Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company is required to disclose estimated fair values for certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. Fair values for the Company's insurance contracts other than annuity contracts (which are investment contracts) and equity method limited partnership interests are not required to be disclosed in fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated and willing market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company categorizes the fair value of its financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of inputs to the valuation technique. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are:

Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include certain fixed maturity and equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury securities.
Level 2	Unadjusted observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include fixed maturity securities (1) with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments or (2) values based on discounted cash flows with observable inputs. This category generally includes certain U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency structured securities, corporate fixed maturity securities, preferred stocks, derivatives and embedded derivatives.
Level 3	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, certain discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation and for which the significant inputs are unobservable. This category generally includes certain private debt and equity instruments, as well as embedded derivatives.

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. As a result, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Level 1 or Level 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Net transfers into or out of each of the three levels are reported as having occurred at the end of the reporting period in which the transfers were determined.

The following discussion describes the valuation methodologies used for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value. The techniques utilized in estimating fair value are affected by the assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company's financial assets and liabilities. Judgment is exercised in deriving conclusions about the Company's business, its value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial assets and liabilities presented below.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about the financial asset or financial liability, including estimates of both the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer. In some cases, fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the disclosed fair value may not be realized in the immediate settlement of the financial asset or financial liability. The disclosed fair values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time an entire holding of a particular financial asset or financial liability. In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many financial instruments. This condition could cause a financial instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or from Level 2 to Level 3. Potential taxes and other expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement are not reflected in the fair value amounts disclosed.

Investments

The fair value of a fixed maturity security is the price that would be received in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We obtain prices from third-party valuation service providers, our investment managers, and custodian bank, each of which use a variety of valuation service providers, broker quotes, and modeled prices. When necessary, we also internally model securities to develop a price. Differences in prices between the sources that we consider reliable are researched and we use the price that we consider most representative of an exit price in determining the fair value. Typical inputs used by these pricing sources include, but are not limited to, reported trades, broker quotes, yield curves, and involve the benchmarking of similar securities, rating designations, sector groupings, issuer spreads and/or estimated cash flows, prepayment speeds and default rates, among others, in determining the inputs to the prices. Our fixed maturity securities portfolio is primarily publicly traded, which allows for a high percentage of the fixed maturity securities portfolio to be priced through pricing services using observable inputs. Approximately 87.7% and 88.6% of the fixed maturity securities portfolio, based on fair value, was priced through valuation services or priced using observable inputs as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The remainder of the fixed maturity

securities portfolio was priced by broker quotes, modeled prices by our investment managers or internal pricing models. Non-binding broker quotes are generally classified as Level 3, unless the quotes can be corroborated by comparison to other valuation service provider prices or observable pricing models or analyses, whereby they could be classified as Level 2. There were no significant changes to the valuation process during 2023.

The valuation of hard-to-value fixed maturity securities (generally 75 -125 securities) is more subjective because the markets are less liquid and there is a lack of observable market-based inputs. This may increase the potential that the estimated fair value of an investment is not reflective of the price at which an actual transaction would occur. When the pricing sources cannot provide fair value determinations, the investment managers obtain non-binding price quotes from brokers. For those securities where the investment manager cannot obtain broker quotes, they will model the security, generally using estimated cash flows of the underlying collateral. Brokers' valuation methodologies as well as investment managers’ modeling methodologies are sometimes matrix-based, using indicative evaluation measures and adjustments for specific security characteristics and market sentiment. The selection of the market inputs and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of hard-to-value fixed maturity securities requires judgment and includes: benchmark yield, liquidity premium, estimated cash flows, prepayment speeds and default rates, spreads, weighted average life, and credit rating. The extent of the use of each market input depends on the market sector and market conditions. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of inputs may change or some market inputs may not be relevant. For some securities, additional inputs may be necessary.

To determine the fair value of equity securities, the Company uses its third-party valuation service providers, investment managers or its custodian bank to obtain fair value prices from independent third-party valuation service providers.

In summary, the following financial assets and financial liabilities are carried at fair value on a recurring basis:

Financial assets

•Fixed maturity securities, including hard-to-value fixed maturity securities, as described above.

•Equity securities, as described above.

•Short-term investments — Because of the nature of these assets, carrying amounts are amortized cost which approximate fair values.

•Other investments — Other investments include derivatives. Fair values of derivatives are based on the amount of cash expected to be received to settle each derivative on the reporting date. These amounts are obtained from each of the counterparties using industry accepted valuation models and observable inputs. Significant inputs include contractual terms, underlying index prices, market volatilities, interest rates and dividend yields.

Financial liabilities

•The fair value of derivatives embedded in IUL contracts is set equal to the fair value of the outstanding call options.

