The present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits are presented gross of internal and external ceded reinsurance.
2024
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
(In millions)CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2023
$17,509 $14,697 $6,488 $1,088 $2,488 $1,652 $4,074 $1,107 $206 $853 $277 
Beginning balance at original discount rate 16,452 14,040 6,258 1,069 2,630 1,738 4,416 1,193 217 909 272 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(625)(154)(190)(19)65 (47)(106)(21)(17)(5)(8)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(71)(164)(97)(14)66 12 (100)21 (12)(29)13 
Adjusted beginning of period balance15,756 13,722 5,971 1,036 2,761 1,703 4,210 1,193 188 875 277 
Issuances983 361 478 16 307 364 543 231 52 226 592 
Interest accrual378 302 110 17 106 66 173 46 9 37 25 
Net premiums collected (1)
(1,453)(1,135)(862)(101)(479)(401)(578)(244)(39)(157)(53)
Foreign currency translation(1,655)(1,405)(613)(104)0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other(1)0 0 0 (8)(6)(8)(5)(1)(5)(17)
Ending balance at original discount rate14,008 11,845 5,084 864 2,687 1,726 4,340 1,221 209 976 824 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions176 (28)72 (18)(190)(91)(439)(99)(13)(67)2 
Balance at December 31, 2024
$14,184 $11,817 $5,156 $846 $2,497 $1,635 $3,901 $1,122 $196 $909 $826 
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2023
$50,161 $25,257 $29,731 $5,178 $3,109 $2,422 $11,290 $1,943 $478 $1,764 $798 
Beginning balance at original discount rate43,626 25,023 30,256 5,444 3,302 2,541 12,120 2,076 506 1,971 769 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(815)(228)(302)(7)109 (73)(112)(31)(28)(3)(12)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(117)(193)(110)(24)91 (16)(144)21 (16)(43)(7)
Adjusted beginning of period balance42,694 24,602 29,844 5,413 3,502 2,452 11,864 2,066 462 1,925 750 
Issuances1,004 373 488 22 311 381 559 237 55 231 597 
Interest accrual1,356 570 582 93 133 98 515 84 20 78 50 
Benefit payments(2,773)(1,033)(1,510)(208)(560)(465)(925)(314)(60)(108)(104)
Foreign currency translation(4,425)(2,555)(3,074)(555)0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Ending balance at original discount rate37,856 21,957 26,330 4,765 3,386 2,466 12,013 2,073 477 2,126 1,293 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions2,925 (1,351)(2,065)(540)(259)(136)(1,312)(176)(36)(279)(5)
Balance at December 31, 2024
40,781 20,606 24,265 4,225 3,127 2,330 10,701 1,897 441 1,847 1,288 
Net liability for future policy benefits26,597 8,789 19,109 3,379 630 695 6,800 775 245 938 462 
Less: reinsurance recoverable5,085 1,245 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 
Net liability for future policy benefits after
   reinsurance recoverable
$21,512 $7,544 $19,109 $3,379 $630 $695 $6,800 $775 $245 $920 $462 
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
2023
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
(In millions)CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$19,298 $16,714 $7,485 $1,256 $2,534 $1,635 $4,486 $1,220 $211 $724 $110 
Beginning balance at original discount rate 18,221 16,195 7,284 1,242 2,760 1,775 5,050 1,365 231 799 118 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(165)(470)43 (12)(16)(51)(494)(142)(9)61 (9)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(315)(137)(42)(15)(58)(29)(223)(73)(17)(25)(2)
Adjusted beginning of period balance17,741 15,588 7,285 1,215 2,686 1,695 4,333 1,150 205 835 107 
Issuances1,034 418 335 26 323 376 493 249 44 181 169 
Interest accrual412 334 124 20 102 62 179 45 31 
Net premiums collected (1)
(1,564)(1,261)(1,017)(112)(473)(390)(580)(247)(39)(137)(17)
Foreign currency translation(1,170)(1,038)(469)(80)
Other(1)(1)(8)(5)(9)(4)(1)(1)
Ending balance at original discount rate16,452 14,040 6,258 1,069 2,630 1,738 4,416 1,193 217 909 272 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions1,057 657 230 19 (142)(86)(342)(86)(11)(56)
Balance at December 31, 2023
$17,509 $14,697 $6,488 $1,088 $2,488 $1,652 $4,074 $1,107 $206 $853 $277 
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$54,766 $27,419 $31,954 $5,582 $3,098 $2,445 $11,489 $2,074 $488 $1,526 $622 
Beginning balance at original discount rate47,677 27,566 32,800 5,940 3,391 2,636 12,846 2,300 532 1,778 624 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(147)(507)65 (27)(11)(59)(592)(194)(14)72 (13)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(385)(154)(51)(15)(75)(59)(271)(99)(22)(32)(4)
Adjusted beginning of period balance47,145 26,905 32,814 5,898 3,305 2,518 11,983 2,007 496 1,818 607 
Issuances1,059 432 341 32 331 392 505 258 46 185 169 
Interest accrual1,473 608 625 100 127 96 524 84 21 68 33 
Benefit payments(2,987)(1,153)(1,415)(206)(464)(465)(893)(274)(59)(105)(48)
Foreign currency translation(3,064)(1,769)(2,109)(380)
Other
Ending balance at original discount rate43,626 25,023 30,256 5,444 3,302 2,541 12,120 2,076 506 1,971 769 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions6,535 234 (525)(266)(193)(119)(830)(133)(28)(207)29 
Balance at December 31, 2023
50,161 25,257 29,731 5,178 3,109 2,422 11,290 1,943 478 1,764 798 
Net liability for future policy benefits32,652 10,560 23,243 4,090 621 770 7,216 836 272 911 521 
Less: reinsurance recoverable4,135 1,521 15 
Net liability for future policy benefits after
   reinsurance recoverable
$28,517 $9,039 $23,243 $4,090 $621 $770 $7,216 $836 $272 $896 $521 
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
The following tables present the weighted-average interest rates and weighted-average liability duration (calculated using the original discount rate) by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type as of December 31.
2024
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.9 %2.5 %2.1 %1.8 %4.0 %4.3 %4.6 %4.5 %4.3 %3.8 %5.4 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
2.2 %2.8 %2.1 %2.5 %5.3 %5.2 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)12.623.516.116.77.75.611.19.07.613.59.1
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.

