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Financial risks
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Text block [abstract]  
Financial risks
4 Financial risks
General
As an insurance group, Aegon is exposed to a variety of risks. Aegon’s largest exposures are to changes in financial markets (e.g. foreign currency, interest rate, credit and equity market risks) that affect the value of the investments, liabilities from products that Aegon sells, deferred expenses and value of business acquired. Other risks include insurance related risks, such as changes in mortality, morbidity, bond credit spread and liquidity premium, which are discussed in note 34 Insurance contracts. Aegon manages risk at local level where business is transacted, based on principles and policies established at the Group level. Aegon’s integrated approach to risk management involves similar measurement of risk and scope of risk coverage to allow for aggregation of the Group’s risk position.
To manage the risk from changes in financial markets, Aegon’s products are priced using a market-consistent framework and comprehensive asset liability management (ALM) programs are implemented to ensure that the assets backing policyholder benefits are invested prudently over the long term. A range of ALM techniques are used across the Group. These range in terms of sophistication and complexity from cash-flow matching (for traditional fixed annuities) to duration matching (for the Universal Life range of products) to derivative-based semi-static and dynamic hedges (to match variable annuities).
To manage its risk exposure, Aegon has risk policies in place. Many of these policies are group-wide while others are specific to the unique situation of local businesses. For ALM specifically, the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework includes several risk policies that govern ALM strategies, such as the Investment and Counterparty Risk Policy (ICRP). The ICRP governs the management of investment risks associated with credit, equity, property, alternative asset classes, interest rate and currency risk in addition to option markets, implied volatility risk, interest rate options and swaptions. As well as product-level ALM programs, subsidiary businesses are required by the ICRP to maintain overarching entity-level ALM strategies that set
the direction and limits for the aggregated product-level programs. Significant or complex ALM strategies are approved at group level, and all programs are subject to Group Risk oversight.
Together with the ICRP, which guides ALM strategy, several other ERM policies govern concentration risk, liquidity risk, use of derivatives and securities lending and repos. As Aegon uses derivatives extensively, collateral calls can be significant depending on market circumstances. Liquidity is managed at legal entity level in the first instance with central coordination by Aegon N.V. The large US and Dutch units may use external market solutions to match projected liquidity requirements with funding.
Next to guidance, the Group level policies also provide limits to the Group’s exposure to major risks such as equity, interest rates, credit, and currency. The limits in these policies in aggregate remain within the Group’s overall tolerance for risk and the Group’s financial resources. Operating within this policy framework, Aegon employs risk management programs including ALM processes and models and hedging programs (which are largely conducted via the use of financial derivative instruments). These risk management programs are in place in each country unit and are not only used to manage risk in each unit, but are also part of the Group’s overall risk strategy.
Aegon operates a Derivative Use Policy to govern its usage of derivatives. This policy establishes the control, authorization, execution and monitoring requirements of the usage of such instruments. In addition, the policy stipulates necessary mitigation of credit risk created through derivatives management tools. For derivatives, counterparty credit risk is normally mitigated by requirements to post collateral via credit support annex agreements or through a central clearing house.
As part of its risk management programs, Aegon takes inventory of its current risk position across risk categories. Aegon also measures the sensitivity of net result and shareholders’ equity under both deterministic and stochastic scenarios. Management uses the insight gained through these ‘what if?’ scenarios to manage the Group’s risk exposure and capital position. The models, scenarios and assumptions used are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.
Results of Aegon’s sensitivity analyses are presented throughout this section to show the estimated sensitivity of net result and shareholders’ equity to various scenarios. For each type of market risk, the analysis shows how net result and shareholders’ equity would have been affected by changes in the relevant risk variable that were reasonably possible at the reporting date. For each sensitivity test the impact of a reasonably possible change in a single factor is shown. Management action is taken into account to the extent that it is part of Aegon’s regular policies and procedures, such as established hedging programs. However, incidental management actions that would require a change in policies and procedures are not considered.
Each sensitivity analysis reflects the extent to which the shock tested would affect management’s critical accounting estimates and judgment in applying Aegon’s accounting policies. Market-consistent assumptions underlying the measurement of non-listed assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect the shock tested. The shock may also affect the measurement of assets and liabilities based on assumptions that are not observable in the market. For example, a shock in interest rates may lead to changes in the amortization schedule of DPAC or to increased impairment losses on equity investments. Although management’s short-term assumptions may change if there is a reasonably possible change in a risk factor, long-term assumptions will generally not be revised unless there is evidence that the movement is permanent. This fact is reflected in the sensitivity analyses.
The accounting mismatch inherent in IFRS is also apparent in the reported sensitivities. A change in interest rates has an immediate impact on the carrying amount of assets measured at fair value. However, the shock will not have a similar effect on the carrying amount of the related insurance liabilities that are measured based on locked-in assumptions or on management’s long-term expectations. Consequently, the different measurement bases for assets and liabilities lead to increased volatility in IFRS net result and shareholders’ equity. Aegon has classified a significant part of its investment portfolio as ‘available-for-sale’, which is one of the main reasons why the economic shocks tested have a different impact on net result than on shareholders’ equity. Unrealized gains and losses on these assets are not recognized in the income statement but are booked through other comprehensive income to the revaluation reserves in shareholders’ equity, unless impaired. As a result, economic sensitivities predominantly impact shareholders’ equity but leave net result unaffected. The effect of movements of the revaluation reserve on capitalization ratios and capital adequacy are minimal. Aegon’s target ratio for the composition of its capital base is based on shareholders’ equity excluding the revaluation reserve.
The sensitivities do not reflect what the net result for the period would have been if risk variables had been different because the analysis is based on the exposures in existence at the reporting date rather than on those that actually occurred during the year. Nor are the results of the sensitivities intended to be an accurate prediction of Aegon’s future shareholders’ equity or earnings. The analysis does not take into account the impact of future new business, which is an important component of Aegon’s future earnings. It also does not consider all methods available to management to respond to changes in the financial environment, such as changing investment portfolio allocations or adjusting premiums and crediting rates. Furthermore, the results of the analyses cannot be extrapolated for wider variations since effects do not tend to be linear.
Concentration risk for financial risks are measured and managed at the following levels:
 
  Concentration per risk type: Risk exposures are measured per risk type as part of Aegon’s internal economic framework. A risk tolerance framework is in place which sets risk limits per risk type to target desired risk balance and promote diversification across risk types;
 
  Concentration per counterparty: Risk exposure is measured and risk limits are in place per counterparty as part of the Counterparty Name Limit Policy; and
 
  Concentration per sector, geography and asset class: Aegon’s investment strategy is translated in investment mandates for its internal and external asset managers. Through these investment mandates limits on sector, geography and asset class are set. Compliance monitoring of the investment mandates is done by the insurance operating companies.
Moreover, concentration of financial risks are measured in Aegon business planning cycle. As part of business planning, the resilience of Aegon’s business strategy is tested in several extreme event scenarios. In the Adverse Financial scenario, financial markets are stressed without assuming diversification across different market factors. Within the projection certain management actions may be implemented when management deems this necessary.
Aegon’s significant financial risks and related financial information are explained in the order as follows:
 
  Credit risk
 
  Equity market risk and other investment risks
 
  Interest rate risk
 
  Currency exchange risk
 
  Liquidity risk
Certain information in this note is presented per segment, please refer to note 5 Segment information for the definition of Aegon’s segments.
Credit risk
As premiums and deposits are received, these funds are invested to pay for future policyholder obligations. For general account products, Aegon typically bears the risk for investment performance which is equal to the return of principal and interest. Aegon is exposed to credit risk on its general account fixed-income portfolio (debt securities, mortgages and private placements), over-the-counter derivatives and reinsurance contracts. Some issuers have defaulted on their financial obligations for various reasons, including bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, downturns in the economy, downturns in real estate values, operational failure and fraud. During financial downturns, Aegon can incur defaults or other reductions in the value of these securities and loans, which could have a materially adverse effect on Aegon’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Investments for account of policyholders are excluded as the policyholder bears the credit risk associated with the investments.
The table that follows shows the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk from investments in general account financial assets, as well as general account derivatives and reinsurance assets, collateral held and net exposure. Please refer to note 45 and 46 for further information on capital commitments and contingencies and on collateral given, which may expose the Group to credit risk.
2022
1)
  
Maximum
exposure
to credit
risk
    
    Cash
    
Securities
    
Letters of credit
/ guaran- tees
    
Real
estate
property
    
Master
netting
agree-
ments
    
Other
    
Total
collateral
    
Surplus
collateral
(or
overcol-
lateraliza-
tion)
    
