SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the “consolidated financial statements”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) on a basis consistent with reporting interim financial information in accordance with instructions to the Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Recast 2022 Annual Report. Certain prior period amounts were adjusted to reflect the adoption of ASU 2018-12: Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944).

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements present the consolidated results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries and those investment companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company has control and a majority economic interest as well as those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that meet the requirements for consolidation.

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The terms “third quarter 2023” and “third quarter 2022” refer to the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The terms “first nine months of 2023” and “first nine months of 2022” refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Description	Effect on the Financial Statement or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2018-12: Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944)
This ASU provides targeted improvements to existing recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements for long-duration contracts issued by an insurance entity. The ASU primarily impacts four key areas, including: 1. Measurement of the liability for future policy benefits for traditional and limited payment contracts. The ASU requires companies to review, and if necessary, update cash flow assumptions at least annually for non-participating traditional and limited-payment insurance contracts. The ASU also prescribes the discount rate to be used in measuring the liability for future policy benefits for traditional and limited payment long-duration contracts. 2. Measurement of Market Risk Benefits (“MRBs”). MRBs, as defined under the ASU, will encompass certain GMxB features associated with variable annuity products and other general account annuities with other than nominal market risk. 3. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs. The ASU simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and other balances amortized in proportion to premiums, gross profits, or gross margins, requiring such balances to be amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the contracts. 4. Expanded footnote disclosures. The ASU requires additional disclosures including information about significant inputs, judgements, assumptions and methods used in measurement.	On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the new accounting standard ASU 2018-12 using the modified retrospective approach, except for MRBs which will use the full retrospective approach. Refer to “Transition impact of ASU 2018-12, Financial Services- Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts” section within this note for further details.

Transition impact of ASU 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts

The Company has not retrospectively adjusted its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 to reflect the adoption of ASU 2018-12, consistent with the Division of Corporation Finance’s Financial Reporting Manual Section 11410.1.

The Company adopted ASU 2018-12 for liability for future policy benefits (“LFPB”), additional insurance liabilities, DAC and balances amortized on a basis consistent with DAC on a modified retrospective basis. ASU 2018-12 was adopted for MRBs on a full retrospective basis.

For the liability for future policy benefits, there is limited unfavorable retained earnings impact due to net premiums exceeding gross premiums. There is unfavorable accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) impact due to using the current single-A rate which is lower than the locked in discount rate.

For market risk benefits, the transition adjustment to AOCI related to the effect of the changes in the instrument-specific credit risk of market risk benefits between the contract issue and transition date. The remaining transition difference was related to recording market risk benefits at fair value. This change was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings as of the transition date.

For DAC and balances amortized on a basis consistent with DAC including sales inducement assets and unearned revenue liabilities, there is no retained earnings impact due to application of the modified transition approach. There is a favorable AOCI impact due to the removal of DAC balances recorded in AOCI, offsetting the unfavorable AOCI impact resulting from LFPB.

The following table presents the effect of transition adjustment to total equity resulting from the adoption of ASU 2018-12 as of January 1, 2021:

	Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Total
	(in millions)
Liability for future policy benefits	$	(2)	$	(819)	$	(821)
Market risk benefits	(3,402)		(904)		(4,306)
DAC	—		467		467
Unearned revenue liability and sales inducement assets (1)	—		(128)		(128)
Total transition adjustment before taxes	(3,404)		(1,384)		(4,788)
Income taxes	715		291		1,006
Total transition adjustment (net of taxes)	$	(2,689)	$	(1,093)	$	(3,782)

______________

(1)    Unearned revenue liability included within liability for future policy benefits financial statement line item in the consolidated balance sheets. Sales inducement assets are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in liability for future policy benefits on January 1, 2021 resulting from the adoption of ASU 2018-12:

	Term		Payout		Group Pension		Health		Total
	(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	1,415	$	3,047	$	771	$	2,100	$	7,333
Adjustment for reversal of balances recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	—		(171)		(85)		(100)		(356)
Effect of remeasurement of liability at current single A rate	559		531		94		300		1,484
Balance, January 1, 2021 (1)	1,974		3,407		780		2,300		8,461
Less: Reinsurance recoverable	(372)		—		—		(1,837)		(2,209)
Balance, January 1, 2021, net of reinsurance	$	1,602	$	3,407	$	780	$	463	$	6,252

______________

(1)LFPB transition table not inclusive of the following transition adjustments to AOCI including PFBL of $30 million, premium deficiency reserve (“PDR”) of $(146) million, Rider Reserves, Term Reinsurance of $(79) million and Other of $(111) million, which primarily consists of DI Ceded, DI Assumed and Reinsurance Assumed.

