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Derivatives
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]  
Derivatives
Derivatives
Variable Annuity Reinsurance  
Derivative [Line Items]  
Derivatives
Variable Annuity Reinsurance

White Mountains has entered into agreements to reinsure death and living benefit guarantees associated with certain variable annuities in Japan.  As of December 31, 2014, the total guarantee value was approximately ¥134.2 billion (approximately $1.1 billion at exchange rates on that date).  The collective account values of the underlying variable annuities were approximately 113% of the guarantee value as of December 31, 2014.
The following table summarizes the pre-tax operating results of WM Life Re for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
Millions
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Fees, included in other revenue
 
$
18.6

 
$
25.0

 
$
31.8

Change in fair value of variable annuity liability, included in other revenue
 
52.9

 
378.5

 
312.8

Change in fair value of derivatives, included in other revenue
 
(72.4
)
 
(402.0
)
 
(339.0
)
Foreign exchange, included in other revenue
 
(3.2
)
 
(14.5
)
 
(30.3
)
Other investment income and (losses) gains
 
(1.4
)
 
(7.1
)
 
2.5

Total revenues
 
(5.5
)
 
(20.1
)
 
(22.2
)
Change in fair value of variable annuity death benefit liabilities, included in
   general and administrative expenses
 
.6

 
10.2

 
14.2

Death benefit claims paid, included in general and administrative expenses
 
(.1
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(5.7
)
General and administrative expenses
 
(4.3
)
 
(4.9
)
 
(5.2
)
Pre-tax loss
 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
(16.7
)
 
$
(18.9
)


During 2013, the ratio of annuitants’ aggregate account values to the aggregate guarantee value provided by WM Life Re increased, and as a result, annuitants surrendered their policies at higher rates than WM Life Re observed in the past. In response to this trend, WM Life Re adjusted the projected surrender assumptions used in the valuation of its variable annuity reinsurance liability upward. In 2014, surrender rates continued to outpace assumptions and WM Life Re again adjusted the projected surrender assumptions. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the change in the fair value of the variable annuity liability included $0.2 million of losses and $7.2 million of gains, respectively, associated with changes in projected surrender assumptions. There was no change in projected surrender assumptions in 2012.
All of White Mountains’s variable annuity reinsurance liabilities were classified as Level 3 measurements as of December 31, 2014.
The following summarizes realized and unrealized gains (losses) recognized in other revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the carrying values as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 by type of derivative instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying Value
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
December 31,
Millions
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
Fixed income/interest rate
 
$
(33.7
)
 
$
(108.7
)
 
$
(149.5
)
 
$
(1.7
)
 
$
(9.7
)
Foreign exchange
 
(1.3
)
 
(96.7
)
 
(102.3
)
 
44.1

 
58.0

Equity
 
(37.4
)
 
(196.6
)
 
(87.2
)
 
14.0

 
20.9

Total
 
$
(72.4
)
 
$
(402.0
)
 
$
(339.0
)
 
$
56.4

 
$
69.2



The following table summarizes the changes in White Mountains’s variable annuity reinsurance liabilities and derivative instruments for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
Variable Annuity
(Liabilities)
 
Derivative Instruments
Millions
 
Level 3
 
Level 3(1)(6)
 
Level 2(1)(2)
 
Level 1(3)
 
Total(4)
Balance at January 1, 2014
 
$
(52.8
)
 
$
63.4

 
$
4.7

 
$
1.1

 
$
69.2

Purchases
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
53.5

(5) 
(38.6
)
 
(71.0
)
 
37.2

 
(72.4
)
Transfers in (out)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Sales/settlements
 
—

 
(5.9
)
 
100.1

 
(34.6
)
 
59.6

Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
.7

 
$
18.9

 
$
33.8

 
$
3.7

 
$
56.4

 
 
Variable Annuity
(Liabilities)
 
Derivative Instruments
Millions
 
Level 3
 
Level 3(1)(6)
 
Level 2(1)(2)
 
Level 1(3)
 
Total(4)
Balance at January 1, 2013
 
$
(441.5
)
 
$
140.5

 
$
(20.5
)
 
$
(21.7
)
 
$
98.3

Purchases
 
—

 
59.4

 
—

 
—

 
59.4

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
388.7

(5) 
(136.5
)
 
(196.1
)
 
