EX-99.1 2 d828654dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

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Manulife Financial Corporation

Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2019


Responsibility for Financial Reporting

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Manulife Financial Corporation are the responsibility of management and have been approved by the Board of Directors. It is also the responsibility of management to ensure that all information in the annual report to shareholders is consistent with these consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the accounting requirements of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Canada. When alternative accounting methods exist, or when estimates and judgment are required, management has selected those amounts that present the Company’s financial position and results of operations in a manner most appropriate to the circumstances.

Appropriate systems of internal control, policies and procedures have been maintained to ensure that financial information is both relevant and reliable. The systems of internal control are assessed on an ongoing basis by management and the Company’s internal audit department.

The actuary appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Appointed Actuary”) is responsible for ensuring that assumptions and methods used in the determination of policy liabilities are appropriate to the circumstances and that reserves will be adequate to meet the Company’s future obligations under insurance and annuity contracts.

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibility for financial reporting and is ultimately responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements. These responsibilities are carried out primarily through an Audit Committee of unrelated and independent directors appointed by the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee meets periodically with management, the internal auditors, the external auditors and the Appointed Actuary to discuss internal control over the financial reporting process, auditing matters and financial reporting issues. The Audit Committee reviews the consolidated financial statements prepared by management and then recommends them to the Board of Directors for approval. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors and shareholders the appointment of external auditors and approval of their fees.

The consolidated financial statements have been audited by the Company’s external auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Ernst & Young LLP has full and free access to management and the Audit Committee.

 

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Roy Gori

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

Philip Witherington

Chief Financial Officer

Toronto, Canada

February 12, 2020

Appointed Actuary’s Report to the Shareholders

I have valued the policy liabilities and reinsurance recoverables of Manulife Financial Corporation for its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and their change in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years then ended in accordance with actuarial practice generally accepted in Canada, including selection of appropriate assumptions and methods.

In my opinion, the amount of policy liabilities net of reinsurance recoverables makes appropriate provision for all policyholder obligations and the consolidated financial statements fairly present the results of the valuation.

 

 

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Steven Finch

Appointed Actuary

Toronto, Canada

February 12, 2020

 

96        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Manulife Financial Corporation

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Position of Manulife Financial Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 12, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

   
   

Valuation of Insurance Contract Liabilities

 

Description of the Matter

 

 

The Company recorded insurance contract liabilities of $351.2 billion at December 31, 2019 on its consolidated statement of financial position. Insurance contract liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance ceded and represent management’s estimate of the amount which, together with estimated future premiums and net investment income, will be sufficient to pay estimated future benefits, policyholder dividends and refunds, taxes (other than income taxes) and expenses on insurance policies in-force. Insurance contract liabilities are determined using the Canadian Asset Liability Method (CALM), as required by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. The valuation of insurance contract liabilities is based on an explicit projection of cash flows using current assumptions for each material cash flow item. Cash flows related to insurance contract liabilities have two major components: a best estimate assumption and a provision for adverse deviation. Best estimate assumptions are made with respect to mortality, morbidity, investment returns, policy termination rates, premium persistency, expenses, and taxes. A provision for adverse deviation is recorded to reflect the inherent uncertainty related to the timing and amount of the best estimate assumptions. Disclosures on this matter are found in Note 1 ‘Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies’ and Note 6 ‘Insurance Contract Liabilities and Reinsurance Assets’ of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Auditing the valuation of insurance contract liabilities was complex and required the application of significant auditor judgement due to the complexity of the cash flow models, the selection and use of best estimate assumptions, and the interrelationship of these variables in measuring insurance contract liabilities. The audit effort involved professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

 

 

100        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

 

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of management’s controls over the valuation of insurance contract liabilities. The controls we tested related to, among other areas, actuarial methodology, integrity of data used, controls over relevant information technology, and the assumption setting and implementation processes used by management.

 

To test the valuation of insurance contract liabilities, our audit procedures included, among other procedures, involving our actuarial specialists to assess the methodology and assumptions with respect to compliance with the Company’s policies, Canadian Institute of Actuaries guidance and industry practice. We performed audit procedures over a sample of assumptions, including the implementation of those assumptions into the models. These procedures included testing underlying support and documentation, including testing a sample of experience studies supporting specific assumptions, challenging the nature and timing of changes recorded, and assessing whether individual changes were errors or refinements of estimates. We also performed independent recalculation procedures on a sample of insurance policies to evaluate management’s recorded reserves. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the disclosures provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

   
   

Valuation of Invested Assets with Significant Non-Market Observable Inputs

 

Description of the Matter

 

 

The Company recorded invested assets of $17.0 billion at December 31, 2019 on its consolidated statement of financial position which are both (a) measured at fair value and (b) subject to a valuation estimate that includes significant non-market observable inputs. These assets are valued based on internal models or third-party pricing sources that incorporate assumptions with a high-level of subjectivity. Examples of such assumptions include interest rates, yield curves, credit ratings and related spreads, expected future cash flows and transaction prices of comparable assets. These invested assets are classified as level 3 within the Company’s hierarchy of fair value measurements. Disclosures on this matter are found in Note 1 ‘Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies’ and Note 3 ‘Invested Assets and Investment Income’ of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Auditing the valuation of these invested assets was complex and required the application of significant auditor judgment in assessing the valuation methodology and non-observable inputs used. The valuation of these assets is sensitive to the significant non-market observable inputs described above, which are inherently forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. The audit effort involved professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

 

 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

 

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of management’s controls over the investment valuation process. The controls we tested related to, among other areas, management’s determination and approval of assumptions and methodologies used in model-based valuations and management’s review of valuations provided by third-party pricing sources.

 

To test the valuation of these invested assets, our audit procedures included, among other procedures, involving our valuation specialists to assess the methodologies and significant assumptions used by the Company. These procedures included assessing the valuation methodologies used with respect to the Company’s policies, valuation guidelines, and industry practice and comparing a sample of valuation assumptions used against benchmarks, including comparable transactions and independent pricing sources where available. We also performed independent investment valuations on a sample of investments to evaluate management’s recorded values. In addition, we assessed the adequacy of the disclosures provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

We have served as Manulife Financial Corporation’s auditors since 1905.

Toronto, Canada

February 12, 2020

 

Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        101


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Manulife Financial Corporation

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Manulife Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, Manulife Financial Corporation (the “Company”) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years then ended, and the related notes and our report dated February 12, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting contained in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

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Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada

February 12, 2020

 

102        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

As at December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

   2019              2018         

Assets

          

Cash and short-term securities

   $ 20,300         $ 16,215    

Debt securities

     198,122             185,594    

Public equities

     22,851           19,179    

Mortgages

     49,376           48,363    

Private placements

     37,979           35,754    

Policy loans

     6,471           6,446    

Loans to bank clients

     1,740           1,793    

Real estate

     12,928           12,777    

Other invested assets

     28,760                 27,543          

Total invested assets (note 3)

     378,527                 353,664          

Other assets

          

Accrued investment income

     2,416           2,427    

Outstanding premiums

     1,385           1,369    

Derivatives (note 4)

     19,449           13,703    

Reinsurance assets (notes 6 and 7)

     41,446           43,053    

Deferred tax assets (note 16)

     4,574           4,318    

Goodwill and intangible assets (note 5)

     9,975           10,097    

Miscellaneous

     8,250                 8,431          

Total other assets

     87,495                 83,398          

Segregated funds net assets (note 22)

     343,108                 313,209          

Total assets

   $ 809,130               $ 750,271          

Liabilities and Equity

          

Liabilities

          

Insurance contract liabilities (note 6)

   $   351,161         $ 328,654    

Investment contract liabilities (note 7)

     3,104           3,265    

Deposits from bank clients

     21,488           19,684    

Derivatives (note 4)

     10,284           7,803    

Deferred tax liabilities (note 16)

     1,972           1,814    

Other liabilities

     16,244                 15,190          
     404,253           376,410    

Long-term debt (note 9)

     4,543           4,769    

Capital instruments (note 10)

     7,120           8,732    

Segregated funds net liabilities (note 22)

     343,108                 313,209          

Total liabilities

     759,024                 703,120          

Equity

          

Preferred shares (note 11)

     3,822           3,822    

Common shares (note 11)

     23,127           22,961    

Contributed surplus

     254           265    

Shareholders’ retained earnings

     15,488           12,704    

Shareholders’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

          

Pension and other post-employment plans

     (350         (426  

Available-for-sale securities

     1,511           (265  

Cash flow hedges

     (143         (127  

Real estate revaluation surplus

     31           20    

Translation of foreign operations

     5,398                 7,010          

Total shareholders’ equity

     49,138           45,964    

Participating policyholders’ equity

     (243         94    

Non-controlling interests

     1,211                 1,093          

Total equity

     50,106                 47,151          

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 809,130               $ 750,271          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Roy Gori

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

John Cassaday

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        103


Consolidated Statements of Income

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions except per share amounts)

          2019                     2018         

Revenue

              

Premium income

              

Gross premiums

     $   41,059           $ 39,150    

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

             (5,481                         (15,138        

Net premiums

                 35,578                         24,012          

Investment income (note 3)

              

Investment income

       15,393             13,560    

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets supporting insurance and investment contract liabilities and on the macro hedge program

             18,200                         (9,028        

Net investment income

             33,593                         4,532          

Other revenue (note 13)

             10,399                         10,428          

Total revenue

             79,570                         38,972          

Contract benefits and expenses

              

To contract holders and beneficiaries

              

Gross claims and benefits (note 6)

       28,660             27,878    

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities (note 6)

       33,727             2,907    

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities (note 7)

       170             35    

Benefits and expenses ceded to reinsurers

       (5,373           (5,153  

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets (note 6)

             (1,269                       (9,733        

Net benefits and claims

       55,915             15,934    

General expenses

       7,686             7,957    

Investment expenses (note 3)

       1,748             1,708    

Commissions

       6,293             6,173    

Interest expense

       1,319             1,275    

Net premium taxes

             389                         406          

Total contract benefits and expenses

             73,350                         33,453          

Income before income taxes

       6,220             5,519    

Income tax expense (note 16)

             (718                       (632        

Net income

           $ 5,502                       $ 4,887          

Net income (loss) attributed to:

              

Non-controlling interests

     $ 233           $ 214    

Participating policyholders

       (333           (127  

Shareholders

             5,602                         4,800          
             $ 5,502                       $ 4,887          

Net income attributed to shareholders

       5,602             4,800    

Preferred share dividends

             (172                       (168        

Common shareholders’ net income

           $ 5,430                       $ 4,632          

Earnings per share

              

Basic earnings per common share (note 11)

     $ 2.77           $ 2.34    

Diluted earnings per common share (note 11)

       2.77             2.33    

Dividends per common share

             1.00                         0.91          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

104        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

   2019              2018         

Net income

   $   5,502               $    4,887          

Other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”), net of tax:

          

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net income:

          

Foreign exchange gains (losses) on:

          

Translation of foreign operations

     (1,933         3,078    

Net investment hedges

     320           (428  

Available-for-sale financial securities:

          

Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year

     2,212           (458  

Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses and impairments to net income

     (433         13    

Cash flow hedges:

          

Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year

     (28         (34  

Reclassification of realized losses to net income

     12           16    

Share of other comprehensive income (losses) of associates

     1                 (1        

Total items that may be subsequently reclassified to net income

     151                 2,186          

Items that will not be reclassified to net income:

          

Change in pension and other post-employment plans

     76           (62  

Real estate revaluation reserve

     11                 (1        

Total items that will not be reclassified to net income

     87                 (63        

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     238                 2,123          

Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

   $ 5,740               $ 7,010          

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributed to:

          

Non-controlling interests

   $ 237         $ 212    

Participating policyholders

     (334         (127  

Shareholders

     5,837                 6,925          

 

Income Taxes included in Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

   2019              2018         

Income tax expense (recovery) on:

          

Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses on translation of foreign operations

   $ (1       $ 1    

Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses on net investment hedges

     39           (62  

Unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale financial securities

     558           (151  

Reclassification of realized gains/losses and recoveries/impairments to net income on available-for-sale financial securities

     (140         26    

Unrealized gains/losses on cash flow hedges

     (20         31    

Reclassification of realized gains/losses to net income on cash flow hedges

     4                   4    

Change in pension and other post-employment plans

     18           4    

Real estate revaluation reserve

                     1          

Total income tax expense (recovery)

   $     458               $ (146        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        105


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

   2019              2018         

Preferred shares

          

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 3,822         $ 3,577    

Issued (note 11)

               250    

Issuance costs, net of tax

                     (5        

Balance, end of year

     3,822                 3,822          

Common shares

          

Balance, beginning of year

     22,961           22,989    

Repurchased (note 11)

     (677         (269  

Issued on exercise of stock options and deferred share units

     104           59    

Issued under dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans

     739                 182          

Balance, end of year

     23,127                 22,961          

Contributed surplus

          

Balance, beginning of year

     265           277    

Exercise of stock options and deferred share units

     (20         (10  

Stock option expense

     11           10    

Impact of deferred tax asset rate change

     (2            

Acquisition of non-controlling interest

                     (12        

Balance, end of year

     254                 265          

Shareholders’ retained earnings

          

Balance, beginning of year

     12,704           10,083    

Opening adjustment at adoption of IFRS 16 (note 2)

     (19            

Net income attributed to shareholders

     5,602           4,800    

Common shares repurchased (note 11)

     (662         (209  

Preferred share dividends

     (172         (168  

Common share dividends

     (1,965               (1,802        

Balance, end of year

     15,488                 12,704          

Shareholders’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”)

          

Balance, beginning of year

     6,212           4,087    

Change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) of net foreign operations

     (1,612         2,650    

Change in actuarial gains (losses) on pension and other post-employment plans

     76           (62  

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale financial securities

     1,775           (443  

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges

     (16         (18  

Change in real estate revaluation reserve

     11           (1  

Share of other comprehensive income (losses) of associates

     1                 (1        

Balance, end of year

     6,447                 6,212          

Total shareholders’ equity, end of year

     49,138                 45,964          

Participating policyholders’ equity

          

Balance, beginning of year

     94           221    

Opening adjustment at adoption of IFRS 16 (note 2)

     (3            

Net income (loss) attributed to participating policyholders

     (333         (127  

Other comprehensive income attributed to policyholders

     (1                        

Balance, end of year

     (243               94          

Non-controlling interests

          

Balance, beginning of year

     1,093           929    

Net income attributed to non-controlling interests

     233           214    

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributed to non-controlling interests

     4           (2  

Contributions (distributions/disposal), net

     (119               (48        

Balance, end of year

     1,211                 1,093          

Total equity, end of year

   $  50,106               $  47,151          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

106        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

For the years ended December 31,

(Canadian $ in millions)

          2019                            2018         

Operating activities

                

Net income

     $ 5,502             $ 4,887    

Adjustments:

                

Increase in insurance contract liabilities

       33,727               2,907    

Increase in investment contract liabilities

       170               35    

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets excluding coinsurance transactions (note 6)

       (557             893    

Amortization of (premium) discount on invested assets

       117               212    

Other amortization

       626               747    

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses and impairment on assets

       (20,265             8,727    

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

       (454             930    

Stock option expense

             11                                 10          

Cash provided by operating activities before undernoted items

       18,877               19,348    

Changes in policy related and operating receivables and payables

             1,665                                 (160        

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

             20,542                                 19,188          

Investing activities

                

Purchases and mortgage advances

       (80,610             (101,172  

Disposals and repayments

       65,333               82,111    

Change in investment broker net receivables and payables

       1,159               (128  

Net cash flows from acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and businesses

             288                                 187          

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

             (13,830                               (19,002        

Financing activities

                

Change in repurchase agreements and securities sold but not yet purchased

       266               (189  

Redemption of long-term debt (note 9)

                     (400  

Issue of capital instruments, net (note 10)

                     597    

Redemption of capital instruments (note 10)

       (1,500             (450  

Secured borrowing from securitization transactions

       107               250    

Changes in deposits from Bank clients, net

       1,819               1,490    

Lease payments (note 2)

       (117                

Shareholders’ dividends paid in cash

       (1,398             (1,788  

Contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests, net

       (22             (60  

Common shares repurchased (note 11)

       (1,339             (478  

Common shares issued, net (note 11)

       104               59    

Preferred shares issued, net (note 11)

                                             245          

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

             (2,080                               (724        

Cash and short-term securities

                

Increase (decrease) during the year

       4,632               (538  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and short-term securities

       (466             822    

Balance, beginning of year

             15,382                                 15,098          

Balance, December 31

             19,548                                 15,382          

Cash and short-term securities

                

Beginning of year

                

Gross cash and short-term securities

       16,215               15,965    

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

             (833                               (867        

Net cash and short-term securities, January 1

             15,382                                 15,098          

End of year

                

Gross cash and short-term securities

       20,300               16,215    

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

             (752                               (833        

Net cash and short-term securities, December 31

           $ 19,548                               $ 15,382          

Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information

                

Interest received

     $ 11,549             $ 10,952    

Interest paid

       1,299               1,212    

Income taxes paid (refund)

             104                                 461          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        107


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Page Number   Note     

109

 

Note 1

  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

116

 

Note 2

  Accounting and Reporting Changes

119

 

Note 3

  Invested Assets and Investment Income

127

 

Note 4

  Derivative and Hedging Instruments

133

 

Note 5

  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

135

 

Note 6

  Insurance Contract Liabilities and Reinsurance Assets

144

 

Note 7

  Investment Contract Liabilities

145

 

Note 8

  Risk Management

151

 

Note 9

  Long-Term Debt

152

 

Note 10

  Capital Instruments

153

 

Note 11

  Share Capital and Earnings Per Share

154

 

Note 12

  Capital Management

155

 

Note 13

  Revenue from Service Contracts

156

 

Note 14

  Stock-Based Compensation

158

 

Note 15

  Employee Future Benefits

162

 

Note 16

  Income Taxes

164

 

Note 17

  Interests in Structured Entities

166

 

Note 18

  Commitments and Contingencies

168

 

Note 19

  Segmented Information

170

 

Note 20

  Related Parties

170

 

Note 21

  Subsidiaries

172

 

Note 22

  Segregated Funds

174

 

Note 23

  Information Provided in Connection with Investments in Deferred Annuity Contracts and SignatureNotes Issued or Assumed by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)

178

 

Note 24

 

Comparatives

 

108        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Canadian $ in millions except per share amounts or unless otherwise stated)

Note 1    Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Reporting entity

Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”) is a publicly traded company and the holding company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (“MLI”), a Canadian life insurance company. MFC and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Manulife” or the “Company”) is a leading financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Manulife’s international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to personal and business clients as well as asset management services to institutional customers. The Company operates as Manulife in Canada and Asia and as John Hancock in the United States.

MFC is domiciled in Canada and incorporated under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada) (“ICA”). These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with “Risk Management” in the 2019 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) dealing with IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” as the discussion on market risk and liquidity risk includes certain disclosures that are considered an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

These Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2019 were authorized for issue by MFC’s Board of Directors on February 12, 2020.

(b) Basis of preparation

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The most significant estimation processes relate to assumptions used in measuring insurance and investment contract liabilities, assessing assets for impairment, determining of pension and other post-employment benefit obligation and expense assumptions, determining income taxes and uncertain tax positions and fair valuation of certain invested assets. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the year in which the estimates are revised and in any future years affected. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the amounts recorded are appropriate. The significant accounting policies used and the most significant judgments made by management in applying these accounting policies in the preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements are summarized below.

(c) Fair value measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (not a forced liquidation or distress sale) between market participants at the measurement date, that is, an exit value.

When available, quoted market prices are used to determine fair value. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is typically based upon alternative valuation techniques such as discounted cash flows, matrix pricing, consensus pricing services and other techniques. Broker quotes are generally used when external public vendor prices are not available.

The Company has a process in place that includes a review of price movements relative to the market, a comparison of prices between vendors, and a comparison to internal matrix pricing which uses predominately external observable data. Judgment is applied in adjusting external observable data for items including liquidity and credit factors.

The Company categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used by the Company’s valuation techniques. A level is assigned to each fair value measurement based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Fair value measurements that reflect unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date reflecting market transactions.

Level 2 – Fair value measurements using inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in inactive markets, inputs that are observable that are not prices (such as interest rates, credit risks, etc.) and inputs that are derived from or corroborated by observable market data. Most debt securities are classified within Level 2. Also, included in the Level 2 category are derivative instruments that are priced using models with observable market inputs, including interest rate swaps, equity swaps, and foreign currency forward contracts.

Level 3 – Fair value measurements using significant non-market observable inputs. These include valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived using data, some or all of which is not market observable, including assumptions about risk. Level 3 securities include less liquid securities such as real estate investment property, other invested assets, timber investments held within segregated funds, certain long-duration bonds and other securities that have little or no price transparency. Certain derivative financial instruments are also included in Level 3.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        109


(d) Basis of consolidation

MFC consolidates the financial statements of all entities, including certain structured entities that it controls. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company has control over an entity when the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity, is exposed to variable returns from its activities which are significant in relation to the total variable returns of the entity and the Company is able to use its power over the entity to affect its share of variable returns. In assessing control, significant judgment is applied while considering all relevant facts and circumstances. When assessing decision-making power, the Company considers the extent of its rights relative to the management of an entity, the level of voting rights held in an entity which are potentially or presently exercisable, the existence of any contractual management agreements which may provide the Company with power over an entity’s financial and operating policies and to the extent of other parties’ ownership in an entity, if any, the possibility for de facto control being present. When assessing returns, the Company considers the significance of direct and indirect financial and non-financial variable returns to the Company from an entity’s activities in addition to the proportionate significance of such returns. The Company also considers the degree to which its interests are aligned with those of other parties investing in an entity and the degree to which it may act in its own interest.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in MFC’s consolidated results from the date control is established and are excluded from consolidation from the date control ceases. The initial control assessment is performed at inception of the Company’s involvement with the entity and is reconsidered at a later date if the Company acquires or loses power over key operating and financial policies of the entity; acquires additional interests or disposes of interests in the entity; the contractual arrangements of the entity are amended such that the Company’s proportionate exposure to variable returns changes; or if the Company’s ability to use its power to affect its variable returns from the entity changes.

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions and events in similar circumstances. Intercompany balances, and income and expenses arising from intercompany transactions, have been eliminated in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Non-controlling interests are interests of other parties in the equity of MFC’s subsidiaries and are presented within total equity, separate from the equity of MFC’s shareholders. Non-controlling interests in the net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”) of MFC’s subsidiaries are included in total net income and total OCI, respectively. An exception to this occurs where the subsidiary’s shares are required to be redeemed for cash on a fixed or determinable date, in which case other parties’ interests in the subsidiary’s capital are presented as liabilities of the Company and other parties in the subsidiary’s income and OCI are recorded as expenses of the Company.

The equity method of accounting is used to account for entities over which the Company has significant influence or joint control (“associates” or “joint ventures”), whereby the Company records its share of the associate’s or joint venture’s net assets and financial results using uniform accounting policies for similar transactions and events. Significant judgment is used to determine whether voting rights, contractual management and other relationships with the entity, if any, provide the Company with significant influence or joint control over the entity. Gains and losses on the sale of associates or joint ventures are included in income when realized, while impairment losses are recognized immediately when there is objective evidence of impairment. Gains and losses on commercial transactions with associates or joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the associate or joint venture. Investments in associates or joint ventures are included in other invested assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

(e) Invested assets

Invested assets that are considered financial instruments are classified as fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), loans and receivables, or as available-for-sale (“AFS”) financial assets. The Company determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition. Invested assets are recognized initially at fair value plus, in the case of investments not at FVTPL, directly attributable transaction costs. Invested assets are classified as financial instruments at FVTPL if they are held for trading, if they are designated by management under the fair value option, or if they are designated by management when they include one or more embedded derivatives. Invested assets classified as AFS are non-derivative financial assets that do not fall into any of the other categories described above.