The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in the net liability position of market risk benefits on January 1, 2021 resulting from the adoption of ASU 2018-12:

	GMxB Legacy		GMxB Core		Purchased MRB		Total
	(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	19,891	$	2,206	$	(2,943)	$	19,154
Adjustment for reversal of balances recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	(70)		(4)		—		(74)
Adjustments for the cumulative effect of the changes in the instrument-specific credit risk between the original contract issuance date and the transition date	461		505		5		971
Adjustments for the remaining difference (exclusive of the instrument specific credit risk change and host contract adjustments) between previous carrying amount and fair value measurement for the MRB	4,122		(563)		(194)		3,365
Balance, January 1, 2021 (1)	$	24,404	$	2,144	$	(3,132)	$	23,416

____________

(1)MRB transition table not inclusive of the following transition adjustments to retained earnings and AOCI including EQUI-VEST of $43 million, SCS of $21 million and Group Retirement EQUI-VEST of $(20) million.

The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in DAC on January 1, 2021 resulting from the adoption of ASU 2018-12:

	Term		UL (1)		VUL (2)		IUL (3)		GMxB Legacy		GMxB Core		EI (4)		IE (5)		SCS		EG (6)		Momentum		Total
	(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	403	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	192	$	1,635	$	141	$	95	$	645	$	581	$	79	$	3,771
Adjustment for reversal of balances recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	—		5		6		—		8		11		13		(1)		210		53		22		327
Balance, January 1, 2020 (7)	$	403	$	5	$	6	$	—	$	200	$	1,646	$	154	$	94	$	855	$	634	$	101	$	4,098

______________

(1)    “UL” defined as Universal Life

(2)    “VUL” defined as Variable Universal Life

(3)    “IUL” defined as Indexed Universal Life

(4)    “EI” defined as EQUI-VEST Individual

(5)    “IE” defined as Investment Edge

(6)    “EG” defined as EQUI-VEST Group

(7)     DAC transition table not inclusive of Closed Block of $136 million and Protection Solutions of $3 million transition adjustment.

The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in sales inducement assets and unearned revenue liability on January 1, 2021 resulting from the adoption of ASU 2018-12:

	Sales Inducement Assets				Total
	GMxB Legacy		GMxB Core
	(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	246	$	158	$	404
Adjustment for reversal of balances recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	—		—		—
Balance, January 1, 2021	$	246	$	158	$	404

	Unearned Revenue Liability						Total
	UL		VUL		IUL
	(in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	31	$	382	$	—	$	413
Adjustment for reversal of balances recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	29		99		—		128
Balance, January 1, 2021	$	60	$	481	$	—	$	541

DAC

Acquisition costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new and renewal insurance business, reflecting incremental direct costs of contract acquisition with independent third parties or employees that are essential to the contract transaction, as well as the portion of employee compensation, including employee fringe benefits and other costs directly related to underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical inspection, and contract selling for successfully negotiated contracts including commissions, underwriting, agency and policy issue expenses, are deferred.

Contracts are measured on a grouped basis utilizing cohorts consistent with those used in the calculation of future policy benefit reserves. DAC is amortized on a constant level basis for the grouped contracts over the expected term of the contract. For life insurance products, DAC is amortized in proportion to the face amount in force. For annuity products, DAC is amortized in proportion to policy counts. The constant level basis used for amortization determines the current period amortization considering both the current period’s actual experience and future projections. The amortization pattern is revised quarterly on a prospective basis. Amortization of DAC is included in amortization of DAC, part of total benefits and other deductions.

For some products, policyholders can elect to modify product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occur by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by election or coverage within a contract. These transactions are known as internal replacements. If such modification substantially changes the contract, the associated DAC is written off immediately through income and any new acquisition costs associated with the replacement contract are deferred.

Gross acquisition costs from the reinsurance transaction are recoverable. The DAC asset has been reduced by this recoverable net of the amortization. This reduction is recorded in other income along with the recovery of expenses.

Funds withheld payable

Funds withheld payable represents a payable for amounts contractually withheld by the Company as ceding company in accordance with funds withheld coinsurance (“funds withheld”) reinsurance agreements. The funds withheld payable under reinsurance treaties includes a funds withheld embedded derivative liability.

