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voyrfinrgbgrdpos1567a07.jpg
 
 
 
 
 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
——————————————————————
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission File Number: 033-23376

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Connecticut
71-0294708
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Orange Way
 
Windsor, Connecticut
06095-4774
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(860) 580-4646
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes o    No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act    Yes o    No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Emerging growth company  o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates: N/A

As of March 11, 2019, 55,000 shares of Common Stock, $50 par value were outstanding, all of which were directly owned by Voya Holdings Inc.

NOTE:  WHEREAS VOYA RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K, THIS FORM IS BEING FILED WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(2).
 
 
 
 
 

 
1
 


Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
PAGE
PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
 
 
 
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
PART IV
Item 15.
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Item omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K, except as to Part III, Item 10 with respect to compliance with Sections 406 and 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
**
Item prepared in accordance with General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.
***
Item omitted as registrant is neither an accelerated filer nor a well-known seasoned issuer.


 
2
 

Table of Contents

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, "VRIAC" refers to Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and the "Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer to VRIAC and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including "Risk Factors," "Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and "Business" contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to future developments in our business or expectations for our future financial performance and any statement not involving a historical fact. Forward-looking statements use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement due to, among other things, (i) general economic conditions, particularly economic conditions in our core markets, (ii) performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, (iii) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels, (v) persistency and lapse levels, (vi) interest rates, (vii) currency exchange rates, (viii) general competitive factors, (ix) changes in laws and regulations; (x) changes in the policies of governments and/or regulatory authorities; and (xi) our parent company, Voya Financial, Inc.'s ability to successfully manage the separation of the fixed and variable annuities business that it sold to VA Capital LLC on June 1, 2018, including the transition services on the expected timeline and economic terms or at all, and (xii) other factors described in the section "Item 1A. Risk Factors."

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") include additional factors that could affect our businesses and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

 
3
 

Table of Contents


PART I

Item 1.        Business
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)

Organization of Business

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company ("VRIAC") is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Connecticut. VRIAC and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, "the Company") provide financial products and services in the United States. VRIAC is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states and in the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Prior to May 2013, Voya Financial, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, including the Company was an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. ("ING Group" or "ING"), a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands. In May 2013, Voya Financial, Inc. completed its initial public offering of common stock, including the issuance and sale of common stock by Voya Financial, Inc. and the sale of shares of common stock owned indirectly by ING Group. ING Group completely divested its ownership of Voya Financial, Inc. common stock between 2013 and 2015.

VRIAC is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc. ("Parent"), which is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Financial, Inc. ("Voya Financial").

As of June 1, 2018, Directed Services LLC ("DSL") was divested pursuant to the transaction described below. Subsequent to the transaction, VRIAC has one wholly owned non-insurance subsidiary, Voya Financial Partners, LLC ("VFP").

On June 1, 2018, VRIAC's ultimate parent, Voya Financial, consummated a series of transactions (collectively, the "Transaction'') pursuant to a Master Transaction Agreement dated December 20, 2017 (the "MTA") with VA Capital Company LLC ("VA Capital") and Athene Holding Ltd ("Athene"). As part of the Transaction, VA Capital's wholly owned subsidiary Venerable Holdings Inc. ("Venerable") acquired certain of Voya Financial's assets, including all of the shares of capital stock of Voya Insurance and Annuity Company ("VIAC"), the Company's Iowa-domiciled insurance affiliate, as well as the membership interests of DSL, the Company's broker-dealer subsidiary. Following the closing of the Transaction, VRIAC acquired a 9.99% equity interest in VA Capital.

Description of Business

We offer qualified and nonqualified annuity contracts that include a variety of funding and payout options for employer-sponsored retirement plans as well as some individual plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403, 408, 457 and 501, as well as nonqualified deferred compensation plans and related services. Our products are offered primarily to employer-sponsored groups in the health care, government and education markets (collectively "tax exempt markets"), small to mid-sized corporations and individuals. We also provide stable value investment options, including separate account guaranteed investment contracts (e.g., GICs) and synthetic GICs, to institutional clients. Pension risk transfer group annuity solutions were previously offered to institutional plan sponsors who needed to transfer their defined benefit plan obligations to us. We discontinued sales of these solutions in late 2016 to better align business activities to our priorities. Our products are generally distributed through pension professionals, independent brokers and advisors, third-party administrators, consultants, dedicated financial guidance, planning and advisory representatives associated with Voya Financial's retail broker-dealer, Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. ("VFA").

We have one operating segment, which offers the products described below.

Products and Services

Our products include deferred and immediate (i.e., payout) annuity contracts. Our products also include programs offered to qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans that package administrative and record-keeping services, participant education, and a broad suite of financial wellness offerings including retirement and financial planning guidance and advisory products, tools and services along with a variety of investment options, including proprietary and non-proprietary mutual funds and variable and fixed investment options. In addition, we offer wrapper agreements entered into with retirement plans, which contain certain benefit responsive guarantees (i.e., guarantees of principal and previously accrued interest for benefits paid under the terms of the plan) with respect to portfolios of plan-owned assets not invested with us. Stable value products are also provided to institutional plan sponsors where we may or may not be providing other employer sponsored products and services.


 
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Annuity contracts offered by us contain variable and fixed investment options. Variable options generally provide for assumption by the customer of investment risks. Assets supporting variable annuity options are held in separate accounts that invest in mutual funds distributed by VRIAC and managed and/or distributed by its affiliates, or unaffiliated entities. Variable separate account investment income and realized capital gains and losses are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fixed options are either "fully-guaranteed" or "experience-rated." Fully-guaranteed fixed options provide guarantees on investment returns and maturity values. Experience-rated fixed options require the contract owner to assume certain investment risks, including realized capital gains and losses on the sale of invested assets and other risks subject to, among other things, principal and interest guarantees.

Fixed Indexed Annuities ("FIA") credit interest based on allocations selected by a customer in one or more of the strategies we offer and upon policy parameters that we set. The FIA strategies include a fixed interest option as well as options based on performance of various external financial market indices. Each FIA also offers a minimum value available to the client based on non-forfeiture regulations. The crediting mechanism for FIA exposes us to changes in equity indices such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index ("S&P 500"), the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50, the Standard & Poor's 400 Index ("S&P 400") Midcap and the Russell 2000 indices. For accounting purposes, the index return component of a FIA is considered an embedded derivative. See further discussion under "Reserves for Future Policy Benefits" below.

Our variable annuities may offer one or more of the following guaranteed minimum death benefits:

Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits ("GMDBs"):

Standard - Guarantees that, upon death of the individual specified in the policy, the death benefit will be no less than the premiums paid by the customer, adjusted for withdrawals.
Ratchet - Guarantees that, upon death of the individual specified in the policy, the death benefit will be no less than the greater of (1) Standard or (2) the maximum policy anniversary (or quarterly) value of the variable annuity, adjusted for withdrawals.
Rollup - Guarantees that, upon death of the individual specified in the policy, the death benefit will be no less than the aggregate premiums paid by the contract owner, with interest at the contractual rate per annum, adjusted for withdrawals. The rollup may be subject to a maximum cap on the total benefit.
Combo - Guarantees that, upon death of the individual specified in the policy, the death benefit will be no less than the greater of (1) Ratchet or (2) Rollup.

Variable annuities with a death benefit equal to the product's account value, or the greater of the product's account value and the Standard Death Benefit are currently being offered. All other versions have been discontinued.

Variable annuity contracts containing GMDBs expose us to equity risk. A decrease in the equity markets may cause a decrease in the account values, thereby increasing the possibility that we may be required to pay amounts to customers due to guaranteed death benefits. An increase in the value of the equity markets may increase account values for these contracts, thereby decreasing our risk associated with the GMDBs. Most contracts with GMDBs are reinsured to third party reinsurers to mitigate the risk produced by such guaranteed minimum death benefits.

Other Minimum Guarantees

Other variable annuity contracts contain minimum interest rate guarantees and allow the contract holder to select either the market value of the account or the book value of the account at termination. The book value of the account is equal to deposits plus interest, less any withdrawals. Under the terms of the contract, the book value settlement is paid out over time. These guarantees are offered in our Stabilizer and managed custody guarantee products ("MCG").

Fees and Margins

Insurance and expense charges, investment management fees and other fees earned by us vary by product and depend on, among other factors, the funding option selected by the customer under the product. For annuity products where assets are allocated to variable funding options through a separate account, we may charge the separate account asset-based insurance and expense fees.

In addition, where the customer selects a variable funding option, we may receive compensation from the fund's adviser, administrator, or other affiliated entity, for the performance of certain administrative, recordkeeping or other services. This compensation, which may be deducted from fund assets, may include a share of the management fee, service fees, 12b-1 distribution

 
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fees or other revenues based on a percentage of average net assets held in the fund by us. For funds managed by an affiliate, additional compensation may be received in the form of intercompany payments from the fund's investment advisor or the investment advisor's parent in order to allocate revenue and profits across the organization.

For fixed funding options, we earn a margin that is based on the difference between income earned on the investments supporting the liability and interest credited to customers.

In connection with programs offered to qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans that package administrative and recordkeeping services along with a menu of investment options, we may receive 12b-1 and service plan fees, as well as compensation from the affiliated or nonaffiliated fund's advisor, administrator, or other affiliated entity for the performance of certain shareholder services.

We may also receive other fees or charges depending on the nature of the products.

Strategy, Method of Distribution and Principal Markets

Our products are offered primarily to employer-sponsored groups in the health care, government and education markets (collectively "tax exempt markets"), small to mid-sized corporations and individuals. Our products are generally distributed through pension professionals, independent brokers and advisors, third-party administrators, consultants, dedicated financial guidance, planning and advisory representatives associated with Voya Financial's retail broker-dealer, VFA.

We are not dependent upon any single customer and no single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenue in 2018. In addition, the loss of business from any one, or a few, independent brokers or agents would not have a material adverse effect on us.

Assets Under Management and Administration

A substantial portion of our fees, other charges and margins, are based on assets under management ("AUM"). AUM represents on-balance sheet assets supporting customer account values/liabilities and surplus as well as off-balance sheet institutional/mutual funds. Customer account values reflect the amount of policyholder equity that has accumulated within retirement and annuity products. AUM includes general account assets in which we bear the investment risk, separate account assets in which the contract owner bears the investment risk and institutional/mutual funds, which are excluded from our balance sheets. AUM-based revenues increase or decrease with a rise or fall in the amount of AUM, whether caused by changes in capital markets or by net flows.
 

 
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AUM is principally affected by net deposits (i.e., new deposits, less surrenders and other outflows) and investment performance (i.e., interest credited to contract owner accounts for assets that earn a fixed return or market performance for assets that earn a variable return). Assets under administration ("AUA") represent accumulated assets on contracts pursuant to which we either provide administrative services or product guarantees for assets managed by third parties. Fees earned on AUA are generally based on the number of participants, asset levels and/or the level of services or product guarantees that are provided. The AUM, AUA and deposits, were as follows as of and for the periods indicated:
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Deposits:
 
 
 
Variable annuities
$
8,308

 
$
9,282

Fixed annuities
2,149

 
2,000

Total annuities
10,457

 
11,282

Other products
1,049

 
1,177

Total deposits
$
11,506

 
$
12,459

 
 
 
 
Assets under management:
 
 
 
Variable annuities
$
57,664

 
$
63,777

Fixed annuities
28,887

 
28,132

Total annuities
86,551

 
91,909

Other products
10,867

 
15,696

Total assets under management
97,418

 
107,605

 
 
 
 
Assets under administration
84,511

 
82,746

Total assets under management and administration
$
181,929

 
$
190,351


AUM are generally available for contract owner withdrawal and are generally subject to market value adjustments and/or deferred surrender charges. To encourage customer retention and recover acquisition expenses, contracts typically impose a surrender charge on contract owner balances withdrawn within a period of time after the contract's inception. The period of time and level of the charge vary by product. In addition, an approach incorporated into certain recent variable annuity contracts with fixed funding options allows contract owners to receive an incremental interest rate if withdrawals from the fixed account are spread over a period of five years. Further, more favorable credited rates may be offered after policies have been in force for a period of time. Existing tax penalties on annuity and certain custodial account distributions prior to age 59 1/2 provide further disincentive to customers for premature surrenders of account balances, but generally do not impede transfers of those balances to products of competitors.

Competition

Within the retirement business, competition from traditional insurance carriers, 403(b) and 457 plan providers, as well as banks, mutual fund companies and other investment managers, offers consumers many choices. Principal competitive factors are reputation for investment performance, product features, service, cost and the perceived financial strength of the investment manager. Competition may affect, among other matters, both business growth and the pricing of our products and services.

Reinsurance Arrangements

We utilize indemnity reinsurance agreements to reduce our exposure to losses from our annuity insurance business. Reinsurance permits recovery of a portion of losses from reinsurers, although it does not discharge our primary liability as the direct insurer of the risks. Reinsurance treaties are structured as monthly or yearly renewable term, coinsurance, or modified coinsurance. All agreements that we currently have relate to specifically-identified blocks of business or contracts; therefore the agreements do not cover new contracts written, if any.

See Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Reinsurance Agreements in Part II, Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of our reinsurance arrangements.

 
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Investment Overview and Strategy

Our investment strategy seeks to achieve sustainable risk-adjusted returns by focusing on principal preservation, disciplined matching of asset characteristics with liability requirements and the diversification of risks. Investment activities are undertaken according to investment policy statements that contain internally established guidelines and risk tolerances and in all cases are required to comply with applicable laws and insurance regulations. Risk tolerances are established for credit risk, credit spread risk, market risk, liquidity risk and concentration risk across issuers, sectors and asset types that seek to mitigate the impact of cash flow variability arising from these risks.

Investments are managed by Voya Investment Management LLC, our affiliate, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. Portfolios are established for groups of products with similar liability characteristics within us. Our investment portfolio consists largely of high quality fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, investments in commercial mortgage loans, limited partnerships and other instruments, including a small amount of equity holdings. Fixed maturity securities include publicly issued corporate bonds, government bonds, privately placed notes and bonds, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. We use derivatives for hedging purposes and to replicate exposure to other assets as a more efficient means of assuming credit exposure similar to bonds of the underlying issuer(s).

Employees and Other Shared Services

VRIAC had 1,510 employees as of December 31, 2018, primarily focused on managing new business processing, product distribution, marketing, customer service and product management for us and certain of our affiliates, as well as providing product development, actuarial and finance services to us and certain of our affiliates. We also utilize services provided by Voya Services Company and other affiliates. These services include risk management, human resources, investment management, information technology, legal and compliance services, as well as other new business processing, actuarial and finance related services. The affiliated companies are reimbursed for our use of various services and facilities under a variety of intercompany agreements.

REGULATION

Our operations and businesses are subject to a significant number of Federal and state laws, regulations, administrative determinations.

Following is a description of certain legal and regulatory frameworks to which we are or may be subject.

Insurance Regulation

Our operations are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision under U.S. state and federal laws. Each U.S. state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions have insurance laws that apply to companies licensed to carry on an insurance business in the jurisdiction. We are subject to the insurance laws of the State of Connecticut, where we are domiciled and other jurisdictions in which we transact business. The primary regulators of our insurance operations are the insurance departments of Connecticut and New York.

State insurance regulators have broad administrative powers with respect to all aspects of the insurance business including: licensing to transact business, licensing agents, admittance of assets to statutory surplus, regulating premium rates for certain insurance products, approving policy forms, regulating unfair trade and claims practices, establishing reserve requirements and solvency standards, establishing credit for reinsurance requirements, fixing maximum interest rates on life insurance policy loans and minimum accumulation or surrender values and other matters. State insurance laws and regulations include numerous provisions governing the marketplace conduct of insurers, including provisions governing the form and content of disclosures to consumers, product illustrations, advertising, product replacement, suitability, sales and underwriting practices, complaint handling and claims handling. State regulators enforce these provisions through periodic market conduct examinations. State insurance laws and regulations regulating affiliate transactions, the payment of dividends and change of control transactions are discussed in greater detail below.

State insurance laws and regulations require us to file financial statements with state insurance regulators everywhere we are licensed and our operations and accounts are subject to examination by those regulators at any time. We prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices and procedures developed by regulators to monitor and regulate the solvency of insurance companies and their ability to pay current and future policyholder obligations. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the "NAIC") has approved these uniform statutory accounting principles ("SAP") which have in turn been adopted, in some cases with minor modifications, by all state insurance regulators.

 
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State insurance regulators, the NAIC and other regulatory bodies have been investigating the use of affiliated captive reinsurers or off-shore entities to reinsure insurance risks and the NAIC has made recent advances in captive reform.

In 2014, the NAIC considered a proposal to require states to apply NAIC accreditation standards, applicable to traditional insurers, to captive reinsurers. In 2015, the NAIC adopted such a proposal, in the form of a revised preamble to the NAIC accreditation standards (the "Standard"), with an effective date of January 1, 2016 for application of the Standard to captives that assume XXX or AXXX business. Under the Standard, a state will be deemed in compliance as it relates to XXX or AXXX captives if the applicable reinsurance transaction satisfies the NAIC's Actuarial Guideline 48 ("AG48"), which limits the type of assets that may be used as collateral to cover the XXX and AG 38 statutory reserves. The Standard applies prospectively, so that XXX or AXXX captives will not be subject to the Standard if reinsured policies were issued prior to January 1, 2015 and ceded so that they were part of a reinsurance arrangement as of December 31, 2014. The NAIC left for future action application of the Standard to captives that assume variable annuity business.

Insurance Holding Company Regulation

Because we are part of an affiliated group of companies, we are subject to the insurance holding company law of the State of Connecticut, our state of domicile. State insurance holding company law generally requires each insurance company directly or indirectly owned by the holding company to register with the insurance regulator in the insurance company’s state of domicile and to furnish annually financial and other information about the operations of companies within the holding company system. Generally, all transactions affecting the insurers in the holding company system must be fair and reasonable and, if material, require prior notice and approval or non-disapproval by the state’s insurance regulator.

Change of Control. State insurance holding company regulations, including those of Connecticut, generally provide that no person, corporation or other entity may acquire control of an insurance company, or a controlling interest in any parent company of an insurance company, without the prior approval of such insurance company’s domiciliary state insurance regulator. Under Connecticut law, any person acquiring, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting securities of an insurance company is presumed to have acquired "control" of the company. This statutory presumption of control may be rebutted by a showing that control does not exist in fact. Our Connecticut insurance regulators, however, may find that "control" exists in circumstances in which a person owns or controls less than 10% of voting securities.

To obtain approval of any change in control, any proposed acquirer must file with the Connecticut Insurance Department an application disclosing, among other information, its background, financial condition, the financial condition of its affiliates, the source and amount of funds by which it will effect the acquisition, the criteria used in determining the nature and amount of consideration to be paid for the acquisition, proposed changes in the management and operations of the insurance company and other related matters.

Any purchaser of shares of common stock representing 10% or more of the voting power of our capital stock or that of Voya Financial, Inc. will be presumed to have acquired control of our Company unless, following application by that purchaser with the Connecticut Insurance Department, the Insurance Commissioner determines otherwise.

NAIC Regulations. The current insurance holding company model act and regulations (the "NAIC Regulations"), a version of which has been adopted by our insurance subsidiaries' domicile states, include a requirement that an insurance holding company system's ultimate controlling person submit annually to its lead state insurance regulator an "enterprise risk report" that identifies activities, circumstances or events involving one or more affiliates of an insurer that, if not remedied properly, are likely to have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition or liquidity of the insurer or its insurance holding company system as a whole. The NAIC Regulations also include a provision requiring a controlling person to submit prior notice to its domiciliary insurance regulator of a divestiture of controlConnecticut adopted its version of the NAIC Amendments.

The NAIC "Solvency Modernization Initiative" focuses on: (1) capital requirements; (2) corporate governance and risk management; (3) group supervision; (4) statutory accounting and financial reporting; and (5) reinsurance. This initiative has resulted in the adoption by the NAIC, and our insurance subsidiaries' domiciliary states, of the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act ("ORSA"). ORSA requires that insurers maintain a risk management framework and conduct an internal own risk and solvency assessment of the insurer's material risks in normal and stressed environments. The assessment must be documented in a confidential annual summary report, a copy of which must be made available to regulators as required or upon request. In accordance with statutory requirements, Voya Financial, Inc. regularly prepares and submits ORSA summary reports on behalf of the consolidated enterprise to the Connecticut Insurance Department, the legal insurance regulator of Voya Financial, Inc.'s consolidated enterprise. This initiative also resulted in the adoption by the NAIC and several of our insurance

 
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subsidiary domiciliary regulators of the Corporate Governance Annual Filing Model Act, which requires insurers, including Voya, to make an annual confidential filing regarding their corporate governance policies.

Dividend Payment Restrictions. The insurance law of an insurance company's state of domicile imposes certain restrictions on a domiciliary insurance company's ability to pay dividends to its parentThese restrictions are based in part on the prior year’s statutory income and surplusIn general, dividends up to specified levels are considered ordinary and may be paid without prior approvalDividends in larger amounts, or extraordinary dividends, are subject to approval by the insurance commissioner of the state of domicile of the insurance subsidiary proposing to pay the dividend. In addition, under Connecticut insurance law, no dividend or other distribution exceeding an amount equal to an insurance company's earned surplus may be paid without the domiciliary insurance regulator's prior approval.

Financial Regulation

Policy and Contract Reserve Sufficiency Analysis. Under the laws and regulations of Connecticut, we are required to conduct annual analyses of the sufficiency of our statutory reservesOther jurisdictions in which we are licensed may have certain reserve requirements that differ from our state of domicileIn each case, a qualified actuary must submit an opinion that states that the aggregate statutory reserves, when considered in light of the assets held with respect to such reserves, are sufficient to meet the insurer's contractual obligations and related expensesIf such an opinion cannot be rendered, the affected insurer must set up additional statutory reserves by moving funds from available statutory surplusWe submit these opinions annually to applicable insurance regulatory authorities.

Surplus and Capital Requirements. Insurance regulators have the discretionary authority, in connection with the ongoing licensing of insurance companies, to limit or prohibit the ability of an insurer to issue new policies if, in the regulators' judgment, the insurer is not maintaining a minimum amount of surplus or is in hazardous financial condition. Insurance regulators may also limit the ability of an insurer to issue new life insurance policies and annuity contracts above an amount based upon the face amount and premiums of policies of a similar type issued in the prior year. We do not currently believe that the current or anticipated levels of our statutory surplus present a material risk that any such regulator would limit the amount of new policies that we may issue.

Risk-Based Capital. The NAIC has adopted risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements for life, health and property and casualty insurance companiesThe requirements provide a method for analyzing the minimum amount of adjusted capital (statutory capital and surplus plus other adjustments) appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations, taking into account the risk characteristics of the company's assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet itemsState insurance regulators use the RBC requirements as an early warning tool to identify possibly inadequately capitalized insurers. An insurance company found to have insufficient statutory capital based on its RBC ratio may be subject to varying levels of additional regulatory oversight depending on the level of capital inadequacyAs of December 31, 2018, our RBC exceeded statutory minimum RBC levels that would require any regulatory or corrective action.

As a result of the federal tax legislation signed into law on December 22, 2017 (“Tax Reform”), the NAIC updated the factors affecting RBC requirements, including ours, to reflect the lowering of the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Adjusting these factors in light of Tax Reform resulted in an increase in the amount of capital we are required to maintain to satisfy our RBC requirements.

The NAIC is currently working with the American Academy of Actuaries as they consider possible updates to the asset factors that are used to calculate the RBC requirements for the investment portfolio assets. The NAIC review may lead to an expansion in the number of NAIC asset class categories for factor-based RBC requirements and the adoption of new factors, which could increase capital requirements on some securities and decrease capital requirements on others. We cannot predict what, if any, changes may result from this review or their potential impact on our RBC ratios. We will continue to monitor developments in this area.

IRIS Tests. The NAIC has developed a set of financial relationships or tests known as the Insurance Regulatory Information System ("IRIS") to assist state regulators in monitoring the financial condition of U.S. insurance companies and identifying companies requiring special attention or action. For IRIS ratio purposes, we submit data to the NAIC on an annual basis. The NAIC analyzes this data using prescribed financial data ratios. A ratio falling outside the prescribed "usual range" is not considered a failing result. Rather, unusual values are viewed as part of the regulatory early monitoring system. In many cases, it is not unusual for financially sound companies to have one or more ratios that fall outside the usual range.


 
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Regulators typically investigate or monitor an insurance company if its IRIS ratios fall outside the prescribed usual range for four or more of the ratios, but each state has the right to inquire about any ratios falling outside the usual rangeThe inquiries made by state insurance regulators into an insurance company's IRIS ratios can take various forms.

We do not anticipate regulatory action as a result of the 2018 IRIS ratio results. In all instances in prior years, regulators have been satisfied upon follow-up that no regulatory action was required.

Insurance Guaranty Associations. Each state has insurance guaranty association laws that require insurance companies doing business in the state to participate in various types of guaranty associations or other similar arrangements. The laws are designed to protect policyholders from losses under insurance policies issued by insurance companies that become impaired or insolvent. Typically, these associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on member insurers on the basis of the member insurer’s proportionate share of the business in the relevant jurisdiction in the lines of business in which the impaired or insolvent insurer is engaged. Some jurisdictions permit member insurers to recover assessments that they paid through full or partial premium tax offsets, usually over a period of years.

We accrue the cost of future guaranty fund assessments based on estimates of insurance company insolvencies provided by the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations and the amount of premiums written in each state. We have estimated this undiscounted liability to be minimal as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. We have also recorded an asset of $9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, for future credits to premium taxes. We estimate our liabilities for future assessments under state insurance guaranty association laws. We believe the reserves established are adequate for future assessments relating to insurance companies that are currently subject to insolvency proceedings.

Cybersecurity Regulatory Activity

The NAIC, numerous state and federal regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations like FINRA are focused on cybersecurity standards both for the financial services industry and for all companies that collect personal information, and have proposed legislation, regulations and issued guidance regarding cybersecurity standards and protocols. For example, in February, 2017, the New York Department of Financial Services ("NYDFS") issued final Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies that will require banks, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions regulated by the NYDFS, including us, to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program "designed to protect consumers and ensure the safety and soundness of New York State's financial services industry." In 2018, South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan adopted versions of the NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law. These laws, with effective dates ranging from January 1, 2019 to January 20, 2021, ensure that licensees of the Department of Insurance in these states have strong and aggressive cybersecurity programs to protect the personal data of their customers. During 2019, we expect cybersecurity risk management, prioritization and reporting to continue to be an area of significant focus by governments, regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations at all levels.

Securities Regulation Affecting Insurance Operations

We sell group variable annuities that are registered with the SEC as securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and are subject to regulation by the SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). In addition, certain fixed and indexed annuities we may offer are registered as securities under the Securities Act. The variable annuity products are issued through separate accounts and some of the separate accounts are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, and are regulated by state law. Each separate account is generally divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in an underlying mutual fund which is itself a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). Such mutual funds, and in certain states, our variable annuity products, are subject to filing and other requirements under state securities laws. Federal and state securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investors and generally grant broad rulemaking and enforcement powers to regulatory agencies.

In addition, distribution of our annuity products registered as securities is affected by federal and state securities laws and laws and regulations applicable to broker-dealers.

In April 2018, the SEC published a proposed rule that would, among other things, apply a heightened "best interest" standard to broker-dealers and their associated persons when they make securities investment recommendations to retail customers. If the SEC finalizes this rule, other federal regulators and state regulators may follow with their own rules applicable to investment recommendations relating to other separate or overlapping investment products and accounts, such as insurance products and retirement accounts.


 
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Federal Initiatives Affecting Insurance Operations

The U.S. federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance business. Federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly affect insurance companies, however. These areas include federal pension regulation, financial services regulation, federal tax laws relating to life insurance companies and their products and the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the "Patriot Act") requiring, among other things, the establishment of anti-money laundering monitoring programs.

Regulation of Retirement Products and Services

Our retirement products and services are subject to federal and state tax, securities, fiduciary (including the Employment Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA")), insurance and other laws and regulations. The SEC, FINRA, state securities commissions, state insurance departments and the Department of Labor ("DOL") and the Treasury Department are the principal regulators that regulate these products and services.

Federal and state securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investors in the securities markets and generally grant regulatory agencies broad enforcement and rulemaking powers, including the power to limit or restrict the conduct of business in the event of non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Federal and state securities regulatory authorities and FINRA from time to time make inquiries and conduct examinations regarding compliance by us, our subsidiaries and affiliates with securities and other laws and regulations.

ERISA is a comprehensive federal statute that applies to U.S. employee benefit plans sponsored by private employers and labor unions. Plans subject to ERISA include pension and profit sharing plans and welfare plans, including health, life and disability plans. Among other things, ERISA imposes reporting and disclosure obligations, prescribes standards of conduct that apply to plan fiduciaries and prohibits transactions known as "prohibited transactions," such as conflict-of-interest transactions, self-dealing and certain transactions between a benefit plan and a party in interest. ERISA also provides for a scheme of civil and criminal penalties and enforcement. Our insurance, investment management and retirement businesses provide services to employee benefit plans subject to ERISA, including limited services under specific contracts where we may act as an ERISA fiduciary. We are also subject to ERISA’s prohibited transaction rules for transactions with ERISA plans, which may affect our ability to, or the terms upon which we may, enter into transactions with those plans, even in businesses unrelated to those giving rise to party in interest status. The applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code are subject to enforcement by the DOL, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC").

Financial Reform Legislation and Initiatives

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new framework for regulating over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives, which has transformed derivatives markets and trading in significant ways. Under the new regulatory regime and subject to certain exceptions, certain standardized OTC interest rate and credit derivatives must now be cleared through a centralized clearinghouse and executed on a centralized exchange or execution facility, and the CFTC and the SEC may designate additional types of OTC derivatives for mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements in the future. In addition to mandatory central clearing of certain derivatives products, non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives which have been excluded from the clearing mandate and which are used by market participants like us are now subject to additional regulatory reporting and and margin requirements. Specifically, both the CFTC and federal banking regulators issued final rules in 2015, which became effective in 2017, establishing minimum margin requirements for OTC derivatives traded by either (non-bank) swap dealers or banks which qualify as swaps entities. Nearly all of the counterparties we trade with are either swap dealers or swap entities subject to these rules. Both the CFTC and prudential regulator margin rules require mandatory exchange of variation margin for OTC derivatives transacted by us and will require exchange of initial margin commencing in 2020. As a result of the transition to central clearing and the new margin requirements for OTC derivatives), we will be required to hold more cash and highly liquid securities resulting in lower yields in order to satisfy the projected increase in margin required. In addition, increased capital charges imposed by regulators on non-cash collateral held by bank counterparties and central clearinghouses is expected to result in higher hedging costs, causing a reduction in income from investments. We are also observing an increasing reluctance from counterparties to accept certain non-cash collateral from us due to higher capital or operational costs associated with such asset classes that we typically hold in abundance. These developments present potentially significant business, liquidity and operational risk for us which could materially and adversely impact both the cost and our ability to effectively hedge various risks, including equity, interest rate, currency and duration risks within many of our insurance and annuity products and investment portfolios. In addition, inconsistencies between the Dodd-Frank Act regime and parallel regimes in other jurisdictions, such as the EU, may further increase costs of hedging or inhibit our ability to access market liquidity in those other jurisdictions.

 
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Other Laws and Regulations

USA Patriot Act

The Patriot Act contains anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws applicable to broker-dealers and other financial services companies, including insurance companies. The Patriot Act seeks to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering. Anti-money laundering laws outside of the United States contain provisions that may be different, conflicting or more rigorous. Internal practices, procedures and controls are required to meet the increased obligations of financial institutions to identify their customers, watch for and report suspicious transactions, respond to requests for information by regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies and share information with other financial institutions.

We are also required to follow certain economic and trade sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Asset Control that prohibit or restrict transactions with suspected countries, their governments and, in certain circumstances, their nationals. We are also subject to regulations governing bribery and other anti-corruption measures.

Privacy Laws and Regulation

U.S. federal and state laws and regulations require all companies generally, and financial institutions, including insurance companies in particular, to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information and to notify consumers about their policies and practices relating to their collection, use, and disclosure of consumer information and the protection of the security and confidentiality of that information. The collection, use, disclosure and security of protected health information is also governed by federal and state laws. Federal and state laws require notice to affected individuals, law enforcement, regulators and others if there is a breach of the security of certain personal information, including social security numbers, and require holders of certain personal information to protect the security of the data. Federal regulations require financial institutions to implement effective programs to detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft. Federal and state laws and regulations regulate the ability of financial institutions to make telemarketing calls and to send unsolicited e-mail or fax messages to consumers and customers. Federal laws and regulations also regulate the permissible uses of certain types of personal information, including consumer report information. Federal and state governments and regulatory bodies may consider additional or more detailed regulation regarding these subjects. Numerous state regulatory bodies are focused on privacy requirements for all companies that collect personal information and have proposed legislation and regulations regarding privacy standards and protocols. For example, on June 28, 2018, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act, which will take effect on January 1,2020. We continue to evaluate this legislation and its potential impact on our operations, but depending on its implementation, we and other covered businesses may be required to incur significant expense in order to meet its requirements.

Environmental Considerations

Our ownership and operation of real property and properties within our commercial mortgage loan portfolio is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Risks of hidden environmental liabilities and the costs of any required clean-up are inherent in owning and operating real property. Under the laws of certain states, contamination of a property may give rise to a lien on the property to secure recovery of the costs of clean-up, which could adversely affect the valuation of, and increase the liabilities associated with, the commercial mortgage loans we hold. In several states, this lien has priority over the lien of an existing mortgage against such property. In addition, we may be liable, in certain circumstances, as an "owner" or "operator," for costs of cleaning-up releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances at a property mortgaged to us under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and the laws of certain states. Application of various other federal and state environmental laws could also result in the imposition of liability on us for costs associated with environmental hazards.

We routinely conduct environmental assessments prior to closing any new commercial mortgage loans or to taking title to real estate. Although unexpected environmental liabilities can always arise, we seek to minimize this risk by undertaking these environmental assessments and complying with our internal environmental policies and procedures.


 
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Item 1A.        Risk Factors
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)

We face a variety of risks that are substantial and inherent in our business, including market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal, regulatory and reputational risks. The following are some of the more important factors that could affect our business.

Risks Related to Our Business - General

Conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally have affected and may continue to affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally. Ongoing changes in monetary policies among the world's large central banks and fiscal policies enacted by various governments could create economic disruption, decrease asset prices, increase market volatility and potentially affect the availability and cost of credit.

Although we carry out business almost exclusively in the United States, we are affected by both domestic and international macroeconomic developments. Volatility and disruptions in financial markets, including global capital markets, can have an adverse effect on our investment portfolio, and our liabilities are sensitive to changing market factors. Factors including interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, derivative prices and availability, real estate markets, exchange rates, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, and deflation and inflation, all affect our financial condition. Disruptions in one market or asset class can also spread to other markets or asset classes. Upheavals in the financial markets can also affect our financial condition (including our liquidity and capital levels) as a result of impacts, including diverging impacts, on the value of our assets and our liabilities.

In recent years, political events have had significant effects on global financial markets. These events include confrontations over trade between the United States and its traditional allies in North America and Europe, and between the United States and China, and the pending withdrawal by the United Kingdom from its membership in the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit”, Adverse consequences from these or other events could include deterioration in global economic conditions, instability in global financial markets, political uncertainty, volatility in credit, equity, foreign exchange and derivatives markets, or other adverse changes.

More generally, the international system has in recent years faced heightened geopolitical risk, most notably in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but also in Africa and Southeast Asia, and events in any one of these regions could give rise to an increase in market volatility or a decrease in global economic output.

Even in the absence of a market downturn, our retirement products, as well as our investment returns and our access to and cost of financing, are sensitive to equity, fixed income, real estate and other market fluctuations and general economic and political conditions. These fluctuations and conditions could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, including in the following respects:

We provide a number of retirement products that expose us to risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, market indices, securities prices, default rates, the value of real estate assets, currency exchange rates and credit spreads. The profitability of many of our retirement products depends in part on the value of the general accounts and separate accounts supporting them, which may fluctuate substantially depending on the foregoing conditions.
Volatility or downturns in the equity markets can cause a reduction in fee income on retirement and certain annuity products. Because these products and services generate fees related primarily to the value of AUM, a decline in the equity markets could reduce our revenues.
A change in market conditions, including prolonged periods of high or low inflation or interest rates, could cause a change in consumer sentiment and adversely affect sales and could cause the actual persistency of our products to vary from their anticipated persistency (the probability that a product will remain in force from one period to the next) to vary from their anticipated persistency and adversely affect profitability. Changing economic conditions or adverse public perception of financial institutions can influence customer behavior, which can result in, among other things, an increase or decrease in claims, lapses, withdrawals, deposits or surrenders in certain products, any of which could adversely affect profitability.
An equity market decline, decreases in prevailing interest rates or a prolonged period of low interest rates could result in the value of guaranteed minimum benefits contained in certain of our retirement products being higher than current account values or higher than anticipated in our pricing assumptions, requiring us to materially increase reserves for such products, and may result in a decrease in customer lapses, thereby increasing the cost to us. In addition, such a scenario could lead to increased amortization and/or unfavorable unlocking of our deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA").

