Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

In preparing these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions are made in the determination of estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) used in the valuation and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with universal life and annuity contracts; policyholder liabilities and accruals; valuation of investments in debt securities; limited partnerships and other investments; valuation of deferred tax assets; and accruals for contingent liabilities. We are also subject to estimates made by our ultimate parent company related to discount rates and other assumptions for our pension and other post-employment benefits liabilities; and accruals for contingent liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Adoption of new accounting standards and Accounting standards not yet adopted

Adoption of new accounting standards

Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance regarding the presentation of comprehensive income (ASU 2013-02). Under the guidance, an entity would separately present information about significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component as well as changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances by component in either the financial statements or the notes to the financial statements. The guidance does not change the items that are reported in other comprehensive income. The guidance does not change when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income and does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The guidance was effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2012 and was applied prospectively. See Note 12 to these financial statements for the disclosures required by this guidance.

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011 and January 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance to ASC 210, Balance Sheet, with respect to disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities as part of the effort to establish common requirements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This amended guidance requires the disclosure of both gross information and net information about both financial instruments and derivative instruments eligible for offset in our balance sheets and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This guidance was effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with respective disclosures required retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. See Note 8 to these financial statements for the disclosures required by this guidance.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Definition of a Business Entity

In December 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance establishing a single definition of a public entity for use in financial accounting and reporting guidance. This new guidance is effective for all current and future reporting periods and did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or financial statement disclosures.

Accounting standards not yet adopted

Investment Companies: Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements

In June 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance clarifying the characteristics of an investment company and requiring new disclosures. Under the guidance, all entities regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 automatically qualify as investment companies, while all other entities need to consider both the fundamental and typical characteristics of an investment company in determining whether they qualify as investment companies. This new guidance is effective for interim or annual reporting periods that begin after December 15, 2013 and should be applied prospectively. This guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

Obligations Resulting for Joint and Several Liability Agreements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date

In February 2013, the FASB issued new guidance regarding liabilities (ASU 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date), effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those years. The amendments require an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of the guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. In addition, the amendments require an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation, as well as other information about the obligation. This guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

Accounting for Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors

In January 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance for troubled debt restructurings clarifying when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and when a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan. The new guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. This guidance can be elected for prospective adoption or by using a modified retrospective transition method. This guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects

In January 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance regarding investments in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. Under the guidance, an entity is permitted to make an accounting policy election to amortize the initial cost of its investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the statement of operations as a component of income tax expense (benefit) if certain conditions are met. The new guidance is effective for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014, and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. This guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists

In July 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. This new guidance is effective for interim or annual reporting periods that begin after December 15, 2013, and should be applied prospectively, with early application permitted.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

This guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

Debt Securities

Our debt securities classified as available-for-sale are reported on our balance sheets at fair value. Fair value is based on quoted market price, where available. When quoted market prices are not available, we estimate fair value by discounting debt security cash flows to reflect interest rates currently being offered on similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality (private placement debt securities), by quoted market prices of comparable instruments (untraded public debt securities) and by independent pricing sources or internally developed pricing models. We recognize unrealized gains and losses on investments in debt securities that we classify as available-for-sale. We report these unrealized investment gains and losses as a component of OCI, net of the relevant policyholder obligations, applicable deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and applicable deferred income taxes. Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on a first in first out basis.

Limited Partnerships and Other Investments

Limited partnerships, infrastructure funds, hedge funds and joint venture interests in which we do not have voting control or power to direct activities are recorded using the equity method of accounting. These investments include private equity, mezzanine funds, infrastructure funds, hedge funds of funds and direct equity investments. The equity method of accounting requires that the investment be initially recorded at cost and the carrying amount of the investment subsequently adjusted to recognize our share of the earnings or losses. We record our equity in the earnings in net investment income using the most recent financial information received from the partnerships. Recognition of net investment income is generally on a three-month delay due to the timing of the related financial statements. The contributions to and distributions from limited partnerships are classified as investing activities within the statement of cash flows.