The reinsurance agreement between the Company and Equitable America, written on a funds withheld and modified coinsurance basis, contains embedded derivatives. We determined that the obligation to pay the total return on the assets funds withheld liability, represents a total return swap with a floating rate leg. The fair value of embedded derivatives on funds withheld and modified coinsurance agreements is computed as the unrealized gain (loss) on the underlying assets and is included within funds withheld payable on the consolidated balance sheets for ceded agreement. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives is recorded in net derivatives gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of income (loss). Ceded earnings from the funds withheld payable and changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives are reported in operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Contributions to and withdrawals from the funds withheld payable are reported in operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

For business ceded on a funds withheld or modified coinsurance basis, a funds withheld segregated portfolio, comprised of invested assets and other assets is maintained by the Company as ceding entity, which is sufficient to support the current balance of statutory reserves. The fair value of the embedded derivative in funds withheld is recorded as a funds withheld payable and any excess or shortfall in relation to statutory reserves is settled quarterly.

Reinsurance

For each of its reinsurance agreements, the Company determines whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Cessions under

reinsurance agreements do not discharge the Company’s obligations as the primary insurer. The Company reviews all contractual features, including those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims.

For reinsurance of existing in-force blocks of long-duration contracts that transfer significant insurance risk, the difference, if any, between the amounts paid (received), and the liabilities ceded (assumed) related to the underlying contracts is considered the net cost of reinsurance at the inception of the reinsurance agreement. Subsequent amounts paid (received) on the reinsurance of in-force blocks, as well as amounts paid (received) related to new business, are recorded as premiums ceded (assumed); and amounts due from reinsurers (amounts due to reinsurers) are established.

Assets and liabilities relating to reinsurance agreements with the same reinsurer may be recorded net on the consolidated balance sheets, if a right of offset exists within the reinsurance agreement. As a result, we have netted the receivable and payable related to modified coinsurance agreements. In the event that reinsurers do not meet their obligations to the Company under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, reinsurance recoverable balances could become uncollectible. In such instances, reinsurance recoverable balances are stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance.

Premiums, policy charges and fee income, and policyholders’ benefits include amounts assumed under reinsurance agreements and are net of reinsurance ceded. Amounts received from reinsurers for policy administration are reported in other revenues.

For reinsurance contracts, reinsurance recoverable balances are generally calculated using methodologies and assumptions that are consistent with those used to calculate the direct liabilities.

Ceded reinsurance transactions are recognized and measured in a manner consistent with underlying reinsured contracts, including using consistent assumptions. Assumed and ceded reinsurance contract rights and obligations are accounted for on a basis consistent with our direct contract. The reinsurance cost or benefit for traditional life non-participating and limited-payment contracts is recognized in proportion to the gross premiums of the underlying direct cohorts. The locked-in single A discount rate used to calculate the reinsurance cost or benefit is established at inception of the reinsurance contract. Changes to the single A discount rate are reflected in comprehensive income at each reporting date.

If the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company records the agreement using the deposit method of accounting. Deposits received are included in other liabilities and deposits made are included in reinsurance deposit liabilities. As amounts are paid or received, consistent with the underlying contracts, the deposit assets or liabilities are adjusted. Recognition of losses are recorded in other operating expenses. Recognition of gains are recorded in other income.

The reinsurance agreement between the Company and Equitable America, written on a modified coinsurance basis, contains embedded derivatives. We have determined that the right to receive or obligation to pay the total return on the assets supporting the funds withheld, represents a total return swap with a floating rate leg. The fair value of embedded derivatives on the modified coinsurance agreement is computed as the unrealized gain (loss) and current period income on the underlying assets and is included within amount due from reinsurers on the consolidated balance sheets for ceded agreement. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives is recorded in net derivative gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of income (loss). Ceded earnings from the modified coinsurance and changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives are reported in operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Contributions to and withdrawals from the amount due from reinsurers are reported in operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Sales Inducement Assets

Sales inducement assets are offered on certain deferred annuity products in the form of either immediate bonus interest credited or enhanced interest crediting rates for a period of time. The interest crediting expense associated with these sales inducement assets is deferred and amortized over the lives of the underlying contracts in a manner consistent with the amortization of DAC. Unamortized balances are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets and amortization is included in interest credited to policyholders’ account balances in the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Policyholders’ Account Balances

Policyholders’ account balances relate to contracts or contract features where the Company has no significant insurance risk. This liability represents the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholder as of the balance sheet date.