(69.4
)
 
(402.0
)
Transfers in (out)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Sales/settlements
 
—

 
—

 
221.3

 
92.2

 
313.5

Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
(52.8
)
 
$
63.4

 
$
4.7

 
$
1.1

 
$
69.2

 
 
Variable Annuity
(Liabilities)
 
Derivative Instruments
Millions
 
Level 3
 
Level 3(1)(6)
 
Level 2(1)(2)
 
Level 1(3)
 
Total(4)
Balance at January 1, 2012
 
$
(768.5
)
 
$
247.1

 
$
39.2

 
$
4.1

 
$
290.4

Purchases
 
—

 
6.1

 
—

 
—

 
6.1

Realized and unrealized gains (losses)
 
327.0

(5) 
(84.0
)
 
(186.9
)
 
(68.1
)
 
(339.0
)
Transfers in (out)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Sales/settlements
 
—

 
(28.7
)
 
127.2

 
42.3

 
140.8

Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
(441.5
)
 
$
140.5

 
$
(20.5
)
 
$
(21.7
)
 
$
98.3

(1) 
Consists of over-the-counter instruments.
(2) 
Consists of interest rate swaps, total return swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, and bond forwards. Fair value measurement based upon bid/ask pricing quotes for similar instruments that are actively traded, where available.  Swaps for which an active market does not exist have been priced using observable inputs including the swap curve and the underlying bond index.
(3) 
Consists of exchange traded equity index, foreign currency and interest rate futures. Fair value measurements based upon quoted prices for identical instruments that are actively traded.
(4) 
In addition to derivative instruments, WM Life Re held cash, short-term and fixed maturity investments of $33.2, $81.3 and $393.6 as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 posted as collateral to its reinsurance counterparties.
(5) 
Includes $0.6, $10.2, $14.2 for December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 related to the change in the fair value of variable annuity death benefit liabilities, which are included in general and administrative expenses.
(6) Consists of foreign currency options and equity options.

In addition, WM Life Re held cash and short-term investments posted as collateral to its variable annuity reinsurance and derivatives counterparties. The total collateral includes the following:
 
 
December 31,
Millions
 
2014
 
2013
Cash
 
$
23.7

 
$
56.1

Short-term investments
 
—

 
2.0

Fixed maturity investments
 
9.5

 
23.2

Total
 
$
33.2

 
$
81.3


Collateral in the form of fixed maturity securities consists of Government of Japan Bonds, which are recorded at fair value. Collateral in the form of short-term investments consists of money-market instruments, carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. 
All of White Mountains’s variable annuity reinsurance liabilities were classified as Level 3 measurements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The fair value of White Mountains’s variable annuity reinsurance liabilities are estimated using actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected discounted cash flows over the term of the reinsurance agreement. Assumptions regarding future policyholder behavior, including surrender and lapse rates, are generally unobservable inputs and significantly impact the fair value estimates. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates as well as the variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior may result in significant fluctuations in the fair value estimates. Generally, the liabilities associated with these guarantees increase with declines in the equity markets, interest rates and currencies against the Japanese yen, as well as with increases in market volatilities. White Mountains uses derivative instruments, including put options, interest rate swaps, total return swaps on bond and equity indices and forwards and futures contracts on major equity indices, currency pairs and government bonds, to mitigate the risks associated with changes in the fair value of the reinsured variable annuity guarantees. The types of inputs used to estimate the fair value of these derivative instruments, with the exception of actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior and risk margins, are generally the same as those used to estimate the fair value of variable annuity liabilities.
The following summarizes quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs associated with the fair value estimates for variable annuity reinsurance liabilities and derivative instruments that have been classified as Level 3 measurements:
($ in Millions)
 
December 31, 2014
Description
 
Fair 
Value
 
Valuation 
Technique(s)
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
 
Weighted Average
Variable annuity benefit guarantee asset
 
$
.7

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Surrenders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     0-1 year
 
0.2
 %
-
40.0%
 
40.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
     1-2 years
 
0.1
 %
-
40.0%
 
32.1
%
 
 
 

 
 
 
Mortality
 
0.0
 %
-
5.9%
 
1.0
%
 
 
 

 
 
 
Foreign exchange volatilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     0-1 year
 
12.6
 %
-
15.1%
 
13.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
     1-2 years
 
11.7
 %
-
13.8%
 
12.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Index volatilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     0-1 year
 
