Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of its subsidiaries over which it exercises control and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).  Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q.  In compliance with those instructions, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.  The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate such that the information presented is not misleading.

In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows as of September 30, 2014, and for all periods presented.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The condensed consolidated results of operations and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results or cash flows expected for the full year.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant estimates are required to account for items and matters such as, but not limited to, the valuation of investments and derivatives in the absence of quoted market values, impairment of investments, accounting for derivative financial instruments, valuation of DAC, valuation of policy benefit liabilities, valuation of employee benefit plan obligations, the valuation of deferred tax assets or liabilities, net, and valuation of contingent consideration.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

Future adoption of new accounting pronouncements

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-01 Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (“ASU No. 2014-01”). ASU No. 2014-01 permits reporting entities to make an accounting election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. A reporting entity that uses the effective yield method to account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects before the date of adoption may continue to apply the effective yield method for those pre-existing investments. ASU 2014-01 is effective for public business entities for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company currently uses the effective yield method for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects. As such, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU No. 2014-09”). The update outlines a comprehensive model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. While the update does not apply to insurance contracts within the scope of Topic 944, it does apply to other fee income earned by the Company which includes fees from assets under management, assets under administration, shareholder servicing, administration and record-keeping services and investment advisory services. The core principle of the model requires that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The update also requires increased disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In adopting ASU No. 2014-09, the Company may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. The update is effective for public business entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11 Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (“ASU No. 2014-11”). ASU No. 2014-11 amends the accounting for entities that enter into repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as repurchase financings. ASU No. 2014-11 requires new footnote disclosures for repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The accounting changes in ASU 2014-11 are effective for public business entities for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The disclosure for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions accounted for as secured borrowings is required to be presented for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. ASU No. 2014-11 will not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position or the results of its operations.