SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following table identifies our significant accounting policies presented in other Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements, with a reference to the Note where a detailed description can be found: HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM 8 \| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements \| 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM 8 \| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements \| 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies AIG \| 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 1 AIG \| 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 1 Note 6. Investments Fixed maturity and equity securities Other invested assets Short-term investments Net investment income Net realized capital gains (losses) Other-than-temporary impairments Note 7. Lending Activities Mortgage and other loans receivable – net of allowance Note 8. Reinsurance Reinsurance assets – net of allowance Note 9. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred policy acquisition costs Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs Note 10. Variable Interest Entities Note 11. Derivatives and Hedge Accounting Derivative assets and liabilities, at fair value Note 12. Goodwill Note 13. Insurance Liabilities Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Discounting of reserves Future policy benefits Policyholder contract deposits Other policyholder funds Note 14. Variable Life and Annuity Contracts Note 15. Debt Long-term debt Note 16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees Legal contingencies Note 18. Earnings Per Share Note 23. Income Taxes HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM 8 \| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements \| 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM 8 \| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements \| 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies AIG \| 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 2 AIG \| 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 3 Other significant accounting policies Premiums for short-duration contracts are recorded as written on the inception date of the policy. Premiums are earned primarily on a pro rata basis over the term of the related coverage. Sales of extended services contracts are reflected as premiums written and earned on a pro rata basis over the term of the related coverage. In addition, certain miscellaneous income is included as premiums written and earned. The reserve for unearned premiums includes the portion of premiums written relating to the unexpired terms of coverage. Reinsurance premiums are typically earned over the same period as the underlying policies or risks covered by the contract. As a result, the earnings pattern of a reinsurance contract may extend up to 24 months, reflecting the inception dates of the underlying policies throughout the year. Reinsurance premiums ceded are recognized as a reduction in revenues over the period the reinsurance coverage is provided in proportion to the risks to which the premiums relate. Premiums for long-duration insurance products and life contingent annuities are recognized as revenues when due. Estimates for premiums due but not yet collected are accrued. Policy fees represent fees recognized from universal life and investment-type products consisting of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration charges, surrender charges and amortization of unearned revenue reserves. Policy fees are recognized as revenues in the period in which they are assessed against policyholders, unless the fees are designed to compensate AIG for services to be provided in the future. Fees deferred as unearned revenue are amortized in relation to the incidence of expected gross profits to be realized over the estimated lives of the contracts, similar to DAC. Aircraft leasing revenue from flight equipment under operating leases, through May 14, 2014, the date of disposal of ILFC, was recognized over the life of the leases as rental payments became receivable under the provisions of the leases or, in the case of leases with varying payments, under the straight-line method over the noncancelable term of the leases. In certain cases, leases provided for additional payments contingent on usage. In those cases, rental revenue was recognized at the time such usage occurred, net of estimated future contractual aircraft maintenance reimbursements. Gains on sales of flight equipment were recognized when flight equipment was sold and the risk of ownership of the equipment passed to the new owner. Other income includes advisory fee income from the Consumer Insurance broker dealer business, as well as legal recoveries of $44 million, $94 million and $804 million from legacy crisis and other matters in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other income from our Other Operations category consists of the following: Changes in fair value relating to financial assets and liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected. Interest income and related expenses, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on bonds with changes in the timing and the amount of expected principal and interest cash flows reflected in the yield, as applicable. Dividend income from common and preferred stock and earnings distributions from other investments. Changes in the fair value of other securities sold but not yet purchased, futures, hybrid financial instruments, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Income earned on real estate based investments and related realized gains and losses from sales, property level impairments and financing costs. Exchange gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions. Earnings from private equity funds and hedge fund investments accounted for under the equity method. Changes in the fair value of derivatives at AIG Financial Products Corp. and related subsidiaries (collectively AIGFP). Aircraft leasing expenses through May 14, 2014, the date of disposal of ILFC, consisted of ILFC interest expense, depreciation expense, impairment charges, fair value adjustments and lease-related charges on aircraft as well as selling, general and administrative expenses and other expenses incurred by ILFC. Cash represents cash on hand and non-interest-bearing demand deposits. Short-term investments consist of interest-bearing cash equivalents, time deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and investments, such as commercial paper, with original maturities within one year from the date of purchase. Premiums and other receivables – net of allowance include premium balances receivable, amounts due from agents and brokers and policyholders, trade receivables for the Direct Investment book (DIB) and Global Capital Markets (GCM) and other receivables. Trade receivables for GCM include cash collateral posted to derivative counterparties that is not eligible to be netted against derivative liabilities. The allowance for doubtful accounts on premiums and other receivables was $279 million and $333 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Other assets consist of sales inducement assets, prepaid expenses, deposits, other deferred charges, real estate, other fixed assets, capitalized software costs, goodwill, intangible assets other than goodwill, restricted cash and derivative assets. We offer sales inducements which include enhanced crediting rates or bonus payments to contract holders (bonus interest) on certain annuity and investment contract products. Sales inducements provided to the contract holder are recognized in Policyholder contract deposits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such amounts are deferred and amortized over the life of the contract using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize DAC (see Note 9 herein). To qualify for such accounting treatment, the bonus interest must be explicitly identified in the contract at inception. We must also demonstrate that such amounts are incremental to amounts we credit on similar contracts without bonus interest, and are higher than the contract’s expected ongoing crediting rates for periods after the bonus period. The deferred bonus interest and other deferred sales inducement assets totaled $808 million and $845 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amortization expense associated with these assets is reported within Interest credited to policyholder account balances in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Such amortization expense totaled $77 million, $88 million and $63 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The cost of buildings and furniture and equipment is depreciated principally on the straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (maximum of 40 years for buildings and 10 years for furniture and equipment). Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred and expenditures for improvements are capitalized and depreciated. We periodically assess the carrying amount of our real estate for purposes of determining any asset impairment. Capitalized software costs, which represent costs directly related to obtaining, developing or upgrading internal use software, are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over a period generally not exceeding five years. Real estate, fixed assets and other long-lived assets are assessed for impairment when impairment indicators exist. Separate accounts represent funds for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to the policyholders who bear the investment risk. Each account has specific investment objectives and the assets are carried at fair value. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise from any of our other businesses. The liabilities for these accounts are equal to the account assets. Separate accounts may also include deposits for funds held under stable value wrap funding agreements, although the majority of stable value wrap sales are measured based on the notional amount included in assets under management and do not include the receipt of funds. For a more detailed discussion of separate accounts, see Note 14 herein. Other liabilities consist of other funds on deposit, other payables, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, securities sold but not yet purchased and derivative liabilities. We have entered into certain insurance and reinsurance contracts, primarily in our Property Casualty Insurance Companies, that do not contain sufficient insurance risk to be accounted for as insurance or reinsurance. Accordingly, the premiums received on such contracts, after deduction for certain related expenses, are recorded as deposits within Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net proceeds of these deposits are invested and generate Net investment income. As amounts are paid, consistent with the underlying contracts, the deposit liability is reduced. Also included in Other liabilities are trade payables for the DIB and GCM, which include option premiums received and payables to counterparties that relate to unrealized gains and losses on futures, forwards, and options and balances due to clearing brokers and exchanges. Trade payables for GCM also include cash collateral received from derivative counterparties that contractually cannot be netted against derivative assets. Securities sold but not yet purchased represent sales of securities not owned at the time of sale. The obligations arising from such transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis and carried at fair value. Fair values of securities sold but not yet purchased are based on current market prices. Foreign currency: Financial statement accounts expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars. Functional currency assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars generally using rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date of each respective subsidiary and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of any related taxes, in Total AIG shareholders’ equity. Income statement accounts expressed in functional currencies are translated using average exchange rates during the period. Functional currencies are generally the currencies of the local operating environment. Financial statement accounts expressed in currencies other than the functional currency of a consolidated entity are remeasured into that entity’s functional currency resulting in exchange gains or losses recorded in income. The adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements of foreign entities operating in highly inflationary economies are recorded in income. Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Accounting Standards Adopted During 2016 Accounting for Share-Based Payments with Performance Targets In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The standard requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. We adopted the standard prospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that allows a reporting entity to measure the financial assets and financial liabilities of a qualifying consolidated collateralized financing entity using the fair value of either its financial assets or financial liabilities, whichever is more observable. We adopted the standard retrospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. We adopted the standard prospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance does not change generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a customer's accounting for service contracts. Consequently, all software licenses will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. We adopted the standard prospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that amends the guidance for debt issuance costs by requiring such costs to be presented as a deduction to the corresponding debt liability, rather than as an asset, and for the amortization of such costs to be reported as interest expense. The amendments are intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs and make it consistent with the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. The amendments, however, do not change the recognition and measurement guidance applicable to debt issuance costs. We adopted the standard retrospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. Because the new standard did not affect accounting recognition or measurement of debt issuance costs, the adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its Equivalent) In May 2015, the FASB amended standard on fair value disclosures for investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The amendments in this update remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient. In addition, the amendment removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the NAV per share as a practical expedient. We adopted the standard retrospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Short Duration Insurance Contracts In May 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that requires additional disclosures for short-duration insurance contracts. New disclosures about the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses are now required (including accident year information). The annual disclosures by accident year include: disaggregated net incurred and paid claims development tables segregated by business type (not required to exceed 10 years), reconciliation of total net reserves included in development tables to the reported liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, incurred but not reported (IBNR) information, quantitative information and a qualitative description about claim frequency, and the average annual percentage payout of incurred claims. Further, the new standard requires, when applicable, disclosures about discounting liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and significant changes and reasons for changes in methodologies and assumptions used to determine unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. We adopted this standard on its required effective date of December 31, 2016. The required disclosures, reflected in Note 13, did not have any effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, the roll forward of the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses currently disclosed in the annual financial statements will be disclosed as required for interim periods beginning in the first quarter of 2017. Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that requires management to evaluate and disclose if there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern even if the entity’s liquidation is not imminent. In those situations, financial statements should continue to be prepared under the going concern basis of accounting, but this new standard requires an evaluation to determine whether to disclose information about the relevant conditions and events. Currently under U.S. GAAP there is no guidance about management’s responsibility under this standard. U.S. auditing standards and federal securities law require that an auditor evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time not to exceed one year beyond the date of the financial statements being audited. We adopted the standard on its required effective date of December 31, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In March 2016, the FASB issued a standard that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based compensation, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We elected early-adoption of the Standard, effective January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Future Application of Accounting Standards Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard excludes from its scope the accounting for insurance contracts, leases, financial instruments, and certain other agreements that are governed under other GAAP guidance, but could affect the revenue recognition for certain of our other activities. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018 and may be applied retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of January 1, 2017, including interim periods. We are currently evaluating the impact to our revenue sources that are in scope of the standard. However, as the majority of our revenue sources are not in scope of the standard, we do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require equity investments that do not follow the equity method of accounting or are not subject to consolidation to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings, while financial liabilities for which fair value option accounting has been elected, changes in fair value due to instrument-specific credit risk will be presented separately in other comprehensive income. The standard allows the election to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes with changes in the carrying value of the equity investments recorded in earnings. The standard also updates certain fair value disclosure requirements for financial instruments carried at amortized cost. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption of certain provisions permitted. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require lessees with lease terms of more than 12 months to recognize a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability on their balance sheets. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating leases or finance leases. The standard is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted using a modified retrospective approach. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are currently quantifying the expected gross up of our balance sheet for a right to use asset and a lease liability as required by the standard. Derivative Contract Novations In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies that a change in the counterparty (novation) to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the adoption of the standard will have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. The standard requires an evaluation of embedded call (put) options solely on a four-step decision sequence that requires an entity to consider whether (1) the amount paid upon settlement is adjusted based on changes in an index, (2) the amount paid upon settlement is indexed to an underlying other than interest rates or credit risk, (3) the debt involves a substantial premium or discount and (4) the put or call option is contingently exercisable. We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods during which the investment had been held. We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will change how entities account for credit losses for most financial assets. The standard will replace the existing incurred loss impairment model with a new “current expected credit loss model” and will apply to financial assets subject to credit losses, those measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The impairment for available-for-sale debt securities will be measured in a similar manner, except that losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. The standard will also require additional information to be disclosed in the footnotes. The standard is effective on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, but we expect an increase in our allowances for credit losses. The amount of the increase will be impacted by our portfolio composition and quality at the adoption date as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time. Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that addresses diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments provide clarity on the treatment of eight specifically defined types of cash inflows and outflows. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted as long as all amendments are included in the same period. The standard addresses presentation in the Statement of Cash Flows only and will have no effect on our reported consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the asset is sold to a third party. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Interest Held through Related Parties that are under Common Control In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that amends the consolidation analysis for a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE. The new guidance will require the decision maker’s evaluation of its interests held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis (rather than in their entirety) when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The amendment does not change the characteristics of a primary beneficiary. We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the impact of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Restricted Cash In November 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that provides guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the Statement of Cash Flows. Entities will be required to explain the changes during a reporting period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The standard addresses presentation of restricted cash in the Statement of Cash Flows only and will have no effect on our reported consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Clarifying the Definition of a Business In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The new standard will require an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. At a minimum, a set must include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of early-adopting the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Because the standard requires prospective adoption, the impact is dependent on future acquisitions and dispositions.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following table identifies our significant accounting policies presented in other Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements, with a reference to the Note where a detailed description can be found:

HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 8 | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 8 | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

AIG | 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 1

Note 6. Investments

Fixed maturity and equity securities
Other invested assets
Short-term investments
Net investment income
Net realized capital gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairments

Note 7. Lending Activities

Mortgage and other loans receivable – net of allowance

Note 8. Reinsurance

Reinsurance assets – net of allowance

Note 9. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

Note 10. Variable Interest Entities

Note 11. Derivatives and Hedge Accounting

Derivative assets and liabilities, at fair value

Note 12. Goodwill

Note 13. Insurance Liabilities

Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
Discounting of reserves
Future policy benefits
Policyholder contract deposits
Other policyholder funds

Note 14. Variable Life and Annuity Contracts

Note 15. Debt

Long-term debt

Note 16. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Legal contingencies

Note 18. Earnings Per Share

Note 23. Income Taxes

HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 8 | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

HYPERLINK \l "TableOfContent" TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 8 | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

AIG | 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 2

AIG | 2016 Form 10-K PAGE \* Arabic \* MERGEFORMAT 3

Other significant accounting policies

Premiums for short-duration contracts are recorded as written on the inception date of the policy. Premiums are earned primarily on a pro rata basis over the term of the related coverage. Sales of extended services contracts are reflected as premiums written and earned on a pro rata basis over the term of the related coverage. In addition, certain miscellaneous income is included as premiums written and earned. The reserve for unearned premiums includes the portion of premiums written relating to the unexpired terms of coverage. Reinsurance premiums are typically earned over the same period as the underlying policies or risks covered by the contract. As a result, the earnings pattern of a reinsurance contract may extend up to 24 months, reflecting the inception dates of the underlying policies throughout the year.

Reinsurance premiums ceded are recognized as a reduction in revenues over the period the reinsurance coverage is provided in proportion to the risks to which the premiums relate.

Premiums for long-duration insurance products and life contingent annuities are recognized as revenues when due. Estimates for premiums due but not yet collected are accrued.