 
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Reductions in employment levels of our existing employer customers may result in a reduction in underlying employee participation levels, contributions, deposits and premium income for certain of our retirement products. Participants within the retirement plans for which we provide certain services may elect to make withdrawals from these plans, or reduce or stop their payroll deferrals to these plans, which would reduce assets under management or administration and our revenues.
We have significant investment and derivative portfolios that include, among other investments, corporate securities, asset-backed securities ("ABS"), equities and commercial mortgages. Economic conditions as well as adverse capital market and credit conditions, interest rate changes, changes in mortgage prepayment behavior or declines in the value of underlying collateral will impact the credit quality, liquidity and value of our investment and derivative portfolios, potentially resulting in higher capital charges and unrealized or realized losses and decreased investment income. The value of our investments and derivative portfolios may also be impacted by reductions in price transparency, changes in the assumptions or methodology we use to estimate fair value and changes in investor confidence or preferences, which could potentially result in higher realized or unrealized losses and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Market volatility may also make it difficult to value certain of our securities if trading becomes less frequent.
Market conditions determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we purchase and may result in additional expenses for reinsurance or an inability to obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect the profitability of our business and the availability of capital.
Hedging instruments we use to manage product and other risks might not perform as intended or expected, which could result in higher realized losses and unanticipated cash needs to collateralize or settle such transactions. Adverse market conditions can limit the availability and increase the costs of hedging instruments, and such costs may not be recovered in the pricing of the underlying products being hedged. In addition, hedging counterparties may fail to perform their obligations resulting in unhedged exposures and losses on positions that are not collateralized.
Regardless of market conditions, certain investments we hold, including privately placed fixed income investments, investments in private equity funds and commercial mortgages, are relatively illiquid. If we need to sell these investments, we may have difficulty selling them in a timely manner or at a price equal to what we could otherwise realize by holding the investment to maturity.
We are exposed to interest rate and equity risk based upon the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return assumptions associated with our pension and other retirement benefit obligations. Sustained declines in long-term interest rates or equity returns could have a negative effect on the funded status of these plans and/or increase our future funding costs.
Fluctuations in our results of operations and realized and unrealized gains and losses on our investment and derivative portfolio may impact our tax profile, our ability to optimally utilize tax attributes and our deferred income tax assets. See "Our ability to use beneficial U.S. tax attributes is subject to limitations."
A default by any financial institution or by a sovereign could lead to additional defaults by other market participants. The failure of a sufficiently large and influential institution could disrupt securities markets or clearance and settlement systems and lead to a chain of defaults, because the commercial and financial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely related as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other relationships. Even the perceived lack of creditworthiness of a counterparty may lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. This risk is sometimes referred to as "systemic risk" and may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, clearing houses, banks, securities firms and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis. Systemic risk could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise new funding and on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and/or business prospects. In addition, such a failure could impact future product sales as a potential result of reduced confidence in the financial services industry. Regulatory changes implemented to address systemic risk could also cause market participants to curtail their participation in certain market activities, which could decrease market liquidity and increase trading and other costs.
Widening credit spreads, if not offset by equal or greater declines in the risk-free interest rate, would also cause the total interest rate payable on newly issued securities to increase, and thus would have the same effect as an increase in underlying interest rates with respect to the valuation of our current portfolio.

To the extent that any of the foregoing risks were to emerge in a manner that adversely affected general economic conditions, financial markets, or the markets for our products and services, our financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may impact our ability to access liquidity and capital, as well as the cost of credit and capital.

Adverse capital market conditions may affect the availability and cost of borrowed funds, thereby impacting our ability to support or grow our businesses. We need liquidity to pay our operating expenses, interest on our debt and dividends to our parent, to maintain our securities lending activities and to replace certain maturing liabilities. Without sufficient liquidity, we will be forced to curtail

 
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our operations and our business will suffer. Our principal sources of liquidity are fees, annuity deposits and cash flow from investments and assets. 

In the event current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry and our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the possibility that customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects. Similarly, our access to funds may be limited if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. If our internal sources of liquidity prove to be insufficient, there is a risk that we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all. Any actions we might take to access financing may cause rating agencies to reevaluate our ratings. Any impairment of our ability to access credit markets or other forms of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The level of interest rates may adversely affect our profitability, particularly in the event of a continuation of the current low interest rate environment or a period of rapidly increasing interest rates.

The Federal Reserve has actively sought to normalize interest rates over the past few years. However, interest rates remain below historic averages. Supportive monetary policy continues in developed markets globally, but the extent of accommodation has receded. The unwind of extraordinary monetary accommodation by global central banks may lead to increased interest rate volatility.

During a period of decreasing interest rates or a prolonged period of low interest rates, our investment earnings may decrease because the interest earnings on our recently purchased fixed income investments will likely have declined in tandem with market interest rates. In addition, a prolonged low interest rate period may result in higher costs for certain derivative instruments that may be used to hedge certain of our product risks. RMBS and callable fixed income securities in our investment portfolios will be more likely to be prepaid or redeemed as borrowers seek to borrow at lower interest rates. Consequently, we may be required to reinvest the proceeds in securities bearing lower interest rates. Accordingly, during periods of declining interest rates, our profitability may suffer as the result of a decrease in the spread between interest rates credited to policyholders and contract owners and returns on our investment portfolios. An extended period of declining or prolonged low interest rates or a prolonged period of low interest rates may also coincide with a change to our long-term view of the interest rates. Such a change in our view would cause us to change the long-term interest rate assumptions in our calculation of insurance assets and liabilities under U.S. GAAP. Any future revision would result in increased reserves, accelerated amortization of DAC and other unfavorable consequences, which would be incremental to those consequences recorded in connection with the most recent revision. In addition, certain statutory capital and reserve requirements are based on formulas or models that consider interest rates, and an extended period of low interest rates may increase the statutory capital we are required to hold and the amount of assets we must maintain to support statutory reserves.

We believe a continuation of the low interest rate environment would negatively affect our financial performance.

Conversely, in periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, policy loans, withdrawals from, and/or surrenders of, annuity contracts and certain guaranteed investment contracts may increase as policyholders choose to seek higher investment returns. Obtaining cash to satisfy these obligations may require us to liquidate fixed income investments at a time when market prices for those assets are lower because of increases in interest rates. This may result in realized investment losses. Regardless of whether we realize an investment loss, such cash payments would result in a decrease in total invested assets and may decrease our net income and capitalization levels. Premature withdrawals may also cause us to accelerate amortization of DAC, which would also reduce our net income. An increase in market interest rates could also have a material adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio by, for example, decreasing the estimated fair values of the fixed income securities within our investment portfolio. An increase in market interest rates could also create increased collateral posting requirements associated with our interest rate hedge programs and Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") funding agreements, which could materially and adversely affect liquidity. In addition, an increase in market interest rates could require us to pay higher interest rates on debt securities we may issue in the financial markets from time to time to finance our operations, which would increase our interest expense and reduce our results of operations. Lastly, certain statutory reserve requirements are based on formulas or models that consider forward interest rates and an increase in forward interest rates may increase the statutory reserves we are required to hold thereby reducing statutory capital.

Changes in prevailing interest rates may negatively affect our business including the level of net interest margin we earn. In a period of changing interest rates, interest expense may increase and interest credited to policyholders may change at different rates than the interest earned on assets. Accordingly, changes in interest rates could decrease net interest margin. Changes in interest rates may negatively affect the value of our assets and our ability to realize gains or avoid losses from the sale of those assets, all of which also ultimately affect earnings. In addition, our insurance and annuity products and certain of our retirement and investment products are sensitive to inflation rate fluctuations. A sustained increase in the inflation rate in our principal markets may also negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. For example, a sustained increase in the inflation rate

 
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may result in an increase in nominal market interest rates. A failure to accurately anticipate higher inflation and factor it into our product pricing assumptions may result in mispricing of our products, which could materially and adversely impact our results of operations.

A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could result in a loss of business and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Ratings are important to our business. Credit ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding an entity's ability to repay its indebtedness. Our credit ratings are important to our ability to raise capital through the issuance of debt and to the cost of such financing. Financial strength ratings, which are sometimes referred to as "claims-paying" ratings, represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurance company to meet its obligations under an insurance policy. Financial strength ratings are important factors affecting public confidence in insurers. Our financial strength ratings are important to our ability to sell our products and services to our customers. Ratings are not recommendations to buy our securities. Each of the rating agencies reviews its ratings periodically, and our current ratings may not be maintained in the future.

Our ratings could be downgraded at any time and without notice by any rating agency. In addition, we could take actions that could cause one or more rating agencies to cease providing financial strength ratings. For a description of material rating actions that have occurred from the end of 2017 through the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K see "Item 7. Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Ratings."

A downgrade or discontinuation of our financial strength rating could affect our competitive position by making it more difficult for us to market our products as potential customers may select companies with higher financial strength ratings and by leading to increased withdrawals by current customers seeking companies with higher financial strength ratings. This could lead to a decrease in AUM and result in lower fee income. Furthermore, sales of assets to meet customer withdrawal demands could also result in losses, depending on market conditions. In addition, a downgrade or discontinuation in either our financial strength or credit ratings could potentially, among other things, increase our borrowing costs and make it more difficult to access financing; adversely affect the availability of LOCs and other financial guarantees; result in additional collateral requirements, or other required payments or termination rights under derivative contracts or other agreements; and/or impair, or cause the termination of, our relationships with creditors, broker-dealers, distributors, reinsurers or trading counterparties, which could potentially negatively affect our profitability, liquidity and/or capital. In addition, we use assumptions of market participants in estimating the fair value of our liabilities, including insurance liabilities that are classified as embedded derivatives under U.S. GAAP. These assumptions include our nonperformance risk (i.e., the risk that the obligations will not be fulfilled). Therefore, changes in our credit or financial strength ratings or the credit or financial strength ratings of Voya Financial, Inc. may affect the fair value of our liabilities.

As rating agencies continue to evaluate the financial services industry, it is possible that rating agencies will heighten the level of scrutiny that they apply to financial institutions, increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, request additional information from the companies that they rate and potentially adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the rating agency models for maintenance of certain ratings levels. It is possible that the outcome of any such review of us would have additional adverse ratings consequences, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We may need to take actions in response to changing standards or capital requirements set by any of the rating agencies which could cause our business and operations to suffer. We cannot predict what additional actions rating agencies may take, or what actions we may take in response to the actions of rating agencies.

Because we operate in highly competitive markets, we may not be able to increase or maintain our market share, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

In each of our businesses we face intense competition, including from domestic and foreign insurance companies, broker-dealers, financial advisors, asset managers and diversified financial institutions, banks, technology companies and start-up financial services providers, both for the ultimate customers for our products and for distribution through independent distribution channels. We compete based on a number of factors including brand recognition, reputation, quality of service, quality of investment advice, investment performance of our products, product features, scope of distribution, price, perceived financial strength and credit ratings, scale and level of customer service. A decline in our competitive position as to one or more of these factors could adversely affect our profitability. Many of our competitors are large and well-established and some have greater market share or breadth of distribution, offer a broader range of products, services or features, assume a greater level of risk, or have higher claims-paying or credit ratings than we do. Furthermore, the preferences of the end consumers for our products and services may shift, including as a result of technological innovations affecting the marketplaces in which we operate. To the extent our competitors are more successful than we are at adopting new technology and adapting to the changing preferences of the marketplace, our competitiveness may decline.


 
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In recent years, there has been substantial consolidation among companies in the financial services industry resulting in increased competition from large, well-capitalized financial services firms. Many of our competitors also have been able to increase their distribution systems through mergers, acquisitions, partnerships or other contractual arrangements. Furthermore, larger competitors may have lower operating costs and have an ability to absorb greater risk, while maintaining financial strength ratings, allowing them to price products more competitively. These competitive pressures could result in increased pressure on the pricing of certain of our products and services, and could harm our ability to maintain or increase profitability. In addition, if our financial strength and credit ratings are lower than our competitors, we may experience increased surrenders and/or a significant decline in sales. Due to the competitive nature of the financial services industry, there can be no assurance that we will continue to effectively compete within the industry or that competition will not have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our risk management policies and procedures, including hedge programs, may prove inadequate for the risks we face, which could negatively affect our business and financial condition or result in losses.

We have developed risk management policies and procedures, including hedging programs that utilize derivative financial instruments, and expect to continue to do so in the future. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures to identify, monitor and manage risks may not be fully effective, particularly during turbulent economic conditions. Many of our methods of managing risk and exposures are based upon observed historical market behavior or statistics based on historical models. As a result, these methods may not predict future exposures, which could be significantly greater than historical measures indicate. Other risk management methods depend on the evaluation of information regarding markets, customers, catastrophe occurrence or other matters that is publicly available or otherwise accessible to us. This information may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. Management of operational, legal and regulatory risks requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record and verify large numbers of transactions and events. These policies and procedures may not be fully effective.

We employ various strategies, including hedging and reinsurance, with the objective of mitigating risks inherent in our business and operations. These risks include current or future changes in the fair value of our assets and liabilities, current or future changes in cash flows, the effect of interest rates, equity markets and credit spread changes, the occurrence of credit defaults, currency fluctuations and changes in mortality and longevity. We seek to control these risks by, among other things, entering into reinsurance contracts and derivative instruments, such as swaps, options, futures and forward contracts. See "Reinsurance subjects us to the credit risk of reinsurers and may not be available, affordable or adequate to protect us against losses" for a description of risks associated with our use of reinsurance. Developing an effective strategy for dealing with these risks is complex, and no strategy can completely insulate us from such risks. Our hedging strategies also rely on assumptions and projections regarding our assets, liabilities, general market factors and the creditworthiness of our counterparties that may prove to be incorrect or prove to be inadequate. Our hedging strategies and the derivatives that we use, or may use in the future, may not adequately mitigate or offset the hedged risk and our hedging transactions may result in losses.

Past or future misconduct by our employees, agents, intermediaries, registered representatives of our broker-dealer affiliates or employees of our vendors could result in violations of law by us or our subsidiaries, regulatory sanctions and/or serious reputational or financial harm, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Although we employ controls and procedures designed to monitor associates' business decisions and to prevent us from taking excessive or inappropriate risks, associates may take such risks regardless of such controls and procedures. Our compensation policies and practices are reviewed by us as part of our overall risk management program, but it is possible that such compensation policies and practices could inadvertently incentivize excessive or inappropriate risk taking. If our associates take excessive or inappropriate risks, those risks could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The inability of counterparties to meet their financial obligations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Third parties that owe us money, securities or other assets may not pay or perform under their obligations. These parties include the issuers or guarantors of securities we hold, customers, reinsurers, trading counterparties, securities lending and repurchase counterparties, counterparties under swaps, credit default and other derivative contracts, clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses and other financial intermediaries. Defaults by one or more of these parties on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, downturns in the economy or real estate values, operational failure or other factors, or even rumors about potential defaults by one or more of these parties, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We routinely execute a high volume of transactions such as unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions and equity investments with counterparties and customers in the financial services industry, including broker-dealers, commercial and investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, institutional clients, futures clearing merchants, swap dealers, insurance companies and other institutions, resulting in large periodic settlement amounts which may result in our having significant credit exposure to one or more of such counterparties or customers. Many of these transactions comprise derivative instruments with a number of

 
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counterparties in order to hedge various risks, including equity and interest rate market risk features within many of our insurance and annuity products. Our obligations under our products are not changed by our hedging activities and we are liable for our obligations even if our derivative counterparties do not pay us. As a result, we face concentration risk with respect to liabilities or amounts we expect to collect from specific counterparties and customers. A default by, or even concerns about the creditworthiness of, one or more of these counterparties or customers could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or liquidity. There is no assurance that losses on, or impairments to the carrying value of, these assets due to counterparty credit risk would not materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We are also subject to the risk that our rights against third parties may not be enforceable in all circumstances. The deterioration or perceived deterioration in the credit quality of third parties whose securities or obligations we hold could result in losses and/or adversely affect our ability to rehypothecate or otherwise use those securities or obligations for liquidity purposes. While in many cases we are permitted to require additional collateral from counterparties that experience financial difficulty, disputes may arise as to the amount of collateral we are entitled to receive and the value of pledged assets. Our credit risk may also be exacerbated when the collateral we hold cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure that is due to us, which is most likely to occur during periods of illiquidity and depressed asset valuations, such as those experienced during the financial crisis of 2008-09. The termination of contracts and the foreclosure on collateral may subject us to claims for the improper exercise of rights under the contracts. Bankruptcies, downgrades and disputes with counterparties as to the valuation of collateral tend to increase in times of market stress and illiquidity.

Requirements to post collateral or make payments related to changes in market value of specified assets may adversely affect liquidity.

The amount of collateral we may be required to post under short-term financing agreements, FHLB funding agreements and derivative transactions may increase under certain circumstances. Pursuant to the terms of some transactions, we could be required to make payment to our counterparties related to any change in the market value of the specified collateral assets. Such requirements could have an adverse effect on liquidity. Furthermore, with respect to any such payments, we may have unsecured risk to the counterparty as these amounts may not be required to be segregated from the counterparty's other funds, may not be held in a third-party custodial account and may not be required to be paid to us by the counterparty until the termination of the transaction.

Our investment portfolio is subject to several risks that may diminish the value of our invested assets and the investment returns credited to customers, which could reduce our sales, revenues, AUM, results of operations and financial condition.

Fixed income securities represent a significant portion of our investment portfolio. We are subject to the risk that the issuers, or guarantors, of fixed income securities we own may default on principal and interest payments they owe us. We are also subject to the risk that the underlying collateral within asset-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities, may default on principal and interest payments causing an adverse change in cash flows. The occurrence of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate malfeasance, widening mortgage or credit spreads, or other events that adversely affect the issuers, guarantors or underlying collateral of these securities could cause the estimated fair value of our fixed income securities portfolio and our earnings to decline and the default rate of the fixed income securities in our investment portfolio to increase. A ratings downgrade affecting issuers or guarantors of securities in our investment portfolio, or similar trends that could worsen the credit quality of such issuers, or guarantors could also have a similar effect. Similarly, a ratings downgrade affecting a security we hold could indicate the credit quality of that security has deteriorated and could increase the capital we must hold to support that security to maintain our RBC ratio. See "A decrease in our RBC ratio (as a result of a reduction in statutory surplus and/or increase in RBC requirements) could result in increased scrutiny by insurance regulators and rating agencies and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition." We are also subject to the risk that cash flows resulting from the payments on pools of mortgages or other obligations that serve as collateral underlying the mortgage-or asset-backed securities we own may differ from our expectations in timing or size. Cash flow variability arising from an unexpected acceleration in mortgage prepayment behavior can be significant, and could cause a decline in the estimated fair value of certain "interest-only" securities within our mortgage-backed securities portfolio. Any event reducing the estimated fair value of these securities, other than on a temporary basis, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

From time to time we invest our capital to seed a particular investment strategy or investment portfolio. We may also co-invest in funds or take an equity ownership interest in certain structured finance/investment vehicles that are managed by our affiliates. Any decrease in the value of such investments could negatively affect our revenues and income.


 
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Some of our investments are relatively illiquid and in some cases are in asset classes that have been experiencing significant market valuation fluctuations.

We hold certain assets that may lack liquidity, such as privately placed fixed income securities, commercial mortgage loans, policy loans and limited partnership interests. These asset classes represented 39.5% of the carrying value of our total Cash and cash equivalents and Total investments as of December 31, 2018. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements or are required to post or return collateral in connection with our investment portfolio, derivatives transactions or securities lending activities, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both.

The reported values of our relatively illiquid types of investments do not necessarily reflect the current market price for the asset. If we were forced to sell certain of our assets in the current market, there can be no assurance that we would be able to sell them for the prices at which we have recorded them and we might be forced to sell them at significantly lower prices.

We invest a portion of our invested assets in investment funds, many of which make private equity investments. The amount and timing of income from such investment funds tends to be uneven as a result of the performance of the underlying investments, including private equity investments. The timing of distributions from the funds, which depends on particular events relating to the underlying investments, as well as the funds' schedules for making distributions and their needs for cash, can be difficult to predict. As a result, the amount of income that we record from these investments can vary substantially from quarter to quarter. Recent equity and credit market volatility may reduce investment income for these types of investments.

Our operations are complex and a failure to properly perform services could have an adverse effect on our revenues and income.

Our operations include, among other things, retirement plan administration, annuity contract administration, portfolio management, investment advice, wholesale broker dealer distribution services, shareholder services, benefits processing and servicing, contract and sales and servicing, underwriting, distribution, and other services. In order to be competitive, we must properly perform our administrative and related responsibilities, including recordkeeping and accounting, regulatory compliance, security pricing, corporate actions, compliance with investment restrictions, daily net asset value computations, account reconciliations and required distributions. If we fail to properly perform and monitor our operations, our business could suffer and our revenues and income could be adversely affected.

Our products and services are complex and are frequently sold through intermediaries, and a failure to properly perform services or the misrepresentation of our products or services could have an adverse effect on our revenues, income and financial condition.

Many of our products and services are complex and are frequently sold through intermediaries. In particular, we are reliant on intermediaries to describe and explain our products to potential customers. The intentional or unintentional misrepresentation of our products and services in advertising materials or other external communications, or inappropriate activities by our personnel or an intermediary, could adversely affect our reputation and business prospects, as well as lead to potential regulatory actions or litigation.

The valuation of many of our financial instruments includes methodologies, estimations and assumptions that are subject to differing interpretations and could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The following financial instruments are carried at fair value in our financial statements: fixed income securities, equity securities, derivatives, embedded derivatives and separate account assets. We have categorized these instruments into a three-level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3), while quoted prices in markets that are not active or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability are Level 2.

Factors considered in estimating fair values of securities, and derivatives and embedded derivatives related to our securities include coupon rate, maturity, principal paydown including prepayments, estimated duration, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, credit rating, industry sector of the issuer and quoted market prices of comparable securities. Factors considered in estimating the fair values of embedded derivatives and derivatives related to product guarantees and index-crediting features (collectively, "guaranteed benefit derivatives") include risk-free interest rates, interest rate implied volatility, and actuarial assumptions such as lapse rates as well as the amount and timing of policyholder deposits and partial withdrawals. The impact of our risk of nonperformance is also reflected in the estimated fair value of guaranteed benefit derivatives. In many situations, inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these situations, we will

 
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determine the level in which the fair value falls based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the determination of the fair value.

The determinations of fair values are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amounts of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer or counterparty. The use of different methodologies and assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

During periods of market disruption, including periods of rapidly changing credit spreads or illiquidity, it has been in the past and would likely be in the future difficult to value certain of our securities, such as certain mortgage-backed securities, if trading becomes less frequent and/or market data becomes less observable. There may be certain asset classes that, although currently in active markets with significant observable data, could become illiquid in a difficult financial environment. In such cases, more securities may fall to Level 3 and thus require more subjectivity and management judgment in determining fair value. As such, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation, thereby resulting in values that may differ materially from the value at which the investments may be ultimately sold. Further, rapidly changing and unprecedented credit and equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of securities as reported within the financial statements, and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. Decreases in value could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments taken on our investments is subjective and could materially and adversely impact our results of operations or financial condition. Gross unrealized losses may be realized or result in future impairments, resulting in a reduction in our net income (loss).

We evaluate investment securities held by us for impairment on a quarterly basis. This review is subjective and requires a high degree of judgment. For fixed income securities held, an impairment loss is recognized if the fair value of the debt security is less than the carrying value and we no longer have the intent to hold the debt security; if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of the amortized cost basis; or if a credit loss has occurred.

When we do not intend to sell a security in an unrealized loss position, potential credit related other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") are considered using a variety of factors, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, adverse conditions specifically related to the industry, geographic area in which the issuer conducts business, financial condition of the issuer or underlying collateral of a security, payment structure of the security, changes in credit rating of the security by the rating agencies, volatility of the fair value changes and other events that adversely affect the issuer. In addition, we take into account relevant broad market and economic data in making impairment decisions.

As part of the impairment review process, we utilize a variety of assumptions and estimates to make a judgment on how fixed income securities will perform in the future. It is possible that securities in our fixed income portfolio will perform worse than our expectations. There is an ongoing risk that further declines in fair value may occur and additional OTTI may be recorded in future periods, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments or allowances.

Fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and are therefore excluded from net income (loss). The accumulated change in estimated fair value of these available-for-sale securities is recognized in net income (loss) when the gain or loss is realized upon the sale of the security or in the event that the decline in estimated fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary and an impairment charge to earnings is taken. Such realized losses or impairments may have a material adverse effect on our net income (loss) in a particular quarterly or annual period.

Our participation in a securities lending program and a repurchase program subjects us to potential liquidity and other risks.

We engage in a securities lending program whereby certain securities from our portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. Initial collateral, primarily cash, is required at a rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities. For certain transactions, a lending agent may be used and the agent may retain some or all of the collateral deposited by the borrower and transfer the remaining collateral to us. Collateral retained by the agent is invested in liquid assets on our behalf. 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.

We also participate in a repurchase agreement program whereby we sell fixed income securities to a third-party, primarily major brokerage firms or commercial banks, with a concurrent agreement to repurchase those same securities at a determined future date.

 
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During the term of the repurchase agreements, cash or other types of permitted collateral provided to us is sufficient to allow us to fund substantially all of the cost of purchasing replacement assets in the event of counterparty default (i.e., the sold securities are not returned to us on the scheduled repurchase date). Cash proceeds received by us under the repurchase program are typically invested in fixed income securities but may in certain circumstances be available to us for liquidity or other purposes prior to the scheduled repurchase date. The repurchase of securities or our inability to enter into new repurchase agreements would reduce the amount of such cash collateral available to us. Market conditions on or after the repurchase date may limit our ability to enter into new agreements at a time when we need access to additional cash collateral for investment or liquidity purposes.

For both securities lending and repurchase transactions, in some cases, the maturity of the securities held as invested collateral (i.e., securities that we have purchased with cash collateral received) may exceed the term of the related securities on loan and the estimated fair value may fall below the amount of cash received as collateral and invested. If we are required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice and we are forced to sell securities to meet the return obligation, we may have difficulty selling such collateral that is invested in securities in a timely manner, be forced to sell securities in a volatile or illiquid market for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize under normal market conditions, or both. In addition, under adverse capital market and economic conditions, liquidity may broadly deteriorate, which would further restrict our ability to sell securities. If we decrease the amount of our securities lending and repurchase activities over time, the amount of net investment income generated by these activities will also likely decline. See "Item 7. Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Securities Lending."

Differences between actual claims experience and reserving assumptions may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

We establish and hold reserves to pay future policy benefits and claims. Our reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but rather are actuarial or statistical estimates based on data and models that include many assumptions and projections, which are inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment, including assumptions as to the levels and/or timing of receipt or payment of premiums, benefits, claims, expenses, interest credits, investment results (including equity market returns), retirement, mortality, morbidity and persistency. We periodically review the adequacy of reserves and the underlying assumptions. We cannot, however, determine with precision the amounts that we will pay for, or the timing of payment of, actual benefits, claims and expenses or whether the assets supporting our policy liabilities, together with future premiums, will grow to the level assumed prior to payment of benefits or claims. If actual experience differs significantly from assumptions or estimates, reserves may not be adequate. If we conclude that our reserves, together with future premiums, are insufficient to cover future policy benefits and claims, we would be required to increase our reserves and incur income statement charges for the period in which we make the determination, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Unfavorable developments in interest rates, credit spreads and policyholder behavior can result in adverse financial consequences related to our stable value products, and our hedge program and risk mitigation features may not successfully offset these consequences.

We offer stable value products primarily as a fixed rate, liquid asset allocation option for employees of our plan sponsor customers within the defined contribution funding plans offered by our Retirement business. These products are designed to provide guaranteed annual credited rate (currently between zero and three percent) on the invested assets in addition to enabling participants the right to withdraw and transfer funds at book value.

The sensitivity of our statutory reserves and surplus established for the stable value products to changes in interest rates, credit spreads and policyholder behavior will vary depending on the magnitude of these changes, as well as on the book value of assets, the market value of assets, the guaranteed credited rates available to customers and other product features. Realization or re-measurement of these risks may result in an increase in the reserves for stable value products, and could materially and adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. In particular, in extended low interest rate environments, we bear exposure to the risk that reserves must be added to fund book value withdrawals and transfers when guaranteed annual credited rates exceed the earned rate on invested assets. In a rising interest rate environment, we are exposed to the risk of financial disintermediation through a potential increase in the level of book value withdrawals.

Although we maintain a hedge program and other risk mitigating features to offset these risks, such program and features may not operate as intended or may not be fully effective, and we may remain exposed to such risks.


 
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We may be required to accelerate the amortization of DAC, deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) and/or VOBA, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
 
DAC represents policy acquisition costs that have been capitalized. DSI represents benefits paid to contract owners for a specified period that are incremental to the amounts we credit on similar contracts without sales inducements and are higher than the contract's expected ongoing crediting rates for periods after the inducement. VOBA represents outstanding value of in-force business acquired. Capitalized costs associated with DAC, DSI and VOBA are amortized in proportion to actual and estimated gross profits or gross premiums depending on the type of contract. On an ongoing basis, we test the DAC, DSI and VOBA recorded on our balance sheets to determine if these amounts are recoverable under current assumptions. In addition, we regularly review the estimates and assumptions underlying DAC, DSI and VOBA. The projection of estimated gross profits or gross premiums requires the use of certain assumptions, principally related to separate account fund returns in excess of amounts credited to policyholders, policyholder behavior such as surrender, lapse and annuitization rates, interest margin, expense margin, mortality, future impairments and hedging costs. Estimating future gross profits or gross premiums is a complex process requiring considerable judgment and the forecasting of events well into the future. If these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, if an estimation technique used to estimate future gross profits or gross premiums is changed, or if significant or sustained equity market declines occur and/or persist, we could be required to accelerate the amortization of DAC, DSI and VOBA, which would result in a charge to earnings. Such adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our financial results are affected by actuarial assumptions that may not be accurate and that may change in the future.

Our financial results are subject to risks around actuarial assumptions, including those related to mortality and the future behavior of policyholders, such as lapse rates and future claims payment patterns. These assumptions, which we use to determine our liabilities for future policy benefits, may not reflect future experience. Changes to these actuarial assumptions in the future could require increases to our reserves or result in decreases in the carrying value of DAC and VOBA, in each case in amounts that could be material. Any adverse changes to reserves or DAC and VOBA could be material and adverse to the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. We generally update these actuarial assumptions in the third quarter of each year. For further information, see Results of Operations and Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates of Part II. Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Reinsurance subjects us to the credit risk of reinsurers and may not be available, affordable or adequate to protect us against losses.

We cede life insurance policies and annuity contracts or certain risks related to life insurance policies and annuity contracts to other insurance companies using various forms of reinsurance including coinsurance, modified coinsurance, funds withheld, monthly renewable term and yearly renewable term. However, we remain liable to the underlying policyholders, even if the reinsurer defaults on its obligations with respect to the ceded business. If a reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the reinsurance contract, we will be forced to bear the entire liability for claims on the reinsured policies. In addition, a reinsurer insolvency may cause us to lose our reserve credits on the ceded business, in which case we would be required to establish additional statutory reserves.

In addition, if a reinsurer does not have accredited reinsurer status or if a currently accredited reinsurer loses that status, in any state where we are licensed to do business, we are not entitled to take credit for reinsurance in that state if the reinsurer does not post sufficient qualifying collateral (either qualifying assets in a qualifying trust or qualifying LOCs). In this event, we would be required to establish additional statutory reserves. Similarly, the credit for reinsurance taken by us under reinsurance agreements with affiliated and unaffiliated non-accredited reinsurers is, under certain conditions, dependent upon the non-accredited reinsurer's ability to obtain and provide sufficient qualifying assets in a qualifying trust or qualifying LOCs issued by qualifying lending banks. In order to control expenses associated with LOCs, some of our affiliated reinsurers have established and will continue to pursue alternative sources for qualifying reinsurance collateral. If these steps are unsuccessful, or if unaffiliated non-accredited reinsurers that have reinsured business with us are unsuccessful in obtaining sources of qualifying reinsurance collateral, we might not be able to obtain full statutory reserve credit. Loss of reserve credit would require us to establish additional statutory reserves and would result in a decrease in the level of our capital, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability, results of operations and financial condition.

Our reinsurance recoverable balances are periodically assessed for uncollectability and there were no significant allowances for uncollectible reinsurance as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The collectability of reinsurance recoverables is subject to uncertainty arising from a number of factors, including whether the insured losses meet the qualifying conditions of the reinsurance contract, whether reinsurers or their affiliates have the financial capacity and willingness to make payments under the terms of the reinsurance contract, and the degree to which our reinsurance balances are secured by sufficient qualifying assets in qualifying trusts or qualifying LOCs issued by qualifying lender banks. Although a substantial portion of our reinsurance exposure is with

 
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accredited reinsurers or is secured by assets held in trusts or LOCs, the inability to collect a material recovery from a reinsurer could have a material adverse effect on our profitability, results of operations and financial condition.

The premium rates and other fees that we charge are based, in part, on the assumption that reinsurance will be available at a certain cost. Some of our reinsurance contracts contain provisions that limit the reinsurer's ability to increase rates on in-force business; however, some do not. If a reinsurer raises the rates that it charges on a block of in-force business, in some instances, we will not be able to pass the increased costs onto our customers and our profitability will be negatively impacted. Additionally, such a rate increase could result in our recapturing of the business, which may result in a need to maintain additional reserves, reduce reinsurance receivables and expose us to greater risks. If reinsurers raise the rates that they charge on new business, we may be forced to raise the premiums that we charge, which could have a negative impact on our competitive position.
 
A decrease in our RBC ratio (as a result of a reduction in statutory surplus and/or increase in RBC requirements) could result in increased scrutiny by insurance regulators and rating agencies and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The NAIC has established regulations that provide minimum capitalization requirements based on RBC formulas for insurance companies. The RBC formula for life insurance companies establishes capital requirements relating to asset, insurance, interest rate and business risks, including equity, interest rate and expense recovery risks associated with variable annuities and group annuities that contain guaranteed minimum death and living benefits. We are subject to RBC standards and/or other minimum statutory capital and surplus requirements imposed under the laws of the state of Connecticut, our state of domicile. (For additional discussion of how the NAIC calculates RBC ratios, see “Item 1. Business-Regulation-Insurance Regulation -Financial Regulation-Risk -Based Capital.”)

In any particular year, statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios may increase or decrease depending on a variety of factors, including the amount of statutory income or losses (which are sensitive to equity market and credit market conditions), the amount of additional capital we must hold to support business growth, changes in equity market levels, the value and credit ratings of certain fixed-income and equity securities in our investment portfolio, the value of certain derivative instruments that do not receive hedge accounting and changes in interest rates, as well as changes to the RBC formulas and the interpretation of the NAIC's instructions with respect to RBC calculation methodologies. As a result of Tax Reform, the NAIC updated the factors affecting RBC requirements, including ours, to reflect the lowering of the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Adjusting these factors in light of Tax Reform has resulted in an increase in the amount of capital we are required to maintain to satisfy our RBC requirements. Many of these factors are outside of our control. Our financial strength and credit ratings are significantly influenced by statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios. In addition, rating agencies may implement changes to their own internal models, which differ from the RBC capital model that have the effect of increasing or decreasing the amount of statutory capital we should hold relative to the rating agencies' expectations. To the extent that our RBC ratios are deemed to be insufficient, we may seek to take actions either to increase our capitalization or to reduce our capitalization requirements. If we were unable to accomplish such actions, the rating agencies may view this as a reason for a ratings downgrade.

Our failure to meet RBC requirements or minimum capital and surplus requirements could subject us to further examination or corrective action imposed by insurance regulators, including limitations on our ability to write additional business, supervision by regulators or seizure or liquidation. Any corrective action imposed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. A decline in RBC ratios limits our ability to make dividends or distributions to our Parent, could result in a loss of customers or new business, and could be a factor in causing ratings agencies to downgrade our financial strength ratings, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The CBVA and Annuity Transaction, including the transition services on the terms or timing currently contemplated could have negative impacts on us.

As further described in the Overview in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section in Part II, Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, on June 1, 2018, Voya Financial, Inc. completed the Transaction with VA Capital and Athene, pursuant to which VA Capital acquired certain of Voya’s assets, including all of the shares of the capital stock of VIAC, its Iowa-domiciled insurance subsidiary, and all of the membership interest of DSL, a broker-dealer subsidiary, and which resulted in the disposition of substantially all of Voya’s variable annuity and fixed and fixed indexed annuity businesses and related assets.

Although we believe the Transaction to have been successful to date, it is possible that we may not achieve certain of the benefits that we expect to obtain in connection with the Transaction. The Transaction also requires Voya to provide certain transition services to Venerable, and has created the need to eliminate certain stranded costs, each of which creates additional operational complexity for our business. Should the Transaction ultimately prove to be less beneficial than we anticipated, or should the transition services,

 
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stranded cost elimination or other Transaction effects create difficulties for our business, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected, possibly in a material way.

A significant portion of our institutional funding originates from a Federal Home Loan Bank, which subjects us to liquidity risks associated with sourcing a large concentration of our funding from one counterparty.

A significant portion of our institutional funding originates from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston ("FHLB of Boston"). We have issued non-putable funding agreements in exchange for eligible collateral in the form of cash, mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury securities. Should the FHLB choose to change its definition of eligible collateral, or if the market value of the pledged collateral decreases in value due to changes in interest rates or credit ratings, we may be required to post additional amounts of collateral in the form of cash or other eligible collateral. Additionally, we may be required to find other sources to replace this funding if we lose access to FHLB funding. This could occur if our creditworthiness falls below either of the FHLB's requirements or if legislative or other political actions cause changes to the FHLBs' mandate or to the eligibility of life insurance companies to be members of the FHLB system.

Any failure to protect the confidentiality of customer information could adversely affect our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Our businesses and relationships with customers are dependent upon our ability to maintain the security and confidentiality of our and our customers' personal information, trade secrets, and other confidential information (including customer transactional data and personal information about our customers, the employees and customers of our customers, and our own employees). We are also subject to numerous federal and state laws regarding the privacy and security of personal information, which laws vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Many of our employees and contractors and the representatives of our broker-dealer subsidiaries and affiliates have access to and routinely process personal information in computerized, paper and other forms. We rely on various internal policies, procedures and controls to protect the security and confidentiality of personal and confidential information that is accessible to, or in the possession of, us, our employees, contractors and representatives. It is possible that an employee, contractor or representative could, intentionally or unintentionally, disclose or misappropriate personal information or other confidential information. In 2018, Voya Financial entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in which the SEC alleged that Voya Financial Advisors (“VFA”), our broker-dealer affiliate, failed to maintain adequate policies and procedures to protect certain customer information that was the subject of an April 2016 intrusion into VFA’s systems. Although we did not admit or deny wrongdoing, we agreed to pay the SEC a $1 million fine and consented to an independent review of VFA’s compliance with SEC rules concerning protection of customer information and identity theft. If we fail in the future to maintain adequate internal controls, including any failure to implement newly-required additional controls, or if our employees, contractors or representatives fail to comply with our policies and procedures, misappropriation or intentional or unintentional inappropriate disclosure or misuse of personal information or confidential customer information could occur. Such internal control inadequacies or non-compliance could materially damage our reputation, result in regulatory action or lead to civil or criminal penalties, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition. For additional risks related to our potential failure to protect confidential information, see “-Interruption or other operational failures in telecommunication, information technology, and other operational systems, including as a result of human error, could harm our business,” and "-A failure to maintain the security, integrity, confidentiality or privacy of our telecommunication, information technology or other operational systems, or the sensitive data residing on such systems, could harm our business.”

Interruption or other operational failures in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, including as a result of human error, could harm our business.

We are highly dependent on automated and information technology systems to record and process both our internal transactions and transactions involving our customers, as well as to calculate reserves, value invested assets and complete certain other components of our U.S. GAAP and statutory financial statements. Despite the implementation of security and back-up measures, our information technology systems may remain vulnerable to disruptions. We may also be subject to disruptions of any of these systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control (for example, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, epidemics, computer viruses and electrical/telecommunications outages). All of these risks are also applicable where we rely on outside vendors to provide services to us and our customers and third party service providers, including those to whom we outsource certain of our functions. The failure of any one of these systems for any reason, or errors made by our employees or agents, could in each case cause significant interruptions to our operations, which could harm our reputation, adversely affect our internal control over financial reporting, or have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.


