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Investments
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments
Note 5
Investments
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses) and fair value for fixed income securities
($ in millions)
 
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair
value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
March 31, 2019
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
 
$
3,775

 
$
119

 
$
(2
)
 
$
3,892

Municipal
 
8,879

 
393

 
(8
)
 
9,264

Corporate
 
41,943

 
998

 
(242
)
 
42,699

Foreign government
 
732

 
21

 
(1
)
 
752

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
 
1,060

 
7

 
(9
)
 
1,058

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)
 
354

 
89

 
(1
)
 
442

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
 
67

 
7

 
(1
)
 
73

Redeemable preferred stock
 
21

 
1

 
—

 
22

Total fixed income securities
 
$
56,831

 
$
1,635

 
$
(264
)
 
$
58,202

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
 
$
5,386

 
$
137

 
$
(6
)
 
$
5,517

Municipal
 
8,963

 
249

 
(43
)
 
9,169

Corporate
 
40,536

 
490

 
(890
)
 
40,136

Foreign government
 
739

 
13

 
(5
)
 
747

ABS
 
1,049

 
6

 
(10
)
 
1,045

RMBS
 
377

 
89

 
(2
)
 
464

CMBS
 
63

 
8

 
(1
)
 
70

Redeemable preferred stock
 
21

 
1

 
—

 
22

Total fixed income securities
 
$
57,134

 
$
993

 
$
(957
)
 
$
57,170


Scheduled maturities for fixed income securities
($ in millions)
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Amortized cost
 
Fair value
Due in one year or less
 
$
3,309

 
$
3,324

Due after one year through five years
 
26,701

 
26,996

Due after five years through ten years
 
16,622

 
16,946

Due after ten years
 
8,718

 
9,363

 
 
55,350

 
56,629

ABS, RMBS and CMBS
 
1,481

 
1,573

Total
 
$
56,831

 
$
58,202


Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of calls and make-whole payments by the issuers. ABS, RMBS and CMBS are shown separately because of the potential for prepayment of principal prior to contractual maturity dates.



Net investment income
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Fixed income securities
 
$
538

 
$
508

Equity securities
 
30

 
34

Mortgage loans
 
53

 
51

Limited partnership interests
 
9

 
180

Short-term investments
 
26

 
12

Other
 
63

 
66

Investment income, before expense
 
719

 
851

Investment expense
 
(71
)
 
(65
)
Net investment income 
 
$
648

 
$
786


Realized capital gains (losses) by asset type
 
 
 
 
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Fixed income securities
 
$
64

 
$
(43
)
Equity securities
 
553

 
(93
)
Limited partnership interests
 
72

 
10

Derivatives
 
(46
)
 
(8
)
Other
 
19

 
—

Realized capital gains and losses
 
$
662

 
$
(134
)

Realized capital gains (losses) by transaction type
 
 
 
 
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Impairment write-downs
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(1
)
Change in intent write-downs
 
—

 
—

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
 
(14
)
 
(1
)
Sales
 
95

 
(42
)
Valuation of equity investments (1)
 
627

 
(83
)
Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
 
(46
)
 
(8
)
Realized capital gains and losses
 
$
662

 
$
(134
)

(1) 
Includes valuation of equity securities and certain limited partnership interests where the underlying assets are predominately public equity securities.
Sales of fixed income securities resulted in gross gains of $126 million and $45 million and gross losses of $60 million and $87 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
The following table presents the net pre-tax appreciation (decline) during 2019 and 2018 of equity securities and limited partnership interests carried at fair value still held as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 recognized in net income.
Net appreciation (decline) recognized in net income
 
 
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Equity securities
 
$
496

 
$
(49
)
Limited partnership interests carried at fair value 
 
(33
)
 
78

Total
 
$
463

 
$
29


OTTI losses by asset type
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
(2
)
 
2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

ABS
 
(2
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

RMBS
 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

CMBS
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total fixed income securities
 
(4
)
 
2

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Limited partnership interests
 
(1
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Other
 
(11
)
 
—

 
(11
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

OTTI losses
 
$
(16
)
 
$
2

 
$
(14
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)

OTTI losses included in AOCI at the time of impairment for fixed income securities which were not included in earnings
($ in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Municipal
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(5
)
Corporate
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
ABS
 
(11
)
 
(10
)
RMBS
 
(64
)
 
(67
)
CMBS
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Total
 
$
(85
)
 
$
(86
)


The amounts exclude $178 million and $180 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
Rollforward of the cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities held as of March 31,
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Beginning balance
 
$
(204
)
 
$
(226
)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected
 
4

 
15

Ending balance
 
$
(202
)
 
$
(212
)