•The fair value of derivatives embedded in FIA contracts is determined using the option budget method for each premium received (i.e., the option budget method is used as the future account growth rate). With this method, future excess cash flows (defined as benefits in excess of required non-forfeiture benefits) are discounted at the risk-free rate and adjusted for non-performance, to determine the fair value of the embedded derivatives.

•MRBs are measured at fair value using a non-option-based valuation model based on current net amounts at risk, market data, Company experience, and other factors.

Financial Instruments Measured and Carried at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Company's fair value hierarchy for financial assets and financial liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis. As of December 31, 2023, Level 3 investments comprised approximately 9.5% of the Company's total investment portfolio at fair value.

($ in millions)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
					Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
December 31, 2023
Financial Assets
Investments
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Government and federally sponsored agency obligations:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	653.2	$	653.2	$	—	$	653.2	$	—
Other, including U.S. Treasury securities	388.8		388.8		45.6		343.2		—
Municipal bonds	1,270.1		1,270.1		—		1,196.1		74.0
Foreign government bonds	22.1		22.1		—		22.1		—
Corporate bonds	1,772.7		1,772.7		10.1		1,420.1		342.5
Other asset-backed securities	1,128.4		1,128.4		—		1,030.9		97.5
Total fixed maturity securities	5,235.3		5,235.3		55.7		4,665.6		514.0
Equity securities	86.2		86.2		17.9		63.8		4.5
Short-term investments	132.9		132.9		132.9		—		—
Other investments	19.0		19.0		—		19.0		—
Totals	$	5,473.4	$	5,473.4	$	206.5	$	4,748.4	$	518.5
Separate Account variable annuity assets(1)	$	3,294.1	$	3,294.1	$	3,294.1	$	—	$	—
Financial Liabilities(2)	$	86.0	$	86.0	$	—	$	3.6	$	82.4
December 31, 2022
Financial Assets
Investments
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Government and federally sponsored agency obligations:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	570.4	$	570.4	$	—	$	567.8	$	2.6
Other, including U.S. Treasury securities	342.6		342.6		24.6		318.0		—
Municipal bonds	1,269.7		1,269.7		—		1,215.3		54.4
Foreign government bonds	33.6		33.6		—		33.6		—
Corporate bonds	1,901.7		1,901.7		12.2		1,628.2		261.3
Other asset-backed securities	1,067.0		1,067.0		—		962.0		105.0
Total fixed maturity securities	5,185.0		5,185.0		36.8		4,724.9		423.3
Equity securities	99.6		99.6		23.3		74.3		2.0
Short-term investments	109.4		109.4		109.4		—		—
Other investments	38.6		38.6		—		38.6		—
Totals	$	5,432.6	$	5,432.6	$	169.5	$	4,837.8	$	425.3
Separate Account variable annuity assets(1)	$	2,792.3	$	2,792.3	$	2,792.3	$	—	$	—
Financial Liabilities(2)	$	92.5	$	92.5	$	—	$	1.2	$	91.3

(1)    Separate Account variable annuity assets represent contractholder funds invested in various actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values that are readily determinable for identical assets that the Company can access. Separate Account variable annuity liabilities are equal to the estimated fair value of Separate Account variable annuity assets.

(2) Represents embedded derivatives related to fixed indexed annuity and indexed universal life products as well as net MRBs reported in Policyholders' account balances in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The Company did not have any transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during 2023 and 2022. The following tables present reconciliations for the periods indicated for all Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