The Company routinely evaluates these investments for impairments. For equity method investees, the Company considers financial and other information provided by the investee, other known information and inherent risks in the underlying investments, as well as future capital commitments, in determining whether an impairment has occurred. The Company considers its cost method investments for other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) when the carrying value of such investments exceeds the net asset value (“NAV”). The Company takes into consideration the severity and duration of this excess when determining whether the cost method investment is other-than-temporarily impaired. When an OTTI has occurred, the impairment loss is recorded within net investment gains (losses).

Loans are occasionally restructured in a troubled debt restructuring. These restructurings generally include one or more of the following: full or partial payoffs outside of the original contract terms; changes to interest rates; extensions of maturity; or additions or modifications to covenants. When restructurings occur, they are evaluated individually to determine whether the restructuring or modification constitutes a “troubled debt restructuring” as defined by authoritative accounting guidance. In a troubled debt restructuring where the Company receives assets in full or partial satisfaction of the debt, any specific valuation allowance is reversed and a direct write down of the loan is recorded for the amount of the allowance and any additional loss, net of recoveries, or any gain is recorded for the difference between the fair value of the assets received and the recorded investment in the loan. Any remaining loan is evaluated prospectively for impairment based on the credit review process noted above. When a loan is restructured in a troubled debt restructuring, the impairment of the loan is remeasured using the modified terms and the loan’s original effective yield and the allowance for loss is adjusted accordingly. Subsequent to the modification, income is recognized prospectively based on the modified terms of the loans in accordance with the income recognition policy noted above.

Policy Loans

Policy loans are carried at their unpaid principal balances and are collateralized by the cash values of the related policies. The majority of policy loans are at variable interest rates that are reset annually on the policy anniversary.

Fair Value Instruments

Debt securities held at fair value include securities held for which changes in fair values are recorded in earnings. The securities held at fair value are designated as trading securities, as well as those debt securities for which we have elected the fair value option (“FVO”) and certain available-for-sale structured securities held at fair value. The changes in fair value and any interest income of these securities are reflected in earnings as part of “net investment income.” See Note 9 to these financial statements for additional disclosures related to these securities.

Derivative Instruments

We recognize derivative instruments on the balance sheets at fair value. The derivative contracts are reported as assets in derivative instruments or liabilities in other liabilities on the balance sheets, excluding embedded derivatives. Embedded derivatives, as discussed below, are recorded on the balance sheets bifurcated from the associated host contract.

The Company economically hedges variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to certain recognized assets and/or liabilities. All changes in the fair value of derivatives, including net receipts and payments, are included in net realized investment gains and losses without consideration of changes in the fair value of the economically associated assets or liabilities. We do not designate the purchased derivatives related to living benefits or index credits as hedges for accounting purposes.

Our derivatives are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. All changes in the fair value, including net receipts and payments, are included in net realized investment gains and losses without consideration of changes in the fair value of the economically associated assets or liabilities.

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments include securities with a maturity of one year or less but greater than three months at a time of purchase and are stated at estimated fair value or amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value.

Net investment income

Net Investment Income

For asset-backed and fixed maturity debt securities, we recognize interest income using a constant effective yield based on estimated cash flow timing and economic lives of the securities. For high credit quality asset-backed securities, effective yields are recalculated based on actual payments received and updated prepayment expectations, and the amortized cost is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since acquisition with a corresponding charge or credit to net investment income. For asset-backed securities that are not high credit quality, effective yields are recalculated and adjusted prospectively based on changes in expected undiscounted future cash flows. For certain credit impaired asset-backed securities, effective yields are recalculated and adjusted prospectively to reflect significant increases in undiscounted expected future cash flows and changes in the contractual benchmark interest rate on variable rate securities. Any prepayment fees on fixed maturities and mortgage loans are recorded when earned in net investment income. We record the net income from investments in partnerships and joint ventures in net investment income.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Available-For-Sale Securities

We recognize realized investment losses when declines in fair value of debt securities are considered to be an OTTI.