Valuation methods for the Company’s invested assets are described above. All fair value valuations are performed in accordance with IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurement”. Disclosure of financial instruments carried at fair value with the three levels of the fair value hierarchy and the disclosure of the fair value for financial instruments not carried at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position are presented in note 3. Fair value valuations are performed by the Company and by third-party service providers. When third-party service providers are engaged, the Company performs a variety of procedures to corroborate pricing information. These procedures may include, but are not limited to, inquiry and review of valuation techniques, inputs to the valuation and vendor controls reports.

Cash and short-term securities comprise of cash, current operating accounts, overnight bank and term deposits, and fixed income securities held for meeting short-term cash commitments. Short-term securities are carried at fair value. Short-term securities are comprised of investments due to mature within one year of the date of purchase. Commercial paper and discount notes are classified as Level 2 because these securities are typically not actively traded. Net payments in transit and overdraft bank balances are included in other liabilities.

 

110        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Debt securities are carried at fair value. Debt securities are generally valued by independent pricing vendors using proprietary pricing models incorporating current market inputs for similar instruments with comparable terms and credit quality (matrix pricing). The significant inputs include, but are not limited to, yield curves, credit risks and spreads, prepayment rates and volatility of these inputs. These debt securities are classified as Level 2 but can be Level 3 if significant inputs are market unobservable. Realized gains and losses on sale of debt securities and unrealized gains and losses on debt securities designated as FVTPL are recognized in investment income immediately. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS debt securities are recorded in OCI, except for unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency translation which are included in income. Impairment losses on AFS debt securities are recognized in income on an individual security basis when there is objective evidence of impairment. Impairment is considered to have occurred, based on management’s judgment, when it is deemed probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the debt security’s contractual terms.

Equities are comprised of common and preferred equities and are carried at fair value. Equities are generally classified as Level 1, as fair values are normally based on quoted market prices. Realized gains and losses on sale of equities and unrealized gains and losses on equities designated as FVTPL are recognized in investment income immediately. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS equities are recorded in OCI. Impairment losses on AFS equities are recognized in income on an individual security basis when there is objective evidence of impairment. Impairment is considered to have occurred when fair value has declined below cost by a significant amount or for a prolonged period of time. Judgment is applied in determining whether the decline is significant or prolonged.

Mortgages are carried at amortized cost and are classified as Level 3 for fair value purposes due to the lack of market observability of certain significant valuation inputs. Realized gains and losses are recorded in investment income immediately. Impairment losses are recorded on mortgages when there is no longer reasonable assurance as to the timely collection of the full amount of principal and interest and are measured based on the discounted value of expected future cash flows at the original effective interest rates inherent in the mortgage. Expected future cash flows of impaired mortgages are typically determined with reference to the fair value of collateral security underlying the mortgage, net of expected costs of realization and including any applicable insurance recoveries. Significant judgment is applied in the determination of impairment including the timing and amount of future collections.

The Company accounts for insured and uninsured mortgage securitizations as secured financing transactions since the criteria for sale accounting are not met. For these transactions, the Company continues to recognize the mortgages and records a liability in other liabilities for the amounts owed at maturity. Interest income from these mortgages and interest expense on the borrowings are recorded using the effective interest rate method.

Private placements, which include corporate loans for which there is no active market, are carried at amortized cost and are generally classified as Level 2 for fair value disclosure purposes or as Level 3 if significant inputs are market unobservable. Realized gains and losses are recorded in income immediately. Impairment losses are recorded on private placements when there is no longer assurance as to the timely collection of the full amount of principal and interest. Impairment is measured based on the discounted value of expected future cash flows at the original effective interest rate inherent in the loan. Significant judgment is applied in the determination of impairment including the timing and amount of future collections.

Policy loans are carried at an amount equal to their unpaid balances and are classified as Level 2 for fair value disclosure purposes. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying policies.

Loans to Manulife Bank of Canada (“Manulife Bank” or “Bank”) clients are carried at amortized cost and are classified as Level 2 for fair value disclosure purposes. A loan to a Bank client is considered impaired when there is objective evidence of impairment because of one or more loss events that have occurred after initial recognition, with a negative impact on the estimated future cash flows of the loan.

Once established, allowances for impairment of mortgages, private placements and loans to Bank clients are reversed only if the conditions that caused the impairment no longer exist. Reversals of impairment charges on AFS debt securities are only recognized in income to the extent that increases in fair value can be attributed to events after the impairment loss being recorded. Impairment losses for AFS equity instruments are not reversed through income. On disposition of an impaired asset, any allowance for impairment is released.

In addition to impairments and provisions for loan losses (recoveries) reported in investment income, the measurement of insurance contract liabilities, via investment return assumptions, includes expected future credit losses on fixed income investments. Refer to note 6(d).

Interest income is recognized on debt securities, mortgages, private placements, policy loans and loans to Bank clients as it accrues and is calculated using the effective interest rate method. Premiums, discounts and transaction costs are amortized over the life of the underlying investment using the effective yield method for all debt securities as well as mortgages and private placements.

The Company records purchases and sales of invested assets on a trade date basis, except for loans originated by the Company, which are recognized on a settlement date basis.

Real estate consists of both own use and investment property. Own use property is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is calculated based on the cost of an asset less its residual value and is recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life ranging from 30 to 60 years. Impairment losses are recorded in income to the extent the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount. Where own use property is included in assets backing insurance contract liabilities, the fair value of the property is used in the valuation of insurance contract liabilities. Own use property is classified as Level 3 for fair value disclosure purposes.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        111


An investment property is a property held to earn rental income, for capital appreciation, or both. Investment properties are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in income. Fair value is determined using external appraisals that are based on the highest and best use of the property. The valuation techniques include discounted cash flows, the direct capitalization method as well as comparable sales analysis and include both observable and unobservable inputs. Inputs include existing and assumed tenancies, market data from recent comparable transactions, future economic outlook and market risk assumptions, capitalization rates and internal rates of return. Investment properties are classified as Level 3 for fair value disclosure purposes.

When a property changes from own use to investment property, any gain or loss arising on the remeasurement of the property to fair value at the date of transfer is recognized in OCI, to the extent that it is not reversing a previous impairment loss. Reversals of impairment losses are recognized in income.

Other invested assets include private equity and property investments held in infrastructure and timber, as well as in agriculture and oil and gas sectors. Private equity investments are accounted for as associates or joint ventures using the equity method (as described in note 1(d) above) or are classified as FVTPL or AFS and carried at fair value. Investments in oil and gas exploration and evaluation activities are measured on the cost basis using the “successful efforts” method. Timber and agriculture properties are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income, except for buildings, equipment and bearer plants which are measured at amortized cost. The fair value of other invested assets is determined using a variety of valuation techniques as described in note 3. Other invested assets that are measured or disclosed at fair value are classified as Level 3.

Other invested assets also include investments in leveraged leases, which are accounted for using the equity method. The carrying value under the equity method reflects the amortized cost of the lease receivable and related non-recourse debt using the effective yield method.

(f) Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of purchase consideration of an acquired business and the Company’s proportionate share of the net identifiable assets acquired. It is initially recorded at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable at the cash generating unit (“CGU”) or group of CGUs level. The Company allocates goodwill to CGUs or groups of CGUs for impairment testing based on the lowest level within the entity in which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. The allocation is made to those CGUs or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose. Any potential impairment of goodwill is identified by comparing the recoverable amount with the carrying value of a CGU or group of CGUs. Goodwill is reduced by the amount of deficiency, if any. If the deficiency exceeds the carrying amount of goodwill, the carrying values of the remaining assets in the CGU or group of CGUs are subject to being reduced by the excess on a pro-rata basis.

The recoverable amount of a CGU is the higher of the estimated fair value less costs to sell or the value-in-use of the CGU. In assessing value-in-use, estimated future cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. In some cases, the most recent detailed calculation made in a prior period of the recoverable amount of a CGU is used in the testing of impairment of goodwill in the current period. This is the case only if there are no significant changes to the CGU, the likelihood of impairment is remote based on the analysis of current events and circumstances, and the most recently calculated recoverable amount substantially exceeds the current carrying amount of the CGU.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives include the John Hancock brand name, certain investment management contracts and agricultural water rights. The indefinite useful life assessment for brand is based on the brand name being protected in markets where branded products are sold by trademarks, which are renewable indefinitely, and for certain investment management contracts due to the ability to renew these contracts indefinitely. In addition, there are no legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that limit the useful lives of these intangible assets. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test which is performed more frequently if an indication that it is not recoverable arises.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives include acquired distribution networks, customer relationships, capitalized software, certain investment management contracts and other contractual rights. Distribution networks, customer relationships, and other finite life intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, six to 68 years, either based on straight-line or in relation to other asset consumption metrics. Software intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of three to five years. Finite life intangible assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting period. If any indication of impairment exists, these assets are subject to an impairment test.

(g) Miscellaneous assets

Miscellaneous assets include assets held in a rabbi trust with respect to unfunded defined benefit obligations, defined benefit assets, if any (refer to note 1(o)), deferred acquisition costs and capital assets. Deferred acquisition costs are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. These costs are recognized over the period where redemption fees may be charged or over the period revenue is earned. Capital assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization computed on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which vary from two to 10 years.

 

112        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(h) Segregated funds

The Company manages segregated funds on behalf of policyholders. The investment returns on these funds are passed directly to policyholders. In some cases, the Company has provided guarantees associated with these funds.

Segregated funds net assets are measured at fair value and include investments in mutual funds, debt securities, equities, cash, short-term investments and other investments. With respect to the consolidation requirement of IFRS, in assessing the Company’s degree of control over the underlying investments, the Company considers the scope of its decision-making rights, the rights held by other parties, its remuneration as an investment manager and its exposure to variability of returns. The Company has determined that it does not have control over the underlying investments as it acts as an agent on behalf of segregated fund policyholders.

The methodology applied to determine the fair value of investments held in segregated funds is consistent with that applied to invested assets held by the general fund, as described above in note 1(e). Segregated funds liabilities are measured based on the value of the segregated funds net assets. Investment returns on segregated funds assets belong to policyholders and the Company does not bear the risk associated with these assets outside of guarantees offered on certain variable life and annuity products, for which the underlying investments are held within segregated funds. Accordingly, investment income earned by segregated funds and expenses incurred by segregated funds are offset and are not separately presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Fee income earned by the Company for managing the segregated funds is included in other revenue.

Liabilities related to guarantees associated with certain segregated funds, as a result of certain variable life and annuity contracts, are recorded within the Company’s insurance contract liabilities. The Company holds assets supporting these guarantees in the general fund, which are included in invested assets according to their investment type.

(i) Insurance and investment contract liabilities

Most contracts issued by the Company are considered insurance, investment or service contracts. Contracts under which the Company accepts significant insurance risk from a policyholder are classified as insurance contracts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A contract is considered to have significant insurance risk if, and only if, an insured event could cause an insurer to make significant additional payments in any scenario, excluding scenarios that lack commercial substance at the inception of the contract. Contracts under which the Company does not accept significant insurance risk are either classified as investment contracts or considered service contracts and are accounted for in accordance with IAS 39Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, respectively.

Once a contract has been classified as an insurance contract it remains an insurance contract even if the insurance risk reduces significantly. Investment contracts can be reclassified as insurance contracts if insurance risk subsequently becomes significant.

Insurance contract liabilities, net of reinsurance assets, represent the amount which, together with estimated future premiums and net investment income, will be sufficient to pay estimated future benefits, policyholder dividends and refunds, taxes (other than income taxes) and expenses on policies in-force. Insurance contract liabilities are presented gross of reinsurance assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company’s Appointed Actuary is responsible for determining the amount of insurance contract liabilities in accordance with standards established by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. Insurance contract liabilities, net of reinsurance assets, have been determined using the Canadian Asset Liability Method (“CALM”) as permitted by IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts”. Refer to note 6.

Investment contract liabilities include contracts issued to retail and institutional investors that do not contain significant insurance risk. Investment contract liabilities and deposits are measured at amortized cost or at fair value by election. The election reduces accounting mismatches between assets supporting these contracts and the related policy liabilities. Investment contract liabilities are derecognized when the contract expires, is discharged or is cancelled.

Derivatives embedded within insurance contracts are separately accounted for as derivatives if they are not considered to be closely related to the host insurance contract and do not meet the definition of an insurance contract. These embedded derivatives are presented separately in other assets or other liabilities and are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income.

(j) Reinsurance assets

The Company uses reinsurance in the normal course of business to manage its risk exposure. Insurance ceded to a reinsurer does not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The Company remains liable to its policyholders for the portion reinsured to the extent that any reinsurer does not meet its obligations for reinsurance ceded to it under a reinsurance agreement.

Reinsurance assets represent the benefit derived from reinsurance agreements in-force at the reporting date, considering the financial condition of the reinsurer. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in accordance with the terms of the relevant reinsurance contract.

Gains or losses on reinsurance transactions are recognized in income immediately on the transaction date and are not amortized. Premiums ceded and claims reimbursed are presented on a gross basis on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Reinsurance assets are not offset against the related insurance contract liabilities and are presented separately on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Refer to note 6(a).

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        113


(k) Other financial instruments accounted for as liabilities

The Company issues a variety of other financial instruments classified as liabilities, including notes payable, term notes, senior notes, senior debentures, subordinated notes, surplus notes and preferred shares. These financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost, with issuance costs deferred and amortized using the effective interest rate method.

(l) Income taxes

The provision for income taxes is calculated based on income tax laws and income tax rates substantively enacted as at the date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The income tax provision is comprised of current income taxes and deferred income taxes. Current and deferred income taxes relating to items recognized in OCI and directly in equity are similarly recognized in OCI and directly in equity, respectively.

Current income taxes are amounts expected to be payable or recoverable for the current year and any adjustments to taxes payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred income taxes are provided for using the liability method and result from temporary differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income taxes are measured at the substantively enacted tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse.

A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that future realization of the tax benefit is probable. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the tax benefit will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The Company records liabilities for uncertain tax positions if it is probable that the Company will make a payment on tax positions due to examinations by tax authorities. These provisions are measured at the Company’s best estimate of the amount expected to be paid. Provisions are reversed to income in the period in which management assesses they are no longer required or determined by statute.

The Company is subject to income tax laws in various jurisdictions. Tax laws are complex and potentially subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant tax authority. The provision for current income taxes and deferred income taxes represents management’s interpretation of the relevant tax laws and its estimate of current and future income tax implications of the transactions and events during the year. The Company may be required to change its provision for income taxes or deferred income tax balances when the ultimate deductibility of certain items is successfully challenged by taxing authorities, or if estimates used in determining the amount of deferred tax balances to recognize change significantly, or when receipt of new information indicates the need for adjustment in the amount of deferred income taxes to be recognized. Additionally, future events, such as changes in tax laws, tax regulations, or interpretations of such laws or regulations, could have an impact on the provision for income taxes, deferred tax balances and the effective tax rate. Any such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period these changes occur.

(m) Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are measured by each entity using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”). If their functional currency is other than Canadian dollar, these entities are foreign operations of the Company.

Transactions in a foreign currency are translated to the functional currency at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Revenue and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the quarter reported. Exchange gains and losses are recognized in income except for translation of net investments in foreign operations and the results of hedging these positions, and for non-monetary items designated as AFS. These foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in OCI until such time that the foreign operation or non-monetary item is disposed of or control or significant influence over it is lost.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in Canadian dollars. The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated from their functional currencies to Canadian dollars; assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the reporting date, and revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the period. These foreign exchange gains and losses are included in OCI.

(n) Stock-based compensation

The Company provides stock-based compensation to certain employees and directors as described in note 14. Compensation expense of equity instruments is accrued based on the best estimate of the number of instruments expected to vest, with revisions made to that estimate if subsequent information indicates that actual forfeitures are likely to differ from initial estimates, unless forfeitures are due to market-based conditions.

 

114        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Stock options are expensed with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus. Restricted share units and deferred share units are expensed with a corresponding liability accrued based on the market value of MFC’s common shares at the end of each quarter. Performance share units are expensed with a corresponding liability accrued based on specific performance conditions and the market value of MFC’s common shares at the end of each quarter. The change in the value of the awards resulting from changes in the market value of MFC’s common shares or changes in the specific performance conditions and credited dividends is recognized in income, offset by the impact of total return swaps used to manage the variability of the related liability.

Stock-based compensation cost is recognized over the applicable vesting period, unless the employee is eligible to retire at the time of grant or will be eligible to retire during the vesting period. Compensation cost, attributable to stock options, restricted share units, and performance share units granted to employees who are eligible to retire on the grant date or who will become eligible to retire during the vesting period, is recognized at the grant date or over the period from the grant date to the date of retirement eligibility, respectively.

The Company’s contributions to the Global Share Ownership Plan (“GSOP”) (refer to note 14(d)), are expensed as incurred. Under the GSOP, subject to certain conditions, the Company will match a percentage of an employee’s eligible contributions to certain maximums. All contributions are used by the plan’s trustee to purchase MFC common shares in the open market.

(o) Employee future benefits

The Company maintains defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment plans for employees and agents including registered (tax qualified) pension plans that are typically funded as well as supplemental non-registered (non-qualified) pension plans for executives, retiree and disability welfare plans that are typically not funded.

The Company’s obligation in respect of defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefits is calculated for each plan as the estimated present value of future benefits that eligible employees have earned in return for their service up to the reporting date using the projected benefit method. The discount rate used is based on the yield, as at the reporting date, of high-quality corporate debt securities that have approximately the same term as the obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid.

To determine the Company’s net defined benefit asset or liability, the fair value of plan assets is deducted from the defined benefit obligations. When this calculation results in a surplus, the asset that can be recognized is limited to the present value of future economic benefit available in the form of future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan (the asset limit). Defined benefit assets are included in other assets and defined benefit liabilities are included in other liabilities.

Changes in the net defined benefit asset or liability due to re-measurement of pension and retiree welfare plans are recorded in OCI in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income in subsequent periods. They consist of actuarial gains and losses, the impact of the asset limit, if any, and the return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in net interest income or expense. Changes in the net defined benefit asset or liability due to re-measurement of disability welfare plans are recorded in income in the period in which they occur.

The cost of defined benefit pension plans is recognized over the employee’s years of service to retirement while the cost of retiree welfare plans is recognized over the employee’s years of service to their date of full eligibility. The net benefit cost for the year is recorded in income and is calculated as the sum of the service cost in respect of the fiscal year, the net interest income or expense and any applicable administration expenses, plus past service costs or credits resulting from plan amendments or curtailments. The net interest income or expense is determined by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit asset or liability. The current year cost of disability welfare plans is the year-over-year change in the defined benefit obligation, including any actuarial gains or losses.

The cost of defined contribution plans is the contribution provided by the Company and is recorded in income in the periods during which services are rendered by employees.

(p) Derivative and hedging instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments (“derivatives”) including swaps, forward and futures agreements, and options to manage current and anticipated exposures to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and equity market prices, and to replicate permissible investments. Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments are separately recorded as derivatives when their economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host instrument, the terms of the embedded derivative are the same as those of a standalone derivative and the host instrument itself is not recorded at FVTPL. Derivatives are recorded at fair value. Derivatives with unrealized gains are reported as derivative assets and derivatives with unrealized losses are reported as derivative liabilities.

A determination is made for each derivative as to whether to apply hedge accounting. Where hedge accounting is not applied, changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in investment income. Refer to note 3(c).

Where the Company has elected to apply hedge accounting, a hedging relationship is designated and documented at inception. Hedge effectiveness is evaluated at inception and throughout the term of the hedge. Hedge accounting is only applied when the Company expects that the hedging relationship will be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or changes in cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged. The assessment of hedge effectiveness is performed at the end of each reporting period both prospectively and retrospectively. When it is determined that a hedging relationship is no longer effective, or the hedging instrument or the hedged item has been sold or terminated, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. In such cases,

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        115


if the derivatives are not sold or terminated, any subsequent changes in fair value of the derivatives are recognized in investment income.

For derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recorded according to the nature of the risks being hedged, as discussed below.

In a fair value hedging relationship, changes in fair value of the hedging instruments are recorded in investment income, offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items, which would otherwise not be carried at fair value. Hedge ineffectiveness is recognized in investment income and arises from differences between changes in the fair values of hedging instruments and hedged items. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the carrying value of the hedged item is no longer adjusted and the cumulative fair value adjustments are amortized to investment income over the remaining term of the hedged item unless the hedged item is sold, at which time the balance is recognized immediately in investment income.

In a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recorded in OCI while the ineffective portion is recognized in investment income. Gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) are recognized in income during the same periods as the variability in the hedged cash flows or the hedged forecasted transactions are recognized in income. The reclassifications from AOCI are made to investment income, except for total return swaps that hedge restricted share units, which are reclassified to general expenses.

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges in AOCI are reclassified immediately to investment income when the hedged item is sold or the forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur. When a hedge is discontinued, but the hedged forecasted transaction is expected to occur, the amounts in AOCI are reclassified to investment income in the periods during which variability in the cash flows hedged or the hedged forecasted transaction is recognized in income.

In a net investment in foreign operations hedging relationship, gains and losses relating to the effective portion of the hedge are recorded in OCI. Gains and losses in AOCI are recognized in income during the periods when gains or losses on the underlying hedged net investment in foreign operations are recognized in income.

(q) Premium income and related expenses

Gross premiums for all types of insurance contracts, and contracts with limited mortality or morbidity risk, are generally recognized as revenue when due. Premiums are reported gross of reinsurance ceded (refer to note 6).

(r) Revenue from service contracts

The Company recognizes revenue from service contracts in accordance with IFRS 15. The Company’s service contracts generally impose single performance obligations, each consisting of a series of similar related services for each customer. Revenue is recorded as performance obligations are satisfied over time because the customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the services rendered, measured using an output method. Revenue for variable consideration is recognized to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved. Refer to note 13.

Note 2    Accounting and Reporting Changes

(a) Changes in accounting and reporting policy

(i) IFRS 16 “Leases”

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted IFRS 16 “Leases” which was issued in January 2016 and replaces IAS 17 “Leases” and IFRIC 4 “Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease”. IFRS 16 sets out principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract. The standard brings most leases on-balance sheet under a single model and eliminates the previous classifications of operating and finance leases. Exemptions to this treatment are for lease contracts with low value assets or leases with duration of less than one year. Lessor accounting largely remains unchanged with previous classifications of operating and finance leases continuing.

The Company adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method with no restatement of comparative information. Right-of-use assets of $381 and lease liabilities of $410 were recognized within miscellaneous assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, respectively. The net post-tax impact of these adjustments was $22, of which $19 was recognized in shareholders’ retained earnings and $3 was recognized in participating policyholders’ equity. The assets and liabilities arise primarily from real estate lease contracts.

The Company applied the practical expedient of not reviewing lease classification under IFRS 16 for contracts not previously classified as leases. In addition, the Company has elected to expense lease payments on a straight-line basis for all leases with lease term of 12 months or less or the underlying asset has a low value.

(ii) IFRS Interpretation Committee (“IFRIC”) Interpretation 23 “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments”

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted IFRIC 23 “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments” which was issued in June 2017. IFRIC 23 was applied retrospectively. IFRIC 23 provides guidance on applying the recognition and measurement requirements in IAS 12 when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments including whether uncertain tax treatments should be considered together or separately based on which approach better predicts resolution of the uncertainty. Adoption of IFRIC 23 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

116        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(iii) Amendments to IAS 28 “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the amendments to IAS 28 “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures” which were issued in October 2017. The amendments were applied retrospectively. The amendments clarify that an entity applies IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” to financial interests in an associate or joint venture, aside from investments in equity, to which the equity method is not applied. IAS 39 will be applied to these interests until IFRS 9 is adopted. Adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(iv) Annual Improvements 2015–2017 Cycle

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted amendments issued within the Annual Improvements 2015 – 2017 Cycle which was issued in December 2017. The IASB issued four minor amendments to different standards as part of the Annual Improvements process, with the amendments to be applied prospectively. Adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(v) Amendments to IAS 19 “Employee Benefits”

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted amendments to IAS 19 “Employee Benefits” which were issued in February 2018. The amendments were applied prospectively. The amendments address the accounting for a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement that occurs within a reporting period. Updated actuarial assumptions must be used to determine current service cost and net interest for the remainder of the reporting period after such an event. The amendments also address how the accounting for asset ceilings are affected by such an event. Adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(b) Future accounting and reporting changes

(i) IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments”

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” was issued in November 2009 and amended in October 2010, November 2013 and July 2014, and is effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, to be applied retrospectively, or on a modified retrospective basis. Additionally, the IASB issued amendments in October 2017 that are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. In June 2019, the exposure draft published for IFRS 17 proposed to extend the deferral date of IFRS 9 by one year to January 1, 2022.