($ in millions)	Financial Assets												Financial Liabilities(1)
	Municipal Bonds		Corporate  Bonds		Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset- Backed Securities(2)		Total Fixed Maturity Securities		Equity Securities		Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2023	$	54.4	$	261.3	$	107.6	$	423.3	$	2.0	$	425.3	$	91.3
Transfers into Level 3(3)	—		76.5		0.8		77.3		2.1		79.4		—
Transfers out of Level 3(3)	—		(3.7)		—		(3.7)		—		(3.7)		—
Total gains or losses
Net investment gains (losses) included in net income	—		—		—		—		0.4		0.4		—
Net investment (gains) losses included in net income related to financial liabilities	—		—		—		—		—		—		1.3
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in OCI	11.3		(17.1)		5.0		(0.8)		—		(0.8)		0.4
Purchases	9.5		64.5		2.0		76.0		—		76.0		—
Issuances	—		—		—		—		—		—		8.0
Sales	—		(7.7)		—		(7.7)		—		(7.7)		—
Settlements	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Paydowns, maturities and distributions	(1.2)		(31.3)		(17.9)		(50.4)		—		(50.4)		(18.6)
Ending balance, December 31, 2023	$	74.0	$	342.5	$	97.5	$	514.0	$	4.5	$	518.5	$	82.4
Beginning balance, January 1, 2022	$	60.8	$	210.3	$	98.9	$	370.0	$	1.4	$	371.4	$	111.4
Transfers into Level 3(3)	0.6		157.9		34.5		193.0		0.8		193.8		—
Transfers out of Level 3(3)	(3.2)		(34.8)		(4.8)		(42.8)		—		(42.8)		—
Total gains or losses
Net investment gains (losses) included in net income	—		—		(3.3)		(3.3)		(0.1)		(3.4)		—
Net investment (gains) losses included in net income related to financial liabilities	—		—		—		—		—		—		(14.8)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in OCI	(10.5)		(16.1)		(11.6)		(38.2)		—		(38.2)		(2.6)
Purchases	0.2		20.2		12.8		33.2		—		33.2		—
Issuances	—		—		—		—		—		—		7.4
Sales	—		—		(4.8)		(4.8)		—		(4.8)		—
Settlements	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Paydowns, maturities and distributions	6.5		(76.2)		(14.1)		(83.8)		(0.1)		(83.9)		(10.1)
Ending balance, December 31, 2022	$	54.4	$	261.3	$	107.6	$	423.3	$	2.0	$	425.3	$	91.3

(1)    Represents embedded derivatives, all related to the Company's FIA products, reported in Policyholders' account balances in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)    Includes U.S. Government and federally sponsored agency obligations for mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities.

(3)    Transfers into and out of Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were attributable to changes in the availability of observable market information for individual fixed maturity securities and short-term investments. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers into and out of the levels as having occurred at the end of the reporting period in which the transfers were determined.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a $0.4 million net investment gain on Level 3 financial assets that was included in net income and was primarily attributable to credit loss impairments. As of December 31, 2022 the Company had a $3.4 million net investment loss on Level 3 financial assets that was included in net income. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, a net investment loss of $1.3 million and a net investment gain of $14.8 million, respectively, were included in net income that were attributable to changes in the fair value of Level 3 financial liabilities.

Level 3 Assets and Liabilities by Price Source

The table below presents the balances of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value with their corresponding pricing sources (in millions, 2022 information recast for the adoption of LDTI):

($ in millions)
	Total		Internal		External
December 31, 2023
Financial Assets
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Government and federally sponsored agency obligations:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	—	$	—	$	—
Municipal bonds	74.0		—		74.0
Corporate bonds	342.5		180.4		162.1
Other asset-backed securities	97.5		—		97.5
Total fixed maturity securities	514.0		180.4		333.6
Equity securities	4.5		—		4.5
Totals	$	518.5	$	180.4	$	338.1
Financial Liabilities(1)	$	82.4	$	82.4	$	—
December 31, 2022
Financial Assets
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. Government and federally sponsored agency obligations:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	2.6	$	—	$	2.6
Municipal bonds	54.4		—		54.4
Corporate bonds	261.3		9.5		251.8
Other asset-backed securities	105.0		—		105.0
Total fixed maturity securities	423.3		9.5		413.8
Equity securities	2.0		—		2.0
Totals	$	425.3	$	9.5	$	415.8
Financial Liabilities(1)	$	91.3	$	91.3	$	—

(1) Represents embedded derivatives related to fixed indexed annuity and indexed universal life products as well as net MRBs reported in Policyholders' account balances in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

External pricing sources for securities represent prices from prior transactions or unadjusted third-party pricing information where pricing inputs are not readily available.

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following table provides quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs for recurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3.

($ in millions)
	Fair Value at December 31, 2023		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average) and Single Point Best Estimate(1)	Impact of Increase in Input on Fair Value
Financial Assets
Corporate bonds	$	180.4	discounted cash flow	yield	6.7% - 17.0%	Decrease
Financial Liabilities
Derivatives embedded in fixed indexed annuity products	$	86.3	discounted cash flow	lapse rate	5.9%	Decrease
				mortality multiplier(2)	69.4%	Decrease
				option budget	0.9% - 3.8%	Increase
				non-performance adjustment(3)	5.0%	Decrease
Net MRBs	$	(3.9)	discounted cash flow	lapse rate	5.9%	Decrease
				mortality multiplier(2)	67.8%	Increase

(1) When a range of unobservable inputs is not readily available, the Company uses a single point best estimate.

(2) Mortality multiplier is applied to the Annuity 2000 table.

(3) Determined as a percentage of the risk-free rate.