For debt securities, the other-than-temporarily impaired amount is separated into the amount related to a credit loss and is reported as net realized investment losses included in earnings and any amounts related to other factors are recognized in OCI. The credit loss component represents the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. Any remaining difference between the fair value and amortized cost is recognized in AOCI. Subsequent to the recognition of an OTTI, the impaired security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the date of impairment at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. We will continue to estimate the present value of future expected cash flows and, if significantly greater than the new cost basis, we will accrete the difference as investment income on a prospective basis once the Company has determined that the interest income is likely to be collected.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, we consider several factors including, but not limited to, the following:


•	the extent and the duration of the decline;


•	the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, interest related or market fluctuations);


•	our intent to sell the security, or whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell it before recovery; and


•	the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer.

A debt security impairment is deemed other-than-temporary if:


•	we either intend to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery; or


•	it is probable we will be unable to collect cash flows sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of the security.

Impairments due to deterioration in credit that result in a conclusion that the present value of cash flows expected to be collected will not be sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of the security are considered other-than-temporary. Other declines in fair value (for example, due to interest rate changes, sector credit rating changes or company-specific rating changes) that result in a conclusion that the present value of cash flows expected to be collected will not be sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of the security may also result in a conclusion that an OTTI has occurred.

On a quarterly basis, we evaluate securities in an unrealized loss position for potential recognition of an OTTI. In addition, we maintain a watch list of securities in default, near default or otherwise considered by our investment professionals as being distressed, potentially distressed or requiring a heightened level of scrutiny. We also identify securities whose fair value has been below amortized cost on a continuous basis for zero to six months, six months to 12 months and greater than 12 months.

We employ a comprehensive process to determine whether or not a security in an unrealized loss position is other-than-temporarily impaired. This assessment is done on a security-by-security basis and involves significant management judgment. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on management’s evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value. The Company’s review of its fixed maturity securities for impairments includes an analysis of the total gross unrealized losses by severity and/or age of the gross unrealized loss. An extended and severe decline in value on a fixed maturity security may not have any impact on the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and the Company’s 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.

Specifically for structured securities, to determine whether a collateralized security is impaired, we obtain underlying data from the security’s trustee and analyze it for performance trends. A security-specific stress analysis is performed using the most recent trustee information. This analysis forms the basis for our determination of the future expected cash flows to be collected for the security.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, money market instruments and other debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Negative cash balances are reclassified to other liabilities.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

We defer incremental direct costs related to the successful sale of new or renewal contracts. Incremental direct costs are those costs that result directly from and are essential to the sale of a contract. These costs include principally commissions, underwriting and policy issue expenses, all of which vary with and are primarily related to production of new business.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

We amortize deferred policy acquisition costs based on the related policy’s classification. For universal life, variable universal life and deferred annuities, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized in proportion to EGPs as discussed more fully below. EGPs are also used to amortize other assets and liabilities in the Company’s balance sheets, such as sales inducement assets (“SIA”) and unearned revenue reserves (“URR”). Components of EGPs are used to determine reserves for universal life and fixed, indexed and variable annuity contracts with death and other insurance benefits such as guaranteed minimum death and guaranteed minimum income benefits. EGPs are based on historical and anticipated future experience which is updated periodically.

In addition, deferred policy acquisition costs are adjusted through OCI each period as a result of unrealized gains or losses on securities classified as available-for-sale in a process commonly referred to as shadow accounting. This adjustment is required in order to reflect the impact of these unrealized amounts as if these unrealized amounts had been realized.

