As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2018
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-07717
TRANSAMERICA ASSET ALLOCATION VARIABLE FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1801 California St., Suite 5200, Denver, Colorado 80202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (720) 482-8991
Tané T. Tyler, Esq., 1801 California St., Suite 5200, Denver, Colorado 80202
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: January 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018
| Item 1: | Report(s) to Shareholders. |
The Semi-Annual Report is attached.
TRANSAMERICA VARIABLE FUNDS
TRANSAMERICA ASSET
ALLOCATION VARIABLE FUNDS
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2018
Table of Contents
Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
This report is not to be construed as an offering for sale of any contracts participating in the Subaccounts (Series) of the Transamerica Variable Funds or the Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds, or as a solicitation of an offer to buy contracts unless preceded by or accompanied by a current prospectus which contains complete information about charges and expenses.
This report consists of the semi-annual report of the Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds and the semi-annual report of the Calvert VP SRI Balanced Portfolio.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds is included in the applicable Statements of Additional Information which are available without charge, upon request: (i) by calling 1-800-755-5801; or (ii) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds are required to file Form N-PX, with the complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. Form N-PX for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, is available without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-851-9777 and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolios
Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds will file their portfolios of investments on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Subaccounts’ Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Subaccounts’ Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. For information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain a copy of Form N-Q without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-755-5801.
TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
440 Mamaroneck Avenue
Harrison, New York 10528
To Contract Holders with Interests in the
Transamerica Variable Funds (formerly, Transamerica Partners Variable Funds):
We are pleased to present the most recent semi-annual report for the Calvert VP SRI Balanced Portfolio. As required under applicable law, we are sending this semi-annual report to contract holders of Group Variable Annuity Contracts issued by Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company with unit interests in the Calvert Series Subaccount of the Transamerica Variable Funds, which invests its assets in the Calvert VP SRI Balanced Portfolio, a series of Calvert Variable Series, Inc.
Please call your retirement plan administrator, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, LLC, at (800) 755-5801 if you have any questions regarding these reports.
On behalf of Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds, we would like to thank you for your continued support and confidence in our products as we look forward to continuing to serve you and your financial adviser in the future. We value the trust you have placed in us.
This semi-annual report is provided to you to show the investments and performance of your Subaccount(s) during the reporting period. The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that annual and semi-annual reports be sent to all contract holders, and we believe it to be an important part of the investment process. This report provides detailed information about your Subaccount(s) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018.
We believe it is important to understand market conditions over the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 to provide a context for reading this report. Following a strong first month of 2018, volatility quickly returned to the equity markets as concerns emerged focusing on inflation, interest rates and global trade. Expectations of continued benign inflation were tested when wage growth for the January employment report came in higher than anticipated, and this resulted in longer term interest rates rising as well. This sent stocks into correction mode as the S&P 500® and Dow Jones Industrial Average both declined by more than 10% during the last week of January and first week of February.
In the weeks that followed, international trade took center stage as concerns of potential U.S. imposed tariffs created more volatility in the markets and stocks reached new lows for the year in late March. Initially aimed at China’s aluminum and steel exports, the prospect of more widely-spread tariffs grew throughout the spring and into the early summer, expanding to broader categories of goods and more regions, including Canada, Mexico and the Eurozone. As the tariffs on China approached actual implementation, the market reaction was more muted and stocks had appreciated from their previous lower levels.
U.S. equities benefitted from an improving environment for corporate profits as first quarter operating earnings growth for the S&P 500® reached their highest annualized rate in eight years. As full year 2018 estimates for earnings growth were upgraded following these strong reports, macroeconomic news was also favorable as the unemployment rate reached its lowest level in almost two decades. While these encouraging fundamentals allowed the S&P 500® to post a gain for the period, the index still finished below its January high watermark.
Following their strong performance in 2017, international developed and emerging markets experienced declines during the period as concerns of reduced international trade and declining rates of economic growth in Europe and Japan for the first quarter were viewed with caution by investors. Emerging market currencies also depreciated, which pressured the equities of those regions as well.
Both short and long term interest rates rose during the period as strong employment trends and expectations of higher inflation provided a backdrop for the U.S. Federal Reserve to increase the Fed Funds Rate twice, both times by 0.25%, in the months of March and June. The 10-year Treasury yield rose considerably during the early months of the year and by the middle of May had reached 3.11%, more than 0.60% higher than where it started the year, before backing off to 2.85% to close the period. Despite this increase, the yield curve between 2-year and 10-year bonds continued to flatten and closed out the period at just 0.33%, its tightest gap in more than ten years. This fueled some debate as to whether this narrow range is a predictor of slowing economic growth or the result of suppressed long term rates in other regions of the world. The London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) also increased from 1.69% to 2.34% during the period.
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, the S&P 500® returned 2.65%, while the MSCI EAFE Index, representing international developed market equities, returned -2.37%. During the same period, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned -1.62%. Please keep in mind that it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio as investment returns have historically been difficult to predict.
In addition to your active involvement in the investment process, we firmly believe that a financial professional is a key resource to help you build a complete picture of your current and future financial needs. Financial professionals are familiar with the market’s history, including long-term returns and volatility of various asset classes. With your professional, you can develop an investment program that incorporates factors such as your goals, your investment timeline and your risk tolerance.