The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security, discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists. The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security. All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable assumptions and forecasts, are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, foreign exchange rates, the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer, expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral, vintage, geographic concentration of underlying collateral, available reserves or escrows, current subordination levels, third party guarantees and other credit
enhancements. Other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond insurer for insured fixed income securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered. The estimated fair value of collateral will be used to estimate recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement. If the estimated recovery value is less than the amortized cost of the security, a credit loss exists and an OTTI for the difference between the estimated recovery value and amortized cost is recorded in earnings. The portion of the unrealized loss related to factors other than credit remains classified in AOCI. If the Company determines that the fixed income security does not have sufficient cash flow or other information to estimate a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and the loss is recorded in earnings.
Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in AOCI
($ in millions)
 
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
March 31, 2019
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
 
$
58,202

 
$
1,635

 
$
(264
)
 
$
1,371

Short-term investments
 
4,157

 
—

 
—

 
—

Derivative instruments
 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,368

Amounts recognized for:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(8
)
DAC and DSI (2)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(124
)
Amounts recognized
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(132
)
Deferred income taxes
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(264
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
972


(1) 
The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency. This adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies (a type of immediate fixed annuities).
(2) 
The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.
Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in AOCI
($ in millions)
 
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
December 31, 2018
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
 
$
57,170

 
$
993

 
$
(957
)
 
$
36

Short-term investments
 
3,027

 
—

 
—

 
—

Derivative instruments
 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
33

Amounts recognized for:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
—

DAC and DSI
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(33
)
Amounts recognized
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(33
)
Deferred income taxes
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(2
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
(2
)

Change in unrealized net capital gains (losses)
($ in millions)
 
Three months ended March 31, 2019
Fixed income securities
 
$
1,335

Derivative instruments
 
—

Total
 
1,335

Amounts recognized for:
 
 

Insurance reserves
 
(8
)
DAC and DSI
 
(91
)
Amounts recognized
 
(99
)
Deferred income taxes
 
(262
)
Increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 
$
974


Portfolio monitoring
The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.
For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes. If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s
decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company calculates the estimated recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security. If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows
sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in OCI.
The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost is below established thresholds. The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults. The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential OTTI using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of
the security. Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of OTTI for these securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer. Some of the factors that may be considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost.
Gross unrealized losses and fair value by type and length of time held in a continuous unrealized loss position

($ in millions)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
unrealized
losses
 
Number
of 
issues
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Number
of 
issues
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
March 31, 2019
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
 
9

 
$
112

 
$
—

 
39

 
$
259

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(2
)
Municipal
 
102

 
208

 
—

 
600

 
742

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Corporate
 
304

 
3,249

 
(42
)
 
807

 
10,382

 
(200
)
 
(242
)
Foreign government
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

 
218

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
ABS
 
36

 
283

 
(4
)
 
34

 
146

 
(5
)
 
(9
)
RMBS
 
81

 
12

 
—

 
194

 
49

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
CMBS
 
4

 
11

 
(1
)
 
1

 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
Total fixed income securities
 
536

 
$
3,875

 
$
(47
)
 
1,686

 
$
11,796

 
$
(217
)
 
$
(264
)
Investment grade fixed income securities
 
404

 
$
3,077

 
$
(22
)
 
1,550

 
$
10,853

 
$
(170
)
 
$
(192
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
 
132

 
798

 
(25
)
 
136

 
943

 
(47
)
 
(72
)
Total fixed income securities
 
536

 
$
3,875

 
$
(47
)
 
1,686

 
$
11,796

 
$
(217
)
 
$
(264
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
 
11

 
$
55

 
$
—

 
38

 
$
364

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(6
)
Municipal
 
943

 
1,633

 
(10
)
 
1,147

 
1,554

 
(33
)
 
(43
)
Corporate
 
1,735

 
19,243

 
(543
)
 
645

 
8,374

 
(347
)
 
(890
)
Foreign government
 
7

 
20

 
(1
)
 
27

 
412

 
(4
)
 
(5
)
ABS
 
64

 
454

 
(5
)
 
28

 
161

 
(5
)
 
(10
)
RMBS
 
166

 
30

 
—

 
195

 
52

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
CMBS
 
3

 
7

 
—

 
2

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Redeemable preferred stock
 
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total fixed income securities
 
2,930

 
$
21,442

 
$
(559
)
 
2,082

 
$
10,917

 
$
(398
)
 
$
(957
)
Investment grade fixed income securities
 
2,348

 
$
17,485

 
$
(331
)
 
2,021

 
$
10,626

 
$
(360
)
 
$
(691
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
 
582

 
3,957

 
(228
)
 
61

 
291

 
(38
)
 
(266
)
Total fixed income securities
 
2,930

 
$
21,442

 
$
(559
)
 
2,082

 
$
10,917

 
$
(398
)
 
$
(957
)