The projection of EGPs requires the extensive use of actuarial assumptions, estimates and judgments about the future. Future EGPs are generally projected for the estimated lives of the contracts. Assumptions are set separately for each product and are reviewed at least annually based on our current best estimates of future events. The following table summarizes the most significant assumptions used in the categories set forth below:


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)



Significant Assumption	Product	Explanation and Derivation

Separate account investment return	Variable Annuities (8.0% long-term return assumption) Variable Universal Life (8.0% long-term return assumption)	Separate account return assumptions are derived from the long-term returns observed in the asset classes in which the separate accounts are invested. Short-term deviations from the long-term expectations are expected to revert to the long-term assumption over five years.
Interest rates and default rates	Fixed and Indexed Annuities Universal Life	Investment returns are based on the current yields and maturities of our fixed income portfolio combined with expected reinvestment rates given current market interest rates. Reinvestment rates are assumed to revert to long-term rates implied by the forward yield curve and long-term default rates. Contractually permitted future changes in credited rates are assumed to help support investment margins.
Mortality / longevity	Universal Life Variable Universal Life Fixed and Indexed Annuities	Mortality assumptions are based on Company experience over a rolling five-year period plus supplemental data from industry sources and trends. A mortality improvement assumption is also incorporated into the overall mortality table. These assumptions can vary by issue age, gender, underwriting class and policy duration.
Policyholder behavior – policy persistency	Universal Life Variable Universal Life Variable Annuities Fixed and Indexed Annuities	Policy persistency assumptions vary by product and policy year and are updated based on recently observed experience. Policyholders are generally assumed to behave rationally; hence rates are typically lower when surrender penalties are in effect or when policy benefits are more valuable.
Policyholder behavior – premium persistency	Universal Life Variable Universal Life	Future premiums and related fees are projected based on contractual terms, product illustrations at the time of sale and expected policy lapses without value. Assumptions are updated based on recently observed experience and include anticipated changes in behavior based on changes in policy charges if the Company has a high degree of confidence that such changes will be implemented (e.g., change in cost of insurance (“COI”) charges).
Expenses	All products	Projected maintenance expenses to administer policies in force are based on annually updated studies of expenses incurred.
Reinsurance costs / recoveries	Universal Life Variable Universal Life Variable Annuities	Projected reinsurance costs are based on treaty terms currently in force. Recoveries are based on the Company’s assumed mortality and treaty terms. Treaty recaptures are based on contract provisions and management’s intentions.

Annually, we complete a comprehensive assumption review where management makes a determination of best estimate assumptions based on a comprehensive review of recent experience and industry trends. Assumption changes resulting from this review may change our estimates of EGPs in the DAC, SIA, and URR models, as well as projections within the death benefit and other insurance benefit reserving models, the profits followed by losses reserve models, and cost of reinsurance models. Throughout the year, we may also update the assumptions and adjust these balances if emerging data indicates a change is warranted. All assumption changes, whether resulting from the annual comprehensive review or from other periodic assessments, are considered an unlock in the period of revision and adjust the DAC, SIA, URR, death and other insurance benefit reserves, profits followed by losses reserve, and cost of reinsurance balances in the balance sheets with an offsetting benefit or charge to income to reflect such changes in the period of the revision. An unlock that results in an after-tax benefit generally occurs as a result of actual experience or future expectations of product profitability being more favorable than previous estimates. An unlock that results in an after-tax charge generally occurs as a result of actual experience or future expectations of product profitability being less favorable than previous estimates.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Our process to assess the reasonableness of the EGPs uses internally developed models together with consideration of applicable recent experience and analysis of market and industry trends and other events. Actual gross profits that vary from management’s estimates in a given reporting period may also result in increases or decreases in the rate of amortization recorded in the period.

An analysis is performed annually to assess if there are sufficient gross profits to recover the deferred policy acquisition costs associated with business written during the year. If the estimates of gross profits cannot support the recovery of deferred policy acquisition costs, the amount deferred is reduced to the recoverable amount.