Net
exposure
 
Debt securities - carried at fair value
     53,647        -        -        96        -        -        -        96        -        53,551  
                     
Money market and other short-term investments - carried at fair value
     5,613        -        312        -        -        -        -        312        23        5,324  
                     
Mortgage loans - carried at amortized cost
     10,441        40        -        22        24,822        -        -        24,883        14,442        1  
                     
Private loans - carried at amortized cost
     27        11        -        -        -        -        -        11        -        15  
                     
Other loans - carried at amortized cost
     2,088        -        -        -        -        -        3,510        3,510        1,470        47  
                     
Other financial assets - carried at fair value
     4,562        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        4,562  
                     
Derivatives
     2,707        246        426        -        -        2,174        -        2,846        173        33  
                     
Reinsurance assets
     21,184        -        14,162        103        -        -        -        14,265        -        6,919  
At December 31
  
 
100,269
 
  
 
297
 
  
 
14,900
 
  
 
221
 
  
 
24,822
 
  
 
2,174
 
  
 
3,510
 
  
 
45,923
 
  
 
16,108
 
  
 
70,453
 
 
1
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
2021
   Maximum
exposure
to credit
risk
         Cash      Securities      Letters of
credit /
guaran-
tees
     Real
estate
property
     Master
netting
agree-
ments
     Other      Total
collateral
     Surplus
collateral
(or
overcol-
lateraliza-
tion)
     Net
exposure
 
Debt securities - carried at fair value
     97,195        -        -        221        -        -        -        221        -        96,974  
                     
Money market and other short-term investments - carried at fair value
     4,910        -        330        -        -        -        -        330        21        4,601  
                     
Mortgage loans - carried at amortized cost
     39,991        2,684        -        32        75,412        -        -        78,128        38,197        60  
                     
Private loans - carried at amortized cost
     4,883        33        -        -        -        -        -        33        -        4,850  
                     
Other loans - carried at amortized cost
     1,949        -        -        -        -        -        1,872        1,872        1,346        1,423  
                     
Other financial assets - carried at fair value
     4,245        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        4,245  
                     
Derivatives
     8,780        2,555        107        -        -        5,921        -        8,583        66        263  
                     
Reinsurance assets
     20,992        -        3,784        77        -        -        -        3,861        -        17,131  
At December 31
  
 
182,945
 
  
 
5,272
 
  
 
4,221
 
  
 
330
 
  
 
75,412
 
  
 
5,921
 
  
 
1,872
 
  
 
93,028
 
  
 
39,630
 
  
 
129,547
 
Investment exposure to Russia
In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Aegon has reduced its general account investment exposure to Russia from EUR 27 million to almost nil per December 31, 2022. The remaining investment positions currently cannot be sold as these investments are in companies which are in scope of international sanctions imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Aegon has no operations in Russia.
Debt securities
Several bonds in Aegon’s Americas’ portfolio are guaranteed by Monoline insurers. This is shown in the table above in the column ‘Letters of credit / guarantees’.
Money market and short-term investments
The collateral reported for the money market and short-term investments are related to tri-party repurchase agreements (repos). Within tri-party repos Aegon invests under short-term reverse repurchase agreements and the counterparty posts collateral to a third party custodian. The collateral posted is typically high-quality, short-term securities and is only accessible for or available to Aegon in the event the counterparty defaults.
Mortgage loans
The real estate collateral for mortgages includes both residential and commercial properties. The collateral for commercial mortgage loans in Aegon Americas is measured at fair value. At a minimum on an annual basis, a fair value is estimated for each individual real estate property that has been pledged as collateral. When a loan is originally provided, an external appraisal is obtained to estimate the value of the property. In subsequent years, the value is typically estimated internally using various professionally accepted valuation methodologies. Internal appraisals are performed by qualified, professionally accredited personnel. International valuation standards are used and the most significant assumptions made during the valuation of real estate are the current cost of reproducing or replacing the property, the value that the property’s net earning power will support, and the value indicated by recent sales of comparable properties. Valuations are primarily supported by market evidence. For Aegon the Netherlands, collateral for the residential mortgages is measured as the foreclosure value which is indexed periodically.
Cash collateral for mortgage loans includes the savings that have been received to redeem the underlying mortgage loans at redemption date. These savings are part of the credit side of the statement of financial position, but reduce the credit risk for the mortgage loan as a whole.
A substantial part of Aegon’s Dutch residential mortgage loan portfolio benefits from guarantees by a Dutch government-backed trust (Stichting Waarborgfonds Eigen Woning) through the Dutch Mortgage loan Guarantee program (NHG). With exception of NHG-backed mortgage loans originated after January 1, 2014, for which a 10% lender-incurred haircut applies on realized losses on each defaulted loan, these guarantees cover all principal losses, missed interest payments and foreclosure costs incurred upon termination and settlement of defaulted mortgage loans when lender-specific terms and conditions of the guarantee are met. When not fully met, the trust may pay claims in part or in full, depending on the severity of the breach of terms and conditions. For each specific loan, the guarantee amortizes in line with an equivalent annuity mortgage loan. When the remaining loan balance at default does not exceed the amortized guarantee, it covers the full loss under its terms and conditions. Any loan balance in excess of this decreasing guarantee profile serves as a first loss position for the lender.
Derivatives
The master netting agreements column in the table relates to derivative liability positions which are used in Aegon’s credit risk management. The offset in the master netting agreements column includes balances where there is a legally enforceable right of offset, but no intention to settle these balances on a net basis under normal circumstances. As a result, there is a net exposure for credit risk management purposes. However, as there is no intention to settle these balances on a net basis, they do not qualify for net presentation for accounting purposes.
Reinsurance assets
The collateral related to the reinsurance assets include assets in trust that are held by the reinsurer for the benefit of Aegon. The assets in trust can be accessed to pay policyholder benefits in the event the reinsurers fail to perform under the terms of their contract. Further information on the related reinsurance transactions is included in note 26 Reinsurance assets.
Other loans
The collateral included in the other column represents the policyholders account value for policy loans. The excess of the account value over the loan value is included in the surplus collateral column. For further information on the policy loans refer to note 22.1 Financial assets, excluding derivatives.
The total collateral includes both under- and over-collateralized positions. To present a net exposure of credit risk, the over-collateralization, which is shown in the surplus collateral column, is extracted from the total collateral.
Credit
risk
management
Aegon manages credit risk exposure by individual counterparty, sector and asset class, including cash positions. Normally, Aegon mitigates credit risk in derivative contracts by entering into credit support agreement, where practical, and in ISDA master netting agreements for most of Aegon’s legal entities to facilitate Aegon’s right to offset credit risk exposure. Main counterparties to these transactions are investment banks which are typically rated ‘A’ or higher. The credit support agreement will normally dictate the threshold over which collateral needs to be pledged by Aegon or its counterparty. Transactions requiring Aegon or its counterparty to post collateral are typically the result of derivative trades, comprised mostly of interest rate swaps, equity swaps, currency swaps and credit swaps. Collateral received is mainly cash (USD and EUR). The credit support agreements that outline the acceptable collateral require high-quality instruments to be posted. Over the last three years, there was no default with any derivatives counterparty. The credit risk associated with financial assets subject to a master netting agreement is eliminated only to the extent that financial liabilities due to the same counterparty will be settled after the assets are realized. Eligible derivative transactions are traded via Central Clearing Houses as required by EMIR and the Dodd-Frank act. Credit risk in these transactions is mitigated through posting of initial and variation margins.
Aegon may also mitigate credit risk in reinsurance contracts by including downgrade clauses that allow the recapture of business, retaining ownership of assets required to support liabilities ceded or by requiring the reinsurer to hold assets in trust. For the resulting net credit risk exposure, Aegon employs deterministic and stochastic credit risk modeling in order to assess the Group’s credit risk profile, associated earnings and capital implications due to various credit loss scenarios.
Aegon operates a Credit Name Limit Policy (CNLP) under which limits are placed on the aggregate exposure that it has to any one counterparty. Limits are placed on the exposure at both group level and individual country units. The limits also vary by a rating system, which is a composite of the main rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch) and Aegon’s internal rating of the counterparty. If an exposure exceeds the stated limit, then the exposure must be reduced to the limit for the country unit and rating category as soon as possible. Exceptions to these limits can only be made after explicit approval from Aegon’s Group Risk and Capital Committee (GRCC). The policy is reviewed regularly.
At December 31, 2022, there was no violation of the Credit Name Limit Policy at Group level (2021: one).
At December 31, 2022, Aegon’s largest corporate credit exposures are to American United Mutual Insurance, Reinsurance Group of America, Bank of America and Berkshire Hathaway. Aegon had
large
government exposures, the largest being to the United States, the Netherlands and Germany. Highly rated government bonds and government exposure domestically issued and owned in local currency are excluded from the Credit Name Limit Policy.