The standard is intended to replace IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”.

The project has been divided into three phases: classification and measurement, impairment of financial assets, and hedge accounting. IFRS 9’s current classification and measurement methodology provides that financial assets are measured at either amortized cost or fair value on the basis of the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The classification and measurement for financial liabilities remains generally unchanged; however, for a financial liability designated as at fair value through profit or loss, revisions have been made in the accounting for changes in fair value attributable to changes in the credit risk of that liability. Gains or losses caused by changes in an entity’s own credit risk on such liabilities are no longer recognized in profit or loss but instead are reflected in OCI.

Revisions to hedge accounting were issued in November 2013 as part of the overall IFRS 9 project. The amendment introduces a new hedge accounting model, together with corresponding disclosures about risk management activity for those applying hedge accounting. The new model represents a substantial overhaul of hedge accounting that will enable entities to better reflect their risk management activities in their financial statements.

Revisions issued in July 2014 replace the existing incurred loss model used for measuring the allowance for credit losses with an expected loss model. Changes were also made to the existing classification and measurement model designed primarily to address specific application issues raised by early adopters of the standard. They also address the income statement accounting mismatches and short-term volatility issues which have been identified as a result of the insurance contracts project.

The Company elected to defer IFRS 9 until January 1, 2021 as allowed under IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts”. The Company is assessing the impact of this standard.

(ii) IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts”

IFRS 17 was issued in May 2017 and is effective for years beginning on January 1, 2021, to be applied retrospectively. If full retrospective application to a group of contracts is impractical, the modified retrospective or fair value methods may be used. The standard will replace IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts” and will materially change the recognition and measurement of insurance contracts and the corresponding presentation and disclosures in the Company’s Financial Statements.

Exposure Draft Amendments to IFRS 17 was published in June 2019, which proposed a number of targeted amendments for public consultation. The proposed amendments include a deferral of the effective date of IFRS 17 by one year, to January 1, 2022. The proposed amendments are subject to IASB’s re-deliberation process which is expected to conclude in mid-2020. The Company will continue to monitor IASB’s future developments related to IFRS 17.

IFRS 17 requires entities to measure insurance contract liabilities on the balance sheet as the total of (a) the fulfillment cash flows – the current estimates of amounts that the Company expects to collect from premiums and pay out for claims, benefits and expenses, including an adjustment for the timing and risk for those amounts; and (b) the contractual service margin – the future profit for providing insurance coverage.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        117


The principles underlying IFRS 17 differ from the CALM as permitted by IFRS 4. While there are many differences, the following outlines two of the key differences:

 

   

Under IFRS 17, the discount rate used to estimate the present value of insurance liabilities is based on the characteristics of the liability, whereas under CALM, the Company uses the rates of returns for current and projected assets supporting policy liabilities to value the liabilities. The difference in the discount rate approach also impacts the timing of investment-related experience earnings emergence. Under CALM, investment-related experience includes investment experience and the impact of investing activities. The impact of investing activities is directly related to the CALM methodology. Under IFRS 17, the impact of investing activities will emerge over the life of the new asset.

 

   

Under IFRS 17, new business gains are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and amortized into income as services are provided. Under CALM, new business gains (and losses) are recognized in income immediately.

The Company is assessing the implications of this standard including proposed amendments and expects that it will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, in certain jurisdictions, including Canada, it could have a material effect on tax and regulatory capital positions and other financial metrics that are dependent upon IFRS accounting values.

(iii) Amendments to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations”

Amendments to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations” were issued in October 2018 and are effective for business combinations occurring on or after January 1, 2020, with earlier application permitted. The amendments revise the definition of a business and permit a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets qualifies as a business. Application of the amendments are expected to result in fewer acquisitions qualifying as business combinations. Adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(iv) Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors”

Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors” were issued in October 2018. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020 and are to be applied prospectively. The amendments update the definition of material. Adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(v) Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 were issued in September 2019 related to interest rate benchmark reform and are effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The amendments provide temporary relief for hedge accounting to continue during the period of uncertainty before replacement of an existing interest rate benchmark with an alternative risk-free rate. The amendments apply to all hedge accounting relationships that are affected by the interest rate benchmark reform. The IASB is expected to issue further guidance addressing various accounting issues that will arise when the existing interest rate benchmark has been replaced. The Company is assessing the implications of these amendments.

 

118        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 3    Invested Assets and Investment Income

(a) Carrying values and fair values of invested assets

 

As at December 31, 2019    FVTPL(1)      AFS(2)      Other(3)      Total carrying
value(4)
     Total fair
value(5)
 

Cash and short-term securities(6)

   $ 1,859      $ 13,084      $ 5,357      $ 20,300      $ 20,300  

Debt securities(7)

              

Canadian government and agency

     18,582        4,779               23,361        23,361  

U.S. government and agency

     11,031        17,221               28,252        28,252  

Other government and agency

     17,383        4,360               21,743        21,743  

Corporate

     116,044        5,285               121,329        121,329  

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     3,267        170               3,437        3,437  

Public equities

     20,060        2,791               22,851        22,851  

Mortgages

                   49,376        49,376        51,450  

Private placements

                   37,979        37,979        41,743  

Policy loans

                   6,471        6,471        6,471  

Loans to Bank clients

                   1,740        1,740        1,742  

Real estate

              

Own use property(8)

                   1,926        1,926        3,275  

Investment property

                   11,002        11,002        11,002  

Other invested assets

              

Alternative long-duration assets(9),(10)

     15,252        99        9,492        24,843        25,622  

Various other (11)

     149               3,768        3,917        3,918  

Total invested assets

   $   203,627      $   47,789      $   127,111      $   378,527      $   386,496  
As at December 31, 2018      FVTPL(1)        AFS(2)        Other(3)       
Total carrying
value(4)
 
 
    
Total fair
value(5)
 
 

Cash and short-term securities(6)

   $ 1,080      $ 10,163      $ 4,972      $ 16,215      $ 16,215  

Debt securities(7)

              

Canadian government and agency

     16,445        7,342               23,787        23,787  

U.S. government and agency

     11,934        13,990               25,924        25,924  

Other government and agency

     16,159        4,101               20,260        20,260  

Corporate

     107,425        5,245               112,670        112,670  

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     2,774        179               2,953        2,953  

Public equities

     16,721        2,458               19,179        19,179  

Mortgages

                   48,363        48,363        48,628  

Private placements

                   35,754        35,754        36,103  

Policy loans

                   6,446        6,446        6,446  

Loans to Bank clients

                   1,793        1,793        1,797  

Real estate

              

Own use property(8)

                   2,016        2,016        3,179  

Investment property

                   10,761        10,761        10,761  

Other invested assets

              

Alternative long-duration assets(9),(10)

     14,720        101        8,617        23,438        24,211  

Various other (11)

     151               3,954        4,105        4,104  

Total invested assets

   $ 187,409      $ 43,579      $ 122,676      $ 353,664      $ 356,217  

 

(1)

FVTPL classification was elected for securities backing insurance contract liabilities to substantially reduce any accounting mismatch arising from changes in the fair value of these assets and changes in the value of the related insurance contract liabilities. If this election had not been made and instead the AFS classification was selected, there would be an accounting mismatch because changes in insurance contract liabilities are recognized in net income rather than in OCI.

(2)

Securities that are designated as AFS are not actively traded by the Company but sales do occur as circumstances warrant. Such sales result in a reclassification of any accumulated unrealized gain (loss) in AOCI to net income as a realized gain (loss).

(3)

Primarily includes assets classified as loans and carried at amortized cost, own use properties, investment properties, equity method accounted investments, oil and gas investments, and leveraged leases. Refer to note 1(e) for further details regarding accounting policy.

(4)

Fixed income invested assets above include debt securities, mortgages, private placements and approximately $179 (2018 – $116) other invested assets, which primarily have contractual cash flows that qualify as SPPI. Fixed income invested assets which do not have SPPI qualifying cash flows as at December 31, 2019 include debt securities, private placements and other invested assets with fair values of $98, $257 and $373, respectively (2018 – $105, $230 and $465). The change in the fair value of these invested assets during the year was $71 (2018 – $21).

(5)

The methodologies used in determining fair values of invested assets are described in note 1(c) and note 3(g).

(6)

Includes short-term securities with maturities of less than one year at acquisition amounting to $3,806 (2018 – $2,530), cash equivalents with maturities of less than 90 days at acquisition amounting to $11,136 (2018 – $8,713) and cash of $5,358 (2018 – $4,972).

(7)

Debt securities include securities which were acquired with maturities of less than one year and less than 90 days of $537 and $69, respectively (2018 – $870 and $40, respectively).

(8)

Includes accumulated depreciation of $414 (2018 – $391).

(9)

Alternative long-duration assets (“ALDA”) include investments in private equity of $6,396, infrastructure of $8,854, oil and gas of $3,245, timber and agriculture of $4,669 and various other invested assets of $1,679 (2018 – $6,769, $7,970, $3,416, $4,493 and $790, respectively). During the year, a group of investments in hydro-electric power of $418 was sold. This group of investments was previously classified as held for sale.

(10)

In 2019, the Company sold $1,112 of North American Private Equity investments to Manulife Private Equity Partners, L.P, a closed-end pooled fund of funds. The Company provides management services to the fund. In 2018, the Company sold the following invested assets to related parties: $1,422 of infrastructure ALDA was sold to the John Hancock Infrastructure Master Fund L.P. in the USA, an associate of the Company which is a structured entity based on partnership voting rights, the Company provides management services to the fund and owns less than 1% of the ownership interest; $510 of U.S. commercial real estate was sold to the Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust in Singapore, an associate of the Company which is a structured entity based on unitholder voting rights, the Company provides

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        119


  management services to the trust and owns approximately 8.5% of its units; and $1,314 of U.S. commercial real estate was sold to three joint ventures which are structured entities based on voting rights.
(11)

Includes $3,371 (2018 – $3,575) of leveraged leases. Refer to note 1(e) regarding accounting policy.

(b) Equity method accounted invested assets

Other invested assets include investments in associates and joint ventures which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting as presented in the following table.

 

     2019            2018  
As at December 31,    Carrying
value
     % of total            Carrying
value
    % of total  

Leveraged leases

   $   3,371        43        $   3,575       51  

Timber and agriculture

     668        9          599       9  

Real estate

     1,031        13          725       11  

Other

     2,716        35          1,959       29  

Total

   $ 7,786        100        $ 6,858       100  

The Company’s share of profit and dividends from these investments for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $369 and $5, respectively (2018 – $369 and $13).

 

120        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(c) Investment income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019   

 

FVTPL

    

 

AFS

    

 

Other(1)

    

 

Total

 

Cash and short-term securities

           

Interest income

   $ 32      $ 281      $      $ 313  

Gains (losses)(2)

     11        (29             (18

Debt securities

           

Interest income

     5,557        783               6,340  

Gains (losses)(2)

     11,525        472               11,997  

Recovery (impairment loss), net

     (9      1               (8

Public equities

           

Dividend income

     551        69               620  

Gains (losses)(2)

     3,079        109               3,188  

Impairment loss, net

            (24             (24

Mortgages

           

Interest income

                   1,951        1,951  

Gains (losses)(2)

                   26        26  

Recovery (provision), net

                   31        31  

Private placements

           

Interest income

                   1,782        1,782  

Gains (losses)(2)

                   (62      (62

Impairment loss, net

                   (35      (35

Policy loans

                   391        391  

Loans to Bank clients

           

Interest income

                   87        87  

Provision, net

                   (1      (1

Real estate

           

Rental income, net of depreciation(3)

                   505        505  

Gains (losses)(2)

                   508        508  

Derivatives

           

Interest income, net

     579               (24      555  

Gains (losses)(2)

     2,653               (6      2,647  

Other invested assets

           

Interest income

                   69        69  

Oil and gas, timber, agriculture and other income

                   1,862        1,862  

Gains (losses)(2)

     742        (1      35        776  

Recovery (impairment loss), net

                   93        93  

Total investment income

   $   24,720      $   1,661      $   7,212      $   33,593  

Investment income

           

Interest income

   $ 6,168      $ 1,064      $ 4,256      $ 11,488  

Dividend, rental and other income

     552        69        2,367        2,988  

Impairments, provisions and recoveries, net

     (9      (23      88        56  

Other

     265        539        57        861  
       6,976        1,649        6,768        15,393  

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets supporting insurance and investment contract liabilities and on macro equity hedges

           

Debt securities

     11,521        7               11,528  

Public equities

     2,865        5               2,870  

Mortgages

                   26        26  

Private placements

                   (62      (62

Real estate

                   514        514  

Other invested assets

     776               (28      748  

Derivatives, including macro equity hedging program

     2,582               (6      2,576  
       17,744        12        444        18,200  

Total investment income

   $ 24,720      $ 1,661      $ 7,212      $ 33,593  

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        121


For the year ended December 31, 2018    FVTPL      AFS      Other(1)      Total  

Cash and short-term securities

           

Interest income

   $ 18      $ 250      $      $ 268  

Gains (losses)(2)

     (74      62               (12

Debt securities

           

Interest income

     5,432        646               6,078  

Gains (losses)(2)

     (5,993      (310             (6,303

Recovery (impairment loss), net

     18                      18  

Public equities

           

Dividend income

     484        72               556  

Gains (losses)(2)

     (1,596      330               (1,266

Impairment loss, net

            (43             (43

Mortgages

           

Interest income

                   1,824        1,824  

Gains (losses)(2)

                   56        56  

Provision, net

                   (8      (8

Private placements

           

Interest income

                   1,729        1,729  

Gains (losses)(2)

                   (83      (83

Impairment loss, net

                   (10      (10

Policy loans

                   371        371  

Loans to Bank clients

           

Interest income

                   81        81  

Provision, net

                   (1      (1

Real estate

           

Rental income, net of depreciation(3)

                   515        515  

Gains (losses)(2)

                   445        445  

Derivatives

           

Interest income, net

     689               (33      656  

Gains (losses)(2)

     (2,251             27        (2,224

Other invested assets

           

Interest income

                   74        74  

Oil and gas, timber, agriculture and other income

                   1,758        1,758  

Gains (losses)(2)

     283               (110      173  

Impairment loss, net

     (2      (4      (114      (120

Total investment income

   $ (2,992    $   1,003      $   6,521      $ 4,532  

Investment income

           

Interest income

   $ 6,139      $ 896      $ 4,046      $   11,081  

Dividend, rental and other income

     484        72        2,273        2,829  

Impairments, provisions and recoveries, net

     16        (47      (133      (164

Other

     (271      58        27        (186
       6,368        979        6,213        13,560  

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on assets supporting insurance and investment contract liabilities and on macro equity hedges

           

Debt securities

     (6,012      18               (5,994

Public equities

     (1,454      10               (1,444

Mortgages

                   55        55  

Private placements

                   (83      (83

Real estate

                   449        449  

Other invested assets

     357        (4      (140      213  

Derivatives, including macro equity hedging program

     (2,251             27        (2,224
       (9,360      24        308        (9,028

Total investment income

   $   (2,992)      $ 1,003      $ 6,521      $ 4,532  

 

(1)

Primarily includes investment income on loans carried at amortized cost, own use properties, investment properties, derivative and hedging instruments in cash flow hedging relationships, equity method accounted investments, oil and gas investments, and leveraged leases.

(2)

Includes net realized and unrealized gains (losses) for financial instruments at FVTPL, real estate investment properties, and other invested assets measured at fair value. Also includes net realized gains (losses) for financial instruments at AFS and other invested assets carried at amortized cost.

(3)

Rental income from investment properties is net of direct operating expenses.

 

122        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(d) Investment expenses

The following table presents total investment expenses.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Related to invested assets

   $ 627      $ 638  

Related to segregated, mutual and other funds

     1,121        1,070  

Total investment expenses

   $   1,748      $   1,708  

(e) Investment properties

The following table presents the rental income and direct operating expenses of investment properties.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Rental income from investment properties

   $ 864      $   1,013  

Direct operating expenses of rental investment properties

       (464)        (582

Total

   $ 400      $ 431  

(f) Mortgage securitization

The Company securitizes certain insured and uninsured fixed and variable rate residential mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit (“HELOC”) through creation of mortgage-backed securities under the Canadian Mortgage Bond Program (“CMB”), and the HELOC securitization program.

Benefits received from the securitization include interest spread between the asset and associated liability. There are no expected credit losses on securitized mortgages under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (“CMHC”) sponsored CMB and the Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust (“PCMT”) HELOC securitization programs as they are insured by CMHC and other third-party insurance programs against borrowers’ default. Mortgages securitized in the Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust II (“PCMT II”) program are uninsured.

Cash flows received from the underlying securitized assets/mortgages are used to settle the related secured borrowing liability. For CMB transactions, receipts of principal are deposited into a trust account for settlement of the liability at time of maturity. These transferred assets and related cash flows cannot be transferred or used for other purposes. For the HELOC transactions, investors are entitled to periodic interest payments, and the remaining cash receipts of principal are allocated to the Company (the “Seller”) during the revolving period of the deal and are accumulated for settlement during an accumulation period or repaid to the investor monthly during a reduction period, based on the terms of the note.

Securitized assets and secured borrowing liabilities

 

As at December 31, 2019    Securitized assets         
Securitization program    Securitized
mortgages
     Restricted cash and
short-term securities
     Total      Secured borrowing
liabilities(2)
 

HELOC securitization(1)

   $ 2,285        $  8      $ 2,293        $  2,250  

CMB securitization

     1,620               1,620        1,632  

Total

   $ 3,905        $  8      $ 3,913        $  3,882  
As at December 31, 2018    Securitized assets         
Securitization program    Securitized
mortgages
     Restricted cash and
short-term securities
     Total      Secured borrowing
liabilities(2)
 

HELOC securitization(1)

   $ 2,285        $  8      $ 2,293        $  2,250  

CMB securitization

     1,525               1,525        1,524  

Total

   $ 3,810        $  8      $ 3,818        $  3,774  

 

(1)

Manulife Bank, a subsidiary, securitizes a portion of its HELOC receivables through Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust (“PCMT”), and Platinum Canadian Mortgage Trust II (“PCMT II”). PCMT funds the purchase of the co-ownership interests from Manulife Bank by issuing term notes collateralized by an underlying pool of CMHC insured HELOCs to institutional investors. PCMT II funds the purchase of the co-ownership interests from Manulife Bank by issuing term notes collateralized by an underlying pool of uninsured HELOCs to institutional investors. The restricted cash balance for the HELOC securitization reflects a cash reserve fund established in relation to the transactions. The reserve will be drawn upon only in the event of insufficient cash flows from the underlying HELOCs to satisfy the secured borrowing liability.

(2)

Secured borrowing liabilities primarily comprise of Series 2011-1 notes with a floating rate which are expected to mature on December 15, 2021, and the Series 2016-1 notes with a floating rate which are expected to mature on May 15, 2022. Manulife Bank also securitizes insured amortizing mortgages under the National Housing Act Mortgage-Backed Securities (“NHA MBS”) program sponsored by CMHC. Manulife Bank participates in CMB programs by selling NHA MBS securities to Canada Housing Trust (“CHT”), as a source of fixed rate funding.

As at December 31, 2019, the fair value of securitized assets and associated liabilities were $3,950 and $3,879, respectively (2018 – $3,843 and $3,756).

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        123


(g) Fair value measurement

The following table presents the fair values of invested assets and segregated funds net assets measured at fair value categorized by the fair value hierarchy.

 

As at December 31, 2019    Total fair
value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and short-term securities

           

FVTPL

   $ 1,859      $      $ 1,859      $  

AFS

     13,084               13,084         

Other

     5,357        5,357                

Debt securities

           

FVTPL

           

Canadian government and agency

     18,582               18,582         

U.S. government and agency

     11,031               11,031         

Other government and agency

     17,383               17,383         

Corporate

     116,044               115,411        633  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     13               13         

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     1,271               1,271         

Other asset-backed securities

     1,983               1,983         

AFS

           

Canadian government and agency

     4,779               4,779         

U.S. government and agency

     17,221               17,221         

Other government and agency

     4,360               4,360         

Corporate

     5,285               5,270        15  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     1               1         

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     102               102         

Other asset-backed securities

     67               67         

Public equities

           

FVTPL

     20,060        20,060                

AFS

     2,791        2,788        3         

Real estate – investment property(1)

     11,002                      11,002  

Other invested assets(2)

     18,194        91               18,103  

Segregated funds net assets(3)

     343,108        293,903        44,693        4,512  

Total

   $   613,577      $   322,199      $   257,113      $   34,265  
As at December 31, 2018    Total fair
value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and short-term securities

           

FVTPL

   $ 1,080      $      $ 1,080      $  

AFS

     10,163               10,163         

Other

     4,972        4,972                

Debt securities

           

FVTPL

           

Canadian government and agency

     16,445               16,445         

U.S. government and agency

     11,934               11,934         

Other government and agency

     16,159               15,979        180  

Corporate

     107,425               106,641        784  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     13               6        7  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     1,344               1,344         

Other asset-backed securities

     1,417               1,417         

AFS

           

Canadian government and agency

     7,342               7,342         

U.S. government and agency

     13,990               13,990         

Other government and agency

     4,101               4,064        37  

Corporate

     5,245               5,125        120  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     2                      2  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     128               128         

Other asset-backed securities

     49               49         

Public equities

           

FVTPL

     16,721        16,718               3  

AFS

     2,458        2,456        2         

Real estate – investment property(1)

     10,761                      10,761  

Other invested assets(2)

     17,562                      17,562  

Segregated funds net assets(3)

     313,209        273,840        34,922        4,447  

Total

   $   562,520      $   297,986      $   230,631      $   33,903  

 

(1)

For investment properties, the significant unobservable inputs are capitalization rates (ranging from 2.75% to 8.75% during the year and ranging from 2.75% to 8.75% during 2018) and terminal capitalization rates (ranging from 3.80% to 9.25% during the year and ranging from 3.80% to 9.25% during 2018). Holding other factors constant, a lower capitalization or terminal capitalization rate will tend to increase the fair value of an investment property. Changes in fair value based on variations in unobservable inputs generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship between the directional changes of each input is not usually linear.

 

124        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(2)

Other invested assets measured at fair value are held primarily in infrastructure and timber sectors. The significant inputs used in the valuation of the Company’s infrastructure investments are primarily future distributable cash flows, terminal values and discount rates. Holding other factors constant, an increase to future distributable cash flows or terminal values would tend to increase the fair value of an infrastructure investment, while an increase in the discount rate would have the opposite effect. Discount rates during the year ranged from 7.00% to 16.5% (2018 – ranged from 8.95% to 16.5%). Disclosure of distributable cash flow and terminal value ranges are not meaningful given the disparity in estimates by project. The significant inputs used in the valuation of the Company’s investments in timberland are timber prices and discount rates. Holding other factors constant, an increase to timber prices would tend to increase the fair value of a timberland investment, while an increase in the discount rates would have the opposite effect. Discount rates during the year ranged from 5.0% to 7.0% (2018 – ranged from 5.0% to 7.0%). A range of prices for timber is not meaningful as the market price depends on factors such as property location and proximity to markets and export yards.

(3)

Segregated funds net assets are measured at fair value. The Company’s Level 3 segregated funds assets are predominantly in investment properties and timberland properties valued as described above.

The following table presents fair value of invested assets not measured at fair value by the fair value hierarchy.

