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Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP").
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of VRIAC and its wholly owned subsidiaries, VFP, VIPS, and VRA. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Estimates and Assumptions
Significant Accounting Policies

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Those estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from those estimates, and the differences may be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company has identified the following accounts and policies as the most significant in that they involve a higher degree of judgment, are subject to a significant degree of variability and/or contain significant accounting estimates:
Reserves for future policy benefits;
Deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA");
Valuation of investments and derivatives;
Impairments;
Income taxes; and
•Contingencies
Fair Value Measurement Fair Value MeasurementThe Company measures the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability, which may include inherent risk, restrictions on the sale or use of an asset, or nonperformance risk, including the Company's own credit risk. The estimate of fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability ("exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market, or the most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market, for that asset or liability. The Company uses a number of valuation sources to determine the fair values of its financial assets and liabilities, including quoted market prices, third-party commercial pricing services, third-party brokers, industry-standard, vendor-provided software that models the value based on market observable inputs, and other internal modeling techniques based on projected cash flows.
Investments
Investments

The accounting policies for the Company's principal investments are as follows:

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities: The Company measures its equity securities at fair value and recognizes any changes in fair value in net income.

The Company's fixed maturities are generally designated as available-for-sale. In addition, the Company has fixed maturities accounted for using the fair value option ("FVO"), and in the second quarter of 2021, the Company established a trading portfolio of fixed maturity debt securities. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized capital gains (losses) on these securities are recorded directly in AOCI and presented net of related changes in DAC, VOBA and Deferred income taxes. Trading securities are valued at fair value, with the changes in fair value recorded in Other net gains (losses) and interest income recorded in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, certain fixed maturities have embedded derivatives, which are reported with the host contract on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Certain collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), primarily interest-only and principal-only strips, are accounted for as hybrid instruments and valued at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded in Other net gains (losses). Changes in fair value associated with derivatives purchased to hedge CMOs are also recorded in Other net gains (losses).

Purchases and sales of fixed maturities and equity securities, excluding private placements, are recorded on the trade date. Purchases and sales of private placements and mortgage loans are recorded on the closing date. Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are generally determined on a first-in-first-out ("FIFO") basis.

Interest income on fixed maturities is recorded when earned using an effective yield method, giving effect to amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividends on equity securities are recorded when declared. Such dividends and interest income are recorded in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Included within fixed maturities are loan-backed securities, including residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS"), commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") and asset-backed securities ("ABS"). Amortization of the premium or discount from the purchase of these securities considers the estimated timing and amount of prepayments of the underlying loans. Actual prepayment experience is periodically reviewed and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between the prepayments originally anticipated and the actual prepayments received and currently anticipated. Prepayment assumptions for single-class and multi-class mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") and ABS are estimated by management using inputs obtained from third-party specialists, including broker-dealers, and based on management's knowledge of the current market. For prepayment-sensitive securities such as interest-only and principal-only strips, inverse floaters and credit-sensitive MBS and ABS securities, which represent beneficial interests in securitized financial assets that are not of high credit quality or that have been credit impaired, the effective yield is recalculated on a prospective basis. For all other MBS and ABS, the effective yield is recalculated on a retrospective basis.

Short-term Investments: Short-term investments include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of purchase. These investments are stated at fair value.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate: The Company's mortgage loans on real estate are all commercial mortgage loans, which are reported at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable is reported in Accrued investment income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Mortgage loans are evaluated by the Company's investment professionals, including an appraisal of loan-specific credit quality, property characteristics and market trends. Loan performance is continuously monitored on a loan-specific basis throughout the year. The Company's review includes submitted appraisals, operating statements, rent revenues and annual inspection reports, among other items. This review evaluates whether the properties are performing at a consistent and acceptable level to secure the debt.
Management estimates the credit loss allowance balance using a factor-based method of probability of default and loss given default which incorporates relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Included in the factor-based method are the consideration of debt type, capital market factors, and market vacancy rates, and loan-specific risk characteristics such as debt service coverage ratios (“DSC”), loan-to-value (“LTV”), collateral size, seniority of the loan, segmentation, and property types.

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The change in the allowance for credit losses is recorded in Other net gains (losses). Loans are written off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously written-off and expected to be written-off.

Mortgages are rated for the purpose of quantifying the level of risk. Those loans with higher risk are placed on a watch list and are closely monitored for collateral deficiency or other credit events that may lead to a potential loss of principal or interest. The Company defines delinquent mortgage loans consistent with industry practice as 60 days past due.

