duration of the decline. Based on our evaluation, if the fair value of a security is below its amortized cost at the time of our intent to sell, the security is classified as other-than-temporarily

impaired and the full amount of the impairment is

recognized as a loss in the statement of operations.

Otherwise, when a security is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the losses are separated into the portion of the loss that represents the credit loss and the portion that is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations, while the loss due to other factors is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. A credit loss is determined to exist if the present value of the discounted cash flows, using the security’s original yield, expected to be collected from the security is less than the cost basis of the security. If the security is determined to be other-than-temporary-impaired the security is classified as other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of the impairment is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations.

HOME OFFICE AND EQUIPMENT

Home office and equipment is carried at cost net of depreciation. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is determined on a straight-line basis for the home office and equipment over estimated lives ranging from 3 to 45 years. For income tax purposes, we use accelerated depreciation methods.

Home office and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $51.2 million, $43.0 million and $38.1 million as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $6.3 million, $6.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

DEFERRED INSURANCE POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

Costs directly associated with the successful acquisition of mortgage insurance business, consisting of employee compensation and other policy issuance and underwriting expenses, are initially deferred and reported as deferred insurance policy acquisition costs ("DAC"). The deferred costs are net of any ceding commissions received associated with our reinsurance agreements. For each underwriting year of business, these costs are amortized to income in proportion to estimated gross profits over the estimated life of the policies. We utilize anticipated investment income in our calculation. This includes accruing interest on the unamortized balance of DAC. The estimates for each underwriting year are reviewed quarterly and updated when necessary to reflect actual experience and any changes to key variables such as persistency or loss development.

LOSS RESERVES

Case reserves and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") reserves are established when notices of delinquency on insured mortgage loans are received. Such loans are referred to as being in our delinquency inventory. For reporting purposes, we consider a loan delinquent when it is two or more payments past due and has not become current or resulted in a claim payment. Even though the accounting standard, ASC 944, regarding accounting and reporting by insurance entities specifically excludes mortgage insurance from its guidance relating to loss reserves, we establish loss reserves using the general principles contained in the insurance standard. However, consistent with industry standards for mortgage insurers, we do not establish case reserves for future claims on insured loans which are not currently delinquent.

Case reserves are established by estimating the number of loans in our inventory of delinquent loans that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity. Our case reserve estimates are established based upon historical experience, including rescissions of policies, curtailments of claims, and loan modification activity. Adjustments to reserve estimates are reflected in the financial statements in the years in which the adjustments are made. The liability for reinsurance assumed is based on information provided by the ceding companies.

Incurred but not reported ("IBNR") reserves are established for delinquencies estimated to have occurred prior to the close of an accounting period, but not yet reported to us. Consistent with reserves for reported delinquencies, IBNR reserves are also established using estimated claim rates and claim severities.

LAE reserves are established for the estimated costs of settling claims, including legal and other expenses, and general expenses of administering the claims settlement process.

Loss reserves are ceded to reinsurers under our reinsurance agreements. (See Note 8 – “Loss Reserves” and Note 9 – “Reinsurance.”)

PREMIUM DEFICIENCY RESERVE

After our loss reserves are initially established, we perform premium deficiency tests using our best estimate assumptions as of the testing date. Premium deficiency reserves are established, if necessary, when the present value of expected future losses and expenses exceeds the present value of expected future premium and already established reserves. Products are grouped for premium deficiency testing purposes based on similarities in the way the products are acquired, serviced and measured for profitability.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

We write policies which are guaranteed renewable contracts at the insured's option on a monthly, single, or annual premium basis. We have no ability to re-underwrite or reprice these contracts. Premiums written on monthly premium policies are earned as coverage is provided. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the estimated policy life. Premiums written on policies covering more than one year are amortized over the estimated policy life based on historical experience, which includes the anticipated incurred loss pattern. Premiums written on annual premium policies are earned on a monthly pro rata basis. When a policy is cancelled for a reason other than rescission or claim payment, all premium that is non-refundable is immediately earned. Any refundable premium is returned to the servicer or borrower. When a policy is cancelled due to rescission, all previously collected premium is returned to the servicer and when a policy is cancelled because a claim is paid, premium collected since the date of delinquency is returned. The liability associated with our estimate of premium to be returned is accrued for separately and included in "Other liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in this liability, and the actual return of premiums for all periods, affects premiums written and earned.