Please contact your financial professional if you have any questions about the contents of this report, and thanks again for the confidence you have placed in us.
Sincerely,
|
Marijn Smit President & Chief Executive Officer Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds |
Tom Wald, CFA Chief Investment Officer Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds |
S&P 500®: a market-capitalization weighted index of 500 large U.S. companies with common stock listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: a market that shows how 30 large, publicly owned companies based in the U.S. have traded during a standard trading session in the stock market.
MSCI EAFE Index: a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index: measures investment grade, U.S. dollar denominated, fixed-rate taxable bonds, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, as well as both mortgage- and asset-backed securities.
The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers only and may not necessarily represent the views of Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds. These views are as of the date of this report and are subject to change based upon market conditions. These views should not be relied upon as investment advice and are not indicative of trading intent on behalf of Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. The performance data presented represents past performance, future results may vary. Indexes are unmanaged and an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
Disclosure of Expenses
(unaudited)
UNIT HOLDER EXPENSES
Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds (each individually, a “Subaccount” and collectively, the “Subaccounts”) is a separate investment account established by Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company, Inc. (“TFLIC”), and is used as an investment vehicle under certain tax-deferred annuity contracts issued by TFLIC. Each Subaccount invests in underlying subaccounts of Transamerica Variable Funds (“TVF”), a unit investment trust. Subaccount contract holders bear the cost of operating the Subaccount (such as the advisory fee).
The following examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in the Subaccounts and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.
The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at January 1, 2018, and held for the entire six-month period until June 30, 2018.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The information in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these columns, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the appropriate column for your share class titled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The information in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Subaccounts’ actual expense ratios and assumed rates of return of 5% per year before expenses, which are not the Subaccounts’ actual returns. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Subaccount versus other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Actual Expenses |
Hypothetical Expenses (A) |
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| Subaccount | Beginning Account Value |
Ending Account Value |
Expenses Paid During Period (B) |
Ending Account Value |
Expenses Paid During Period (B) |
Annualized Expense Ratio (C) |
||||||||||||||||||
| Transamerica Asset Allocation - Short Horizon Subaccount |
$ | 1,000.00 | $ | 989.40 | $ | 0.99 | $ | 1,023.80 | $ | 1.00 | 0.20 | % | ||||||||||||
| Transamerica Asset Allocation - Intermediate Horizon Subaccount |
1,000.00 | 1,006.00 | 0.99 | 1,023.80 | 1.00 | 0.20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transamerica Asset Allocation - Intermediate/Long Horizon Subaccount |
1,000.00 | 1,013.00 | 1.00 | 1,023.80 | 1.00 | 0.20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (A) | 5% return per year before expenses. | |
| (B) | Expenses are calculated using the Subaccounts’ annualized expense ratios (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (181 days), and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). | |
| (C) | Expense ratios (as disclosed in the table) do not include the expenses of the underlying funds in which the Subaccounts invest. The annualized expense ratios, as stated in the fee table of the Subaccounts’ Prospectus, may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in this report. | |
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 4
Schedules of Investments Composition
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
| Transamerica Asset Allocation - Short Horizon Subaccount | ||||
| Asset Allocation | Percentage of Net Assets |
|||
| U.S. Fixed Income Funds |
89.4 | % | ||
| U.S. Equity Funds |
8.4 | |||
| International Equity Fund |
2.0 | |||
| Money Market Fund |
0.2 | |||
| Net Other Assets (Liabilities) |
(0.0 | )* | ||
| Total |
100.0 | % | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Transamerica Asset Allocation - Intermediate Horizon Subaccount |
||||
| Asset Allocation | Percentage of Net Assets |
|||
| U.S. Fixed Income Funds |
47.5 | % | ||
| U.S. Equity Funds |
40.7 | |||
| International Equity Fund |
11.6 | |||
| Money Market Fund |
0.2 | |||
| Net Other Assets (Liabilities) |
(0.0 | )* | ||
| Total |
100.0 | % | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Transamerica Asset Allocation - Intermediate/Long Horizon Subaccount |
||||
| Asset Allocation | Percentage of Net Assets |
|||
| U.S. Equity Funds |
55.1 | % | ||
| U.S. Fixed Income Funds |
28.5 | |||
| International Equity Fund |
16.2 | |||
| Money Market Fund |
0.2 | |||
| Net Other Assets (Liabilities) |
(0.0 | )* | ||
| Total |
100.0 | % | ||
|
|
|
|||
| * | Percentage rounds to less than 0.1% or (0.1)%. |
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 5
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Short Horizon Subaccount
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
SECURITY VALUATION:
Valuation Inputs (D)
| Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices |
Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs |
Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs |
Value | |||||||||||||
| ASSETS |
| |||||||||||||||
| Investments |
||||||||||||||||
| Investment Companies |
$ | 5,989,004 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,989,004 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Investments |
$ | 5,989,004 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,989,004 | ||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
FOOTNOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:
| (A) | Non-income producing securities. | |