As of March 31, 2019, $231 million of the $264 million unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of amortized cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired. Of the $231 million, $179 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities. Of the remaining $52 million, $21 million have been in an unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months. Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), a comparable rating from another nationally recognized rating agency, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available. Market prices for certain securities may have credit spreads which imply higher or lower credit quality than the current third party rating. Unrealized
losses on investment grade securities are principally related to an increase in market yields which may include increased risk-free interest rates and/or wider credit spreads since the time of initial purchase. The unrealized losses are expected to reverse as the securities approach maturity.
As of March 31, 2019, the remaining $33 million of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost. Investment grade fixed income securities comprising $13 million of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations. Of the $33 million, $20 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities. Of these amounts, $2 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities that had been in an unrealized loss position greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of March 31, 2019.
ABS, RMBS and CMBS in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on actual and projected collateral losses relative to the securities’ positions in the respective securitization trusts, security specific expectations of cash flows, and credit ratings. This evaluation also takes into consideration credit enhancement, measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security the Company owns, and (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to the class of securities the Company owns, such as overcollateralization and excess spread. Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the underlying credit quality of the primary obligor, obligation type and quality of the underlying assets.
As of March 31, 2019, the Company has not made the decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
Limited partnerships
Investments in limited partnership interests include interests in private equity funds, real estate funds and other funds. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the carrying value of equity method of accounting limited partnerships totaled $5.76 billion and $5.73 billion, respectively, and limited partnerships carried at fair value totaled $1.74 billion and $1.78 billion, respectively.
Mortgage loans
Mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment on a specific loan basis through a quarterly credit monitoring process and review of key credit quality indicators. Mortgage loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect the contractual principal and interest. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans to reduce the carrying value to the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or the present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Impaired mortgage loans may not have a valuation allowance when the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is higher than the carrying value. Valuation allowances are adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows. Mortgage loans are charged off against their corresponding valuation allowances when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. The impairment evaluation is non-statistical in respect to the aggregate portfolio but considers facts and circumstances attributable to each loan. It is not considered probable that additional impairment losses, beyond those identified on a specific loan basis, have been incurred as of March 31, 2019.
Accrual of income is suspended for mortgage loans that are in default or when full and timely collection of principal and interest payments is not probable. Cash receipts on mortgage loans on non-accrual status are generally recorded as a reduction of carrying value.
Debt service coverage ratio is considered a key credit quality indicator when mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment. Debt service coverage ratio represents the amount of estimated cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations. Debt service coverage ratio estimates are updated annually or more frequently if conditions are warranted based on the Company’s credit monitoring process.
Carrying value of non-impaired mortgage loans summarized by debt service coverage ratio distribution
($ in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Debt service coverage ratio distribution
 
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
 
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
Below 1.0
 
$
22

 
$
31

 
$
53

 
$
6

 
$
31

 
$
37

1.0 - 1.25
 
256

 
—

 
256

 
273

 
—

 
273

1.26 - 1.50
 
1,157

 
—

 
1,157

 
1,192

 
—

 
1,192

Above 1.50
 
3,110

 
101

 
3,211

 
3,063

 
101

 
3,164

Total non-impaired mortgage loans
 
$
4,545

 
$
132

 
$
4,677

 
$
4,534

 
$
132

 
$
4,666


Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio below 1.0 that are not considered impaired primarily relate to instances where the borrower has the financial capacity to fund the revenue shortfalls from the properties for the foreseeable term, the decrease
in cash flows from the properties is considered temporary, or there are other risk mitigating circumstances such as additional collateral, escrow balances or borrower guarantees.
Net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans
($ in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Impaired mortgage loans with a valuation allowance
 
$
4

 
$
4

Impaired mortgage loans without a valuation allowance
 
—

 
—

Total impaired mortgage loans
 
$
4

 
$
4

Valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans
 
$
3

 
$
3


The valuation allowance on impaired loans had no activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The average balance of impaired loans was $4 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
Payments on all mortgage loans were current as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
Short-term investments
Short-term investments, including commercial paper, money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills and other short-term investments, are carried at fair value. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the fair value of short-term investments totaled $4.16 billion and $3.03 billion, respectively.
Other investments
Other investments primarily consist of bank loans, policy loans, real estate, agent loans and derivatives. Bank loans are primarily senior secured corporate loans and are carried at amortized cost. Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Agent loans are loans issued to exclusive Allstate agents and are carried at unpaid principal balances, net of valuation allowances and unamortized deferred fees or costs. Derivatives are carried at fair value.
Other investments by asset type
($ in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Bank loans
 
$
1,300

 
$
1,350

Policy loans
 
885

 
891

Real estate
 
776

 
791

Agent loans
 
639

 
620

Derivatives and other
 
186

 
200

Total
 
$
3,786

 
$
3,852