Effective, January 1, 2020, we assess whether a credit loss exists for our premium receivable. In determining if a credit loss allowance is required for premium receivable, consideration is given to the life of the premium receivable asset, areas of potential credit loss, and forward-looking predictive indicators. Any estimated credit loss would be immediately recognized.

Fee income of our non-insurance subsidiaries is earned and recognized as the services are provided and the customer is obligated to pay. Fee income consists primarily of contract underwriting and related fee-based services provided to lenders and is included in “Other revenue” on the consolidated statements of operations.

INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes are provided under the liability method, which recognizes the future tax effects of temporary differences between amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the tax bases of these items. The estimated tax effects are computed at the enacted federal statutory income tax rate. Changes in tax laws, rates, regulations, and policies or the final determination of tax audits or examinations, could materially affect our estimates and can be significant to our operating results. We evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax assets based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The recognition of a tax position is determined using a two-step approach. The first step applies a more-likely-than-not threshold for recognition and derecognition. The second step measures the tax position as the greatest amount of benefit that is cumulatively greater than 50% likely to be realized. When evaluating a tax position for recognition and measurement, we presume that the tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes.

Federal tax law permits mortgage guaranty insurance companies to deduct from taxable income, subject to certain limitations, the amounts added to contingency loss reserves that are recorded for regulatory purposes. The amounts we deduct must generally be included in taxable income in the tenth subsequent year. The deduction is allowed only to the extent that we purchase and hold U.S. government non-interest-bearing tax and loss bonds in an amount equal to the tax benefit attributable to the deduction. We account for these purchases as a payment of current federal income tax. (See "Note 12 - Income Taxes.")

BENEFIT PLANS

We have a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all domestic employees, as well as a supplemental executive retirement plan. Retirement benefits are based on compensation and years of service. Effective January 1, 2019, all participants, regardless of hire or rehire date, earn benefits using a cash balance formula. Participants hired or rehired prior to January 1, 2014, earned benefits under a traditional formula through December 31, 2018. which calculated a pension credit for each year of eligible service. Under the cash balance formula, participants’ accounts are credited each year with an employer contribution and interest. The employer contribution is a percentage of eligible earnings based on the participant’s age on January 1, 2019. We recognize these retirement benefit costs

over the period during which employees render the service that qualifies them for benefits. Our policy is to fund pension cost as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

We offer both medical and dental benefits for retired domestic employees, their eligible spouses and dependents until the retiree reaches the age of 65. Under the plan retirees pay a premium for these benefits. We accrue the estimated costs of retiree medical and dental benefits over the period during which employees render the service that qualifies them for benefits. (See Note 11 – “Benefit Plans.”)

REINSURANCE

Loss reserves are reported before taking credit for amounts ceded under reinsurance agreements. Ceded loss reserves are reflected as "Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves." Amounts due from reinsurers on paid claims are reflected as “Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses.” Ceded premiums payable are included in “Other liabilities.” Profit commissions are included with “Premiums written – Ceded” and ceding commissions are included with “Other underwriting and operating expenses, net.” We remain liable for all insurance ceded. (See Note 9 – “Reinsurance.”)

Quarterly, we assess the credit risk associated with our reinsurance recoverable. Effective January 1, 2020 if an estimated credit loss is expected to occur over the remaining life of reinsurance recoverable, it is immediately recorded to income. In assessing whether a credit allowance should be established, we consider several factors including, but not limited to the credit ratings of individual reinsurers, investor reports for our Home Re Transactions, collateral held in trust accounts in which MGIC is the sole beneficiary, and aging of outstanding reinsurance recoverable balances.

Assumed reinsurance is based on information received from the ceding company.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We have certain share-based compensation plans. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period which generally corresponds to the vesting period. Awards under our plans generally vest over periods ranging from one to three years. (See Note 15 – “Share-based Compensation Plans.”)

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. The computation of basic EPS includes as "participating securities" an immaterial number of unvested share-based compensation awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, under the "two-class" method. Our participating securities are composed of vested restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSUs") with non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Diluted EPS includes the components of basic EPS and also gives effect to dilutive common stock equivalents. We calculate diluted EPS using the treasury stock method and if-converted method. Under the treasury stock method, diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our unvested restricted stock units result in the issuance of common stock. Under the if-converted method, diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could

occur if our 9% Debentures result in the issuance of common stock. The determination of potentially issuable shares does not consider the satisfaction of the conversion requirements and the shares are included in the determination of diluted EPS as of the beginning of the period, if dilutive. For purposes of calculating basic and diluted EPS, vested restricted stock and RSUs are considered outstanding.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In 2020, MGIC Reinsurance Corporation of Wisconsin, a subsidiary of MGIC, merged with MGIC. There were no related party transactions during 2019 or 2018.