Commercial mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status when 90 days in arrears if the Company has concerns regarding the collectability of future payments, or if a loan has matured without being paid off or extended. Factors considered may include conversations with the borrower, loss of major tenant, bankruptcy of borrower or major tenant, decreased property cash flow, number of days past due, or various other circumstances. Based on an assessment as to the collectability of the principal, a determination is made either to apply against the book value or apply according to the contractual terms of the loan. Funds recovered in excess of book value would then be applied to recover expenses, impairments, and then interest. Accrual of interest resumes after factors resulting in doubts about collectability have improved.

For those mortgages that are determined to require foreclosure, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell at the point of foreclosure. Property obtained from foreclosed mortgage loans is recorded in Other investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Policy Loans: Policy loans are carried at an amount equal to the unpaid balance. Interest income on such loans is recorded as earned in Net investment income using the contractually agreed upon interest rate. Generally, interest is capitalized on the policy's anniversary date. Valuation allowances are not established for policy loans, as these loans are collateralized by the cash surrender value of the associated insurance contracts. Any unpaid principal or interest on the loan is deducted from the account value or the death benefit prior to settlement of the policy.

Limited Partnerships/Corporations: The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in limited partnership interests, which consist primarily of private equity and hedge funds. Generally, the Company records its share of earnings using a lag methodology, relying on the most recent financial information available, generally not to exceed three months. The Company's earnings from limited partnership interests accounted for under the equity method are recorded in Net investment income.

Other Investments: Other investments are comprised primarily of the Company's investment in outstanding common stock of an affiliate, Voya Special Investments, Inc., which is accounted for as an equity method investment. Other investments also include Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock and property obtained from foreclosed mortgage loans, as well as other miscellaneous investments. The Company is a member of the FHLB system and is required to own a certain amount of FHLB stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value.

Securities Pledged: The Company engages in securities lending whereby certain securities from its portfolio are loaned to other institutions, through a lending agent, for short periods of time. The Company has the right to approve any institution with whom the lending agent transacts on its behalf. Initial collateral, primarily cash, is required at a minimum rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities. The lending agent retains the collateral and invests it in short-term liquid assets on behalf of the Company. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained or refunded as the market value of the loaned securities fluctuates. The lending agent indemnifies the Company against losses resulting from the failure of a counterparty to return securities pledged where collateral is insufficient to cover the loss.
Impairments

The Company evaluates its available-for-sale general account investments quarterly to determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis has resulted from credit loss or other factors. This evaluation process entails considerable judgment and estimation. Factors considered in this analysis include, but are not limited to, the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, the issuer's financial condition and near-term prospects, future economic conditions and market forecasts, interest rate changes and changes in ratings of the security. A severe unrealized loss position on a fixed maturity may not have any impact on (a) the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and (b) the evaluation of recoverability of all contractual cash flows or the ability to recover an amount at least equal to its amortized cost based on the present value of the expected future cash flows to be collected.

When assessing the Company's intent to sell a security, or if it is more likely than not it will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, management evaluates facts and circumstances such as, but not limited to, decisions to rebalance the investment portfolio and sales of investments to meet cash flow or capital needs.

When the Company has determined it has the intent to sell, or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, and the fair value has declined below amortized cost ("intent impairment"), the individual security is written down from amortized cost to fair value, and a corresponding charge is recorded in Net gains (losses) as impairments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

For available-for-sale securities that do not meet the intent impairment criteria but the Company has determined that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss allowance is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss).

The Company uses the following methodology and significant inputs in determining whether a credit loss exists:

When determining collectability and the period over which the value is expected to recover for U.S. and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and state and political subdivision securities, the Company applies the same considerations utilized in its overall impairment evaluation process, which incorporates information regarding the specific security, the industry and geographic area in which the issuer operates and overall macroeconomic conditions. Projected future cash flows are estimated using assumptions derived from the Company's best estimates of likely scenario-based outcomes, after giving consideration to a variety of variables that includes, but is not limited to: general payment terms of the security; the likelihood that the issuer can service the scheduled interest and principal payments; the quality and amount of any credit enhancements; the security's position within the capital structure of the issuer; possible corporate restructurings or asset sales by the issuer; and changes to the rating of the security or the issuer by rating agencies.
Additional considerations are made when assessing the unique features that apply to certain structured securities, such as subprime, Alt-A, non-agency RMBS, CMBS and ABS. These additional factors for structured securities include, but are not limited to: the quality of underlying collateral; expected prepayment speeds; loan-to-value ratios; debt service coverage ratios; current and forecasted loss severity; consideration of the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security; and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security.
When determining the amount of the credit loss for U.S. and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and state and political subdivision securities, the Company considers the estimated fair value as the recovery value when available information does not indicate that another value is more appropriate. When information is identified that indicates a recovery value other than estimated fair value, the Company considers in the determination of recovery value the same considerations utilized in its overall impairment evaluation process, which incorporates available information and the Company's best estimate of scenario-based outcomes regarding the specific security and issuer; possible corporate restructurings or asset sales by the issuer; the quality and amount of any credit enhancements; the security's position within the capital structure of the issuer; fundamentals of the industry and geographic area in which the security issuer operates; and the overall macroeconomic conditions.
The Company performs a discounted cash flow analysis comparing the current amortized cost of a security to the present value of future cash flows expected to be received, including estimated defaults and prepayments. The discount rate is generally the effective interest rate of the fixed maturity prior to impairment.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded in Net gains (losses) as impairments. Losses are charged against the allowance when the Company believes the uncollectability of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The Company evaluates the collectability of accrued interest receivable as part of its quarterly impairment evaluation of available-for-sale investments. Losses are recorded in Net investment income when the Company believes the uncollectability of the accrued interest receivable is confirmed.
Derivatives
Derivatives

The Company's use of derivatives is limited mainly to economic hedging to reduce the Company's exposure to cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, interest rate risk, credit risk, exchange rate risk and market risk. It is the Company's policy not to offset amounts recognized for derivative instruments and amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement, which provides the Company with the legal right of offset. However, in accordance with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME") rules related to the variation margin payments, the Company is required to adjust the derivative balances with the variation margin payments related to its cleared derivatives executed through CME.

The Company enters into interest rate, equity market, credit default and currency contracts, including swaps, futures, forwards, caps, floors and options, to reduce and manage various risks associated with changes in value, yield, price, cash flow or exchange rates of assets or liabilities held or intended to be held, or to assume or reduce credit exposure associated with a referenced asset, index or pool. The Company also utilizes options and futures on equity indices to reduce and manage risks associated with its annuity products. Derivative contracts are reported as Derivatives assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in Other net gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

To qualify for hedge accounting, at the inception of the hedging relationship, the Company formally documents its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transaction, as well as its designation of the hedge as either (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the estimated fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk ("fair value hedge") or (b) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows that is attributable to interest rate risk to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedge"). In this documentation, the Company sets forth how the hedging instrument is expected to hedge the designated risks related to the hedged item and sets forth the method that will be used to retrospectively and prospectively assess the hedging instrument's effectiveness and the method that will be used to measure ineffectiveness. A derivative designated as a hedging instrument must be assessed as being highly effective in offsetting the designated risk of the hedged item. Hedge effectiveness is formally assessed at inception and periodically throughout the life of the designated hedging relationship.

Fair Value Hedge:  For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness is recorded in the same line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as impacted by the hedged item.
Cash Flow Hedge: For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness is reported as a component of AOCI. Those amounts are subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged item affects earnings, and are reported in the same line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as impacted by the hedged item.

Even if a derivative qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, there may be an element of ineffectiveness of the hedge. The ineffective portion of a hedging relationship subject to hedge accounting is recognized in Net gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative is no longer expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item, the derivative continues to be carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at its estimated fair value, with subsequent changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in Other net gains (losses). The carrying value of the hedged asset or liability under a fair value hedge is no longer adjusted for changes in its estimated fair value due to the hedged risk, and the cumulative adjustment to its carrying value is amortized into income over the remaining life of the hedged item. Provided the hedged forecasted transaction is still probable of occurrence, the changes in estimated fair value of derivatives recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to discontinued cash flow hedges are released into the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the Company's earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item.

When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transactions will occur on the anticipated date, or within two months of that date, the derivative continues to be carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in Other net gains (losses). Derivative gains and losses recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) pursuant to the discontinued cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction that is no longer probable are recognized immediately in Other net gains (losses).