24.0
 %
-
26.6%
 
25.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
     1-2 years
 
19.4
 %
-
23.1%
 
21.8
%
Foreign Exchange Options
 
$
7.2

 
Counterparty valuations, adjusted for unwind quote discount
 
Adjustment to counterparty valuations
 
(0.5
)%
-
11.6%
 
3.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Index Options
 
$
11.7

 
Counterparty valuations, adjusted for unwind quote discount
 
Adjustment to counterparty valuations
 
0.7
 %
-
6.5%
 
2.0
%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


WM Life Re enters into both over-the-counter (“OTC”) and exchange traded derivative instruments to economically hedge the liability from the variable annuity benefit guarantee.  In the case of OTC derivatives, WM Life Re has exposure to credit risk for amounts that are uncollateralized by counterparties. WM Life Re’s internal risk management guidelines establish net counterparty exposure thresholds that take into account OTC counterparties’ credit ratings. The OTC derivative contracts are subject to restrictions on liquidation of the instruments and distribution of proceeds under collateral agreements. 
In the case of exchange traded instruments, WM Life Re has exposure to credit risk for amounts uncollateralized by margin balances. WM Life Re has entered into master netting agreements with certain of its counterparties whereby the collateral provided (held) is calculated on a net basis. The following summarizes amounts offset under master netting agreements:
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Millions
 
Gross asset amounts before offsets(1)
 
Gross liability amounts offset under master netting arrangements
 
Net amounts recognized in Other Assets
 
Gross asset amounts before offsets(1)
 
Gross liability amounts offset under master netting arrangements
 
Net amounts recognized in Other Assets
Interest rate contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC
 
$
1.0

 
$
(5.4
)
 
$
(4.4
)
 
$
2.4

 
$
(11.7
)
 
$
(9.3
)
Exchange traded
 
2.8

 
(.1
)
 
2.7

 
1.0

 
(1.6
)
 
(.6
)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC
 
45.5

 
—

 
45.5

 
67.8

 
(12.0
)
 
55.8

Exchange traded
 
—

 
(1.4
)
 
(1.4
)
 
2.3

 
—

 
2.3

Equity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC
 
11.7

 
(.2
)
 
11.5

 
30.7

 
(9.2
)
 
21.5

Exchange traded
 
3.4

 
(.9
)
 
2.5

 
1.8

 
(2.3
)
 
(.5
)
Total(2)
 
$
64.4

 
$
(8.0
)
 
$
56.4

 
$
106.0

 
$
(36.8
)
 
$
69.2


(1) Amount equal to fair value of instrument as recognized in other assets.
(2) All derivative instruments held by WM Life Re are subject to master netting arrangements.

The following summarizes the value, collateral held or provided by WM Life Re and net exposure to credit losses on OTC and exchange traded derivative instruments by counterparty recorded within other assets:
 
 
December 31, 2014
Millions
 
Net amount of assets reflected in Balance Sheet
 
Collateral provided to counterparty - Cash
 
Collateral provided to counter-party - Financial Instruments
 
Net amount of exposure after effect of collateral provided
 
Excess collateral provided to counter-party- Cash
 
Excess collateral provided - Financial Instruments
 
Counter-party collateral held by WM Life Re - Cash
 
Net amount of exposure to counter-party
 
Standard
& Poor's
Rating(1)
JP Morgan
 
$
24.3

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
24.3

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
8.8

 
$
15.5

 
A
+
Bank of America
 
5.6

 
—

 
—

 
5.6

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5.6

 
A
 
Nomura
 
(3.5
)
 