 
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A failure to maintain the security, integrity, confidentiality or privacy of our telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, or the sensitive data residing on such systems, could harm our business.

We are highly dependent on automated telecommunications, information technology and other operational systems to record and process our internal transactions and transactions involving our customers. Despite the implementation of security and back-up measures, our information technology systems may be vulnerable to physical or electronic intrusions, viruses or other attacks, programming errors, and similar disruptions. Businesses in the United States and in other countries have increasingly become the targets of "cyberattacks", "hacking" or similar illegal or unauthorized intrusions into computer systems and networks. Such events are often highly publicized, can result in the theft of significant amounts of information, and can cause extensive damage to the reputation of the targeted business, in addition to leading to significant expenses associated with investigation, remediation and customer protection measures. Like others in our industry, we are subject to cyber incidents in the ordinary course of our business. Although we seek to limit our vulnerability to such events through technological and other means, it is not possible to anticipate or prevent all potential forms of cyberattack or to guarantee our ability to fully defend against all such attacks. In addition, due to the sensitive nature of much of the financial and other personal information we maintain, we may be at particular risk for targeting. In 2018, Voya Financial entered into a consent decree with the SEC in which the SEC alleged that VFA, our broker-dealer affiliate, failed to maintain adequate policies and procedures to protect certain customer information that was the subject of an April 2016 intrusion into VFA’s systems. Although we did not admit or deny wrongdoing, we agreed to pay the SEC a $1 million fine and consented to an independent review of VFA’s compliance with SEC rules concerning protection of customer information and identity theft.

We retain personal and confidential information and financial accounts in our information technology systems, and we rely on industry standard commercial technologies to maintain the security of those systems. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures and penetrate our information technology systems could access, view, misappropriate, alter, or delete information in the systems, including personal information and proprietary business information and misappropriate funds from online finance account. Information security risks also exist with respect to the use of portable electronic devices, such as laptops, which are particularly vulnerable to loss and theft. The laws of most states require that individuals be notified if a security breach compromises the security or confidentiality of their personal information. Any attack or other breach of the security of our information technology systems that compromises personal information, or that otherwise results in unauthorized disclosure or use of personal information could damage our reputation in the marketplace, deter purchases of our products, subject us to heightened regulatory scrutiny, sanctions, significant civil and criminal liability or other adverse legal consequences and require us to incur significant technical, legal and other expenses. Numerous state regulatory bodies are focused on privacy requirements for all companies that collect personal information and have proposed and enacted legislation and regulations regarding privacy standards and protocols. For example, on June 28, 2018, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act, which will take effect on January 1, 2020. We continue to evaluate this legislation and its potential impact on our operations, but depending on its implementation, we and other covered businesses may be required to incur significant expense in order to meet its requirements.

Our third party service providers, including third parties to whom we outsource certain of our functions are also subject to the risks outlined above, any one of which could result in our incurring substantial costs and other negative consequences, including a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The NAIC, numerous state and federal regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations like FINRA are focused on cybersecurity standards both for the financial services industry and for all companies that collect personal information, and have proposed and enacted legislation and regulations, and issued guidance regarding cybersecurity standards and protocols. For example, in February 2017, the NYDFS issued final Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies that required banks, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions regulated by the NYDFS, including us, to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program “designed to protect consumers and ensure the safety and soundness of New York State’s financial services industry.” In 2018, South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan adopted versions of the NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law. These laws, with effective dates ranging from January 1, 2019 to January 20, 2021, ensure that licensees of the Departments of Insurance in these states have strong and aggressive cybersecurity programs to protect the personal data of their customers. During 2019, we expect cybersecurity risk management, prioritization and reporting to continue to be an area of significant focus by governments, regulatory bodies and self-regulatory organizations at all levels.

Changes in accounting standards could adversely impact our reported results of operations and our reported financial condition.

Our financial statements are subject to the application of U.S. GAAP, which is periodically revised or expanded. Accordingly, from time to time we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). It is possible that future accounting standards we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 
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For example, during 2018 FASB issued ASU 2018-12, which will require significant changes to the manner in which we account for our insurance contracts once adopted. This, and other changes to U.S. GAAP could not only affect the way we account for and report significant areas of our business, but could impose special demands on us in the areas of governance, employee training, internal controls and disclosure and may affect how we manage our business.

Under the tax sharing agreement, a change in control could affect availability of cash payments.

Effective January 1, 2013, we entered into a federal tax sharing agreement with Voya Financial, Inc. which provides that for 2013 and subsequent years, Voya Financial, Inc. will pay us for the tax benefits of ordinary and capital losses only in the event that the consolidated tax group actually uses the tax benefit of losses generated. Accordingly, in years we incur losses and the associated tax benefits cannot be used by the consolidated tax group we may establish tax valuation allowances, reduce statutory-based admitted assets and may no longer be entitled to receive net cash payments from Voya Financial, Inc. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we made/received net cash payments/(receipts) to/from Voya Financial, Inc. under the tax sharing agreement of $83 million and $13 million, respectively.

One such instance where the associated tax benefits may not be used by the consolidated tax group could occur if there is a change in control which would trigger the imposition of certain limitations pursuant to Section 382 and Section 383 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). These sections operate as anti-abuse rules, the general purpose of which is to prevent trafficking in tax losses and credits, but which can apply without regard to whether a "loss trafficking" transaction occurs or is intended. These rules are triggered by the occurrence of an ownership change generally defined as when the ownership of a company, or its parent, changes by more than 50% (measured by value) on a cumulative basis in any three-year period ("Section 382 event"). If triggered, the amount of the taxable income for any post-change year which may be offset by a pre-change loss is subject to an annual limitation. Generally speaking, this limitation is derived by multiplying the fair market value of the Company immediately before the date of the Section 382 event by the applicable federal long-term tax-exempt rate.

We may be required to reduce the carrying value of our deferred income tax or establish a valuation allowance against the deferred income tax asset if: (i) there are significant changes to federal tax policy; (ii) our business does not generate sufficient taxable income; (iii) there is a significant decline in the fair market value of our investment portfolio; or (iv) our tax planning strategies are not feasible. Reductions in the carrying value of our deferred income tax asset or establishment of a valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Deferred income tax represents the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credits carryforward. We periodically evaluate and test our ability to realize our 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. In assessing the more likely than not criteria, we consider future taxable income as well as prudent tax planning strategies.

Future changes in facts, circumstances, tax law, including a reduction in federal corporate tax rates may result in a reduction in the carrying value of our deferred income tax asset and RBC ratios, or an increase in the valuation allowance. A reduction in the carrying value of our deferred income tax asset or RBC ratios, or an increase in the valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

As of December 31, 2018, we have recognized approximately $12 million of deferred tax assets based on tax planning related to unrealized gains on investment assets. To the extent unrealized gains decrease, the tax benefit may be reduced by establishing a tax valuation allowance. For example, if interest rates increase, the amount of the unrealized gains will, most likely decrease, with all other things constant. Any decrease in the deferred tax assets may be recorded as a tax expense in tax on continuing operations.

Our business may be negatively affected by adverse publicity or increased governmental and regulatory actions with respect to us, other well-known companies or the financial services industry in general.

Governmental scrutiny with respect to matters relating to compensation, compliance with regulatory and tax requirements and other business practices in the financial services industry has increased dramatically in the past several years and has resulted in more aggressive and intense regulatory supervision and the application and enforcement of more stringent standards. Press coverage and other public statements that assert some form of wrongdoing, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made, could result in some type of inquiry or investigation by regulators, legislators and/or law enforcement officials or in lawsuits. Responding to these inquiries, investigations and lawsuits, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the proceeding, is time-consuming and expensive and can divert the time and effort of our senior management from its business. Future legislation or regulation or governmental views on compensation may result in us altering compensation practices in ways that could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain talented employees. Adverse publicity, governmental scrutiny, pending or future investigations by regulators o

 
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r law enforcement agencies and/or legal proceedings involving us or our affiliates could also have a negative impact on our reputation and on the morale and performance of employees, and on business retention and new sales, which could adversely affect our businesses and results of operations.

Litigation may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

We are, and may be in the future, subject to legal actions in the ordinary course of our business operations. Some of these legal proceedings may be brought on behalf of a class. Plaintiffs may seek large or indeterminate amounts of damage, including compensatory, liquidated, treble and/or punitive damages. Our reserves for litigation may prove to be inadequate. It is possible that our results of operations or cash flows in a particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an ultimate unfavorable resolution of pending litigation depending, in part, upon the results of operations or cash flows for such period. Given the large or indeterminate amounts sometimes sought, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is also possible that in certain cases an ultimate unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigation matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

A loss of, or significant change in, key product distribution relationships could materially affect sales.

We distribute certain products under agreements with affiliated distributors and other members of the financial services industry that are not affiliated with us. We compete with other financial institutions to attract and retain commercial relationships in each of these channels, and our success in competing for sales through these distribution intermediaries depends upon factors such as the amount of sales commissions and fees we pay, the breadth of our product offerings, the strength of our brand, our perceived stability and financial strength ratings, and the marketing and services we provide to, and the strength of the relationships we maintain with, individual distributors. An interruption or significant change in certain key relationships could materially affect our ability to market our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Distributors may elect to alter, reduce or terminate their distribution relationships with us, including for such reasons as changes in our distribution strategy, adverse developments in our business, adverse rating agency actions or concerns about market-related risks. Alternatively, we may terminate one or more distribution agreements due to, for example, a loss of confidence in, or a change in control of, one of the distributors, which could reduce sales.

We are also at risk that key distribution partners may merge or change their business models in ways that affect how our products are sold, either in response to changing business priorities or as a result of shifts in regulatory supervision or potential changes in state and federal laws and regulations regarding standards of conduct applicable to distributors when providing investment advice to retail and other customers.

The occurrence of natural or man-made disasters may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are exposed to various risks arising from natural disasters, including hurricanes, climate change, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and pandemic disease, as well as man-made disasters and core infrastructure failures, including acts of terrorism, military actions, power grid and telephone/internet infrastructure failures, which may adversely affect AUM, results of operations and financial condition by causing, among other things:

losses in our investment portfolio due to significant volatility in global financial markets or the failure of counterparties to perform;
changes in the rate of mortality, claims, withdrawals, lapses and surrenders of existing policies and contracts, as well as sales of new policies and contracts; and
disruption of our normal business operations due to catastrophic property damage, loss of life, or disruption of public and private infrastructure, including communications and financial services.

There can be no assurance that our business continuation and crisis management plan or insurance coverages would be effective in mitigating any negative effects on operations or profitability in the event of a disaster, nor can we provide assurance that the business continuation and crisis management plans of the independent distributors and outside vendors on whom we rely for certain services and products would be effective in mitigating any negative effects on the provision of such services and products in the event of a disaster.

Claims resulting from a catastrophic event could also materially harm the financial condition of our reinsurers, which would increase the probability of default on reinsurance recoveries. Our ability to write new business could also be adversely affected.


 
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In addition, the jurisdictions in which we are admitted to transact business require life insurers doing business within the jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations, which raise funds to pay contractual benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. It is possible that a catastrophic event could require extraordinary assessments on us, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we experience difficulties arising from outsourcing relationships, our ability to conduct business may be compromised, which may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

As we continue to focus on reducing the expense necessary to support our operations, we have increasingly used outsourcing strategies for a significant portion of our information technology and business functions. If third-party providers experience disruptions or do not perform as anticipated, or we experience problems with a transition, we may experience system failures, disruptions or other operational difficulties, an inability to meet obligations, including, but not limited to, obligations to policyholders, customers, business partners and distribution partners, increased costs and a loss of business and such events may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. For other risks associated with our outsourcing of certain functions, see “-Interruption or other operational failures in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, including as a result of human error, could harm our business,” and "-A failure to maintain the security, integrity, confidentiality or privacy of our telecommunication, information technology or other operational systems, or the sensitive data residing on such systems, could harm our business."

Risks Related to Regulation

Our businesses and those of our affiliates are heavily regulated and changes in regulation or the application of regulation may reduce our profitability.

We are subject to detailed insurance, securities and other financial services laws and government regulation. In addition to the insurance, securities and other regulations and laws specific to the industries in which we operate, regulatory agencies have broad administrative power over many aspects of our business, which may include ethical issues, money laundering, privacy, recordkeeping and marketing and sales practices. Also, bank regulators and other supervisory authorities in the United States and elsewhere continue to scrutinize payment processing and other transactions under regulations governing such matters as money-laundering, prohibited transactions with countries subject to sanctions, and bribery or other anti-corruption measures.

Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in laws and regulations may materially increase the cost of compliance and other expenses of doing business. There are a number of risks that may arise where applicable regulations may be unclear, subject to multiple interpretations or under development or where regulations may conflict with one another, where regulators revise their previous guidance or courts overturn previous rulings, which could result in our failure to meet applicable standards. Regulators and other authorities have the power to bring administrative or judicial proceedings against us, which could result, among other things, in suspension or revocation of our licenses, cease and desist orders, fines, civil penalties, criminal penalties or other disciplinary action which could materially harm our results of operations and financial condition. If we fail to address, or appear to fail to address, appropriately any of these matters, our reputation could be harmed and we could be subject to additional legal risk, which could increase the size and number of claims and damages asserted against us or subject us to enforcement actions, fines and penalties. See "Item 1. Business - Regulation" for further discussion on the impact of regulations on our businesses.

 
Our businesses are heavily regulated, and changes in regulation in the United States, enforcement actions and regulatory investigations may reduce profitability.

Our operations are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision throughout the United States. State insurance laws regulate most aspects of our insurance business and we are regulated by the insurance department of our state of domicile, Connecticut. The primary purpose of state regulation is to protect policyholders, and not necessarily to protect creditors or investors. See "Item 1. Business - Regulation-Insurance Regulation."

State insurance regulators, the NAIC and other regulatory bodies regularly reexamine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products and their affiliated transactions. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the consumer at the expense of the insurer and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. We use affiliated captive reinsurance companies to reinsure certain of our remaining annuities and to fund statutory stable value reserves in excess of the economic reserve level. Our continued use of affiliated captive reinsurance companies are subject to potential regulatory changes. In 2014, the NAIC considered a proposal to require states to apply NAIC accreditation standards, applicable to traditional insurers, to captive reinsurers. In 2015, the NAIC adopted such a proposal, in the form of a revised preamble to the NAIC accreditation standard

 
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s (the "Standard"), with an effective date of January 1, 2016 for application of the Standard to captives that assume XXX or AXXX business. Under the Standard, a state will be deemed in compliance as it relates to XXX or AXXX captives if the applicable reinsurance transaction satisfies AG48. In addition, the Standard applies prospectively, so that XXX or AXXX captives will not be subject to the Standard if reinsured policies were issued prior to January 1, 2015 and ceded so that they were part of a reinsurance arrangement as of December 31, 2014.

Any regulatory action that limits our ability to achieve desired benefits from the use of or materially increases our cost of using captive reinsurance companies, either retroactively or prospectively could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Insurance regulators have implemented, or begun to implement significant changes in the way in which insurers must determine statutory reserves and capital, particularly for products with contractual guarantees such as universal life policies, and are considering further potentially significant changes in these requirements.

In addition to the foregoing risks, the financial services industry is the focus of increased regulatory scrutiny as various state and federal governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations conduct inquiries and investigations into the products and practices of the financial services industries. For a description of certain regulatory inquiries affecting the Company, see the Litigation and Regulatory Matters section of the Commitments and Contingencies Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II. Item 8. in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. It is possible that future regulatory inquiries or investigations involving the insurance industry generally, or the Company specifically, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

In some cases, this regulatory scrutiny has led to legislation and regulation, or proposed legislation and regulation that could significantly affect the financial services industry, or has resulted in regulatory penalties, settlements and litigation. New laws, regulations and other regulatory actions aimed at the business practices under scrutiny could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. The adoption of new laws and regulations, enforcement actions, or litigation, whether or not involving us, could influence the manner in which we distribute our products, result in negative coverage of the industry by the media, cause significant harm to our reputation and materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our products are subject to extensive regulation and failure to meet any of the complex product requirements may reduce profitability.

Our retirement and investment, and remaining annuity products are subject to a complex and extensive array of state and federal tax, securities, insurance and employee benefit plan laws and regulations, which are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental and self-regulatory authorities, including state insurance regulators, state securities administrators, state banking authorities, the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), the DOL and the IRS.

For example, U.S. federal income tax law imposes requirements relating to insurance and annuity product design, administration and investments that are conditions for beneficial tax treatment of such products under the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, state and federal securities and insurance laws impose requirements relating to insurance and annuity product design, offering and distribution and administration. Failure to administer product features in accordance with contract provisions or applicable law, or to meet any of these complex tax, securities, or insurance requirements could subject us to administrative penalties imposed by a particular governmental or self-regulatory authority, unanticipated costs associated with remedying such failure or other claims, harm to our reputation, interruption of our operations or adversely impact profitability.

The Dodd-Frank Act, over-the-counter derivatives regulations could have adverse consequences for us and/or materially affect our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a framework for regulating over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives which has transformed derivatives markets and trading in significant ways. Under the new regulatory regime and subject to certain exceptions, certain standardized OTC interest rate and credit derivatives must now be cleared through a centralized clearinghouse and executed on a centralized exchange or execution facility, and the CFTC and the SEC may designate additional types of OTC derivatives for mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements in the future. In addition to mandatory central clearing of certain derivatives products, non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives which have been excluded from the clearing mandate and which are used by market participants like us are now subject to additional regulatory reporting and margin requirements. Specifically, both the CFTC and federal banking regulators issued final rules in 2015, which became effective in 2017, establishing minimum margin requirements for OTC derivatives traded by either (non-bank) swap dealers or banks which qualify as swaps entities. Nearly all of the counterparties we tr

 
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ade with are either swap dealers or swap entities subject to these rules. Both the CFTC and prudential regulator margin rules require mandatory exchange of variation margin for most OTC derivatives transacted by us and will require exchange of initial margin commencing in 2020. As a result of the transition to central clearing and the new margin requirements for OTC derivatives, we will be required to hold more cash and highly liquid securities resulting in lower yields in order to satisfy the projected increase in margin required. In addition, increased capital charges imposed by regulators on non-cash collateral held by bank counterparties and central clearinghouses is expected to result in higher hedging costs, causing a reduction in income from investments. We are also observing an increasing reluctance from counterparties to accept certain non-cash collateral from us due to higher capital or operational costs associated with such asset classes that we typically hold in abundance. These developments present potentially significant business, liquidity and operational risk for us which could materially and adversely impact both the cost and our ability to effectively hedge various risks, including equity, interest rate, currency and duration risks within many of our insurance and annuity products and investment portfolios. In addition, inconsistencies between U.S. rules and regulations and parallel regimes in other jurisdictions, such as the EU, may further increase costs of hedging or inhibit our ability to access market liquidity in those other jurisdictions.

Changes in tax laws and interpretations of existing tax law could increase our tax costs, impact our ability to make distributions to Voya Financial, Inc. or make our insurance, annuity and investment products less attractive to customers.

In addition to its effect on our balance sheet, Tax Reform has had, and will continue to have other financial and economic impacts on the Company. While the change in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% is expected to have a beneficial economic impact on the Company, there are a number of changes enacted in Tax Reform that could increase the Company's tax costs, including:
Changes to the capitalization period and rates of DAC for tax purposes; and
Changes to the calculation of life insurance reserves for tax purposes.

It is possible that, as a result of, among other things, future clarifications or guidance from the IRS, other agencies or the courts, the impact of Tax Reform may turn out to be materially more adverse from that discussed herein.

Tax Reform also resulted in a reduction in statutory deferred tax assets, reducing our RBC ratio. Future changes or clarifications in tax law could cause further reductions to our statutory deferred tax assets and RBC ratio. A reduction in the statutory deferred tax assets or RBC ratios may impact our ability to make distributions and consequently could negatively impact our ability to pay dividends.

Current U.S. federal income tax law permits tax-deferred accumulation of income earned under life insurance and annuity products, and permits exclusion from taxation of death benefits paid under life insurance contracts. Changes in tax laws that restrict these tax benefits could make some of our products less attractive to customers. Reductions in individual income tax rates or estate tax rates could also make some of our products less advantageous to customers. Changes in federal tax laws that reduce the amount an individual can contribute on a pre-tax basis to an employer-provided, tax-deferred product (either directly by reducing current limits or indirectly by changing the tax treatment of such contributions from exclusions to deductions) or changes that would limit an individual's aggregate amount of tax-deferred savings could make our retirement products less attractive to customers. In addition, any measures that may be enacted in U.S. states in response to Tax Reform, or otherwise, could make our products less attractive to our customers. Furthermore, as a result of Tax Reform's recent adoption and significant scope, its impact on our products, including their attractiveness relative to our competitors, cannot yet be known and may be adverse, perhaps materially.

Changes to federal regulations could adversely affect our distribution model by restricting our ability to provide customers with advice.

In April 2018, the SEC published a proposed rule that would, among other things, apply a heightened “best interest” standard to broker-dealers and their associated persons when they make securities investment recommendations to retail customers. If the SEC finalizes this rule, other federal regulators and state regulators may follow with their own rules applicable to investment recommendations relating to other separate overlapping investment products and accounts, such as insurance products and retirement accounts.

 
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Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

Omitted as registrant is neither an accelerated filer nor a well-known seasoned issuer.

Item 2.    Properties

The Company's home office is located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut, 06095-4774. All Company office space other than the home office is leased or subleased by the Company or its other affiliates. The Company pays substantially all expenses associated with its owned or leased and subleased office properties. Affiliates within Voya Financial's operations provide the Company with various management, finance, investment management and other administrative services, primarily from facilities located at 5780 Powers Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30327-4390. The affiliated companies are reimbursed for the Company's use of these services and facilities under a variety of intercompany agreements.

Item 3.        Legal Proceedings

See the Litigation and Regulatory Matters section of the Commitments and Contingencies Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of our material legal proceedings.

Item 4.        Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

 
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PART II

Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)    
 
There is no public trading market for the common stock of VRIAC. All of our outstanding common stock is owned by our parent, Voya Holdings Inc. ("Parent"), a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Financial.

Connecticut insurance law imposes restrictions on a Connecticut insurance company's ability to pay dividends to its parent. These restrictions are based in part on the prior year's statutory income and surplus. In general, dividends up to specified levels are considered ordinary and may be paid without prior approval. Dividends in larger amounts, or extraordinary dividends, are subject to approval by the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner.

Under Connecticut insurance law, an extraordinary dividend or distribution is defined as a dividend or distribution that, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of (1) ten percent (10%) of our earned statutory surplus at the prior year end or (2) our prior year statutory net gain from operations. Connecticut law also prohibits a Connecticut insurer from declaring or paying a dividend except out of its earned surplus unless prior insurance regulatory approval is obtained.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, VRIAC declared an ordinary dividend in the amount of $126 million, which was paid to its Parent on May 25, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017, VRIAC declared ordinary dividends to its Parent in the aggregate amount of $265 million, $261 million of which was paid on May 24, 2017 and $4 million of which was paid on December 28, 2017. On March 28, 2018, VFP paid a $20 million dividend to VRIAC, its parent; on June 28, 2018, VFP paid a $20 million dividend to VRIAC; on September 26, 2018, VFP paid a $20 million dividend to VRIAC; and on December 21, 2018, VFP paid a $30 million dividend to VRIAC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, VFP paid dividends in the amount of $85 million to VRIAC.

On May 25, 2018, DSL, which was a subsidiary of VRIAC at the time, paid a $49 million dividend to its then parent, VRIAC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, DSL did not pay any dividends to VRIAC.

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, VRIAC did not receive any capital contributions from its Parent.

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(a) of Form 10-K.


 
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Item 7.    Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)

For the purposes of the discussion in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the term "VRIAC" refers to Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and the terms "Company," "we," "our," "us" refer to Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and its subsidiaries. We are a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc. ("Parent"), which is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Financial, Inc.

The following discussion and analysis presents a review of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and financial condition as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. This item should be read in its entirety and in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, operations and financial performance based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. See "Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements."

Overview

VRIAC is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Connecticut. VRIAC and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") provide financial products and services in the United States. VRIAC is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states and in the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

As of June 1, 2018, Directed Services LLC ("DSL") was divested pursuant to the Transaction described below. Subsequent to the Transaction, VRIAC has one wholly owned non-insurance subsidiary, Voya Financial Partners, LLC ("VFP").

On June 1, 2018, VRIAC's ultimate parent, Voya Financial, Inc. ("Voya Financial"), consummated a series of transactions (collectively, the "Transaction") pursuant to a Master Transaction Agreement dated December 20, 2017 (the "MTA") with VA Capital Company LLC ("VA Capital") and Athene Holding Ltd. ("Athene"). As part of the Transaction, VA Capital's wholly owned subsidiary Venerable Holdings, Inc. ("Venerable") acquired certain of Voya Financial's assets, including all of the shares of the capital stock of Voya Insurance and Annuity Company ("VIAC"), our Iowa-domiciled insurance affiliate, as well as the membership interests of DSL, our broker-dealer subsidiary. Following the closing of the Transaction, VRIAC acquired a 9.99% equity interest in VA Capital.

Our Business
Our products include qualified and nonqualified annuity contracts that include a variety of funding and payout options for individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403, 408, 457 and 501, as well as nonqualified deferred compensation plans and related services. Our products are offered primarily to employer-sponsored groups in the health care, government and education markets (collectively "tax exempt markets"), small to mid-sized corporations and individuals. We also provide stable value investment options, including separate account guaranteed investment contracts (e.g. GICs) and synthetic GICs, to institutional clients. Our products are generally distributed through pension professionals, independent agents and brokers, third party administrators, banks, consultants, dedicated financial guidance, planning and advisory representatives associated with Voya Financial's retail broker-dealer, Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. ("VFA").

We derive our revenue mainly from (a) investment income earned on investments (b) Fee income generated from separate account assets supporting variable options under variable annuity contract investments, as designated by contract owners, (c) Premiums, (d) realized capital gains (losses) on investments and changes in fair value of embedded derivatives on product guarantees, and (e) Other revenue which includes certain other fees. Our Benefits and expenses primarily consist of (a) Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders, (b) Operating expenses, which include expenses related to the selling and servicing of the various products offered by us and other general business expenses and (c) amortization of DAC and VOBA. In addition, we collect broker-dealer commission revenues through our subsidiary VFP, which are, in turn, paid to broker-dealers and expensed.

We have one operating segment.

In 2017, we began soliciting customer consents to execute a change to reduce the guaranteed minimum interest rate ("GMIR initiative") applicable to future deposits and transfers into fixed investment options for certain retirement plan contracts with above-market GMIRs. This change reduces our interest rate exposure on new deposits, transfers and in certain plans existing fixed account assets an

 
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d will favorably impact the DAC and VOBA amortization rate and operating earnings over time. See the Assumptions and Periodic Review section in Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates in Part II, Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates

General

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") requires us 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an on-going basis based on historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that is reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to estimates and assumptions and that reported results of operations will not be materially affected by the need to make future accounting adjustments to reflect changes in these estimates and assumptions from time to time.

We have identified the following accounting judgments and estimates as critical in that they involve a higher degree of judgment and are subject to a significant degree of variability:

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.

In developing these accounting estimates, we make subjective and complex judgments that are inherently uncertain and subject to material changes as facts and circumstances develop. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, we believe the amounts provided are appropriate based on the facts available upon preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The above critical accounting estimates are described in the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Reserves for Future Policy Benefits

The determination of future policy benefit reserves is dependent on actuarial assumptions. The principal assumptions used to establish liabilities for future policy benefits are based on our 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. The assumptions used require considerable judgments. Changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions used can significantly affect our reserve levels and related results of operations.

Mortality is the incidence of death among policyholders triggering the payment of underlying insurance coverage by the insurer. In addition, mortality also refers to the ceasing of payments on life-contingent annuities due to the death of the annuitant. We utilize a combination of actual and industry experience when setting our mortality assumptions.
A lapse rate is the percentage of in-force policies surrendered by the policyholder or canceled by us due to non-payment of premiums.

See the Guaranteed Benefit Features Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on our reserves for future policy benefits, contract owner account balances and product guarantees.

Insurance and Other Reserves

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 our 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 2.7% to 6.6%.

 
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Although assumptions are "locked-in" upon the issuance of payout contracts with life contingencies, significant changes in experience or assumptions may require us 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.

Product Guarantees and Index-crediting Features

The assumptions used to establish the liabilities for our product guarantees require considerable judgment and are established as management's best estimate of future outcomes. We periodically review these assumptions and, if necessary, update them based on additional information that becomes available. Changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions used can significantly affect our reserve levels and related results of operations.

Stabilizer and MCG: We also issue certain products that contain embedded derivatives that are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host contracts. These products include Stabilizer contracts. The managed custody guarantee product ("MCG") is a stand-alone derivative and is measured in its entirety at estimated fair value.

The estimated fair value of the Stabilizer embedded derivative and MCG contracts is determined based on the present value of projected future claims, minus the present value of future guaranteed premiums. At inception of the contract, we project 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 Stabilizer embedded derivatives and the MCG stand-alone derivative 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 our 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”). Our nonperformance risk adjustment is based on a blend of observable, similarly rated peer holding company credit spreads, adjusted to reflect the credit quality of the Company, as well as an adjustment to reflect the non-default spreads and the priority and recovery rates of policyholder claims.

Assumptions and Periodic Review

We review overall policyholder experience at least annually (including lapse, annuitization, withdrawal and mortality) and update these assumptions when deemed necessary, based on additional information that becomes available. If policyholder experience is significantly different from that assumed, such could have a significant effect on our reserve levels and related results of operations.

See the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Section in Part II, Item 7A. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the specific hedging strategies and reinsurance we utilize to mitigate risk for the product guarantees, as well as sensitivities of the embedded derivative and stand-alone derivative liabilities to changes in certain capital markets assumptions.

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. VOBA represents the outstanding value of in-force business acquired and is subject to amortization and interest.

See the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on DAC and VOBA.

Amortization Methodologies

We amortize DAC and VOBA related to fixed and variable deferred annuity contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in relation to the emergence of estimated gross profits. Assumptions as to mortality, persistency, interest crediting rates, fee income, returns associated with separate account performance, impact of hedge performance, expenses to administer the business and

 
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certain economic variables, such as inflation, are based on our experience and overall capital markets. 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"). If the update of assumptions causes estimated gross profits to increase, DAC and VOBA amortization will decrease, resulting in a current period increase to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the assumption update causes estimated gross profits to decrease.

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 periods, we perform 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 the DAC or VOBA balances before an additional reserve is established.

Assumptions and Periodic Review

Changes in assumptions can 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. We periodically review these assumptions against actual experience and, based on additional information that becomes available, update our assumptions. Deviation of emerging experience from our assumptions could have a significant effect on our DAC and VOBA, reserves, and the related results of operations.

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. We use 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. We monitor market events and only change the assumption when sustained deviations are expected. This methodology incorporates a 9% long-term equity return assumption, a 14% cap and a five-year look-forward period.
Assumptions related to interest rate spreads and credit losses also impact estimated gross profits for all applicable products with credited rates. These assumptions are based on the current investment portfolio yields and credit quality, estimated future crediting rates, capital markets, and estimates of future interest rates and defaults.
Other significant assumptions include estimated policyholder behavior assumptions, such as surrender, lapse, and annuitization rates. We use a combination of actual and industry experience when setting and updating our policyholder behavior assumptions, and such assumptions require considerable judgment. Estimated gross profits for our variable annuity contracts are particularly sensitive to these assumptions.

During the third quarter of 2018, 2017 and 2016, we conducted our annual review of assumptions, including projection model inputs, which resulted in net favorable/(unfavorable) unlocking of DAC and VOBA of $42 million, $(60) million and $(98) million, respectively.

In 2017, we began soliciting customer consents to execute a change to reduce the guaranteed minimum interest rate ("GMIR initiative") applicable to future deposits and transfers into fixed investment options for certain retirement plan contracts with above-market GMIRs. This change reduces our interest rate exposure on new deposits, transfers and in certain plans existing fixed account assets and will favorably impact the DAC/VOBA amortization rate and operating earnings over time.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, unfavorable unlocking of DAC and VOBA related to GMIR provisions was $51 million, of which $8 million was included in the results of the annual review of assumptions referenced above. For the year ended December 31, 2017, unfavorable unlocking of DAC and VOBA related to changes in GMIR provisions was $220 million, of which $92 million was included in the results of the annual review of assumptions referenced above.

Sensitivity

We perform sensitivity analyses to assess the impact that certain assumptions have on DAC and VOBA, as well as certain reserves. The following table presents the estimated instantaneous net impact on income before income taxes of various assumption changes on our DAC and VOBA balances and the impact on related reserves for future policy benefits and reinsurance. The effects are not representative of the aggregate impacts that could result if a combination of such changes to equity markets, interest rates and

 
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other assumptions occurred. (Assumptions regarding shifts in market factors may be overly simplistic and not indicative of actual market behavior in stress scenarios.)
($ in millions)
As of December 31, 2018
Decrease in long-term equity rate of return assumption by 100 basis points
$
(32
)
A change to the long-term interest rate assumption of -50 basis points
(19
)
A change to the long-term interest rate assumption of +50 basis points
7


Lower assumed equity rates of return, lower assumed interest rates and decreases in equity market values generally decrease DAC and VOBA and increase future policy benefits, thus decreasing income before income taxes. Higher assumed interest rates generally increase DAC and VOBA and decrease future policy benefits, thus increasing income before income taxes.

Valuation of Investments and Derivatives

Our investment portfolio consists of public and private fixed maturity securities, commercial mortgage and other loans, equity securities, short-term investments, other invested assets and derivative financial instruments. We enter 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. We also utilize options and futures on equity indices to reduce and manage risks associated with our annuity products.

See the Investments Note and the Derivative Financial Instruments Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

Investments

We measure the fair value of our 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 our 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. We use a number of valuation sources to determine the fair values of our 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.

We categorize our financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

When available, the estimated fair value of securities is based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flows, matrix pricing or other similar techniques. Inputs to these methodologies include, but are not limited to, market observable inputs such as benchmark yields, credit quality, issuer spreads, bids, offers and cash flow characteristics of the security. For privately placed bonds, we also consider such factors as the net worth of the borrower, value of the collateral, the capital structure of the borrower, the presence of guarantees, and the borrower's ability to compete in its relevant market. Valuations are reviewed and validated monthly by an internal valuation committee using price variance reports, comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing of recent trades, and monitoring of trading volumes, as appropriate.

The valuation of financial assets and liabilities involves considerable judgment, is subject to considerable variability, is established using management's best estimate, and is revised as additional information becomes available. As such, changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions used in such valuations can significantly affect our results of operations. Financial markets are subject to significant movements in valuation and liquidity, which can impact our ability to liquidate and the selling price that can be realized for our securities.

 
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Derivatives

Derivatives are carried at fair value, which is determined by using observable key financial data, such as yield curves, exchange rates, S&P 500 prices, London Interbank Offered Rates ("LIBOR") and Overnight Index Swap Rates ("OIS") or through values established by third-party sources, such as brokers. Valuations for our futures contracts are based on unadjusted quoted prices from an active exchange. Counterparty credit risk is considered and incorporated in our valuation process through counterparty credit rating requirements and monitoring of overall exposure. Our own credit risk is also considered and incorporated in our valuation process.

We have certain CDS and options that are priced by third party vendors or by using models that primarily use market observable inputs, but contain inputs that are not observable to market participants.

We also have investments in certain fixed maturities and have 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. The fair values of these embedded derivatives are determined using prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. For additional information regarding the valuation of and significant assumptions associated with embedded derivatives and stand-alone derivatives associated with certain annuity contracts, see "Reserves for Future Policy Benefits" above.

In addition, we have entered into coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements, accounted for under the deposit method, that contain embedded derivatives. The fair value of the embedded derivatives is based on the change in the fair value of the underlying assets held in the trust using the valuation methods and assumptions described for our investments held.

The valuation of derivatives involves considerable judgment, is subject to considerable variability, is established using management's best estimate and is revised as additional information becomes available. As such, changes in, or deviations from, these assumptions used in such valuations can have a significant effect on our results of operations.

For additional information regarding the fair value of our investments and derivatives, see the Fair Value Measurements Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Impairments

We evaluate our available-for-sale general account investments quarterly to determine whether there has been an other-than-temporary decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis. This evaluation process entails considerable judgment and estimation. Factors considered in this analysis include, but are not limited to, the length of time and 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. An extended and 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 our intent to sell a security, or if it is more likely than not we will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, we evaluate 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.

We use the following methodology and significant inputs to determine the amount of the OTTI credit loss:

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, we apply the same considerations utilized in our 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 our 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.

 
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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 ratio; 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, we consider 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, we consider in the determination of recovery value the same considerations utilized in its overall impairment evaluation process, which incorporates available information and our 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.
We perform 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.

Mortgage loans on real estate are all commercial mortgage loans. If a mortgage loan is determined to be impaired (i.e., when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to the lower of either the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan's original purchase yield, or the fair value of the collateral. For those mortgages that are determined to require foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell at the point of foreclosure.

Impairment analysis of the investment portfolio involves considerable judgment, is subject to considerable variability, is established using management's best estimate and is revised as additional information becomes available. As such, changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions used in such analysis can have a significant effect on the results of operations.

For additional information regarding the evaluation process for impairments, see the Investments Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Income Taxes

The results of our operations are included in the consolidated tax return of Voya Financial. Generally, our Consolidated Financial Statements recognize the current and deferred income tax consequences that result from our activities during the current and preceding periods pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes" as if we were a separate taxpayer rather than a member of Voya Financial's consolidated income tax return group, with the exception of any net operating loss carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards, which are recorded pursuant to the tax sharing agreement.

Under our tax sharing agreement, Voya Financial will pay us for the tax benefits of ordinary and capital losses only in the event that the consolidated tax group actually uses the tax benefit of losses generated.

Valuation Allowances

We use certain assumptions and estimates in determining the income taxes payable or refundable to/from Voya Financial for the current year, the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for items recognized differently in our Consolidated Financial Statements from amounts shown on our income tax returns and the federal income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis and interpretation of current tax laws and regulations, including the loss limitation rules associated with change in control. We exercise considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments are reevaluated on a periodic basis and as a regulatory and business factors change.