The Company also has investments in certain fixed maturities and has issued certain annuity products that contain embedded derivatives for which fair value is at least partially determined by levels of or changes in domestic and/or foreign interest rates (short-term or long-term), exchange rates, prepayment rates, equity markets or credit ratings/spreads. Embedded derivatives within fixed maturities are included with the host contract on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are recorded in Other net gains (losses). Embedded derivatives within certain annuity products are included in Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are recorded in Other net gains (losses).
In addition, the Company previously had coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements that were recaptured in March 2020, accounted for under the deposit method, that contained embedded derivatives, the fair value of which was based on the change in the fair value of the underlying assets held in trust. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are recorded in Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and other highly liquid investments, such as money market instruments and debt instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired

DAC represents policy acquisition costs that have been capitalized and are subject to amortization and interest. Capitalized costs are incremental, direct costs of contract acquisition and certain other costs related directly to successful acquisition activities. Such costs consist principally of commissions, underwriting, sales and contract issuance and processing expenses directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal business. Indirect or unsuccessful acquisition costs, maintenance, product development and overhead expenses are charged to expense as incurred. VOBA represents the outstanding value of in-force business acquired and is subject to amortization and interest. The value is based on the present value of estimated net cash flows embedded in the insurance contracts at the time of the acquisition and increased for subsequent deferrable expenses on purchased policies. DAC and VOBA are adjusted for the impact of unrealized capital gains (losses) on investments, as if such gains (losses) have been realized, with corresponding adjustments included in AOCI.

Amortization Methodologies
The Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to deferred annuity contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in relation to the emergence of estimated gross profits. At each valuation date, estimated gross profits are updated with actual gross profits, and the assumptions underlying future estimated gross profits are evaluated for continued reasonableness. Adjustments to estimated gross profits require that amortization rates be revised retroactively to the date of the contract issuance ("unlocking").
Recoverability testing is performed for current issue year products to determine if gross profits are sufficient to cover DAC and VOBA, estimated benefits and related expenses. In subsequent years, the Company performs testing to assess the recoverability of DAC and VOBA on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential loss recognition issue exists. If DAC or VOBA are not deemed recoverable from future gross profits, charges will be applied against DAC or VOBA balances before an additional reserve is established.

Internal Replacements
Contract owners may periodically exchange one contract for another, or make modifications to an existing contract. These transactions are identified as internal replacements. Internal replacements that are determined to result in substantially unchanged contracts are accounted for as continuations of the replaced contracts. Any costs associated with the issuance of the new contracts are considered maintenance costs and expensed as incurred. Unamortized DAC and VOBA related to the replaced contracts continue to be deferred and amortized in connection with the new contracts. Internal replacements that are determined to result in contracts that are substantially changed are accounted for as extinguishments of the replaced contracts, and any unamortized DAC and VOBA related to the replaced contracts are written off to Net amortization of Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Assumptions
Changes in assumptions may have a significant impact on DAC and VOBA balances, amortization rates, reserve levels, and results of operations. Assumptions are management's best estimate of future outcome.

Several assumptions are considered significant in the estimation of gross profits associated with the Company's deferred annuity products. One significant assumption is the assumed return associated with the variable account performance. To reflect the volatility in the equity markets, this assumption involves a combination of near-term expectations and long-term assumptions regarding market performance. The overall return on the variable account is dependent on multiple factors, including the relative mix of the underlying sub-accounts among bond funds and equity funds, as well as equity sector weightings. The Company uses a reversion to the mean approach, which assumes that the market returns over the entire mean reversion period are consistent with a long-term level of equity market appreciation. The Company monitors market events and only changes the assumption when sustained deviations are expected. This methodology incorporates an 8% long-term equity return assumption, a 14% cap and a five-year look-forward period.
Other significant assumptions used in the estimation of gross profits include general account investment returns, crediting rates, expense and fees as well as policyholder behavior assumptions such as premiums, surrenders and lapses.
Future Policy Benefits and Contract Owner Accounts
Future Policy Benefits and Contract Owner Account Balances

Future Policy Benefits
The Company establishes and carries actuarially-determined reserves that are calculated to meet its future obligations, including estimates of unpaid claims and claims that the Company believes have been incurred but have not yet been reported as of the balance sheet date. The principal assumptions used to establish liabilities for future policy benefits are based on Company experience and periodically reviewed against industry standards. These assumptions include mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, contract renewal, payment of subsequent premiums or deposits by the contract owner, retirement, investment returns, inflation, benefit utilization and expenses. Changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions used can significantly affect the Company's reserve levels and related results of operations.

Reserves for payout contracts with life contingencies are equal to the present value of expected future payments. Assumptions as to interest rates, mortality and expenses are based on the Company's estimates of anticipated experience at the period the policy is sold or acquired, including a provision for adverse deviation. Such assumptions generally vary by annuity plan type, year of issue and policy duration. Interest rates used to calculate the present value of future benefits ranged from 3.4% to 5.3%.