 

As at December 31, 2019    Carrying
value
     Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Mortgages(1)

   $ 49,376      $ 51,450      $      $      $ 51,450  

Private placements(2)

     37,979        41,743               36,234        5,509  

Policy loans(3)

     6,471        6,471               6,471         

Loans to Bank clients(4)

     1,740        1,742               1,742         

Real estate – own use property(5)

     1,926        3,275                      3,275  

Other invested assets(6)

     10,566        11,346        165               11,181  

Total invested assets disclosed at fair value

   $   108,058      $   116,027      $   165      $   44,447      $   71,415  
As at December 31, 2018     
Carrying
value
 
 
     Fair value        Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  

Mortgages(1)

   $ 48,363      $ 48,628      $      $      $ 48,628  

Private placements(2)

     35,754        36,103               30,325        5,778  

Policy loans(3)

     6,446        6,446               6,446         

Loans to Bank clients(4)

     1,793        1,797               1,797         

Real estate – own use property(5)

     2,016        3,179                      3,179  

Other invested assets(6)

     9,981        10,753        121               10,632  

Total invested assets disclosed at fair value

   $   104,353      $   106,906      $   121      $   38,568      $   68,217  

 

(1)

Fair value of commercial mortgages is determined through an internal valuation methodology using both observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include credit assumptions and liquidity spread adjustments. Fair value of fixed-rate residential mortgages is determined using the discounted cash flow method. Inputs used for valuation are primarily comprised of prevailing interest rates and prepayment rates, if applicable. Fair value of variable-rate residential mortgages is assumed to be their carrying value.

(2)

Fair value of private placements is determined through an internal valuation methodology using both observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include credit assumptions and liquidity spread adjustments. Private placements are classified within Level 2 unless the liquidity adjustment constitutes a significant price impact, in which case the securities are classified as Level 3.

(3)

Fair value of policy loans is equal to their unpaid principal balances.

(4)

Fair value of fixed-rate loans to Bank clients is determined using the discounted cash flow method. Inputs used for valuation are primarily comprised of current interest rates. Fair value of variable-rate loans is assumed to be their carrying value.

(5)

Fair value of own use real estate and the fair value hierarchy are determined in accordance with the methodologies described for real estate – investment property in note 1.

(6)

Primarily include leveraged leases, oil and gas properties and equity method accounted other invested assets. Fair value of leveraged leases is disclosed at their carrying values as fair value is not routinely calculated on these investments. Fair value for oil and gas properties is determined using external appraisals based on discounted cash flow methodology. Inputs used in valuation are primarily comprised of forecasted price curves, planned production, as well as capital expenditures, and operating costs. Fair value of equity method accounted other invested assets is determined using a variety of valuation techniques including discounted cash flows and market comparable approaches. Inputs vary based on the specific investment.

Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2

The Company records transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 at their fair values as at the end of each reporting period. Assets are transferred out of Level 1 when they are no longer transacted with sufficient frequency and volume in an active market. Conversely, assets are transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 when transaction volume and frequency are indicative of an active market. The Company had $nil of assets transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

For segregated funds net assets, the Company had $nil transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018 – $nil). The Company had $nil transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018 – $2).

Invested assets and segregated funds net assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)

The Company classifies fair values of invested assets and segregated funds net assets as Level 3 if there are no observable markets for these assets or, in the absence of active markets, most of the inputs used to determine fair value are based on the Company’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. The Company prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-based assumptions in determining Level 3 fair values. The gains and losses in the tables below include the changes in fair value due to both observable and unobservable factors.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        125


The following table presents a roll forward for invested assets, derivatives and segregated funds net assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

For the year ended
December 31, 2019
  Balance,
January 1,
2019
    Net
realized/
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included
in net
income(1)
    Net
realized/
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included
in AOCI(2)
    Purchases     Sales     Settlements    

Transfer

into

Level 3(3),(4)

   

Transfer

out of

Level 3(3,(4)

    Currency
movement
    Balance,
December 31,
2019
    Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
assets still
held
 

Debt securities

                     

FVTPL

                     

Other government & agency

  $ 180     $ 1     $     –     $ 16     $ (18   $     $     $ (178   $ (1   $     $  

Corporate

    784       35             43       (88     (18     514       (604     (33     633       47  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    7                         (1                 (6                  
      971       36             59       (107     (18     514       (788     (34     633       47  

AFS

                     

Other government & agency

    37       1             5       (12                 (31                  

Corporate

    120       1             13       (21     (4           (93     (2     14        

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    2                                           (1           1        

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

                      37                         (37                  
      159       2             55       (33     (4           (162     (2     15        

Public equities

                     

FVTPL

    3       1,739                   (1,679                       (63           1,510  
      3       1,739                   (1,679                       (63           1,510  

Real estate –investment property

    10,761       506             440       (457           15             (263     11,002       468  

Other invested assets

    17,562         (1,028     2       3,401       (144     (1,031     2             (661     18,103       (923
      28,323       (522     2       3,841       (601     (1,031     17             (924     29,105       (455

Derivatives

    106       1,884       44       42             (685     135       (34     (36     1,456       1,423  

Segregated funds net assets

    4,447       148             193       (140     (30                 (106     4,512       111  

Total

  $   34,009     $ 3,287     $ 46     $   4,190     $   (2,560   $   (1,768   $   666     $   (984   $   (1,165   $   35,721     $   2,636  

 

126        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


For the year ended December 31, 2018   Balance,
January 1,
2018
    Net
realized/
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included in
net
income(1)
    Net
realized/
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included
in AOCI(2)
    Purchases     Sales     Settlements    

Transfer

into

Level 3(3),(4)

   

Transfer

out of

Level 3(3,(4)

    Currency
movement
    Balance,
December 31,
2018
    Change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
assets still
held
 

Debt securities

                     

FVTPL

                     

Other government & agency

  $ 239     $ (2   $     $ 27     $ (85   $ (14   $     $     $ 15     $ 180     $ (3

Corporate

    710       3             190       (61     (18           (93     53       784       (10

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    1       6                                                 7       6  

Other asset-backed securities

    25                   31                         (56                  
      975       7             248       (146     (32           (149     68       971       (7

AFS

                     

Other government & agency

    47                   6       (15     (4                 3       37        

Corporate

    88                   49       (12     (4           (7     6       120        

Residential mortgage-backed securities

                1                                     1       2        

Other asset-backed securities

    1                                           (1                  
      136             1       55       (27     (8           (8     10       159        

Public equities

                     

FVTPL

    3                                                       3        
      3                                                       3        

Real estate – investment property

    12,529       291             615       (2,578                 (706     610       10,761       244  

Other invested assets

    16,203       (1,168     1       3,926       (1,636     (841           (35     1,112       17,562       (434
      28,732       (877     1       4,541       (4,214     (841           (741     1,722       28,323       (190

Derivatives

    769       (666     (48     12             18       9       (13     25       106       (460

Segregated funds net assets

    4,255       226             155       (367     1       3       (17     191       4,447       161  

Total

  $   34,870     $   (1,310   $   (46   $   5,011     $   (4,754   $   (862   $   12     $   (928   $   2,016     $   34,009     $   (496

 

(1)

These amounts are included in net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income except for the amount related to segregated funds net assets, where the amount is recorded in changes in segregated funds net assets, refer to note 22.

(2)

These amounts are included in AOCI on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

(3)

The Company uses fair values of the assets at the beginning of the year for assets transferred into and out of Level 3 except for derivatives, refer to footnote 4 below.

(4)

For derivatives transfer into or out of Level 3, the Company uses fair value at the end of the year and at the beginning of the year, respectively.

Transfers into Level 3 primarily result from securities that were impaired during the year or securities where a lack of observable market data (versus the previous period) resulted in reclassifying assets into Level 3. Transfers from Level 3 primarily result from observable market data now being available for the entire term structure of the debt security.

Note 4    Derivative and Hedging Instruments

Derivatives are financial contracts, the value of which is derived from underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates, other financial instruments, commodity prices or indices. The Company uses derivatives including swaps, forward and futures agreements, and options to manage current and anticipated exposures to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and equity market prices, and to replicate permissible investments.

Swaps are over-the-counter (“OTC”) contractual agreements between the Company and a third party to exchange a series of cash flows based upon rates applied to a notional amount. For interest rate swaps, counterparties generally exchange fixed or floating interest rate payments based on a notional value in a single currency. Cross currency swaps involve the exchange of principal amounts between parties as well as the exchange of interest payments in one currency for the receipt of interest payments in another currency. Total return swaps are contracts that involve the exchange of payments based on changes in the values of a reference asset, including any returns such as interest earned on these assets, in return for amounts based on reference rates specified in the contract.

Forward and futures agreements are contractual obligations to buy or sell a financial instrument, foreign currency or other underlying commodity on a predetermined future date at a specified price. Forward contracts are OTC contracts negotiated between counterparties, whereas futures agreements are contracts with standard amounts and settlement dates that are traded on regulated exchanges.

Options are contractual agreements whereby the holder has the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) a security, exchange rate, interest rate, or other financial instrument at a predetermined price/rate within a specified time.

See variable annuity dynamic hedging strategy in the “Risk Management” section of the Company’s 2019 MD&A for an explanation of the Company’s dynamic hedging strategy for its variable annuity product guarantees.

(a) Fair value of derivatives

The pricing models used to value OTC derivatives are based on market standard valuation methodologies and the inputs to these models are consistent with what a market participant would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        127


by changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk (including the counterparties to the contract), and market volatility. The significant inputs to the pricing models for most OTC derivatives are inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data and are classified as Level 2. Inputs that are observable generally include interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rate curves. However, certain OTC derivatives may rely on inputs that are significant to the fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data and these derivatives are classified as Level 3. Inputs that are unobservable generally include broker quoted prices, volatilities and inputs that are outside of the observable portion of the interest rate curve or other relevant market measures. These unobservable inputs may involve significant management judgment or estimation. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and consistent with what market participants would use when pricing such instruments. The Company’s use of unobservable inputs is limited and the impact on derivative fair values does not represent a material amount as evidenced by the limited amount of Level 3 derivatives. The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the fair value for all OTC derivatives after considering the effects of netting agreements and collateral arrangements.

The following table presents gross notional amount and fair value of derivative instruments by the underlying risk exposure.

 

As at December 31,    2019             2018  
         Notional
amount
     Fair value             Notional
amount
     Fair value  
Type of hedge   Instrument type    Assets      Liabilities             Assets      Liabilities  

Qualifying hedge accounting relationships

                                                        

Fair value hedges

 

Interest rate swaps

   $ 350      $      $ 5         $ 519      $      $ 13  
 

Foreign currency swaps

     86        3        1           91        5         

Cash flow hedges

 

Foreign currency swaps

     1,790        39        407           1,834        80        367  
 

Forward contracts

                             80               9  
 

Equity contracts

     132        16                  101               12  

Net investment hedges

 

Forward contracts

     2,822        7        22           1,864        21        65  

Total derivatives in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

     5,180        65        435           4,489        106        466  

Derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge

accounting relationships

                    
 

Interest rate swaps

     283,172        15,159        8,140           300,704        11,204        5,675  
 

Interest rate futures

     13,069                         14,297                
 

Interest rate options

     12,248        423                  11,736        314         
 

Foreign currency swaps

     26,329        606        1,399           23,156        747        1,341  
 

Currency rate futures

     3,387                         4,052                
 

Forward contracts

     33,432        2,337        273           29,248        670        158  
 

Equity contracts

     14,582        853        37           15,492        653        163  
 

Credit default swaps

     502        6                  652        9         
   

Equity futures

     10,576                         10,908                

Total derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

     397,297        19,384        9,849           410,245        13,597        7,337  

Total derivatives

   $   402,477      $   19,449      $   10,284         $   414,734      $   13,703      $   7,803  

The following table presents fair values of derivative instruments by the remaining term to maturity. The fair values disclosed below do not incorporate the impact of master netting agreements. Refer to note 8.

 

     Remaining term to maturity         
As at December 31, 2019   

Less than

1 year

    

1 to 3

years

    

3 to 5

years

    

Over 5

years

     Total      

Derivative assets

   $ 1,248      $   1,659      $   1,309      $ 15,233      $   19,449      

Derivative liabilities

     332        145        218        9,589        10,284      
     Remaining term to maturity     
As at December 31, 2018     

Less than

1 year

 

 

    

1 to 3

years

 

 

    

3 to 5

years

 

 

    

Over 5

years

 

 

     Total      

Derivative assets

   $ 649      $   671      $   795      $   11,588      $   13,703      

Derivative liabilities

     359        229        227        6,988        7,803      

 

128        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents gross notional amount by the remaining term to maturity, total fair value (including accrued interest), credit risk equivalent and risk-weighted amount by contract type.

 

     Remaining term to maturity (notional amounts)             Fair value                      
As at December 31, 2019   

Under 1

year

    

1 to 5

years

    

Over

5 years

     Total              Positive      Negative      Net             

Credit risk

equivalent(1)

           

Risk-    
weighted    

amount(2)    

 

Interest rate contracts

                                  

OTC swap contracts

   $ 5,105      $ 22,288      $ 112,863      $ 140,256         $ 15,627      $ (8,910    $ 6,717         $ 6,891        $ 957      

Cleared swap contracts

     3,932        11,499        127,835        143,266           238        (240      (2                  –      

Forward contracts

     11,709        15,089        1,283        28,081           2,312        (253      2,059           398          53      

Futures

     13,069                      13,069                                            –      

Options purchased

     1,266        4,454        6,528        12,248                 423               423                 560                77      

Subtotal

     35,081        53,330        248,509        336,920           18,600        (9,403      9,197           7,849          1,087      

Foreign exchange

                                  

Swap contracts

     998        7,519        19,688        28,205           642        (1,864        (1,222         2,515          279      

Forward contracts

     8,173                      8,173           32        (42      (10         138          16      

Futures

     3,387                      3,387                                            –      

Credit derivatives

     275        227               502           6               6                    –      

Equity contracts

                                  

Swap contracts

     1,233        164               1,397           43        (16      27           236          29      

Futures

     10,576                      10,576                                            –      

Options purchased

     6,604        6,633        80        13,317                 821        (20      801                 3,418                448      

Subtotal including accrued interest

     66,327        67,873        268,277        402,477           20,144        (11,345      8,799           14,156          1,859      

Less accrued interest

                                          695        (1,061      (366                              –      

Total

   $ 66,327      $ 67,873      $ 268,277      $ 402,477               $ 19,449      $   (10,284    $ 9,165               $ 14,156              $ 1,859      
     Remaining term to maturity (notional amounts)             Fair value                      
As at December 31, 2018   

Under 1

year

    

1 to 5

years

    

Over

5 years

     Total              Positive      Negative      Net             

Credit risk

equivalent(1)

           

Risk-    
weighted    

amount(2)    

 

Interest rate contracts

                                  

OTC swap contracts

   $ 3,495      $ 22,568      $ 121,817      $ 147,880         $ 11,750      $ (6,477    $ 5,273         $ 5,301        $ 787      

Cleared swap contracts

     5,723        16,140        131,480        153,343           95        (96      (1                  –      

Forward contracts

     10,258        14,300        648        25,206           637        (126      511           259          37      

Futures

     14,297                      14,297                                            –      

Options purchased

     1,166        4,981        5,589        11,736                 317               317                 376                58      

Subtotal

     34,939        57,989        259,534        352,462           12,799        (6,699      6,100           5,936          882      

Foreign exchange

                                  

Swap contracts

     1,024        6,281        17,776        25,081           807        (1,736      (929         2,309          256      

Forward contracts

     5,926        60               5,986           54        (106      (52         108          13      

Futures

     4,052                      4,052                                            –      

Credit derivatives

     143        509               652           10               10                    –      

Equity contracts

                                  

Swap contracts

     2,728        142               2,870           29        (57      (28         303          38      

Futures

     10,908                      10,908                                            –      

Options purchased

     6,142        6,581               12,723                 621        (118      503                 2,277                316      

Subtotal including accrued interest

     65,862        71,562        277,310        414,734           14,320        (8,716      5,604           10,933          1,505      

Less accrued interest

                                          617        (913      (296                              –      

Total

   $   65,862      $   71,562      $   277,310      $   414,734               $   13,703      $   (7,803    $   5,900               $   10,933              $   1,505      

 

(1)

Credit risk equivalent is the sum of replacement cost and the potential future credit exposure. Replacement cost represents the current cost of replacing all contracts with a positive fair value. The amounts take into consideration legal contracts that permit offsetting of positions. The potential future credit exposure is calculated based on a formula prescribed by OSFI.

(2)

Risk-weighted amount represents the credit risk equivalent, weighted according to the creditworthiness of the counterparty, as prescribed by OSFI.

The total notional amount of $402 billion (2018 – $415 billion) includes $128 billion (2018 – $136 billion) related to derivatives utilized in the Company’s variable annuity guarantee dynamic hedging and macro equity risk hedging programs. Due to the Company’s variable annuity hedging practices, a large number of trades are in offsetting positions, resulting in materially lower net fair value exposure to the Company than what the gross notional amount would suggest.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        129


Fair value and the fair value hierarchy of derivative instruments

 

As at December 31, 2019    Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Derivative assets

           

Interest rate contracts

   $ 17,894      $      $ 15,801      $ 2,093  

Foreign exchange contracts

     680               680         

Equity contracts

     869               821        48  

Credit default swaps

     6               6         

Total derivative assets

   $ 19,449      $      $ 17,308      $   2,141  

Derivative liabilities

           

Interest rate contracts

   $ 8,397      $      $ 7,730      $ 667  

Foreign exchange contracts

     1,850               1,849        1  

Equity contracts

     37               20        17  

Total derivative liabilities

   $ 10,284      $      $ 9,599      $ 685  
As at December 31, 2018    Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Derivative assets

           

Interest rate contracts

   $ 12,155      $      $ 11,537      $ 618  

Foreign exchange contracts

     886               876        10  

Equity contracts

     653               621        32  

Credit default swaps

     9               9         

Total derivative assets

   $   13,703      $      $   13,043      $   660  

Derivative liabilities

           

Interest rate contracts

   $ 5,815      $      $ 5,318      $ 497  

Foreign exchange contracts

     1,814               1,813        1  

Equity contracts

     174               118        56  

Total derivative liabilities

   $ 7,803      $             –      $   7,249      $ 554  

Level 3 roll forward information for net derivative contracts measured using significant unobservable inputs is disclosed in note 3(g).

(b) Hedging relationships

The Company uses derivatives for economic hedging purposes. In certain circumstances, these hedges also meet the requirements of hedge accounting. Risk management strategies eligible for hedge accounting are designated as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or net investment hedges, as described below.

Fair value hedges

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed rate financial instruments due to changes in interest rates. The Company also uses cross currency swaps to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate fluctuations, or both.

The Company recognizes gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges in investment income. These investment gains (losses) are shown in the following table.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019  

Hedged items in qualifying

fair value hedging

relationships

   Gains (losses)
recognized on
derivatives
     Gains (losses)
recognized for
hedged items
     Ineffectiveness    
recognized in    
investment    
income    
 

Interest rate swaps

 

Fixed rate liabilities

   $ 8      $ (6    $ 2      

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

       (1      2        1      

Total

       $    7      $   (4    $   3      
For the year ended December 31, 2018  

Hedged items in qualifying

fair value hedging

relationships

   Gains (losses)
recognized on
derivatives
     Gains (losses)
recognized for
hedged items
     Ineffectiveness    
recognized in    
investment    
income    
 

Interest rate swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

   $ 1      $ (1    $ –      
 

Fixed rate liabilities

     3          (3      –      

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

     7        (5      2      

Total

       $ 11      $ (9    $ 2      

 

130        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Cash flow hedges

The Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows from variable rate financial instruments and forecasted transactions. The Company also uses cross currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the variability from foreign currency financial instruments and foreign currency expenses. Total return swaps are used to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with certain stock-based compensation awards. Inflation swaps are used to reduce inflation risk generated from inflation-indexed liabilities.

The effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are shown in the following table.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019  

Hedged items in qualifying

cash flow hedging

relationships

   Gains (losses)
deferred in
AOCI on
derivatives
     Gains (losses)
reclassified
from AOCI into
investment
income
     Ineffectiveness    
recognized in    
investment    
income    
 

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

   $ (2    $ 1      $ –      
 

Floating rate liabilities

     (40      37        –      
 

Fixed rate liabilities

     (41      (35      –      

Forward contracts

 

Forecasted expenses

            (9      –      

Equity contracts

 

Stock-based compensation

     35        (9      –      

Total

       $     (48    $ (15    $ –      
For the year ended December 31, 2018  

Hedged items in qualifying

cash flow hedging

relationships

   Gains (losses)
deferred in
AOCI on
derivatives
     Gains (losses)
reclassified
from AOCI into
investment
income
     Ineffectiveness    
recognized in    
investment    
income    
 

Interest rate swaps

 

Forecasted liabilities

   $      $ (20    $ –      

Foreign currency swaps

 

Fixed rate assets

            (1      –      
 

Floating rate liabilities

     (36      (62      –      
 

Fixed rate liabilities

     60              62        –      

Forward contracts

 

Forecasted expenses

     (8      (2      –      

Equity contracts

  Stock-based compensation      (21      27        –      

Total

       $ (5    $ 4      $         –      

The Company anticipates that net losses of approximately $8 will be reclassified from AOCI to net income within the next 12 months. The maximum time frame for which variable cash flows are hedged is 17 years.

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations

The Company primarily uses forward currency contracts, cross currency swaps and non-functional currency denominated debt to manage its foreign currency exposures to net investments in foreign operations.

The effects of net investment hedging relationships on the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income are shown in the following table.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019    Gains (losses)
deferred in AOCI
     Gains (losses)
reclassified from
AOCI into
investment income
     Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Non-functional currency denominated debt

   $ 279      $      $  

Forward contracts

     80                

Total

   $ 359      $      $  
For the year ended December 31, 2018    Gains (losses)
deferred in AOCI
     Gains (losses)
reclassified from
AOCI into
investment income
     Ineffectiveness
recognized in
investment
income
 

Non-functional currency denominated debt

   $ (469    $      $  

Forward contracts

     9                

Total

   $   (460    $         –      $         –  

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        131


(c) Derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

Derivatives used in portfolios supporting insurance contract liabilities are generally not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships because the change in the value of the insurance contract liabilities economically hedged by these derivatives is also recorded through net income. Since changes in fair value of these derivatives and related hedged risks are recognized in investment income as they occur, they generally offset the change in hedged risk to the extent the hedges are economically effective. Interest rate and cross currency swaps are used in the portfolios supporting insurance contract liabilities to manage duration and currency risks.

Investment income on derivatives not designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Interest rate swaps

   $ 1,483      $ (1,894

Interest rate futures

     571        (298

Interest rate options

     96        (52

Foreign currency swaps

     (242      (122

Currency rate futures

     88        3  

Forward contracts

     2,815        (355

Equity futures

     (2,436      742  

Equity contracts

             277        (276

Credit default swaps

     (3      (6

Total

   $ 2,649      $   (2,258

(d) Embedded derivatives

Certain insurance contracts contain features that are classified as embedded derivatives and are measured separately at FVTPL including reinsurance contracts related to guaranteed minimum income benefits and contracts containing certain credit and interest rate features.

Certain reinsurance contracts related to guaranteed minimum income benefits contain embedded derivatives requiring separate measurement at FVTPL as the financial component contained in the reinsurance contracts does not contain significant insurance risk. As at December 31, 2019, reinsurance ceded guaranteed minimum income benefits had a fair value of $981 (2018 – $1,148) and reinsurance assumed guaranteed minimum income benefits had a fair value of $109 (2018 – $114). Claims recovered under reinsurance ceded contracts offset claims expenses and claims paid on the reinsurance assumed are reported as contract benefits.

The Company’s credit and interest rate embedded derivatives promise to pay the returns on a portfolio of assets to the contract holder. These embedded derivatives contain a credit and interest rate risk that is a financial risk embedded in the underlying insurance contract. As at December 31, 2019, these embedded derivatives had a fair value of $(137) (2018 – $53).

Other financial instruments classified as embedded derivatives but exempt from separate measurement at fair value include variable universal life and variable life products, minimum guaranteed credited rates, no lapse guarantees, guaranteed annuitization options, CPI indexing of benefits, and segregated fund minimum guarantees other than reinsurance ceded/assumed guaranteed minimum income benefits. These embedded derivatives are measured and reported within insurance contract liabilities and are exempt from separate fair value measurement as they contain insurance risk and/or are closely related to the insurance host contract.

