Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract]

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

The balances of and changes in DAC as of and for the years ended December 31, are as follows: 

	2017			2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,341,093		$	5,129,931		$	5,081,938
Capitalization of commissions, sales and issue expenses	278,892			316,828			616,002
Amortization-Impact of assumption and experience unlocking and true-ups	(16,140		)	130,652			112,039
Amortization-All other	(78,867		)	(758,753		)	(771,208		)
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses	(5,363		)	(28,723		)	91,160
Other(1)	(143,404		)	(3,448,842		)	0
Balance, end of year	$	1,376,211		$	1,341,093		$	5,129,931

(1) Represents ceded DAC upon reinsurance agreements with GUL Re in 2017 and PALAC and Prudential Insurance in 2016. See Note 1 and Note 12 for additional information.