 
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Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. We evaluate and test the recoverability of 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, we consider many factors, including:

The nature, frequency and severity of book income or losses in recent years;
The nature and character of the deferred tax assets and liabilities;
The recent cumulative book income (loss) position after adjustment for permanent differences;
Taxable income in prior carryback years;
Projected future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
Projected future reversals of existing temporary differences;
The length of time carryforwards can be utilized;
Prudent and feasible tax planning strategies we would employ to avoid a tax benefit from expiring unused; and
Tax rules that would impact the utilization of the deferred tax assets.

Tax Contingencies

In establishing unrecognized tax benefits, we determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. We also consider positions that have been reviewed and agreed to as part of an examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard are not recognized. Tax positions that meet this standard are recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We measure the tax position as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution with the taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.

Changes in Law

Certain changes or future events, such as changes in tax legislation, completion of tax audits, planning opportunities and expectations about future outcomes could have an impact on our estimates of valuation allowances, deferred taxes, tax provisions and effective tax rates.

Tax Reform made broad changes to U.S. federal tax law. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting under ASC Topic 740 for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform for the reporting period of enactment. SAB 118 allowed us to provide a provisional estimate of the impacts of Tax Reform during a measurement period similar to the measurement period used when accounting for business combinations. Adjustments to the provisional estimate and additional impacts from Tax Reform were recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in SAB 118.
We relied on SAB 118 to determine the net impact of Tax Reform on our net deferred tax asset position as of December 31, 2017 and finalized the impact of Tax Reform on our current taxes and net deferred tax position during the measurement period in 2018. Deferred income tax represents the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credits carryforward. We periodically evaluate and test our ability to realize our 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. In assessing the more likely than not criteria, we consider future taxable income as well as prudent tax planning strategies.
Pursuant to SAB 118, we estimated that Tax Reform resulted in a one-time decrease in our net deferred tax liability position of $116 million as of December 31, 2017. This reduction was substantially due to the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities at 21%, the new federal corporate income tax rate at which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to reverse in the future. This estimate included the effect of a reduction in our deferred tax liability associated with accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). The FASB issued guidance in February 2018 that allows reclassification of the reduction in the deferred tax liability associated with AOCI from retained earnings to AOCI. We will adopt this new guidance effective January 1, 2019. For additional information, see the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note, "Future Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements" section, in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

 
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Contingencies

For information regarding our contingencies, see the Commitments and Contingencies Note in our Consolidated Financial
Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding the impact of new accounting pronouncements, see the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
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Results of Operations

 
Year Ended December 31,
($ in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
$
1,623

 
$
1,520

 
$
1,501

Fee income
695

 
713

 
725

Premiums
41

 
48

 
870

Broker-dealer commission revenue
69

 
170

 
175

Total net realized capital gains (losses)
(242
)
 
(200
)
 
(213
)
Other revenue
13

 

 
(2
)
Total revenues
2,199

 
2,251

 
3,056

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders
828

 
958

 
1,765

Operating expenses
647

 
801

 
815

Broker-dealer commission expense
69

 
170

 
175

Net amortization of Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired
86

 
233

 
167

Total benefits and expenses
1,630

 
2,162

 
2,922

Income (loss) before income taxes
569

 
89

 
134

Income tax expense (benefit)
74

 
(121
)
 
21

Net income (loss)
$
495

 
$
210

 
$
113


Year Ended December 31, 2018 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017

Net income (loss) increased $285 million from income of $210 million to $495 million primarily due to:

lower Operating expenses;
lower Net amortization of DAC and VOBA;
lower Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders;
higher Net investment income.

The increase was partially offset by:

unfavorable changes in Income tax expense (benefit);
lower Fee income; and
higher Net realized losses.

Revenues

Net investment income increased $103 million from $1,520 million to $1,623 million primarily due to:

higher alternative investment income;
growth in general account assets driven by positive net flows, including the cumulative impact of participants' transfers from variable investment options into fixed investment options; and
higher income due to the change in the mix of portfolio of assets.


Fee income decreased $18 million from $713 million to $695 million primarily due to:

lower investment advisory fees, resulting from changes to the investment advisory relationship with affiliates; and

 
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the shift in business mix.

The decrease was partially offset by:

an increase in separate account and institutional/mutual fund AUM driven by equity market improvements.

Broker-dealer commission revenue decreased $101 million from $170 million to $69 million primarily due to:

the divestment of DSL pursuant to the Transaction described in the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Net realized capital losses increased $42 million from $200 million to $242 million primarily due to:

higher net realized losses on the disposal of fixed maturities including securities pledged due to higher impairments; and
unfavorable changes in the fair value of derivatives due to interest rate movements.

The increase was partially offset by:

favorable changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives on product guarantees primarily due to interest rate movements and the impact of nonperformance risk.

Benefits and Expenses

Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders decreased $130 million from $958 million to $828 million primarily due to:

favorable changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative on reinsurance due to market movements;
a decrease in reserves related to changes in interest and equity markets;
a decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivatives and standalone derivatives on product guarantees; and
a decrease in immediate annuities with life contingencies.

Broker-dealer commission expense decreased $101 million from $170 million to $69 million primarily due to:

the divestment of DSL pursuant to the Transaction described in the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Operating expenses decreased $154 million from $801 million to $647 million primarily due to:

a gain on the recapture of the Langhorne coinsurance agreement during the current period. See the Related Party Transactions Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail; and
lower investment advisory expenses, resulting from changes to the investment advisory relationship with affiliates.

Net amortization of DAC and VOBA decreased $147 million from $233 million to $86 million primarily due to:

lower unfavorable DAC and VOBA unlocking related to the GMIR initiative;
favorable changes in DAC and VOBA unlocking resulting from the impact of annual assumptions updates; and
the favorable impact of the GMIR initiative on the amortization rates.

This decrease was partially offset by:

unfavorable DAC and VOBA unlocking due to separate account performance; and
unfavorable DAC and VOBA amortization related to the change in embedded derivative associated with a reinsurance agreement.


 
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Income Taxes

Income tax expense changed by $195 million from a benefit of $121 million to an expense of $74 million due to:

an increase in income before income taxes; and
a large Tax Reform-related benefit associated with revaluing deferred tax liabilities in 2017 that did not recur in 2018.

The increase was partially offset with:

a decrease in the federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%; and
an increase in the dividends received deduction.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Net income (loss) increased $97 million from income of $113 million to $210 million primarily due to:

lower Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders;
favorable changes in Income tax expense (benefit);
higher Net investment income;
lower Operating expenses; and
lower Net realized capital losses.

The increase was partially offset by:

lower Premiums;
lower Fee income; and
higher Net amortization of DAC and VOBA.

Revenues

Net investment income increased $19 million from $1,501 million to $1,520 million primarily due to:

growth in the general account assets driven by positive net flows, including the cumulative impact of participants’ transfers from variable investment options into fixed investment options; and
higher alternative investment income.

The increase was partially offset by:

lower prepayment fee income; and
lower yields, including the impact of the continued low interest rate environment on reinvestment rates.

Fee income decreased $12 million from $725 million to $713 million primarily due to:

lower investment advisory fees, resulting from changes to the investment advisory relationship with affiliates (See the Related Party Transactions Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail); and
the shift in business mix.

The decrease was partially offset by;

an increase in the separate account and institutional/mutual fund AUM driven by equity market improvements; and
cumulative impact of positive net flows.

Premiums decreased $822 million from $870 million to $48 million primarily due to:

lower sales of pension risk transfer contracts, which correspond to lower interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders below. This business was closed to new sales at the end of 2016.


 
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Net realized capital losses decreased $13 million from $213 million to $200 million primarily due to:

favorable changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives on product guarantees (from a gain of $13 million in the prior period to a gain of $55 million in the current period). This was primarily the result of interest rate movements, partially offset by the impact of nonperformance risk; and
lower net realized losses on the disposal of available for sale fixed maturities including securities pledged due to lower impairments and gains on the sale of securities.

The decrease was partially offset by:

unfavorable changes in the fair values of derivatives due to interest rate movements; and
unfavorable changes in fixed maturities using the fair value option due to interest rate movements and spread changes.

Benefits and Expenses

Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders decreased $807 million from $1,765 million to $958 million primarily due to:

a decrease in the change in reserves associated with the pension risk contracts; and
favorable change in the fair value of the embedded derivative on reinsurance.

This decrease was partially offset by:

an increase in general account liabilities which corresponds to the growth in the general account assets.

Operating expenses decreased $14 million from $815 million to $801 million primarily due to:

lower investment advisory expenses, resulting from changes to the investment advisory relationship with affiliates, referenced above.

The decrease was partially offset by:

higher asset based commissions;
higher technology costs; and
higher employee related expenses.

Net amortization of DAC and VOBA increased $66 million from $167 million to $233 million due to:

unfavorable unlocking related to changes in GMIR provisions of certain retirement plan contracts with fixed investment options.

This decrease was partially offset by:

favorable changes in unlocking resulting from the impact of annual assumption updates.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) changed by $142 million from an expense of $21 million to a benefit of $(121) million primarily due to:

a benefit associated with the revaluing of deferred balances impacted by the federal tax rate change;
a decrease in income before income taxes; and
an increase in the benefit associated with the dividends received deduction.


 
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Financial Condition

Investments

Investment Strategy

Our investment strategy seeks to achieve sustainable risk-adjusted returns by focusing on principal preservation, disciplined matching of asset characteristics with liability requirements and the diversification of risks. Investment activities are undertaken according to investment policy statements that contain internally established guidelines and risk tolerances and are required to comply with applicable laws and insurance regulations. Risk tolerances are established for credit risk, credit spread risk, market risk, liquidity risk and concentration risk across issuers, sectors and asset types that seek to mitigate the impact of cash flow variability arising from these risks.

Segmented portfolios are established for groups of products with similar liability characteristics. Our investment portfolio consists largely of high quality fixed maturities and short-term investments, investments in commercial mortgage loans, alternative investments and other instruments, including a small amount of equity holdings. Fixed maturities include publicly issued corporate bonds, government bonds, privately placed notes and bonds, bonds issued by states and municipalities, Other asset-backed securities ("ABS"), and traditional Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS").

We use derivatives for hedging purposes to reduce our exposure to the cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. In addition, we use credit derivatives to replicate exposure to individual securities or pools of securities as a means of achieving credit exposure similar to bonds of the underlying issuer(s) more efficiently.

See the Investments Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Portfolio Composition

The following table presents the investment portfolio as of the dates indicated:
($ in millions)
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
% of
Total
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, excluding securities pledged
$
22,981

 
74.0
%
 
$
23,141

 
75.1
%
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option
1,171

 
3.8
%
 
941

 
3.1
%
Equity securities, available-for-sale
57

 
0.2
%
 
60

 
0.2
%
Short-term investments(1)
50

 
0.2
%
 
25

 
0.1
%
Mortgage loans on real estate
4,918

 
15.9
%
 
4,910

 
15.9
%
Policy loans
210

 
0.7
%
 
214

 
0.7
%
Limited partnerships/corporations
583

 
1.9
%
 
411

 
1.3
%
Derivatives
128

 
0.4
%
 
136

 
0.5
%
Securities pledged
882

 
2.8
%
 
960

 
3.1
%
Other investments
40

 
0.1
%
 

 
%
Total investments
$
31,020

 
100.0
%
 
$
30,798

 
100.0
%
(1) Short-term investments include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than 3 months, at the time of purchase.


 
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Fixed Maturities

The following tables present total fixed maturities, including securities pledged, by market sector as of the dates indicated:
($ in millions) 
December 31, 2018
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% of
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
651

 
2.6
%
 
$
738

 
2.9
%
U.S. Government agencies and authorities

 
%
 

 
%
State, municipalities, and political subdivisions
754

 
3.0
%
 
764

 
3.1
%
U.S. corporate public securities
7,908

 
31.7
%
 
8,015

 
32.0
%
U.S. corporate private securities
3,686

 
14.8
%
 
3,653

 
14.6
%
Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
2,551

 
10.3
%
 
2,540

 
10.1
%
Foreign corporate private securities(1)
3,235

 
13.1
%
 
3,175

 
12.7
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,966

 
11.9
%
 
3,036

 
12.2
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,917

 
7.7
%
 
1,905

 
7.6
%
Other asset-backed securities
1,230

 
4.9
%
 
1,208

 
4.8
%
Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
$
24,898

 
100.0
%
 
$
25,034

 
100.0
%
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.

($ in millions) 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% of
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
% of
Total
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
547

 
2.3
%
 
$
656

 
2.6
%
U.S. Government agencies and authorities
3

 
%
 
3

 
%
State, municipalities, and political subdivisions
842

 
3.6
%
 
878

 
3.5
%
U.S. corporate public securities
8,476

 
35.9
%
 
9,236

 
36.9
%
U.S. corporate private securities
3,387

 
14.4
%
 
3,497

 
14.0
%
Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
2,594

 
11.0
%
 
2,777

 
11.1
%
Foreign corporate private securities(1)
3,105

 
13.2
%
 
3,215

 
12.8
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,517

 
10.7
%
 
2,629

 
10.5
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,437

 
6.1
%
 
1,470

 
5.9
%
Other asset-backed securities
671

 
2.8
%
 
681

 
2.7
%
Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
$
23,579

 
100.0
%
 
$
25,042

 
100.0
%
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.

As of December 31, 2018, the average duration of our fixed maturities portfolio, including securities pledged, is between 7.0 and 7.5 years.

Fixed Maturities Credit Quality - Ratings

The Securities Valuation Office ("SVO") of the NAIC evaluates the fixed maturity security investments of insurers for regulatory reporting and capital assessment purposes and assigns securities to one of six credit quality categories called "NAIC designations." An internally developed rating is used as permitted by the NAIC if no rating is available. These designations are generally similar to the credit quality designations of the NAIC acceptable rating organizations ("ARO") for marketable fixed maturity securities, called rating agency designations except for certain structured securities as described below. NAIC designations of "1," highest quality and "2," high quality, include fixed maturity securities generally considered investment grade by such rating organizations.

 
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NAIC designations 3 through 6 include fixed maturity securities generally considered below investment grade by such rating organizations.

The NAIC designations for structured securities, including subprime and Alt-A RMBS, are based upon a comparison of the bond's amortized cost to the NAIC's loss expectation for each security. Securities where modeling results in no expected loss in each scenario are considered to have the highest designation of NAIC 1. A large percentage of our RMBS securities carry the NAIC 1 designation while the ARO rating indicates below investment grade. This is primarily due to the credit and intent impairments recorded by us that reduced the amortized cost on these securities to a level resulting in no expected loss in all scenarios, which corresponds to the NAIC 1 designation. The methodology reduces regulatory reliance on rating agencies and allows for greater regulatory input into the assumptions used to estimate expected losses from such structured securities. In the tables below, we present the rating of structured securities based on ratings from the NAIC methodologies described above (which may not correspond to rating agency designations). NAIC designations (e.g., NAIC 1-6) are based on the NAIC methodologies.

As a result of time lags between the funding of investments, the finalization of legal documents and the completion of the SVO filing process, the fixed maturity portfolio generally includes securities that have not yet been rated by the SVO as of each balance sheet date, such as private placements. Pending receipt of SVO ratings, the categorization of these securities by NAIC designation is based on the expected ratings indicated by internal analysis.

Information about certain of our fixed maturity securities holdings by NAIC designation is set forth in the following tables. Corresponding rating agency designation does not directly translate into NAIC designation, but represents our best estimate of comparable ratings from rating agencies, including Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch"). If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 the weighted average NAIC quality rating of our fixed maturities portfolio was 1.5.

The fixed maturities in our portfolio are generally rated by external rating agencies and, if not externally rated, are rated by us on a basis similar to that used by the rating agencies. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average quality rating of our fixed maturities portfolio was A. Ratings are derived from three ARO ratings and are applied as follows based on the number of agency ratings received:

when three ratings are received then the middle rating is applied;
when two ratings are received then the lower rating is applied;
when a single rating is received, the ARO rating is applied; and
when ratings are unavailable then an internal rating is applied.


 
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Table of Contents

The following tables present credit quality of fixed maturities, including securities pledged, using NAIC designations as of the dates indicated:
($ in millions)
 
December 31, 2018
NAIC Quality Designation
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
Total Fair Value
U.S. Treasuries
 
$
738

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
738

U.S. Government agencies and authorities
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
715

 
48

 

 

 

 
1

 
764

U.S. corporate public securities
 
3,285

 
4,152

 
491

 
78

 
9

 

 
8,015

U.S. corporate private securities
 
1,420

 
2,042

 
79

 
102

 
10

 

 
3,653

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
 
1,105

 
1,267

 
146

 
21

 

 
1

 
2,540

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
 
405

 
2,520

 
188

 
46

 
16

 

 
3,175

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
2,981

 
16

 
4

 
1

 
4

 
30

 
3,036

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
1,840

 
57

 
8

 

 

 

 
1,905

Other asset-backed securities
 
1,081

 
100

 
11

 
5

 
7

 
4

 
1,208

Total fixed maturities
 
$
13,570

 
$
10,202

 
$
927

 
$
253

 
$
46

 
$
36

 
$
25,034

% of Fair Value
 
54.2
%
 
40.8
%
 
3.7
%
 
1.0
%
 
0.2
%
 
0.1
%
 
100.0
%
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
 
 
 
($ in millions)
 
December 31, 2017
NAIC Quality Designation
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
Total Fair Value
U.S. Treasuries
 
$
656

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
656

U.S. Government agencies and authorities
 
3

 

 

 

 

 

 
3

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
824

 
53

 

 

 

 
1

 
878

U.S. corporate public securities
 
4,560

 
4,148

 
395

 
131

 
2

 

 
9,236

U.S. corporate private securities
 
1,497

 
1,862

 
68

 
70

 

 

 
3,497

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
 
1,238

 
1,300

 
211

 
25

 
3

 

 
2,777

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
 
492

 
2,398

 
301

 
20

 
1

 
3

 
3,215

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
2,564

 
23

 
1

 

 
4

 
37

 
2,629

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
1,453

 
17

 

 

 

 

 
1,470

Other asset-backed securities
 
580

 
83

 
9

 
2

 

 
7

 
681

Total fixed maturities
 
$
13,867

 
$
9,884

 
$
985

 
$
248

 
$
10

 
$
48

 
$
25,042

% of Fair Value
 
55.4
%
 
39.5
%
 
3.9
%
 
1.0
%
 
%
 
0.2
%
 
100.0
%
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.



 
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Table of Contents

The following tables present credit quality of fixed maturities, including securities pledged, using ARO ratings as of the dates indicated:

($ in millions)
 
December 31, 2018
ARO Quality Ratings
 
AAA
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
BB and Below
 
Total Fair Value
U.S. Treasuries
 
$
738

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
738

U.S. Government agencies and authorities
 

 

 

 

 

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
59

 
461

 
195

 
48

 
1

 
764

U.S. corporate public securities
 
74

 
385

 
2,826

 
4,164

 
566

 
8,015

U.S. corporate private securities
 
92

 
142

 
1,296

 
1,940

 
183

 
3,653

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
 
21

 
276

 
849

 
1,226

 
168

 
2,540

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
 

 

 
447

 
2,579

 
149

 
3,175

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
2,272

 
59

 
42

 
104

 
559

 
3,036

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
949

 
202

 
364

 
297

 
93

 
1,905

Other asset-backed securities
 
484

 
122

 
441

 
113

 
48

 
1,208

Total fixed maturities
 
$
4,689

 
$
1,647

 
$
6,460

 
$
10,471

 
$
1,767

 
$
25,034

% of Fair Value
 
18.7
%
 
6.6
%
 
25.8
%
 
41.8
%
 
7.1
%
 
100.0
%
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
 
 
 
($ in millions)
 
December 31, 2017
ARO Quality Ratings
 
AAA
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
BB and Below
 
Total Fair Value
U.S. Treasuries
 
$
656

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
656

U.S. Government agencies and authorities
 
3

 

 

 

 

 
3

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
84

 
540

 
200

 
53

 
1

 
878

U.S. corporate public securities
 
104

 
471

 
3,985

 
4,148

 
528

 
9,236

U.S. corporate private securities
 
104

 
136

 
1,363

 
1,721

 
173

 
3,497

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
 
32

 
258

 
948

 
1,300

 
239

 
2,777

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
 

 

 
533

 
2,536

 
146

 
3,215

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
2,001

 
15

 
48

 
24

 
541

 
2,629

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
1,126

 
83

 
142

 
92

 
27

 
1,470

Other asset-backed securities
 
378

 
90

 
67

 
104

 
42

 
681

Total fixed maturities
 
$
4,488

 
$
1,593

 
$
7,286

 
$
9,978

 
$
1,697

 
$
25,042

% of Fair Value
 
17.9
%
 
6.4
%
 
29.1
%
 
39.8
%
 
6.8
%
 
100.0
%
(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.

 
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Table of Contents

Fixed maturities rated BB and below may have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances that are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the issuer to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher rated fixed maturities.

Unrealized Capital Losses

Gross unrealized capital losses on fixed maturities, including securities pledged, increased $412 million from $148 million to $560 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in gross unrealized capital losses was primarily due to rising interest rates and widening credit spreads. Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities, including securities pledged, decreased $131 million from $279 million to $148 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in gross unrealized capital losses was primarily due to narrowing credit spreads.

As of December 31, 2018, we held one fixed maturity with unrealized capital loss in excess of $10 million. The unrealized capital loss on this fixed maturity equaled $15 million, or 2.7% of the total unrealized losses. As of December 31, 2017, we held three fixed maturity with unrealized capital losses in excess of $10 million.The unrealized capital losses on this fixed maturity equaled $37 million, or 25.0% of the total unrealized losses.
 
As of December 31, 2018, we had $1.9 billion of energy sector fixed maturity securities, constituting 7.4% of the total fixed maturities portfolio, with gross unrealized capital losses of $81 million, including one energy sector fixed maturity security with unrealized capital losses in excess of $10 million. The unrealized capital loss on this fixed maturity equaled $15 million. As of December 31, 2018, our fixed maturity exposure to the energy sector is comprised of 88.5% investment grade securities.

As of December 31, 2017, we held $2.1 billion of energy sector fixed maturity securities, constituting 8.4% of the total fixed maturities portfolio, with gross unrealized capital losses of $33 million, including one energy sector fixed maturity security with unrealized capital loss in excess of $10 million. The unrealized capital loss on this fixed maturity security equaled $14 million. As of December 31, 2017, our fixed maturity exposure to the energy sector is comprised of 84.7% investment grade securities.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

The following table presents our residential mortgage-backed securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
($ in millions)
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Capital Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Capital Losses
 
Embedded Derivatives
 
Fair Value
Prime Agency
$
1,989

 
$
54

 
$
20

 
$
4

 
$
2,027

Prime Non-Agency
917

 
31

 
12

 
1

 
937

Alt-A
46

 
8

 

 
4

 
58

Sub-Prime(1)
38

 
4

 

 

 
42

Total RMBS
$
2,990

 
$
97

 
$
32

 
$
9

 
$
3,064

(1) Includes subprime other asset backed securities.

 
December 31, 2017
($ in millions)
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Capital Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Capital Losses
 
Embedded Derivatives
 
Fair Value
Prime Agency
$
1,878

 
$
65

 
$
17

 
$
6

 
$
1,932

Prime Non-Agency
579

 
47

 
1

 
1

 
626

Alt-A
43

 
7

 

 
5

 
55

Sub-Prime(1)
39

 
6

 
1

 

 
44

Total RMBS
$
2,539

 
$
125

 
$
19

 
$
12

 
$
2,657

(1) Includes subprime other asset backed securities.




 
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Table of Contents

Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities

The following table presents our commercial mortgage-backed securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 
December 31, 2018
($ in millions)
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB and Below
Total
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
2012 and prior
$
31

$
31

$
11

$
11

$
28

$
28

$
23

$
24

$

$

$
93

$
94

2013
224

230

28

28

33

32

32

32

6

6

323

328

2014
285

285

21

21

19

19

16

16

31

31

372

372

2015
231

226

69

69

25

25

81

81

16

16

422

417

2016
32

31

8

7

21

21

31

31

6

6

98

96

2017
113

107

46

45

62

61

30

29

22

22

273

264

2018
39

39

21

21

179

178

84

83

13

13

336

334

Total CMBS
$
955

$
949

$
204

$
202

$
367

$
364

$
297

$
296

$
94

$
94

$
1,917

$
1,905

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
($ in millions)
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB and Below
Total
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
2012 and prior
$
37

$
37

$
6

$
6

$
32

$
33

$
12

$
15

$
2

$
3

$
89

$
94

2013
231

247

9

9

21

20

15

15

6

6

282

297

2014
353

366

15

15

18

18

3

3



389

402

2015
261

264

3

3

23

23

35

35

10

9

332

334

2016
61

60

3

3

8

8

8

8

6

6

86

85

2017
151

151

47

46

40

40

17

17

4

4

259

258

2018












Total CMBS
$
1,094

$
1,125

$
83

$
82

$
142

$
142

$
90

$
93

$
28

$
28

$
1,437

$
1,470


As of December 31, 2018, 96.6% and 3.0% of CMBS investments were designated as NAIC-1 and NAIC-2, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, 98.9% and 1.1% of CMBS investments were designated as NAIC-1 and NAIC-2, respectively.


 
53
 

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Other Asset-backed Securities

The following table presents our other asset-backed securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 
December 31, 2018
($ in millions)
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB and Below
Total
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Collateralized Obligation
$
427

$
420

$
64

$
62

$
314

$
301

$
12

$
12

$
21

$
19

$
838

$
814

Auto-Loans
1

2

10

10

5

5





16

17

Student Loans
9

9

49

49

73

73





131

131

Credit Card loans












Other Loans
53

52

1


61

61

103

101

3

4

221

218

Total Other ABS(1)
$
490

$
483

$
124

$
121

$
453

$
440

$
115

$
113

$
24

$
23

$
1,206

$
1,180

(1) Excludes subprime other asset backed securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
($ in millions)
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB and Below
Total
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Collateralized Obligation
$
303

$
305

$
62

$
62

$
18

$
18

$
6

$
6

$
11

$
11

$
400

$
402

Auto-Loans
24

25



5

5





29

30

Student Loans
7

7

19

19

38

38

2

2



66

66

Credit Card loans
17

16









17

16

Other Loans
25

25

9

9

6

6

93

95

4

4

137

139

Total Other ABS(1)
$
376

$
378

$
90

$
90

$
67

$
67

$
101

$
103

$
15

$
15

$
649

$
653

(1) Excludes subprime other asset backed securities

As of December 31, 2018, 89.3% and 8.5% of Other ABS investments were designated as NAIC-1 and NAIC-2, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, 85.0% and 12.7% of Other ABS investments were designated as NAIC-1 and NAIC-2, respectively.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

We rate all commercial mortgages to quantify the level of risk. We place those loans with higher risk on a watch list and closely monitor these loans for collateral deficiency or other credit events that may lead to a potential loss of principal and/or interest. If we determine the value of any mortgage loan to be other-than-temporarily impaired ("OTTI") (i.e., when it is probable that we will be unable to collect on amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to either the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or fair value of the collateral. For those mortgages that are determined to require foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell at the point of foreclosure. The carrying value of the impaired loans is reduced by establishing an other-than-temporary write-down recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Loan-to-value (“LTV”) and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios are measures commonly used to assess the risk and quality of commercial mortgage loans. The LTV ratio, calculated at time of origination, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of the loan relative to the value of the underlying property. An LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the value of the underlying collateral. The DSC ratio, based upon the most recently received financial statements, is expressed as

 
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a percentage of the amount of a property's Net income (loss) to its debt service payments. A DSC ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that property's operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. These ratios are utilized as part of the review process described above.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our mortgage loans on real estate portfolio had a weighted average DSC of 2.1 and 2.2 times and a weighted average LTV ratio of 62.4% and 61.8%, respectively. See the Investments Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on mortgage loans on real estate.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

We evaluate available-for-sale fixed maturities for impairment on a regular basis. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on a case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value. See the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the policy used to evaluate whether the investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.

See the Investments Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on OTTI.

European Exposures

We quantify and allocate our exposure to the region by attempting to identify aspects of the region or country risk to which we are exposed. Among the factors we consider are the nationality of the issuer, the nationality of the issuer's ultimate parent, the corporate and economic relationship between the issuer and its parent, as well as the political, legal and economic environment in which each functions. By undertaking this assessment, we believe that we develop a more accurate assessment of the actual geographic risk, with a more integrated understanding of contributing factors to the full risk profile of the issuer.

In the normal course of our ongoing risk and portfolio management process, we closely monitor compliance with a credit limit hierarchy designed to minimize overly concentrated risk exposures by geography, sector and issuer. This framework takes into account various factors such as internal and external ratings, capital efficiency and liquidity and is overseen by a combination of Investment and Corporate Risk Management, as well as insurance portfolio managers focused specifically on managing the investment risk embedded in our portfolio.

While financial conditions in Europe have broadly improved, the possibility of capital market volatility spreading through a highly integrated and interdependent banking system remains. Despite signs of continuous improvement in the region, we continue to closely monitor our exposure to the region.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2018, the Company's total European exposure had an amortized cost and fair value of $2,779 million and $2,743 million, respectively. European exposure with a primary focus on Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain (which we refer to as "peripheral Europe") amounts to $263 million, which includes non-financial institutions exposure in Ireland of $79 million, in Italy of $95 million, and in Spain of $57 million. We also had financial institutions exposure in Ireland of $8 million, in Italy of $5 million and in Spain of $19 million. We did not have any exposure to Greece or Portugal.

Among the remaining $2,480 million of total non-peripheral European exposure, we had a portfolio of credit-related assets similarly diversified by country and sector across developed and developing Europe. As of December 31, 2018, our non-peripheral sovereign exposure was $104 million, which consisted of fixed maturities. We also had $405 million in net exposure to non-peripheral financial institutions with a concentration in France of $70 million, The Netherlands of $50 million, Switzerland of $70 million and the United Kingdom of $196 million. The balance of $1,971 million was invested across non-peripheral, non-financial institutions.

Some of the major country level exposures were in the United Kingdom of $1,296 million, in The Netherlands of $254 million, in Belgium of $133 million, in France of $150 million, in Germany of $181 million, in Switzerland of $193 million and in Russia of $59 million. We believe the primary risk results from market value fluctuations resulting from spread volatility and the secondary risk is default risk, dependent upon the strength of continued recovery of economic conditions in Europe.


 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of operating, investing and financing activities. Capital refers to our long-term financial resources available to support the business operations and contribute to future growth. Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital depends on the profitability of the businesses, timing of cash flows on investments and products, general economic conditions and access to the capital markets and the alternate sources of liquidity and capital described herein.

Liquidity Management

Our principal available sources of liquidity are product charges, investment income, proceeds from the maturity and sale of investments, proceeds from debt issuance and borrowing facilities, repurchase agreements, contract deposits, securities lending and capital contributions. Primary uses of these funds are payments of commissions and operating expenses, interest credits, investment purchases and contract maturities, withdrawals and surrenders and payment of dividends.

Our liquidity position is managed by maintaining adequate levels of liquid assets, such as cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. As part of the liquidity management process, different scenarios are modeled to determine whether existing assets are adequate to meet projected cash flows. Key variables in the modeling process include interest rates, equity market movements, quantity and type of interest and equity market hedges, anticipated contract owner behavior, market value of the general account assets, variable separate account performance and implications of rating agency actions.

The fixed account liabilities are supported by a general account portfolio, principally composed of fixed rate investments with matching duration characteristics that can generate predictable, steady rates of return. The portfolio management strategy for the fixed account considers the assets available-for-sale. This strategy enables us to respond to changes in market interest rates, prepayment risk, relative values of asset sectors and individual securities and loans, credit quality outlook and other relevant factors. The objective of portfolio management is to maximize returns, taking into account interest rate and credit risk, as well as other risks. Our asset/liability management discipline includes strategies to minimize exposure to loss as interest rates and economic and market conditions change. In executing this strategy, we use derivative instruments to manage these risks. Our derivative counterparties are of high credit quality.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Additional sources of liquidity include borrowing facilities to meet short-term cash requirements that arise in the ordinary course of business. We maintain the following agreements:

A reciprocal loan agreement with Voya Financial, an affiliate, whereby either party can borrow from the other up to 3.0% of VRIAC's statutory admitted assets as of the prior December 31. As of December 31, 2018, we did not have an outstanding receivable/payable with Voya Financial under the reciprocal loan agreement. As of December 31, 2017, we had an outstanding receivable of $80 million and no outstanding payable. We and Voya Financial continue to maintain the reciprocal loan agreement and future borrowings by either party will be subject to the reciprocal loan terms summarized above. Effective January 2014, interest on any borrowing by either the Company or Voya Financial is charged at a rate based on the prevailing market rate for similar third-party borrowings or securities.

We hold approximately 50.1% of our assets in marketable securities. These assets include cash, U.S. Treasuries, Agencies, Corporate Bonds, ABS, CMBS and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO") and Equity securities. In the event of a temporary liquidity need, cash may be raised by entering into repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and/or security lending agreements by temporarily lending securities and receiving cash collateral. Under our Liquidity Plan, up to 12% of our general account statutory admitted assets may be allocated to repurchase, securities lending and dollar roll programs. At the time a temporary cash need arises, the actual percentage of admitted assets available for repurchase transactions will depend upon outstanding allocations to the three programs. As of December 31, 2018, VRIAC had securities lending collateral assets of $702 million, which represents approximately 0.7% of its general account statutory admitted assets. As of December 31, 2017, VRIAC had securities lending collateral assets of $733 million, which represents approximately 0.7% of its general account statutory admitted assets.

Management believes that our sources of liquidity are adequate to meet our short-term cash obligations.


 
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Financing Agreement

Windsor Property Loan

On June 16, 2007, the State of Connecticut acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development ("DECD") loaned VRIAC $10 million (the "DECD Loan") in connection with the development of the corporate office facility located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut that serves as our principal executive offices (the "Windsor Property"). As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the amount of the loan outstanding was $5 million, which was reflected in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In August 2017, the loan agreement between VRIAC and the DECD was amended and $5 million in cash was transferred into the cash deposit account as cash collateral. VRIAC's monthly payments of principal and interest are processed out of the cash deposit account.

Capital Contributions and Dividends

During the year ended December 31, 2018, VRIAC declared an ordinary dividend in the amount of $126 million, which was paid to its Parent on May 25, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017, VRIAC declared ordinary dividends to its Parent in the aggregate amount of $265 million, of which $261 million was paid on May 24, 2017 and $4 million was paid on December 28, 2017.

On March 28, 2018, VFP paid a $20 million dividend to VRIAC, its parent; on June 28, 2018, VFP paid a $20 million dividend to VRIAC; on September 26, 2018, VFP paid a $20 million dividend to VRIAC; and on December 21, 2018, VFP paid a $30 million dividend to VRIAC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, VFP paid dividends in the amount of $85 million to VRIAC.

On May 25, 2018, DSL, which was a subsidiary of VRIAC at the time, paid a $49 million dividend to its then parent, VRIAC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, DSL did not pay any dividends to VRIAC.

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, VRIAC did not receive any capital contributions from its Parent.

Collateral

Under the terms of our Over-The-Counter ("OTC") Derivative International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") agreements, we may receive from, or deliver to, counterparties collateral to assure that terms of the ISDA agreements will be met with regard to the Credit Support Annex ("CSA"). The terms of the CSA call for us to pay interest on any cash received equal to the Federal Funds rate. To the extent cash collateral is received and delivered, it is included in Payables under securities loan agreements, including collateral held and Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is reinvested in short-term investments. Collateral held is used in accordance with the CSA to satisfy any obligations. Investment grade bonds owned by us are the source of noncash collateral posted, which is reported in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018, we held $17 million and $21 million of net cash collateral related to OTC derivative contracts and cleared derivative contracts, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, we held $11 million and $74 million of net cash collateral related to OTC derivative contracts and cleared derivative contracts, respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2018, we delivered $123 million of securities and held no securities as collateral. As of December 31, 2017, we delivered $161 million of securities and held no securities as collateral.

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 certain minimum guarantees. 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.

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.


 
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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. 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.

Ratings

Our access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, requirements for derivatives collateral posting and the attractiveness of certain of our products to customers are affected by our credit ratings and insurance financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting public confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products. The credit ratings are also important for the ability to raise capital through the issuance of debt and for the cost of such financing.

A downgrade in our credit or financial strength ratings or the credit or financial strength ratings of our Parent or rated affiliates could potentially have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. See Risk Factors- A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could result in a loss of business and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition in Part I, Item 1A. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurance company to meet its obligations under an insurance policy. Credit ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding an entity's ability to repay its indebtedness. These ratings are not a recommendation to buy or hold any of our securities and they may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.

Our financial strength and credit ratings as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are summarized in the following table.

Company
 
A.M. Best
 
Fitch
 
Moody's
 
S&P
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Strength Rating
 
A
(3 of 16)
 
A
(3 of 9)
 
A2
(3 of 9)
 
A
(3 of 9)

Rating Agency
Financial Strength Rating Scale
A.M. Best(1)
"A++" to "S"
Fitch(2)
"AAA" to "C"
Moody's(3)
"Aaa" to "C"
S&P(4)
"AAA" to "R"
(1) A.M. Best's financial strength ratings for insurance companies range from "A++ (superior)" to "s (suspended)." Long-term credit ratings range from "aaa
(exceptional)" to "s (suspended)."
(2) Fitch's financial strength ratings for insurance companies range from "AAA (exceptionally strong)" to "C (distressed)." Long-term credit ratings range from
"AAA (highest credit quality)," which denotes exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, to "D (default)."
(3) Moody’s financial strength ratings for insurance companies range from "Aaa (exceptional)" to "C (lowest)." Numeric modifiers are used to refer to the ranking
within the group- with 1 being the highest and 3 being the lowest. These modifiers are used to indicate relative strength within a category. Long-term credit
ratings range from "Aaa (highest)" to "C (default)."
(4) S&P's financial strength ratings for insurance companies range from "AAA (extremely strong)" to "D (default)." Long-term credit ratings range from "AAA
(extremely strong)" to "D (default)."

Rating agencies use an "outlook" statement for both industry sectors and individual companies. For an industry sector, a stable outlook generally implies that over the next 12 to 18 months the rating agency expects ratings to remain unchanged among

 
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companies in the sector. For a particular company, an outlook generally indicates a medium- or long-term trend in credit fundamentals, which if continued, may lead to a rating change.

Ratings actions and outlook changes by A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody's, and S&P, from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2018 and subsequently through the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are as follows.

On June 4, 2018, A.M. Best removed the financial strength rating of VRIAC from under review with developing implications and instead, affirmed the financial strength rating with a stable outlook.

Other Minimum Guarantees

Other variable annuity contracts contain minimum interest rate guarantees and allow the contract holder to select either the market value of the account or the book value of the account at termination. The book value of the account is equal to deposits plus interest, less any withdrawals. Under the terms of the contract, the book value settlement is paid out over time. These guarantees are offered in our stabilizer and managed custody guarantee products.

