Reinsurance

The Company generally reports retrocession activity on a gross basis. Amounts paid or deemed to have been paid for reinsurance are reflected in reinsurance ceded receivables. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is recognized over the terms of the reinsured policies on a basis consistent with the reporting of those policies.

Retrocession reinsurance treaties do not relieve the Company from its obligations to direct writing companies. Failure of retrocessionaires to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. Consequently, allowances would be established for amounts deemed uncollectible. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no allowances were deemed necessary. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of the insurance companies from which it assumes and to which it cedes reinsurance.

Retrocessions are arranged through the Company’s retrocession pools for amounts in excess of the Company’s retention limit. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, all rated retrocession pool participants followed by the A.M. Best Company were rated “A- (excellent)” or better. The Company verifies retrocession pool participants’ ratings on a quarterly basis. For a majority of the retrocessionaires that were not rated, security in the form of letters of credit or trust assets has been posted. In addition, the Company performs annual financial reviews of its retrocessionaires to evaluate financial stability and performance. In addition to its third party retrocessionaires, various RGA reinsurance subsidiaries retrocede amounts in excess of their retention to affiliated subsidiaries.

The following table presents information for the Company's reinsurance ceded receivable assets, including the respective amount and A.M. Best rating for each reinsurer representing in excess of five percent of the total as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):



		March 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
Reinsurer	A.M. Best Rating	Amount		% of Total		Amount		% of Total
Reinsurer A	A+	$	219,510	31.9	%	$	199,479	31.3	%
Reinsurer B	A+	191,988		27.9		179,522		28.1
Reinsurer C	A+	71,542		10.4		72,836		11.4
Reinsurer D	A++	41,621		6.0		41,807		6.6
Reinsurer E	A	39,510		5.7		37,138		5.8
Other reinsurers		124,320		18.1		107,077		16.8
Total		$	688,491	100.0	%	$	637,859	100.0	%

Included in the total reinsurance ceded receivables balance were $256.0 million and $233.7 million of claims recoverable, of which $4.9 million and $2.0 million were in excess of 90 days past due, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.