Aegon group level long-term counterparty exposure limits are as follows:
 
Group limits per credit rating
           
Amounts in EUR million
     
 
2022
 
        2021    
AAA
  
 
 
 
                         900     
 
 
 
                         900    
AA
        900           900    
A
        675           675    
BBB
        450           450    
BB
        250           250    
B
        125           125    
CCC or lower
  
 
 
 
     50     
 
 
 
     50    
Credit rating
The ratings distribution of general account portfolios of Aegon’s
major
reporting units,
excluding
reinsurance assets, are presented in the table that follows, organized by rating category and split by assets that are valued at fair value and assets that are valued at amortized cost. Aegon uses a composite rating based on a combination of the external ratings of S&P, Moody’s, Fitch and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC which is for US only) and internal ratings. The rating used is the lower of the external rating and the internal rating.
 
     
Americas
    
United Kingdom
    
International
 
Credit rating general account investments,excluding reinsurance
assets 2022
  
Amortized cost
    
Fair value
    
Amortized cost
    
Fair value
    
Amortized cost
   
Fair value  
 
             
AAA
     1,488        12,124        -        55        -       91    
             
AA
     4,454        3,659        -        461        -       157    
             
A
     3,779        19,374        -        262        39       891    
             
BBB
     671        18,785        -        123        (5     745    
             
BB
     48        1,434        -        1        -       71    
             
B
     -        592        -        -        -       13    
             
CCC or lower
     -        445        -        -        -       4    
             
Assets not rated
     2,035        4,525        -        582        9       9    
             
Total
  
 
12,475
 
  
 
60,938
 
  
 
-
 
  
 
1,483
 
  
 
43
 
 
 
1,980  
 
             
Past due and / or impaired assets
     -        2,239        -        -        -       22    
             
At December 31
  
 
12,475
 
  
 
      63,178
 
  
 
-
 
  
 
      1,483
 
  
 
      43
 
 
 
      2,001  
 
 
     
Asset Management
    
Total 2022
1)
2)
 
Credit rating general account investments, excluding
reinsurance assets 2022
  
Amortized cost
    
            Fair value
    
      Amortized cost
    
          Fair value
    
      Total carrying  
value  
 
           
AAA
     -        135        1,488        12,404        13,892    
           
AA
     -        -        4,454        4,277        8,731    
           
A
     -        -        3,818        20,527        24,345    
           
BBB
     -        -        666        19,653        20,319    
           
BB
     -        -        48        1,505        1,553    
           
B
     -        -        -        605        605    
           
CCC or lower
     -        -        -        449        449    
           
Assets not rated
     -        1        2,081        5,235        8,167    
           
Total
  
 
-
 
  
 
136
 
  
 
12,556
 
  
 
64,656
 
  
 
78,061  
 
           
Past due and / or impaired assets
     -        -        -        2,261        2,262    
           
At December 31
  
 
-
 
  
 
136
 
  
 
12,556
 
  
 
66,917
 
  
 
80,323  
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
2
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
      Americas      The Netherlands      United Kingdom      International  
Credit rating general account investments,
excluding reinsurance assets 2021
   Amortized cost      Fair value      Amortized cost      Fair value      Amortized cost      Fair value      Amortized cost     Fair value    
                 
AAA
     1,383        15,537        2,607        11,832        -        74        -       738    
                 
AA
     4,219        4,438        216        6,474        -        586        -       699    
                 
A
     3,301        20,888        128        10,636        -        384        52       2,610    
                 
BBB
     519        21,894        1,050        4,458        -        202        (4     3,311    
                 
BB
     59        1,614        44        127        -        1        -       272    
                 
B
     -        549        -        19        -        -        18       370    
                 
CCC or lower
     -        441        -        19        -        -        -       13    
                 
Assets not rated
     1,868        4,257        31,137        1,418        -        644        27       79    
                 
Total
  
 
11,349
 
  
 
69,618
 
  
 
35,182
 
  
 
34,983
 
  
 
-
 
  
 
1,893
 
  
 
93
 
 
 
8,093  
 
                 
Past due and / or impaired assets
     2        2,044        176        17        -        -        -       116    
                 
At December 31
  
 
11,352
 
  
 
71,662
 
  
 
35,358
 
  
 
35,000
 
  
 
-
 
  
 
1,893
 
  
 
93
 
 
 
8,208  
 
     
Asset Management
    
Total 2021
1)
 
Credit rating general account investments, excluding reinsurance
assets 2021
   Amortized cost                  Fair value            Amortized cost                Fair value            Total carrying  
value  
 
           
AAA
     -        295        3,989        28,476        32,465  
           
AA
     -        -        4,436        12,197        16,633  
           
A
     -        -        3,481        34,530        38,011  
           
BBB
     -        -        1,564        29,866        31,431  
           
BB
     -        -        103        2,015        2,118  
           
B
     -        -        18        938        956  
           
CCC or lower
     -        -        -        473        473  
           
Assets not rated
     -        2        33,053        6,474        39,527  
           
Total
  
 
-
 
  
 
296
 
  
 
46,644
 
  
 
114,968
 
  
 
161,613
 
           
Past due and / or impaired assets
     -        -        178        2,176        2,355  
           
At December 31
  
 
-
 
  
 
296
 
  
 
46,823
 
  
 
117,145
 
  
 
163,967
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
The following table shows the credit quality of the gross positions in the statement of financial position for general account reinsurance assets specifically:
 
    
Carrying value  
2022
1)
  
   Carrying value  
2021  
 
     
AAA
  -      -  
     
AA
  2,156      9,084  
     
A
  18,105      11,087  
     
Below A
  6      7  
     
Not rated
  917      813  
     
At December 31
 
21,184
  
 
20,992
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
Credit risk concentration
The tables that follow present specific credit risk concentration information for general account financial assets.
 
Credit risk concentrations – debt securities and
money market investments 2022
  
      Americas
    
        United Kingdom
    
        International
    
Asset
      Management
    
      Total 2022 
1)
    
Of which past  
due and / or  
      impaired assets  
 
             
Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBSs)
     1,136        -        -        5        1,141        479  
             
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBSs)
     2,707        94        37        -        2,838        42  
             
Asset-backed securities (ABSs) - CDOs backed by ABS, Corp. bonds, Bank loans
     438        -        3        -        440        2  
             
ABSs - Other
     2,400        53        15        9        2,478        26  
             
Financial - Banking
     3,957        168        318        -        4,443        39  
             
Financial - Other
     10,778        36        352        96        11,263        191  
             
Capital goods and other industry
     3,769        22        132        -        3,923        268  
             
Communications & Technology
     4,658        2        167        -        4,828        417  
             
Consumer cyclical
     3,742        28        106        -        3,877        223  
             
Consumer non-cyclical
     5,445        85        144        -        5,674        350  
             
Energy
     3,205        19        102        -        3,326        41  
             
Transportation
     1,728        -        43        -        1,771        19  
             
Utility
     4,319        69        80        -        4,469        110  
             
Government bonds
     7,962        323        488        17        8,790        43  
             
At December 31
  
 
56,243
 
  
 
901
 
  
 
1,989
 
  
 
128
 
  
 
59,260
 
  
 
2,251
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
2
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group,
which
are separately
disclosed
in note 51 Discontinued
operations
.
 