Obligations arising from funding agreements are also reported in policyholders’ account balances in the consolidated balance sheets. As a member of the FHLB, the Company has access to collateralized borrowings. The Company may also issue funding agreements to the FHLB. Both the collateralized borrowings and funding agreements would require the Company to pledge qualified mortgage-backed assets and/or government securities as collateral.

Future Policy Benefits and Other Policyholders’ Liabilities

The liability for future policy benefits is estimated based upon the present value of future policy benefits and related claim expenses less the present value of estimated future net premiums where net premium equals gross premium under the contract multiplied by the net premium ratio. Related claim expenses include termination and settlement costs and exclude acquisition costs and non-claim related costs. The liability is estimated using current assumptions that include discount rate, mortality, lapses and expenses. Assumptions are based on judgments that consider the Company’s historical experience, industry data, and other factors.

For participating traditional life insurance policies, future policy benefit liabilities are calculated using a net level premium method based on guaranteed mortality and dividend fund interest rates. The liability for annual dividends represents the accrual of annual dividends earned. Terminal dividends are accrued in proportion to face amount over the life of the contract.

For non-participating traditional life insurance policies (Term) and limited pay contracts (Payout, Pension), contracts are grouped into cohorts by contract type and issue year. Quarterly, the Company updates its estimate of cash flows using actual experience and current future cash flow assumptions, which is reflected in an updated net premium ratio used to calculate the liability. The ratio of actual and future expected claims to actual and future expected premiums determines the net premium ratio. The policy administration expense assumption is not updated after policy issuance. If actual expenses differ from the original expense assumptions, the differences are recognized in the period identified. The revised net premium ratio is used to determine the updated liability for future policy benefits as of the beginning of the reporting period, discounted at the original contract issuance rate. Changes in the liability due to current discount rates differing from original rates are included in other comprehensive income within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

For non-participating traditional life insurance policies and limited pay contracts, the discount rate assumption used is corporate A rated forward curve. We use a forward curve based upon a Bloomberg index. The liability is remeasured each quarter with the remeasurement change reported in other comprehensive income. The locked-in discount rate is generally based on expected investment returns at contract inception for contracts issued prior to January 1, 2021 and the upper medium grade fixed income corporate instrument yield (i.e., single A) at contract inception for contracts issued after January 1, 2021. The Company developed an LDTI discount rate methodology used to calculate the LFPB for its traditional insurance liabilities and constructed a discount rate curve that references upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed-income instrument yields (i.e. single A rated Corporate bond yields) which are meant to reflect the duration characteristics of the corresponding insurance liabilities. The methodology uses observable market data, where available, and uses various estimation techniques in line with fair value guidance (such as interpolation and extrapolation) where data is limited. Discount rates are updated quarterly.

For limited-payment products, gross premiums received in excess of net premiums are deferred at initial recognition as a deferred profit liability (“DPL”). DPL will be amortized in relation to the expected future benefit payments. As the calculation of the DPL is based on discounted cash flows, interest accrues on the unamortized DPL balance using the discount rate determined at contract issuance. The DPL is updated at the same time as the estimates for cash flows for the liability for future policy benefits. Any difference between the recalculated and beginning of period DPL is recognized in remeasurement gain or loss in the consolidated statements of income (loss), remeasurement of liability for future policy benefits, part of total benefits and other deductions. On the consolidated balance sheets, the DPL is recorded in the liability for future policy benefits.

Additional liabilities for contract or contract features that provide for additional benefits in addition to the account balance but are not market risk benefits or embedded derivatives (“additional insurance liabilities”) are established by estimating the expected value of death or other insurance benefits in excess of the projected contract accumulation

value and recognizing the excess over the estimated life based on expected assessments (i.e., benefit ratio). The liability equals the current benefit ratio multiplied by cumulative assessments recognized to date, plus interest, less cumulative excess payments to date. These reserves are recorded within future policy benefits and other policyholders’ liabilities. The determination of this estimated future policy benefits liability is based on models that involve numerous assumptions and subjective judgments, including those regarding expected market rates of return and volatility, contract surrender and withdrawal rates, and mortality experience. There can be no assurance that actual experience will be consistent with management’s estimates. Assumptions are reviewed annually and updated with the remeasurement gain or loss reflected in total benefit expense.

The Company recognizes an adjustment in other comprehensive income for the additional insurance liabilities for unrealized gains and losses not included when calculating the present value of expected assessments for the benefit ratios.