Although assumptions are "locked-in" upon the issuance of payout contracts with life contingencies, significant changes in experience or assumptions may require the Company to provide for expected future losses on a product by establishing premium deficiency reserves. Premium deficiency reserves are determined based on best estimate assumptions that exist at the time the premium deficiency reserve is established and do not include a provision for adverse deviation.

Contract Owner Account Balances
Contract owner account balances relate to investment-type contracts, as follows:

Account balances for funding agreements with fixed maturities are calculated using the amount deposited with the Company, less withdrawals, plus interest accrued to the ending valuation date. Interest on these contracts is accrued by a predetermined index, plus a spread or a fixed rate, established at the issue date of the contract.
Account balances for fixed annuities and payout contracts without life contingencies are equal to cumulative deposits, less charges and withdrawals, plus credited interest thereon. Credited interest rates vary by product and ranged up to 4.3% for the year 2021, 4.3% for the year 2020 and 5.3% for the year 2019. Account balances for group immediate annuities without life contingent payouts are equal to the discounted value of the payment at the implied break-even rate.
•For fixed-indexed annuity ("FIA"), the aggregate initial liability is equal to the deposit received, plus a bonus, if applicable, and is split into a host component and an embedded derivative component. Thereafter, the host liability accumulates at a set interest rate, and the embedded derivative liability is recognized at fair value.
Product Guarantees and Additional Reserves
Product Guarantees and Additional Reserves
The Company calculates additional reserve liabilities for certain variable annuity guaranteed benefits and variable funding products. The Company periodically evaluates its estimates and adjusts the additional liability balance, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. Changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions used can significantly affect the Company's reserve levels and related results of operations.

GMDB:    Reserves for annuity guaranteed minimum death benefits ("GMDB") are determined by estimating the value of expected benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. Expected experience is based on a range of scenarios. Assumptions used, such as the long-term equity market return, lapse rate and mortality, are consistent with assumptions used in estimating gross profits for the purpose of amortizing DAC. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility are consistent with the historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity index, such as the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 Index. Reserves for GMDB are recorded in Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in reserves for GMDB are reported in Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

FIA: The Company issued FIA contracts that contain embedded derivatives that are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host contracts. Such embedded derivatives are recorded in Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances.
Changes in estimated fair value, that are not related to attributed fees or premiums collected or payments made, are reported in Other net gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The estimated fair value of the embedded derivative in the FIA contracts is based on the present value of the excess of interest payments to the contract owners over the growth in the minimum guaranteed contract value. The excess interest payments are determined as the excess of projected index driven benefits over the projected guaranteed benefits. The projection horizon is over the anticipated life of the related contracts, which takes into account best estimate actuarial assumptions, such as partial withdrawals, full surrenders, deaths, annuitizations and maturities.

Stabilizer and MCG: Guaranteed credited rates give rise to an embedded derivative in the stabilizer ("Stabilizer") products and a stand-alone derivative for managed custody guarantee products ("MCG"). These derivatives are measured at estimated fair value and recorded in Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances. Changes in estimated fair value, that are not related to attributed fees collected or payments made, are reported in Other net gains (losses).

The estimated fair value of the Stabilizer embedded derivative and MCG stand-alone derivative is determined based on the present value of projected future claims, minus the present value of future guaranteed premiums. At inception of the contract, the Company projects a guaranteed premium to be equal to the present value of the projected future claims. The income associated with the contracts is projected using actuarial and capital market assumptions, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are projected under multiple capital market scenarios using observable risk-free rates and other best estimate assumptions.

The liabilities for the FIA and Stabilizer embedded derivatives and the MCG stand-alone derivative (collectively, "guaranteed benefit derivatives") include a risk margin to capture uncertainties related to policyholder behavior assumptions. The margin represents additional compensation a market participant would require to assume these risks.

The discount rate used to determine the fair value of the liabilities for FIA and Stabilizer embedded derivatives and the MCG stand-alone derivative includes an adjustment to reflect the risk that these obligations will not be fulfilled ("nonperformance risk").
Separate Accounts
Separate Accounts

Separate account assets and liabilities generally represent funds maintained to meet specific investment objectives of contract owners or participants who bear the investment risk, subject, in limited cases, to minimum guaranteed rates. Investment income and investment gains and losses generally accrue directly to such contract owners. The assets of each account are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any other business of the Company or its affiliates.