2023
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.9 %2.6 %2.1 %1.8 %3.9 %4.2 %4.6 %4.4 %4.3 %3.7 %5.4 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
1.8 %2.3 %1.7 %2.1 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %5.3 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)13.124.916.317.38.15.611.39.37.913.69.4
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the disaggregated rollforwards above to the ending future policy benefits presented in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31. The deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts and the deferred reinsurance gain liability are presented together with the liability for future policy benefits in the consolidated balance sheets and have been included as reconciling items in the table below.
(In millions)20242023
Balances included in future policy benefits rollforward:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$26,597 $32,652 
Medical and other health8,789 10,560 
Life insurance19,109 23,243 
Other3,379 4,090 
Aflac U.S.
Accident630 621 
Disability695 770 
Critical care6,800 7,216 
Hospital indemnity775 836 
Dental/vision245 272 
Life insurance938 911 
Other462 521 
Corporate and other5,072 4,225 
Deferred profit liability1,844 1,806 
Deferred reinsurance gain liability806 1,012 
Intercompany eliminations (1)
(5,760)(5,017)
Total$70,381 $83,718 
(1) Elimination entry necessary due to the internal reinsurance transactions with Aflac Re and to recapture a portion of policy liabilities ceded externally as a result of the reinsurance retrocession transaction. See Note 8 for additional details.

Discount rates are determined using upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed-income instrument yields that reflect the duration characteristics of the liability. Locked-in discount rates are determined separately for each issue-year cohort as a single discount rate, calculated as the weighted-average of monthly upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed-income instrument forward curves in the calendar year, where the weights are the annualized premiums issued for each month of the cohort. The single discount rate for each issue-year cohort is determined by solving for a rate that produces an equivalent NPR to the forward curve and will remain unchanged after the calendar year of issue.

Discount rates are updated each reporting period and require estimation techniques (e.g., interpolation, extrapolation) for determination of points on the curve for which there is limited or no observable market data. The Company constructs a current discount rate curve separately for discounting cash flows used to calculate each of the Japan and U.S. liabilities for future policy benefits, reflective of the characteristics of the corresponding insurance liabilities, such as currency and tenor.