Credit risk concentrations – Government bonds per country of risk
2022
  
Americas
    
United Kingdom
    
International
    
Asset
Management
    
Total 2022 
1) 
2)
 
           
United States
     7,209        -        80        -        7,290  
           
Netherlands
     -        -        -        -        -  
           
United Kingdom
     -        275        -        17        292  
           
Austria
     -        -        3        -        3  
           
Belgium
     -        -        3        -        3  
           
Finland
     -        -        -        -        -  
           
France
     -        27        2        -        29  
           
Germany
     -        -        -        -        -  
           
Hungary
     18        -        4        -        22  
           
Indonesia
     82        -        -        -        82  
           
Luxembourg
     -        -        1        -        1  
           
Spain
     -        -        152        -        152  
           
Rest of Europe
     48        -        229        -        277  
           
Rest of world
     604        21        13        -        638  
           
Supranational
 
     -        -        -        -        -  
           
At December 31
  
 
7,962
 
  
 
323
 
  
 
488
 
  
 
17
 
  
 
8,790
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
2
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
Credit risk concentrations – Credit rating 2022
3)
  
Government
bonds
    
Corporate bonds
    
RMBSs CMBSs
ABSs
    
Other
    
Total 2022 
1) 
2)
 
           
AAA
     5,980        724        2,997        2,780        12,482  
           
AA
     1,243        2,484        815        -        4,541  
           
A
     753        16,180        1,960        -        18,894  
           
BBB
     538        19,307        306        -        20,151  
           
BB
     206        1,204        102        -        1,513  
           
B
     65        519        23        -        607  
           
CCC or lower
     4        207        694        -        905  
           
Assets not rated
 
     -        15        -        152        167  
           
At December 31
  
 
8,790
 
  
 
40,640
 
  
 
6,897
 
  
 
2,933
 
  
 
59,260
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
2
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
3
 
CNLP Ratings are used and are the lower of the Barclay’s Rating and the Internal Rating with the Barclay’s rating being a blended rating of S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s.
There are no individual issuers rated below investment grade in the RMBS sector, CMBS sector and ABS sector which have unrealized loss position greater than EUR 25 million.
Credit risk concentrations – debt securities and money market investments 2021
  Americas     The
Netherlands
    United
Kingdom
    International     Asset
Management
    Total 2021 
1)
    Of which past
due and / or
impaired assets
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBSs)
    1,854       106       -       20       4       1,984       611  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBSs)
    3,005       3       122       517       -       3,647       13  
Asset-backed securities (ABSs) - CDOs backed by ABS, Corp. bonds, Bank loans
    265       1,576       -       37       -       1,878       2  
ABSs – Other
    1,972       1       74       267       8       2,321       27  
Financial - Banking
    5,597       3,146       177       1,035       -       9,956       9  
Financial - Other
    9,916       854       68       783       257       11,877       175  
Capital goods and other industry
    4,048       1,078       33       501       -       5,661       144  
Communications & Technology
    6,190       1,561       3       732       -       8,485       411  
Consumer cyclical
    3,159       741       43       342       -       4,286       152  
Consumer non-cyclical
    6,138       1,900       121       825       -       8,984       177  
Energy
    4,177       143       26       635       -       4,980       91  
Transportation
    2,151       815       -       197       -       3,163       130  
Utility
    5,356       707       105       590       -       6,757       153  
Government bonds
    11,663       14,321       477       1,649       18       28,127       4  
               
At December 31
 
 
65,490
 
 
 
26,951
 
 
 
1,248
 
 
 
8,130
 
 
 
286
 
 
 
102,105
 
 
 
2,101
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
 
Credit risk concentrations – Government bonds
per country of risk 2021
   Americas      The Netherlands      United Kingdom      International      Asset
Management
    
Total 2021 
1)
 
United States
     10,897        -        -        463        -        11,360  
Netherlands
     -        4,691        -        -        -        4,691  
United Kingdom
     -        3        413        -        18        433  
Austria
     -        1,175        -        6        -        1,181  
Belgium
     -        1,132        -        5        -        1,137  
Finland
     -        41        -        -        -        41  
France
     -        1,618        34        2        -        1,654  
Germany
     -        4,309        -        -        -        4,309  
Hungary
     -        -        -        302        -        302  
Indonesia
     75        39        -        28        -        141  
Luxembourg
     -        873        -        1        -        875  
Spain
     -        144        -        197        -        341  
Rest of Europe
     85        65        -        503        -        654  
Rest of world
     587        230        31        131        -        979  
Supranational
     19        -        -        11        -        29  
             
At December 31
  
 
11,663
 
  
 
14,321
 
  
 
477
 
  
 
1,649
 
  
 
18
 
  
 
28,127
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
 
Credit risk concentrations – Credit rating 2021 
2)
   Government
bonds
     Corporate bonds      RMBSs CMBSs
ABSs
     Other     
Total 2021 
1)
 
AAA
     19,740        754        5,779        1,882        28,155  
AA
     5,476        4,099        1,125        -        10,700  
A
     1,228        25,470        1,648        -        28,345  
BBB
     1,094        28,855        338        -        30,286  
BB
     238        1,700        63        -        2,001  
B
     348        553        26        -        927  
CCC or lower
     5        183        826        -        1,014  
Assets not rated
     -        3        24        649        676  
           
At December 31
  
 
28,127
 
  
 
61,617
 
  
 
9,830
 
  
 
2,531
 
  
 
102,105
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
2
CNLP Ratings are used and are the lower of the Barclay’s Rating and the Internal Rating with the Barclay’s rating being a blended rating of S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s.
There are no individual issuers rated below investment grade in the RMBS sector, CMBS sector and ABS sector which have unrealized loss position greater than EUR 25 million.
 
Credit risk concentrations – mortgage loans 2022
    
Americas
      
United Kingdom
      
International
      
Asset
Management
      
Total 2022 
1)
      
Of which past
due and / or
impaired assets
 
Agricultural
       49          -          -          -          49          -  
Apartment
       5,519          -          -          -          5,519          -  
Industrial
       402          -          -          -          402          -  
Office
       1,521          -          -          -          1,521          -  
Retail
       1,475          -          -          -          1,475          -  
Other commercial
       1,469          -          -          -          1,469          -  
Residential
       5          -          1          -          5          -  
             
At December 31
    
 
10,441
 
    
 
-
 
    
 
1
 
    
 
-
 
    
 
10,441
 
    
 
-
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
Credit risk concentrations – mortgage loans
2021
  
Americas
    
The
Netherlands
    
United
Kingdom
    
International
    
Asset
Management
     Total 2021     
Of which past
due and / or
impaired assets
 
Agricultural
     59        -        -        -        -        59        -  
Apartment
     5,085        -        -        -        -        5,085        2  
Industrial
     1,349        -        -        -        -        1,349        -  
Office
     1,560        -        -        -        -        1,560        -  
Retail
     1,425        6        -        -        -        1,432        -  
Other commercial
     -        23        -        -        -        23        1  
Residential
     6        30,476        -        1        -        30,483        139  
               
At December 31
  
 
9,485
 
  
 
30,505
 
  
 
-
 
  
 
1
 
  
 
-
 
  
 
39,991
 
  
 
142
 
The fair value of Aegon Americas commercial and agricultural mortgage loan portfolio as per December 31, 2022, amounted to EUR 9,224 million (2021: EUR 10,161 million). The loan to value (LTV) amounted to approximately 50.4% (2021: 53%). Of the portfolio 0% (2021: 0%) is in delinquency (defined as 60 days in arrears). In 2022, Aegon Americas recognized EUR 0 million of net impairments (2021: EUR 1 million net impairments) on this portfolio. In 2022, there were no foreclosures (2021: EUR 0 million) and no impairments or recoveries associated with foreclosed loans (2021: EUR 0 million).
Unconsolidated structured entities
Aegon’s investments in unconsolidated structured entities such as RMBSs, CMBSs and ABSs and investment funds are presented in the line item ‘Investments’ of the statement of financial position. Aegon’s interests in these unconsolidated structured entities can be characterized as basic interests, Aegon does not have loans, derivatives, guarantees or other interests related to these investments. Any existing commitments such as future purchases of interests in investment funds are disclosed in note 45 Commitments and contingencies.
For debt instruments, specifically for RMBSs, CMBSs and ABSs, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amount which is reflected in the credit risk concentration table regarding debt securities and money market investments. To manage credit risk Aegon invests primarily in senior notes of RMBSs, CMBSs and ABSs. The composition of the RMBSs, CMBSs and ABSs portfolios of Aegon are widely dispersed looking at the individual amount per entity, therefore Aegon only has non-controlling interests in individual unconsolidated structured entities. Furthermore these investments are not originated by Aegon.
Except for commitments as noted in note 45 Commitments and contingencies, Aegon did not provide, nor is required to provide financial or other support to unconsolidated structured entities. Nor does Aegon have intentions to provide financial or other support to unconsolidated structured entities in which Aegon has an interest or previously had an interest.
For RMBSs, CMBSs and ABSs in which Aegon has an interest at reporting date, the following table presents total income received from those interests. The Investments column reflects the carrying values recognized in the statement of financial position of Aegon’s interests in RMBSs, CMBSs and ABSs.
    