| (B) | Investment in shares of an affiliated fund of Transamerica Variable Funds. | |
| (C) | Percentage rounds to less than 0.1% or (0.1)%. | |
| (D) | The Subaccount recognizes transfers between Levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the period ended June 30, 2018. Please reference the Security Valuation section of the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding security valuation and pricing inputs. |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this report.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 6
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Intermediate Horizon Subaccount
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
SECURITY VALUATION:
Valuation Inputs (D)
| Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices |
Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs |
Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs |
Value | |||||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||
| Investments |
||||||||||||||||
| Investment Companies |
$ | 16,806,250 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 16,806,250 | ||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Investments |
$ | 16,806,250 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 16,806,250 | ||||||||
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|
|
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FOOTNOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:
| (A) | Non-income producing securities. | |||||||
| (B) | Investment in shares of an affiliated fund of Transamerica Variable Funds. | |||||||
| (C) | Percentage rounds to less than 0.1% or (0.1)%. | |||||||
| (D) | The Subaccount recognizes transfers between Levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the period ended June 30, 2018. Please reference the Security Valuation section of the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding security valuation and pricing inputs. | |||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this report.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 7
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Intermediate/Long Horizon Subaccount
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
SECURITY VALUATION:
Valuation Inputs (D)
| Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices |
Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs |
Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs |
Value | |||||||||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||
| Investments |
||||||||||||||||
| Investment Companies |
$ | 29,838,926 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 29,838,926 | ||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Investments |
$ | 29,838,926 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 29,838,926 | ||||||||
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|
|
|||||||||
FOOTNOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS:
| (A) | Non-income producing securities. | |
| (B) | Investment in shares of an affiliated fund of Transamerica Variable Funds. | |
| (C) | Percentage rounds to less than 0.1% or (0.1)%. | |
| (D) | The Subaccount recognizes transfers between Levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the period ended June 30, 2018. Please reference the Security Valuation section of the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding security valuation and pricing inputs. |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this report.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 8
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
| Short Horizon |
Intermediate Horizon |
Intermediate/ Long Horizon |
||||||||||
| Assets: |
||||||||||||
| Affiliated investments, at value (A) |
$ | 5,989,004 | $ | 16,806,250 | $ | 29,838,926 | ||||||
| Receivables and other assets: |
||||||||||||
| Units sold |
2,089 | 6,341 | 7,855 | |||||||||
| Affiliated investments sold |
36,537 | 138,833 | 11,902 | |||||||||
| Total assets |
6,027,630 | 16,951,424 | 29,858,683 | |||||||||
| Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Payables and other liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Units redeemed |
22,456 | 79,206 | 11,902 | |||||||||
| Affiliated investments purchased |
16,171 | 65,968 | 7,855 | |||||||||
| Investment advisory fees |
951 | 2,715 | 4,885 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities |
39,578 | 147,889 | 24,642 | |||||||||
| Net assets |
$ | 5,988,052 | $ | 16,803,535 | $ | 29,834,041 | ||||||
| Net assets consist of: |
||||||||||||
| Costs of accumulation units |
$ | 657,603 | $ | 715,269 | $ | 7,947,316 | ||||||
| Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss) |
(311,940 | ) | (875,778 | ) | (1,254,014 | ) | ||||||
| Accumulated net realized gain (loss) |
5,238,053 | 13,286,392 | 12,525,155 | |||||||||
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||
| Affiliated investments |
404,336 | 3,677,652 | 10,615,584 | |||||||||
| Net assets |
$ | 5,988,052 | $ | 16,803,535 | $ | 29,834,041 | ||||||
| Accumulation units |
269,434 | 620,691 | 1,014,090 | |||||||||
| Unit value |
$ | 22.22 | $ | 27.07 | $ | 29.42 | ||||||
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|
(A) Affiliated investments, at cost |
$ | 5,584,668 | $ | 13,128,598 | $ | 19,223,342 | ||||||
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the period ended June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
| Short Horizon |
Intermediate Horizon |
Intermediate/ Long Horizon |
||||||||||
| Expenses: |
||||||||||||
| Investment advisory fees |
$ | 5,792 | $ | 17,189 | $ | 30,405 | ||||||
| Net investment income (loss) |
(5,792 | ) | (17,189 | ) | (30,405 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on: |
||||||||||||
| Affiliated investments |
50,329 | 936,159 | 1,422,719 | |||||||||
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||
| Affiliated investments |
(105,517 | ) | (815,937 | ) | (988,537 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) |
(55,188 | ) | 120,222 | 434,182 | ||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | (60,980 | ) | $ | 103,033 | $ | 403,777 | |||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this report.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 9
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the period and year ended:
| Short Horizon | Intermediate Horizon | Intermediate/Long Horizon | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2018 (unaudited) |
December 31, 2017 |
June 30, 2018 (unaudited) |
December 31, 2017 |
June 30, 2018 (unaudited) |
December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| From operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) |