Separate account assets supporting variable options under variable annuity contracts are invested, as designated by the contract owner or participant under a contract, in shares of mutual funds that are managed by the Company, or its affiliates, or in other selected mutual funds not managed by the Company, or its affiliates.

The Company reports separately, as assets and liabilities, investments held in the separate accounts and liabilities of separate accounts if:

Such separate accounts are legally recognized;
Assets supporting the contract liabilities are legally insulated from the Company's general account liabilities;
Investments are directed by the contract owner or participant; and
All investment performance, net of contract fees and assessments, is passed through to the contract owner.

The Company reports separate account assets that meet the above criteria at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the fair value of the underlying investments. The underlying investments include mutual funds, short term investments, cash and fixed maturities. Separate account liabilities equal separate account assets. Investment income and net realized and unrealized capital gains (losses) of the separate accounts, however, are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows do not reflect investment activity of the separate accounts.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase Agreements

The Company engages in dollar repurchase agreements with MBS ("dollar rolls") and repurchase agreements with other collateral types to increase its return on investments and improve liquidity. Such arrangements meet the requirements to be accounted for as financing arrangements.

The Company enters into dollar roll transactions by selling existing MBS and concurrently entering into an agreement to repurchase similar securities within a short time frame at a lower price. Under repurchase agreements, the Company borrows cash from a counterparty at an agreed upon interest rate for an agreed upon time frame and pledges collateral in the form of securities. At the end of the agreement, the counterparty returns the collateral to the Company, and the Company, in turn, repays the loan amount along with the additional agreed upon interest.

The Company's policy requires that at all times during the term of the dollar roll and repurchase agreements that cash or other collateral types obtained is sufficient to allow the Company to fund substantially all of the cost of purchasing replacement assets. Cash received is generally invested in Short-term investments, with the offsetting obligation to repay the loan included within Payables under securities loan agreements, including collateral held on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of the securities pledged in dollar rolls and repurchase agreement transactions is included in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Recognition of Insurance Revenue and Related Benefits
Recognition of Revenue

Insurance Revenue and Related Benefits
Premiums related to payouts contracts with life contingencies are recognized in Premiums in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when due from the contract owner. When premiums are due over a significantly shorter period than the period over which benefits are provided, any gross premium in excess of the net premium (i.e., the portion of the gross premium required to provide for all expected future benefits and expenses) is deferred and recognized into revenue in a constant relationship to insurance in force. Benefits are recorded in Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when incurred.

Amounts received as payment for investment-type, fixed annuities, payout contracts without life contingencies and FIA contracts are reported as deposits to contract owner account balances. Revenues from these contracts consist primarily of fees assessed against the contract owner account balance for mortality and policy administration charges and are reported in Fee income. Surrender charges are reported in Other revenue. In addition, the Company earns investment income from the investment of contract deposits in the Company's general account portfolio, which is reported in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fees assessed that represent compensation to the Company for services to be provided in future periods and certain other fees are deferred and amortized into revenue over the expected life of the related contracts in proportion to estimated gross profits in a manner consistent with DAC for these contracts. Benefits and expenses for these products include claims in excess of related account balances, expenses of contract administration and interest credited to contract owner account balances.

Financial Services Revenue
Revenue for various financial services is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and is recognized when the Company has satisfied a performance obligation. For advisory, recordkeeping and administration services of $514, $423 and $405 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company recognizes revenue as services are provided, generally over time. For distribution and shareholder servicing revenue of $180, $158 and $82 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company recognizes revenue as related consideration is received and provides distribution services at a point in time and shareholder services over time. Contract terms are typically less than one year, and consideration is variable.

For a description of principal activities from which the Company generates revenue, see the Business section above for further information.

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, such revenue represents approximately 21.2%, 23.4% and 19.7% respectively, of total revenues. In calculating the percentage for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company excluded the
day one impact of ceded premiums from the Reinsurance transaction entered into pursuant to the close of the Resolution MTA For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, a portion of the revenue recognized in the current period from distribution services is related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods. Revenue for various financial services is recorded in Fee income or Other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Receivables of $107 and $88 are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Income Tax
Income Taxes

The Company uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining (a) the income taxes payable or refundable to/from Voya Financial, Inc. for the current year, (b) the provision for income taxes and (c) the deferred income tax assets and liabilities.