Total result 2022
                     
December 31, 2022
 
2022
1)
  
Interest income
    
Total gains and
losses on sale
of assets
      
        Total
   
Investments
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
     92        (84        9       1,141  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
     120        (715        (595     2,838  
Asset-backed securities
     24        (34        (10     440  
ABSs - Other
     92        (416        (324     2,478  
         
Total
  
 
328
 
  
 
(1,249
    
 
(921
 
 
6,897
 
 
1
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
     Total result 2021                        December 31, 2021  
2021
   Interest income      Total gains and
losses on sale
of assets
               Total      Investments  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
     83        (28        55        1,980  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
     113        (31        82        3,647  
Asset-backed securities
     29        -          29        1,878  
ABSs - Other
     70        (11        59        2,323  
         
Total
  
 
295
 
  
 
(69
    
 
226
 
  
 
9,829
 
Additional information on credit risk, unrealized losses and impairments
Debt instruments
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities, money market investments and other, included in Aegon’s available-for-sale (AFS) portfolios, are as follows as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.
 
2022
1)
  
Amortized
cost
    
Unrealized
gains
    
Unrealized
losses
   
Total fair
value
    
Fair value of
instruments
with unrealized
gains
    
Fair value of
instruments
with unrealized
losses
 
             
Debt securities, money market instruments and other
                                                    
United States government
     8,386        135        (1,294     7,226        1,435        5,791  
Dutch government
     -        -        -       -        -        -  
Other government
     1,700        23        (239     1,484        266        1,218  
Mortgage-backed securities
     4,218        160        (439     3,939        578        3,362  
Asset-backed securities
     3,269        12        (376     2,905        183        2,722  
Corporate
     42,507        449        (5,419     37,538        7,428        30,110  
Money market investments
     5,511        4        (1     5,514        3,815        1,699  
Other
     863        105        (128     840        600        241  
             
Total
  
 
66,455
 
  
 
888
 
  
 
(7,896
 
 
59,447
 
  
 
14,305
 
  
 
45,143
 
             
Of which held by Aegon Americas
     63,213        837        (7,672     56,379        13,073        43,306  
 
1
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
2021
   Amortized
cost
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
    Total fair
value
     Fair value of
instruments with
unrealized gains
     Fair value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
 
             
Debt securities, money market instruments and other
                                                    
United States government
     8,942        2,386        (11     11,317        10,938        379  
Dutch government
     3,456        1,238        (0     4,694        4,688        6  
Other government
     9,060        2,794        (84     11,769        10,414        1,356  
Mortgage-backed securities
     5,265        372        (56     5,581        3,832        1,749  
Asset-backed securities
     4,088        118        (16     4,189        2,334        1,855  
Corporate
     50,953        5,738        (343     56,348        45,363        10,985  
Money market investments
     4,790        -        (0     4,790        4,547        243  
Other
     876        34        (66     844        519        325  
             
Total
  
 
87,431
 
  
 
12,679
 
  
 
(576
 
 
99,533
 
  
 
82,635
 
  
 
16,898
 
             
Of which held by Aegon Americas and NL
     78,468        11,865        (475     89,859        74,954        14,905  
Unrealized bond losses by sector
The composition by industry category of Aegon’s available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities, money market investments and other in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, is presented in the following table:
 
    
December 31, 2022
1)
    December 31, 2021  
Unrealized losses - debt securities, money market
investments and other
  
Carrying value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
    
Unrealized losses
    Carrying value of
instruments with
unrealized losses
     Unrealized losses  
Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBSs)
     633        (70     810        (21
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBSs)
     2,690        (360     803        (27
Asset-backed securities (ABSs) - CDOs backed by ABS, Corp. bonds, Bank loans
     434        (39     1,244        (9
ABSs - Other
     2,253        (334     558        (7
Financial Industry - Banking
     2,906        (412     1,669        (32
Financial Industry - Insurance
     1,146        (199     368        (11
Financial Industry - Other
     5,821        (878     1,092        (29
Industrial
     17,249        (3,068     5,630        (179
Utility
     3,564        (765     1,564        (68
Government
     6,368        (1,418     842        (28
Other
     240        (128     325        (66
         
Total held by Aegon Americas and NL
1)
  
 
43,306
 
  
 
(7,672
 
 
14,905
 
  
 
(475
Held by other segments
     1,837        (224     1,994        (102
         
Total
  
 
45,143
 
  
 
(7,896
 
 
16,898
 
  
 
(576
 
1
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
Impairment of financial assets
Aegon regularly monitors industry sectors and individual debt securities for indicators of impairment. These indicators may include one or more of the following: 1) deteriorating market to book ratio, 2) increasing industry risk factors, 3) deteriorating financial condition of the issuer, 4) covenant violations by the issuer, 5) high probability of bankruptcy of the issuer, or 6) downgrades by internationally recognized credit rating agency. Additionally, for asset-backed securities, cash flow trends and underlying levels of collateral are monitored. A security is impaired if there is objective evidence that a loss event has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset that has a negative impact on the estimated future cash flows.
For details on impairments on financial assets, including receivables, refer to note 15 Impairment charges / (reversals).
Past due and impaired assets
The tables that follow provide information on past due and individually impaired financial assets for the whole Aegon Group. An asset is past due when a counterparty has failed to make a payment when contractually due. Assets are impaired when an impairment loss has been charged to the income statement relating to this asset. After the impairment loss is reversed in subsequent periods, the asset is no longer considered to be impaired. When the terms and conditions of financial assets
have been renegotiated, the terms and conditions of the new agreement apply in determining whether the financial assets are past due.
Aegon’s policy is to pursue realization of the collateral in an orderly manner as and when liquidity permits. Aegon generally does not use the non-cash collateral for its own operations.
 
      
2022
1)
      
2021
 
Past due but not impaired assets
    
 
0-6 months
 
    
 
6-12
months
 
 
    
 
> 1 year
 
    
 
Total
 
       0-6
months
 
 
       6-12
months
 
 
       > 1 year          Total  
Debt securities - carried at fair value
       1,155          572          25          1,751          1,171          255          40          1,466  
Mortgage loans
       -          -          -          -          129          1          1          131  
Other loans
       -          -          -          -          19          5          10          35  
Accrued interest
       28          22          -          50          30          10          3          42  
Other financial assets - carried at fair value
       -          -          -          -          -          -          -          -  
                 
At December 31
    
 
1,183
 
    
 
593
 
    
 
25
 
    
 
1,802
 
    
 
1,350
 
    
 
271
 
    
 
54
 
    
 
1,675
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
Impaired financial assets
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
Carrying
amount 2022 
 
1)
 
   
Carrying
amount 2021
 
 
Shares
                                         10       62  
Debt securities - carried at fair value
                                         500       635  
Mortgage loans
                                         -       10  
Other loans
                                         -       2  
Other financial assets - carried at fair value
                                         1       14  
             
At December 31
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
510
 
 
 
723
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the assets of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
Equity market risk and other investments risk
Fluctuations in the equity, real estate and capital markets have affected Aegon’s profitability, capital position and sales of equity related products in the past and may continue to do so. Exposure to equity, real estate and capital markets exists in both assets and liabilities. Asset exposure exists through direct equity investment, where Aegon bears all or most of the volatility in returns and investment performance risk. Equity market exposure is also present in insurance and investment contracts for policyholders where funds are invested in equities, backing variable annuities, unit-linked products and mutual funds. Although most of the risk remains with the policyholder, lower investment returns can reduce the asset management fee earned by Aegon on the asset balance in these products. In addition, some of this business has minimum return or accumulation guarantees.


In 2021, Transamerica expanded its dynamic hedge program to variable annuities with guaranteed minimum death benefit riders (GMDB) and remaining policies with guaranteed minimum income (GMIB) riders. This builds on the effective dynamic hedge program of policies with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB). The dynamic hedge program covers the equity risks (and interest rate risk) embedded in the guarantees of its entire variable annuity portfolio. Dynamic hedging stabilizes cash flows and reduces sensitivities to changes in equity markets (and interest rates) on an economic basis.