3.5

 
—

 
—

 
1.7

 
9.5

 
—

 
11.2

 
BBB
+
Citigroup - OTC
 
22.2

 
—

 
—

 
22.2

 
—

 
—

 
1.1

 
21.1

 
A
 
Citigroup - Exchange Traded
 
3.7

 
—

 
—

 
3.7

 
16.0

 
—

 
—

 
19.7

 
A
 
Royal Bank of Scotland
 
4.0

 
—

 
—

 
4.0

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4.0

 
A
-
Barclays
 
.1

 
—

 
—

 
.1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
.1

 
A
 
   Total
 
$
56.4

 
$
3.5

 
$
—

 
$
59.9

 
$
17.7

 
$
9.5

 
$
9.9

 
$
77.2

 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
Millions
 
Net amount of assets reflected in Balance Sheet
 
Collateral provided to counterparty - Cash
 
Collateral provided to counter-party - Financial Instruments
 
Net amount of exposure after effect of collateral provided
 
Excess collateral provided to counter-party- Cash
 
Excess collateral provided - Financial Instruments
 
Counter-party collateral held by WM Life Re- Cash
 
Net amount of exposure to counter-party
 
Standard
& Poor's
Rating(1)
JP Morgan
 
$
9.1

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
9.1

 
$
22.0

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
31.1

 
A
+
Bank of America
 
27.2

 
—

 
—

 
27.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27.2

 
A
 
Nomura
 
(.4
)
 
—

 
.4

 
—

 
—

 
22.8

 
.8

 
22.0

 
BBB
+
Citigroup - OTC
 
19.4

 
—

 
—

 
19.4

 
2.3

 
—

 
—

 
21.7

 
A
 
Citigroup - Exchange Traded
 
1.2

 
—

 
—

 
1.2

 
19.8

 
—

 
—

 
21.0

 
A
 
Royal Bank of Scotland
 
11.3

 
—

 
—

 
11.3

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11.3

 
A
-
Barclays
 
1.4

 
—

 
—

 
1.4

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1.4

 
A
 
   Total
 
$
69.2

 
$
—

 
$
.4

 
$
69.6

 
$
44.1

 
$
22.8

 
$
.8

 
$
135.7

 
 
 
(1) 
Standard & Poor’s ratings as detailed above are:  “A+” (Strong, which is the fifth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings),“A” (which is the sixth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings), “A-” (which is the seventh highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings), and BBB+ (which is the eighth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings).
Forward contracts  
Derivative [Line Items]  
Derivatives
Forward Contracts

Beginning in September 2012, White Mountains entered into foreign currency forward contracts at Sirius Group. White Mountains monitors its exposure to foreign currency and adjusts its forward positions within the risk guidelines and ranges established by senior management for each foreign currency, as necessary. While White Mountains actively manages its forward positions, mismatches between movements in foreign currency rates and its forward contracts may result in foreign currency positions being outside the pre-defined ranges and/or foreign currency losses. As of December 31, 2014, White Mountains held approximately $33.1 million (SEK 257.5 million) total gross notional value of foreign currency forward contracts.
All of White Mountains’s forward contracts are traded over-the-counter. The fair value of the contracts has been estimated using OTC quotes for similar instruments and accordingly, the measurements have been classified as Level 2 measurements as of December 31, 2014.
The net realized and unrealized derivative gains (losses) recognized in net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were 0.3 million and (0.1) million.
All of White Mountains’s forward contracts are subject to master netting agreements. The following summarizes amounts offset under master netting agreements. As of December 31, 2014, the gross liability amount offset under master netting arrangements and net amounts recognized in other investments approximately offset each other. As of December 31, 2013, the gross liability amount offset under master netting arrangements and the net amount recognized in other investments was $(0.1) million.
White Mountains does not hold or provide any collateral for the forward contracts.  The following table summarizes the notional amounts and the uncollateralized balances associated with foreign currency forward contracts:
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Millions
 
Notional Amount
 
Carrying Value
 
Standard & Poor's
 Rating(1)
 
Notional Amount
 
Carrying Value
Barclays Bank Plc
 
$
2.1

 
$
—

 
A
 
$
5.8

 
$
—

Deutsche Bank
 
—

 
—

 
A
 
7.7

 
—

Goldman Sachs
 
8.7

 
—

 
A
 
2.1

 
—

HSBC Bank Plc
 
11.2

 
—

 
AA-
 
3.3

 
(.1
)
JP Morgan
 
5.7

 
—

 
A+
 
1.3

 
—

Royal Bank of Canada
 
5.4

 
—

 
AA-
 
.2

 
—

   Total
 
$
33.1

 
$
—

 
 