RECENT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING DEVELOPMENTS

Accounting standards effective in 2020, or early adopted, and relevant to our financial statements

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments: ASU 2016-13

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASC 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“CECL”). This new standard replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects lifetime expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under CECL, allowances are established by incorporating the forecast of future economic conditions into our loss estimate unless such forecast is not reasonable and supportable, in which case we revert to historical loss experience. Application of the CECL model impacts our reinsurance recoverables and premium receivable. ASC 326 also replaced the OTTI model with an impairment allowance model, subject to reversal, for available-for-sale investments, which are measured at fair value. Our mortgage insurance policies are outside the scope of ASC 326. The new guidance is not prescriptive about certain aspects of estimating expected credit losses, including the specific methodology to use, and therefore requires significant judgment in application. Applying ASC 326, we have determined that an allowance for credit losses related to our premium receivables and reinsurance recoverables was not necessary as of December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2020, we established an allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale securities of $49 thousand. We continue to apply the previous guidance to 2019 and prior periods.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement: ASU 2018-13

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted FASB guidance that changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The updated guidance removed the requirement to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The updated guidance requires disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of the updated guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statement disclosures.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans: ASU 2018-14

In August 2018, the FASB issued amendments to modify the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans. The updated guidance removed the requirements to identify amounts that are expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the coming year and the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on service and interest cost and on the postretirement benefit obligation. The updated guidance added disclosures for the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with interest crediting rates and explanations for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. Early adoption is permitted. An entity should apply the amendments on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statement disclosures.

Prospective Accounting Standards

Table 2.1 shows the relevant new amendments to accounting standards, which are not yet effective or adopted.

Standard / Interpretation

Table

2.1

Amended Standards

Effective date

ASC 321, 323, 815

Investments

•

ASU 2020-01 - Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)

January 1, 2021

ASC 740

Income Taxes

•

ASU 2019-12 - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

January 1, 2021

ASC 310-20

Receivables

•

ASU 2020-08 - Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs

January 1, 2021

ASC 470, 815

Debt

•

ASU 2020-06 - Debt with conversion and other options (Topic 470), derivatives and hedging - contracts in entity’s own equity (Topic 815)

January 1, 2022

Clarification of Accounting for Equity Securities: ASU 2020-01

In January 2020, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies certain interactions of accounting for equity securities under Topic 321, under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323, and accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options in Topic 815. The amendment clarifies the consideration of observable transactions before applying or discounting the equity method of accounting. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those annual periods. We have evaluated the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, and determined it will not have a material impact.

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes: ASU 2019-12

In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance which simplifies Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740). The ASU intends to reduce complexity through clarification and amendments of existing guidance. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those annual periods. We have evaluated the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, and determined it will not have a material impact.

Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: ASU 2020-08

In October 2020, the FASB issued amendments to the codification that clarifies the accounting guidance for Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. FASB standard 2017-08 shortened the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring that entities amortize the premium associated with those callable debt securities within the scope of paragraph 310-20-25-33 to the earliest call date and clarified the FASB’s intent that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security that has multiple call dates is within the scope of paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. This guidance clarifies the issuer of a callable debt security should utilize the next call date versus the earliest call date in amortizing premium. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those annual periods. We have evaluated the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, and determined it will not have a material impact.

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity: ASU 2020-06

In August 2020, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. It also includes amendments to EPS guidance. The updated guidance reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. This ASU eliminates the cash conversion and the beneficial conversion models, which will make more instruments eligible for the fair value option. As a result of these changes, more convertible instruments will be reported as a single unit on the balance sheet. The updated guidance also includes updates to the EPS calculation. The ASU requires companies to use the if-converted method, assume share settlement when settlement can be in cash or in shares, use an average market price for the period if the number of shares is based on an entity’s share price, and use the weighted average shares from each quarter to calculate the year to date weighted average shares. The ASU also includes improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and EPS. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The ASU requires adoption to be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statement disclosures and whether we would early adopt.