The Company conducts annual premium deficiency testing except for liability for future policy benefits for non- participating traditional and limited payment contracts. The Company reviews assumptions and determines whether the sum of existing liabilities and the present value of future gross premiums is sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits to be paid and settlement costs. Anticipated investment income is considered when performing premium deficiency for long duration contracts. The anticipated investment income is projected based on current investment portfolio returns grading to long term reinvestment rates over the projection periods, based on anticipated gross reinvestment spreads, defaults and investment expenses. Premium deficiency reserves are recorded in certain instances where the policyholder liability for a particular line of business may not be deficient in the aggregate to trigger loss recognition, but the pattern of earnings may be such that profits are expected to be recognized in earlier years followed by losses in later years. This pattern of profits followed by losses is exhibited in our VISL business and is generated by the cost structure of the product or secondary guarantees in the contract. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges. We accrue for these PFBL using a dynamic approach that changes over time as the projection of future losses change.

Market Risk Benefits

Market risk benefits (“MRBs”) are contracts or contract features that provide protection to the contract holder from other than nominal capital market risk and expose the Company to other than nominal capital market risk. Market risk benefits include contract features that provide minimum guarantees to policyholders and include GMIB, GMDB, GMWB, GMAB, and ROP DB benefits. MRBs are measured at fair value on a seriatim basis using an ascribed fee approach based upon policyholder behavior projections and risk neutral economic scenarios adjusted based on the facts and circumstances of the Company’s product features. The MRB asset and MRB liability will be equal to the average present value of benefits and risk margins less the average present value of ascribed fees. Ascribed fees will consist of the fee needed, under a stochastically generated set of risk-neutral scenarios, so that the mean present value of claims, including any risk charge, is equal to the mean present value of the projected attributed fees which will be capped at average present value of total policyholder contractual fees. The attributed fee percentage is considered a fixed term of the MRB feature and is held static over the life of the contract. Changes in fair value are recognized as a remeasurement gain/loss in the change in market risk benefits and purchased market risk benefits, part of total benefits and other deductions except for the portion of the change in the fair value due to a change in the Company’s own credit risk, which is recognized in other than comprehensive income. Additionally, when an annuitization occurs (for annuitization benefits) or upon extinguishment of the account balance (for withdrawal benefits) the balance related to the MRB will be derecognized and the amount deducted (after derecognition of any related amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income) shall be used in the calculation of the liability for future policy benefits for the payout annuity. Upon derecognition, any related balance will be removed from AOCI.

The Company has issued and continues to offer certain variable annuity products with GMDB and/or contain a GMLB (collectively, the “GMxB features”) which, if elected by the policyholder after a stipulated waiting period from contract issuance, guarantees a minimum lifetime annuity based on predetermined annuity purchase rates that may be in excess of what the contract account value can purchase at then-current annuity purchase rates. This minimum lifetime annuity is based on predetermined annuity purchase rates applied to a GMIB base. The Company previously issued certain variable annuity products with GMIB, GWBL, GMWB and GMAB features. The Company has also assumed reinsurance for products with GMxB features.

Features in ceded reinsurance contracts that meet the definition of MRBs are accounted for at fair value. The fees used to determine the fair value of the reinsured market risk benefit are those defined in the reinsurance contract. The expected periodic future premiums would represent cash outflows and the expected future benefits would represent

cash inflows in the fair value calculation. On the ceded side, the purchased MRB is measured considering the counterparty credit risk of the reinsurer, while the direct contract liabilities is measured considering the instrument-specific credit risk of the insurer. As a result of the difference in the treatment of the counterparty credit risk, the fair value of the direct and ceded contracts may be different even if the contractual fees and benefits are the same. Changes in instrument-specific credit risk of the Company is included in the fair value of its market risk benefit, whether in an asset or liability position, and whether related to an issued or purchased MRB, is recognized in OCI. The counterparty credit risk of the reinsurer is recorded in the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Troubled Debt Restructuring

The Company invests in commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans included in the consolidated balance sheets as mortgage loans on real estate. Under certain circumstances, modifications are granted to these contracts. Each modification is evaluated as to whether a TDR has occurred. A modification is a TDR when the borrower is in financial difficulty. The types of modifications made may include reducing the face amount or maturity amount of the debt as originally stated, reducing the contractual interest rate, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than current market interest rates and/or reducing accrued interest. The credit allowance is an estimate of lifetime expected losses reflecting historical loss information which included losses from modification to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. As the effect of the modification made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty is already included in the credit allowance, the carrying value (net of the allowance) before and after modification through a TDR may not change significantly or may increase if the expected recovery is higher than the pre-modification recovery assessment. For information pertaining to our TDRs, see Note 3 of the Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Securities Lending Program

The Company enters into securities lending transactions whereby securities are loaned to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms. Securities lending transactions are treated as financing arrangements and the associated liability is recorded at the amount of cash received. Income and expenses associated with securities lending transactions are reported within net investment income in the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Accounting and Consolidation of VIEs

For all new investment products and entities developed by the Company, the Company first determines whether the entity is a VIE, which involves determining an entity’s variability and variable interests, identifying the holders of the equity investment at risk and assessing the five characteristics of a VIE. Once an entity is determined to be a VIE, the Company then determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE based on its beneficial interests. If the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the Company consolidates the entity.

Quarterly, management of the Company reviews its investment management agreements and its investments in, and other financial arrangements with, certain entities that hold client AUM to determine the entities the Company is required to consolidate under this guidance. These entities include certain mutual fund products, hedge funds, structured products, group trusts, collective investment trusts, and limited partnerships.

The analysis performed to identify variable interests held, determine whether entities are VIEs or VOEs, and evaluate whether the Company has a controlling financial interest in such entities requires the exercise of judgment and is updated on a continuous basis as circumstances change or new entities are developed. The primary beneficiary evaluation generally is performed qualitatively based on all facts and circumstances, including consideration of economic interests in the VIE held directly and indirectly through related parties and entities under common control, as well as quantitatively, as appropriate.

Consolidated VIEs

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company consolidated limited partnerships and LLCs for which it was identified as the primary beneficiary under the VIEs model. Included in other invested assets and mortgage loans on real estate in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are total assets of $783 million and $410 million, respectively related to these VIEs.

Non-Consolidated VIEs

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, the Company held approximately $2.4 billion and $2.3 billion of investment assets in the form of equity interests issued by non-corporate legal entities determined under

the guidance to be VIEs, such as limited partnerships and limited liability companies, including CLOs, hedge funds, private equity funds and real estate-related funds. As an equity investor, the Company is considered to have a variable interest in each of these VIEs as a result of its participation in the risks and/or rewards these funds were designed to create by their defined portfolio objectives and strategies. Primarily through qualitative assessment, including consideration of related party interests or other financial arrangements, if any, the Company was not identified as the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs, largely due to its inability to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance. Consequently, the Company continues to reflect these equity interests in the consolidated balance sheets as other equity investments and applies the equity method of accounting for these positions. The net assets of these non-consolidated VIEs are approximately $265.0 billion and $282.3 billion as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from its direct involvement with these VIEs is the carrying value of its investment of $2.4 billion and $2.3 billion and approximately $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion of unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company has no further economic interest in these VIEs in the form of guarantees, derivatives, credit enhancements or similar instruments and obligations.

Assumption Updates and Model Changes

The Company conducts its annual review of its assumptions and models during the third quarter of each year. The annual review encompasses assumptions underlying the valuation of MRB, liabilities for future policyholder benefits and Additional Liability Update.

However, the Company updates its assumptions as needed in the event it becomes aware of economic conditions or events that could require a change in assumptions that it believes may have a significant impact to the carrying value of product liabilities and assets and consequently materially impact its earnings in the period of the change.

MRB Update

The Company updates its assumptions to reflect emerging experience for withdrawals, mortality and lapse election. This includes actuarial judgement informed by actual experience of how policy holders are expected to use these policies in the future.

LFPB Update

The significant assumptions for the LFPB balances include mortality and lapses for the Company’s Traditional life business. The primary assumption for the payout block of business is mortality.

Additional Liability Update

The significant assumptions for the additional insurance liability balances include mortality, lapses, premium payment pattern, and interest crediting assumption.

Impact of Assumption Updates

The net impact of assumption changes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 decreased other income by $51 million, increased remeasurement of liability for future policy benefits by $36 million, increased policyholders’ benefits by $10 million and decreased change in market risk benefits and purchased market risk benefits by $50 million. This resulted in a decrease in income (loss) from operations, before income taxes of $47 million and a decrease in net income (loss) by $37 million.

The net impact of assumption changes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 increased remeasurement of liability for future policy benefits by $8 million, decreased policyholders’ benefits by $2 million, increased change in market risk benefits and purchased market risk benefits by $206 million and increased interest credited to policyholder’s account balances by $1 million. This resulted in a decrease in income (loss) from operations, before income taxes of $213 million and a decrease in net income (loss) by $168 million.

Model Changes

There were no material model changes in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022.