Policy fees represent fees recognized from universal life and investment-type products consisting of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration charges, surrender charges and amortization of unearned revenue reserves. Policy fees are recognized as revenues in the period in which they are assessed against policyholders, unless the fees are designed to compensate AIG for services to be provided in the future. Fees deferred as unearned revenue are amortized in relation to the incidence of expected gross profits to be realized over the estimated lives of the contracts, similar to DAC.

Aircraft leasing revenue from flight equipment under operating leases, through May 14, 2014, the date of disposal of ILFC, was recognized over the life of the leases as rental payments became receivable under the provisions of the leases or, in the case of leases with varying payments, under the straight-line method over the noncancelable term of the leases. In certain cases, leases provided for additional payments contingent on usage. In those cases, rental revenue was recognized at the time such usage occurred, net of estimated future contractual aircraft maintenance reimbursements. Gains on sales of flight equipment were recognized when flight equipment was sold and the risk of ownership of the equipment passed to the new owner.

Other income includes advisory fee income from the Consumer Insurance broker dealer business, as well as legal recoveries of $44 million, $94 million and $804 million from legacy crisis and other matters in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Other income from our Other Operations category consists of the following:

Changes in fair value relating to financial assets and liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected.
Interest income and related expenses, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on bonds with changes in the timing and the amount of expected principal and interest cash flows reflected in the yield, as applicable.
Dividend income from common and preferred stock and earnings distributions from other investments.
Changes in the fair value of other securities sold but not yet purchased, futures, hybrid financial instruments, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
Income earned on real estate based investments and related realized gains and losses from sales, property level impairments and financing costs.
Exchange gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions.
Earnings from private equity funds and hedge fund investments accounted for under the equity method.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives at AIG Financial Products Corp. and related subsidiaries (collectively AIGFP).

Aircraft leasing expenses through May 14, 2014, the date of disposal of ILFC, consisted of ILFC interest expense, depreciation expense, impairment charges, fair value adjustments and lease-related charges on aircraft as well as selling, general and administrative expenses and other expenses incurred by ILFC.

Cash represents cash on hand and non-interest-bearing demand deposits.

Short-term investments consist of interest-bearing cash equivalents, time deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and investments, such as commercial paper, with original maturities within one year from the date of purchase.

Premiums and other receivables – net of allowance include premium balances receivable, amounts due from agents and brokers and policyholders, trade receivables for the Direct Investment book (DIB) and Global Capital Markets (GCM) and other receivables. Trade receivables for GCM include cash collateral posted to derivative counterparties that is not eligible to be netted against derivative liabilities. The allowance for doubtful accounts on premiums and other receivables was $279 million and $333 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Other assets consist of sales inducement assets, prepaid expenses, deposits, other deferred charges, real estate, other fixed assets, capitalized software costs, goodwill, intangible assets other than goodwill, restricted cash and derivative assets.

We offer sales inducements which include enhanced crediting rates or bonus payments to contract holders (bonus interest) on certain annuity and investment contract products. Sales inducements provided to the contract holder are recognized in Policyholder contract deposits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such amounts are deferred and amortized over the life of the contract using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize DAC (see Note 9 herein). To qualify for such accounting treatment, the bonus interest must be explicitly identified in the contract at inception. We must also demonstrate that such amounts are incremental to amounts we credit on similar contracts without bonus interest, and are higher than the contract’s expected ongoing crediting rates for periods after the bonus period. The deferred bonus interest and other deferred sales inducement assets totaled $808 million and $845 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amortization expense associated with these assets is reported within Interest credited to policyholder account balances in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Such amortization expense totaled $77 million, $88 million and $63 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The cost of buildings and furniture and equipment is depreciated principally on the straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (maximum of 40 years for buildings and 10 years for furniture and equipment). Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred and expenditures for improvements are capitalized and depreciated. We periodically assess the carrying amount of our real estate for purposes of determining any asset impairment. Capitalized software costs, which represent costs directly related to obtaining, developing or upgrading internal use software, are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over a period generally not exceeding five years. Real estate, fixed assets and other long-lived assets are assessed for impairment when impairment indicators exist.

Separate accounts represent funds for which investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to the policyholders who bear the investment risk. Each account has specific investment objectives and the assets are carried at fair value. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise from any of our other businesses. The liabilities for these accounts are equal to the account assets. Separate accounts may also include deposits for funds held under stable value wrap funding agreements, although the majority of stable value wrap sales are measured based on the notional amount included in assets under management and do not include the receipt of funds. For a more detailed discussion of separate accounts, see Note 14 herein.

Other liabilities consist of other funds on deposit, other payables, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, securities sold but not yet purchased and derivative liabilities. We have entered into certain insurance and reinsurance contracts, primarily in our Property Casualty Insurance Companies, that do not contain sufficient insurance risk to be accounted for as insurance or reinsurance. Accordingly, the premiums received on such contracts, after deduction for certain related expenses, are recorded as deposits within Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net proceeds of these deposits are invested and generate Net investment income. As amounts are paid, consistent with the underlying contracts, the deposit liability is reduced. Also included in Other liabilities are trade payables for the DIB and GCM, which include option premiums received and payables to counterparties that relate to unrealized gains and losses on futures, forwards, and options and balances due to clearing brokers and exchanges. Trade payables for GCM also include cash collateral received from derivative counterparties that contractually cannot be netted against derivative assets.

Securities sold but not yet purchased represent sales of securities not owned at the time of sale. The obligations arising from such transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis and carried at fair value. Fair values of securities sold but not yet purchased are based on current market prices.

Foreign currency: Financial statement accounts expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars. Functional currency assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars generally using rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date of each respective subsidiary and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of any related taxes, in Total AIG shareholders’ equity. Income statement accounts expressed in functional currencies are translated using average exchange rates during the period. Functional currencies are generally the currencies of the local operating environment. Financial statement accounts expressed in currencies other than the functional currency of a consolidated entity are remeasured into that entity’s functional currency resulting in exchange gains or losses recorded in income. The adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements of foreign entities operating in highly inflationary economies are recorded in income.

Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.

Accounting Standards Adopted During 2016

Accounting for Share-Based Payments with Performance Targets

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The standard requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition.

We adopted the standard prospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity

In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that allows a reporting entity to measure the financial assets and financial liabilities of a qualifying consolidated collateralized financing entity using the fair value of either its financial assets or financial liabilities, whichever is more observable.

We adopted the standard retrospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds.

Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance does not change generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a customer's accounting for service contracts. Consequently, all software licenses will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets.

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that amends the guidance for debt issuance costs by requiring such costs to be presented as a deduction to the corresponding debt liability, rather than as an asset, and for the amortization of such costs to be reported as interest expense. The amendments are intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs and make it consistent with the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. The amendments, however, do not change the recognition and measurement guidance applicable to debt issuance costs.

We adopted the standard retrospectively on its required effective date of January 1, 2016. Because the new standard did not affect accounting recognition or measurement of debt issuance costs, the adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its Equivalent)

In May 2015, the FASB amended standard on fair value disclosures for investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The amendments in this update remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient. In addition, the amendment removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the NAV per share as a practical expedient.

Short Duration Insurance Contracts

In May 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard that requires additional disclosures for short-duration insurance contracts. New disclosures about the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses are now required (including accident year information). The annual disclosures by accident year include: disaggregated net incurred and paid claims development tables segregated by business type (not required to exceed 10 years), reconciliation of total net reserves included in development tables to the reported liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, incurred but not reported (IBNR) information, quantitative information and a qualitative description about claim frequency, and the average annual percentage payout of incurred claims. Further, the new standard requires, when applicable, disclosures about discounting liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and significant changes and reasons for changes in methodologies and assumptions used to determine unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

We adopted this standard on its required effective date of December 31, 2016. The required disclosures, reflected in Note 13, did not have any effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, the roll forward of the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses currently disclosed in the annual financial statements will be disclosed as required for interim periods beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that requires management to evaluate and disclose if there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern even if the entity’s liquidation is not imminent. In those situations, financial statements should continue to be prepared under the going concern basis of accounting, but this new standard requires an evaluation to determine whether to disclose information about the relevant conditions and events. Currently under U.S. GAAP there is no guidance about management’s responsibility under this standard. U.S. auditing standards and federal securities law require that an auditor evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time not to exceed one year beyond the date of the financial statements being audited.

We adopted the standard on its required effective date of December 31, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In March 2016, the FASB issued a standard that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based compensation, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification on the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.

We elected early-adoption of the Standard, effective January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Future Application of Accounting Standards

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard that supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard excludes from its scope the accounting for insurance contracts, leases, financial instruments, and certain other agreements that are governed under other GAAP guidance, but could affect the revenue recognition for certain of our other activities.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018 and may be applied retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of January 1, 2017, including interim periods. We are currently evaluating the impact to our revenue sources that are in scope of the standard. However, as the majority of our revenue sources are not in scope of the standard, we do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require equity investments that do not follow the equity method of accounting or are not subject to consolidation to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings, while financial liabilities for which fair value option accounting has been elected, changes in fair value due to instrument-specific credit risk will be presented separately in other comprehensive income. The standard allows the election to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes with changes in the carrying value of the equity investments recorded in earnings. The standard also updates certain fair value disclosure requirements for financial instruments carried at amortized cost.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption of certain provisions permitted. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require lessees with lease terms of more than 12 months to recognize a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability on their balance sheets. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating leases or finance leases.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted using a modified retrospective approach. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are currently quantifying the expected gross up of our balance sheet for a right to use asset and a lease liability as required by the standard.

Derivative Contract Novations

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies that a change in the counterparty (novation) to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met.

We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the adoption of the standard will have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. The standard requires an evaluation of embedded call (put) options solely on a four-step decision sequence that requires an entity to consider whether (1) the amount paid upon settlement is adjusted based on changes in an index, (2) the amount paid upon settlement is indexed to an underlying other than interest rates or credit risk, (3) the debt involves a substantial premium or discount and (4) the put or call option is contingently exercisable.

We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods during which the investment had been held.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will change how entities account for credit losses for most financial assets. The standard will replace the existing incurred loss impairment model with a new “current expected credit loss model” and will apply to financial assets subject to credit losses, those measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The impairment for available-for-sale debt securities will be measured in a similar manner, except that losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. The standard will also require additional information to be disclosed in the footnotes.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, but we expect an increase in our allowances for credit losses. The amount of the increase will be impacted by our portfolio composition and quality at the adoption date as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that addresses diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments provide clarity on the treatment of eight specifically defined types of cash inflows and outflows. The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted as long as all amendments are included in the same period.

The standard addresses presentation in the Statement of Cash Flows only and will have no effect on our reported consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory

In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that will require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the asset is sold to a third party.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Interest Held through Related Parties that are under Common Control

In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that amends the consolidation analysis for a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE. The new guidance will require the decision maker’s evaluation of its interests held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis (rather than in their entirety) when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The amendment does not change the characteristics of a primary beneficiary.

We will adopt the standard on its January 1, 2017 effective date, and do not expect the impact of the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Restricted Cash

In November 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard that provides guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the Statement of Cash Flows. Entities will be required to explain the changes during a reporting period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The standard addresses presentation of restricted cash in the Statement of Cash Flows only and will have no effect on our reported consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Clarifying the Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The new standard will require an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. At a minimum, a set must include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of early-adopting the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Because the standard requires prospective adoption, the impact is dependent on future acquisitions and dispositions.