 

132        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 5    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

(a) Change in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets

The following table presents the change in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets.

 

As at December 31, 2019    Balance,
January 1
     Additions/
disposals
    Amortization
expense
     Effect of changes
in foreign
exchange rates
    Balance,
December 31
 

Goodwill

   $ 5,864      $ (6   $ n/a      $ (115   $ 5,743  

Indefinite life intangible assets

            

Brand

     819              n/a        (40     779  

Fund management contracts and other(1)

     798        32       n/a        (25     805  
       1,617        32       n/a        (65     1,584  

Finite life intangible assets(2)

            

Distribution networks

     868        6       44        (29     801  

Customer relationships

     860        (2     54        (9     795  

Software

     821        357       168        (19     991  

Other

     67              5        (1     61  
       2,616        361       271        (58     2,648  

Total intangible assets

     4,233        393       271        (123     4,232  

Total goodwill and intangible assets

   $   10,097      $ 387     $   271      $   (238   $ 9,975  
As at December 31, 2018    Balance,
January 1
     Additions/
disposals(3)
    Amortization
expense
     Effect of changes
in foreign
exchange rates
    Balance,
December 31
 

Goodwill

   $ 5,713      $ (65   $ n/a      $ 216     $ 5,864  

Indefinite life intangible assets

            

Brand

     753              n/a        66       819  

Fund management contracts and other(1)

     755        3       n/a        40       798  
       1,508        3       n/a        106       1,617  

Finite life intangible assets(2)

            

Distribution networks

     989          (133)       48        60       868  

Customer relationships

     899              55        16       860  

Software

     661        275       147        32       821  

Other

     70              5        2       67  
       2,619        142       255        110       2,616  

Total intangible assets

     4,127        145       255        216       4,233  

Total goodwill and intangible assets

   $ 9,840      $ 80     $ 255      $ 432     $   10,097  

 

(1)

Fund management contracts were mostly allocated to Canada WAM and U.S. WAM CGUs with the carrying values of $273 (2018 – $273) and $380 (2018 – $400), respectively.

(2)

Gross carrying amount of finite life intangible assets was $1,292 for distribution networks, $1,133 for customer relationships, $2,239 for software and $130 for other (2018 – $1,331, $1,145, $2,110 and $133), respectively.

(3)

In 2018, disposals include $65 of goodwill and $96 of distribution networks from the sale of the U.S. broker-dealer business, and impairments of distribution networks for discontinued products of $27 in the U.S. segment and $13 in Asia segment.

(b) Goodwill impairment testing

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2019 by determining the recoverable amounts of its businesses using valuation techniques discussed below (refer to notes 1(f) and 5(c)). The review indicated that there was no impairment of goodwill in 2019 and 2018.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company made organizational changes to drive better alignment with strategic priorities and increase focus and leverage scale in its wealth management business. As a result of this reorganization, which included recognition of the Company’s wealth and asset management businesses (Global WAM) as a primary reporting segment (note 19), the Company has modified the level at which goodwill is tested for impairment purposes. The modification includes (a) the allocation of existing goodwill to the relevant CGUs or group of CGUs within the Global WAM segment that had previously been combined within respective regional insurance businesses and (b) the amalgamation of the remaining Canadian-based goodwill (including Individual Life, Affinity Markets, Individual Annuities, Group Benefits and International Group Program) under the Canadian Insurance reporting segment. These reorganization-based changes have resulted in goodwill being allocated to CGUs or groups of CGUs based on the lowest level within the Company in which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        133


The following tables present the carrying value of goodwill by CGU or group of CGUs.

 

As at December 31, 2019

CGU or group of CGUs

   Balance,
January 1,
     Additions/
disposals
     Effect of
changes in
foreign
exchange
rates
     Balance,
December 31,
 

Asia

           

Asia Insurance (excluding Japan)

   $ 165      $      $ (6    $ 159  

Japan Insurance

     435               (15      420  

Canada Insurance

     1,962               (5      1,957  

U.S. Insurance

     367               (18      349  

Global Wealth and Asset Management

           

Asia WAM

     196               (9      187  

Canada WAM

     1,436                      1,436  

U.S. WAM

     1,303        (6      (62      1,235  

Total

   $   5,864      $ (6    $   (115    $ 5,743  

As at December 31, 2018

CGU or group of CGUs

   Balance,
January 1,
     Additions/
disposals
     Effect of
changes in
foreign
exchange
rates
     Balance,
December 31,
 

Asia

           

Asia Insurance (excluding Japan)

   $ 154      $      $ 11      $ 165  

Japan Insurance

     391               44        435  

Canada Insurance

     1,954               8        1,962  

U.S. Insurance

     400        (65      32        367  

Global Wealth and Asset Management

           

Asia WAM

     180               16        196  

Canada WAM

     1,436                      1,436  

U.S. WAM

     1,198               105        1,303  

Total

   $ 5,713      $   (65)      $ 216      $   5,864  

The valuation techniques, significant assumptions and sensitivities, where applicable, applied in the goodwill impairment testing are described below.

(c) Valuation techniques

The recoverable amounts were based on fair value less costs to sell (“FVLCS”) for Asia Insurance (excluding Japan) and Asia WAM. For other CGUs, value-in-use (“VIU”) was used. When determining if a CGU is impaired, the Company compares its recoverable amount to the allocated capital for that unit, which is aligned with the Company’s internal reporting practices.

Under the FVLCS approach, the Company determines the fair value of the CGU or group of CGUs using an earnings-based approach which incorporates forecasted earnings, excluding interest and equity market impacts and normalized new business expenses multiplied by an earnings-multiple derived from the observable price-to-earnings multiples of comparable financial institutions. The price-to-earnings multiple used by the Company for testing was 10.3 (2018 – 9.0 to 11.7). These FVLCS valuations are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (2018 – Level 3).

Under the VIU approach, used for CGUs with insurance business, an embedded appraisal value is determined from a projection of future distributable earnings derived from both the in-force business and new business expected to be sold in the future, and therefore, reflects the economic value for each CGU’s or group of CGUs’ profit potential under a set of assumptions. This approach requires assumptions including sales and revenue growth rates, capital requirements, interest rates, equity returns, mortality, morbidity, policyholder behaviour, tax rates and discount rates. For non-insurance CGUs, the VIU is based on discounted cash flow analysis which incorporates relevant aspects of the embedded appraisal value approach.

(d) Significant assumptions

To calculate embedded value, the Company discounted projected earnings from in-force contracts and valued 10 years of new business growing at expected plan levels, consistent with the periods used for forecasting long-term businesses such as insurance. In arriving at its projections, the Company considered past-experience, economic trends such as interest rates, equity returns and product mix as well as industry and market trends. Where growth rate assumptions for new business cash flows were used in the embedded value calculations, they ranged from zero per cent to 20 per cent (2018 – negative five per cent to 17 per cent).

Interest rate assumptions are based on prevailing market rates at the valuation date.

 

134        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Tax rates applied to the projections include the impact of internal reinsurance treaties and amounted to 28.0 per cent, 26.5 per cent and 21 per cent (2018 – 30.8 per cent, 26.8 per cent and 21 per cent) for the Japan, Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions, respectively. Tax assumptions are sensitive to changes in tax laws as well as assumptions about the jurisdictions in which profits are earned. It is possible that actual tax rates could differ from those assumed.

Discount rates assumed in determining the value-in-use for applicable CGUs or groups of CGUs ranged from 7.5 per cent to 10.0 per cent on an after-tax basis or 9.4 per cent to 12.5 per cent on a pre-tax basis (2018 – 7.5 per cent to 14.2 per cent on an after-tax basis or 10.2 per cent to 20.4 per cent on a pre-tax basis).

The key assumptions described above may change as economic and market conditions change, which may lead to impairment charges in the future. Changes in discount rates and cash flow projections used in the determination of embedded values or reductions in market-based earnings multiples may result in impairment charges in the future which could be material.

Note 6    Insurance Contract Liabilities and Reinsurance Assets

(a) Insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets

Insurance contract liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance ceded and the ceded liabilities are reported separately as a reinsurance asset. Insurance contract liabilities include actuarial liabilities, benefits payable, provision for unreported claims and policyholder amounts on deposit. The components of gross and net insurance contract liabilities are shown below.

 

As at December 31,    2019      2018  

Insurance contract liabilities

   $ 336,156      $ 313,737  

Benefits payable and provision for unreported claims

     4,229        4,398  

Policyholder amounts on deposit

     10,776        10,519  

Gross insurance contract liabilities

     351,161        328,654  

Reinsurance assets(1)

     (41,353      (42,925

Net insurance contract liabilities

   $   309,808      $   285,729  

 

(1)

The Company also holds reinsurance assets of $93 (2018 – $128) for investment contract liabilities, refer to note 7(b).

Net insurance contract liabilities represent the amount which, together with estimated future premiums and net investment income, will be sufficient to pay estimated future benefits, policyholder dividends and refunds, taxes (other than income taxes) and expenses on policies in-force net of reinsurance premiums and recoveries.

Net insurance contract liabilities are determined using CALM, as required by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

The determination of net insurance contract liabilities is based on an explicit projection of cash flows using current assumptions for each material cash flow item. Investment returns are projected using the current asset portfolios and projected reinvestment strategies.

Each assumption is based on the best estimate adjusted by a margin for adverse deviation. For fixed income returns, this margin is established by scenario testing a range of prescribed and company-developed scenarios consistent with Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice. For all other assumptions, this margin is established by directly adjusting the best estimate assumption.

Cash flows used in the net insurance contract liabilities valuation adjust the gross policy cash flows to reflect projected cash flows from ceded reinsurance. The cash flow impact of ceded reinsurance varies depending upon the amount of reinsurance, the structure of reinsurance treaties, the expected economic benefit from treaty cash flows and the impact of margins for adverse deviation. Gross insurance contract liabilities are determined by discounting gross policy cash flows using the same discount rate as the net CALM model discount rate.

The reinsurance asset is determined by taking the difference between the gross insurance contract liabilities and the net insurance contract liabilities. The reinsurance asset represents the benefit derived from reinsurance arrangements in force at the date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

The period used for the projection of cash flows is the policy lifetime for most individual insurance contracts. For other types of contracts, a shorter projection period may be used, with the contract generally ending at the earlier of the first renewal date on or after the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position date where the Company can exercise discretion in renewing its contractual obligations or terms of those obligations and the renewal or adjustment date that maximizes the insurance contract liabilities. For segregated fund products with guarantees, the projection period is generally set as the period that leads to the largest insurance contract liability. Where the projection period is less than the policy lifetime, insurance contract liabilities may be reduced by an allowance for acquisition expenses expected to be recovered from policy cash flows beyond the projection period used for the liabilities. Such allowances are tested for recoverability using assumptions that are consistent with other components of the actuarial valuation.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        135


(b) Composition

The composition of insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets by the line of business and reporting segment is as follows.

Gross insurance contract liabilities

 

     Individual insurance                                        
As at December 31, 2019    Participating      Non-
participating
    Annuities
and
pensions
     Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)
     Total, net of
reinsurance
ceded
    Total
reinsurance
ceded
    Total,
gross of
reinsurance
ceded
        

Asia

   $ 46,071      $ 32,887     $ 5,915      $ 3,064      $ 87,937     $ 1,432     $ 89,369    

Canada

     12,012        39,655       17,871        13,759        83,297       286       83,583    

U.S.

     8,734        66,163       14,763        49,199        138,859       39,411       178,270    

Corporate and Other

            (609     36        288        (285     224       (61        

Total, net of reinsurance ceded

     66,817        138,096       38,585        66,310        309,808     $   41,353     $   351,161          

Total reinsurance ceded

     9,869        13,588       16,850        1,046        41,353        

Total, gross of reinsurance ceded

   $   76,686      $   151,684     $   55,435      $   67,356      $   351,161        
     Individual insurance                                        
As at December 31, 2018    Participating      Non-
participating
    Annuities
and
pensions
     Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)
     Total, net of
reinsurance
ceded
    Total
reinsurance
ceded
    Total,
gross of
reinsurance
ceded
        

Asia

   $ 38,470      $ 29,547     $ 5,062      $ 3,048      $ 76,127     $ 1,332     $ 77,459    

Canada

     10,743        34,677       18,339        12,869        76,628       (202     76,426    

U.S.

     8,673        63,412       16,125        44,932        133,142       41,695       174,837    

Corporate and Other

            (601     46        387        (168     100       (68        

Total, net of reinsurance ceded

     57,886        127,035       39,572        61,236        285,729     $ 42,925     $ 328,654          

Total reinsurance ceded

     11,596        12,303       17,927        1,099        42,925        

Total, gross of reinsurance ceded

   $ 69,482      $ 139,338     $ 57,499      $ 62,335      $ 328,654        

 

(1)

Other insurance contract liabilities include group insurance and individual and group health including long-term care insurance.

Separate sub-accounts were established for participating policies in-force at the demutualization of MLI and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. These sub-accounts permit this participating business to be operated as separate “closed blocks” of participating policies. As at December 31, 2019, $29,402 (2018 – $28,790) of both assets and insurance contract liabilities were related to these closed blocks of participating policies.

(c) Assets backing insurance contract liabilities, other liabilities and capital

Assets are segmented and matched to liabilities with similar underlying characteristics by product line and major currency. The Company has established target investment strategies and asset mixes for each asset segment supporting insurance contract liabilities which consider the risk attributes of the liabilities supported by the assets and expectations of market performance. Liabilities with rate and term guarantees are predominantly backed by fixed-rate instruments on a cash flow matching basis for a targeted duration horizon. Longer duration cash flows on these liabilities as well as on adjustable products such as participating life insurance are backed by a broader range of asset classes, including equity and alternative long-duration investments. The Company’s capital is invested in a range of debt and equity investments, both public and private.

Changes in the fair value of assets backing net insurance contract liabilities, that the Company considers to be other than temporary, would have a limited impact on the Company’s net income wherever there is an effective matching of assets and liabilities, as these changes would be substantially offset by corresponding changes in the value of net insurance contract liabilities. The fair value of assets backing net insurance contract liabilities as at December 31, 2019, excluding reinsurance assets, was estimated at $315,952 (2018 – $287,326).

As at December 31, 2019, the fair value of assets backing capital and other liabilities was estimated at $501,147 (2018 – $465,497).

 

136        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents the carrying value of assets backing net insurance contract liabilities, other liabilities and capital.

 

     Individual insurance                                            
As at December 31, 2019    Participating      Non-
participating
     Annuities
and pensions
     Other insurance
contract
liabilities(1)
     Other
liabilities(2)
     Capital(3)      Total          

Assets

                       

Debt securities

   $ 34,169      $ 74,113      $ 19,865      $ 31,620      $ 8,828      $ 29,527      $ 198,122     

Public equities

     10,907        6,453        204        253        381        4,653        22,851     

Mortgages

     2,921        12,140        5,203        7,916        21,165        31        49,376     

Private placements

     4,658        16,020        6,957        9,122        1,090        132        37,979     

Real estate

     3,336        6,446        1,082        1,731        113        220        12,928     

Other

     10,826        22,924        5,274        15,668        410,376        22,806        487,874           

Total

   $   66,817      $   138,096      $   38,585      $   66,310      $   441,953      $   57,369      $   809,130           
     Individual insurance                                            
As at December 31, 2018    Participating      Non-
participating
     Annuities
and pensions
     Other insurance
contract
liabilities(1)
     Other
liabilities(2)
     Capital(3)      Total          

Assets

                       

Debt securities

   $ 30,934      $ 67,387      $ 20,469      $ 28,435      $ 10,061      $ 28,308      $ 185,594     

Public equities

     8,416        5,562        172        262        589        4,178        19,179     

Mortgages

     2,218        11,111        4,972        8,732        21,295        35        48,363     

Private placements

     4,151        14,131        6,960        8,581        1,772        159        35,754     

Real estate

     3,106        6,028        1,214        1,799        397        233        12,777     

Other

     9,061        22,816        5,785        13,427        374,418        23,097        448,604           

Total

   $ 57,886      $ 127,035      $ 39,572      $ 61,236      $ 408,532      $ 56,010      $ 750,271           

 

(1)

Other insurance contract liabilities include group insurance and individual and group health including long-term care insurance.

(2)

Other liabilities are non-insurance contract liabilities which include segregated funds, bank deposits, long-term debt, deferred tax liabilities, derivatives, investment contracts, embedded derivatives and other miscellaneous liabilities.

(3)

Capital is defined in note 12.

(d) Significant insurance contract liability valuation assumptions

The determination of insurance contract liabilities involves the use of estimates and assumptions. Insurance contract liabilities have two major components: a best estimate amount and a provision for adverse deviation.

Best estimate assumptions

Best estimate assumptions are made with respect to mortality and morbidity, investment returns, rates of policy termination, operating expenses and certain taxes. Actual experience is monitored to ensure that assumptions remain appropriate and assumptions are changed as warranted. Assumptions are discussed in more detail in the following table.

 

   

Nature of factor and assumption methodology

 

  

Risk management

 

 

Mortality and

morbidity

  

 

Mortality relates to the occurrence of death. Mortality is a key assumption for life insurance and certain forms of annuities. Mortality assumptions are based on the Company’s internal experience as well as past and emerging industry experience. Assumptions are differentiated by sex, underwriting class, policy type and geographic market. Assumptions are made for future mortality improvements.

 

Morbidity relates to the occurrence of accidents and sickness for insured risks. Morbidity is a key assumption for long-term care insurance, disability insurance, critical illness and other forms of individual and group health benefits. Morbidity assumptions are based on the Company’s internal experience as well as past and emerging industry experience and are established for each type of morbidity risk and geographic market. Assumptions are made for future morbidity improvements.

 

  

 

The Company maintains underwriting standards to determine the insurability of applicants. Claim trends are monitored on an ongoing basis. Exposure to large claims is managed by establishing policy retention limits, which vary by market and geographic location. Policies in excess of the limits are reinsured with other companies.

 

Mortality is monitored monthly and the overall 2019 experience was unfavourable (2018 – favourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions. Morbidity is also monitored monthly and the overall 2019 experience was unfavourable (2018 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        137


   

Nature of factor and assumption methodology

 

  

Risk management

 

 

Investment

returns

  

 

The Company segments assets to support liabilities by business segment and geographic market and establishes investment strategies for each liability segment. Projected cash flows from these assets are combined with projected cash flows from future asset purchases/sales to determine expected rates of return on these assets for future years. Investment strategies are based on the target investment policies for each segment and the reinvestment returns are derived from current and projected market rates for fixed income investments and a projected outlook for other alternative long-duration assets.

 

Investment return assumptions include expected future asset credit losses on fixed income investments. Credit losses are projected based on past experience of the Company and industry as well as specific reviews of the current investment portfolio.

 

Investment return assumptions for each asset class and geographic market also incorporate expected investment management expenses that are derived from internal cost studies. The costs are attributed to each asset class to develop unitized assumptions per dollar of asset for each asset class and geographic market.

  

 

The Company’s policy of closely matching asset cash flows with those of the corresponding liabilities is designed to mitigate the Company’s exposure to future changes in interest rates. The interest rate risk positions in business segments are monitored on an ongoing basis. Under CALM, the reinvestment rate is developed using interest rate scenario testing and reflects the interest rate risk positions.

 

In 2019, the movement in interest rates negatively (2018 – positively) impacted the Company’s net income. This negative impact was driven by decreases in risk free interest rates and corporate spreads, as well the impact of swap spreads on policy liabilities.

 

The exposure to credit losses is managed against policies that limit concentrations by issuer, corporate connections, ratings, sectors and geographic regions. On participating policies and some non-participating policies, credit loss experience is passed back to policyholders through the investment return crediting formula. For other policies, premiums and benefits reflect the Company’s assumed level of future credit losses at contract inception or most recent contract adjustment date. The Company holds explicit provisions in actuarial liabilities for credit risk including provisions for adverse deviation.

 

In 2019, credit loss experience on debt securities and mortgages was favourable (2018 – favourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions.

 

Equities, real estate and other alternative long-duration assets are used to support liabilities where investment return experience is passed back to policyholders through dividends or credited investment return adjustments. Equities, real estate, oil and gas and other alternative long-duration assets are also used to support long-dated obligations in the Company’s annuity and pension businesses and for long-dated insurance obligations on contracts where the investment return risk is borne by the Company.

 

In 2019, investment experience on alternative long-duration assets backing policyholder liabilities was favourable (2018 – unfavourable) primarily due to gains in real estate properties and private equities, partially offset by losses in timber and agriculture properties as well as in oil and gas properties. In 2019, alternative long-duration asset origination exceeded (2018 – exceeded) valuation requirements.

 

 

In 2019, for the business that is dynamically hedged, segregated fund guarantee experience on residual, non-dynamically hedged market risks were favourable (2018 – unfavourable). For the business that is not dynamically hedged, experience on segregated fund guarantees due to changes in the market value of assets under management was also favourable (2018 – unfavourable). This excludes the experience on the macro equity hedges.

 

In 2019, investment expense experience was unfavourable (2018 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions.

 

 

138        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


   

Nature of factor and assumption methodology

 

  

Risk management

 

 

Policy termination and premium persistency

  

 

Policies are terminated through lapses and surrenders, where lapses represent the termination of policies due to non-payment of premiums and surrenders represent the voluntary termination of policies by policyholders. Premium persistency represents the level of ongoing deposits on contracts where there is policyholder discretion as to the amount and timing of deposits. Policy termination and premium persistency assumptions are primarily based on the Company’s recent experience adjusted for expected future conditions. Assumptions reflect differences by type of contract within each geographic market.

 

  

 

The Company seeks to design products that minimize financial exposure to lapse, surrender and premium persistency risk. The Company monitors lapse, surrender and persistency experience.

 

In aggregate, 2019 policyholder termination and premium persistency experience was unfavourable (2018 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions used in the computation of actuarial liabilities.

 

Expenses and taxes

  

 

Operating expense assumptions reflect the projected costs of maintaining and servicing in-force policies, including associated overhead expenses. The expenses are derived from internal cost studies projected into the future with an allowance for inflation. For some developing businesses, there is an expectation that unit costs will decline as these businesses grow.

 

Taxes reflect assumptions for future premium taxes and other non-income related taxes. For income taxes, policy liabilities are adjusted only for temporary tax timing and permanent tax rate differences on the cash flows available to satisfy policy obligations.

 

  

 

The Company prices its products to cover the expected costs of servicing and maintaining them. In addition, the Company monitors expenses monthly, including comparisons of actual expenses to expense levels allowed for in pricing and valuation.

 

Maintenance expenses for 2019 were unfavourable (2018 – unfavourable) when compared to the Company’s assumptions used in the computation of actuarial liabilities.

 

The Company prices its products to cover the expected cost of taxes.

 

Policyholder  dividends, experience rating refunds, and  other adjustable policy elements

 

  

 

The best estimate projections for policyholder dividends and experience rating refunds, and other adjustable elements of policy benefits are determined to be consistent with management’s expectation of how these elements will be managed should experience emerge consistently with the best estimate assumptions used for mortality and morbidity, investment returns, rates of policy termination, operating expenses and taxes.

  

 

The Company monitors policy experience and adjusts policy benefits and other adjustable elements to reflect this experience.

 

Policyholder dividends are reviewed annually for all businesses under a framework of Board-approved policyholder dividend policies.

 

Foreign currency

  

 

Foreign currency risk results from a mismatch of the currency of liabilities and the currency of the assets designated to support these obligations. Where a currency mismatch exists, the assumed rate of return on the assets supporting the liabilities is reduced to reflect the potential for adverse movements in foreign exchange rates.

 

  

 

The Company generally matches the currency of its assets with the currency of the liabilities they support, with the objective of mitigating the risk of loss arising from movements in currency exchange rates.

The Company reviews actuarial methods and assumptions on an annual basis. If changes are made to assumptions (refer to note 6(h)), the full impact is recognized in income immediately.

(e) Sensitivity of insurance contract liabilities to changes in non-economic assumptions

The sensitivity of net income attributed to shareholders to changes in non-economic assumptions underlying insurance contract liabilities is shown below, assuming a simultaneous change in the assumption across all business units. The sensitivity of net income attributed to shareholders to a deterioration or improvement in non-economic assumptions for Long-Term Care (“LTC”) as at December 31, 2019 is also shown below.