$ | (5,792 | ) | $ | (11,606 | ) | $ | (17,189 | ) | $ | (35,671 | ) | $ | (30,405 | ) | $ | (59,725 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) |
50,329 | 147,073 | 936,159 | 1,470,736 | 1,422,719 | 1,057,424 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(105,517 | ) | 103,257 | (815,937 | ) | 398,417 | (988,537 | ) | 2,911,531 | |||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
(60,980 | ) | 238,724 | 103,033 | 1,833,482 | 403,777 | 3,909,230 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unit transactions: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units sold |
507,912 | 733,990 | 894,524 | 1,969,583 | 1,205,793 | 2,456,970 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Units redeemed |
(276,236 | ) | (909,756 | ) | (1,812,102 | ) | (3,435,070 | ) | (3,206,795 | ) | (3,160,360 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from unit transactions |
231,676 | (175,766 | ) | (917,578 | ) | (1,465,487 | ) | (2,001,002 | ) | (703,390 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets |
170,696 | 62,958 | (814,545 | ) | 367,995 | (1,597,225 | ) | 3,205,840 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period/year |
5,817,356 | 5,754,398 | 17,618,080 | 17,250,085 | 31,431,266 | 28,225,426 | ||||||||||||||||||
| End of period/year |
$ | 5,988,052 | $ | 5,817,356 | $ | 16,803,535 | $ | 17,618,080 | $ | 29,834,041 | $ | 31,431,266 | ||||||||||||
| Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss) |
$ | (311,940 | ) | $ | (306,148 | ) | $ | (875,778 | ) | $ | (858,589 | ) | $ | (1,254,014 | ) | $ | (1,223,609 | ) | ||||||
| Unit transactions - shares: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units sold |
22,880 | 33,273 | 33,083 | 76,209 | 41,047 | 90,416 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Units redeemed |
(12,433 | ) | (41,207 | ) | (67,053 | ) | (132,049 | ) | (109,195 | ) | (115,850 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) |
10,447 | (7,934 | ) | (33,970 | ) | (55,840 | ) | (68,148 | ) | (25,434 | ) | |||||||||||||
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this report.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 10
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
| For a unit outstanding during the period and years indicated: | Short Horizon | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2018 (unaudited) |
December 31, 2017 |
December 31, 2016 |
December 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Unit value, beginning of period/year |
$ | 22.46 | $ | 21.56 | $ | 20.81 | $ | 21.16 | $ | 20.52 | $ | 20.37 | ||||||||||||
| Investment operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) (A) |
(0.02 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.04 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.22 | ) | 0.94 | 0.79 | (0.31 | ) | 0.68 | 0.19 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total investment operations |
(0.24 | ) | 0.90 | 0.75 | (0.35 | ) | 0.64 | 0.15 | ||||||||||||||||
| Unit value, end of period/year |
$ | 22.22 | $ | 22.46 | $ | 21.56 | $ | 20.81 | $ | 21.16 | $ | 20.52 | ||||||||||||
| Total return (B) |
(1.06 | )%(C) | 4.19 | % | 3.58 | % | (1.66 | )% | 3.13 | % | 0.73 | % | ||||||||||||
| Ratio and supplemental data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets end of period/year (000’s) |
$ | 5,988 | $ | 5,817 | $ | 5,754 | $ | 6,385 | $ | 7,068 | $ | 6,832 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses to average net assets (D) |
0.20 | %(E) | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) to average net assets |
(0.20 | )%(E) | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate (F) |
15 | %(C) | 34 | % | 33 | % | 51 | % | 36 | % | 63 | % | ||||||||||||
| (A) | Calculated based on average number of units outstanding. | |
| (B) | Total return reflects Subaccount expenses. | |
| (C) | Not annualized. | |
| (D) | Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Subaccount invests. | |
| (E) | Annualized. | |
| (F) | Does not include portfolio activity of the underlying funds in which the Subaccount invests. |
| For a unit outstanding during the period and years indicated: | Intermediate Horizon | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2018 (unaudited) |
December 31, 2017 |
December 31, 2016 |
December 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Unit value, beginning of period/year |
$ | 26.91 | $ | 24.28 | $ | 23.12 | $ | 23.47 | $ | 22.73 | $ | 20.10 | ||||||||||||
| Investment operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) (A) |
(0.03 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.04 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.19 | 2.68 | 1.21 | (0.30 | ) | 0.79 | 2.67 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total investment operations |
0.16 | 2.63 | 1.16 | (0.35 | ) | 0.74 | 2.63 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unit value, end of period/year |
$ | 27.07 | $ | 26.91 | $ | 24.28 | $ | 23.12 | $ | 23.47 | $ | 22.73 | ||||||||||||
| Total return (B) |
0.60 | %(C) | 10.84 | % | 5.01 | % | (1.48 | )% | 3.24 | % | 13.07 | % | ||||||||||||
| Ratio and supplemental data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets end of period/year (000’s) |
$ | 16,804 | $ | 17,618 | $ | 17,250 | $ | 18,196 | $ | 19,435 | $ | 20,774 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses to average net assets (D) |
0.20 | %(E) | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) to average net assets |
(0.20 | )%(E) | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate (F) |
23 | %(C) | 40 | % | 26 | % | 23 | % | 29 | % | 54 | % | ||||||||||||
| (A) | Calculated based on average number of units outstanding. | |
| (B) | Total return reflects Subaccount expenses. | |
| (C) | Not annualized. | |
| (D) | Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Subaccount invests. | |
| (E) | Annualized. | |
| (F) | Does not include portfolio activity of the underlying funds in which the Subaccount invests. |
| For a unit outstanding during the period and years indicated: | Intermediate/Long Horizon | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2018 (unaudited) |
December 31, 2017 |
December 31, 2016 |
December 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Unit value, beginning of period/year |
$ | 29.04 | $ | 25.48 | $ | 24.13 | $ | 24.47 | $ | 23.70 | $ | 19.93 | ||||||||||||
| Investment operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) (A) |
(0.03 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.04 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.41 | 3.61 | 1.40 | (0.29 | ) | 0.82 | 3.81 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total investment operations |