Reinsurance

We utilize indemnity reinsurance agreements to reduce our exposure to large losses from GMDBs in our annuity insurance business. Reinsurance permits recovery of a portion of losses from reinsurers, although it does not discharge our primary liability as direct insurer of the risks. We evaluate the financial strength of potential reinsurers and continually monitor the financial strength and credit ratings of our reinsurers. Only those reinsurance recoverable balances deemed probable of recovery are reflected as assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance.

While we have a significant concentration of reinsurance with Lincoln National Corporation ("Lincoln") associated with the disposition of our individual life insurance business to a subsidiary of Lincoln, a trust was established by the Lincoln subsidiary effective March 1, 2007, to secure the Lincoln subsidiary's obligations to us under the reinsurance agreement.

We have entered into the following agreements that are accounted for under the deposit method with two of our affiliates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had deposit assets of $37 million and $63 million, respectively, and deposit liabilities of $77 million and $135 million, respectively, related to these agreements. Deposit assets and liabilities are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Effective January 1, 2014, we entered into a coinsurance agreement with Langhorne I, LLC ("Langhorne"), an affiliated captive reinsurance company, to manage reserve and capital requirements in connection with a portion of our Stabilizer and Managed Custody Guarantee business. Effective January 1, 2018, we recaptured this agreement and recorded a $74 million pre-tax gain on the recapture which was reported in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Effective, December 31, 2012, we entered into an automatic reinsurance agreement with our affiliate, Security Life of Denver International Limited ("SLDI"), to manage the reserve and capital requirements in connection with a portion of our deferred annuities business. Under the terms of the agreement, we reinsure to SLDI, on an indemnity reinsurance basis, a quota share of our liabilities on certain contracts. The quota share percentage with respect to the contracts that are delivered or issued for delivery in the State of New York is 90% and the quota share percentage with respect to the contracts that are delivered or issued for delivery outside of the State of New York is 100%.

Derivatives

Our use of derivatives is limited mainly to economic hedging to reduce our exposure to cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, interest rate risk, credit risk, exchange rate risk and market risk. It is our 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.

We enter 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. We also utilize options and futures on equity indices to reduce and manage risks associated with our annuity products.

 
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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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We also have investments in certain fixed maturities and have 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 fair value of the embedded derivatives are recorded in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In addition, we have entered into a reinsurance agreement, accounted for under the deposit method, that contains an embedded derivative, the fair value of which is based on the change in the fair value of the underlying assets held in trust. The embedded derivatives within the reinsurance agreements are reported in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative are recorded in Interest credited and other benefit to contract owners/policyholders in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.










































 
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2018, the following table presents our on- and off- balance sheet contractual obligations due in various periods. The payments reflected in this table are based on our estimates and assumptions about these obligations. Because these estimates and assumptions are necessarily subjective, the actual cash outflows in future periods will vary, possibly materially, from those presented in the table.
($ in millions)
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations
Total
 
Less than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More than
5 Years
Purchase obligations(1)
$
582

 
$
557

 
$
25

 
$

 
$

Reserves for insurance obligations(2)(3)
40,900

 
2,332

 
4,396

 
4,862

 
29,310

Retirement and other plans(4)
90

 
9

 
18

 
18

 
45

Long-term debt obligation(5)
5

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
2

Securities lending and collateral held(6)
894

 
894

 

 

 

Total
$
42,471

 
$
3,793

 
$
4,440

 
$
4,881

 
$
29,357

(1) Purchase obligations consist primarily of outstanding commitments under limited partnerships that may occur any time within the terms of the partnership and private loans. The exact timing, however, of funding these commitments related to partnerships and private loans cannot be estimated. Therefore, the total amount of the commitments related to partnerships and private loans is included in the category "Less than 1 Year."
(2) Reserves for insurance obligations consist of amounts required to meet our future obligations for future policy benefits and contract owner account balances. Amounts presented in the table represent estimated cash payments under such contracts, including significant assumptions related to the receipt of future premiums, mortality, morbidity, lapse, renewal, retirement, disability and annuitization comparable with actual experience. These assumptions also include market growth and interest crediting consistent with assumptions used in amortizing DAC. All estimated cash payments are undiscounted for the time value of money.
(3) Contractual obligations related to certain closed blocks, with Reserves in the amount of $1.4 billion, have been excluded from the table because the blocks were divested through reinsurance contracts and collateral is provided by third parties that is accessible by the Company. Although we are not relieved of our legal liability to the contract holder for these closed blocks, third-party collateral of $1.5 billion has been provided for the payment of the related insurance obligations. The sufficiency of collateral held for any individual block may vary.
(4) Includes estimated benefit payments under our non-qualified pension plans, estimated benefit payments under our other postretirement benefit plans and estimated payments of deferred compensation based on participant elections and an average retirement age.
(5) The estimated payments due by period from long-term debt reflects the contractual maturities of principal, as well as estimated future interest payments. See the Financing Agreements Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(6) Securities loan and collateral held represent the liability to return collateral received from counterparties under securities lending agreements, OTC derivative and cleared derivative contracts. Securities lending agreements include provisions which permit us to call back securities with minimal notice and accordingly, the payable is classified as having a term of less than 1 year. Additionally, Securities lending agreements include non-cash collateral of $67 million.

Securities Lending

We engage in securities lending whereby certain securities from our portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. We have the right to approve any institution with whom the lending agent transacts on our behalf. Initial collateral, primarily cash, is required at a 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 us. 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 us against losses resulting from the failure of a counterparty to return securities pledged where collateral is insufficient to cover the loss. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of loaned securities was $759 million and $799 million, respectively, and is included in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

If cash is received as collateral, the lending agent retains the cash collateral and invests it in short-term liquid assets on behalf of us. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, cash collateral retained by the lending agent and invested in short-term liquid assets on our behalf was $719 million and $744 million, respectively, and is recorded in Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, liabilities to return collateral of $719 million and $744 million, respectively, are included in Payables under securities loan agreements, including collateral held, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We accept non-cash collateral in the form of securities. The securities retained as collateral by the lending agent may not be sold or re-pledged, except in the event of default, and are not reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. This collateral generally consists of U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency securities and MBS pools. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of securities retained as collateral by the lending agent on our behalf was $67 million and $61 million, respectively.



 
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FHLB

On January 18, 2018, we became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB of Boston”). We are required to pledge collateral to back funding agreements issued to the FHLB. We have the ability to obtain funding from the FHLB based on a percentage of the value of our assets and subject to the availability of eligible collateral. The limit for the program is up to an amount that corresponds to the lending value of assets that can be pledged to the FHLB of Boston which is limited to 5% of the total general account assets in VRIAC. Furthermore, collateral is pledged based on the outstanding balances of FHLB funding agreements. The amount varies based on the type, rating and maturity of the collateral posted to the FHLB. Generally, mortgage securities, commercial real estate and U.S. treasury securities are pledged to the FHLBs. Market value fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates, spreads and other risk factors for each type of assets are monitored and additional collateral is either pledged or released as needed.
    
Our maximum borrowing capacity under this credit facility was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2018, and does not have an expiration date as long as we maintain a satisfactory level of creditworthiness based on the FHLB’s credit assessment. As of December 31, 2018, we had $657 million in non-putable FHLB funding agreements, which are included in Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018, we had assets with a market value of approximately $771 million, which collateralized the FHLB funding agreements.

Statutory Capital and Risk-Based Capital

The Connecticut Insurance Department (the "Department") recognizes only statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Connecticut for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company and for determining its solvency under the Connecticut Insurance Law. The NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual has been adopted as a component of prescribed or permitted practices by the State of Connecticut.

We are subject to minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements established by the Department. The formulas for determining the amount of RBC specify various weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of total adjusted capital ("TAC"), as defined by the NAIC, to RBC requirements, as defined by the NAIC. As a result of Tax Reform, the NAIC updated the factors affecting RBC requirements, including us, to reflect the lowering of the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Adjusting these factors in light of Tax Reform resulted in an increase in the amount of capital we are required to maintain to satisfy our RBC requirements.

We are required to prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Department. Statutory accounting practices primarily differ from U.S. GAAP by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit liabilities using different actuarial assumptions as well as valuing investments and certain assets and accounting for deferred taxes on a different basis. Certain assets that are not admitted under statutory accounting principles are charged directly to surplus. Depending on the regulations of the Department, the entire amount or a portion of an insurance company's asset balance can be non-admitted based on the specific rules regarding admissibility. The most significant non-admitted assets are typically a portion of deferred tax assets in excess of prescribed thresholds.

The Department recognizes as capital and surplus those amounts determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed by the Department. Statutory capital and surplus of VRIAC was $2.0 billion and $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Contingencies

For information regarding contingencies related to legal proceedings, regulatory matters and other contingencies involving us, see the Commitments and Contingencies Note in our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
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Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)

Market risk is the risk that our consolidated financial position and results of operations will be affected by fluctuations in the value of financial instruments. We have significant holdings in financial instruments and are naturally exposed to a variety of market risks. The main market risks we are exposed to include interest rate risk, equity market price risk and credit risk. We do not have material market risk exposure to "trading" activities in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Risk Management

As a financial services company offering retirement products and services, taking measured risks is part of our business. As part of our effort to ensure measured risk taking, we have integrated risk management in our daily business activities and strategic planning.

We place a high priority on risk management and risk control. We have comprehensive risk management and control procedures in place, which are integrated with our affiliates. We have established an integrated risk management function together with our affiliates with responsibility for the formulation of our risk appetite, strategies, policies and limits. The risk management function is also responsible for monitoring our overall market risk exposures and provides review, oversight and support functions on risk-related issues.

Our risk appetite is aligned with how our business is managed and anticipates future regulatory developments. In particular, our risk appetite is aligned with regulatory capital requirements as well as metrics that are aligned with various ratings agency models.

Our risk governance and control systems enable us to identify, control, monitor and aggregate risks and provide assurance that risks are being measured, monitored and reported adequately and effectively. To promote measured risk taking, we have integrated risk management with our business activities and strategic planning.

We have implemented several limit structures to manage risk. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

At-risk limits on sensitivities of earnings and regulatory capital;
Duration and convexity mismatch limits;
Liquidity limits;
Credit risk limits;
Mortality concentration limits;
Catastrophe and mortality exposure retention limits for our insurance risk; and
Investment and derivative guidelines.

We are also subject to cash flow stress testing pursuant to regulatory requirements. This analysis measures the effect of changes in interest rate assumptions on asset and liability cash flows. The analysis includes the effects of:

the timing and amount of redemptions and prepayments in our asset portfolio;
our derivative portfolio;
death benefits and other claims payable under the terms of our insurance products;
lapses and surrenders in our insurance products;
minimum interest guarantees in our insurance products; and
book value guarantees in our insurance products.

We evaluate any shortfalls that our cash flow testing reveals and if needed increase statutory reserves or adjust portfolio management strategies.

Derivatives are financial instruments for which values are derived from interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, or other prices of securities or commodities. Derivatives include swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. Under U.S. insurance statutes, we may use derivatives to hedge market values or cash flows of assets or liabilities; to replicate cash market instruments; and for certain limited income generating activities. We are generally prohibited from using derivatives for speculative purposes. References below to hedging and hedge programs refer to our process of reducing exposure to various risks. This does not mean that the process necessarily results in hedge accounting treatment for the respective derivative instruments. To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be highly effective in mitigating the designated risk of the hedged item and meet

 
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other specific requirements. Effectiveness of the hedge is assessed at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship. 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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Market Risk Related to Interest Rates

We define interest rate risk as the risk of an economic loss due to adverse changes in interest rates. This risk arises from our holdings in interest sensitive assets and liabilities, primarily as a result of investing life insurance premiums, fixed annuity and guaranteed investment contract deposits received in interest-sensitive assets and carrying these funds as interest-sensitive liabilities. In a rising interest rate environment, we are exposed to the risk of financial disintermediation through a potential increase in the level of book value surrenders on certain stable value contracts. Conversely, a steady increase in interest rates would tend to improve financial results due to reduced hedging costs, lower costs of guaranteed benefits and improvement to fixed margins.

We use product design, pricing and asset/liability management ("ALM") strategies to reduce the adverse effects of interest rate movement. Product design and pricing strategies can include the use of surrender charges, withdrawal restrictions and the ability to reset credited interest rates. ALM strategies can include the use of derivatives and duration and convexity mismatch limits. See Risk Factors -Risks Related to Our Business-General - The level of interest rates may adversely affect our profitability, particularly in the event of a continuation of the current low interest rate environment or a period of rapidly increasing interest rates in Part I, Item 1A. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Derivatives strategies include the following:

Minimum Interest Rate Guarantees. For certain liability contracts, we provide the contract holder a guaranteed minimum interest rate. These contracts include certain fixed annuities. We purchase interest rate swaps and interest rate options to reduce risk associated with these liability guarantees.
Book Value Guarantees in Stable Value Contracts. For certain stable value contracts, the contract holder and participants may surrender the contract for the account value even if the market value of the asset portfolio is in an unrealized loss position. We purchase derivatives including interest rate swaps and interest rate options to reduce the risk associated with this type of guarantee.
Other Market Value and Cash Flow Hedges. We also use derivatives in general to hedge present or future changes in cash flows or market value changes in our assets and liabilities. We use derivatives such as interest rate swaps to specifically hedge interest rate risks associated with certain asset classes in our portfolio.


 
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We assess interest rate exposures for financial assets, liabilities and derivatives using hypothetical test scenarios that assume either increasing or decreasing 100 basis point parallel shifts in the yield curve. The following tables summarize the net estimated potential change in fair value from hypothetical 100 basis point upward and downward shifts in interest rates as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. In calculating these amounts, we exclude gains and losses on separate account fixed income securities related to products for which the investment risk is borne primarily by the separate account contract holder rather than by us. While the test scenarios are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect our expectations regarding future interest rates or the performance of fixed-income markets, they are a near-term, reasonably possible hypothetical change that illustrates the potential impact of such events. These tests do not measure the change in value that could result from non-parallel shifts in the yield curve. As a result, the actual change in fair value from a 100 basis point change in interest rates could be different from that indicated by these calculations.
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Hypothetical Change in
Fair Value(2)
($ in millions)
Notional
 
Fair Value(1)
 
+ 100 Basis Points Yield Curve Shift
 
- 100 Basis Points Yield Curve Shift
Financial assets with interest rate risk:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged
$

 
$
25,034

 
$
(1,756
)
 
$
1,846

Mortgage loans on real estate

 
4,983

 
(253
)
 
279

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
19,315

 
41

 
105

 
(101
)
Notes receivable from affiliates
 
 

 

 

Financial liabilities with interest rate risk:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment contract liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities(3)

 
29,108

 
(1,867
)
 
2,439

Funding agreements with fixed maturities
 
 
652

 
(23
)
 
24

Supplementary contracts, immediate annuities and other

 
354

 
(24
)
 
28

Embedded derivatives on reinsurance

 
(80
)
 
(72
)
 
82

Guaranteed benefit derivatives(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stabilizer and MCGs

 
5

 
(5
)
 
39

(1) 
Separate account assets and liabilities which are interest sensitive are not included herein as any interest rate risk is borne by the holder of the separate account.
(2) 
(Decreases) in assets or (decreases) in liabilities are presented in parentheses. Increases in assets or increases in liabilities are presented without parentheses.
(3) 
Certain amounts included in the Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities line are also reflected within the Guaranteed benefit derivatives lines of the table above. Sensitivities related to fixed indexed annuities have been deemed immaterial and as such have been excluded from this table.




 
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As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
Hypothetical Change in
Fair Value(2)
($ in millions)
Notional
 
Fair Value(1)
 
+ 100 Basis Points Yield Curve Shift
 
- 100 Basis Points Yield Curve Shift
Financial assets with interest rate risk:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged
$

 
$
25,042

 
$
(1,820
)
 
$
1,977

Mortgage loans on real estate

 
4,924

 
(262
)
 
289

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
18,804

 
97

 
35

 
(58
)
Notes receivable from affiliates
 
 
222

 
(23
)
 
27

Financial liabilities with interest rate risk:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment contract liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities(3)

 
29,431

 
(2,151
)
 
2,660

Funding agreements with fixed maturities
 
 

 

 

Supplementary contracts, immediate annuities and other

 
418

 
(31
)
 
36

Embedded derivatives on reinsurance

 
(21
)
 
(78
)
 
89

Guaranteed benefit derivatives(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stabilizer and MCGs

 
97

 
(59
)
 
104

(1) 
Separate account assets and liabilities which are interest sensitive are not included herein as any interest rate risk is borne by the holder of the separate account.
(2) 
(Decreases) in assets or (decreases) in liabilities are presented in parentheses. Increases in assets or increases in liabilities are presented without parentheses.
(3) 
Certain amounts included in the Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities line are also reflected within the Guaranteed benefit derivatives lines of the table above. Sensitivities related to fixed indexed annuities have been deemed immaterial and as such have been excluded from this table.

Market Risk Related to Equity Market Prices

Our variable products and general account equity securities are significantly influenced by global equity markets. Increases or decreases in equity markets impact certain assets and liabilities related to our variable products and our earnings derived from those products. Our variable products include variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance.


 
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We assess equity risk exposures for financial assets, liabilities and derivatives using hypothetical test scenarios that assume either an increase or decrease of 10% in all equity market benchmark levels. The following tables present the net estimated potential change in fair value from an instantaneous increase and decrease in all equity market benchmark levels of 10% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. In calculating these amounts, we exclude gains and losses on separate account equity securities related to products for which the investment risk is borne primarily by the separate account contract holder rather than by us. While the test scenarios are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect our expectations regarding the future performance of equity markets, they are near-term, reasonably possible hypothetical changes that illustrate the potential impact of such events. These scenarios consider only the direct effect on fair value of declines in equity benchmark market levels and not changes in asset-based fees recognized as revenue, changes in our estimates of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing DAC and VOBA and other costs, or changes in any other assumptions such as market volatility or mortality, utilization or persistency rates in variable contracts.
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Hypothetical Change in
Fair Value(1)
($ in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
+ 10%
Equity Shock
 
-10%
Equity Shock
Financial assets with equity market risk:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale
 
$
57

 
$
6

 
$
(6
)
Limited partnerships/corporations
 
583

 
35

 
(35
)
(1) (Decreases) in assets are presented in parentheses and increase in assets are presented without parentheses.

 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Hypothetical Change in
Fair Value(1)
($ in millions)
 
Fair Value
 
+ 10%
Equity Shock
 
-10%
Equity Shock
Financial assets with equity market risk:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale
 
$
60

 
$
6

 
$
(6
)
Limited partnerships/corporations
 
411

 
25

 
(25
)
(1) (Decreases) in assets are presented in parentheses and increases in assets are presented without parentheses.

Market Risk Related to Credit Risk

Credit risk is primarily embedded in the general account portfolio. The carrying value of our fixed maturity, including securities pledged, and equity portfolio totaled $25.1 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Our credit risk materializes primarily as impairment losses and/or credit related trading losses. We are exposed to occasional cyclical economic downturns, during which impairment losses may be significantly higher than the long-term historical average. This is offset by years where we expect the actual impairment losses to be substantially lower than the long-term average.

Credit risk in the portfolio can also materialize as increased capital requirements caused by rating down-grades. The effect of rating migration on our capital requirements is also dependent on the economic cycle and increased asset impairment levels may go hand in hand with increased asset related capital requirements.

We manage the risk of default and rating migration by applying disciplined credit evaluation and underwriting standards and prudently limiting allocations to lower quality, higher risk investments. In addition, we diversify our exposure by issuer and country, using rating based issuer and country limits, as well as by industry segment, using specific investment constraints. Limit compliance is monitored on a daily, monthly, or quarterly basis. Limit violations are reported to senior management and we are actively involved in decisions around curing such limit violations.

We also have credit risk related to the ability of our derivatives and reinsurance counterparties to honor their obligations to pay the contract amounts under various agreements. In order to minimize the risk of credit loss on such contracts, we diversify our exposures among several counterparties and limit the amount of exposure to each based on credit rating. For most counterparties, we have collateral agreements in place that would substantially limit our credit losses in case of a counterparty default. We also generally limit our selection of counterparties that we do new transactions with to those with an "A-" credit rating or above. When exceptions are made to that principle, we ensure that we obtain collateral to mitigate our risk of loss. For derivatives counterparty

 
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risk exposures (which includes reverse repurchase and securities lending transactions), we measure and monitor our risks on a market value basis daily.


 
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Item 8.        Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 
Page
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the Years Ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



To the Shareholder and the Board of Directors of
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholder's equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.




/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
 
 
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2001.
 
 
 
Boston, Massachusetts
 
March 14, 2019
 



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2018 and 2017
(In millions, except share and per share data)

 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Assets
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $22,860 as of 2018 and $21,774 as of 2017)
$
22,981

 
$
23,141

Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option
1,171

 
941

Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $45 as of 2018 and 2017)
57

 
60

Short-term investments
50

 
25

Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance of $1 as of 2018 and 2017
4,918

 
4,910

Policy loans
210

 
214

Limited partnerships/corporations
583

 
411

Derivatives
128

 
136

Securities pledged (amortized cost of $867 as of 2018 and $864 as of 2017)
882

 
960

Other investments
40

 

Total investments
31,020

 
30,798

Cash and cash equivalents
364

 
288

Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered
793

 
765

Accrued investment income
301

 
304

Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable
1,409

 
1,496

Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired and Sales inducements to contract owners
1,104

 
766

Notes receivable from affiliate

 
175

Short-term loan to affiliate

 
80

Current income tax recoverable
35

 

Due from affiliates
54

 
60

Property and equipment
62

 
64

Other assets
251

 
140

Assets held in separate accounts
67,323

 
73,036

Total assets
$
102,716

 
$
107,972



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2018 and 2017
(In millions, except share and per share data)

 
As of December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
 
 
 
Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances
$
30,695

 
$
29,669

Payable for securities purchased
49

 
79

Payables under securities loan agreements, including collateral held
827

 
845

Due to affiliates
73

 
61

Derivatives
99

 
85

Current income tax payable to Parent

 
23

Deferred income taxes
64

 
187

Other liabilities
264

 
406

Liabilities related to separate accounts
67,323

 
73,036

Total liabilities
99,394

 
104,391

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)


 


 
 
 
 
Shareholder's equity:
 
 
 
Common stock (100,000 shares authorized, 55,000 issued and outstanding as of 2018 and 2017; $50 par value per share)
3

 
3

Additional paid-in capital
2,728

 
2,730

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
108

 
818

Retained earnings (deficit)
483

 
30

Total shareholder's equity
3,322

 
3,581

Total liabilities and shareholder's equity
$
102,716

 
$
107,972




 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In millions)

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
$
1,623

 
$
1,520

 
$
1,501

Fee income
695

 
713

 
725

Premiums
41

 
48

 
870

Broker-dealer commission revenue
69

 
170

 
175

Net realized capital gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairments
(18
)
 
(19
)
 
(19
)
Less: Portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss)
2

 
(7
)
 

Net other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings
(20
)
 
(12
)
 
(19
)
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
(222
)
 
(188
)
 
(194
)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
(242
)
 
(200
)
 
(213
)
Other revenue
13

 

 
(2
)
Total revenues
2,199

 
2,251

 
3,056

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders
828

 
958

 
1,765

Operating expenses
647

 
801

 
815

Broker-dealer commission expense
69

 
170

 
175

Net amortization of Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired
86

 
233

 
167

Total benefits and expenses
1,630

 
2,162

 
2,922

Income (loss) before income taxes
569

 
89

 
134

Income tax expense (benefit)
74

 
(121
)
 
21

Net income (loss)
$
495

 
$
210

 
$
113



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In millions)

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
495

 
$
210

 
$
113

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains/losses on securities
(897
)
 
387

 
258

Other-than-temporary impairments
8

 
(4
)
 
9

Pension and other postretirement benefits liability
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
(890
)
 
381

 
266

Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)
(192
)
 
122

 
93

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax
(698
)
 
259

 
173

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(203
)
 
$
469

 
$
286



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In millions)
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings (Deficit)
 
Total Shareholder's Equity
Balance at January 1, 2016
$
3

 
$
3,272

 
$
386

 
$
(293
)
 
$
3,368

Comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

 

 

 
113

 
113

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax

 

 
173

 

 
173

Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
286

Dividends paid and distributions of capital

 
(278
)
 

 

 
(278
)
Employee related benefits

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016
3

 
2,994

 
559

 
(180
)
 
3,376

Comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

 

 

 
210

 
210

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax

 

 
259

 

 
259

Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
469

Dividends paid and distributions of capital

 
(265
)
 

 

 
(265
)
Employee related benefits

 
1

 

 

 
1

Balance as of December 31, 2017- As previously filed
3

 
2,730

 
818

 
30

 
3,581

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustment for adoption of ASU 2014-09

 

 

 
72

 
72

Adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-01

 

 
(12
)
 
12

 

Balance as of January 1, 2018 - As adjusted
3

 
2,730

 
806

 
114

 
3,653

Comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

 

 

 
495

 
495

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax

 

 
(698
)
 

 
(698
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(203
)
Dividends paid and distributions of capital

 

 

 
(126
)
 
(126
)
Employee related benefits

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Balance as of December 31, 2018
$
3

 
$
2,728

 
$
108

 
$
483

 
$
3,322



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
495

 
$
210

 
$
113

Adjustments to reconcile Net income (loss) to Net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs, value of business acquired and sales inducements
(64
)
 
(80
)
 
(80
)
Net amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, value of business acquired and sales inducements
87

 
234

 
168

Net accretion/amortization of discount/premium
(3
)
 
12

 
(1
)
Future policy benefits, claims reserves and interest credited
547

 
534

 
1,289

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
49

 
(158
)
 
(3
)
Net realized capital losses
242

 
200

 
213

Depreciation
2

 
3

 
4

Change in:
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued investment income
3

 
(3
)
 
(6
)
Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable
87

 
138

 
205

Other receivables and asset accruals
(15
)
 
21

 
7

Due to/from affiliates
18

 
(105
)
 
30

Other payables and accruals
(169
)
 
(3
)
 
126

Other, net
(33
)
 
(24
)
 
(11
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,246

 
979

 
2,054

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from the sale, maturity, disposal or redemption of:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
3,983

 
4,462

 
3,184

Equity securities, available-for-sale
3

 
25

 
49

Mortgage loans on real estate
598

 
494

 
375

Limited partnerships/corporations
99

 
81

 
71

Acquisition of:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
(5,475
)
 
(4,247
)
 
(5,664
)
Equity securities, available-for-sale
(3
)
 
(2
)
 

Mortgage loans on real estate
(606
)
 
(1,149
)
 
(900
)
Limited partnerships/corporations
(254
)
 
(120
)
 
(113
)
Derivatives, net
23

 
203

 
28

Policy loans, net
4

 
5

 
11

Short-term investments, net
(26
)
 
8

 
(33
)
Short-term loan to affiliate, net

80

 
(80
)
 

Collateral received (delivered), net
(46
)
 
(189
)
 
(30
)
Other investments, net
(40
)
 

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,660
)
 
(509
)
 
(3,022
)

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits received for investment contracts
$
3,744

 
$
2,380

 
$
3,746

Maturities and withdrawals from investment contracts
(3,108
)
 
(2,794
)
 
(2,534
)
Settlements on deposit contracts
(20
)
 
(64
)
 
(66
)
Dividends paid and return of capital distribution
(126
)
 
(265
)
 
(278
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
490

 
(743
)
 
868

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
76

 
(273
)
 
(100
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
288

 
561

 
661

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
364

 
$
288

 
$
561

Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes paid, net
$
83

 
$
13

 
$
15



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


1.    Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Business

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company ("VRIAC") is a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Connecticut. VRIAC and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") provide financial products and services in the United States.  VRIAC is authorized to conduct its insurance business in all states and in the District of Columbia and in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Prior to May 2013, Voya Financial, Inc. ("Voya Financial"), together with its subsidiaries, including the Company was an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. ("ING Group" or "ING"), a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands. In May 2013, Voya Financial, Inc. completed its initial public offering of common stock, including the issuance and sale of common stock by Voya Financial, Inc. and the sale of shares of common stock owned indirectly by ING Group. Between October 2013 and March 2015, ING Group completed the sale of its remaining shares of common stock of Voya Financial, Inc. in a series of registered public offerings.

VRIAC is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc. ("Parent"), which is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Financial, Inc.

As of June 1, 2018, Directed Services LLC ("DSL") was divested pursuant to the transaction described below. Subsequent to the transaction, VRIAC has one wholly owned non-insurance subsidiary, Voya Financial Partners, LLC ("VFP").

On June 1, 2018, VRIAC's ultimate parent, Voya Financial, consummated a series of transactions (collectively, the "Transaction'') pursuant to a Master Transaction Agreement dated December 20, 2017 (the "MTA") with VA Capital Company LLC ("VA Capital") and Athene Holding Ltd. ("Athene"). As part of the Transaction, VA Capital's wholly owned subsidiary Venerable Holdings Inc. ("Venerable") acquired certain of Voya Financial's assets, including all of the shares of capital stock of Voya Insurance and Annuity Company ("VIAC"), the Company's Iowa-domiciled insurance affiliate, as well as the membership interests of DSL, the Company's broker-dealer subsidiary. Following the closing of the Transaction, VRIAC acquired a 9.99% equity interest in VA Capital.

The Company offers qualified and nonqualified annuity contracts that include a variety of funding and payout options for individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403, 408, 457 and 501, as well as nonqualified deferred compensation plans and related services. The Company's products are offered primarily to employer-sponsored groups in the health care, government and education markets (collectively "tax exempt markets"), small to mid-sized corporations and individuals. The Company also provides stable value investment options, including separate account guaranteed investment contracts (e.g., GICs) and synthetic GICs, to institutional clients. Pension risk transfer group annuity solutions were previously offered to institutional plan sponsors who needed to transfer their defined benefit plan obligations to the Company. The Company discontinued sales of these solutions in late 2016 to better align business activities to the Company's priorities. The Company's products are generally distributed through pension professionals, independent agents and brokers, third-party administrators, banks, consultants, dedicated financial guidance, planning and advisory representatives associated with Voya Financial's retail broker-dealer, Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. ("VFA").

Products offered by the Company include deferred and immediate (i.e., payout) annuity contracts. The Company's products also include programs offered to qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans that package administrative and record-keeping services, participant education, and retirement readiness planning tools along with a variety of investment options, including proprietary and non-proprietary mutual funds and variable and fixed investment options. In addition, the Company offers wrapper agreements entered into with retirement plans, which contain certain benefit responsive guarantees (i.e., guarantees of principal and previously accrued interest for benefits paid under the terms of the plan) with respect to portfolios of plan-owned assets not invested with the Company. Stable value products are also provided to institutional plan sponsors where the Company may or may not be providing other employer sponsored products and services.

The Company has one operating segment.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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 and DSL. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. As of June 1, 2018, DSL was divested pursuant to the Transaction.

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.

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

The 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

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

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities: Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")
2016-01 "Financial Instruments-Overall (ASC Subtopic 825-10):Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01") (See the Adoption of New Pronouncements section below). As a result, the Company measures its equity securities at fair value and recognizes any changes in fair value in net income. Prior to adoption, equity securities were designated as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized capital gains (losses) recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI").

The Company's fixed maturities are currently designated as available-for-sale, except those accounted for using the fair value option ("FVO"). 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. In addition, certain fixed maturities have embedded derivatives, which are reported with the host contract on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The Company has elected the FVO for certain of its fixed maturities to better match the measurement of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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.

Assets Held in Separate Accounts: Assets held in separate accounts are reported at the fair values of the underlying investments in the separate accounts. The underlying investments include mutual funds, short-term investments, cash and fixed maturities.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate: The Company's mortgage loans on real estate are all commercial mortgage loans, which are reported at amortized cost, less impairment write-downs and allowance for losses. If a mortgage loan is determined to be impaired (i.e., when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to the lower of either the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan's original purchase yield, or fair value of the collateral. For those mortgages that are determined to require foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell at the point of foreclosure. The carrying value of the impaired loans is reduced by establishing a permanent write-down recorded in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Property obtained from foreclosed mortgage loans is recorded in Other investments 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.

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 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

 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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.

The Company records an allowance for probable losses incurred on non-impaired loans on an aggregate basis, rather than specifically identified probable losses incurred by individual loan.

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 consists primarily of private equities 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.

Securities Lending: 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 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 there has been an other-than-temporary decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis. This evaluation process entails considerable judgment and estimation. Factors considered in this analysis include, but are not limited to, the length of time and 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. An extended and 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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). If the Company does not intend to sell the security, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, but the Company has determined that there has been an other-than-temporary decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis, the OTTI is bifurcated into the amount representing the present value of the decrease in cash flows expected to be collected ("credit impairment") and the amount related to other factors ("noncredit impairment"). The credit impairment is recorded in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The noncredit impairment is recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss).


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The Company uses the following methodology and significant inputs to determine the amount of the OTTI credit loss:

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.

In periods subsequent to the recognition of the credit related impairment components of OTTI on a fixed maturity, the Company accounts for the impaired security as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the impairment. Accordingly, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis is accreted into Net investment income over the remaining term of the fixed maturity in a prospective manner based on the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows.

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.

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 realized capital 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

 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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 gain or loss on the derivative instrument, as well as the hedged item, to the extent of the risk being hedged, are recognized in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash Flow Hedge: For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction impacts earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction.  The ineffective portion of the derivative's change in value, if any, along with any of the derivative's change in value that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, are recorded in Other net realized capital 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 realized capital 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 realized capital 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 realized capital 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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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 realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In addition, the Company has entered into coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangements, accounted for under the deposit method, that contain embedded derivatives, the fair value of which is based on the change in the fair value of the underlying assets held in trust. The embedded derivatives within the reinsurance agreements are reported in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and 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 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.


 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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 fixed and variable deferred annuity contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in relation to the emergence of estimated gross profits. Assumptions as to mortality, persistency, interest crediting rates, fee income, returns associated with separate account performance, impact of hedge performance, expenses to administer the business and certain economic variables, such as inflation, are based on the Company's experience and overall capital markets. 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 can 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 variable 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 a 9% 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 for products with credited rates include interest rate spreads and credit losses. Estimated gross profits of variable annuity contracts are sensitive to estimated policyholder behavior assumptions, such as surrender, lapse and annuitization rates.

 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


Contract Costs Associated with Certain Financial Services Contracts

Contract cost assets represent costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a non-insurance financial services contract that are expected to be recovered and, thus, have been capitalized and are subject to amortization. Capitalized contract costs include incremental costs of obtaining a contract and fulfillment costs that relate directly to a contract and generate or enhance resources of the Company that are used to satisfy performance obligations.

The Company defers (1) incremental commissions and variable compensation paid to the Company's direct sales force, consultant channel, and intermediary partners, as a result of obtaining certain financial services contracts and (2) account set-up expenses on certain recordkeeping contracts. The Company expenses as incurred deferrable contract costs for which the amortization period would be one year or less (based on the U.S. GAAP practical expedient) and other contract-related costs. The Company periodically reviews contract cost assets for impairment. Capitalized contract costs are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and costs expensed as incurred are included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of December 31, 2018, contract cost assets were $93. Capitalized contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated lives of the contracts, which typically range from 5 to 15 years. This method is consistent with the transfer of services to which the assets relate. For the year ended December 31, 2018, amortization expenses of $18 were recorded in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no impairment loss in relation to the contract costs capitalized.

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 2.7% to 6.6%.

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 5.3% for the years 2018, 2017 and 2016. 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.

 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


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 issues 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 on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in estimated fair value, that are not related to attributed fees or premiums collected or payments made, are reported in Other net realized capital 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 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 on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in estimated fair value, that are not related to attributed fees collected or payments made, are reported in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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 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.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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. 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

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.

The primary risk associated with short-term collateralized borrowings is that the counterparty will be unable to perform under the terms of the contract. The Company's exposure is limited to the excess of the net replacement cost of the securities over the value of the short-term investments.  The Company believes the counterparties to the dollar rolls and repurchase agreements are financially responsible and that the counterparty risk is minimal.

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

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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 excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. For recordkeeping and administration services, the Company recognizes revenue as services are provided, generally over time. In addition, the Company may arrange for sub-advisory services for a customer under certain contracts. Revenue is recognized when the Company has satisfied a performance obligation by transferring control of a service to a customer. Contract terms are typically less than one year, and consideration is generally variable and due as services are rendered.

For distribution and shareholder servicing revenue, the Company provides distribution services at a point in time and shareholder services over time. Such revenue is recognized when the Company has satisfied a performance obligation and related consideration is received. Contract terms are less than one year, and consideration is variable. For distribution services, revenue may be recognized in periods subsequent to when the Company has satisfied a performance obligation, as a component of related consideration is constrained under certain contracts.

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

Revenue for various financial services is recorded in Fee income or Other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Financial services revenue is disaggregated by type of service in the following table and represents approximately 14.8% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2018, a portion of the revenue recognized in the current period from distribution services is related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Service Line
 
Recordkeeping & administration
$
202

Distribution & shareholder servicing
123

Total financial services revenue
$
325


Receivables of $63 are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018.

Income Taxes

The Company uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining (a) the income taxes payable or refundable to/from Voya Financial for the current year, (b) the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for items recognized differently in its Consolidated Financial Statements from amounts shown on its income tax returns and (c) the federal income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis and interpretation of current tax laws and regulations, including the loss limitation rules associated with change in control. Management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments and estimates are reevaluated on a periodic basis and as regulatory and business factors change.

Items required by tax law to be included in the tax return may differ from the items reflected in the financial statements. As a result, the effective tax rate reflected in the financial statements may be different than the actual rate applied on the tax return. Some of these differences are permanent, such as the dividends received deduction, which is estimated using information from the prior

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

period and current year results. Other differences are temporary, reversing over time, such as the valuation of insurance reserves, and create deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of 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.

Deferred tax assets represent the tax benefit of future deductible temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. 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, frequency and severity of book income or losses in recent years;
The nature and character of the deferred tax assets and liabilities;
The recent cumulative book income (loss) position after adjustment for permanent differences;
Taxable income in prior carryback years;
Projected future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
Projected future reversals of existing temporary differences;
The length of time carryforwards can be utilized;
Prudent and feasible tax planning strategies the Company would employ to avoid a tax benefit from expiring unused; and
Tax rules that would impact the utilization of the deferred tax assets.

In establishing unrecognized tax benefits, the Company determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The Company also considers positions that have been reviewed and agreed to as part of an examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard are not recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Tax positions that meet this standard are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company measures the tax position as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution with the tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.

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. Any difference between actual and expected net cost of reinsurance is recognized in the current period and included as a component of profits used to amortize DAC.