The general account equity, real estate and other non-fixed-income portfolio of Aegon is as follows:

 
Equity, real estate and non-fixed income
exposure
  
 
Americas
 
  
 
United Kingdom
 
  
 
International
 
  
 
Asset
Management
 
 
  
 
Holding and
other activities
 
 
  
 
Total 2022 
1)
 
Equity funds
     141        -        3        7        -        151  
Common shares
2)
     148        25        5        -        1        179  
Preferred shares
     56        -        -        -        -        56  
Investments in real estate
     42        -        17        -        -        59  
Hedge funds
     10        -        -        -        -        10  
Other alternative investments
     2,168        -        -        -        -        2,168  
Other financial assets
     1,848        531        5        1        -        2,385  
             
At December 31
  
 
4,414
 
  
 
556
 
  
 
30
 
  
 
9
 
  
 
1
 
  
 
5,009
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the exposures of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
2
 
Common shares in Holding and other activities includes t
he
elimination of treasury shares in the general account for an amount of EUR nil million.
Equity, real estate and
non-fixed
income exposure
           Americas      The
        Netherlands
     United
              Kingdom
               International      Asset
            Management
    
        Holding and
other activities
    
            Total 2021
 
               
Equity funds
     175        34        -        63        9        -        280  
               
Common shares
1)
     190        -        29        5        -        1        226  
               
Preferred shares
     128        -        -        -        -        -        128  
               
Investments in real estate
     39        2,588        -        16        -        -        2,643  
               
Hedge funds
     35        -        -        -        -        -        35  
               
Other alternative investments
     1,934        432        -        -        -        -        2,366  
               
Other financial assets
     1,595        1,023        598        7        2        -        3,225  
               
At December 31
  
 
4,097
 
  
 
4,076
 
  
 
628
 
  
 
91
 
  
 
10
 
  
 
1
 
  
 
8,903
 
 
1
 
Common shares in Holding and other activities includes the elimination of treasury shares in the general account for an amount of EUR nil million.
 
Market risk concentrations – shares
  
              Americas
    
        United Kingdom
    
            International
    
Asset
            Management
    
        Total 2022 
1) 2)
    
Of which
        impaired assets
 
             
Communication
     2        -        -        -        2        -  
             
Consumer
     13        -        -        -        13        -  
             
Financials
     184        -        5        -        189        7  
             
Funds
     19        25        -        -        45        1  
             
Industries
     4        -        -        -        4        -  
             
Other
     123        -        4        7        135        -  
             
At December 31
  
 
345
 
  
 
25
 
  
 
10
 
  
 
7
 
  
 
388
 
  
 
10
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
2
 
2022 excludes the market risk concentrations of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
 
Market risk concentrations –
shares
               Americas      The
        Netherlands
     United
              Kingdom
             International      Asset
        Management
    
            Total 2021 
1)
    
          Of which
impaired
assets
 
               
Communication
     1        -        -        -        -        1        -  
               
Consumer
     5        -        -        -        -        5        1  
               
Financials
     411        4        -        5        -        420        39  
               
Funds
     -        1,406        29        62        -        1,498        17  
               
Industries
     42        -        -        -        -        42        5  
               
Other
     35        -        -        5        9        49        -  
               
At December 31
  
 
493
 
  
 
1,410
 
  
 
29
 
  
 
72
 
  
 
9
 
  
 
2,015
 
  
 
62
 
 
1
 
Includes investments of Holding and other activities.
The table that follows sets forth the closing levels of certain major indices at the end of the last five years.
 
     
                  2022
                       2021                        2020                        2019                        2018  
           
S&P 500
     3,840        4,766        3,756        3,231        2,507  
           
Nasdaq
     10,466        15,645        12,888        8,973        6,635  
           
FTSE 100
     7,452        7,385        6,461        7,542        6,728  
           
AEX
     689        798        625        605        488  
The sensitivity analysis of net result and shareholders’ equity to changes in equity prices is presented in the table below. The sensitivity of shareholders’ equity and net result to changes in equity markets reflects changes in the market value of Aegon’s portfolio, changes in DPAC amortization, contributions to pension plans for Aegon’s employees and the strengthening of the guaranteed minimum benefits, when applicable. Aegon generally has positive income benefits from equity market increases and negative impacts from equity market declines as it earns fees on policyholder account balances and provides minimum guarantees for account values. Aegon uses options and other equity derivatives to provide protection against the negative impact of equity market declines.
Sensitivity analysis of net result and shareholders’ equity to equity markets
 
Immediate change of   
    Estimated approximate effects
on net result
        Estimated approximate effects
on shareholders’ equity
 
     
2022
1)
                
     
Equity increase 10%
     168       202  
     
Equity decrease 10%
     (237     (288
     
Equity increase 25%
     358       456  
     
Equity decrease 25%
     (551     (666
     
2021
1)
                
     
Equity increase 10%
     151       341  
     
Equity decrease 10%
     (212     (221
     
Equity increase 25%
     322       660  
     
Equity decrease 25%
     (529     (685
 
1
 
Includes the approximate effects of the disposal group
Interest rate risk
Aegon bears interest rate risk with many of its products. In cases where cash flows are highly predictable, investing in assets that closely match the cash flow profile of the liabilities can offset this risk. For some Aegon country units, local capital markets are not well developed, which prevents the complete matching of assets and liabilities for those businesses. For some products, cash flows are less predictable as a result of policyholder actions that can be affected by the level of interest rates.
In periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals may increase. Premiums in flexible premium policies may decrease as policyholders seek investments with higher perceived returns. This activity may result in cash payments by Aegon requiring the sale of invested assets at a time when the prices of those assets are adversely affected by the increase in market interest rates; this may result in realized investment losses. These cash payments to policyholders result in a decrease in total invested assets and a decrease in net result. Among other things, early withdrawals may also require accelerated amortization of DPAC, which in turn reduces net result.
During periods of sustained low interest rates, Aegon may not be able to preserve margins as a result of minimum interest rate guarantees and minimum guaranteed crediting rates provided on policies. Also, investment earnings may be lower because the interest earnings on new fixed-income investments are likely to have declined with the market interest rates. Mortgage loans and redeemable bonds in the investment portfolio are more likely to be repaid as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates and Aegon may be required to reinvest the proceeds in securities bearing lower interest rates. Accordingly, net result declines as a result of a decrease in the spread between returns on the investment portfolio and the interest rates either credited to policyholders or assumed in reserves.
Aegon manages interest rate risk closely, taking into account all of the complexity regarding policyholder behavior and management action. Aegon employs sophisticated interest rate measurement techniques and actively uses derivatives and other risk mitigation tools to closely manage its interest rate risk exposure. Aegon operates an Investment & Counterparty Risk policy that limits the amount of interest rate risk to which the Group is exposed. All derivative use is governed by Aegon’s Derivative Use Policy. A detailed description on the use of derivatives within Aegon is included in note 24 Derivatives.
In 2020 Transamerica commenced a multi-year plan to gradually reduce its economic interest rate risk, primarily by lengthening the duration of the assets to provide a closer match to the liability duration and extending the existing forward starting swap program. The program has been completed in 2022.
Furthermore, in 2021, Transamerica expanded its dynamic hedge program to variable annuities with guaranteed minimum death benefit riders (GMDB) and remaining policies with guaranteed minimum income (GMIB) riders. This builds on the effective dynamic hedge program of policies with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB). The dynamic hedge program covers the interest rate (and equity risks) embedded in the guarantees of its entire variable annuity portfolio. Dynamic hedging stabilizes cash flows and reduces sensitivities to changes in interest rates (and equity markets) on an economic basis.
The following table shows interest rates at the end of each of the last five years.
     
            2022
                 2021                 2020                 2019                 2018  
           
3-month US LIBOR
     4.77%        0.21%       0.24%       1.91%       2.81%  
           
3-month EURIBOR
     2.13%        (0.57%     (0.55%     (0.38%     (0.31%
           
10-year US Treasury
     3.83%        1.78%       0.91%       1.91%       2.69%  
           
10-year Dutch government
     2.91%        (0.03%     (0.48%     (0.06%     0.39%  
The sensitivity analysis in the table below shows an estimate of the effect of a parallel shift in the yield curves on net result and shareholders’ equity arising from the impact on general account investments and offset due to liabilities from insurance and investment contracts. Timing and valuation differences between assets and liabilities may cause short-term reductions in net result as rates rise. Rising interest rates would also cause the fair value of the available-for-sale bond portfolio to decline and the level of unrealized gains could become too low to support recoverability of the full deferred tax asset triggering an allowance charge to income. The offsetting economic gain on the insurance and investment contracts is however not fully reflected in the sensitivities because many of these liabilities are not measured at fair value. The short to medium term reduction in net result due to rising interest rates would be offset by higher net result in later years, all else being equal. Therefore, higher interest rates are not considered a long-term risk to the Group. However, a long sustained period of low interest rates will erode net result due to lower returns earned on reinvestments and due to lower long term returns from decreased overall portfolio yields.
 