($ in millions)
	Fair Value at December 31, 2022		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average) and Single Point Best Estimate(1)	Impact of Increase in Input on Fair Value
Financial Assets
Corporate bonds	$	9.5	discounted cash flow	yield	6.8%	Decrease
Financial Liabilities
Derivatives embedded in fixed indexed annuity products	$	91.0	discounted cash flow	lapse rate	5.4%	Decrease
				mortality multiplier(2)	67.8%	Decrease
				option budget	0.9% - 3.4%	Increase
				non-performance adjustment(3)	5.0%	Decrease
Net MRBs	$	0.3	discounted cash flow	lapse rate	5.3%	Decrease
				mortality multiplier(2)	67.8%	Increase

(1) When a range of unobservable inputs is not readily available, the Company uses a single point best estimate.

(2) Mortality multiplier is applied to the Annuity 2000 table.

(3) Determined as a percentage of the risk-free rate.

The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement for financial assets and financial liabilities classified as Level 3 are subject to the processes as previously described in this Note. Generally, valuation techniques for corporate bonds include using discounted cash flow techniques where the unobservable input is the yield. The yield used for the valuation of these fixed maturity securities is less observable than securities classified as Level 2.

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities not carried at fair value and the level within the fair value hierarchy at which such financial assets and liabilities are categorized.

($ in millions)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
					Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
December 31, 2023
Financial Assets
Other investments	$	218.4	$	221.7	$	—	$	33.8	$	187.9
Deposit asset on reinsurance	2,496.6		2,259.6		—		—		2,259.6
Financial Liabilities
Policyholders' account balances	4,996.3		4,861.8		—		—		4,861.8
Other policyholder funds	916.0		916.0		—		908.7		7.3
Long-term debt	546.0		571.4		—		571.4		—
December 31, 2022
Financial Assets
Other investments	$	167.4	$	170.9	$	—	$	—	$	170.9
Deposit asset on reinsurance	2,516.6		2,207.2		—		—		2,207.2
Financial Liabilities
Policyholders' account balances	5,039.7		4,940.3		—		—		4,940.3
Other policyholder funds	863.0		863.0		—		810.7		52.3
Reverse repurchase agreements	70.2		73.9		—		73.9		—
Short-term debt	249.0		249.0		—		—		249.0
Long-term debt	249.0		240.5		—		240.5		—

Other Investments

Other investments includes policy loans, mortgage loans and FHLB common stock. For policy loans, fair value is based on estimates using discounted cash flow analysis and current interest rates being offered for new loans. For mortgage loans, fair value is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and similar remaining maturities. For FHLB common stock, fair value is the redemption value, which is the same as the carrying amount and par value.

Deposit Asset on Reinsurance

The fair value of the deposit asset on reinsurance is estimated by discounting the future cash flows that are expected to arise out of the annuity reinsurance transaction. The Treasury yield curve, plus an assumed credit spread, is used to determine the appropriate discount rate.

Policyholders' Account Balances

Policyholder’s account balances include fixed annuity contract liabilities, policyholder account balances on life contracts, supplementary contracts without life contingencies and retained asset accounts. The fair values of fixed annuity contract liabilities and policyholder account balances on life contracts are equal to the discounted estimated future cash flows (using the Company's current interest rates for similar products including consideration of minimum guaranteed interest rates). The Company carries these financial liabilities at cost. Liabilities related to supplementary contracts without life contingencies and retained asset accounts are carried at cost, which management believes is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the relatively short duration of these items, based on the Company's past experience.

Also, included in Policyholder's account balances are embedded derivatives related to the Company's IUL and FIA account balances and net MRBs which are carried at fair value.

Other Policyholder Funds

Other policyholder funds includes balances outstanding under funding agreements with the FHLB and dividend accumulations. These components are carried at cost, which management believes is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the relatively short duration of these items, based on the Company's past experience.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Company (transferor) transfers fixed maturity securities to another party (transferee) and receives cash (or securities), with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the same securities (or substantially the same securities) at a specified price on a specified date. These transactions are generally short-term in nature, and therefore, the carrying amounts of these instruments approximate fair value.

The Company accounts for reverse repurchase agreements as secured borrowings. This means that the fixed maturity securities transferred under reverse repurchase agreements are included in Fixed maturity securities with the obligation to repurchase those securities reported in Other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying amount of the Company's obligation under reverse repurchase agreements is equal to the amount of cash it received on the date of transfer and the fair value of the Company's obligation under reverse repurchase agreements is equal to the-then current fair value of the fixed maturity securities transferred as of the reporting date.

Short-term Debt

The Company carries short-term debt at amortized cost which approximates fair value.

Long-term Debt

The Company carries long-term debt at amortized cost. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on unadjusted quoted market prices of the Company's securities or unadjusted market prices based on similar publicly traded issues when trading activity for the Company's securities is not sufficient to provide a market price.