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 Other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as appropriate. Periodically, the

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

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.

Only those reinsurance recoverable balances deemed probable of recovery are recognized as assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance. Amounts currently recoverable and payable 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.

The Company utilizes reinsurance agreements, accounted for under the deposit method, to manage reserve and capital requirements in connection with a portion of its deferred annuities business. The agreements contain embedded derivatives for which carrying value is estimated based on the change in the fair value of the assets supporting the funds withheld under the agreements.

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

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. 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 retirements, 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

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.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Adoption of New Pronouncements

The following table provides a description of the Company's adoption of new ASUs issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the impact of the adoption on the Company's financial statements.

Standard
Description of Requirements
Effective date and method of adoption
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2017-05, Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets
This standard, issued in February 2017, requires entities to apply certain recognition and measurement principles in ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)" (see Revenue from Contracts with Customers below) when they derecognize nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets through sale or transfer, and the counterparty is not a customer.
January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.
The adoption had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
This standard, issued in August 2016, addresses diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments provide guidance on eight specific cash flow issues.
January 1, 2018 using the retrospective method.
The adoption had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
This standard, issued in March 2016, simplifies the accounting for share-based payment award transactions with respect to:
 • The income tax consequences of awards,
 • The impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for awards,
 • Classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and
 • Classification on the statement of cash flows.
January 1, 2017 using the transition method prescribed for each applicable provision.
The guidance was adopted using the various
transition methods as prescribed by the ASU and
did not have a material impact on the Company's
financial condition, results of operations, or cash
flows.


ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This standard, issued in January 2016, addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments, including requiring:
 • Equity investments (except those consolidated or accounted for under the equity method) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.
 • Elimination of the disclosure of methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost.
January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, except for certain provisions that were required to be applied using the prospective method.
The impact to the January 1, 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet was a $12 increase, net of tax, to Retained earnings (deficit) with a corresponding decrease of $12, net of tax, to AOCI to recognize the unrealized gain associated with Equity securities. The provisions that required prospective adoption had no effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Under previous guidance, prior to January 1, 2018, Equity securities were classified as available for sale with changes in fair value recognized in Other comprehensive income.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Standard
Description of Requirements
Effective date and method of adoption
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
This standard, issued in May 2014, requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation under the contract. ASU 2014-09 also updated the accounting for certain costs associated with obtaining and fulfilling contracts with customers and requires disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In addition, the FASB issued various amendments during 2016 to clarify the provisions and implementation guidance of ASU 2014-09. Revenue recognition for insurance contracts and financial instruments is explicitly scoped out of the guidance.
January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.
The adoption had no impact on revenue recognition. However, the adoption resulted in a $90 increase in Other assets to capitalize costs to obtain and fulfill certain financial services contracts. This adjustment was offset by a related $18 increase in deferred tax liabilities, resulting in a net $72 increase to Retained earnings (deficit) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2018. In addition, disclosures have been updated to reflect accounting policy changes made as a result of the implementation of ASU 2014-09. (See the Significant Accounting Policies section.)

Comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under previous revenue recognition guidance. As of December 31, 2018, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 resulted in a $93 increase in Other assets, reduced by a related $20 decrease in Deferred income taxes, resulting in a net $73 increase to Retained earnings (deficit) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For the year ended December 31, 2018 , the adoption resulted in a $3 increase in Operating expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and had no impact on Net cash provided by operating activities.


Future Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements

Long-Duration Contracts

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, "Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944) Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts" ("ASU 2018-12"), which changes the measurement and disclosures of insurance liabilities and deferred acquisition costs for long-duration contracts issued by insurers. The provisions of ASU 2018-12 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the provisions of ASU 2018-12. 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 Shareholders’ equity and future earnings patterns.

In addition to requiring significantly expanded interim and annual disclosures regarding long-duration insurance contract assets and liabilities, ASU 2018-12's provisions include modifications to the accounting for such contracts in the following areas:





 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

ASU 2018-12 Subject Area
Description of Requirements
Transition Provisions
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
Assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits for nonparticipating traditional and limited payment insurance contracts


Requires insurers to review and, if necessary, update cash flow assumptions at least annually.

The effect of updating cash flow assumptions will be measured on a retrospective catch-up basis and presented in the Statement of operations in the period in which the update is made.
The rate used to discount the liability for future policy benefits will be required to be updated quarterly, with related changes in the liability recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income. The discount rate will be based on an upper-medium grade fixed-income corporate instrument yield reflecting the duration characteristics of the relevant liabilities.

Initial adoption is required to be reported using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. Under either method, upon adoption the liability for future policy benefits will be remeasured using current discount rates as of the beginning of the earliest period presented with the impact recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to AOCI.

The application of periodic assumption updates for nonparticipating traditional and limited payment insurance contracts is significantly different from the current accounting approach for such liabilities, which is based on assumptions that are locked in at contract inception unless a premium deficiency occurs. Under the current accounting guidance, the liability discount rate is based on expected yields on the underlying investment portfolio held by the insurer.
The implications of these requirements, including transition options, and related potential financial statement impacts are currently being evaluated.
Measurement of market risk benefits


Creates a new category of benefit features called market risk benefits, defined as features that protect contract holders from capital market risk and expose the insurers to that risk. Market risk benefits will be required to be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of operations, except for changes in fair value attributable to changes in the instrument-specific credit risk, which will be recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Full retrospective application is required. Upon adoption, any difference between the fair value and pre-adoption carrying value of market risk benefits not currently measured at fair value will be recorded to retained earnings. In addition, the cumulative effect of changes in instrument-specific credit risk will be reclassified from retained earnings to AOCI.
Under the current accounting guidance, certain features that are expected to meet the definition of market risk benefits are accounted for as either insurance liabilities or embedded derivatives.
The implications of these requirements and related potential financial statement impacts are currently being evaluated.

Amortization of DAC and other balances


Requires DAC (and other balances that refer to the DAC model, such as deferred sales inducement costs and unearned revenue liabilities) for all long-duration contracts to be measured on a constant level basis over the expected life of the contract.

Initial adoption is required to be reported using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The method of transition applied for DAC and other balances must be consistent with the transition method selected for future policy benefit liabilities, as described above.

This approach is intended to approximate straight-line amortization and cannot be based on revenue or profits as it is under the current accounting model. Related amounts in AOCI will be eliminated upon adoption. ASU 2018-12 did not change the existing accounting guidance related to VOBA and net cost of reinsurance, which allows, but does not require, insurers to amortize such balances on a basis consistent with DAC.

The implications of these requirements, including transition options, and related potential financial statement impacts are currently being evaluated.



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table provides a description of future adoptions of other new accounting standards that may have an impact on the Company's financial statements when adopted:

Standard
Description of Requirements
Effective date and transition provisions
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2018-15, Implementation costs in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract
This standard, issued in August 2018, requires a customer in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance for internal-use software projects to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset. Capitalized implementation costs are required to be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. In addition, a customer is required to apply the impairment and abandonment guidance for long-lived assets to the capitalized implementation costs. Balances related to capitalized implementation costs must be presented in the same financial statement line items as other hosting arrangement balances, and additional disclosures are required.
January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted. Initial adoption of ASU 2018-15 may be reported either on a prospective or retrospective basis.
The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact of adoption of the provisions of ASU 2018-15.
ASU 2018-13, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
This standard, issued in August 2018, simplifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurement.
January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The transition method varies by provision.
The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact of adoption of the provisions of ASU 2018-13.
ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
This standard, issued in February 2018, permits a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income 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 early adoption permitted. Initial adoption of ASU 2018-02 may be reported either in the period of adoption or on a retrospective basis in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate resulting from Tax Reform is recognized.
The Company intends to adopt ASU 2018-02 as of January 1, 2019. Adoption is expected to result in an increase to Accumulated other comprehensive income of approximately $137, with a corresponding decrease in Retained earnings.


 
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(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Standard
Description of Requirements
Effective date and transition provisions
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
This standard, issued in August 2017, enables entities to better portray risk management activities in their financial statements, as follows:
• Expands an entity's ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components and reduces complexity in accounting for fair value hedges of interest rate risk,
• Eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item, and
• Eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, and modifies required disclosures.
In October 2018, the FASB issued an amendment which expands the list of U.S. benchmark interest rates permitted in the application of hedge accounting.
January 1, 2019, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted. Initial adoption of ASU 2017-12 is required to be reported using a modified retrospective approach, with the exception of the presentation and disclosure requirements which are required to be applied prospectively.
The Company does not expect ASU 2017-12 to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
This standard, issued in March 2017, shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date.
January 1, 2019, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted. Initial adoption of ASU 2017-08 is required to be reported using a modified retrospective approach.
The Company does not expect ASU 2017-08 to have material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
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.
January 1, 2019, including interim period, with early adoption permitted. Initial adoption of ASU 2016-13 is required to be reported on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption, except for certain provisions that are required to be applied prospectively.
The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact of adoption of the provisions of ASU 2016-13.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Standard
Description of Requirements
Effective date and transition provisions
Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2016-02, Leases
This standard, issued in February 2016, requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. The lease liability will be measured as the present value of the lease payments, and the asset will be based on the liability. For income statement purposes, expense recognition will depend on the lessee's classification of the lease as either finance, with a front-loaded amortization expense pattern similar to current capital leases, or operating, with a straight-line expense pattern similar to current operating leases. Lessor accounting will be similar to the current model, and lessors will be required to classify leases as operating, direct financing, or sales-type.

ASU 2016-02 also replaces the sale-leaseback guidance to align with the new revenue recognition standard, addresses statement of operation and statement of cash flow classification, and requires additional disclosures for all leases. In addition, the FASB issued various amendments during 2018 and 2019 to clarify and simplify the provisions and implementation guidance of ASU 2016-02.
January 1, 2019, including interim periods, on a modified retrospective basis and with early adoption permitted.

In July 2018, the FASB issued an amendment that adds an optional
transition method to apply the guidance on a modified retrospective basis at the adoption date, which is January 1, 2019.

The Company does not expect that the adoption will have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.




 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

2.    Investments

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

Available-for-sale and FVO fixed maturities were as follows as of December 31, 2018:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Capital
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Capital
Losses
 
Embedded Derivatives(2)
 
Fair
Value
 
OTTI(3)(4)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
651

 
$
87

 
$

 
$

 
$
738

 
$

U.S. Government agencies and authorities

 

 

 

 

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
754

 
18

 
8

 

 
764

 

U.S. corporate public securities
7,908

 
288

 
181

 

 
8,015

 

U.S. corporate private securities
3,686

 
73

 
106

 

 
3,653

 

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
2,551

 
69

 
80

 

 
2,540

 

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
3,235

 
37

 
97

 

 
3,175

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
1,989

 
54

 
20

 
4

 
2,027

 

Non-Agency
977

 
39

 
12

 
5

 
1,009

 
3

Total Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,966

 
93

 
32

 
9

 
3,036

 
3

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,917

 
16

 
28

 

 
1,905

 

Other asset-backed securities
1,230

 
6

 
28

 

 
1,208

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
24,898

 
687

 
560

 
9

 
25,034

 
5

Less: Securities pledged
867

 
45

 
30

 

 
882

 

Total fixed maturities
24,031

 
642

 
530

 
9

 
24,152

 
5

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
(2) Embedded derivatives within fixed maturity securities are reported with the host investment. The changes in fair value of embedded derivatives are reported in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) Represents OTTI reported as a component of Other comprehensive income (loss).
(4) Amount excludes $137 of net unrealized gains on impaired available-for-sale securities.

 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Available-for-sale and FVO fixed maturities and equity securities were as follows as of December 31, 2017:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Capital
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Capital
Losses
 
Embedded Derivatives(2)
 
Fair
Value
 
OTTI(3)(4)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
547

 
$
109

 
$

 
$

 
$
656

 
$

U.S. Government agencies and authorities
3

 

 

 

 
3

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
842

 
40

 
4

 

 
878

 

U.S. corporate public securities
8,476

 
786

 
26

 

 
9,236

 

U.S. corporate private securities
3,387

 
148

 
38

 

 
3,497

 

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
2,594

 
192

 
9

 

 
2,777

 

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
3,105

 
155

 
45

 

 
3,215

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
1,878

 
65

 
17

 
6

 
1,932

 

Non-Agency
639

 
54

 
2

 
6

 
697

 
4

Total Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,517

 
119

 
19

 
12

 
2,629

 
4

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,437

 
39

 
6

 

 
1,470

 

Other asset-backed securities
671

 
11

 
1

 

 
681

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
23,579

 
1,599

 
148

 
12

 
25,042

 
13

Less: Securities pledged
864

 
104

 
8

 

 
960

 

Total fixed maturities
22,715

 
1,495

 
140

 
12

 
24,082

 
13

Equity securities
45

 
15

 

 

 
60

 

Total fixed maturities and equity securities investments
$
22,760

 
$
1,510

 
$
140

 
$
12

 
$
24,142

 
$
13

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
(2) Embedded derivatives within fixed maturity securities are reported with the host investment. The changes in fair value of embedded derivatives are reported in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) Represents OTTI reported as a component of Other comprehensive income (loss).
(4) Amount excludes $190 of net unrealized gains on impaired available-for-sale securities.



 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities, including securities pledged, as of December 31, 2018, are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as securities may be restructured, called or prepaid. MBS and Other ABS are shown separately because they are not due at a single maturity date.
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due to mature:
 
 
 
One year or less
$
548

 
$
552

After one year through five years
4,184

 
4,203

After five years through ten years
5,971

 
5,864

After ten years
8,082

 
8,266

Mortgage-backed securities
4,883

 
4,941

Other asset-backed securities
1,230

 
1,208

Fixed maturities, including securities pledged
$
24,898

 
$
25,034



The investment portfolio is monitored to maintain a diversified portfolio on an ongoing basis. Credit risk is mitigated by monitoring concentrations by issuer, sector and geographic stratification and limiting exposure to any one issuer. 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any investments in a single issuer, other than obligations of the U.S. Government and government agencies, with a carrying value in excess of 10% of the Company's consolidated Shareholder's equity.

The following tables present the composition of the U.S. and foreign corporate securities within the fixed maturity portfolio by industry category as of the dates indicated:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Capital Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Capital Losses
 
Fair Value
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Communications
$
1,139

 
$
55

 
$
21

 
$
1,173

Financial
2,707

 
101

 
47

 
2,761

Industrial and other companies
7,604

 
152

 
214

 
7,542

Energy
1,884

 
55

 
81

 
1,858

Utilities
2,974

 
80

 
74

 
2,980

Transportation
729

 
14

 
17

 
726

Total
$
17,037

 
$
457

 
$
454

 
$
17,040

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Communications
$
1,145

 
$
114

 
$
1

 
$
1,258

Financial
2,750

 
185

 
4

 
2,931

Industrial and other companies
7,953

 
532

 
65

 
8,420

Energy
1,970

 
159

 
33

 
2,096

Utilities
2,725

 
216

 
11

 
2,930

Transportation
697

 
52

 
2

 
747

Total
$
17,240

 
$
1,258

 
$
116

 
$
18,382




 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Fixed Maturities

The Company invests in various categories of CMOs, including CMOs that are not agency-backed, that are subject to different degrees of risk from changes in interest rates and defaults. The principal risks inherent in holding CMOs are prepayment and extension risks related to significant decreases and increases in interest rates resulting in the prepayment of principal from the underlying mortgages, either earlier or later than originally anticipated. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately 52.5% and 52.1%, respectively, of the Company's CMO holdings, were invested in the above mentioned types of CMOs such as interest-only or principal-only strips, that are subject to more prepayment and extension risk than traditional CMOs.

Public corporate fixed maturity securities are distinguished from private corporate fixed maturity securities based upon the manner in which they are transacted. Public corporate fixed maturity securities are issued initially through market intermediaries on a registered basis or pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and are traded on the secondary market through brokers acting as principal. Private corporate fixed maturity securities are originally issued by borrowers directly to investors pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and are traded in the secondary market directly with counterparties, either without the participation of a broker or in agency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any securities pledged in dollar rolls, repurchase agreement transactions or reverse repurchase agreements.

Securities Lending

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of loaned securities was $759 and $799, respectively, and is included in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

If cash is received as collateral, the lending agent retains the cash collateral and invests it in short-term liquid assets on behalf of the Company. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, cash collateral retained by the lending agent and invested in short-term liquid assets on the Company's behalf was $719 and $744, respectively, and is recorded in Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, liabilities to return collateral of $719 and $744, respectively, are included in Payables under securities loan agreements, including collateral held, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company accepts non-cash collateral in the form of securities. The securities retained as collateral by the lending agent may not be sold or re-pledged, except in the event of default, and are not reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. This collateral generally consists of U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency securities and MBS pools. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of securities retained as collateral by the lending agent on the Company’s behalf was $67 and $61, respectively.

The following table presents borrowings under securities lending transactions by asset class pledged for the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 20181)(2)
 
December 31, 2017(1)(2)
U.S. Treasuries
$
92

 
$
177

U.S. corporate public securities
523

 
460

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments
170

 
168

Equity Securities
1

 

Payables under securities loan agreements
$
786

 
$
805


(1) As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, borrowings under securities lending transactions include cash collateral of $719 and $744, respectively.
(2) As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, borrowings under securities lending transactions include non-cash collateral of $67 and $61, respectively.

The Company's securities lending activities are conducted on an overnight basis, and all securities loaned can be recalled at any time. The Company does not offset assets and liabilities associated with its securities lending program.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds certain VIEs for investment purposes. VIEs may be in the form of private placement securities, structured securities, securitization transactions, or limited partnerships. The Company has reviewed each of its holdings and determined that consolidation of these investments in the Company's financial statements is not required, as the Company is not the primary beneficiary, because the Company does not have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and the obligation or right to potentially significant losses or benefits, for any of its investments in VIEs. The Company did not provide any non-contractual financial support and its carrying value represents the Company's exposure to loss. The carrying value of the investments in VIEs was $583 and $411 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively; these investments are included in Limited partnerships/corporations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and losses recognized on these investments are reported in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Securitizations

The Company invests in various tranches of securitization entities, including RMBS, CMBS and ABS. Through its investments, the Company is not obligated to provide any financial or other support to these entities. Each of the RMBS, CMBS and ABS entities are thinly capitalized by design and considered VIEs. The Company's involvement with these entities is limited to that of a passive investor. The Company has no unilateral right to appoint or remove the servicer, special servicer or investment manager, which are generally viewed to have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the securitization entities' economic performance, in any of these entities, nor does the Company function in any of these roles. The Company, through its investments or other arrangements, does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. Therefore, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and will not consolidate any of the RMBS, CMBS and ABS entities in which it holds investments. These investments are accounted for as investments available-for-sale as described in the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements and unrealized capital gains (losses) on these securities are recorded directly in AOCI, except for certain RMBS that are accounted for under the FVO for which changes in fair value are reflected in Other net realized gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these structured investments is limited to the amount of its investment.


 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Unrealized Capital Losses

Unrealized capital losses (including noncredit impairments), along with the fair value of fixed maturity securities, including securities pledged, by market sector and duration were as follows as of December 31, 2018:
 
Six Months or Less
Below Amortized Cost
 
More Than Six
Months and Twelve
Months or Less
Below Amortized Cost
 
More Than Twelve
Months Below
Amortized Cost
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
U.S. Treasuries
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
15

 
$

 
$
15

 
$

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
60

 

 
131

 
3

 
88

 
5

 
279

 
8

U.S. corporate public securities
1,285

 
37

 
1,775

 
94

 
535

 
50

 
3,595

 
181

U.S. corporate private securities
639

 
13

 
863

 
27

 
579

 
66

 
2,081

 
106

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments
503

 
12

 
656

 
42

 
169

 
26

 
1,328

 
80

Foreign corporate private securities
604

 
10

 
900

 
67

 
221

 
20

 
1,725

 
97

Residential mortgage-backed
345

 
6

 
215

 
5

 
412

 
21

 
972

 
32

Commercial mortgage-backed
447

 
6

 
418

 
10

 
312

 
12

 
1,177

 
28

Other asset-backed
476

 
11

 
416

 
16

 
61

 
1

 
953

 
28

Total
$
4,359

 
$
95

 
$
5,374

 
$
264

 
$
2,392

 
$
201

 
$
12,125

 
$
560























 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Unrealized capital losses (including noncredit impairments), along with the fair value of fixed maturity securities, including securities pledged, by market sector and duration were as follows as of December 31, 2017:
 
Six Months or Less
Below Amortized Cost
 
More Than Six
Months and Twelve
Months or Less
Below Amortized Cost
 
More Than Twelve
Months Below
Amortized Cost
 
Total
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Capital Losses
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
18

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
12

 
$

 
$
30

 
$

 
State, municipalities and political subdivisions
34

 

 
1

 

 
91

 
4

 
126

 
4

 
U.S. corporate public securities
504

 
11

 

 

 
304

 
15

 
808

 
26

 
U.S. corporate private securities
226

 
2

 
46

 
2

 
499

 
34

 
771

 
38

 
Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments
148

 
1

 
5

 

 
99

 
8

 
252

 
9

 
Foreign corporate private securities
135

 
38

 
13

 

 
161

 
7

 
309

 
45

 
Residential mortgage-backed
263

 
5

 
26

 
1

 
438

 
13

 
727

 
19

 
Commercial mortgage-backed
436

 
5

 
19

 

 
50

 
1

 
505

 
6

 
Other asset-backed
95

 
1

 
9

 

 
38

 

 
142

 
1

 
Total
$
1,859

 
$
63

 
$
119

 
$
3

 
$
1,692

 
$
82

 
$
3,670

 
$
148

 



Of the unrealized capital losses aged more than twelve months, the average market value of the related fixed maturities was 92.2% and 95.4% of the average book value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Unrealized capital losses (including noncredit impairments) in fixed maturities, including securities pledged, for instances in which fair value declined below amortized cost by greater than or less than 20% for consecutive months as indicated in the tables below, were as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Capital Losses
 
Number of Securities
 
< 20%
 
> 20%
 
< 20%
 
> 20%
 
< 20%
 
> 20%
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months or less below amortized cost
$
4,531

 
$
88

 
$
106

 
$
21

 
826

 
25

More than six months and twelve months or less below amortized cost
5,535

 
73

 
235

 
27

 
1,063

 
6

More than twelve months below amortized cost
2,378

 
80

 
144

 
27

 
519

 
5

Total
$
12,444

 
$
241

 
$
485

 
$
75

 
2,408

 
36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months or less below amortized cost
$
1,883

 
$
67

 
$
30

 
$
38

 
433

 
7

More than six months and twelve months or less below amortized cost
128

 
7

 
4

 
2

 
37

 
1

More than twelve months below amortized cost
1,661

 
72

 
53

 
21

 
335

 
7

Total
$
3,672

 
$
146

 
$
87

 
$
61

 
805

 
15




 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Unrealized capital losses (including noncredit impairments) in fixed maturities, including securities pledged, by market sector for instances in which fair value declined below amortized cost by greater than or less than 20% were as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Capital Losses
 
Number of Securities
 
< 20%
 
> 20%
 
< 20%
 
> 20%
 
< 20%
 
> 20%
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
15

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
5

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
287

 

 
8

 

 
132

 

U.S. corporate public securities
3,721

 
55

 
164

 
17

 
796

 
8

U.S. corporate private securities
2,120

 
67

 
84

 
22

 
245

 
2

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments
1,348

 
60

 
65

 
15

 
307

 
9

Foreign corporate private securities
1,765

 
57

 
76

 
21

 
157

 
6

Residential mortgage-backed
1,004

 

 
32

 

 
301

 
8

Commercial mortgage-backed
1,205

 

 
28

 

 
228

 

Other asset-backed
979

 
2

 
28

 

 
237

 
3

Total
$
12,444

 
$
241

 
$
485

 
$
75

 
2,408

 
36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
30

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
6

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
130

 

 
4

 

 
96

 

U.S. corporate public securities
828

 
6

 
24

 
2

 
167

 
2

U.S. corporate private securities
743

 
66

 
18

 
20

 
71

 
2

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments
254

 
7

 
7

 
2

 
61

 
1

Foreign corporate private securities
288

 
66

 
8

 
37

 
35

 
6

Residential mortgage-backed
746

 

 
19

 

 
194

 
3

Commercial mortgage-backed
511

 

 
6

 

 
131

 

Other asset-backed
142

 
1

 
1

 

 
44

 
1

Total
$
3,672

 
$
146

 
$
87

 
$
61

 
805

 
15



Investments with fair values less than amortized cost are included in the Company's other-than-temporary impairment analysis. Impairments were recognized as disclosed in the "Evaluating Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairments" section below. The Company evaluates non-agency RMBS and ABS for "other-than-temporary impairments" each quarter based on actual and projected cash flows after considering the quality and updated loan-to-value ratios reflecting current home prices of underlying collateral, forecasted loss severity, the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security and amount of any credit enhancements. The Company's assessment of current levels of cash flows compared to estimated cash flows at the time the securities were acquired (typically pre-2008) indicates the amount and the pace of projected cash flows from the underlying collateral has generally been lower and slower, respectively. However, since cash flows are typically projected at a trust level, the impairment review incorporates the security's position within the trust structure as well as credit enhancement remaining in the trust to determine whether an impairment is warranted. Therefore, while lower and slower cash flows will impact the trust, the effect on the valuation of a particular security within the trust will also be dependent upon the trust structure. Where the assessment continues to project full recovery of principal and interest on schedule, the Company has not recorded an impairment. Based on this analysis, the Company determined that the remaining investments in an unrealized loss position were not other-than-temporarily impaired and therefore no further other-than-temporary impairment was necessary.


 
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Table of Contents
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Troubled Debt Restructuring

The Company invests in high quality, well performing portfolios of commercial mortgage loans and private placements. Under certain circumstances, modifications are granted to these contracts. Each modification is evaluated as to whether a troubled debt restructuring has occurred. A modification is a troubled debt restructuring when the borrower is in financial difficulty and the creditor makes concessions. Generally, the types of concessions may include reducing the face amount or maturity amount of the debt as originally stated, reducing the contractual interest rate, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than current market interest rates and/or reducing accrued interest. The Company considers the amount, timing and extent of the concession granted in determining any impairment or changes in the specific valuation allowance recorded in connection with the troubled debt restructuring. A valuation allowance may have been recorded prior to the quarter when the loan is modified in a troubled debt restructuring. Accordingly, the carrying value (net of the specific valuation allowance) before and after modification through a troubled debt restructuring may not change significantly, or may increase if the expected recovery is higher than the pre-modification recovery assessment. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any new commercial mortgage loan or private placement troubled debt restructuring. As of December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any new commercial mortgage loan troubled debt restructuring and had one private placement troubled debt restructuring with a pre-modification and post-modification carrying value of $3.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any commercial mortgage loans or private placements modified in a troubled debt restructuring with a subsequent payment default.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

The Company diversifies its commercial mortgage loan portfolio by geographic region and property type to reduce concentration risk. The Company manages risk when originating commercial mortgage loans by generally lending only up to 75% of the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate. Subsequently, the Company continuously evaluates mortgage loans based on relevant current information including a review of loan-specific credit quality, property characteristics and market trends. The components to evaluate debt service coverage are received and reviewed at least annually to determine the level of risk.
The following table summarizes the Company's investment in mortgage loans as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Impaired
 
Non Impaired
 
Total
 
Impaired
 
Non Impaired
 
Total
Commercial mortgage loans
$
4

 
$
4,915

 
$
4,919

 
$
4

 
$
4,907

 
$
4,911

Collective valuation allowance for losses
N/A

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
N/A

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total net commercial mortgage loans
$
4

 
$
4,914

 
$
4,918

 
$
4

 
$
4,906

 
$
4,910


N/A - Not Applicable

There were no impairments taken on the mortgage loan portfolio for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for losses for commercial mortgage loans for the periods indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Collective valuation allowance for losses, balance at January 1
$
1

 
$
1

Addition to (reduction of) allowance for losses

 

Collective valuation allowance for losses, end of period
$
1

 
$
1




 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The carrying values and unpaid principal balances of impaired mortgage loans were as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Impaired loans without allowances for losses
$
4

 
$
4

Less: Allowances for losses on impaired loans

 

Impaired loans, net
$
4

 
$
4

Unpaid principal balance of impaired loans
$
5

 
$
6


As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any impaired loans with allowances for losses.
 
 
 
 

There were no mortgage loans in the Company's portfolio in process of foreclosure as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

There was one loan 60 days or less in arrears, with respect to principal and interest as of December 31, 2018, with a total amortized cost of $6. There were no loans in arrears, with respect to principal and interest as of December 31, 2017.

The following table presents information on the average investment during the period in impaired loans and interest income recognized on impaired and troubled debt restructured loans for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Impaired loans, average investment during the period (amortized cost)(1)
$
4

 
$
4

 
$
8

Interest income recognized on impaired loans, on an accrual basis(1)

 

 

Interest income recognized on impaired loans, on a cash basis(1)

 

 

Interest income recognized on troubled debt restructured loans, on an accrual basis

 

 


(1) Includes amounts for Troubled debt restructured loans.

Loan-to-value ("LTV") and debt service coverage ("DSC") ratios are measures commonly used to assess the risk and quality of mortgage loans. The LTV ratio, calculated at time of origination, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of the loan relative to the value of the underlying property. A LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the underlying collateral. The DSC ratio, based upon the most recently received financial statements, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of a property's net income to its debt service payments. A DSC ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that a property's operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. These ratios are utilized as part of the review process described above.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following tables present the LTV and DSC ratios as of the dates indicated:
 
Recorded Investment
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratios
 
> 1.5x
 
>1.25x - 1.5x
 
>1.0x - 1.25x
 
< 1.0x
 
Commercial mortgage loans secured by land or construction loans
 
Total
 
% of Total
December 31, 2018 (1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-Value Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0% - 50%
$
284

 
$
24

 
$
23

 
$

 
$

 
$
331

 
6.7
%
>50% - 60%
1,133

 
40

 
11

 

 

 
1,184

 
24.1
%
>60% - 70%
2,070

 
328

 
503

 
34

 
26

 
2,961

 
60.2
%
>70% - 80%
213

 
87

 
66

 
19

 
4

 
389

 
7.9
%
>80% and above
18

 
5

 
10

 

 
21

 
54

 
1.1
%
Total
$
3,718

 
$
484

 
$
613

 
$
53

 
$
51

 
$
4,919

 
100.0
%
(1) Balances do not include collective valuation allowance for losses.
 
Recorded Investment
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratios
 
> 1.5x
 
>1.25x - 1.5x
 
>1.0x - 1.25x
 
< 1.0x
 
Commercial mortgage loans secured by land or construction loans
 
Total
 
% of Total
December 31, 2017 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-Value Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0% - 50%
$
297

 
$
30

 
$

 
$
14

 
$

 
$
341

 
6.9
%
>50% - 60%
1,205

 
25

 
21

 

 
5

 
1,256

 
25.7
%
>60% - 70%
2,241

 
228

 
534

 
39

 

 
3,042

 
61.9
%
>70% - 80%
154

 
57

 
45

 

 
6

 
262

 
5.3
%
>80% and above
5

 

 

 
1

 
4

 
10

 
0.2
%
Total
$
3,902

 
$
340

 
$
600

 
$
54

 
$
15

 
$
4,911

 
100.0
%
(1) Balances do not include collective valuation allowance for losses.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 




 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Properties collateralizing mortgage loans are geographically dispersed throughout the United States, as well as diversified by property type, as reflected in the following tables as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018 (1)
 
December 31, 2017 (1)
 
Gross
Carrying Value
 
% of
Total
 
Gross
Carrying Value
 
% of
Total
Commercial Mortgage Loans by U.S. Region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pacific
$
994

 
20.2
%
 
$
985

 
20.1
%
South Atlantic
1,011

 
20.5
%
 
982

 
20.0
%
Middle Atlantic
1,039

 
21.2
%
 
1,097

 
22.4
%
West South Central
566

 
11.5
%
 
552

 
11.2
%
Mountain
458

 
9.3
%
 
457

 
9.3
%
East North Central
465

 
9.5
%
 
468

 
9.5
%
New England
75

 
1.5
%
 
77

 
1.6
%
West North Central
258

 
5.2
%
 
243

 
4.9
%
East South Central
53

 
1.1
%
 
50

 
1.0
%
Total Commercial mortgage loans
$
4,919

 
100.0
%
 
$
4,911

 
100.0
%
(1) Balances do not include collective valuation allowance for losses.
 
December 31, 2018 (1)
 
December 31, 2017 (1)
 
Gross
Carrying Value
 
% of
Total
 
Gross
Carrying Value
 
% of
Total
Commercial Mortgage Loans by Property Type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
$
1,335

 
27.2
%
 
$
1,383

 
28.1
%
Industrial
1,323

 
26.9
%
 
1,326

 
27.0
%
Apartments
1,104

 
22.4
%
 
948

 
19.3
%
Office
791

 
16.1
%
 
829

 
16.9
%
Hotel/Motel
111

 
2.3
%
 
177

 
3.6
%
Mixed Use
46

 
0.9
%
 
52

 
1.1
%
Other
209

 
4.2
%
 
196

 
4.0
%
Total Commercial mortgage loans
$
4,919

 
100.0
%
 
$
4,911

 
100.0
%
(1) Balances do not include collective valuation allowance for losses.

The following table presents mortgages by year of origination as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018 (1)
 
December 31, 2017 (1)
Year of Origination:
 
 
 
2018
$
375

 
$

2017
1,108

 
1,086

2016
906

 
867

2015
589

 
703

2014
490

 
538

2013
585

 
644

2012 and prior
866

 
1,073

Total Commercial mortgage loans
$
4,919

 
$
4,911

(1) Balances do not include collective valuation allowance for losses.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Evaluating Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

The Company performs a regular evaluation, on a security-by-security basis, of its available-for-sale securities holdings, including fixed maturity securities, in accordance with its impairment policy in order to evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.

The following table identifies the Company's credit-related and intent-related impairments included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, excluding impairments included in Other comprehensive income (loss) by type for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Impairment
 
No. of Securities
 
Impairment
 
No. of Securities
 
Impairment
 
No. of Securities
U.S. corporate public securities
$
6

 
2

 
$

*
3

 
$
3

 
2

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
2

 
3

 
2

 
3

 
12

 
3

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
9

 
1

 
9

 
2

 
1

 
2

Residential mortgage-backed
3

 
58

 
1

 
17

 
3

 
25

Commercial mortgage-backed

*
1

 

*
1

 

 

Other asset-backed

*
1

 

 

 

 

Total
$
20

 
66

 
$
12

 
26

 
$
19

 
32

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.

*Less than $1.

The above table includes $14, $12 and $1 of write-downs related to credit impairments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in Other-than-temporary impairments, which are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The remaining $6 and $18 in write-downs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016, respectively, are related to intent impairments. There were immaterial write-downs related to intent impairments for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The following table summarizes these intent impairments, which are also recognized in earnings, by type for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Impairment
 
No. of Securities
 
Impairment
 
No. of Securities
 
Impairment
 
No. of Securities
U.S. corporate public securities
$
5

 
2

 
$

*
3

 
$
4

 
1

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)

 

 

 

 
12

 
2

Residential mortgage-backed
1

 
22

 

*
6

 
2

 
4

Commercial mortgage-backed

*
1

 

*
1

 

 

Total
$
6

*
25

 
$

*
10

 
$
18

 
7

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
*Less than $1.

The Company may sell securities during the period in which fair value has declined below amortized cost for fixed maturities. In certain situations, new factors, including changes in the business environment, can change the Company's previous intent to continue holding a security. Accordingly, these factors may lead the Company to record additional intent related capital losses.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table presents the amount of credit impairments on fixed maturities for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding changes in such amounts for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at January 1
$
16

 
$
9

 
$
19

Additional credit impairments:
 

 
 

 
 

On securities not previously impaired

 
9

 

On securities previously impaired
1

 

 
1

Reductions:
 

 
 

 
 

Securities intent impaired
12

 

 

Increase in cash flows

 

 
2

Securities sold, matured, prepaid or paid down

 
2

 
9

Balance at December 31
$
5

 
$
16

 
$
9



Net Investment Income

The following table summarizes Net investment income for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed maturities
$
1,363

 
$
1,302

 
$
1,325

Equity securities
5

 
4

 
4

Mortgage loans on real estate
220

 
211

 
191

Policy loans
9

 
10

 
12

Short-term investments and cash equivalents
3

 
1

 
1

Other
95

 
60

 
30

Gross investment income
1,695

 
1,588

 
1,563

Less: investment expenses
72

 
68

 
62

Net investment income
$
1,623

 
$
1,520

 
$
1,501



As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had $1 and $3, respectively, of investments in fixed maturities that did not produce net investment income. Fixed maturities are moved to a non-accrual status when the investment defaults.

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

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)

Net realized capital gains (losses) comprise the difference between the amortized cost of investments and proceeds from sale and redemption, as well as losses incurred due to the credit-related and intent-related other-than-temporary impairment of investments. Realized investment gains and losses are also primarily generated from changes in fair value of embedded derivatives within products and fixed maturities, changes in fair value of fixed maturities recorded at FVO and changes in fair value including accruals on derivative instruments, except for effective cash flow hedges. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018, realized capital gains (losses) also include changes in fair value of equity securities. The cost of the investments on disposal is generally determined based on FIFO methodology.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Net realized capital gains (losses) were as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, including securities pledged
$
(69
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$
(70
)
Fixed maturities, at fair value option
(227
)
 
(226
)
 
(201
)
Equity securities
(4
)
 

 

Derivatives
(36
)
 
9

 
51

Embedded derivatives - fixed maturities
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
Guaranteed benefit derivatives
94

 
55

 
13

Other investments
4

 
(4
)
 

Net realized capital gains (losses)
$
(242
)
 
$
(200
)
 
$
(213
)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the change in fair value of equity securities still held as of December 31, 2018 was $(4).