0.38 | 3.56 | 1.35 | (0.34 | ) | 0.77 | 3.77 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unit value, end of period/year |
$ | 29.42 | $ | 29.04 | $ | 25.48 | $ | 24.13 | $ | 24.47 | $ | 23.70 | ||||||||||||
| Total return (B) |
1.30 | %(C) | 13.97 | % | 5.60 | % | (1.40 | )% | 3.28 | % | 18.93 | % | ||||||||||||
| Ratio and supplemental data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets end of period/year (000’s) |
$ | 29,834 | $ | 31,431 | $ | 28,225 | $ | 28,993 | $ | 30,627 | $ | 30,602 | ||||||||||||
| Expenses to average net assets (D) |
0.20 | %(E) | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) to average net assets |
(0.20 | )%(E) | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | (0.20 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate (F) |
19 | %(C) | 25 | % | 21 | % | 16 | % | 17 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||||||
| (A) | Calculated based on average number of units outstanding. | |
| (B) | Total return reflects Subaccount expenses. | |
| (C) | Not annualized. | |
| (D) | Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Subaccount invests. | |
| (E) | Annualized. | |
| (F) | Does not include portfolio activity of the underlying funds in which the Subaccount invests. |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this report.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 11
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds (the “Separate Account”), is a non-diversified separate account of Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company (“TFLIC”), and is registered as a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Separate Account applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance. The Separate Account is composed of three different subaccounts (each, a “Subaccount” and collectively, the “Subaccounts”) that are separate investment funds and are as follows. Each Subaccount invests substantially all of its investable assets among certain Transamerica Variable Funds (“TVF”). Certain TVF subaccounts invest substantially all of their investable assets in underlying series of Transamerica Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).
| Subaccount |
| Transamerica Asset Allocation-Short Horizon Subaccount (“Short Horizon”) |
| Transamerica Asset Allocation-Intermediate Horizon Subaccount (“Intermediate Horizon”) |
| Transamerica Asset Allocation-Intermediate/Long Horizon Subaccount (“Intermediate/Long Horizon”) |
The only shareholders of the Separate Account are affiliated contract holders of the variable life and annuity contracts.
Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. (“TAM”) serves as investment manager for the Subaccounts. TAM provides continuous and regular investment management services to the Subaccounts. TAM supervises each Subaccount’s investments, conducts its investment program and provides supervisory, compliance and administrative services to each Subaccount.
TAM is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day management of the Subaccounts.
TAM’s investment management services also include the provision of supervisory and administrative services to each Subaccount. These services include performing certain administrative services for the Subaccounts and supervising and overseeing the administrative, clerical, recordkeeping and bookkeeping services provided to the Subaccounts by State Street Bank and Trust Company, to whom TAM has outsourced the provision of certain services as described below: to the extent agreed upon by TAM and the Subaccounts from time to time, monitoring and verifying the custodian’s daily calculation of the Net Asset Values (“NAV”); shareholder relations functions; compliance services; valuation services; assisting in due diligence and in the oversight and monitoring of certain aspects of Subaccount investments; oversight of the preparation and filing, and review, of all returns and reports, in connection with federal, state and local taxes; oversight and review of regulatory reporting; supervising and coordinating the Subaccounts’ custodian and dividend disbursing agent and monitoring their services to the Subaccounts; assisting the Subaccounts in preparing reports to shareholders; acting as liaison with the Subaccounts’ independent public accountants and providing, upon request, analyses, fiscal year summaries and other audit related services; assisting in the preparation of agendas and supporting documents for and minutes of meetings of trustees and committees of trustees; assisting in the preparation of regular communications with the trustees; and providing personnel and office space, telephones and other office equipment as necessary in order for TAM to perform supervisory and administrative services to the Subaccounts.
For each of the Funds, TAM currently acts as a “manager of managers” and hires sub-advisers to furnish day-to-day investment advice and recommendations to the Funds.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In preparing the Subaccounts’ financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), estimates or assumptions (which could differ from actual results) may be used that affect reported amounts and disclosures. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Subaccounts.
Security transactions: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Security gains and losses are calculated on the specific identification basis. Net realized gain (loss) is from investments in units of investment companies.
Operating expenses: The Separate Account accounts separately for the assets, liabilities, and operations of each Subaccount. Each Subaccount will indirectly bear the fees and expenses reflected in the corresponding TVF unit value. These expenses are not reflected in the expenses within the Statements of Operations of the Subaccount and are not included in the ratios to Average Net Assets (“ANA”) shown within the Financial Highlights.
Indemnification: In the normal course of business, the Subaccounts enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnifications. The Subaccounts’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Subaccounts and/or their affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Subaccounts expect the risk of loss to be remote.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 12
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
3. SECURITY VALUATION
All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. The value of each Subaccount’s investment in a corresponding subaccount of the TVF is valued at the unit value per share TVF at the official close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) each day the NYSE is open for business.