In practice, experience for each assumption will frequently vary by geographic market and business and assumption updates are made on a business/geographic specific basis. Actual results can differ materially from these estimates for a variety of reasons including the interaction among these factors when more than one changes; changes in actuarial and investment return and future investment activity assumptions; changes in business mix, effective tax rates and other market factors; and the general limitations of internal models.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        139


Potential impact on net income attributed to shareholders arising from changes to non-economic assumptions(1)

 

As at December 31,

 

  

Decrease in net income
attributed to shareholders

 

 

 
  

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Policy related assumptions

     

2% adverse change in future mortality rates(2),(4)

     

Products where an increase in rates increases insurance contract liabilities

   $ (500    $ (500

Products where a decrease in rates increases insurance contract liabilities

     (500      (500

5% adverse change in future morbidity rates (incidence and termination)(3),(4),(5)

       (5,100        (4,800

10% adverse change in future policy termination rates(4)

     (2,400      (2,200

5% increase in future expense levels

     (600      (600

 

(1)

The participating policy funds are largely self-supporting and generate no material impact on net income attributed to shareholders as a result of changes in non-economic assumptions. Experience gains or losses would generally result in changes to future dividends, with no direct impact to shareholders.

(2)

An increase in mortality rates will generally increase policy liabilities for life insurance contracts whereas a decrease in mortality rates will generally increase policy liabilities for policies with longevity risk such as payout annuities.

(3)

No amounts related to morbidity risk are included for policies where the policy liability provides only for claims costs expected over a short period, generally less than one year, such as Group Life and Health.

(4)

The impacts of the adverse sensitivities on LTC for morbidity, mortality and lapse do not assume any partial offsets from the Company’s ability to contractually raise premium rates in such events, subject to state regulatory approval. In practice, the Company would plan to file for rate increases equal to the amount of deterioration resulting from the sensitivity.

(5)

This includes a 5% deterioration in incidence rates and 5% deterioration in claim termination rates.

Potential impact on net income attributed to shareholders arising from changes to non-economic assumptions for Long-Term Care included in the above table(1),(2)

 

As at December 31,

 

  

Decrease in net income
attributed to shareholders

 

 

 
  

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Policy related assumptions

     

2% adverse change in future mortality rates

   $ (300    $ (200

5% adverse change in future morbidity incidence rates

     (2,500      (1,700

5% adverse change in future morbidity claims termination rates

       (2,200        (2,800

10% adverse change in future policy termination rates

     (400      (400

5% increase in future expense levels

     (100      (100

 

(1)

The impacts of the adverse sensitivities on LTC for morbidity, mortality and lapse do not assume any partial offsets from the Company’s ability to contractually raise premium rates in such events, subject to state regulatory approval. In practice, the Company would plan to file for rate increases equal to the amount of deterioration resulting from the sensitivities.

(2)

The impact of favourable changes to all the sensitivities is relatively symmetrical.

(f) Provision for adverse deviation assumptions

The assumptions made in establishing insurance contract liabilities reflect expected best estimates of future experience. To recognize the uncertainty in these best estimate assumptions, to allow for possible misestimation of and deterioration in experience and to provide a greater degree of assurance that the insurance contract liabilities are adequate to pay future benefits, the Appointed Actuary is required to include a margin in each assumption.

Margins are released into future earnings as the policy is released from risk. Margins for interest rate risk are included by testing a number of scenarios of future interest rates. The margin can be established by testing a limited number of scenarios, some of which are prescribed by the Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice, and determining the liability based on the worst outcome. Alternatively, the margin can be set by testing many scenarios, which are developed according to actuarial guidance. Under this approach the liability would be the average of the outcomes above a percentile in the range prescribed by the Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice.

Specific guidance is also provided for other risks such as market, credit, mortality and morbidity risks. For other risks which are not specifically addressed by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, a range is provided of five per cent to 20 per cent of the expected experience assumption. The Company uses assumptions within the permissible ranges, with the determination of the level set considering the risk profile of the business. On occasion, in specific circumstances for additional prudence, a margin may exceed the high end of the range, which is permissible under the Canadian Actuarial Standards of Practice. This additional margin would be released if the specific circumstances which led to it being established were to change.

Each margin is reviewed annually for continued appropriateness.

 

140        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(g) Change in insurance contract liabilities

The change in insurance contract liabilities was a result of the following business activities and changes in actuarial estimates.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

  

Net actuarial
liabilities

 

   

 

Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)

 

   

 

Net
insurance
contract
liabilities

 

   

Reinsurance
assets

 

   

 

Gross
insurance
contract
liabilities

 

        

Balance, January 1

   $ 272,761     $ 12,968     $ 285,729     $ 42,925     $ 328,654    

New policies(2)

     3,251             3,251       521       3,772    

Normal in-force movement(2)

     30,171       750       30,921       (972     29,949    

Changes in methods and assumptions(2)

     74             74       927       1,001    

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (9,668     (499     (10,167     (2,048     (12,215        

Balance, December 31

   $ 296,589     $ 13,219     $ 309,808     $ 41,353     $ 351,161          

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

  

Net actuarial
liabilities

 

   

Other
insurance
contract
liabilities(1)

 

   

Net
insurance
contract
liabilities

 

   

Reinsurance
assets

 

   

Gross
insurance
contract
liabilities

 

        

Balance, January 1

   $ 263,091     $ 11,155     $ 274,246     $ 30,359     $ 304,605    

New policies(3)

     3,269             3,269       388       3,657    

Normal in-force movement(3)

     2,044       985       3,029       (1,150     1,879    

Changes in methods and assumptions(3)

     (173     (1     (174     (608     (782  

Impact of annuity coinsurance transactions

     (11,156           (11,156     11,156          

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     15,686       829       16,515       2,780       19,295          

Balance, December 31

   $   272,761     $   12,968     $   285,729     $   42,925     $   328,654          

 

(1)

Other insurance contract liabilities are comprised of benefits payable and provision for unreported claims and policyholder amounts on deposit.

(2)

In 2019, the $33,727 increase reported as the change in insurance contract liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Income primarily consists of changes due to normal in-force movement, new policies and changes in methods and assumptions. These three items in the gross insurance contract liabilities were netted off by an increase of $34,721, of which $34,056 is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income increase in insurance contract liabilities and $665 is included in gross claims and benefits. The Consolidated Statements of Income change in insurance contract liabilities also includes the change in embedded derivatives associated with insurance contracts.

(3)

In 2018, the $2,907 increase reported as the change in insurance contract liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Income primarily consists of changes due to normal in-force movement, new policies and changes in methods and assumptions. These three items in the gross insurance contract liabilities were netted off by an increase of $4,754, of which $3,632 is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income increase in insurance contract liabilities and $1,122 is included in gross claims and benefits. The Consolidated Statements of Income change in insurance contract liabilities also includes the change in embedded derivatives associated with insurance contracts. The Company finalized its estimate of U.S. Tax reform which resulted in a $196 pre-tax ($154 post-tax) increase in insurance contract liabilities, refer to note 16.

(h) Actuarial methods and assumptions

A comprehensive review of valuation assumptions and methods is performed annually. The review reduces the Company’s exposure to uncertainty by ensuring assumptions for both asset and liability risks remain appropriate. This is accomplished by monitoring experience and updating assumptions which represent a best estimate of expected future experience, and margins that are appropriate for the risks assumed. While the assumptions selected represent the Company’s current best estimates and assessment of risk, the ongoing monitoring of experience and the changes in economic environment are likely to result in future changes to the actuarial assumptions, which could materially impact the insurance contract liabilities.

Annual review 2019

The completion of the 2019 annual review of actuarial methods and assumptions resulted in an increase in insurance contract liabilities of $74, net of reinsurance, and a decrease in net income attributed to shareholders of $21 post-tax.

 

    

Change in insurance contract liabilities,
net of reinsurance

 

             

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

  

Total

 

   

Attributed to
participating
policyholders’
account

 

   

Attributed to
shareholders’
account

 

   

Change in net
income attributed
to shareholders
(post-tax)

 

        

Long-term care triennial review

     $     11       $       –       $   11       $   (8  

Mortality and morbidity updates

     25       47       (22     14    

Lapses and policyholder behaviour

     135       17         118       (75  

Investment return assumptions

     12       81       (69     70    

Other updates

       (109       (163     54       (22        

Net impact

     $     74       $   (18     $   92       $  (21        

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        141


Long-term care triennial review

U.S. Insurance completed a comprehensive long-term care (“LTC”) experience study. The review included all aspects of claim assumptions, the impact of policyholder benefit reductions as well as the progress on future premium rate increases and a review of margins on the business. The impact of the LTC review was approximately net neutral to net income attributed to shareholders.

The experience study showed lower termination rates than expected during the elimination or “qualifying” period (which is the period between when a claim is filed and when benefit payments begin), and favourable incidence as policyholders are filing claims at a lower rate than expected. In addition, policyholders are electing to reduce their benefits in lieu of paying increased premiums. The overall claims experience review led to a post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $1.9 billion, which includes a gain of approximately $0.2 billion for the impact of benefit reductions.

The experience study included additional claims data due to the natural aging of the block of business. As a result, the Company reduced certain margins for adverse deviations, which resulted in a post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $0.7 billion.

While the study continues to support the assumptions of both future morbidity and mortality improvement, the Company reduced its morbidity improvement assumption, which resulted in a post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $0.7 billion.

The review of premium increases assumed in the policy liabilities resulted in a post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders of approximately $2.0 billion related to the expected timing and amount of premium increases that are subject to state approval and reflects a 30% margin. The expected premium increases are informed by past approval rates applied to prior state filings that remain outstanding and estimated new requests based on the Company’s 2019 review of morbidity, mortality and lapse assumptions. The Company’s actual experience in obtaining premium increases could be materially different than what it has assumed, resulting in further increases or decreases in policy liabilities, which could be material.

Updates to mortality and morbidity

Mortality and morbidity updates resulted in a $14 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders. This included a review of the Company’s Canada Individual Insurance mortality and reinsurance arrangements.

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour assumptions resulted in a $75 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

The primary driver of the charge was an update to the Company’s lapse assumptions across several term and whole life product lines within the Company’s Canada Individual Insurance business, partially offset by several updates to lapse and premium persistency assumptions in other geographies.

Updates to investment return assumptions

Updates to investment return assumptions resulted in a $70 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders.

The primary driver of the gain was an update to the Company’s senior secured loan default rates to reflect recent experience, as well as its investment and crediting rate strategy for certain universal life products. This was partially offset by updates to certain private equity investment assumptions in Canada.

Other updates

Other updates resulted in a $22 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

Annual Review 2018

The 2018 annual review of actuarial methods and assumptions resulted in a decrease in insurance contract liabilities of $174, net of reinsurance, and a decrease in net income attributed to shareholders of $51 post-tax.

 

    

Change in insurance contract liabilities,
net of reinsurance

 

             
For the year ended December 31, 2018   

Total

 

   

Attributed to
participating
policyholders’
account

 

   

Attributed to
shareholders’
account

 

   

Change in net
income attributed to
shareholders
(post-tax)

 

        

Mortality and morbidity updates

     $    319       $  (192     $   511       $  (360  

Lapses and policyholder behaviour

     287             287       (226  

Investment return assumptions

     (96     50       (146     143    

Other

     (684     (94     (590     392          

Net impact

     $  (174     $  (236     $      62       $    (51        

 

142        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Updates to mortality and morbidity assumptions

Mortality and morbidity updates resulted in a $360 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

The primary driver of the charge is related to updates to mortality and morbidity assumptions for the Company’s structured settlement and term renewal business in Canada. A review of mortality assumptions for the Company’s U.S. group pension annuity business and certain blocks of life insurance business resulted in a small charge to earnings, and other updates to mortality and morbidity assumptions led to a small net charge.

Updates to lapses and policyholder behaviour

Lapse and policyholder behaviour updates resulted in a $226 post-tax charge to net income attributed to shareholders.

The primary driver of the charge is related to updated lapse and premium persistency rates for certain U.S. insurance product lines ($252 post-tax charge). This included updates to universal life no-lapse guarantee business lapse assumptions to better reflect emerging experience, which showed a variation in lapses based on premium funding levels, partially offset by favourable lapse experience on several of the U.S. life insurance product lines.

Other updates to lapse and policyholder behaviour assumptions were made across several product lines to reflect recent experience.

Updates to investment return assumptions

Investment return assumption updates resulted in a $143 post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders.

The Company updated its bond default rates to reflect recent experience, leading to a $401 post-tax gain and updated the investment return assumptions for ALDA and public equities, specifically oil and gas, which led to a $210 post-tax charge. Other refinements to the projections of investment returns resulted in a $48 post-tax charge.

Other updates

Refinements to the projection of the tax and liability cashflows across multiple product lines led to a post-tax gain to net income attributed to shareholders of $392. The refinements were primarily driven by the projection of tax cashflows as the Company reviewed the deductibility of certain reserves. In addition, the Company refined the projection of policyholder crediting rates for certain products.

(i) Insurance contracts contractual obligations

Insurance contracts give rise to obligations fixed by agreement. As at December 31, 2019, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments relating to insurance contracts are as follows.

 

Payments due by period   

 

Less than
1 year

    

 

1 to 3

years

    

 

3 to 5

years

    

 

Over 5
years

     Total  

Insurance contract liabilities(1)

   $   9,682      $   12,084      $   16,587      $   758,687      $   797,040  

 

(1)

Insurance contract liability cash flows include estimates related to the timing and payment of death and disability claims, policy surrenders, policy maturities, annuity payments, minimum guarantees on segregated fund products, policyholder dividends, commissions and premium taxes offset by contractual future premiums on in-force contracts. These estimated cash flows are based on the best estimate assumptions used in the determination of insurance contract liabilities. These amounts are undiscounted and reflect recoveries from reinsurance agreements. Due to the use of assumptions, actual cash flows may differ from these estimates. Cash flows include embedded derivatives measured separately at fair value.

(j) Gross claims and benefits

The following table presents a breakdown of gross claims and benefits.

 

For the years ended December 31,  

 

2019

   

 

2018

 

Death, disability and other claims

  $ 15,752     $ 15,174  

Maturity and surrender benefits

    8,433       7,722  

Annuity payments

    4,030       4,262  

Policyholder dividends and experience rating refunds

    1,445       1,809  

Net transfers from segregated funds

    (1,000     (1,089

Total

  $ 28,660     $ 27,878  

(k) Annuity coinsurance transactions

On September 26, 2018, the Company entered into coinsurance agreements with Reinsurance Group of America (“RGA”) to reinsure a block of legacy U.S. individual pay-out annuities business from John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHUSA”) with a 100% quota share and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (“JHNY”) with a 90% quota share. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company will maintain responsibility for servicing the policies. The transaction was structured such that the Company ceded policyholder contract liabilities and transferred invested assets backing these liabilities. The JHUSA transaction closed in 2018.

The JHNY transaction closed with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The Company recorded an after-tax gain of $18, which includes an increase of reinsurance assets of $132 and ceded premiums of $131 on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        143


On October 31, 2018, the Company entered into coinsurance agreements with Jackson National Life Insurance Company (“Jackson”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential plc, to reinsure a block of legacy U.S. group pay-out annuities business from JHUSA with a 100% quota share and JHNY with a 90% quota share. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company will maintain responsibility for servicing the policies. The transaction was structured such that the Company ceded policyholder contract liabilities and transferred related invested assets backing these liabilities. The JHUSA transaction closed in 2018.

The JHNY transaction closed with an effective date of January 1, 2019. The Company recorded an after-tax gain of $31, which includes an increase of reinsurance assets of $621, a ceding commission paid of $35 and ceded premiums of $581 on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 7    Investment Contract Liabilities

Investment contract liabilities are contractual obligations that do not contain significant insurance risk. Those contracts are measured either at fair value or at amortized cost.

(a) Investment contract liabilities measured at fair value

Investment contract liabilities measured at fair value include certain investment savings and pension products sold primarily in Hong Kong and mainland China. The following table presents the movement in investment contract liabilities measured at fair value.

 

For the years ended December 31,   2019     2018  

Balance, January 1

  $ 782     $ 639  

New policies

    66       96  

Changes in market conditions

    62       76  

Redemptions, surrenders and maturities

    (86     (86

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

    (35     57  

Balance, December 31

  $   789     $     782  

(b) Investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost

Investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost include several fixed annuity products sold in Canada and U.S. fixed annuity products that provide guaranteed income payments for a contractually determined period and are not contingent on survivorship.

The following table presents carrying and fair values of investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost.

 

    2019           2018  
As at December 31,  

Amortized

cost, gross of
reinsurance
ceded(1)

    Fair value          

Amortized

cost, gross of
reinsurance
ceded(1)

    Fair value  

U.S. fixed annuity products

      $   1,248     $   1,482           $   1,357     $   1,449  

Canadian fixed annuity products

    1,067       1,158         1,126       1,269  

Investment contract liabilities

      $ 2,315     $ 2,640           $ 2,483     $ 2,718  

 

(1)

As at December 31, 2019, investment contract liabilities with the carrying value and fair value of $93 and $103, respectively (2018 – $128 and $130, respectively), were reinsured by the Company. The net carrying value and fair value of investment contracts labilities were $2,222 and $2,537 (2018 – $2,355 and $2,588) respectively.

The changes in investment contract liabilities measured at amortized cost was a result of the following business activities.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Balance, January 1

   $   2,483      $   2,487  

Policy deposits

     2        6  

Interest

     62        82  

Withdrawals

     (182      (201

Fees

     (3      (1

Other

     17         

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (64      110  

Balance, December 31

   $ 2,315      $ 2,483  

Carrying value of fixed annuity products is amortized at a rate that exactly discounts the projected actual cash flows to the net carrying amount of the liability at the date of issue.

Fair value of fixed annuity products is determined by projecting cash flows according to the contract terms and discounting the cash flows at current market rates adjusted for the Company’s own credit standing. As at December 31, 2019 and 2018, all investment contracts were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

144        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(c) Investment contracts contractual obligations

As at December 31, 2019, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments relating to the investment contracts are as follows.

 

Payments due by period    Less than
1 year
    

1 to 3

years

    

3 to 5

years

     Over 5
years
     Total  

Investment contract liabilities(1)

   $   289      $   484      $   476      $   3,846      $   5,095  

 

(1)

Due to the nature of the products, the timing of net cash flows may be before contract maturity. Cash flows are undiscounted.

Note 8    Risk Management

The Company policies and procedures for managing risks of financial instruments are disclosed in the shaded area of the “Risk Management and Risk Factors” section of the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019. These disclosures are in accordance with IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” and an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

(a) Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss due to inability or unwillingness of a borrower, or counterparty, to fulfill its payment obligations. Worsening regional and global economic conditions, segment or industry sector challenges, or company specific factors could result in defaults or downgrades and could lead to increased provisions or impairments related to the Company’s general fund invested assets, derivative financial instruments and reinsurance assets and an increase in provisions for future credit impairments that are included in actuarial liabilities.

The Company’s exposure to credit risk is managed through risk management policies and procedures which include a defined credit evaluation and adjudication process, delegated credit approval authorities and established exposure limits by borrower, corporate connection, credit rating, industry and geographic region. The Company measures derivative counterparty exposure as net potential credit exposure, which takes into consideration mark-to-market values of all transactions with each counterparty, net of any collateral held, and an allowance to reflect future potential exposure. Reinsurance counterparty exposure is measured reflecting the level of ceded liabilities.

The Company also ensures where warranted, that mortgages, private placements and loans to Bank clients are secured by collateral, the nature of which depends on the credit risk of the counterparty.

An allowance for losses on loans is established when a loan becomes impaired. Allowances for loan losses are calculated to reduce the carrying value of the loans to estimated net realizable value. The establishment of such allowances takes into consideration normal historical credit loss levels and future expectations, with an allowance for adverse deviations. In addition, policy liabilities include general provisions for credit losses from future asset impairments. Impairments are identified through regular monitoring of all credit related exposures, considering such information as general market conditions, industry and borrower specific credit events and any other relevant trends or conditions. Allowances for losses on reinsurance contracts are established when a reinsurance counterparty becomes unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligations. The allowance for loss is based on current recoverable amounts and ceded policy liabilities.

Credit risk associated with derivative counterparties is discussed in note 8(d) and credit risk associated with reinsurance counterparties is discussed in note 8(i).

(i) Credit exposure

The following table presents the gross carrying amount of financial instruments subject to credit exposure, without considering any collateral held or other credit enhancements.

 

As at December 31,    2019      2018  

Debt securities

     

FVTPL

   $   166,307      $   154,737  

AFS

     31,815        30,857  

Mortgages

     49,376        48,363  

Private placements

     37,979        35,754  

Policy loans

     6,471        6,446  

Loans to Bank clients

     1,740        1,793  

Derivative assets

     19,449        13,703  

Accrued investment income

     2,416        2,427  

Reinsurance assets

     41,446        43,053  

Other financial assets

     5,628        4,800  

Total

   $   362,627      $   341,933  

As at December 31, 2019, 99% (2018 – 99%) of debt securities were investment grade-rated with ratings ranging between AAA to BBB.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        145


(ii) Credit quality

Credit quality of commercial mortgages and private placements

Credit quality of commercial mortgages and private placements is assessed at least annually by using an internal rating based on regular monitoring of credit-related exposures, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors.

A provision is recorded when the internal risk ratings indicate that a loss represents the most likely outcome. These assets are designated as non-accrual and an allowance is established based on an analysis of the security and repayment sources.

The following table presents credit quality of commercial mortgages and private placements.

 

As at December 31, 2019

  

AAA

    

AA

    

A

    

BBB

    

BB

    

B and lower

    

Total

 

Commercial mortgages

                    

Retail

   $ 132      $ 1,374      $ 5,285      $ 2,039      $ 10      $      $ 8,840  

Office

     77        1,540        5,808        1,402        26        18        8,871  

Multi-family residential

     640        1,585        2,397        714        35               5,371  

Industrial

     38        364        1,820        237        10               2,469  

Other

 

     260        739        976        1,290               8        3,273  

Total commercial mortgages

  

 

1,147

 

  

 

5,602

 

  

 

16,286

 

  

 

5,682

 

  

 

81

 

  

 

26

 

  

 

28,824

 

Agricultural mortgages

            27        137        312                      476  

Private placements

     1,098        5,513        14,311        14,139        823        2,095        37,979  

Total

   $   2,245      $   11,142      $   30,734      $   20,133      $   904      $   2,121      $   67,279  
As at December 31, 2018    AAA      AA      A      BBB      BB      B and lower      Total  

Commercial mortgages

                    

Retail

   $ 82      $ 1,524      $ 4,459      $ 2,227      $ 11      $ 74      $ 8,377  

Office

     56        1,495        5,454        1,650        45        6        8,706  

Multi-family residential

     613        1,427        2,407        839        37               5,323  

Industrial

     36        366        1,953        339        120               2,814  

Other

 

     289        334        1,167        1,191               14        2,995  

Total commercial mortgages

     1,076        5,146        15,440        6,246        213        94        28,215  

Agricultural mortgages

            163               389                      552  

Private placements

     1,143        4,968        13,304        14,055        733        1,551        35,754  

Total

   $ 2,219      $ 10,277      $ 28,744      $ 20,690      $ 946      $ 1,645      $ 64,521  

Credit quality of residential mortgages and loans to Bank clients

Credit quality of residential mortgages and loans to Bank clients is assessed at least annually with the loan being performing or non-performing as the key credit quality indicator.

Full or partial write-offs of loans are recorded when management believes that there is no realistic prospect of full recovery. Write-offs, net of recoveries, are deducted from the allowance for credit losses. All impairments are captured in the allowance for credit losses.

The following table presents credit quality of residential mortgages and loans to Bank clients.