Proceeds from the sale of fixed maturities and equity securities, available-for-sale and the related gross realized gains and losses, before tax were as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Proceeds on sales
$
2,498

 
$
2,916

 
$
1,825

Gross gains
14

 
30

 
20

Gross losses
50

 
39

 
85



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


3.    Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company enters into the following types of derivatives:

Interest rate caps: The Company uses interest rate cap contracts to hedge the interest rate exposure arising from duration mismatches between assets and liabilities. Interest rate caps are also used to hedge interest rate exposure if rates rise above a specified level. Such increases in rates will require the Company to incur additional expenses. The future payout from the interest rate caps fund this increased exposure. The Company pays an upfront premium to purchase these caps. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Interest rate swaps: Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and/or liabilities. Interest rate swaps are also used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the value of assets it owns or in an anticipation of acquiring them. Using interest rate swaps, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest payments, calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made to/from the counterparty at each due date. The Company utilizes these contracts in qualifying hedging relationships as well as non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Foreign exchange swaps: The Company uses foreign exchange or currency swaps to reduce the risk of change in the value, yield or cash flows associated with certain foreign denominated invested assets. Foreign exchange swaps represent contracts that require the exchange of foreign currency cash flows against U.S. dollar cash flows at regular periods, typically quarterly or semi-annually. The Company utilizes these contracts in qualifying hedging relationships as well as non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Credit default swaps: Credit default swaps are used to reduce credit loss exposure with respect to certain assets that the Company owns or to assume credit exposure on certain assets that the Company does not own. Payments are made to, or received from, the counterparty at specified intervals. In the event of a default on the underlying credit exposure, the Company will either receive a payment (purchased credit protection) or will be required to make a payment (sold credit protection) equal to the par minus recovery value of the swap contract. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Currency forwards: The Company utilizes currency forward contracts to hedge currency exposure related to invested assets. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Futures:The Company uses interest rate futures contracts to hedge its exposure to market risks due to changes in interest rates. The Company enters into exchange traded futures with regulated futures commissions that are members of the exchange. The Company also posts initial and variation margins, with the exchange, on a daily basis. The Company utilizes exchange-traded futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships. The Company may also use futures contracts as a hedge against an increase in certain equity indices. Such increases may result in increased payments to the holders of fixed index annuity ("FIA") contracts.

Swaptions: A swaption is an option to enter into a swap with a forward starting effective date. The Company uses swaptions to hedge the interest rate exposure associated with the minimum crediting rate and book value guarantees embedded in the retirement products that the Company offers. Increases in interest rates will generate losses on assets that are backing such liabilities. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased swaptions by entering into offsetting written swaptions. The Company pays a premium when it purchases the swaption. The Company utilizes these contracts in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Options: The Company uses equity options to hedge against an increase in various equity indices. Such increases may result in increased payments to the holders of the FIA contracts. The Company pays an upfront premium to purchase these options. The Company utilizes these options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.

Managed custody guarantees ("MCGs"): The Company issues certain credited rate guarantees on variable fixed income portfolios that represent stand-alone derivatives. The market value is partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in interest rates, prepayment rates and credit ratings/spreads.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Embedded derivatives: The Company also invests in certain fixed maturity instruments and has issued certain products that contain embedded derivatives for which market value is at least partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in domestic and/or foreign interest rates (short-term or long-term), exchange rates, prepayment rates, equity rates, or credit ratings/spreads. In addition, the Company has entered into coinsurance with funds withheld arrangements, accounted for under the deposit method, that contain embedded 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 equity 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") rule changes related to the variation margin payments, effective the first quarter of 2017, the Company is required to adjust the derivative balances with the variation margin payments related to our cleared derivatives executed through CME.

The notional amounts and fair values of derivatives were as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Notional
Amount
 
Asset
Fair Value
 
Liability
Fair Value
 
Notional
Amount
 
Asset
Fair Value
 
Liability
Fair Value
Derivatives: Qualifying for hedge accounting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$
35

 
$

 
$

 
$
35

 
$

 
$

Foreign exchange contracts
620

 
10

 
20

 
533

 

 
52

Derivatives: Non-qualifying for hedge accounting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
19,280

 
117

 
76

 
18,769

 
117

 
20

Foreign exchange contracts
12

 

 

 
26

 

 

Equity contracts
98

 
1

 
1

 
154

 
9

 
7

Credit contracts
201

 

 
2

 
771

 
10

 
6

Embedded derivatives and Managed custody guarantees:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Within fixed maturity investments
N/A

 
9

 

 
N/A

 
12

 

Within products
N/A

 

 
15

 
N/A

 

 
117

Within reinsurance agreements
N/A

 

 
(80
)
 
N/A

 

 
(21
)
Managed custody guarantees
N/A

 

 

 
N/A

 

 

Total
 
 
$
137

 
$
34

 
 
 
$
148

 
$
181


(1)
Open derivative contracts are reported as Derivatives assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
N/A - Not Applicable

Based on the notional amounts, a substantial portion of the Company’s derivative positions was not designated or did not qualify for hedge accounting as part of a hedging relationship as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company utilizes derivative contracts mainly to hedge exposure to variability in cash flows, interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign exchange risk and equity market risk. The majority of derivatives used by the Company are designated as product hedges, which hedge the exposure arising from insurance liabilities or guarantees embedded in the contracts the Company offers through various product lines. These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting as they do not meet the criteria of being "highly effective" as outlined in ASC Topic 815, but do provide an economic hedge, which is in line with the Company’s risk management objectives. The Company also uses derivatives contracts to hedge its exposure to various risks associated with the investment portfolio. The Company does not seek hedge accounting treatment for certain of these derivatives as they generally do not qualify for hedge accounting due to the criteria required under the portfolio hedging rules outlined in ASC Topic 815. The Company also uses credit default swaps coupled with

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

other investments in order to produce the investment characteristics of otherwise permissible investments that do not qualify as effective accounting hedges under ASC Topic 815.

Although the Company has not elected to net its derivative exposures, the notional amounts and fair values of Over-The-Counter ("OTC") and cleared derivatives excluding exchange traded contracts and forward contracts (To Be Announced mortgage-backed securities) are presented in the tables below as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
Notional Amount
 
Asset Fair Value
 
Liability Fair Value
Credit contracts
$
201

 
$

 
$
2

Equity contracts
98

 
1

 
1

Foreign exchange contracts
632

 
10

 
20

Interest rate contracts
17,478

 
117

 
76

 
 
 
128

 
99

Counterparty netting(1)
 
 
(88
)
 
(88
)
Cash collateral netting(1)
 
 
(37
)
 
(2
)
Securities collateral netting(1)
 
 

 
(9
)
Net receivables/payables
 
 
$
3

 
$

(1)Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances, net of collateral, for the same counterparty under eligible netting agreements.

 
December 31, 2017
 
Notional Amount
 
Asset Fair Value
 
Liability Fair Value
Credit contracts
$
771

 
$
10

 
$
6

Equity contracts
154

 
9

 
7

Foreign exchange contracts
559

 

 
52

Interest rate contracts
17,286

 
117

 
20

 
 
 
136

 
85

Counterparty netting(1)
 
 
(50
)
 
(50
)
Cash collateral netting(1)
 
 
(84
)
 

Securities collateral netting(1)
 
 

 
(30
)
Net receivables/payables
 
 
$
2

 
$
5

(1)Represents the netting of receivable balances with payable balances, net of collateral, for the same counterparty under eligible netting agreements.

Collateral

Under the terms of the OTC Derivative International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") agreements, the Company may receive from, or deliver to, counterparties collateral to assure that terms of the ISDA agreements will be met with regard to the Credit Support Annex ("CSA"). The terms of the CSA call for the Company to pay interest on any cash received equal to the Federal Funds rate. To the extent cash collateral is received and delivered, it is included in Payables under securities loan agreements, including collateral held and Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is reinvested in short-term investments. Collateral held is used in accordance with the CSA to satisfy any obligations. Investment grade bonds owned by the Company are the source of noncash collateral posted, which is reported in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018, the Company held $17 and $21 of net cash collateral related to OTC derivative contracts and cleared derivative contracts, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the Company held $11 and $74 of net cash collateral related to OTC derivative contracts and cleared derivative contracts, respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2018, the Company delivered $123 of securities and held no securities as collateral. As of December 31, 2017, the Company delivered $161 of securities and held no securities as collateral.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives were as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Derivatives: Qualifying for hedge accounting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
1

 
$

Foreign exchange contracts
8

 
12

 
(2
)
Derivatives: Non-qualifying for hedge accounting(2)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
(44
)
 
(7
)
 
50

Foreign exchange contracts
1

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Equity contracts

 
1

 
1

Credit contracts
(1
)
 
5

 
3

Embedded derivatives and Managed custody guarantees:
 
 
 
 
 
Within fixed maturity investments(2)
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
Within products(2)
94

 
55

 
12

Within reinsurance agreements(3)
58

 
(22
)
 
(28
)
Managed custody guarantees(2)

 

 
1

Total
$
112

 
$
37

 
$
30

(1) Changes in value for effective fair value hedges are recorded in Other net realized capital gains (losses). Changes in fair value upon disposal for effective cash flow hedges are amortized through Net investment income and the ineffective portion is recorded in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, ineffective amounts were immaterial.
(2) Changes in value are included in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) Changes in value are included in Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Credit Default Swaps

The Company has entered into various credit default swaps. When credit default swaps are sold, the Company assumes credit exposure to certain assets that it does not own. Credit default swaps may also be purchased to reduce credit exposure in the Company’s portfolio. Credit default swaps involve a transfer of credit risk from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of credit default swaps of $2 was included in Derivatives liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of credit default swaps of $10 and $6 was included in Derivatives assets and Derivatives liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the maximum potential future exposure to the Company was $5 and $497, respectively, on credit default swaps. These instruments are typically written for a maturity period of 5 years and contain no recourse provisions. If the Company's current debt and claims paying ratings were downgraded in the future, the terms in the Company's derivative agreements may be triggered, which could negatively impact overall liquidity.

4.    Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurement

The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market. The Company defines an active market as a market in which transactions take place with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Level 2 - Quoted prices in markets that are not active or valuation techniques that require inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table presents the Company's hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
679

 
$
59

 
$

 
$
738

U.S. Government agencies and authorities

 

 

 

State, municipalities and political subdivisions

 
764

 

 
764

U.S. corporate public securities

 
7,987

 
28

 
8,015

U.S. corporate private securities

 
2,882

 
771

 
3,653

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)

 
2,540

 

 
2,540

Foreign corporate private securities (1)

 
3,051

 
124

 
3,175

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
3,026

 
10

 
3,036

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
1,893

 
12

 
1,905

Other asset-backed securities

 
1,114

 
94

 
1,208

Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
679

 
23,316

 
1,039

 
25,034

Equity securities
7

 

 
50

 
57

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts

 
117

 

 
117

Foreign exchange contracts

 
10

 

 
10

Equity contracts

 
1

 

 
1

Credit contracts

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and short-term investments under securities loan agreements
1,207

 

 

 
1,207

Assets held in separate accounts
61,457

 
5,805

 
61

 
67,323

Total assets
$
63,350

 
$
29,249

 
$
1,150

 
$
93,749

Percentage of Level to total
68
%
 
31
%
 
1
%
 
100
%
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed benefit derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA
$

 
$

 
$
11

 
$
11

Stabilizer and MCGs

 

 
4

 
4

Other derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts

 
76

 

 
76

Foreign exchange contracts

 
20

 

 
20

Equity contracts

 
1

 

 
1

Credit contracts

 
2

 

 
2

Embedded derivative on reinsurance

 
(80
)
 

 
(80
)
Total liabilities
$

 
$
19

 
$
15

 
$
34

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.




 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table presents the Company's hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as
of December 31, 2017:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
597

 
$
59

 
$

 
$
656

U.S. Government agencies and authorities

 
3

 

 
3

State, municipalities and political subdivisions

 
878

 

 
878

U.S. corporate public securities

 
9,210

 
26

 
9,236

U.S. corporate private securities

 
2,855

 
642

 
3,497

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)

 
2,777

 

 
2,777

Foreign corporate private securities (1)

 
3,123

 
92

 
3,215

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
2,608

 
21

 
2,629

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
1,463

 
7

 
1,470

Other asset-backed securities

 
638

 
43

 
681

Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
597

 
23,614

 
831

 
25,042

Equity securities, available-for-sale
10

 

 
50

 
60

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts

 
117

 

 
117

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

 

Equity contracts

 
9

 

 
9

Credit contracts

 
10

 

 
10

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and short-term investments under securities loan agreements
1,078

 

 

 
1,078

Assets held in separate accounts
67,966

 
5,059

 
11

 
73,036

Total assets
$
69,651

 
$
28,809

 
$
892

 
$
99,352

Percentage of Level to total
70
%
 
29
%
 
1
%
 
100
%
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed benefit derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA
$

 
$

 
$
20

 
$
20

Stabilizer and MCGs

 

 
97

 
97

Other derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts

 
20

 

 
20

Foreign exchange contracts

 
52

 

 
52

Equity contracts

 
7

 

 
7

Credit contracts

 
6

 

 
6

Embedded derivative on reinsurance

 
(21
)
 

 
(21
)
Total liabilities
$

 
$
64

 
$
117

 
$
181

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Valuation of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at estimated fair value on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell 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 market participants on the measurement date. The exit price and the transaction (or entry) price will be the same at initial recognition in many circumstances. However, in certain cases, the transaction price may not represent fair value. The fair value of a liability is based on the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability to a third-party with an equal credit standing. Fair value is required to be a market-based measurement that is determined based on a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, from a market participant's perspective. The Company considers three broad valuation approaches when a quoted price is unavailable: (i) the market approach, (ii) the income approach and (iii) the cost approach. The Company determines the most appropriate valuation technique to use, given the instrument being measured and the availability of sufficient inputs. The Company prioritizes the inputs to fair valuation techniques and allows for the use of unobservable inputs to the extent that observable inputs are not available.

The Company utilizes a number of valuation methodologies to determine the fair values of its financial assets and liabilities in conformity with the concepts of exit price and the fair value hierarchy as prescribed in ASC Topic 820. Valuations are obtained from third-party commercial pricing services, brokers and industry-standard, vendor-provided software that models the value based on market observable inputs. The valuations obtained from third-party commercial pricing services are non-binding. The Company reviews the assumptions and inputs used by third-party commercial pricing services for each reporting period in order to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level. The documentation and analysis obtained from third-party commercial pricing services are reviewed by the Company, including in-depth validation procedures confirming the observability of inputs. The valuations are reviewed and validated monthly through the internal valuation committee price variance review, comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades or monitoring of trading volumes.

Fixed maturities: The fair values for actively traded marketable bonds are determined based upon the quoted market prices and are classified as Level 1 assets. Assets in this category primarily include certain U.S. Treasury securities.

For fixed maturities classified as Level 2 assets, fair values are determined using a matrix-based market approach, based on prices obtained from third-party commercial pricing services and the Company’s matrix and analytics-based pricing models, which in each case incorporate a variety of market observable information as valuation inputs. The market observable inputs used for these fair value measurements, by fixed maturity asset class, are as follows:

U.S. Treasuries: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being stripped interest and principal U.S. Treasury yield curves that represent a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon curve.
                                            
U.S. Government agencies and authorities, State, municipalities and political subdivisions: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being U.S. Treasury yield curves, trades of comparable securities, credit spreads off benchmark yields and issuer ratings.

U.S. corporate public securities, Foreign corporate public securities, and foreign governments: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being benchmark yields, trades of comparable securities, issuer ratings, bids and credit spreads off benchmark yields.

U.S. corporate private securities and Foreign corporate private securities: Fair values are determined using a matrix and analytics-based pricing model. The model incorporates the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate credit spreads, credit quality of the issuer and cash flow characteristics of the security. The model also considers a liquidity spread, the value of any collateral, the capital structure of the issuer, the presence of guarantees, and prices and quotes for comparably rated publicly traded securities.

RMBS, CMBS and ABS: Fair value is determined using third-party commercial pricing services, with the primary inputs being credit spreads off benchmark yields, prepayment speed assumptions, current and forecasted loss severity, debt service coverage ratios, collateral type, payment priority within tranche and the vintage of the loans underlying the security.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Generally, the Company does not obtain more than one vendor price from pricing services per instrument. The Company uses a hierarchy process in which prices are obtained from a primary vendor and, if that vendor is unable to provide the price, the next vendor in the hierarchy is contacted until a price is obtained or it is determined that a price cannot be obtained from a commercial pricing service. When a price cannot be obtained from a commercial pricing service, independent broker quotes are solicited.  Securities priced using independent broker quotes are classified as Level 3.

Broker quotes and prices obtained from pricing services are reviewed and validated through an internal valuation committee price variance review, comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades or monitoring of trading volumes.

Fair values of privately placed bonds are determined primarily using a matrix-based pricing model and are generally classified as Level 2 assets.  The model considers the current level of risk-free interest rates, current corporate spreads, the credit quality of the issuer and cash flow characteristics of the security. Also considered are factors such as the net worth of the borrower, the value of collateral, the capital structure of the borrower, the presence of guarantees and the Company's evaluation of the borrower's ability to compete in its relevant market.  Using this data, the model generates estimated market values which the Company considers reflective of the fair value of each privately placed bond.

Equity securities: Fair values of publicly traded equity securities are based upon quoted market price and are classified as Level 1 assets. Other equity securities, typically private equities or equity securities not traded on an exchange, are valued by other sources such as analytics or brokers and are classified as Level 2 or Level 3 assets.

Derivatives: Derivatives are carried at fair value, which is determined using the Company's derivative accounting system in conjunction with observable key financial data from third party sources, such as yield curves, exchange rates, S&P 500 Index prices, London Interbank Offered Rates ("LIBOR") and Overnight Index Swap ("OIS") rates. The Company uses OIS for valuations of collateralized interest rate derivatives, which are obtained from third-party sources. For those derivatives that are unable to be valued by the accounting system, the Company typically utilizes values established by third-party brokers. Counterparty credit risk is considered and incorporated in the Company's valuation process through counterparty credit rating requirements and monitoring of overall exposure.  It is the Company's policy to transact only with investment grade counterparties with a credit rating of A- or better. The Company's nonperformance risk is also considered and incorporated in the Company's valuation process. Valuations for the Company's futures and interest rate forward contracts are based on unadjusted quoted prices from an active exchange and, therefore, are classified as Level 1. The Company also has certain credit default swaps and options that are priced by third party vendors or by using models that primarily use market observable inputs, but contain inputs that are not observable to market participants, which have been classified as Level 3.The remaining derivative instruments are valued based on market observable inputs and are classified as Level 2.

Cash and cash equivalents, Short-term investments and Short-term investments under securities loan agreement: The carrying amounts for cash reflect the assets' fair values. The fair values for cash equivalents and most short-term investments are determined based on quoted market prices. These assets are classified as Level 1. Other short-term investments are valued and classified in the fair value hierarchy consistent with the policies described herein, depending on investment type.

Assets held in separate accounts: Assets held in separate accounts are reported at the quoted fair values of the underlying investments in the separate accounts.  The underlying investments include mutual funds, short-term investments and cash, the valuations of which are based upon a quoted market price and are included in Level 1.  Fixed maturity valuations are obtained from third-party commercial pricing services and brokers and are classified in the fair value hierarchy consistent with the policy described above for fixed maturities.

Guaranteed benefit derivatives: The index-crediting feature in the Company's FIA contract is an embedded derivative that is required to be accounted for separately from the host contract. The fair value of the obligation is calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by market implied assumptions. These derivatives are classified as Level 3 liabilities in the fair value hierarchy.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The Company records reserves for Stabilizer and MCG contracts containing guaranteed credited rates. The guarantee is treated as an embedded derivative or a stand-alone derivative (depending on the underlying product) and is required to be reported at fair value. The estimated fair value 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 relevant actuarial and capital market assumptions, including benefits and related contract charges, over the anticipated life of the related contracts. The cash flow estimates are produced by using stochastic techniques under a variety of risk neutral scenarios and other market implied assumptions. These derivatives are classified as Level 3 liabilities.

The discount rate used to determine the fair value of the embedded derivatives and stand-alone derivative includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The nonperformance risk adjustment incorporates a blend of observable, similarly rated peer holding company credit spreads, adjusted to reflect the credit quality of the Company, as well as an adjustment to reflect the non-default spreads and the priority and recovery rates of policyholder claims.

The Company's valuation actuaries are responsible for the policies and procedures for valuing the embedded derivatives, reflecting the capital markets and actuarial valuation inputs and nonperformance risk in the estimate of the fair value of the embedded derivatives. The actuarial and capital market assumptions for each liability are approved by each product's Chief Risk Officer ("CRO"), including an independent annual review by the CRO. Models used to value the embedded derivatives must comply with the Company's governance policies.

Quarterly, an attribution analysis is performed to quantify changes in fair value measurements and a sensitivity analysis is used to analyze the changes. The changes in fair value measurements are also compared to corresponding movements in the hedge target to assess the validity of the attributions. The results of the attribution analysis are reviewed by the valuation actuaries, responsible CFOs, Controllers, CROs and/or others as nominated by management.

Embedded derivatives on reinsurance: The carrying value of embedded derivatives is estimated based upon the change in the fair value of the assets supporting the funds withheld payable under reinsurance agreements. The fair value of the embedded derivatives is based on market observable inputs and is classified as Level 2.

Transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2

There were no securities transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period.

Level 3 Financial Instruments

The fair values of certain assets and liabilities are determined using prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (i.e., Level 3 as defined by ASC Topic 820), including but not limited to liquidity spreads for investments within markets deemed not currently active. These valuations, whether derived internally or obtained from a third party, use critical assumptions that are not widely available to estimate market participant expectations in valuing the asset or liability. In addition, the Company has determined, for certain financial instruments, an active market is such a significant input to determine fair value that the presence of an inactive market may lead to classification in Level 3. In light of the methodologies employed to obtain the fair values of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3, additional information is presented below.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table summarizes the change in fair value of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities and transfers in and out of Level 3 for the period indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Fair Value
as of
January 1
 
Total
Realized/Unrealized
Gains (Losses) Included in:
 
Purchases
 
Issuances
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Transfers into Level 3(3)
 
Transfers out of Level 3(3)
 
Fair Value as of December 31
 
Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings(4)
 
 
Net Income
 
OCI
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Corporate public securities
$
26

 
$

 
$

 
$
22

 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(15
)
 
$
28

 
$

U.S. Corporate private securities
642

 

 
(31
)
 
184

 

 
(4
)
 
(32
)
 
20

 
(8
)
 
771

 

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
92

 
(9
)
 
14

 
93

 

 
(56
)
 
(10
)
 

 

 
124

 
(9
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
21

 
(5
)
 

 
41

 

 
(40
)
 

 

 
(7
)
 
10

 
(5
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
7

 

 

 
13

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(7
)
 
12

 

Other asset-backed securities
43

 

 
(2
)
 
56

 

 

 
(4
)
 
22

 
(21
)
 
94

 

Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
831

 
(14
)
 
(19
)
 
409

 

 
(105
)
 
(47
)
 
42

 
(58
)
 
1,039

 
(14
)
Equity securities
50

 
(4
)
 

 
4

 

 

 

 

 

 
50

 
(4
)
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed benefit derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stabilizer and MCGs(2)
(97
)
 
96

 

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

FIA(2)
(20
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 
2

 

 
9

 

 

 
(11
)
 

Assets held in separate accounts(5)
11

 

 

 
67

 

 
(6
)
 

 

 
(11
)
 
61

 

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
(2) All gains and losses on Level 3 liabilities are classified as realized gains (losses) for the purpose of this disclosure because it is impracticable to track realized and unrealized gains (losses) separately on a contract-by-contract basis. These amounts are included in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period.
(4) For financial instruments still held as of December 31, amounts are included in Net investment income and Total net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5) The investment income and realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on Net income (loss) for the Company.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table summarizes the change in fair value of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities and transfers in and out of Level 3 for the period indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
as of
January 1
 
Total
Realized/Unrealized
Gains (Losses) Included in:
 
Purchases
 
Issuances
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Transfers into Level 3(3)
 
Transfers out of Level 3(3)
 
Fair Value as of December 31
 
Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings(4)
 
 
Net Income
 
OCI
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Corporate public securities
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
9

 
$

 
$
26

 
$

U.S. Corporate private securities
525

 

 
10

 
61

 

 
(1
)
 
(12
)
 
69

 
(10
)
 
642

 

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
154

 
(9
)
 
(37
)
 
31

 

 

 
(14
)
 

 
(33
)
 
92

 
(9
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
21

 
(7
)
 

 
5

 

 

 

 
2

 

 
21

 
(7
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
10

 

 

 
7

 

 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
7

 

Other asset-backed securities
27

 

 
1

 
32

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(15
)
 
43

 

Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
744

 
(16
)
 
(26
)
 
147

 

 
(1
)
 
(29
)
 
80

 
(68
)
 
831

 
(16
)
Equity securities, available-for-sale
48

 

 

 
2

 

 

 

 

 

 
50

 

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed benefit derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stabilizer and MCGs(2)
(151
)
 
57

 

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 
(97
)
 

FIA(2)
(23
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 
5

 

 

 
(20
)
 

Assets held in separate accounts(5)
6

 

 

 
18

 

 
(3
)
 

 
2

 
(12
)
 
11

 

(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.
(2) All gains and losses on Level 3 liabilities are classified as realized gains (losses) for the purpose of this disclosure because it is impracticable to track realized and unrealized gains (losses) separately on a contract-by-contract basis. These amounts are included in Other net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period.
(4) For financial instruments still held as of December 31, amounts are included in Net investment income and Total net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5) The investment income and realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on Net income (loss) for the Company.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the transfers in and out of Level 3 for fixed maturities and separate accounts were due to the variation in inputs relied upon for valuation each quarter. Securities that are primarily valued using independent broker quotes when prices are not available from one of the commercial pricing services are reflected as transfers into Level 3. When securities are valued using more widely available information, the securities are transferred out of Level 3 and into Level 1 or 2, as appropriate.

Significant Unobservable Inputs

The Company's Level 3 fair value measurements of its fixed maturities, equity securities and equity and credit derivative contracts are primarily based on broker quotes for which the quantitative detail of the unobservable inputs is neither provided nor reasonably corroborated, thus negating the ability to perform a sensitivity analysis. The Company performs a review of broker quotes by performing a monthly price variance comparison and back tests broker quotes to recent trade prices.

Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the Company's Level 3 fair value measurements of its guaranteed benefit derivatives is presented in the following sections and table.

Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of FIAs include nonperformance risk and policyholder behavior assumptions, such as lapses and partial withdrawals. Such inputs are monitored quarterly.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Stabilizer embedded derivatives and MCG derivative are interest rate implied volatility, nonperformance risk, lapses and policyholder deposits. Such inputs are monitored quarterly.

Following is a description of selected inputs:

Interest Rate Volatility: A term-structure model is used to approximate implied volatility for the swap rates for the Stabilizer and MCG fair value measurements. Where no implied volatility is readily available in the market, an alternative approach is applied based on historical volatility.

Nonperformance Risk: For the estimate of the fair value of embedded derivatives associated with the Company's product guarantees, the Company uses a blend of observable, similarly rated peer holding company credit spreads, adjusted to reflect the credit quality of the Company, as well as an adjustment to reflect the non-default spreads and the priority and recovery rates of policyholder claims.

Actuarial Assumptions: Management regularly reviews actuarial assumptions, which are based on the Company's experience and periodically reviewed against industry standards. Industry standards and Company experience may be limited on certain products.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table presents the unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
Range(1)
 
Unobservable Input
 
FIA
 
Stabilizer / MCG
 
Interest rate implied volatility
 

 
0.1% to 6.5%

 
Nonperformance risk
 
0.38% to 1.2%

 
0.38% to 1.2%

 
Actuarial Assumptions:
 
 
 
 
 
Partial Withdrawals
 
0% to 7%

 

 
Lapses
 
0% to 42%

(2) 
0% to 50%

(3) 
Policyholder Deposits(4)
 

 
0% to 50%

(3) 

(1) Represents the range of reasonable assumptions that management has used in its fair value calculations.
(2) Lapse rates tend to be lower during the contractual surrender charge period and higher after the surrender charge period ends; the highest lapse rates occur in the year immediately after the end of the surrender charge period.
(3) Stabilizer contracts with recordkeeping agreements have different range of lapse and policyholder deposit assumptions from Stabilizer (Investment only) and MCG contracts as shown below:
 
Percentage of Plans
 
Overall Range of Lapse Rates
 
Range of Lapse Rates for 85% of Plans
 
Overall Range of Policyholder Deposits
 
Range of Policyholder Deposits for 85% of Plans
Stabilizer (Investment Only) and MCG Contracts
92
%
 
0-25%
 
0-15%
 
0-30%
 
0-15%
Stabilizer with Recordkeeping Agreements
8
%
 
0-50%
 
0-30%
 
0-50%
 
0-25%
Aggregate of all plans
100
%
 
0-50%
 
0-30%
 
0-50%
 
0-25%

(4) Measured as a percentage of assets under management or assets under administration.

The following table presents the unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2017:
 
 
Range(1)
 
Unobservable Input
 
FIA
 
Stabilizer / MCG
 
Interest rate implied volatility
 

 
0.1% to 6.3%

 
Nonperformance risk
 
0.02% to 1.1%

 
0.02% to 1.1%

 
Actuarial Assumptions:
 
 
 
 
 
Partial Withdrawals
 
0.5% to 7%

 

 
Lapses
 
0% to 42%

(2) 
0% to 50%

(3) 
Policyholder Deposits(4)
 

 
0% to 50%

(3) 

(1) Represents the range of reasonable assumptions that management has used in its fair value calculations.
(2) Lapse rates tend to be lower during the contractual surrender charge period and higher after the surrender charge period ends; the highest lapse rates occur in the year immediately after the end of the surrender charge period.
(3) Stabilizer contracts with recordkeeping agreements have different range of lapse and policyholder deposit assumptions from Stabilizer (Investment only) and MCG contracts as shown below:
 
Percentage of Plans
 
Overall Range of Lapse Rates
 
Range of Lapse Rates for 85% of Plans
 
Overall Range of Policyholder Deposits
 
Range of Policyholder Deposits for 85% of Plans
Stabilizer (Investment Only) and MCG Contracts
92
%
 
0-25%
 
0-15%
 
0-30%
 
0-15%
Stabilizer with Recordkeeping Agreements
8
%
 
0-50%
 
0-30%
 
0-50%
 
0-25%
Aggregate of all plans
100
%
 
0-50%
 
0-30%
 
0-50%
 
0-25%

(4) Measured as a percentage of assets under management or assets under administration.

Generally, the following will cause an increase (decrease) in the FIA embedded derivative fair value liability:

A decrease (increase) in nonperformance risk
A decrease (increase) in lapses

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Generally, the following will cause an increase (decrease) in the derivative and embedded derivative fair value liabilities related to Stabilizer and MCG contracts:

An increase (decrease) in interest rate implied volatility
A decrease (increase) in nonperformance risk
A decrease (increase) in lapses
A decrease (increase) in policyholder deposits

The Company notes the following interrelationships:

Generally, an increase (decrease) in interest rate volatility will increase (decrease) lapses of Stabilizer and MCG contracts due to dynamic participant behavior.

Other Financial Instruments

The following disclosures are made in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 825 which requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ASC Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments, including insurance contracts and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged
$
25,034

 
$
25,034

 
$
25,042

 
$
25,042

Equity securities
57

 
57

 
60

 
60

Mortgage loans on real estate
4,918

 
4,983

 
4,910

 
4,924

Policy loans
210

 
210

 
214

 
214

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and short-term investments under securities loan agreements
1,207

 
1,207

 
1,078

 
1,078

Derivatives
128

 
128

 
136

 
136

Notes receivable from affiliates

 

 
175

 
222

Short-term loan to affiliate

 

 
80

 
80

Other investments
40

 
40

 

 

Assets held in separate accounts
67,323

 
67,323

 
73,036

 
73,036

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment contract liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities(1)
26,068

 
29,108

 
25,314

 
29,431

Funding agreements with fixed maturities
658

 
652

 

 

Supplementary contracts, immediate annuities and other
333

 
354

 
365

 
418

Deposit liabilities
77

 
122

 
135

 
198

Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed benefit derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA
11

 
11

 
20

 
20

Stabilizer and MCGs
4

 
4

 
97

 
97

Other derivatives
99

 
99

 
85

 
85

Short-term debt(2)
1

 
1

 

 

Long-term debt(2)
4

 
4

 
5

 
5

Embedded derivatives on reinsurance
(80
)
 
(80
)
 
(21
)
 
(21
)

(1) Certain amounts included in Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities are also reflected within the Guaranteed benefit derivatives section of the table above.
(2) Included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.







 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The following table presents the classification of financial instruments which are not carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Financial Instrument
Classification
Mortgage loans on real estate
Level 3
Policy loans
Level 2
Notes receivable from affiliates
Level 2
Short-term loan to affiliate
Level 2
Other investments
Level 2
Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities
Level 3
Funding agreements with fixed maturities
Level 2
Supplementary contracts, immediate annuities and other
Level 3
Deposit liabilities
Level 3
Short-term debt and Long-term debt
Level 2



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


5.    Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired

The following table presents a rollforward of DAC and VOBA for the periods indicated:
 
DAC
 
VOBA
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2016
$
520

 
$
709

 
$
1,229

Deferrals of commissions and expenses
74

 
5

 
79

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization, excluding unlocking
(72
)
 
(87
)
 
(159
)
Unlocking (1)
(24
)
 
(73
)
 
(97
)
Interest accrued
38

 
51

(2 
) 
89

Net amortization included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(58
)
 
(109
)
 
(167
)
Change in unrealized capital gains/losses on available-for-sale securities
(59
)
 
(68
)
 
(127
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
477

 
537

 
1,014

Deferrals of commissions and expenses
75

 
5

 
80

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization, excluding unlocking
(76
)
 
(83
)
 
(159
)
Unlocking (1)
(61
)
 
(93
)
 
(154
)
Interest accrued
37

 
43

(2 
) 
80

Net amortization included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(100
)
 
(133
)
 
(233
)
Change in unrealized capital gains/losses on available-for-sale securities
(67
)
 
(42
)
 
(109
)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
385

 
367

 
752

Deferrals of commissions and expenses
55

 
6

 
61

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization, excluding unlocking
(75
)
 
(72
)
 
(147
)
Unlocking (1)
(26
)
 
13

 
(13
)
Interest accrued
35

 
39

(2 
) 
74

Net amortization included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(66
)
 
(20
)
 
(86
)
Change in unrealized capital gains/losses on available-for-sale securities
162

 
198

 
360

Balance as of December 31, 2018
$
536

 
$
551

 
$
1,087

(1) DAC/VOBA unlocking includes the impact of annual review of assumptions which typically occurs in the third quarter; and retrospective and prospective unlocking. Additionally, the 2018 amounts include unfavorable unlocking of DAC and VOBA of $25 and $26, respectively, associated with an update to assumptions related to customer consents of changes to guaranteed minimum interest rate provisions. The 2017 amounts include unfavorable unlocking for DAC and VOBA of $80 and $140, respectively, associated with consent acceptances received from customers and expected future acceptances of customer consents to changes related to guaranteed minimum interest rate provisions of certain retirement plan contracts with fixed investment options.
(2) 
Interest accrued at the following rates for VOBA: 5.5% to 7.0% during 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The estimated amount of VOBA amortization expense, net of interest, during the next five years is presented in the following table. Actual amortization incurred during these years may vary as assumptions are modified to incorporate actual results and/or changes in best estimates of future results.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Year
 
Amount
2019
 
$
18

2020
 
15

2021
 
14

2022
 
14

2023
 
14



6.    Guaranteed Benefit Features

The Company calculates an additional liability for certain GMDBs and other minimum guarantees in order to recognize the expected value of these benefits in excess of the projected account balance over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments.

The Company regularly evaluates estimates used to adjust 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.

As of December 31, 2018, the account value for the separate account contracts with guaranteed minimum benefits was $37.9 billion. The additional liability recognized related to minimum guarantees was $11. As of December 31, 2017, the account value for the separate account contracts with guaranteed minimum benefits was $38.1 billion. The additional liability recognized related to minimum guarantees was $103.

The aggregate fair value of fixed income securities and equity securities, including mutual funds, supporting separate accounts with additional insurance benefits and minimum investment return guarantees as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $8.6 billion for both periods.

7.    Reinsurance

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has reinsurance treaties with 6 unaffiliated reinsurers covering a significant portion of the mortality risks and guaranteed death benefits under its variable contracts. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had an agreement with one of its affiliates, Security Life of Denver International ("SLDI"), which is accounted for under the deposit method of accounting. Refer to the Related Party Transactions Note for further detail.

On October 1, 1998, the Company disposed of its individual life insurance business under an indemnity reinsurance arrangement with a subsidiary of Lincoln for $1.0 billion in cash. Under the agreement, the Lincoln subsidiary contractually assumed from the Company certain policyholder liabilities and obligations, although the Company remains obligated to contract owners. The Lincoln subsidiary established a trust to secure its obligations to the Company under the reinsurance agreement. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, related to Reinsurance recoverable from the subsidiary of Lincoln.

Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable was comprised of the following as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Reserves ceded and claims recoverable
$
1,409

 
$
1,512

Premiums receivable, net

 
(16
)
Total
$
1,409

 
$
1,496



For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, premiums, net of reinsurance were $41, $48 and $870, respectively.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

8.    Capital Contributions, Dividends and Statutory Information

Connecticut insurance law imposes restrictions on a Connecticut insurance company's ability to pay dividends to its parent. These restrictions are based in part on the prior year's statutory income and surplus. In general, dividends up to specified levels are considered ordinary and may be paid without prior approval. Dividends in larger amounts, or extraordinary dividends, are subject to approval by the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner.

Under Connecticut insurance law, an extraordinary dividend or distribution is defined as a dividend or distribution that, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of (1) ten percent (10%) of VRIAC's earned statutory surplus at the prior year end or (2) VRIAC's prior year statutory net gain from operations. Connecticut law also prohibits a Connecticut insurer from declaring or paying a dividend except out of its earned surplus unless prior insurance regulatory approval is obtained.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, VRIAC declared an ordinary dividend in the amount of $126, which was paid to its Parent on May 25, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017, VRIAC declared ordinary dividends to its Parent in the aggregate amount of $265, $261 of which was paid on May 24, 2017 and $4 of which was paid on December 28, 2017.

On March 28, 2018, VFP paid a $20 dividend to VRIAC, its parent; on June 28, 2018, VFP paid a $20 dividend to VRIAC; on September 26, 2018, VFP paid a $20 dividend to VRIAC; and on December 21, 2018, VFP paid a $30 dividend to VRIAC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, VFP paid dividends in the amount of $85 to VRIAC.

On May 25, 2018, DSL, which was a subsidiary of VRIAC at the time, paid a $49 dividend to its then parent, VRIAC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, DSL did not pay any dividends to VRIAC.

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, VRIAC did not receive any capital contributions from its Parent.

The Company is subject to minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements established by the Department. The formulas for determining the amount of RBC specify various weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of total adjusted capital ("TAC"), as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), to RBC requirements, as defined by the NAIC. The Company exceeded the minimum RBC requirements that would require any regulatory or corrective action for all periods presented herein.

The Company is required to prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Department. Statutory accounting practices primarily differ from U.S. GAAP by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit liabilities using different actuarial assumptions as well as valuing investments and certain assets and accounting for deferred taxes on a different basis. Certain assets that are not admitted under statutory accounting principles are charged directly to surplus. Depending on the regulations of the Department, the entire amount or a portion of an insurance company's asset balance can be non-admitted depending on specific rules regarding admissibility. The most significant non-admitted assets of the Company are typically a portion of deferred tax assets in excess of prescribed thresholds.