 
$
20.4

 
$
(.1
)
(1) 
Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) ratings as detailed above are: “AA-” (Very Strong, which is the sixth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings), “A+” (Strong, which is the seventh highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings) and “A” (Strong, which is the eighth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings).
weather derivatives [Member]  
Derivative [Line Items]  
Derivatives
Weather Derivatives
For the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, Sirius Group recognized $0.2 million and $0.6 million of net gains on its weather and weather contingent derivatives portfolio. The fair values of the assumed contracts are subject to change in the near-term and reflect management’s best estimate based on various factors including, but not limited to, observed and forecasted weather conditions, changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates and other market factors. Estimating the fair value of derivative instruments that do not have quoted market prices requires management’s judgment in determining amounts that could reasonably be expected to be received from or paid to a third party to settle the contracts. Such amounts could be materially different from the amounts that might be realized in an actual transaction to settle the contract with a third party. Because of the significance of the unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of Sirius Group’s weather risk contracts, the fair value measurements of the contracts are deemed to be Level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy.
Sirius Group | Interest Rate Cap  
Derivative [Line Items]  
Derivatives
Interest Rate Cap

In May 2007, SIG issued the SIG Preference Shares, with an initial fixed annual dividend rate of 7.506%. In June 2017, the fixed rate will move to a floating rate equal to the greater of (i) 7.506% or (ii) 3 month LIBOR plus 320 bps. In July 2013, SIG executed an interest rate cap for the period from June 2017 to June 2022 to protect against a significant increase in interest rates during that 5-year period (the “Interest Rate Cap”). The Interest Rate Cap economically fixes the annual dividend rate on the SIG Preference Shares from June 2017 to June 2022 at 8.30%. The cost of the Interest Rate Cap was an upfront premium of 395 bps of the $250.0 million notional value, or approximately $9.9 million for the full notional amount.
The Interest Rate Cap does not qualify for hedge accounting. It is recorded in other assets at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized as unrealized gains or losses and are presented within other revenues. Collateral held is recorded within short-term investments with an equal amount recognized as a liability to return collateral. The fair value of the interest rate cap has been estimated using a single broker quote and accordingly, has been classified as a Level 3 measurement as of December 31, 2014.
The following table summarizes the change in the fair value of the Interest Rate Cap for the year ended December 31, 2014:
 
 
December 31,
Millions
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning of period
 
$
11.1

 
$
—

    Purchases
 
—

 
9.9

    Net realized and unrealized gains
 
(7.0
)
 
1.2

    Sales/settlements
 
—

 
—

End of period
 
$
4.1

 
$
11.1



White Mountains does not provide any collateral to the interest rate counterparties. Under the terms of the Interest Rate Cap, White Mountains holds collateral in respect of future amounts due. White Mountains’s liability to return that collateral is based on the amounts provided by the counterparties and investment earnings thereon. The following table summarizes the Interest Rate Cap collateral balances held by White Mountains and ratings by counterparty:
 
 
December 31, 2014
Millions
 
Collateral Balances Held
 
Standard & Poor’s
 Rating(1)
Barclays Bank Plc
 
$
3.0

 
A
Nordea Bank Finland Plc
 
1.3

 
AA-
   Total
 
$
4.3

 
 
(1)  
Standard & Poor’s ratings as detailed above are: “A” (Strong, which is the sixth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings) and “AA-” (Very Strong, which is the fourth highest of twenty-one creditworthiness ratings).
Tranzact [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]  
Derivative [Line Items]  
Derivatives
Tranzact Interest Rate Swap

Tranzact has a $70.0 million term loan facility (see Note 7) that carries a variable rate equal to the U.S. dollar LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin. At December 31, 2014 the variable interest rate on the term loan was 4.15575%, including a margin over LIBOR of 2.5%. Effective October 10, 2014, to effectively fix the rate it pays on this term loan, Tranzact entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $70.0 million at inception, which decreases over the term of the swap by amounts equivalent to scheduled principal repayments made on Tranzact’s term loan. As of December 31, 2014, the notional amount was $68.7 million, which was equal to the amount then outstanding under the $70.0 million term loan. Under the terms of the swap agreement, Tranzact pays a fixed rate of 1.34% and receives a variable rate, which is reset monthly, based on the then-current U.S. dollar LIBOR rate. The variable rate received by Tranzact under the swap agreement was 0.1518% at inception and 0.1558% at December 31, 2014.
The swap is measured at fair value with changes therein recognized within other revenues and is accounted for as a non-hedge derivative instrument. As of December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of the swap was less than $0.1 million. There are no collateral arrangements associated with the swap.