Parallel movement of yield curve
             Estimated approximate effects
on net result
              Estimated approximate effects
on shareholders’ equity
 
     
2022
1)
                
     
Shift up 100 basis points
     (257     (3,966
     
Shift down 100 basis points
     (1,166     1,993  
     
2021
1)
                
     
Shift up 100 basis points
     296       (3,591
     
Shift down 100 basis points
     (594     2,906  
 
1
 
Includes the approximate effects of the disposal group
Aegon’s sensitivity to interest rate risk has changed per December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021 and is mainly the result of the improvements in the LAT deficit in the Netherlands, refer to note 51 Discontinued operations. The impact from increasing interest rates on the result before tax is capped to the net LAT deficit position in the Netherlands. The impact from decreasing interest rates on result before tax is changed as there is no revaluation reserve available for shadow loss recognition in the net LAT deficit.
The hedge strategy targets minimal mismatch according to the Aegon economic framework (which broadly aligns with Solvency II Own Funds) and stabilizes Solvency II ratio volatility to a large extent.
Risks and risks management arising from financial instruments subject to interest rate benchmark reform
The future of IBORs (Interbank Offered Rates) such as EURIBOR, EONIA and LIBOR has been a major topic on the global agenda since the G20 asked the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to undertake a fundamental review of leading interest rate benchmarks in 2013. The FSB proposed new standards to reform interest rate benchmarks and the use of transaction-based input data instead of non-transactional/panel input data.
To prepare for the IBOR transition all Aegon units have written transition plan containing among others project solutions and actions, timelines and ownership to ensure timely preparation and implementation. We are currently implementing the actions as described in the transition plans.
There are no plans for the discontinuation for EURIBOR and appropriate fallback language has been
implemented
for derivatives via the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (‘ISDA’) fallback protocol and rulebook changes by the clearing houses.
In the US the relevant USD LIBOR benchmark rates are expected to remain available for existing contracts until mid 2023 and these instruments are expected to either be transitioned actively to Secured Overnight Funding Rate (‘SOFR’) before the 2023 deadline, via the ISDA fallback protocol or via a legislative solution.
In July 2020 the discount rates of EUR cleared derivatives switched from EONIA to
STR which impacted the valuation of derivatives for which compensation was exchanged. All EUR Credit Support Annex (‘CSA’) which have positions outstanding have been amended from EONIA to
STR discounting. In the US, the cleared market has switched discount rates from Fed Funds to SOFR in October 2020. The switch in discount rates is expected to lead to increased liquidity in the new risk free rates.
Aegon recognizes that the reform of IBORs and any transition to replacement rates entail risks for all our businesses across our assets and liabilities. These risks include, but are not limited to:
  Legal risks, as Aegon is required to make changes to documentation for new and existing transactions, such as funding instruments issued with an IBOR reference and derivatives held with an IBOR reference;
  Financial risks, arising from any changes in the valuation of financial instruments linked to benchmark rates, such as derivatives and floating rate notes, issued by, or invested in by Aegon;
  Pricing risks, as changes to benchmark indices could impact pricing mechanisms on some funding instruments or investments;
  Operational risks, due to the potential requirement to adapt informational technology systems, trade reporting infrastructure and operational processes; and
  Conduct risks, relating to communication with potential impact on Aegon’s customers, and engagement during the transition period.
Various supranational institutions, central banks, regulators, benchmark administrators and industry working groups play a role in the benchmark reform and the preparation for the replacement of IBORs. Although a lot of work has been done, there is still significant uncertainty around liquidity development, and the timetable and mechanisms for implementation, including application of spread adjustments to the alternative reference rates. Accordingly, it is not currently possible to determine whether, or to what extent, any such changes would affect Aegon. However, the implementation of alternative reference rates may have a material adverse effect on Aegon’s business, financial condition, customers, and operations.
The table below summarize the exposures of non-derivative financial assets and non-derivative liabilities that yet have to transition to alternative benchmark rates.
 
    
2022
1)
     2021  
         
Non derivative financial instruments to transition to
alternative benchmark
  
    Financial assets
non-derivatives
    
                Financial
liabilities
non-derivatives
         Financial assets
non-derivatives
                     Financial
liabilities
non-derivatives
 
         
By benchmark rate
                                   
         
GBP LIBOR
     27        -        19        -  
         
USD LIBOR
     814        1,218        822        1,143  
         
Euribor
     34        1,200        3,095        1,200  
         
Fed Funds
     -        -        102        -  
         
Total
  
 
875
 
  
 
2,418
 
  
 
4,038
 
  
 
2,343
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the non derivative financial instruments of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
The table below summarize the exposures of derivatives that yet have to transition to alternative benchmark rates.
 
     
2022
1)
     2021  
     
Derivative financial instruments to transition to alternative benchmark
  
  Nominal Value
       Nominal Value  
     
By benchmark rate
                 
     
GBP LIBOR
     -        -  
     
USD LIBOR
     39,752        54,232  
     
Euribor
     563        113,593  
     
Fed Funds
     -        3,574  
     
Total
  
 
40,315
 
  
 
171,399
 
 
1
 
2022 excludes the derivative financial instruments of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
Currency exchange rate risk
As an international group, Aegon is subject to foreign currency translation risk. Foreign currency exposure exists mainly when policies are denominated in currencies other than the issuer’s functional currency. Currency risk in the investment portfolios backing insurance and investment liabilities is managed using asset liability matching principles. Assets allocated to equity are kept in local currencies to the extent shareholders’ equity is required to satisfy regulatory and self-imposed
capital requirements. Therefore, currency exchange rate fluctuations will affect the level of shareholders’ equity as a result of translation of subsidiaries into euro, the Group’s presentation currency. Aegon holds the remainder of its capital base (perpetual capital securities, subordinated and senior debt) in various currencies in amounts that are targeted to correspond to the book value of the country units. This balancing mitigates currency translation impacts on shareholders’ equity and leverage ratios. Aegon does not hedge the income streams from the main non-euro units and, as a result, earnings may fluctuate due to currency translation. As Aegon has significant business segments in the Americas and in the United Kingdom, the principal sources of exposure from currency fluctuations are from the differences between the US dollar and the euro and between the UK pound and the euro. Aegon may experience significant changes in net result and shareholders’ equity because of these fluctuations.
Aegon operates an Investment & Counterparty Risk Policy which applies currency risk exposure limits both at Group and regional levels, and under which direct currency speculation or program trading by country units is not allowed unless explicit approval has been granted by the Group Risk and Capital Committee and the Management Board. Assets should be held in the functional currency of the business written or hedged back to that currency. Where this is not possible or practical, remaining currency exposure should be sufficiently documented and limits are placed on the total exposure at both group level and for individual country units.
Information on Aegon’s three year historical net result and shareholders’ equity in functional currency are shown in the table below:
 
     
                    2022
                        2021                          2020  
       
Net result
                         
       
Americas (in USD)
     (1,486     1,195        (611
       
United Kingdom (in GBP)
     146       104        60  
       
Equity in functional currency
                         
       
Americas (in USD)
     6,228       18,324        19,127  
       
United Kingdom (in GBP)
     1,108       1,260        1,391  
The exchange rates for US dollar and UK pound per euro for each of the last five year ends are set forth in the table below:
 
Closing rates
  
            2022
                 2021                  2020                  2019                  2018  
           
USD
     1.07        1.14        1.22        1.12        1.14  
           
GBP
     0.89        0.84        0.90        0.85        0.90  
Aegon Group companies’ foreign currency exposure from monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (that is, other than the entity’s functional currency), is not material.
The sensitivity analysis in the following table shows an estimate of the translation effect of movements in the exchange rates of functional currencies of foreign subsidiaries against the euro presentation currency of the Group’s financial statements, on net income and shareholders’ equity.
Sensitivity analysis of net result and shareholders’ equity to translation risk
 
Movement of currency exchange rates
1)
  
Estimated approximate effects
on net result
    Estimated approximate effects
on shareholders’ equity
 
     
2022
2)
                
     
Increase by 15% of USD currencies relative to the euro
     (230     1,342  
     
Increase by 15% of GBP currencies relative to the euro
     188       2,125  
     
Increase by 15% of
non-euro
currencies relative to the euro
     (220     1,590  
     
Decrease by 15% of USD currencies relative to the euro
     169       (1,024
     
Decrease by 15% of GBP currencies relative to the euro
     141       1,497  
     
Decrease by 15% of
non-euro
currencies relative to the euro
     163       (1,175
     
2021
2)
                
     
Increase by 15% of USD currencies relative to the euro
     205       3,249  
     
Increase by 15% of GBP currencies relative to the euro
     152       1,900  
     
Increase by 15% of
non-euro
currencies relative to the euro
     244       3,541  
     
Decrease by 15% of USD currencies relative to the euro
     (153     (2,441
     
Decrease by 15% of GBP currencies relative to the euro
     107       1,315  
     
Decrease by 15% of
non-euro
currencies relative to the euro
     (179     (2,616
 
1
 
The effect of currency exchange movements is reflected as a one-time shift up or down in the value of the non-euro currencies relative to the euro on December 31.
2
 