Statutory net income (loss) was $377, $195 and $266, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus was $2.0 billion and $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

9.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Shareholder's equity included the following components of AOCI as of the dates indicated.
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed maturities, net of OTTI
$
127

 
$
1,451

 
$
862

Equity securities

 
15

 
15

Derivatives
140

 
124

 
201

DAC/VOBA and Sales inducements adjustments on available-for-sale securities
(73
)
 
(433
)
 
(324
)
Premium deficiency reserve adjustment
(51
)
 
(115
)
 
(90
)
Other

 
5

 

Unrealized capital gains (losses), before tax
143

 
1,047

 
664

Deferred income tax asset (liability)
(39
)
 
(234
)
 
(111
)
Unrealized capital gains (losses), after tax
104

 
813

 
553

Pension and other postretirement benefits liability, net of tax
4

 
5

 
6

AOCI
$
108

 
$
818

 
$
559




 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Changes in AOCI, including the reclassification adjustments recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Income Tax
 
After-Tax Amount
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
$
(1,401
)
 
$
299

(5) 
$
(1,102
)
 
Equity securities

(1) 

 

 
Other
(5
)
 
1

 
(4
)
 
OTTI
8

 
(2
)
 
6

 
Adjustments for amounts recognized in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
69

 
(14
)
 
55

 
DAC/VOBA and Sales inducements
360

(2) 
(76
)
 
284

 
Premium deficiency reserve adjustment
64

 
(13
)
 
51

 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale securities
(905
)
 
195

 
(710
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
40

(3) 
(8
)
 
32

 
Adjustments related to effective cash flow hedges for amounts recognized in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(24
)
 
5

 
(19
)
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivatives
16

 
(3
)
 
13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost recognized in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(1
)
(4) 

 
(1
)
 
Change in pension and other postretirement benefits liability
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
Change in Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(890
)
 
$
192

 
$
(698
)
 
(1) Balance reclassified to Retained earnings due to adoption of ASU 2016-01.
(2) See the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(3) See the Derivative Financial Instruments Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(4) See the Benefit Plans Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts reported in Net Periodic (Benefit) Costs.
(5) Amount includes $9 valuation allowance. See the Income Taxes Note these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Income Tax
 
After-Tax Amount
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
$
564

 
$
(190
)
 
$
374

 
Equity securities

 

 

 
Other
5

 
(2
)
 
3

 
OTTI
(4
)
 
1

 
(3
)
 
Adjustments for amounts recognized in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
29

 
(10
)
 
19

 
DAC/VOBA and Sales inducements
(109
)
(1) 
42

 
(67
)
 
Premium deficiency reserve adjustment
(25
)
 
9

 
(16
)
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale securities
460

 
(150
)
 
310

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
(53
)
(2) 
19

 
(34
)
 
Adjustments related to effective cash flow hedges for amounts recognized in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(24
)
 
8

 
(16
)
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivatives
(77
)
 
27

 
(50
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost recognized in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(2
)
(3) 
1

 
(1
)
 
Change in pension and other postretirement benefits liability
(2
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 
Change in Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
381

 
$
(122
)
 
$
259

 
(1) See the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2) See the Derivative Financial Instruments Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(3) See the Benefit Plans Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts reported in Net Periodic (Benefit) Costs.



 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Income Tax
 
After-Tax Amount
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
$
346

 
$
(121
)
 
$
225

 
Equity securities
1

 

 
1

 
Other

 

 

 
OTTI
9

 
(3
)
 
6

 
Adjustments for amounts recognized in Net realized capital gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
70

 
(25
)
 
45

 
DAC/VOBA and Sales inducements
(128
)
(1) 
45

 
(83
)
 
Premium deficiency reserve adjustment
(23
)
 
8

 
(15
)
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale securities
275

 
(96
)
 
179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
11

(2) 
(4
)
 
7

 
Adjustments related to effective cash flow hedges for amounts recognized in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(19
)
 
7

 
(12
)
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivatives
(8
)
 
3

 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost recognized in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
(1
)
(3) 

 
(1
)
 
Change in pension and other postretirement benefits liability
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
Change in Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
266

 
$
(93
)
 
$
173

 

(1) See the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2) See the Derivative Financial Instruments Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(3) See the Benefit Plans Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts reported in Net Periodic (Benefit) Costs.

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 


10.    Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
25

 
$
37

 
$
24

Total current tax expense (benefit)
25

 
37

 
24

Deferred tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
49

 
(158
)
 
(3
)
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)
49

 
(158
)
 
(3
)
Total income tax expense (benefit)
$
74

 
$
(121
)
 
$
21



Income taxes were different from the amount computed by applying the federal income tax rate to Income (loss) before income taxes for the following reasons for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
569

 
$
89

 
$
134

Tax rate
21.0
%
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
%
Income tax expense (benefit) at federal statutory rate
119

 
31

 
47

Tax effect of:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends received deduction
(49
)
 
(36
)
 
(27
)
Valuation allowance
9

 
(5
)
 
(2
)
Tax Credit

 
5

 
2

Effect of Tax Reform

 
(116
)


Other
(5
)
 

 
1

Income tax expense (benefit)
$
74

 
$
(121
)
 
$
21

Effective tax rate
13.0
%
 
(136.0
)%
 
15.7
%


On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Reform"). Tax Reform made broad changes to U.S. federal tax law, including, but not limited to (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; (2) changing the computations of the dividends received deduction, tax reserves, and deferred acquisition costs; (3) eliminating the net operating loss (“NOL”) carryback and limiting the NOL carryforward deduction to 80% of taxable income for losses arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017; and (4) changing how alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits can be realized. Tax Reform eliminated the corporate AMT and allows the AMT credit carryforward to be refunded over the next 4 years. Any refundable corporate AMT credit is not subject to the sequestration requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting under ASC Topic 740 for certain income tax effects of Tax Reform for the reporting period of enactment. SAB 118 allowed the Company to provide a provisional estimate of the impacts of Tax Reform during a measurement period similar to the measurement period used when accounting for business combinations. Adjustments to the provisional estimate and additional impacts from Tax Reform were recorded during the measurement period as provided for in SAB 118.
In reliance on SAB 118, the Company provisionally remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the 21% tax rate at which they are expected to reverse in the future. In 2018, the Company finalized the impacts of Tax Reform.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Temporary Differences

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of the dates indicated, are presented below.
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
Insurance reserves
$
74

 
$
125

Investments
79

 
75

Compensation and benefits
51

 
55

Other assets

 
3

Total gross assets
204

 
258

 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
Net unrealized investment (gains) losses
(45
)
 
(311
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs
(205
)
 
(134
)
Other liabilities
(18
)
 

Total gross liabilities
(268
)
 
(445
)
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)
$
(64
)
 
$
(187
)


Valuation allowances are provided when it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no valuation allowance. However, the application of intra-period tax allocation rules to benefits associated with capital deferred tax assets resulted in a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 of $128 and $119, respectively, in continuing operations, offset by a corresponding benefit in Other comprehensive income.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the application of the intra-period tax allocation rules to capital deferred assets resulted in an increase of $9 in the valuation allowance within continuing operations, offset by a benefit of $9 within Other comprehensive income. For the years ended 2017 and 2016, the decreases in the valuation allowance were $5 and $2, respectively, all of which were allocated to continuing operations.

Tax Sharing Agreement

The Company had a (payable)/receivable to/from Voya Financial of $35 and $(23) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for federal income taxes under the intercompany tax sharing agreement.

The results of the Company's operations are included in the consolidated tax return of Voya Financial. Generally, the Company's consolidated financial statements recognize the current and deferred income tax consequences that result from the Company's activities during the current and preceding periods pursuant to the provisions of Income Taxes (ASC Topic 740) as if the Company were a separate taxpayer rather than a member of Voya Financial's consolidated income tax return group with the exception of any net operating loss carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards, which are recorded pursuant to the tax sharing agreement. If the Company instead were to follow a separate taxpayer approach without any exceptions, there would be no impact to income tax expense (benefit) for the periods indicated above. However, any current tax benefit related to the Company's tax attributes realized by virtue of its inclusion in the consolidated tax return of Voya Financial would have been recorded directly to equity rather than income. Under the tax sharing agreement, Voya Financial will pay the Company for the tax benefits of ordinary and capital losses only in the event that the consolidated tax group actually uses the tax benefit of losses generated.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Interest and Penalties

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in current income taxes and Income tax expense on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Operations, respectively. The Company had no accrued interest as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Tax Regulatory Matters

For the tax years 2016 through 2019, Voya Financial participates in the IRS Compliance Assurance Process (CAP), which is a continuous audit program provided by the IRS. The IRS finalized the audit of Voya Financial for the period ended December 31, 2016. Voya Financial is under examination for the periods ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. For the period ended December 31, 2017, Voya Financial expects the examination to be finalized within the next twelve months.

11.    Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plan

Voya Services Company sponsors the Voya Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan"). Substantially all employees of Voya Services Company and its affiliates (excluding certain employees) are eligible to participate, including the Company's employees other than Company agents.

The Retirement Plan is a tax qualified defined benefit plan, the benefits of which are guaranteed (within certain specified legal limits) by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”). Beginning January 1, 2012, the Retirement Plan adopted a cash balance pension formula instead of a final average pay ("FAP") formula, allowing all eligible employees to participate in the Retirement Plan. Participants will earn an annual credit equal to 4% of eligible compensation. Interest is credited monthly based on a 30-year U.S. Treasury securities bond rate published by the Internal Revenue Service in the preceding August of each year. The accrued vested cash pension balance benefit is portable; participants can take it if they leave the Company.

The costs allocated to the Company for its employees' participation in the Retirement Plan were $7, $8 and $8 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Defined Contribution Plan

Voya Services Company sponsors the Voya Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan"). Substantially all employees of Voya Services Company and its affiliates (excluding certain employees, including but not limited to Career Agents) are eligible to participate, including the Company's employees other than Company agents. Career Agents are certain, full-time insurance salespeople who have entered into a career agent agreement with the Company and certain other individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria ("Career Agents"). The Savings Plan is a tax qualified defined contribution plan. Savings Plan benefits are not guaranteed by the PBGC. The Savings Plan allows eligible participants to defer into the Savings Plan a specified percentage of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. Voya Services Company matches such pre-tax contributions, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation. Matching contributions are subject to a 4-year graded vesting schedule. Contributions made to the Savings Plan are subject to certain limits imposed by applicable law. The costs allocated to the Company for the Savings Plan were $10, $11 and $10, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Non-Qualified Retirement Plans

The Company, in conjunction with Voya Services Company, offers certain eligible employees (other than Career Agents) a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and an Excess Plan (collectively, the "SERPs"). Benefit accruals under Aetna Financial Services SERPs ceased, effective as of December 31, 2001 and participants began accruing benefits under Voya Services SERPs.  Benefits under the SERPs are determined based on an eligible employee's years of service and average annual compensation for the highest five years during the last ten years of employment.
 

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Effective January 1, 2012, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan was amended to coordinate with the amendment of the Retirement Plan from its current final average pay formula to a cash balance formula.
 
The Company, in conjunction with Voya Services Company, sponsors the Pension Plan for Certain Producers of Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (the "Agents Non-Qualified Plan"). This plan covers Career Agents. The Agents Non-Qualified Plan was frozen effective January 1, 2002. In connection with the termination, all benefit accruals ceased and all accrued benefits were frozen.
 
The SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan are non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, which means all the SERPs benefits are payable from the general assets of the Company and Agents Non-Qualified Plan benefits are payable from the general assets of the Company and Voya Services Company. These non-qualified defined benefit pension plans are not guaranteed by the PBGC.
 
Obligations and Funded Status
 
The following table summarizes the benefit obligations for the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Change in benefit obligation:
 
 
 
Benefit obligation, January 1
$
88

 
$
88

Interest cost
3

 
4

Benefits paid
(7
)
 
(5
)
Actuarial (gains) losses on obligation
(4
)
 
1

Benefit obligation, December 31
$
80

 
$
88



Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Other liabilities and in AOCI were as follows as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Accrued benefit cost
$
(80
)
 
$
(88
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Prior service cost (credit)

 
(1
)
Net amount recognized
$
(80
)
 
$
(89
)


Assumptions

The discount rate used in the measurement of the December 31, 2018 and 2017 benefit obligation for the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan, were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
Discount rate
4.46
%
 
3.85
%

 
In determining the discount rate assumption, the Company utilizes current market information provided by its plan actuaries, including a discounted cash flow analysis of the Company's pension obligation and general movements in the current market environment. The discount rate modeling process involves selecting a portfolio of high quality, noncallable bonds that will match the cash flows of the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan.
 

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

The weighted-average discount rate used in calculating the net pension cost was as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Discount rate
3.85
%
 
4.55
%
 
4.81
%

 
Since the benefit plans of the Company are unfunded, an assumption for return on plan assets is not required.

Net Periodic Benefit Costs
 
Net periodic benefit costs for the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Interest cost
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
4

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net (gain) loss recognition
(4
)
 
1

 
1

Net periodic (benefit) cost
$
(2
)
 
$
4

 
$
4


 
Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the expected benefit payments related to the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan for the years indicated:
2019
$
6

2020
6

2021
6

2022
6

2023
6

2024-2028
27


In 2019, the Company is expected to contribute $6 to the SERPs and Agents Non-Qualified Plan. 

Share Based Compensation Plans
 
Certain employees of the Company participate in the 2013 and 2014 Omnibus Employee Incentive Plans ("the Omnibus Plans") sponsored by Voya Financial. The Omnibus Plans each permit the granting of a wide range of equity-based awards, including restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance share units ("PSUs"), and stock options.

The Company was allocated compensation expense from Voya Financial of $23, $24 and $22 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
The Company recognized tax benefits of $5, $9 and $8 for the years ended 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Prior to January 1, 2017, excess tax benefits were recognized in Additional paid-in capital and accounted for in a single pool available to all share-based compensation awards. Excess tax benefits in Additional paid-in capital were not recognized until the benefits resulted in a reduction in taxes payable. The Company used tax law ordering to determine when excess tax benefits would be realized.

On a prospective basis from January 1, 2017, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based compensation are reported in net income, rather than Additional paid-in capital.
 

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Other Benefit Plans

In addition, the Company, in conjunction with Voya Services Company, sponsors the following benefit plans:
 
The Voya 401(k) Plan for VRIAC Agents, which allows participants to defer a specified percentage of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company match equals 60% of a participant's pre-tax deferral contribution, with a maximum of 6% of the participant's eligible pay. A request for a determination letter on the qualified status of the Voya 401(k) Plan for VRIAC Agents was filed with the IRS on January 1, 2014. A favorable determination letter was received dated August 28, 2014.
The Producers' Incentive Savings Plan, which allows participants to defer up to a specified portion of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis. The Company matches such pre-tax contributions at specified amounts.
The Producers' Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows participants to defer up to a specified portion of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis.
Certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees and their eligible dependents. The postretirement health care plan is contributory, with retiree contribution levels adjusted annually and the Company subsidizes a portion of the monthly per-participant premium. Prior to April 1, 2017, coverage for Medicare eligible retirees was provided through a fully insured Medicare Advantage plan. Effective April 1, 2017, the fully insured Medicare Advantage Plan was replaced with access to individual coverage through a private exchange. The Company's premium subsidy ended and was replaced with a monthly HRA contribution. The Company continues to offer access to medical coverage until retirees become eligible for Medicare. The life insurance plan provides a flat amount of noncontributory coverage and optional contributory coverage.
The Voya Financial Deferred Compensation Savings Plan, which is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that includes a 401(k) excess component.

The benefit charges incurred by the Company related to these plans were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

12.    Financing Agreements

Windsor Property Loan

On June 16, 2007, the State of Connecticut acting on behalf of the Department of Economic and Community Development ("DECD") loaned VRIAC $10 (the "DECD Loan") in connection with the development of the corporate office facility located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut that serves as the principal executive offices of the Company (the "Windsor Property"). As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the amount of the loan outstanding was $5, which was reflected in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In August 2017, the loan agreement between VRIAC and DECD was amended and $5 in cash was transferred into the cash deposit account as cash collateral. VRIAC's monthly payments of principal and interest are processed out of the cash deposit account.

13.    Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

All of the Company's expenses for leased and subleased office properties are paid for by an affiliate and allocated back to the Company, as all remaining operating leases were executed by Voya Services Company as of December 31, 2008, which resulted in the Company no longer being party to any operating leases. For the year ended December 31, 2018, rent expense for leases was $5. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, rent expense for leases was $4.

Commitments

Through the normal course of investment operations, the Company commits to either purchase or sell securities, mortgage loans, or money market instruments, at a specified future date and at a specified price or yield. The inability of counterparties to honor these commitments may result in either a higher or lower replacement cost. Also, there is likely to be a change in the value of the

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

securities underlying the commitments. As of December 31, 2018 the Company had off-balance sheet commitments to acquire mortgage loans of $63 and purchase limited partnerships and private placement investments of $519.

Restricted Assets

The Company is required to maintain assets on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support its insurance operations. The Company may also post collateral in connection with certain securities lending, repurchase agreements, funding agreement, letter of credit ("LOC") and derivative transactions as described further in this note. The components of the fair value of the restricted assets were as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Fixed maturity collateral pledged to FHLB(1)
$
771

 
$

FHLB restricted stock(2)
40

 

Other fixed maturities-state deposits
13

 
13

Cash and cash equivalents
5

 
5

Securities pledged(3)
882

 
960

Total restricted assets
$
1,711

 
$
978

(1) Included in Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value, on the Consolidated Balance sheets.
(2) Included in Other investments on the Consolidated Balance sheets.
(3) Includes the fair value of loaned securities of $759 and $799 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company delivered securities as collateral of $123 and $161, respectively. Loaned securities and securities delivered as collateral are included in Securities pledged on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Federal Home Loan Bank Funding

On January 18, 2018, the Company became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB”). The Company is required to pledge collateral to back funding agreements issued to the FHLB. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $657 in non-putable funding agreements, which are included in Future policy benefits and contract owner account balances on the Consolidated Balance sheets. As of December 31, 2018, assets with a market value of approximately $771 collateralized the FHLB funding agreements. Assets pledged to the FHLB are included in Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value on the Consolidated Balance sheets.

Litigation, Regulatory Matters and Loss Contingencies

Litigation, regulatory and other loss contingencies arise in connection with the Company's activities as a diversified financial services firm. The Company is a defendant in a number of litigation matters arising from the conduct of its business, both in the ordinary course and otherwise. In some of these matters, claimants seek to recover very large or indeterminate amounts, including compensatory, punitive, treble and exemplary damages. Modern pleading practice in the U.S. permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages and other relief. Claimants are not always required to specify the monetary damages they seek or they may be required only to state an amount sufficient to meet a court's jurisdictional requirements. Moreover, some jurisdictions allow claimants to allege monetary damages that far exceed any reasonably possible verdict. The variability in pleading requirements and past experience demonstrates that the monetary and other relief that may be requested in a lawsuit or claim often bears little relevance to the merits or potential value of a claim. Litigation against the Company includes a variety of claims including negligence, breach of contract, fraud, violation of regulation or statute, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation, failure to supervise, elder abuse and other torts.

As with other financial services companies, the Company periodically receives informal and formal requests for information from various state and federal governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in connection with inquiries and investigations of the products and practices of the Company or the financial services industry. It is the practice of the Company to cooperate fully in these matters. Regulatory investigations, exams, inquiries and audits could result in regulatory action against the Company. The potential outcome of such action is difficult to predict but could subject the Company to adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, settlement payments, additional payments to beneficiaries and additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

under state laws. They may also result in fines and penalties and changes to the Company's procedures for the identification and escheatment of abandoned property or the correction of processing errors and other financial liability.

The outcome of a litigation or regulatory matter is difficult to predict and the amount or range of potential losses associated with these or other loss contingencies requires significant management judgment. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome or to provide reasonably possible losses or ranges of losses for all pending regulatory matters, litigation and other loss contingencies. While it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's financial position, based on information currently known, management believes that neither the outcome of pending litigation and regulatory matters, nor potential liabilities associated with other loss contingencies, are likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and indeterminate amounts sought in certain litigation and the inherent unpredictability of all such matters, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of the Company's litigation or regulatory matters, or liabilities arising from other loss contingencies, could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect upon the Company's results of operations or cash flows in a particular quarterly or annual period.

For some matters, the Company is able to estimate a possible range of loss. For such matters in which a loss is probable, an accrual has been made. For matters where the Company, however, believes a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual is required. For matters for which an accrual has been made, but there remains a reasonably possible range of loss in excess of the amounts accrued or for matters where no accrual is required, the Company develops an estimate of the unaccrued amounts of the reasonably possible range of losses. As of December 31, 2018, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of any amounts accrued for these matters as of such date, is not material to the Company.

For other matters, the Company is currently not able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss. The Company is often unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss until developments in such matters have provided sufficient information to support an assessment of the range of possible loss, such as quantification of a damage demand from plaintiffs, discovery from plaintiffs and other parties, investigation of factual allegations, rulings by a court on motions or appeals, analysis by experts and the progress of settlement discussions. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to litigation and regulatory contingencies and updates the Company's accruals, disclosures and reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews.

Litigation includes Goetz v. Voya Financial and Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (USDC District of Delaware, No. 1:17-cv-1289) (filed September 8, 2017), a putative class action in which plaintiff, a participant in a 401(k) plan, seeks to represent other participants in the plan as well as a class of similarly situated plans that “contract with [Voya] for recordkeeping and other services.” Plaintiff alleges that “Voya” breached its fiduciary duty to the plan and other plan participants by charging unreasonable and excessive recordkeeping fees, and that “Voya” distributed materially false and misleading 404a-5 administrative and fund fee disclosures to conceal its excessive fees. The Company denies the allegations, which it believes are without merit, and intends to defend the case vigorously. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on January 4, 2018, and the Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on February 8, 2018.

14.    Related Party Transactions

Operating Agreements

VRIAC has certain agreements whereby it generates revenues and incurs expenses with affiliated entities. The agreements are as follows:

Investment Advisory agreement with Voya Investment Management LLC ("VIM"), an affiliate, in which VIM provides asset management, administrative and accounting services for VRIAC's general account. VRIAC incurs a fee, which is paid quarterly, based on the value of the assets under management. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, expenses were incurred in the amounts of $65, $64 and $58, respectively.

Services agreement with Voya Services Company for administrative, management, financial and information technology services, dated January 1, 2001 and amended effective January 1, 2002. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, expenses were incurred in the amounts of $287, $263 and $265, respectively.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Amended and Restated Services agreement between VRIAC and its U.S. insurance company affiliates and other affiliates for administrative, management, financial and information technology services, dated as of April 1, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, expenses related to the agreement were incurred in the amount of $15, $43 and $45, respectively.
 
Intercompany agreement with VIM pursuant to which VIM agreed, effective January 1, 2010, to pay the Company, on a monthly basis, a portion of the revenues VIM earns as investment adviser to certain U.S. registered investment companies that are investment options under certain of the Company's variable insurance products. In connection with the termination of the DSL agreement, as described below, the intercompany agreement with VIM was amended, effective May 1, 2017. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, revenue under the VIM intercompany agreement was $63, $55 and $33, respectively.

Variable annuity, fixed insurance and mutual fund products issued by VRIAC are sold by Voya Financial Advisors, an affiliate of VRIAC. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 commission expenses incurred by VRIAC were $79, $77 and $73, respectively.

Management and service contracts and all cost sharing arrangements with other affiliated companies are allocated in accordance with the Company's expense and cost allocation methods. Revenues and expenses recorded as a result of transactions and agreements with affiliates may not be the same as those incurred if the Company was not a wholly owned subsidiary of its Parent.

As disclosed in the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements, DSL was divested as part of the Transaction. DSL had certain agreements whereby it generated revenues and expenses with affiliated entities, as follows:

Underwriting and distribution agreements with Voya Insurance and Annuity Company ("VIAC") and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York ("RLNY"), affiliated companies as well as VRIAC, whereby DSL served as the principal underwriter for variable insurance products and provided wholesale distribution services for mutual fund custodial products. In addition, DSL was authorized to enter into agreements with broker-dealers to distribute the variable insurance products and appoint representatives of the broker-dealers as agents. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, commissions were collected in the amount of $69, $170 and $175, respectively. Such commissions were, in turn, paid to broker-dealers.

Intercompany agreements with each of VIAC, VIPS, ReliaStar Life Insurance Company and Security Life of Denver Insurance Company (individually, the "Contracting Party") pursuant to which DSL agreed, effective January 1, 2010, to pay the Contracting Party, on a monthly basis, a portion of the revenues DSL earned as investment adviser to certain U.S. registered investment companies that are either investment option under certain variable insurance products of the Contracting Party or are purchased for certain customers of the Contracting Party. On or about May 1, 2017, Voya Investments, LLC ("VIL") was appointed investment advisor for these certain additional U.S. registered investment companies previously managed by DSL, which in turn caused DSL and the Contracting Party to terminate separate revenue sharing intercompany agreements dated as of December 22, 2010 between DSL and the Contracting Party by which DSL had paid a portion of the revenue DSL earned as investment adviser. DSL continued to pay the Contracting Party the revenue DSL earned for other related services. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, expenses were incurred under these intercompany agreements in the amounts of $26, $83 and $123, respectively.

Administrative and advisory services agreements with VIL and VIM, affiliated companies, in which DSL received certain services for a fee. The fee for these services was calculated as a percentage of average assets of Voya Investors Trust. For the year ended December 31, 2018, no expenses were incurred under these agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, expenses were incurred in the amounts of $23 and $70, respectively. See above where it is discussed that DSL no longer provides these advisory services, effective on May 1, 2017.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

Reinsurance Agreements

The Company has entered into the following agreements that are accounted for under the deposit method with two of its affiliates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had deposit assets of $37 and $63, respectively, and deposit liabilities of $77 and $135, respectively, related to these agreements. Deposit assets and liabilities are included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Effective January 1, 2014, VRIAC entered into a coinsurance agreement with Langhorne I, LLC ("Langhorne"), an affiliated captive reinsurance company, to manage reserve and capital requirements in connection with a portion of its Stabilizer and Managed Custody Guarantee business. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company recaptured the coinsurance agreement and recorded a $74 pre-tax gain on the recapture which was reported in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Effective December 31, 2012, the Company entered into an automatic reinsurance agreement with its affiliate, SLDI, to manage the reserve and capital requirements in connection with a portion of its deferred annuities business. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company reinsures to SLDI, on an indemnity reinsurance basis, a quota share of its liabilities on certain contracts. The quota share percentage with respect to the contracts that are delivered or issued for delivery in the State of New York is 90% and the quota share percentage with respect to the contracts that are delivered or issued for delivery outside of the State of New York is 100%.

Investment Advisory and Other Fees

DSL was retained by Voya Investors Trust, an affiliate, pursuant to a management agreement to provide advisory, management, administrative and other services to Voya Investors Trust. Under the management agreement, DSL provided or arranged for the provision of all services necessary for the ordinary operations of Voya Investors Trust. DSL earned a monthly fee based on a percentage of average daily net assets of Voya Investors Trust. DSL entered into an administrative services subcontract with VIL, an affiliate, pursuant to which VIL, provided certain management, administrative and other services to Voya Investors Trust and was compensated a portion of the fees received by DSL under the management agreement. In addition to being the investment advisor of the Trust, DSL was the investment advisor of Voya Partners, Inc., an affiliate. DSL and Voya Partners, Inc. had an investment advisory agreement, whereby DSL had overall responsibility to provide portfolio management services for Voya Partners, Inc. Voya Partners, Inc. paid DSL a monthly fee which was based on a percentage of average daily net assets. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, revenue received by DSL under these agreements (exclusive of fees paid to affiliates) was $27, $179 and $350, respectively. See "Operating Agreements" section above where it is discussed that DSL no longer provide these advisory services, effective on May 1, 2017.

Additionally, VFP acts as a distributor of insurance products issued by its affiliates, which may in turn invest in mutual funds products issued by certain of its affiliates. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, distribution revenues received by VFP related to affiliated mutual fund products were $27, $27 and $25, respectively.

Financing Agreements

Reciprocal Loan Agreement

The Company maintains a reciprocal loan agreement with Voya Financial, an affiliate, to facilitate the handling of unanticipated short-term cash requirements that arise in the ordinary course of business. Under this agreement, which became effective in June 2001 and expires on April 1, 2021, either party can borrow from the other up to 3.0% of the Company's statutory admitted assets as of the preceding December 31. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, interest on any borrowing by either the Company or Voya Financial was charged at a rate based on the prevailing market rate for similar third-party borrowings for securities.

Under this agreement, the Company incurred and earned immaterial interest expense and interest income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Interest expense and income are included in Operating expenses and Net investment income, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any outstanding

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)
 
 
 

receivable/payable with Voya Financial under the reciprocal loan agreement. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had an outstanding receivable of $80 and no outstanding payable.

Note with Affiliate

On December 29, 2004, VIAC issued a surplus note in the principal amount of $175 (the "Note") scheduled to mature on December 29, 2034, to VRIAC. The Note bears interest at a rate of 6.26% per year. Interest is scheduled to be paid semi-annually in arrears on June 29 and December 29 of each year, commencing on June 29, 2005. Interest income was $5, $11, $11 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of June 1, 2018, VIAC ceased to be an affiliate of the Company following the closing of the Transaction as disclosed in the Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Note to these Consolidated Financial Statements. The investment in surplus notes is reported in Fixed maturities, available-for-sale on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December, 31, 2018.



 
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Item 9.        Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the Company's periodic SEC filings is made known to them in a timely manner.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) for the Company. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company's management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making its assessment, management has used the criteria set forth in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

In the opinion of management, the Company has maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018.

Attestation Report of the Company's Registered Public Accounting Firm

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to Title IX, Section 989G of the Dodd-Frank Act, which provides non-accelerated filers such as the Company with an exemption from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the provision that otherwise requires an issuer to provide an attestation report by its registered public accounting firm on management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to the Company's internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

 
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PART III

Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K, except with respect to compliance with Sections 406 and 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

a.
Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals
The Company has approved and adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals (which was filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company's Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2004, File No. 033-23376), pursuant to the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Any waiver of the Code of Ethics will be disclosed by the Company by way of a Form 8-K filing.

b.
Designation of Board Financial Expert
The Company has designated Michael S. Smith, Director, as its Board Financial Expert, pursuant to the requirements of Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Because the Company is not subject to the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10A-3, it does not have any outside directors sitting on its board.

Item 11.        Executive Compensation

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.

Item 12.        Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.

Item 13.        Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.

Item 14.        Principal Accounting Fees and Services
(Dollar amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)

In 2018 and 2017, Ernst & Young LLP ("Ernst & Young") served as the principal external auditing firm for Voya Financial, Inc., including Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company ("VRIAC"). Voya Financial, Inc.'s subsidiaries, including VRIAC, are allocated Ernst & Young fees attributable to services rendered by Ernst & Young to each subsidiary. Ernst & Young fees allocated to the Company along with a description of the services rendered by Ernst & Young to the Company are detailed below for the periods indicated.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Audit fees
$
2

 
$
3
 
Audit-related fees
4

 
1
 
 
$
6

 
$
4
 

Audit Fees

Audit fees were allocated to VRIAC and include fees associated with professional services rendered by the auditors for the audit of the annual financial statements of the Company and review of the Company's interim financial statements.

Audit-related Fees

Audit-related fees were allocated to VRIAC for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements and are not reported under the audit fee item above. These services consisted primarily of the audit of financial information supporting the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") product filings.


 
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Tax Fees

There were minimal tax fees allocated to VRIAC in 2018 and 2017. Tax fees allocated to VRIAC were primarily for tax compliance. These services consisted of tax compliance, including the review of tax disclosures and proper completion of tax forms, assistance with questions regarding tax audits and tax planning and advisory services related to common forms of domestic taxation (i.e., income tax and capital tax).

All Other Fees

There were minimal fees allocated to VRIAC in 2018 and 2017 under the category "All other fees." Other fees allocated to VRIAC under this category typically include fees paid for products and services other than the audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees described above and consist primarily of advisory services.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

VRIAC is subject to the pre-approval policies and procedures of Voya Financial, Inc. Audit, audit-related and non-audit services provided to the Company by the independent registered public accountants of Voya Financial, Inc. (the "External Auditor") are included in the total annual budgeted amounts for Voya Financial, Inc. and pre-approved by the audit committee of Voya Financial, Inc. (the "Voya Financial audit committee"). Pursuant to the pre-approval policies and procedures of Voya Financial, Inc., the Voya Financial audit committee is required to pre-approve all services provided by the External Auditor to Voya Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Company. The pre-approval policies and procedures of Voya Financial, Inc. distinguish five types of services: (1) audit services, (2) audit-related services, (3) tax services, (4) other services that are not audit, audit-related, tax, or prohibited services and (5) prohibited services (as described in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).

The pre-approval procedures of Voya Financial, Inc. consist of a general pre-approval procedure and a specific pre-approval procedure.

General Pre-approval Procedure

The Voya Financial audit committee pre-approves audit, audit-related, tax and other services to be provided by the External Auditor to Voya Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries on an annual basis, and sets the maximum annual amount for such pre-approved services. Throughout the year, the Voya Financial audit committee receives from the External Auditor an overview of all services provided, including related fees and supported by sufficiently detailed information. The Voya Financial audit committee evaluates this overview quarterly. Additionally, the Voya Financial, Inc. Corporate Controller monitors the amounts paid versus the pre-approved amounts throughout the year.

Specific Pre-approval Procedure

In addition to the general pre-approval procedure of Voya Financial, Inc., each proposed External Auditor engagement by Voya Financial, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries that is expected to generate fees in excess of the pre-approved amounts, must be approved by the Voya Financial audit committee after recommendation of Voya Financial, Inc. management on a case-by-case basis.

In 2018, 2017 and 2016, 100% of each of the audit, audit-related services, tax services and all other services provided to the Company were pre-approved by the audit committee of Voya Financial, Inc.

 
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PART IV

Item 15.        Exhibits, Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

a.
    The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.
Financial statements (See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary data)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Independent Auditor's Report
                         
2.
Financial statement schedules.
Schedule I - Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Affiliates
Schedule IV - Reinsurance

3.
Exhibits



 
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Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

 
PAGE
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Affiliates as of December 31, 2018
 
 
IV. Reinsurance Information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
 
 
Schedules other than those listed above are omitted because they are not required or not applicable.
 

 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



To the Shareholder and the Board of Directors of
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and have issued our report thereon dated March 14, 2019 included elsewhere in this Annual Report (Form 10-K). Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedules listed in Item 15.a. of this Annual Report (Form 10-K). These schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's schedules, based on our audits.

In our opinion, the schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 
 
 
 
 
Boston, Massachusetts

 
March 14, 2019
 


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Schedule I

Summary of Investments – Other than Investments in Affiliates
As of December 31, 2018
(In millions)

Type of Investments
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amount Shown on Consolidated Balance Sheets
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
651

 
$
738

 
$
738

State, municipalities and political subdivisions
754

 
764

 
764

U.S. corporate public securities
7,908

 
8,015

 
8,015

U.S. corporate private securities
3,686

 
3,653

 
3,653

Foreign corporate public securities and foreign governments(1)
2,551

 
2,540

 
2,540

Foreign corporate private securities(1)
3,235

 
3,175

 
3,175

Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,966

 
3,036

 
3,036

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,917

 
1,905

 
1,905

Other asset-backed securities
1,230

 
1,208

 
1,208

Total fixed maturities, including securities pledged
24,898

 
25,034

 
25,034

Equity securities

 

 
57

Mortgage loans on real estate
4,918

 
4,983

 
4,918

Policy loans
210

 
210

 
210

Short-term investments
50

 
50

 
50

Limited partnerships/corporations
583

 
583

 
583

Derivatives
36

 
128

 
128

Other investments
40

 
40

 
40

Total investments
$
30,735

 
$
31,028

 
$
31,020


(1) Primarily U.S. dollar denominated.


 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Voya Holdings Inc.)
Schedule IV
Reinsurance
Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In millions)
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Assumed
 
Net
 
Percentage
of Assumed to Net
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance in force
$
8,974

 
$
9,202

 
$
228

 
$

 
NM**
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accident and health insurance

*

*

 

*

%
Annuity contracts
41

 

 

 
41

 
%
Total premiums
$
41

 
$

*
$

 
$
41

 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance in force
$
9,869

 
$
10,116

 
$
247

 
$

 
NM**
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accident and health insurance

*

*

 

*

%
Annuity contracts
48

 

 

 
48

 
%
Total premiums
$
48

 
$

*
$

 
$
48

 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance in force
$
10,873

 
$
11,140

 
$
267

 
$

 
NM**
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accident and health insurance

*

*

 

*
%
Annuity contracts
870

 

 

*
870

 
%
Total premiums
$
870

 
$

*
$

*
$
870

 
%
* Less than $1
** Not meaningful

 
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Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company ("VRIAC")
Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
3.1
 
3.2
 
3.3
 
3.4
 
10.1
 
10.2
 
10.3
 
10.4
 
10.5
 
10.6
 
10.7
 
10.8
 
10.90
 
10.10
 
10.11
 
10.12
 
10.13
 
10.14
 

 
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
10.15
 
10.16
 
10.17
 
10.18
 
10.19
 
10.20
 
10.21
 
10.22
 
10.23
 
10.24
 
10.25
 

10.26
 

10.27
 

10.28
 
10.29
 
14.
 
23.1+
 
31.1+
 
31.2+
 
32.1+
 
32.2+
 

 
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
101.INS+
 
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH+
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL+
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF+
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB+
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE+
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

+Filed herewith.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

March 14, 2019
 
 
Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

(Date)
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/
Francis G. O'Neill
 
 
 
Francis G. O'Neill
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on or before March 14, 2019.

 
Signatures
Title
 
 
/s/
Rodney O. Martin, Jr.
Chairman and Director
 
Rodney O. Martin, Jr.
 
 
 
 
/s/
Charles P. Nelson
Director and President
 
Charles P. Nelson
 
 
 
 
/s/
Chetlur S. Ragavan
Director
 
Chetlur S. Ragavan
 
 
 
 
/s/
Michael S. Smith
Director
 
Michael S. Smith
 
 
 
 
/s/
Carolyn M. Johnson
Director
 
Carolyn M. Johnson
 
 
 
 
/s/
C. Landon Cobb, Jr.
Senior Vice President and
 
C. Landon Cobb, Jr.

Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
/s/
Francis G. O'Neill

Senior Vice President and
 
Francis G. O'Neill

Chief Financial Officer


 
159