The Subaccounts utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The three levels (“Levels”) of inputs of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, which are observable, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates, and similar data.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs, which may include TAM’s internal valuation committee’s (the “Valuation Committee”) own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the sub-adviser, issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different Levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the Level in the fair value hierarchy that is assigned to the fair value measurement of a security is determined based on the lowest Level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Certain investments that are measured at fair value using NAV per share, or its equivalent, using the “practical expedient” have not been classified in the fair value Levels. The hierarchy classification of inputs used to value the Subaccounts’ investments at June 30, 2018, is disclosed within the Security Valuation section of each Subaccount’s Schedule of Investments.
Under supervision and approval of the Subaccounts’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”), TAM provides day-to-day valuation functions. TAM formed the Valuation Committee to monitor and implement the fair valuation policies and procedures as approved by the Board. These policies and procedures are reviewed at least annually by the Board. The Valuation Committee, among other tasks, monitors for when market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable and determines in good faith the fair value of the portfolio investments. For instances in which daily market quotes are not readily available, securities may be valued, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, with reference to other instruments or indices. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified in either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Valuation Committee may employ a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the security to determine the fair value of the security. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the security are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the securities. When the Subaccounts use fair value methods that rely on significant unobservable inputs to determine a security’s value, the Valuation Committee will choose the method that is believed to accurately reflect fair value. These securities are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Valuation Committee reviews fair value measurements on a regular and ad hoc basis and may, -as deemed appropriate, update the security valuations as well as the fair valuation guidelines. The Board reviews and considers Valuation Committee determinations at its regularly scheduled meetings.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is generally greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the Valuation Committee’s determination of values may differ significantly from values that would have been realized had a ready market for investments existed, and the differences could be material. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches, including a regular review of valuation methodologies, key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing, and reviews of any market related activity.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 13
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
3. SECURITY VALUATION (continued)
Fair value measurements: Each Subaccount invests substantially all of its investable assets among certain TVF subaccounts and the TVF subaccounts invest all of their investable assets in the Transamerica Funds. The summary of the inputs used for valuing each Fund’s assets carried at fair value is discussed in the Security Valuation section of the Funds’ Notes to Financial Statements. Descriptions of the valuation techniques applied to the Subaccounts’ significant categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
Investment companies: Certain investment companies are valued at the NAV of the underlying subaccounts as the practical expedient. These investment companies are not included within the fair value hierarchy. Certain other investment companies are valued at the actively traded NAV of the underlying subaccounts and no valuation adjustments are applied. These investment companies are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
4. FEES AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
TAM, the Subaccounts’ investment adviser, is directly owned by Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company (“TPLIC”) and AUSA Holding Company (“AUSA”), both of which are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Aegon NV. TPLIC is owned by Commonwealth General Corporation (“Commonwealth”) and Aegon USA, LLC (“Aegon USA”). Commonwealth and AUSA are wholly owned by Aegon USA. Aegon USA is wholly owned by Aegon US Holding Corporation, which is wholly owned by Transamerica Corporation (DE). Transamerica Corporation (DE) is wholly owned by The Aegon Trust, which is wholly owned by Aegon International B.V., which is wholly owned by Aegon NV, a Netherlands corporation, and a publicly traded international insurance group.
The Subaccounts purchase interests in the TVF, which, in turn, purchase interests in the Funds, the net assets of the Subaccounts will reflect the investment management fee and other expenses incurred by the Funds. TAM serves as the investment adviser to each Fund.
All Subaccount holdings in investment companies are considered affiliated. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are broken out within the Statement of Operations.
Investment advisory fees: TAM provides general investment advice to each Subaccount pursuant to the investment advisory agreement. For its services, each Subaccount pays management fees accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate equal to 0.20% of each Subaccount’s daily ANA.
TFLIC is the legal holder of the assets in the Subaccounts and will at all times maintain assets in the Subaccounts with a total market value of at least equal to the contract liabilities for the Subaccounts.
Certain managing board members and officers of TFLIC are also trustees, officers, or employees of TAM or its affiliates. No interested managing board member, who is deemed an interested person due to current or former service with TAM or an affiliate of TAM, receives compensation from the Separate Account. Similarly, none of the Separate Account’s officers or interested trustees receive compensation from the Subaccounts. The independent board members of TFLIC are also trustees of the Funds, for which they receive fees.
Deferred compensation plan: Under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan effective January 1, 2008, (as amended and restated January 1, 2010), available to the trustees, compensation may be deferred that would otherwise be payable by the Separate Account to an independent trustee on a current basis for services rendered as trustee. Deferred compensation amounts will accumulate based on the value of the investment option, as elected by the trustee.
Brokerage commissions: The Subaccounts incurred no brokerage commissions on security transactions placed with affiliates of the adviser or sub-advisers for the period ended June 30, 2018.
5. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the period ended June 30, 2018, the cost of securities purchased and proceeds from securities sold (excluding short-term securities) are as follows:
| Subaccount | Purchases of Securities |
Sales of Securities |
||||||
| Short Horizon |
$ | 1,114,010 | $ | 888,160 | ||||
| Intermediate Horizon |
3,936,397 | 4,871,459 | ||||||
| Intermediate/Long Horizon |
5,900,393 | 7,932,229 | ||||||
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 14
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
At June 30, 2018
(unaudited)
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The operations of the Separate Account form a part of, and are taxed with, the operations of TFLIC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aegon USA. TFLIC does not expect, based upon current tax law, to incur any income tax upon the earnings or realized capital gains attributable to the Separate Account. Based upon this expectation, no charges are currently being deducted from the Separate Account for federal income tax purposes. The Subaccounts recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. The Subaccounts’ federal and state tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities for the prior three years. Management has evaluated the Subaccounts’ tax provisions taken for all open tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Subaccounts’ financial statements. If applicable, the Subaccounts recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest and penalties expense in Other within the Statements of Operations. The Subaccounts identify their major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal, the state of Colorado and foreign jurisdictions where the Subaccounts make significant investments; however, the Subaccounts are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 15
TRANSAMERICA ASSET ALLOCATION VARIABLE FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS — CONTRACT RENEWAL
At a meeting of the Managing Board of Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds (the “Trustees” or the “Board”) held on June 21-22, 2018, the Board approved the renewal of the investment advisory agreements (each an “Investment Advisory Agreement” and collectively the “Investment Advisory Agreements”) between Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. (“TAM”) and Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds, on behalf of Transamerica Asset Allocation – Intermediate Horizon Subaccount, Transamerica Asset Allocation – Intermediate/Long Horizon Subaccount, and Transamerica Asset Allocation – Short Horizon Subaccount (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”).
Following its review and consideration, the Board determined that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement were reasonable and that the renewal of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements was in the best interests of the applicable Fund and the contract holders. The Board, including the independent members of the Board (the “Independent Board Members”), unanimously approved the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement through June 30, 2019.
Prior to reaching their decision, the Board Members requested and received from TAM certain information. They then reviewed such information as they deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Investment Advisory Agreements, including information they had previously received from TAM as part of their regular oversight of each Fund, and knowledge they gained over time through meeting with TAM. Among other materials, the Trustees considered comparative fee, expense, and performance information prepared by TAM based on information provided by Broadridge Financial Services, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of mutual fund performance information, as well as fee, expense and profitability information prepared by TAM. In their review, the Board Members also sought to identify instances in which a Fund’s performance, fees, total expenses and/or profitability appeared to be outliers within their respective peer groups or other comparative metrics, and sought to understand the reasons for such comparative positions.
In their deliberations, the Independent Board Members met privately without representatives of TAM present and were represented throughout the process by their independent legal counsel. In considering the proposed continuation of each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board Members evaluated and weighed a number of considerations that they believed to be relevant in light of the legal advice furnished to them by counsel, including independent legal counsel, and made a decision in the exercise of their own business judgment. They based their decisions on the considerations discussed below, among others, although they did not identify any particular consideration or item of information that was controlling of their decisions, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various factors.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by TAM to the applicable Fund in the past and the services anticipated to be provided in the future. The Board also considered the investment approach for each Fund; the experience, capability and integrity of TAM’s senior management; the financial resources of TAM; TAM’s management process; TAM’s responsiveness to any questions by the Board Members; and the professional qualifications and compensation program of TAM’s portfolio management team.
The Board noted that the investment management and other services provided by TAM include the design, development and ongoing review and evaluation of each Fund and its investment strategy; risk management oversight and analysis; design, development, implementation and ongoing review and evaluation of a process for the valuation of Fund investments; design, development, implementation and ongoing review and evaluation of a compliance program for the Funds; design, development, implementation and ongoing review and evaluation of a process for the voting of proxies and exercise of rights to consent to corporate action for Fund investments; participation in Board meetings and oversight of preparation of materials for the Board, including materials for Board meetings and regular communications with the Board; oversight of preparation of the Funds’ prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports and other disclosure materials and regulatory filings for the Funds; and ongoing cash management services. The Board considered that TAM’s investment management services also include the provision of supervisory and administrative services to each Fund. The Board also noted that TAM, as part of the services it provides to all Transamerica mutual funds, including the Funds, oversees the services provided by the funds’ custodian, transfer agent, independent accountant and legal counsel and supervises the performance of the recordkeeping and shareholder functions of the funds.
Investment Performance
In addition, the Board considered the short- and longer-term performance, as applicable, of each Fund in light of its investment objective, policies and strategies, including relative performance against a peer universe of mutual funds, based on Broadridge information, for various trailing periods ended December 31, 2017. Based on these considerations, the Board determined that TAM can provide investment and related services that are appropriate in scope and extent in light of the applicable Fund’s investment objectives, policies and strategies and operations, the competitive landscape of the investment company business and investor needs.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 16
TRANSAMERICA ASSET ALLOCATION VARIABLE FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS — CONTRACT RENEWAL (continued)
When considering each Fund’s performance, the Board Members considered any representations made by TAM regarding the appropriateness of certain peer groups and benchmarks. They recognized that performance reflects a snapshot of a period as of a specific date, and that consideration of performance data for a different period could generate significantly different performance results. The Board Members also recognized that even longer-term performance can be negatively affected by performance over a short-term period when that short-term performance is significantly below the performance of the comparable benchmark or universe of peer funds.
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Intermediate Horizon Subaccount. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund was below the median for its peer universe and below its primary benchmark for the past 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods.