 

    

 

 

2019(1)

            2018  

As at December 31,

  

 

Insured

 

  

 

Uninsured

 

  

 

Total

 

    

 

Insured

 

  

 

Uninsured

 

  

 

Total

 

Residential mortgages

                   

Performing

   $ 6,613      $ 13,411      $ 20,024        $ 6,854      $ 12,696      $ 19,550  

Non-performing

     25        27        52          19        27        46  

Loans to Bank clients

                   

Performing

     n/a        1,740        1,740          n/a        1,787        1,787  

Non-performing

     n/a                        n/a        6        6  

Total

   $   6,638      $ 15,178      $   21,816        $ 6,873      $   14,516      $   21,389  

 

(1)

Non-performing refers to assets that are 90 days or more past due.

The carrying value of government-insured mortgages was 14% of the total mortgage portfolio as at December 31, 2019 (2018 –15%). Most of these insured mortgages are residential loans as classified in the table above.

(iii) Past due or credit impaired financial assets

The Company provides for credit risk by establishing allowances against the carrying value of impaired loans and recognizing impairment losses on AFS debt securities. In addition, the Company reports as impairment certain declines in the fair value of debt securities designated as FVTPL which it deems represent an impairment.

 

146        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents past due but not impaired and impaired financial assets.

 

    

 

Past due but not impaired

               
As at December 31, 2019   

 

Less than
90 days

    

 

90 days
and greater

     Total     

 

Total
impaired

         

Debt securities

              

FVTPL

   $ 11      $      $ 11      $ 167     

AFS

     4        1        5            

Private placements

     215               215        7     

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

     61               61        59     

Other financial assets

     60        42        102        1           

Total

  

$

  351

 

  

$

  43

 

  

$

  394

 

  

$

  234

 

        
     Past due but not impaired                
As at December 31, 2018    Less than
90 days
     90 days
and greater
     Total      Total
impaired
         

Debt securities

              

FVTPL

   $ 14      $      $ 14      $ 39     

AFS

            2        2        1     

Private placements

     15               15        18     

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

     70               70        120     

Other financial assets

     77        26        103        1           

Total

  

$

176

 

  

$

28

 

  

$

204

 

  

$

179

 

        

The following table presents gross carrying amount and allowances for loan losses for impaired loans.

 

As at December 31, 2019   

 

Gross
carrying
value

     Allowances for
loan losses
     Net carrying
value
         

Private placements

   $ 11      $ 4      $ 7     

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

     75        16        59           

Total

   $   86      $   20      $   66           
As at December 31, 2018    Gross
carrying
value
     Allowances for
loan losses
     Net carrying
value
         

Private placements

   $ 61      $ 43      $ 18     

Mortgages and loans to Bank clients

     172        52        120           

Total

   $   233      $ 95      $ 138           

The following table presents movement of allowance for loan losses during the year.

 

    

 

2019

            2018  
For the years ended December 31,     
Private
placements
 
 
    

Mortgages
and loans to
Bank clients
 
 
 
     Total          
Private
placements
 
 
    

Mortgages
and loans to
Bank clients
 
 
 
     Total  

Balance, January 1

   $   43      $ 52      $ 95         $ 39      $ 46      $ 85  

Provisions

     35        15        50           37        18        55  

Recoveries

            (46      (46         (27      (9      (36

Write-offs(1)

     (74      (5      (79         (6      (3      (9

Balance, December 31

  

$

  4

 

  

$

  16

 

  

$

  20

 

     

$

  43

 

  

$

  52

 

  

$

  95

 

 

(1)

Includes disposals and impact of changes in foreign exchange rates.

(b) Securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions

The Company engages in securities lending to generate fee income. Collateral exceeding the market value of the loaned securities is retained by the Company until the underlying security has been returned to the Company. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored daily and additional collateral is obtained or refunded as the market value of the underlying loaned securities fluctuates. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had loaned securities (which are included in invested assets) with a market value of $558 (2018 – $1,518). The Company holds collateral with a current market value that exceeds the value of securities lent in all cases.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        147


The Company engages in reverse repurchase transactions to generate fee income to take possession of securities to cover short positions in similar instruments and to meet short-term funding requirements. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had engaged in reverse repurchase transactions of $990 (2018 – $63) which are recorded as short-term receivables. In addition, the Company had engaged in repurchase transactions of $333 as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $64) which are recorded as payables.

(c) Credit default swaps

The Company replicates exposure to specific issuers by selling credit protection via credit default swaps (“CDSs”) to complement its cash debt securities investing. The Company does not write CDS protection more than its government bond holdings. A CDS is a derivative instrument representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a single specified entity or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities (all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), in return for a periodic premium. CDS contracts typically have a five-year term.

The following table presents details of the credit default swap protection sold by type of contract and external agency rating for the underlying reference security.

 

As at December 31, 2019    Notional
amount(1)
     Fair value     

 

Weighted
average
maturity

(in years)(2)

 

Single name CDSs(3) – Corporate debt

        

AA

   $ 24      $        1  

A

     371        5        1  

BBB

     107        1        2  

Total single name CDSs

  

$

502

 

  

$

6

 

  

 

1

 

Total CDS protection sold

  

$

502

 

  

$

6

 

  

 

1

 

As at December 31, 2018    Notional
amount(1)
     Fair value     

Weighted
average
maturity

(in years)(2)

 

Single name CDSs(3) – Corporate debt

        

AA

   $ 25      $        2  

A

     447        7        2  

BBB

     180        2        2  

Total single name CDSs

  

$

652

 

  

$

9

 

  

 

2

 

Total CDS protection sold

  

$

  652

 

  

$

  9

 

  

 

2

 

 

(1)

Notional amounts represent the maximum future payments the Company would have to pay its counterparties assuming a default of the underlying credit and zero recovery on the underlying issuer obligation.

(2)

The weighted average maturity of the CDS is weighted based on notional amounts.

(3)

Rating agency designations are based on S&P where available followed by Moody’s, DBRS, and Fitch. If no rating is available from a rating agency, an internally developed rating is used.

The Company held no purchased credit protection as at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(d) Derivatives

The Company’s point-in-time exposure to losses related to credit risk of a derivative counterparty is limited to the amount of any net gains that may have accrued with a counterparty. Gross derivative counterparty exposure is measured as the total fair value (including accrued interest) of all outstanding contracts in a gain position excluding any offsetting contracts in a loss position and the impact of collateral on hand. The Company limits the risk of credit losses from derivative counterparties by: using investment grade counterparties; entering into master netting arrangements which permit the offsetting of contracts in a loss position in the case of a counterparty default; and entering into Credit Support Annex agreements, whereby collateral must be provided when the exposure exceeds a certain threshold. All contracts are held with counterparties rated BBB+ or higher. As at December 31, 2019, the percentage of the Company’s derivative exposure with counterparties rated AA- or higher was 23 per cent (2018 – 19 per cent). The Company’s exposure to credit risk was mitigated by $12,038 fair value of collateral held as security as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $7,848).

As at December 31, 2019, the largest single counterparty exposure, without considering the impact of master netting agreements or the benefit of collateral held, was $3,047 (2018 – $2,269). The net exposure to this counterparty, after considering master netting agreements and the fair value of collateral held, was $nil (2018 – $nil). As at December 31, 2019, the total maximum credit exposure related to derivatives across all counterparties, without considering the impact of master netting agreements and the benefit of collateral held, was $20,144 (2018 – $14,320).

(e) Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities

Certain derivatives, securities lent and repurchase agreements have conditional offset rights. The Company does not offset these financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, as the rights of offset are conditional.

 

148        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


In the case of derivatives, collateral is collected from and pledged to counterparties and clearing houses to manage credit risk exposure in accordance with Credit Support Annexes to swap agreements and clearing agreements. Under master netting agreements, the Company has a right of offset in the event of default, insolvency, bankruptcy or other early termination.

In the case of reverse repurchase and repurchase transactions, additional collateral may be collected from or pledged to counterparties to manage credit exposure according to bilateral reverse repurchase or repurchase agreements. In the event of default by a counterparty, the Company is entitled to liquidate the collateral held to offset against the same counterparty’s obligation.

The following table presents the effect of conditional master netting and similar arrangements. Similar arrangements may include global master repurchase agreements, global master securities lending agreements, and any related rights to financial collateral.

 

          

 

Related amounts not set off in the
Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position

             
As at December 31, 2019    Gross amounts of
financial instruments(1)
   

 

Amounts subject to
an enforceable
master netting
arrangement or
similar agreements

    Financial and
cash collateral
pledged
(received)(2)
    Net amount
including
financing
trusts(3)
    Net amounts
excluding
financing
trusts
 

Financial assets

          

Derivative assets

   $ 20,144     $    (9,188   $    (10,889   $ 67     $ 67  

Securities lending

     558             (558            

Reverse repurchase agreements

     990             (989     1       1  

Total financial assets

  

$

21,692

 

 

$

(9,188

 

$

(12,436

 

$

68

 

 

$

68

 

Financial liabilities

          

Derivative liabilities

   $ (11,345   $ 9,188     $ 1,903     $ (254   $ (53

Repurchase agreements

     (333           330       (3     (3

Total financial liabilities

  

$

   (11,678)

 

 

$

9,188

 

 

$

2,233

 

 

$

   (257

 

$

   (56

 

           Related amounts not set off in the
Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position
             
As at December 31, 2018    Gross amounts of
financial instruments(1)
    Amounts subject to
an enforceable
master netting
arrangement or
similar agreements
    Financial and
cash collateral
pledged
(received)(2)
    Net amount
including
financing
trusts(3)
    Net amounts
excluding
financing
trusts
 

Financial assets

          

Derivative assets

   $ 14,320     $ (6,644   $ (7,431   $ 245     $ 245  

Securities lending

     1,518             (1,518            

Reverse repurchase agreements

     63       (63                  

Total financial assets

  

$

  15,901

 

 

$

   (6,707

 

$

   (8,949

 

$

245

 

 

$

245

 

Financial liabilities

          

Derivative liabilities

   $ (8,716   $ 6,644     $ 1,868     $    (204   $    (33

Repurchase agreements

     (64     63       1              

Total financial liabilities

  

$

(8,780

 

$

6,707

 

 

$

1,869

 

 

$

(204

 

$

(33

 

(1)

Financial assets and liabilities include accrued interest of $696 and $1,061, respectively (2018 – $621 and $913, respectively).

(2)

Financial and cash collateral exclude over-collateralization. As at December 31, 2019, the Company was over-collateralized on OTC derivative assets, OTC derivative liabilities, securities lending and reverse purchase agreements and repurchase agreements in the amounts of $1,149, $526, $44 and $nil, respectively (2018 – $417, $405, $80 and $nil, respectively). As at December 31, 2019, collateral pledged (received) does not include collateral-in-transit on OTC instruments or initial margin on exchange traded contracts or cleared contracts.

(3)

Includes derivative contracts entered between the Company and its financing trusts which it does not consolidate. The Company does not exchange collateral on derivative contracts entered with these trusts. Refer to note 17.

The Company has certain credit linked note assets and variable surplus note liabilities which have unconditional offset rights. Under the netting agreements, the Company has rights of offset including in the event of the Company’s default, insolvency, or bankruptcy. These financial instruments are offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        149


A credit linked note is a security that allows the issuer to transfer a specific credit risk to the buyer. A surplus note is a subordinated debt obligation that often qualifies as a surplus (the U.S. statutory equivalent of equity) by some U.S. state insurance regulators. Interest payments on surplus notes are made after all other contractual payments are made. The following table presents the effect of unconditional netting.

 

As at December 31, 2019    Gross amounts of
financial instruments
   

Amounts subject to
an enforceable

netting arrangement

    Net amounts of
financial instruments
 

Credit linked note(1)

   $    782     $ (782   $    –  

Variable surplus note

     (782        782        

 

As at December 31, 2018    Gross amounts of
financial instruments
   

Amounts subject to
an enforceable

netting arrangement

    Net amounts of
financial instruments
 

Credit linked note(1)

   $ 679     $   (679   $   –  

Variable surplus note

       (679     679        

 

(1)

As at December 31, 2019, the Company had no fixed surplus notes outstanding (December 31, 2018 – $nil).

(f) Risk concentrations

The Company defines enterprise-wide investment portfolio level targets and limits to ensure that portfolios are diversified across asset classes and individual investment risks. The Company monitors actual investment positions and risk exposures for concentration risk and reports its findings to the Executive Risk Committee and the Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

As at December 31,   2019     2018  

Debt securities and private placements rated as investment grade BBB or higher(1)

    98%       98%  

Government debt securities as a per cent of total debt securities

    37%       38%  

Government private placements as a per cent of total private placements

    12%       11%  

Highest exposure to a single non-government debt security and private placement issuer

  $ 1,083     $ 1,013  

Largest single issuer as a per cent of the total equity portfolio

    2%       2%  

Income producing commercial office properties (2019 – 56% of real estate, 2018 – 55%)

  $ 7,279     $ 7,065  

Largest concentration of mortgages and real estate(2) – Ontario, Canada (2019 – 27%, 2018 – 26%)

  $   17,038     $   16,092  

 

(1)

Investment grade debt securities and private placements include 41% rated A, 17% rated AA and 16% rated AAA (2018 – 41%, 17% and 17%) investments based on external ratings where available.

(2)

Mortgages and real estate investments are diversified geographically and by property type.

The following table presents debt securities and private placements portfolio by sector and industry.

 

   

2019

         

2018

 

As at December 31,

 

Carrying value

   

% of total

         

Carrying value

   

% of total

 

Government and agency

  $ 77,883       33       $ 73,858       33  

Utilities

    44,426       19         41,929       19  

Financial

    31,929       13         31,340       14  

Consumer

    25,931       11         24,190       11  

Energy

    20,196       9         17,685       8  

Industrial

    19,024       8         17,508       8  

Other

 

 

16,712

 

 

 

7

 

   

 

14,838

 

 

 

7

 

Total

 

$

  236,101

 

 

 

100

 

   

$

  221,348

 

 

 

100

 

(g) Insurance risk

Insurance risk is the risk of loss due to actual experience for mortality and morbidity claims, policyholder behaviour and expenses emerging differently than assumed when a product was designed and priced. A variety of assumptions are made related to these experience factors, for reinsurance costs, and for sales levels when products are designed and priced, as well as in the determination of policy liabilities. Assumptions for future claims are generally based on both Company and industry experience, and assumptions for future policyholder behaviour and expenses are generally based on Company experience. Such assumptions require significant professional judgment, and actual experience may be materially different than the assumptions made by the Company. Claims may be impacted unexpectedly by changes in the prevalence of diseases or illnesses, medical and technology advances, widespread lifestyle changes, natural disasters, large-scale man-made disasters and acts of terrorism. Policyholder behaviour including premium payment patterns, policy renewals, lapse rates and withdrawal and surrender activity are influenced by many factors including market and general economic conditions, and the availability and relative attractiveness of other products in the marketplace. Some reinsurance rates are not guaranteed and may be changed unexpectedly. Adjustments the Company seeks to make to Non-Guaranteed elements to reflect changing experience factors may be challenged by regulatory or legal action and the Company may be unable to implement them or may face delays in implementation.

 

150        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The Company manages insurance risk through global policies, standards and best practices with respect to product design, pricing, underwriting and claim adjudication, and a global underwriting manual. Each business unit establishes underwriting policies and procedures, including criteria for approval of risks and claims adjudication policies and procedures. The current global life retention limit is US$30 for individual policies (US$35 for survivorship life policies) and is shared across businesses. Lower limits are applied in some markets and jurisdictions. The Company aims to further reduce exposure to claims concentrations by applying geographical aggregate retention limits for certain covers. Enterprise-wide, the Company aims to reduce the likelihood of high aggregate claims by operating globally, insuring a wide range of unrelated risk events, and reinsuring some risk.

(h) Concentration risk

The geographic concentration of the Company’s insurance and investment contract liabilities, including embedded derivatives, is shown below. The disclosure is based on the countries in which the business is written.

 

As at December 31, 2019

 

  

Gross liabilities

 

    

Reinsurance
assets

 

   

Net liabilities

 

 

U.S. and Canada

  

$

255,999

 

  

$

(40,944

 

$

215,055

 

Asia and Other

  

 

98,237

 

  

 

(502

 

 

97,735

 

Total

   $   354,236      $   (41,446   $   312,790  

As at December 31, 2018

 

  

Gross liabilities

 

    

Reinsurance
assets

 

   

Net liabilities

 

 

U.S. and Canada

  

$

246,255

 

  

$

(42,634

 

$

203,621

 

Asia and Other

  

 

85,830

 

  

 

(419

 

 

85,411

 

Total

  

$

332,085

 

  

$

(43,053

 

$

289,032

 

(i) Reinsurance risk

In the normal course of business, the Company limits the amount of loss on any one policy by reinsuring certain levels of risk with other insurers. In addition, the Company accepts reinsurance from other reinsurers. Reinsurance ceded does not discharge the Company’s liability as the primary insurer. Failure of reinsurers to honour their obligations could result in losses to the Company; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible. To minimize losses from reinsurer insolvency, the Company monitors the concentration of credit risk both geographically and with any one reinsurer. In addition, the Company selects reinsurers with high credit ratings.

As at December 31, 2019, the Company had $41,446 (2018 – $43,053) of reinsurance assets. Of this, 94 per cent (2018 – 94 per cent) were ceded to reinsurers with Standard and Poor’s ratings of A- or above. The Company’s exposure to credit risk was mitigated by $26,638 fair value of collateral held as security as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $24,435). Net exposure after considering offsetting agreements and the benefit of the fair value of collateral held was $14,808 as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $18,618).

Note 9    Long-Term Debt

(a) Carrying value of long-term debt instruments

 

As at December 31,

 

Issue date

    

Maturity date

    

Par value

    

2019

    

2018

 

4.70% Senior notes(1),(3)

    June 23, 2016        June 23, 2046        US$  1,000      $ 1,290      $ 1,355  

5.375% Senior notes(2),(3)

    March 4, 2016        March 4, 2046        US$     750        962        1,010  

3.527% Senior notes(2),(3)

    December 2, 2016        December 2, 2026        US$     270        350        367  

4.150% Senior notes(2),(3)

    March 4, 2016        March 4, 2026        US$  1,000        1,292        1,356  

4.90% Senior notes(2),(3)

    September 17, 2010      September 17, 2020        US$     500        649        681  

Total

                            

$

  4,543

 

  

$

  4,769

 

 

(1)

MFC may redeem the notes in whole, but not in part, on June 23, 2021 and thereafter on every June 23, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(2)

MFC may redeem the senior notes in whole or in part, at any time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of par and a price based on the yield of a corresponding U.S. Treasury bond plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 5.375% - 40 bps, 3.527% - 20 bps, 4.150% - 35 bps, and 4.90% - 35 bps.

(3)

These US dollar senior notes have been designated as hedges of the Company’s net investment in its U.S. operations which reduces the earnings volatility that would otherwise arise from the re-measurement of these senior notes into Canadian dollars.

The cash amount of interest paid on long-term debt during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $216 (2018 – $222). Issue costs are amortized over the term of the debt.

(b) Fair value measurement

Fair value of long-term debt instruments is determined using the following hierarchy:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined using quoted market prices where available.

Level 2 – When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined with reference to quoted prices of similar debt instruments or estimated using discounted cash flows based on observable market rates.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        151


The Company measures long-term debt at amortized cost in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As at December 31, 2019, the fair value of long-term debt was $5,078 (2018 – $4,886). Fair value of long-term debt was determined using Level 2 valuation techniques (2018 – Level 2).

(c) Aggregate maturities of long-term debt

 

As at December 31,    Less than
1 year
     1 to 3
years
     3 to 5
years
     Over 5
years
     Total  

2019

   $ 649      $      $   –      $ 3,894      $ 4,543  

2018

            681               4,088        4,769  

Note 10    Capital Instruments

(a) Carrying value of capital instruments

 

As at December 31,

 

 

Issuance date

 

 

Earliest par redemption
date

 

 

Maturity date

 

 

Par value

 

   

2019

 

   

2018

 

 

7.535% MFCT II Senior debenture notes(1)

  July 10, 2009   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2108     $   1,000     $     $ 1,000  

JHFC Subordinated notes(2)

  December 14, 2006   n/a   December 15, 2036     $      650       647       647  

4.061% MFC Subordinated notes(3)

  February 24, 2017   February 24, 2027   February 24, 2032     US$      750       969       1,017  

3.00% MFC Subordinated notes(4)

  November 21, 2017   November 21, 2024   November 21, 2029     S$      500       481       498  

3.049% MFC Subordinated debentures(5)

  August 18, 2017   August 20, 2024   August 20, 2029     $      750       747       747  

3.317% MFC Subordinated debentures(5)

  May 9, 2018   May 9, 2023   May 9, 2028     $      600       598       597  

3.181% MLI Subordinated debentures(6)

  November 20, 2015   November 22, 2022   November 22, 2027     $   1,000       998       997  

3.85% MFC Subordinated notes(4)

  May 25, 2016   May 25, 2021   May 25, 2026     S$      500       482       499  

2.389% MLI Subordinated debentures(6)

  June 1, 2015   January 5, 2021   January 5, 2026     $      350       350       349  

2.10% MLI Subordinated debentures(6)

  March 10, 2015   June 1, 2020   June 1, 2025     $      750       750       749  

2.64% MLI Subordinated debentures(6),(7)

  December 1, 2014   January 15, 2020   January 15, 2025     $      500       500       500  

2.811% MLI Subordinated debentures(8)

  February 21, 2014   February 21, 2019   February 21, 2024     $      500             500  

7.375% JHUSA Surplus notes(9)

  February 25, 1994   n/a   February 15, 2024     US$      450       598       632  

Total

                     

$

 7,120

 

 

$

 8,732

 

 

(1)

MLI redeemed in full the 7.535% Manulife Financial Capital Trust II (“MFCT II”) Senior debenture notes at par, on December 30, 2019, together with accrued interest. Refer to note 17.

(2)

Issued by Manulife Holdings (Delaware) LLC (“MHDLL”), now John Hancock Financial Corporation (“JHFC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of MFC, to Manulife Finance (Delaware) LLC (“MFLLC”), a subsidiary of Manulife Finance (Delaware) L.P. (“MFLP”). MFLP and its subsidiaries are wholly owned unconsolidated related parties to the Company. The note bears interest at a floating rate equal to the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus 0.72%. With regulatory approval, JHFC may redeem the note, in whole or in part, at any time, at par, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Refer to note 17.

(3)

On the earliest par redemption date, the interest rate will reset to equal the 5-Year US Dollar Mid-Swap Rate plus 1.647%. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole, but not in part, on the earliest par redemption date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(4)

On the earliest par redemption date, the interest rate will reset to equal the 5-Year Singapore Dollar Swap Rate plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 3.00% – 83.2 bps, 3.85% – 197 bps. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole, but not in part, on the earliest par redemption date and thereafter on each interest payment date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(5)

Interest is fixed for the period up to the earliest par redemption date, thereafter, the interest rate will reset to a floating rate equal to the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 3.049% – 105 bps, 3.317% – 78 bps. With regulatory approval, MFC may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, on or after the earliest par redemption date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(6)

Interest is fixed for the period up to the earliest par redemption date, thereafter the interest rate will reset to a floating rate equal to the 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus a specified number of basis points. The specified number of basis points is as follows: 3.181% – 157 bps, 2.389% – 83 bps, 2.10% – 72 bps, 2.64% – 73 bps. With regulatory approval, MLI may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, on or after the earliest par redemption date, at a redemption price equal to par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

(7)

MLI redeemed in full the 2.64% subordinated debentures at par, on January 15, 2020, the earliest par redemption date.

(8)

MLI redeemed in full the 2.811% subordinated debentures at par, on February 21, 2019, the earliest par redemption date.

(9)

Issued by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, now John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.). Any payment of interest or principal on the surplus notes requires prior approval from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services of the State of Michigan. The carrying value of the surplus notes reflects an unamortized fair value increment of US$17 (2018 – US$20), which arose as a result of the acquisition of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. The amortization of the fair value adjustment is recorded in interest expense.

(b) Fair value measurement

Fair value of capital instruments is determined using the following hierarchy:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined using quoted market prices where available.

Level 2 – When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined with reference to quoted prices of similar debt instruments or estimated using discounted cash flows based on observable market rates.