Over the last several years, the Company has revised a number of assumptions that have resulted in changes to expected future gross profits. The most significant assumption updates resulting in a change to future gross profits and the amortization of DAC, SIA and URR in 2013 are related to changes in expected premium persistency, and the incorporation of a mortality improvement assumption. Other of the more significant drivers of changes to expected gross profits over the last several years include changes in expected separate account investment returns due to changes in equity markets; changes in expected future interest rates and default rates based on continued experience and expected interest rate changes; changes in mortality, lapses and other policyholder behavior assumptions that are updated to reflect more recent policyholder and industry experience; and changes in expected policy administration expenses.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities

Separate account assets and liabilities

Separate account assets related to policyholder funds are carried at fair value with an equivalent amount recorded as separate account liabilities. Deposits, net investment income and realized investment gains and losses for these accounts are excluded from revenues and the related liability increases are excluded from benefits and expenses. Fees assessed to the contract owners for management services are included in revenues when services are rendered.

Policyholder deposit funds

Amounts received as payment for certain deferred annuities and other contracts without life contingencies are reported as deposits to policyholder deposit funds. The liability for deferred annuities and other contracts without life contingencies is equal to the balance that accrues to the benefit of the contract owner as of the financial statement date which includes the accumulation of deposits plus interest credited, less withdrawals and amounts assessed through the financial statement date as well as accumulated policyholder dividends and the liability representing the fair value of embedded derivatives associated with those contracts.

Policy liabilities and accruals

Policy liabilities and accruals include future benefit liabilities for certain life and annuity products. Generally, future policy benefits are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated recognizing future expected benefits, expenses and premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with U.S. GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policyholder behavior, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate. These assumptions are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a cohort basis, as appropriate. If experience is less favorable than assumed, additional liabilities may be established, resulting in a charge to policyholder benefits and claims.

Additional policyholder liabilities for guaranteed benefits on variable annuity and on fixed index annuity contracts are based on estimates of the expected value of benefits in excess of the projected account balance, recognizing the excess over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. Because these estimates are sensitive to capital market movements, amounts are calculated using multiple future economic scenarios.

Additional policyholder liabilities are established for certain contract features that could generate significant reductions to future gross profits (e.g., death benefits when a contract has zero account value and a no-lapse guarantee). The liabilities are accrued over the lifetime of the block based on assessments. The assumptions used in estimating these liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs and are, thus, subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable and equity index products are consistent with historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity indices.

We expect that our universal life block of business will generate profits followed by losses and therefore we establish an additional liability to accrue for the expected losses over the period of expected profits. The assumptions used in estimating these liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs and are subject to the same variability and risk.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

The liability for universal life-type contracts primarily includes the balance that accrues to the benefit of the policyholders as of the financial statement date, including interest credited at rates which range from 3.0% to 4.5%, amounts that have been assessed to compensate us for services to be performed over future periods, accumulated account deposits, withdrawals and any amounts previously assessed against the policyholder that are refundable. There may also be a liability recorded for contracts that include additional death or other insurance benefit features as discussed above.

The Company periodically reviews its estimates of actuarial liabilities for policyholder benefits and compares them with its actual experience. Differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in pricing these policies and guarantees, as well as in the establishment of the related liabilities, result in variances in profit and could result in losses.

Policy liabilities and accruals also include liabilities for outstanding claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses based on individual case estimates for reported losses and estimates of unreported losses based on past experience. The Company does not establish claim liabilities until a loss has occurred. However, unreported losses and loss adjustment expenses includes estimates of claims that the Company believes have been incurred but have not yet been reported as of the balance sheet date.

Embedded derivatives

Certain contracts contain guarantees that are accounted for as embedded derivative instruments. These guarantees are assessed to determine if a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative and if they are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract. Contract guarantees that meet these criteria are reported separately from the host contract and reported at fair value.

The guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWB”), guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (“GMAB”) and combination rider (“COMBO”) represent embedded derivative liabilities in the variable annuity contracts. These liabilities are accounted for at fair value within policyholder deposit funds on the balance sheets with changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives recorded in realized investment gains on the statements of income and comprehensive income. The fair value of the GMWB, GMAB and COMBO obligation is calculated based on actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract charges, over the lives of the contracts, incorporating expectations concerning policyholder behavior. As markets change, contracts mature and actual policyholder behavior emerges, these assumptions are continually evaluated and may from time to time be adjusted.

