Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

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 and equity securities; limited partnerships and other investments; valuation of deferred tax assets; and accruals for contingent liabilities. Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions and/or volatility in the debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the financial statements. 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

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 Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 was effective for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

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. This new guidance was effective for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. 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 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and 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 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 new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

Accounting standards not yet adopted

Amendments to Consolidation Guidance

In February 2015, the FASB issued updated consolidation guidance. The amendments revise existing guidance for when to consolidate variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and general partners’ investments in limited partnerships, end the deferral granted for applying the VIE guidance to certain investment companies, and reduce the number of circumstances where a decision maker’s or service provider’s fee arrangement is deemed to be a variable interest in an entity. The updates also modify consolidation guidance for determining whether limited partnerships are VIEs or voting interest entities. This guidance is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2015, and may be applied fully retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment to retain earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items

In January 2015, the FASB issued new guidance regarding extraordinary items which eliminates the U.S. GAAP concept of an extraordinary item. As a result, an entity will no longer (1) segregate an extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations; (2) separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations; and (3) disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. However, the ASU does not affect the reporting and disclosure requirements for an event that is unusual in nature or that occurs infrequently. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted if the guidance is applied as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

Consolidation - Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance allowing (i.e., not requiring) a reporting entity to measure the financial assets and financial liabilities of a consolidated collateralized financing entity, within the scope of the new guidance, based on either the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, whichever is more observable (referred to as a “measurement alternative”). The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 for public business entities. Early adoption will be permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on accounting for revenue recognition. The guidance is based on the core principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The guidance also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. Revenue recognition for insurance contracts is explicitly scoped out of the guidance. The new guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, and must be applied using one of two retrospective application methods. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity

In April 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and introduces new disclosures. The new guidance is effective prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for new disposals or new classifications as held for sale that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company will apply the guidance to new disposals and operations newly classified as held for sale, beginning first quarter of 2015, with no effect on existing reported discontinued operations. This guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and 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 and 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 and financial statement disclosures.

Debt Securities

Debt and Equity Securities

Our debt securities classified as available-for-sale include bonds, structured securities and redeemable preferred stock. These investments, along with certain equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, 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 and equity securities that we classify as available-for-sale. We report these unrealized investment gains and losses as a component of OCI. 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 10 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 and equity 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.

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.

An impairment of a debt security, or certain equity securities with debt-like characteristics, 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.

An equity security impairment is deemed other-than-temporary if:


•	the security has traded at a significant discount to cost for an extended period of time; or


•	we determined we may not realize the full recovery on our investment.

Equity securities are determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired based on management judgment and the consideration of the issuer’s financial condition along with other relevant facts and circumstances. Those securities which have been in a continuous decline for over twelve months and declines in value that are severe and rapid are considered for reasonability of whether the impairment would be temporary. Although there may be sustained losses for over twelve months or losses that are severe and rapid, additional information related to the issuer performance may indicate that such losses are not other-than-temporary.

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 and equity 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. In contrast, for certain equity securities, greater weight and consideration are given by the Company to an extended decline in market value and the likelihood such market value decline will recover.

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.

We amortize DAC based on the related policy’s classification. For universal life, variable universal life and deferred annuities, DAC is 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, DAC is 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:



Significant Assumption	Product	Explanation and Derivation

Separate account investment return	Variable Annuities (7.9% 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.



Significant Assumption	Product	Explanation and Derivation

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.

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 DAC associated with business written during the year. If the estimates of gross profits cannot support the recovery of DAC, the amount deferred is reduced to the recoverable amount.

The Company has updated a number of assumptions that have resulted in changes to expected future gross profits. The most significant assumption updates made over the last several years resulting in a change to future gross profits and the amortization of DAC, SIA and URR, as well as changes in PFBL and guaranteed benefit liabilities, are related to long-term expected mortality improvement; changes in expected premium persistency; 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 lapses and other policyholder behavior assumptions that are updated to reflect more recent policyholder and industry experience; and changes in expected policy administration expenses.

Sales inducements

The Company currently offers bonus payments to contract owners on certain of its individual life and annuity products. Expenses incurred related to bonus payments are deferred and amortized over the life of the related contracts in a pattern consistent with the amortization of DAC. The Company unlocks the assumptions used in the amortization of the deferred sales inducement assets consistent with the unlock of assumptions used in determining EGPs. Deferred sales inducements are included in other assets on the balance sheets and amortization of deferred sales inducements is included in other operating expense on the statements of income and comprehensive income.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities

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.

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.

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 on universal life and variable universal life products 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 DAC 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 DAC and are subject to the same variability and risk and the results are very sensitive to interest rates.

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 8 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 8 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.

We are included in the consolidated federal income tax return filed by Phoenix and are party to a tax sharing agreement by and among Phoenix 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.