In the Aflac Japan segment, all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in yen. A significant portion of policies are characterized by tenors exceeding the availability of liquid market data in Japan for single-A rated (as a proxy for upper-medium grade) corporate yen-denominated debt. The discount rate curve is designed to prioritize the observable inputs where available, while past the last liquid point, the data is derived based on estimation techniques consistent with the fair value guidance in ASC 820. The Aflac Japan segment curve utilizes liquid market indices tracking publicly traded yen-denominated single-A corporate debt for the initial 10-year tenor. For the bonds within these market indices where only local ratings are available, the Company prioritizes the bonds with local ratings that are equivalent to a single-A rating based on international rating standards.

For the discount rates applicable to tenors for which the Japan single-A debt market is not liquid but there is sufficient observable market data and/or the observable market data is available for similar instruments (between 10 and 30 years), the Company estimates tenor-specific single-A credit spreads and applies them to risk-free government rates. Lastly, for the tenors where there is limited or no observable single-A or similar market data or risk-free government rates (beyond 30 years), the discount curve is derived by extrapolation of risk-free rates beyond their last liquid point following the Smith-
Wilson method and grading of the estimated forward credit spread anchored by the ultimate forward rate. The ultimate forward rate is based on the economic value-based solvency regime, which is consistent with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Capital Standards (ICS) (to be introduced in Japan in 2025), and is adjusted for credit and inflation components.

For the Aflac U.S. segment where all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in U.S. dollars and substantially all have cash flow duration within 30 years, for which the U.S. upper-medium grade fixed-income market is liquid and observable, the Company uses data from a liquid fixed-income market index tracking single-A U.S. corporate debt. For the insignificant portion of the policies with cash flow tenors exceeding 30 years, the discount curve beyond that tenor is extrapolated following the Smith-Wilson method from year 30 to the same ultimate forward rate calculated for the Japan discount curve at year 60 and held constant thereafter. The use of the same ultimate rate for U.S. and Japan segments is based on the assumption of long-term global economic convergence.

There were no changes to the methods used to determine the discount rates during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Mortality rate assumptions are based on industry tables and adjusted for the Company's actual or expected experience where credible or appropriate. These assumptions typically vary by age, gender, and other demographic characteristics such as smoking status.

Morbidity assumptions are based on the Company's internal data and consider emerging experience. These assumptions are reflective of the coverage and benefits provided and generally vary by age, gender, duration, and any other material policyholder characteristics. In cases where a calendar-year trend is significant, future cash flow projections may include a trend adjustment.

In Japan, separate lapse assumptions are set based on actual or expected experience. These lapse and total termination rate assumptions vary by line of business and with policyholder characteristics such as duration. In the U.S., the majority of the future cash flows are modeled using total termination rates (which include both lapse and mortality) and are adjusted for actual experience. Policy provisions, such as reaching premium paid-up status, are taken into account when setting assumptions.

In 2024 and 2023, the variance of actual experience from expected experience was primarily due to favorable variances in morbidity assumptions as compared to actual experience. There were no changes to the inputs, judgments or methods used in measuring the liability for future policy benefits in 2024 and 2023.

The Company performs an annual review of its assumptions during the third quarter. In 2024, the Company's annual assumption review process resulted in favorable changes largely due to recent favorable Japan morbidity experience. In 2023, the Company's annual assumption review process resulted in favorable changes to its morbidity and termination assumptions, largely due to reflecting more recent favorable U.S. morbidity experience.
The following table summarizes the amount of net earned premiums recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type for the years ended December 31.
(In millions)202420232022
Net earned premiums:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$3,545 $4,063 $4,716 
Medical and other health2,181 2,631 2,917 
Life insurance1,225 1,532 1,769 
Other134 149 161 
Aflac U.S.
Accident1,265 1,288 1,317 
Disability1,327 1,256 1,179 
Critical care1,763 1,749 1,758 
Hospital indemnity727 725 725 
Dental/vision202 214 199 
Life insurance565 475 396 
Other110 45 38 
Corporate and other680 400 145 
Reinsurance ceded(284)(404)(419)
Total$13,440 $14,123 $14,901 