Fixed indexed annuities offer a variety of index options: policy credits that are calculated based on the performance of an outside equity market or other index over a specified term. The index options represent embedded derivative liabilities accounted for at fair value within policyholder deposit funds on the balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded in realized investment gains and losses in the statements of income and comprehensive income. The fair value of these index options is based on the impact of projected interest rates and equity markets and is discounted using the projected interest rate. Several additional inputs reflect our internally developed assumptions related to lapse rates and policyholder behavior.

See Note 7 to these financial statements for additional information regarding embedded derivatives.

Contingent liabilities

Management evaluates each contingent matter separately and in aggregate. Amounts related to contingent liabilities are accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount is reasonably estimable.

Revenue recognition

We recognize premiums for long-duration life insurance products as revenue when due from policyholders. We match benefits, losses and related expenses with premiums over the related contract periods.

Amounts received as payment for interest sensitive life contracts, deferred annuities and contracts without life contingencies are considered deposits and are not included in revenue. Revenues from these products consist primarily of fees assessed during the period against the policyholders’ account balances for mortality charges, policy administration charges and surrender charges. Fees assessed that represent compensation for services to be provided in the future are deferred and amortized into revenue over the life of the related contracts in proportion to EGPs.

Certain variable annuity contracts and fixed index annuity contract riders provide the holder a guarantee that the benefit received upon death or annuitization will be no less than a minimum prescribed amount. These benefits are accounted for as insurance benefits. Certain variable annuity contracts features and fixed index annuity index options are considered embedded derivatives. See Note 7 to these financial statements for additional information.

Reinsurance

Premiums, policy benefits and operating expenses related to our term insurance policies are stated net of reinsurance ceded to other companies, except for amounts associated with certain modified coinsurance contracts which are reflected in the Company’s financial statements based on the application of the deposit method of accounting. Estimated reinsurance recoverables and the net estimated cost of reinsurance are recognized over the life of the reinsured treaty using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the policies subject to the reinsurance.

For universal life and variable universal life contracts, reinsurance premiums and ceded benefits are reflected net within policy benefits. Reinsurance recoverables are recognized in the same period as the related reinsured claim. The net cost or benefit of reinsurance (the present value of all expected ceded premium payments and expected future benefit payments) is recognized over the life of the reinsured treaty using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the policies subject to the reinsurance.

Income taxes

Income tax expense or benefit is recognized based upon amounts reported in the financial statements and the provisions of currently enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets and/or liabilities are determined by multiplying the differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases for assets and liabilities by the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences are recovered or settled. Valuation allowances on deferred tax assets are recorded to the extent that management concludes that it is more likely than not that an asset will not be realized.

We recognize current income tax assets and liabilities for estimated income taxes refundable or payable based on the income tax returns. We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future income tax effects of temporary differences and carryovers. Temporary differences are the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, as well as the timing of income or expense recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes of items not related to assets or liabilities. If necessary, we establish valuation allowances to reduce the carrying amount of deferred income tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. We periodically review the adequacy of these valuation allowances and record any increase or reduction in allowances in accordance with intraperiod allocation rules. We assess all significant tax positions to determine if a liability for an uncertain tax position is necessary and, if so, the impact on the current or deferred income tax balances. Also, if indicated, we recognize interest or penalties related to income taxes as a component of the income tax provision.


2.	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

We are included in the consolidated federal income tax return filed by PNX and are party to a tax sharing agreement by and among PNX and its subsidiaries. In accordance with this agreement, federal income taxes are allocated as if they had been calculated on a separate company basis, except that benefits for any net operating losses or other tax credits generated by the Company will be provided at the earlier of when such loss or credit is utilized in the consolidated federal tax return and when the tax attribute would have otherwise expired.

Audit fees and other professional services associated with the Restatement

Professional fees associated with the restatement of the 2012 Form 10-K which was filed on April 30, 2014 are being recognized and expensed as incurred and totaled $18.6 million in 2013.