Includes the approximate effects of the disposal group
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is inherent in much of Aegon’s business. Each asset purchased and liability incurred has its own liquidity characteristics. Some liabilities are surrenderable while some assets, such as privately placed loans, mortgage loans, real estate and limited partnership interests, have low liquidity. If Aegon requires significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements and existing credit facilities, it may have difficulty selling these investments at attractive prices or in a timely manner. Liquidity risk is also affected by the use of collateralized financial derivatives to mitigate other risks.
Aegon operates a Liquidity Risk Policy under which country units are obliged to maintain sufficient levels of highly liquid assets to meet cash demands by policyholders and account holders over the next two years. Potential cash demands are assessed under a stress scenario including spikes in disintermediation risk due to rising interest rates and concerns over Aegon’s financial strength due to multiple downgrades of the Group’s credit rating. At the same time, the liquidity of assets other than cash and government issues is assumed to be severely impaired for an extended period of time. All legal entities and Aegon Group must maintain enough liquidity in order to meet all cash needs under this extreme scenario.
Aegon held EUR 13,392 million of general account investments in cash, money market products and government bonds that are readily saleable or redeemable on demand, which excludes the investment of the disposal group (2021: EUR 31,101 million and includes the disposal group). The Group expects to meet its obligations, even in a stressed liquidity event, from operating cash flows and the proceeds of maturing assets as well as these highly liquid assets. Further, the Group has access to back-up credit facilities, as disclosed in note 37 Borrowings, amounting to EUR 3,435 million which were unused at the end of the reporting period (2021: EUR 3,399 million).
The maturity analysis below shows the remaining contractual maturities of each category of financial liabilities (including coupon interest). When the counterparty has a choice of when an amount is paid, the liability is included on the basis of the earliest date on which it can be required to be paid. Financial liabilities that can be required to be paid on demand without any delay are reported in the category ‘On demand.’ If there is a notice period, it has been assumed that notice is given immediately and the repayment has been presented at the earliest date after the end of the notice period. When the amount payable is not fixed, the amount reported is determined by reference to the conditions existing at the reporting date. For example, when the amount payable varies with changes in an index, the amount disclosed may be based on the level of the index at the reporting date.
To manage the liquidity risk arising from financial liabilities, Aegon holds liquid assets comprising cash and cash equivalents and investment grade investment securities for which there is an active and liquid market. These assets can be readily sold to meet liquidity requirements. For this reason, Aegon believes that it is not necessary to disclose a maturity analysis in respect of these assets to enable users to evaluate the nature and extent of liquidity risk.
Maturity analysis – gross
undiscounted contractual cash flows
(for non-derivatives)
         On demand            < 1 yr amount      1 < 5 yrs
      amount
     5 < 10 yrs
      amount
     > 10 yrs
      amount
           Total amount    
2022
2)
                                                     
Trust pass-through securities
     -        10        114        17        60        200    
Subordinated loans
     -        113        370        242        3,068        3,792    
Borrowings
     -        1,312        3,130        94        500        5,036    
Lease liabilities
     -        35        99        63        55        251    
Other financial liabilities
     4,263        795        355        34        47        5,495    
Total financial liabilities (excluding investment/insurance contracts)
  
 
4,263
 
  
 
2,265
 
  
 
4,067
 
  
 
450
 
  
 
3,729
 
  
 
14,775  
 
Investment contracts
1)
     9,642        1,445        385        186        141        11,798    
Investment contracts for account of policyholders
1)
     22,748        31,186        7        4        2        53,948    
Total investment contracts
  
 
32,389
 
  
 
32,631
 
  
 
392
 
  
 
190
 
  
 
143
 
  
 
65,746  
 
             
2021
                                                     
             
Trust pass-through securities
     -        9        113        16        60        197    
Subordinated loans
     -        108        377        246        2,964        3,695    
Borrowings
     -        901        7,651        956        1,052        10,559    
Lease liabilities
     -        37        86        67        70        259    
Other financial liabilities
     4,993        1,749        325        154        224        7,444    
Total financial liabilities (excluding investment/insurance contracts)
  
 
4,993
 
  
 
2,803
 
  
 
8,551
 
  
 
1,439
 
  
 
4,368
 
  
 
22,154  
 
Investment contracts
1)
     17,254        2,681        2,114        1,101        655        23,804    
Investment contracts for account of policyholders
1)
     34,756        34,571        10        6        4        69,347    
Total investment contracts
  
 
52,009
 
  
 
37,252
 
  
 
2,124
 
  
 
1,107
 
  
 
659
 
  
 
93,151  
 
 
1
 
Excluding investment contracts with discretionary participating features.
2
 
2022 excludes the liabilities of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
Aegon’s liquidity management is based on expected claims and benefit payments rather than on the contractual maturities. The projected cash benefit payments in the table below are based on management’s best estimates of the expected gross benefits and expenses, partially offset by the expected gross premiums, fees and charges relating to the existing business in force. Estimated cash benefit payments are based on mortality, morbidity and lapse assumptions based on Aegon’s historical experience, modified for recently observed trends. Actual payment obligations may differ if experience varies from these assumptions. The cash benefit payments are presented on an undiscounted basis and are before deduction of tax and before reinsurance.
 
Financial liabilities relating to insurance and
investment contracts
1)
    On demand       < 1 yr amount           1 < 5 yrs
amount
              5 < 10 yrs
amount
              > 10 yrs
amount
      Total amount   
2022
2)
                                               
Insurance contracts
    -       3,432       11,364       11,946       116,169       142,911  
Insurance contracts for account of policyholders
    -       7,456       30,877       29,565       113,346       181,245  
Investment contracts
    -       1,737       4,814       2,581       4,379       13,511  
Investment contracts for account of policyholders
    -       6,107       23,626       26,970       89,126       145,829  
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
18,732
 
 
 
70,681
 
 
 
71,062
 
 
 
323,021
 
 
 
483,496
 
             
2021
                                               
             
Insurance contracts
    -       4,260       16,215       18,438       127,344       166,257  
Insurance contracts for account of policyholders
    -       11,494       41,638       39,941       131,667       224,740  
Investment contracts
    -       8,324       7,975       3,847       4,438       24,584  
Investment contracts for account of policyholders
    193       14,011       27,637       31,715       84,825       158,381  
 
 
 
193
 
 
 
38,089
 
 
 
93,465
 
 
 
93,941
 
 
 
348,274
 
 
 
573,962
 
 
1
 
The liability amount in the consolidated financial statements reflects the discounting for interest as well as adjustments for the timing of other factors as described above. As a result, the sum of the cash benefit payments shown for all years in the table exceeds the corresponding liability amounts included in notes 34 Insurance contracts and 35 Investments contracts.
2
 
2022 excludes the liabilities of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
The following table details the Group’s liquidity analysis for its derivative financial instruments, based on the undiscounted contractual net cash inflows and outflows on derivative instruments that settle on a net basis, and the undiscounted gross inflows and outflows on those derivatives that require gross settlement.
 
Maturity analysis relating to derivatives
1)
(Contractual cash flows)
     On demand        < 1 yr amount            1 < 5 yrs
amount
 
 
             5 < 10 yrs
amount
 
 
             > 10 yrs
amount
 
 
     Total amount   
2022
2)
                                                     
             
Gross settled
                                                     
Cash inflows
     -        15,301        575        675        1,741        18,293  
Cash outflows
     -        (15,242      (443      (633      (1,600      (17,919
             
Net settled
                                                     
Cash inflows
     -        1,552        4,255        3,812        6,227        15,846  
Cash outflows
     -        (1,937      (4,222      (3,700      (14,214      (24,072
2021
                                                     
             
Gross settled
                                                     
Cash inflows
     -        4,300        3,728        5,034        104,335        117,396  
Cash outflows
     -        (4,895      (7,080      (9,499      (105,376      (126,850
             
Net settled
                                                     
Cash inflows
     -        683        3,442        3,640        5,375        13,140  
Cash outflows
     -        (780      (3,032      (3,102      (12,591      (19,505
 
1
Derivatives includes all financial derivatives regardless whether they have a positive or a negative value. It does not include bifurcated embedded derivatives. These are presented together with the host contract. For interest rate derivatives only, cash flows related to the pay leg are taken into account for determining the gross undiscounted cash flows.
2
2022 excludes the derivatives of the disposal group, which are separately disclosed in note 51 Discontinued operations.
For maturity information on other obligations, please refer to note 45 Commitments and contingencies.