The following table summarizes the amount of interest expense related to insurance contracts recognized in benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type for the years ended December 31.
(In millions)202420232022
Interest expense:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$978 $1,061 $1,140 
Medical and other health268 274 278 
Life insurance472 501 524 
Other76 80 84 
Aflac U.S.
Accident27 25 23 
Disability32 34 37 
Critical care342 345 346 
Hospital indemnity38 39 40 
Dental/vision11 13 12 
Life insurance41 37 35 
Other25 27 27 
Total$2,310 $2,436 $2,546 
The following tables summarize the amount of undiscounted expected future gross premiums and expected future policy benefits and expenses and discounted (discounted at the current period discount rate) expected future gross premiums and expected future policy benefits and expenses by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type as of December 31. These tables are presented gross of internal and external ceded reinsurance. Future gross premiums represent the expected amount of future premiums to be received. For limited-payment policies, the premiums are collected over a shorter period than the policy term over which benefits are provided. As a result, once the policy reaches premium paid-up status, the future gross premiums can be significantly less than the future benefit payments. Further, benefits and expenses are generally greater in the later years of a policy. These are the primary factors that result in future gross premiums lower than future benefit and expense payments for certain lines of business of the Company.
20242023
(In millions)Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Undiscounted expected future gross premiums
  and expected future policy benefits and
  expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$51,712 $56,881 $59,169 $66,427 
Medical and other health33,250 34,864 38,583 39,884 
Life insurance10,915 37,520 12,677 42,541 
Other1,477 6,479 1,781 7,448 
Aflac U.S.
Accident8,862 4,687 9,095 4,548 
Disability5,727 3,094 5,776 3,177 
Critical care19,624 20,340 19,886 20,626 
Hospital indemnity4,859 3,017 4,922 3,025 
Dental/vision1,118 679 1,162 726 
Life insurance2,966 3,559 2,719 3,260 
Other2,143 2,273 724 1,396 
Total$142,653 $173,393 $156,494 $193,058 
20242023
(In millions)Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Gross
Premiums
Benefits and
Expenses
Discounted expected future gross premiums
  and expected future policy benefits and
  expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$40,170 $40,781 $48,363 $50,161 
Medical and other health25,171 20,606 30,757 25,257 
Life insurance9,367 24,265 11,240 29,731 
Other1,204 4,225 1,512 5,178 
Aflac U.S.
Accident6,057 3,127 6,369 3,109 
Disability4,404 2,330 4,488 2,422 
Critical care11,900 10,701 12,417 11,290 
Hospital indemnity3,312 1,897 3,419 1,943 
Dental/vision761 441 807 478 
Life insurance2,050 1,847 1,914 1,764 
Other1,290 1,288 467 798 
Total$105,686 $111,508 $121,753 $132,131 

Loss expense as a result of NPR capping for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was immaterial.
Other Policyholders' Funds

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability was the Company's annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. The Company's annuities have fixed benefits and premiums.

The following table presents the changes in other policyholders’ funds for the years ended December 31.
(In millions)20242023
Other policyholders' funds:
Fixed annuities account balance, beginning of period (1)
$5,939 $6,423 
Premiums received104 126 
Transfers from WAYS conversions249 229 
Surrenders and withdrawals(58)(59)
Benefit payments(446)(419)
Interest credited49 53 
Foreign currency translation and other(616)(414)
Fixed annuities account balance, end of period5,221 5,939 
Other deposit type reserves239 230 
Total$5,460 $6,169 
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities

The following table presents other policyholders’ funds balances by range of guaranteed crediting rates as of December 31.
20242023
(In millions)
Range of Guaranteed
Minimum Crediting
Rates (2)
At
Guaranteed
Minimum
Cash
Surrender
Value
Range of Guaranteed
Minimum Crediting
Rates (2)
At
Guaranteed
Minimum
Cash
Surrender
Value
Fixed annuities (1)
0.5% - 2.2%
$5,221$5,150
0.5% - 2.3%
$5,939$5,850
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities
(2) Weighted-average crediting rate of 1.5% at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Aflac Japan’s fixed annuities have guaranteed fixed crediting rates which results in the policyholders' funds balances being sufficient to cover all guaranteed benefit amounts. The reserves are adequate to fully fund future benefits at any given time.

See Note 1 for additional information on policy liabilities.