The provision for income taxes is based on income and expense reported in the financial statements after adjustments for permanent differences between our financial statements and consolidated federal income tax return. Permanent differences include the dividends received deduction. As a result of permanent differences, the effective tax rate reflected in the financial statements may be different than the actual rate in the income tax return.

Temporary differences between our financial statements and income tax return create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates and tests the recoverability of its deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Considerable judgment and the use of estimates are required in determining whether a valuation allowance is necessary and, if so, the amount of such valuation allowance. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers many factors, including the nature and character of the deferred tax assets and liabilities, the amount and character of book income or losses in recent years, projected future taxable income and future reversals of temporary differences, tax planning strategies we would employ to avoid a tax benefit from expiring unused, and the length of time carryforwards can be utilized.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the applicable taxing authority. The Company also considers positions that have been reviewed and agreed to as part of an examination by the applicable taxing authority. For items that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company measures the tax position as the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate resolution with the applicable tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.
Reinsurance
Reinsurance

The Company utilizes reinsurance agreements in most aspects of its insurance business to reduce its exposure to large losses. Such reinsurance permits recovery of a portion of losses from reinsurers, although it does not discharge the primary liability of the Company as direct insurer of the risks reinsured.

For each of its reinsurance agreements, the Company determines whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk. The Company reviews contractual features, particularly those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims. The assumptions used to account for long-duration reinsurance agreements are consistent with those used for the underlying contracts. Ceded Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances are reported gross on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Long-duration: For reinsurance of long-duration contracts that transfer significant insurance risk, the difference, if any, between the amounts paid and benefits received related to the underlying contracts is included in the expected net cost of reinsurance, which is recorded as a component of the reinsurance asset or liability.

If the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company records the agreement using the deposit method of accounting. Deposits received are included in Other liabilities, and deposits made are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As amounts are paid or received, consistent with the underlying contracts, the deposit assets or liabilities are adjusted. Interest on such deposits is recorded as Other revenues or Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as appropriate. Periodically, the Company evaluates the adequacy of the expected payments or recoveries and adjusts the deposit asset or liability through Other revenues or Other expenses, as appropriate.

Accounting for reinsurance requires use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risks. The Company periodically reviews actual and anticipated experience compared to the assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance. The Company also evaluates the financial strength of potential reinsurers and continually monitors the financial condition of reinsurers.

Reinsurance recoverable balances are reported net of the allowance for credit losses in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management estimates the credit loss allowance balance using a factor-based method of probability of default and loss given default which incorporates relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Included in the factor-based method are the consideration of capital market factors, counterparty financial information and ratings, and reinsurance agreement-specific risk characteristics such as collateral type, collateral size, and covenant strength.

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the reinsurance recoverable balance to present the net amount expected to be collected on the reinsurance recoverable. The change in the allowance for credit losses is recorded in Policyholder benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Current reinsurance recoverable balances deemed probable of recovery and payable balances under reinsurance agreements are included in Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable and Other liabilities, respectively. Such assets and liabilities relating to reinsurance agreements with the same reinsurer are recorded net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets if a right of offset exists within the reinsurance agreement. Premiums, Fee income and Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders are reported net of reinsurance ceded. Amounts received from reinsurers for policy administration are reported in Other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company currently has a significant concentration of ceded reinsurance with a subsidiary of Lincoln National Corporation ("Lincoln") arising from the disposition of its individual life insurance business.
Employee Benefits Plans
Employee Benefits Plans

The Company, in conjunction with Voya Services Company, sponsors non-qualified defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees, sales representatives and other individuals.

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that defines an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive upon retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. The liability recognized in respect of non-qualified defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the projected pension benefit obligation ("PBO") at the balance sheet date, together with adjustments for unrecognized past service costs. This liability is included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The PBO is defined as the actuarially calculated present value of vested and non-vested pension benefits accrued based on future salary levels. The Company recognizes the funded status of the PBO for pension plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Net periodic benefit cost for the non-qualified defined benefit pension plans is determined using management estimates and actuarial assumptions to derive service cost and interest cost for a particular year and is included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The obligations and expenses associated with these plans require use of assumptions, such as discount rate and rate of future compensation increases and healthcare cost trend rates, as well as assumptions regarding participant demographics, such as age of retirement, withdrawal rates and mortality. Management determines these assumptions based on a variety of factors, such as currently available market and industry data and expected benefit payout streams. Actual results could vary significantly from assumptions based on changes, such as economic and market conditions, demographics of participants in the plans and amendments to benefits provided under the plans. These differences may have a significant effect
on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and liquidity. Actuarial gains (losses) are immediately recognized in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Contingencies
Contingencies