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Intermediate/Long Horizon Subaccount. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund was below the median for its peer universe and below its primary benchmark for the past 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods.
Transamerica Asset Allocation – Short Horizon Subaccount. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund was above the median for its peer universe for the past 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was above its primary benchmark for the past 1-year period and below its primary benchmark for the past 3-, 5- and 10-year periods.
Investment Advisory Fees and Total Expense Ratios
The Board considered the investment advisory fee and total expense ratio of each Fund, including information comparing the investment advisory fee and total expense ratio of each Fund to the investment advisory fees and total expense ratios of comparable investment companies, based on Broadridge information. On the basis of these considerations, together with the other information it considered, the Board determined that the investment advisory fees to be received by TAM under the Investment Advisory Agreements are reasonable in light of the services provided.
Cost of Services Provided and Level of Profitability
The Board reviewed information provided by TAM about the cost of providing fund management, administration and other services to each Fund by TAM and its affiliates. The Board considered the profitability of TAM and its affiliates in providing these services for each Fund. The Trustees recognized the competitiveness of the investment advisory industry and the importance of an investment adviser’s long-term profitability, including for maintaining company and management stability and accountability.
The Board also considered the allocation methodology used for calculating the profitability of TAM and its affiliates. The Board noted that the revenue and expense allocation methodology used by TAM to estimate its profitability with respect to its relationship with the Funds had been reviewed previously by an independent consultant. The Board Members considered that TAM had not made material changes to this methodology, which had been applied consistently for each Fund.
Based on this information, the Board determined that the profitability of TAM and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds was not excessive.
Economies of Scale
The Board considered economies of scale with respect to the management of each Fund, whether the Fund had appropriately benefited from any economies of scale and whether there was the potential for realization of any future economies of scale. The Board also considered the existence of economies of scale with respect to management of the Transamerica mutual funds overall and the extent to which the Funds benefited from any economies of scale. The Board recognized that, as a Fund’s assets increase, any economies of scale realized by TAM may not directly correlate with any economies of scale that might be realized by the Fund. The Board considered each Fund’s investment advisory fee schedule and the extent to which TAM shared economies of scale, if any, with the Funds through its undertakings to limit or reimburse Fund expenses and to invest in maintaining and developing its capabilities and services. The Board Members concluded that each Fund’s fee structure reflected an appropriate sharing of any efficiencies or economies of scale to date and noted that they will have the opportunity to periodically reexamine the appropriateness of the investment advisory fees payable to TAM in light of any economies of scale experienced in the future.
Benefits to TAM or its Affiliates from their Relationships with the Funds
The Board considered other benefits derived by TAM and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds. The Board noted that TAM does not receive benefits from research obtained with commissions paid to broker-dealers for portfolio transactions (“soft dollars”) as a result of its relationship with the Funds.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 17
TRANSAMERICA ASSET ALLOCATION VARIABLE FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS — CONTRACT RENEWAL (continued)
Other Considerations
The Board noted that TAM has made a substantial commitment to the recruitment and retention of high quality personnel and maintains the financial, compliance and operational resources reasonably necessary to manage each Fund in a professional manner that is consistent with the best interests of each Fund and the contract holders. In this regard, the Board favorably considered the procedures and policies TAM has in place to enforce compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Board also noted that TAM has made a significant entrepreneurial commitment and undertaken certain business risks with respect to the management and success of the Funds.
Conclusion
After consideration of the factors described above, as well as other factors, the Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, concluded that the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the applicable Fund and the contract holders and voted to approve the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds | Semi-Annual Report 2018 |
Page 18
TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
c/o Transamerica Retirement Solutions
440 Mamaroneck Avenue
Harrison, NY 10528
| Item 2: | Code of Ethics. |
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
| Item 3: | Audit Committee Financial Experts. |
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
| Item 4: | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
| Item 5: | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
| Item 6: | Investments. |
| (a) | The schedules of investments are included in the Semi-Annual Report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| Item 7: | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable.
| Item 8: | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable.
| Item 9: | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
Not applicable.
| Item 10: | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees that have been implemented since the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.
| Item 11: | Controls and Procedures. |
| (a) | The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are appropriately designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files on Form N-CSR (a) is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (b) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| (b) | The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Item 12: | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not Applicable.
| Item 13: | Exhibits. |
| (a)(1) | Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit. Not applicable. |
| (a)(2) | Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Separate certifications for Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act, are attached. |
| (a)(3) | Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c 1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable. |
| (a)(4) | Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. Not applicable. |
| (b) | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. A certification for Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act, is attached. The certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to liability of that section. Such certification is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds |
| (Registrant) |
| By: | /s/ Marijn P. Smit | |
| Marijn P. Smit Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: | September 4, 2018 | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By: | /s/ Marijn P. Smit | |
| Marijn P. Smit Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: | September 4, 2018 |
| By: | /s/ Vincent J. Toner | |
| Vincent J. Toner Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) | ||
| Date: | September 4, 2018 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
Exhibit No. |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 13(a)(2)(i) | Section 302 N-CSR Certification of Principal Executive Officer | |
| 13(a)(2)(ii) | Section 302 N-CSR Certification of Principal Financial Officer | |
| 13(b) | Section 906 N-CSR Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer | |