SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Held-for-Sale Classification

Held-For-Sale Classification

We report a business as held-for-sale when management has approved the sale or received approval to sell the business and is committed to a formal plan, the business is available for immediate sale, the business is being actively marketed, the sale is anticipated to occur during the next 12 months and certain other specified criteria are met. A business classified as held-for-sale is recorded at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized.

Assets and liabilities related to the businesses classified as held-for-sale are separately reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets beginning in the period in which the business is classified as held-for-sale.

Fuji Life, previously classified as held-for-sale, was sold on April 30, 2017.

Future Application of Accounting Standards

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 for interim periods. We continue to assess the impact to our revenue sources that are within the scope of the standard. Our analysis of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 indicates that substantially all of our revenues are from sources not within the scope of the standard. As substantially all of our revenue sources are not within the 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.  Based on our initial review, substantially all of our assets and liabilities are not within the 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.

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 recognition on our balance sheet for a right to use asset and a lease liability as required by the standard.

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, trade receivables and reinsurance receivables.  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 trade receivables measured at amortized cost, reinsurance receivables and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures.  The impairment for available-for-sale debt securities, including purchased credit deteriorated 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.   

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 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, dispositions and those entities that we consolidate due to obtaining a controlling financial interest.

Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, through a hypothetical purchase price allocation, to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity should also consider income tax effects from tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We currently anticipate that the adoption of the standard will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets

In February 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that clarifies the scope and application of Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets, to the sale or transfer of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to noncustomers, including partial sales. The standard clarifies that a parent transferring its ownership interest in a consolidated subsidiary is within the scope of the accounting standard if substantially all of the fair value of the assets within that subsidiary are nonfinancial assets. The standard also clarifies that the derecognition of all businesses and nonprofit activities should be accounted for in accordance with the derecognition and deconsolidation guidance. The standard also eliminates the exception in the financial asset guidance for transfers of investments (including equity method investments) in real estate entities. An entity is required to apply the amendments in this update at the same time that it applies the amendments in revenues from contracts with customers.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018 and may be applied retrospectively to each period presented or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the date of adoption (modified retrospective approach). We are currently reviewing the standard and assessing the impact of the standard on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost

In March 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that requires entities to report the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit costs are required to be separately presented in the income statement. The amendments also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable.

The standard is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost and other components, and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component. The standard addresses presentation of net periodic benefit costs in the income statement and will have no effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities

In March 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the standard requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The standard does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.

The standard is effective January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted as of January 1, 2017, including for interim periods. We are assessing the impact of the standard, but do not expect it to have a material impact on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Modification of Share-Based Payment Awards

In May 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard that provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting.

The standard is effective January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted, including adoption for interim periods. This standard must be applied prospectively upon adoption. We do not expect the standard to have a material effect on our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Accounting Standards Adopted

Accounting Standards Adopted During 2017

Derivative Contract Novations

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 adopted the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our 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 adopted the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our 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 adopted the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or 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 variable interest entity (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 adopted the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.