A loss contingency is an existing condition, situation or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible loss that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. Examples of loss contingencies include pending or threatened adverse litigation, threat of expropriation of assets and actual or possible claims and assessments. Amounts related to loss contingencies are accrued and recorded in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets if it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated, based on the Company's best estimate of the ultimate outcome.
Adoption of New Pronouncements and Future Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements
Adoption of New Pronouncements

The following table provides a description of the Company's adoption of new Accounting Standard Updates ("ASUs") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the impact of the adoption on the Company's financial statements:
StandardDescription of RequirementsEffective Date and Method of AdoptionEffect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2019-12,
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
This standard, issued in December 2019, simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the general principles and simplifying several aspects of ASC 740, Income taxes, including requirements related to the following:
The intraperiod tax allocation exception to the incremental approach,
The tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business combination,
Hybrid tax regimes,
Ownership changes in investments - changes from a subsidiary to an equity method investment,
Separate financial statements of entities not subject to tax,
Interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law, and
The year-to-date loss limitation in interim-period tax accounting.
January 1, 2021 on a prospective basis, except for those provisions that required retrospective or modified retrospective
method.
Adoption of the ASU did not have an impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
StandardDescription of RequirementsEffective Date and Method of AdoptionEffect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This standard, issued in June 2016:
Introduces a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model to measure impairment on certain types of financial instruments,
Requires an entity to estimate lifetime expected credit losses, under the new CECL model, based on relevant information about historical events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts,
Modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities, and
Provides a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.
In addition, the FASB issued various amendments during 2018, 2019, and 2020 to clarify the provisions of ASU 2016-13.
January 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective method for financial assets measured at amortized cost and the prospective method for available-for-sale debt securities.
The Company recorded a $8 decrease, net of tax, to Unappropriated retained earnings as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-13. The
transition adjustment includes recognition of an allowance for credit losses of $12 related to mortgage loans, net of the effect of DAC/VOBA and other intangibles of $2 and deferred income taxes of $2.

The provisions that required prospective adoption had no effect on the Company's
financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In addition, disclosures have been updated to reflect accounting policy changes made as a result of the implementation of ASU
2016-13. (See the Significant Accounting Policies section.)

Comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under
previously applicable U.S. GAAP.
ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeThis standard, issued in February 2018, permits a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Reform"). Stranded tax effects arise because U.S. GAAP requires that the impact of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax liabilities and assets be reported in net income, even if related to items recognized within accumulated other comprehensive income. The amount of the reclassification would be based on the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate, applied to deferred tax liabilities and assets reported within accumulated other comprehensive income.January 1, 2019 with the change reported in the period of adoption.
The impact to the January 1, 2019 Consolidated Balance Sheet was an increase to AOCI of $137, with a corresponding decrease to Retained earnings. The ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.
Future Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a description of future adoptions of new accounting standards that may have an impact on the Company's financial statements when adopted:
StandardDescription of RequirementsEffective Date and Transition ProvisionsEffect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform
This standard, issued in March 2020, provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met.

In January, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01 which clarified the scope of relief related to ASU 2020-04.
The amendments are effective as of March 12, 2020, the issuance date of the ASU. An entity may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022.The Company expects that it may elect to apply some of the expedients and exceptions provided in ASU 2020-04; however, the Company is still evaluating its options under this guidance as the reference rate reform adoption process continues. To date, adoption of the ASU has not had an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The Company will continue to evaluate the impacts of reference rate reform on contract modifications and hedging relationships as transition progresses.
ASU 2018-12, Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long- Duration ContractsThis standard, issued in August 2018, changes the measurement and disclosures of insurance liabilities and DAC for long-duration contracts issued by insurers.In November, 2020, the FASB released ASU 2020-11, which deferred the effective date of the amendments in ASU 2018-12 for SEC filers to fiscal years ending after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Initial adoption for the liability for future policy benefits and DAC is required to be reported using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. For market risk benefits, full retrospective application is required.Evaluation of the implications of these requirements and related potential financial statement impacts is continuing. The Company does not plan to early adopt the ASU and expects to apply a modified retrospective transition method for the liability of future policy benefits and DAC. While it is not possible to estimate the expected impact of adoption at this time, the Company believes there is a reasonable possibility that implementation of ASU 2018-12 may result in a significant impact on Shareholder’s equity and future earnings patterns.