The Company measures capital instruments at amortized cost in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As at December 31, 2019, the fair value of capital instruments was $7,333 (2018 – $8,712). Fair value of capital instruments was determined using Level 2 valuation techniques (2018 – Level 2).

 

152        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 11    Share Capital and Earnings Per Share

The authorized capital of MFC consists of:

 

   

an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value; and

   

an unlimited number of Class A, Class B and Class 1 preferred shares without nominal or par value, issuable in series.

(a) Preferred shares

The following tables presents information about the outstanding preferred shares as at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

As at December 31, 2019

 

  

Issue date

 

    

Annual
dividend
rate(1)

 

    

Earliest redemption
date(2)

 

    

Number of
shares
(in millions)

 

    

Face
amount

 

    

Net amount(3)

 

 
  

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Class A preferred shares

 

                 

Series 2

     February 18, 2005        4.65%        n/a        14      $ 350      $ 344      $ 344  

Series 3

     January 3, 2006        4.50%        n/a        12        300        294        294  

Class 1 preferred shares

 

                 

Series 3(4),(5)

     March 11, 2011        2.178%        June 19, 2021        6        158        155        155  

Series 4(6)

     June 20, 2016        floating        June 19, 2021        2        42        41        41  

Series 5(4),(5)

     December 6, 2011        3.891%        December 19, 2021        8        200        195        195  

Series 7(4),(5)

     February 22, 2012        4.312%        March 19, 2022        10        250        244        244  

Series 9(4),(5)

     May 24, 2012        4.351%        September 19, 2022        10        250        244        244  

Series 11(4),(5)

     December 4, 2012        4.731%        March 19, 2023        8        200        196        196  

Series 13(4),(5)

     June 21, 2013        4.414%        September 19, 2023        8        200        196        196  

Series 15(4),(5),(7)

     February 25, 2014        3.786%        June 19, 2024        8        200        195        195  

Series 17(4),(5)

     August 15, 2014        3.90%        December 19, 2019        14        350        343        343  

Series 19(4),(5)

     December 3, 2014        3.80%        March 19, 2020        10        250        246        246  

Series 21(4),(5)

     February 25, 2016        5.60%        June 19, 2021        17        425        417        417  

Series 23(4),(5)

     November 22, 2016        4.85%        March 19, 2022        19        475        467        467  

Series 25(4),(5),(8)

     February 20, 2018        4.70%        June 19, 2023        10        250        245        245  

Total

                             

 

156

 

  

$

  3,900

 

  

$

  3,822

 

  

$

  3,822

 

 

(1)

Holders of Class A and Class 1 preferred shares are entitled to receive non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, as and when declared by the Board of Directors.

(2)

Redemption of all preferred shares is subject to regulatory approval. MFC may redeem each series, in whole or in part, at par, on the earliest redemption date or every five years thereafter, except for Class A Series 2, Class A Series 3 and Class 1 Series 4 preferred shares. Class A Series 2 and Series 3 preferred shares are past their respective earliest redemption date and MFC may redeem these shares, in whole or in part, at par at any time, subject to regulatory approval, as noted. MFC may redeem the Class 1 Series 4, in whole or in part, at any time, at $25.00 per share if redeemed on June 19, 2021 and on June 19 every five years thereafter, or at $25.50 per share if redeemed on any other date after June 19, 2016, subject to regulatory approval, as noted.

(3)

Net of after-tax issuance costs.

(4)

On the earliest redemption date and every five years thereafter, the annual dividend rate will be reset to the five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus a yield specified for each series. The specified yield for Class 1 shares is: Series 3 – 1.41%, Series 5 – 2.90%, Series 7 – 3.13%, Series 9 – 2.86%, Series 11 – 2.61%, Series 13 – 2.22%, Series 15 – 2.16%, Series 17 – 2.36%, Series 19 – 2.30%, Series 21 – 4.97%, Series 23 – 3.83% and Series 25 – 2.55%.

(5)

On the earliest redemption date and every five years thereafter, Class 1 preferred shares are convertible at the option of the holder into a new series that is one number higher than their existing series, and the holders are entitled to non-cumulative preferential cash dividends, payable quarterly if and when declared by the Board of Directors, at a rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury bill yield plus the rate specified in footnote 4 above.

(6)

The floating dividend rate for the Class 1 Shares Series 4 equals the three-month Government of Canada Treasury bill yield plus 1.41%.

(7)

MFC did not exercise its right to redeem all or any of the outstanding Class 1 Shares Series 15 on June 19, 2019 (the earliest redemption date). Dividend rate for Class 1 Shares Series 15 was reset as specified in footnote 4 above to an annual fixed rate of 3.786% for a five-year period commencing on June 20, 2019.

(8)

On February 20, 2018, MFC issued 10 million of Non-Cumulative Rate Reset Class 1 Shares Series 25 at a price of $25 per share for gross proceeds of $250.

(b) Common shares

The following table presents changes in common shares issued and outstanding.

 

    

 

2019

 

           

 

2018

 

 
For the years ended December 31,   

Number of
shares

(in millions)

    Amount            

Number of
shares

(in millions)

    Amount  

Balance, January 1

     1,971     $ 22,961           1,982     $ 22,989  

Repurchased for cancellation

     (58     (677         (23     (269

Issued under dividend reinvestment plan

     31       739           9       182  

Issued on exercise of stock options and deferred share units

     5       104           3       59  

Total

     1,949     $   23,127           1,971     $   22,961  

Normal Course Issuer Bid

On November 12, 2019, MFC announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) approved a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) permitting the purchase by MFC for cancellation of up to 58 million MFC common shares. Pursuant to the Notice of Intention filed with the TSX, purchases under the NCIB commenced on November 14, 2019 and will continue until November 13, 2020, when the NCIB expires, or such earlier date as MFC completes its purchases. As of December 31, 2019, MFC purchased and subsequently cancelled 6.3 million of its common shares pursuant to the NCIB at an average price of $25.91 per common share for a total cost of $163 million.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        153


MFC’s previous NCIB which was announced on November 12, 2018 and amended on February 19, 2019, expired on November 13, 2019. MFC purchased and subsequently cancelled 74.5 million of its common shares pursuant to the previous NCIB at an average price of $22.20 per common share for a total cost of $1.7 billion.

During 2019, MFC purchased and subsequently cancelled 57.6 million of its common shares at an average price of $23.22 per common share for a total cost of $1.3 billion, including 51.3 million common shares for a total cost of $1.2 billion that were purchased under the previous NCIB.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Company offers a Dividend Reinvestment Program (“DRIP”) whereby shareholders may elect to automatically reinvest dividends in the form of MFC common shares instead of receiving cash. The offering of the program and its terms of execution are subject to the Board of Directors’ discretion. For the first three quarters of 2019, common shares in connection with DRIP were purchased on the open market with no applicable discount. For the dividend paid on December 19, 2019, the required common shares were purchased from treasury with a two per cent discount from the market price.

(c) Earnings per share

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per common share of the Company.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Basic earnings per common share

   $         2.77      $         2.34  

Diluted earnings per common share

     2.77        2.33  

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Weighted average number of common shares (in millions)

     1,958        1,983  

Dilutive stock-based awards(1) (in millions)

     4        5  

Weighted average number of diluted common shares (in millions)

     1,962        1,988  

 

(1)

The dilutive effect of stock-based awards was calculated using the treasury stock method. This method calculates the number of incremental shares by assuming the outstanding stock-based awards are (i) exercised and (ii) then reduced by the number of shares assumed to be repurchased from the issuance proceeds, using the average market price of MFC common shares for the year. Excluded from the calculation was a weighted average of 9 million (2018 – 7 million) anti-dilutive stock-based awards.

(d) Quarterly dividend declaration subsequent to year end

On February 12, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share on the common shares of MFC, payable on or after March 19, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 25, 2020.

The Board also declared dividends on the following non-cumulative preferred shares, payable on or after March 19, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 25, 2020.

 

Class A Shares Series 2 – $ 0.29063 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 13 – $ 0.275875 per share

Class A Shares Series 3 – $ 0.28125 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 15 – $ 0.236625 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 3 – $ 0.136125 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 17 – $ 0.2375 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 4 – $ 0.191413 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 19 – $ 0.2375 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 5 – $ 0.243188 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 21 – $ 0.35 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 7 – $ 0.2695 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 23 – $ 0.303125 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 9 – $ 0.271938 per share

  Class 1 Shares Series 25 – $ 0.29375 per share

Class 1 Shares Series 11 – $ 0.295688 per share

   

Note 12    Capital Management

(a) Capital management

The Company monitors and manages its consolidated capital in compliance with the Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test (“LICAT”) guideline, the capital framework issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (“OSFI”) that became effective on January 1, 2018. Under this capital framework, the Company’s consolidated capital resources, including available capital, surplus allowance, and eligible deposits, are measured against the base solvency buffer, which is the risk-based capital requirement determined in accordance with the guideline.

The Company’s operating activities are mostly conducted within MLI and its subsidiaries. MLI is also regulated by OSFI and is therefore subject to consolidated risk-based capital requirements using the OSFI LICAT framework.

The Company seeks to manage its capital with the objectives of:

 

   

Operating with sufficient capital to be able to honour all commitments to its policyholders and creditors with a high degree of confidence;

   

Retaining the ongoing confidence of regulators, policyholders, rating agencies, investors and other creditors in order to ensure access to capital markets; and

 

154        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


   

Optimizing return on capital to meet shareholders’ expectations subject to constraints and considerations of adequate levels of capital established to meet the first two objectives.

Capital is managed and monitored in accordance with the Capital Management Policy. The policy is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors annually and is integrated with the Company’s risk and financial management frameworks. It establishes guidelines regarding the quantity and quality of capital, internal capital mobility, and proactive management of ongoing and future capital requirements.

The capital management framework takes into account the requirements of the Company as a whole as well as the needs of each of the Company’s subsidiaries. Internal capital targets are set above the regulatory requirements, and consider a number of factors, including expectations of regulators and rating agencies, results of sensitivity and stress testing and the Company’s own risk assessments. The Company monitors against these internal targets and initiates actions appropriate to achieving its business objectives.

Consolidated capital, based on accounting standards, is presented in the table below for MFC. For regulatory reporting purposes, LICAT available capital is based on consolidated capital with adjustments for certain deductions, limits and restrictions, as mandated by the LICAT guideline.

Consolidated capital

 

As at December 31,    2019      2018  

Total equity

   $   50,106      $   47,151  

Adjusted for AOCI loss on cash flow hedges

     (143      (127

Total equity excluding AOCI on cash flow hedges

     50,249        47,278  

Qualifying capital instruments

     7,120        8,732  

Consolidated capital

   $ 57,369      $ 56,010  

(b) Restrictions on dividends and capital distributions

Dividends and capital distributions are restricted under the Insurance Companies Act (“ICA”). These restrictions apply to both the Company and its primary operating subsidiary MLI. The ICA prohibits the declaration or payment of any dividend on shares of an insurance company if there are reasonable grounds for believing a company does not have adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity or the declaration or the payment of the dividend would cause the company to be in contravention of any regulation made under the ICA respecting the maintenance of adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity, or of any direction made to the company by OSFI. The ICA also requires an insurance company to notify OSFI of the declaration of a dividend at least 15 days prior to the date fixed for its payment. Similarly, the ICA prohibits the purchase for cancellation of any shares issued by an insurance company or the redemption of any redeemable shares or other similar capital transactions, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company does not have adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity or the payment would cause the company to be in contravention of any regulation made under the ICA respecting the maintenance of adequate capital and adequate and appropriate forms of liquidity, or any direction made to the company by OSFI. These latter transactions would require the prior approval of OSFI.

The ICA requires Canadian insurance companies to maintain adequate levels of capital at all times.

Since the Company is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through regulated insurance subsidiaries (or companies owned directly or indirectly by these subsidiaries), its ability to pay future dividends will depend on the receipt of sufficient funds from its regulated insurance subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are also subject to certain regulatory restrictions under laws in Canada, the United States and certain other countries that may limit their ability to pay dividends or make other upstream distributions.

Note 13    Revenue from Service Contracts

The Company provides investment management services, administrative services, distribution and related services to proprietary and third-party investment funds, retirement plans, group benefit plans and other arrangements. The Company also provides real estate management services to tenants of the Company’s investment properties.

The Company’s service contracts generally impose single performance obligations, each consisting of a series of similar related services for each customer.

The Company’s performance obligations within service arrangements are generally satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services rendered, measured using an output method. Fees typically include variable consideration and the related revenue is recognized to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved.

Asset based fees vary with asset values of accounts under management, subject to market conditions and investor behaviors beyond the Company’s control. Transaction processing and administrative fees vary with activity volume, also beyond the Company’s control. Some fees, including distribution fees, are based on account balances and transaction volumes. Fees related to account balances and

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        155


transaction volumes are measured daily. Real estate management service fees include fixed portions plus recovery of variable costs of services rendered to tenants. Fees related to services provided are generally recognized as services are rendered, which is when it becomes highly probable that no significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will occur. The Company has determined that its service contracts have no significant financing components as fees are collected monthly. The Company has no significant contract assets or contract liabilities.

The following tables present revenue from service contracts by service lines and reporting segments as disclosed in note 19.

 

For the year ended

December 31, 2019

   Asia      Canada      U.S.      Global
WAM
     Corporate
and Other
     Total  

Investment management and other related fees

   $ 177      $ 161      $ 542      $ 2,773      $ (198    $ 3,455  

Transaction processing, administration, and service fees

     268        827        17        2,048               3,160  

Distribution fees and other

     184        52        72        741        (44      1,005  

Total included in other revenue

     629        1,040        631        5,562        (242      7,620  

Real estate management services included in net investment income

     36        160        137               9        342  

Total

   $ 665      $ 1,200      $ 768      $ 5,562      $ (233    $ 7,962  

For the year ended

December 31, 2018

   Asia      Canada      U.S.      Global
WAM
     Corporate
and Other
     Total  

Investment management and other related fees

   $ 148      $ 149      $ 521      $ 2,809      $ (236    $ 3,391  

Transaction processing, administration, and service fees

     242        854        17        1,939               3,052  

Distribution fees and other

     246        49        617        724        (30      1,606  

Total included in other revenue

     636        1,052        1,155        5,472        (266      8,049  

Real estate management services included in net investment income

     31        160        147               10        348  

Total

   $   667      $   1,212      $   1,302      $   5,472      $   (256    $   8,397  

Note 14    Stock-Based Compensation

(a) Stock options

The Company grants stock options under its Executive Stock Option Plan (“ESOP”) to selected individuals. The options provide the holder the right to purchase MFC common shares at an exercise price equal to the higher of the prior day, prior five-day or prior ten-day average closing market price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the date the options are granted. The options vest over a period not exceeding four years and expire not more than 10 years from the grant date. Effective with the 2015 grant, options may only be exercised after the fifth-year anniversary. A total of 73,600,000 common shares have been reserved for issuance under the ESOP.

Options outstanding

 

    

 

2019

 

           

 

2018

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

    

 

Number of
options

(in millions

 

 
 

 

    


 

Weighted
average
exercise
price

 

 
 
 
 

 

       

 

Number of
options

(in millions

 

 
 

 

    


 

Weighted
average
exercise
price

 

 
 
 
 

 

Outstanding, January 1

     23      $   20.29           25      $ 20.45  

Granted

     3        22.62           3        24.52  

Exercised

     (4      18.79           (3      17.77  

Expired

            18.88           (1      37.35  

Forfeited

 

    

 

(1

 

 

    

 

23.41

 

 

 

       

 

(1

 

 

    

 

21.24

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31

    

 

21

 

 

 

   $

 

20.91

 

 

 

       

 

23

 

 

 

   $

 

20.29

 

 

 

Exercisable, December 31

    

 

5

 

 

 

   $

 

17.56

 

 

 

       

 

9

 

 

 

   $

 

18.08

 

 

 

 

    

Options outstanding

 

           

Options exercisable

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

    

 

Number of
options

(in millions

 

 
 

 

    


 

Weighted
average
exercise
price

 

 
 
 
 

 

    



 

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual

life

(in years)

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

       

 

Number of
options

(in millions

 

 
 

 

    


 

Weighted
average
exercise
price

 

 
 
 
 

 

    



 

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual

life

(in years)

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

$12.64 - $20.99

     8      $   16.91        4.16           4      $   16.07        1.85  

$21.00 - $24.83

    

 

13

 

 

 

   $

 

23.19

 

 

 

    

 

6.94

 

 

 

       

 

1

 

 

 

   $

 

21.27

 

 

 

    

 

3.37

 

 

 

Total

 

    

 

21

 

 

 

   $

 

20.91

 

 

 

    

 

5.93

 

 

 

       

 

5

 

 

 

   $

 

17.56

 

 

 

    

 

2.29

 

 

 

 

 

156        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The weighted average fair value of each option granted in 2019 has been estimated at $4.57 (2018 – $4.97) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The pricing model uses the following assumptions for these options: risk-free interest rate of 2.50% (2018 – 2.00%), dividend yield of 3.50% (2018 – 3.25%), expected volatility of 28.0% (2018 – 28.0%) and expected life of 6.3 (2018 – 6.3) years. Expected volatility is estimated by evaluating a number of factors including historical volatility of the share price over multi-year periods.

Compensation expense related to stock options was $11 for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018 – $10).

(b) Deferred share units

In 2000, the Company granted deferred share units (“DSUs”) to certain employees under the ESOP. These DSUs vest over a three-year period and each DSU entitles the holder to receive one common share on retirement or termination of employment. When dividends are paid on common shares, holders of DSUs are deemed to receive dividends at the same rate, payable in the form of additional DSUs. In 2019, nil DSUs were granted to employees under the ESOP (2018 – nil). The number of DSUs outstanding was 298,000 as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 337,000).

In addition, for certain employees and pursuant to the Company’s deferred compensation program, the Company grants DSUs under the Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) Plan which entitle the holder to receive payment in cash equal to the value of the same number of common shares plus credited dividends on retirement or termination of employment. In 2019, the Company granted 46,000 DSUs to certain employees which vest after 36 months (2018 – 55,000). In 2019, 49,000 DSUs (2018 – 8,000) were granted to certain employees who elected to defer receipt of all or part of their annual bonus. These DSUs vested immediately. Also, in 2019, 24,000 DSUs (2018 – nil) were granted to certain employees to defer payment of all or part of their RSUs and/or Performance Share Units (“PSUs”). These DSUs also vested immediately.

Under the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, each eligible director may elect to receive his or her annual director’s retainer and fees in DSUs or common shares in lieu of cash. Upon termination of the Board service, an eligible director who has elected to receive DSUs will be entitled to receive cash equal to the value of the DSUs accumulated in his or her account, or at his or her direction, an equivalent number of common shares. The Company is allowed to issue up to one million common shares under this plan after which awards may be settled using shares purchased in the open market.

The fair value of 229,000 DSUs issued during the year was $26.36 per unit as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 141,000 at $19.37 per unit).

 

For the years ended December 31,

Number of DSUs (in thousands)

 

  

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Outstanding, January 1

     2,538        2,645  

Issued

     229        141  

Reinvested

     102        98  

Redeemed

     (416      (346

Forfeitures and cancellations

 

    

 

(58

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31

 

    

 

2,395

 

 

 

    

 

2,538

 

 

 

Of the DSUs outstanding as at December 31, 2019, 298,000 (2018 – 337,000) entitle the holder to receive common shares, 1,055,000 (2018 – 1,151,000) entitle the holder to receive payment in cash and 1,042,000 (2018 – 1,050,000) entitle the holder to receive payment in cash or common shares, at the option of the holder.

Compensation expense related to DSUs was $10 for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018 – $6).

The carrying and fair value of the DSUs liability as at December 31, 2019 was $55 (2018 – $43) and was included in other liabilities.

(c) Restricted share units and performance share units

For the year ended December 31, 2019, 6.5 million RSUs (2018 – 5.5 million) and 1.1 million PSUs (2018 – 0.8 million) were granted to certain eligible employees under MFC’s Restricted Share Unit Plan. The fair value of the RSUs and PSUs granted during the year was $26.36 per unit as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $19.37 per unit). Each RSU and PSU entitles the holder to receive payment equal to the market value of one common share, plus credited dividends, at the time of vesting, subject to any performance conditions.

RSUs and PSUs granted in February 2019 will vest after 36 months from their grant date and the related compensation expense is recognized over these periods, except where the employee is eligible to retire prior to a vesting date, in which case the cost is recognized over the period between the grant date and the date on which the employee is eligible to retire. Compensation expense related to RSUs and PSUs was $128 and $17, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018 – $111 and $14, respectively).

The carrying and fair value of the RSUs and PSUs liability as at December 31, 2019 was $205 (2018 – $128) and was included in other liabilities.

(d) Global share ownership plan

The Company’s Global Share Ownership Plan allows qualifying employees to apply up to five per cent of their annual base earnings toward the purchase of common shares. The Company matches a percentage of the employee’s eligible contributions up to a maximum amount. The Company’s contributions vest immediately. All contributions are used to purchase common shares in the open market.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        157


Note 15    Employee Future Benefits

The Company maintains defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment plans for employees and agents including registered (tax qualified) pension plans that are typically funded, as well as supplemental non-registered (non-qualified) pension plans for executives, retiree welfare plans and disability welfare plans that are typically not funded.

(a) Plan characteristics

The Company’s final average pay defined benefit pension plans and retiree welfare plans are closed to new members. All employees may participate in capital accumulation plans including defined benefit cash balance plans, 401(k) plans and/or defined contribution plans, depending on the country of employment.

During 2018, the Company implemented a voluntary exit program, as part of its Canadian operations transformation, and a North American voluntary early retirement program. Combined, these two programs resulted in the voluntary separation of 1,225 employees in Canada and 204 employees in the U.S. by the end of 2019. A curtailment loss of $22 resulting from these programs was recorded in earnings during 2018. This loss represents the increase in net defined benefit liability due to the affected employees separating sooner than had previously been assumed.

All pension arrangements are governed by local pension committees or management, but significant plan changes require approval from the Company’s Board of Directors.

The Company’s funding policy for defined benefit pension plans is to make the minimum annual contributions required by regulations in the countries in which the plans are offered. Assumptions and methods prescribed for regulatory funding purposes typically differ from those used for accounting purposes.

The Company’s remaining defined benefit pension and/or retiree welfare plans are in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Taiwan (China). There are also disability welfare plans in the U.S. and Canada.

The largest defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans are the primary plans for employees in the U.S. and Canada. These are the material plans that are discussed in the balance of this note. The Company measures its defined benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for accounting purposes as at December 31 each year.

U.S. defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans

The Company operates a qualified cash balance plan that is open to new members, a closed non-qualified cash balance plan, and a closed retiree welfare plan.

Actuarial valuations to determine the Company’s minimum funding contributions for the qualified cash balance plan are required annually. Deficits revealed in the funding valuations must generally be funded over a period of up to seven years. It is expected that there will be no required funding for this plan in 2020. There are no plan assets set aside for the non-qualified cash balance plan.

The retiree welfare plan subsidizes the cost of life insurance and medical benefits. The majority of those who retired after 1991 receive a fixed-dollar subsidy from the Company based on service. The plan was closed to all employees hired after 2004. While assets have been set aside in a qualified trust to pay future retiree welfare benefits, this funding is optional. Retiree welfare benefits offered under the plan coordinate with the U.S. Medicare program to make optimal use of available federal financial support.

The qualified pension and retiree welfare plans are governed by the U.S. Benefits Committee, while the non-qualified pension plan is governed by the U.S. Non-Qualified Plans Subcommittee.

Canadian defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans

The Company’s defined benefit plans in Canada include two registered final average pay pension plans, a non-registered supplemental final average pay pension plan and a retiree welfare plan, all of which have been closed to new members.

Actuarial valuations to determine the Company’s minimum funding contributions for the registered pension plans are required at least once every three years. Deficits revealed in the funding valuation must generally be funded over a period of ten years. For 2020, the required funding for these plans is expected to be $11. The supplemental non-registered pension plan is not funded.

The retiree welfare plan subsidizes the cost of life insurance, medical and dental benefits. These subsidies are a fixed dollar amount for those who retired after April 30, 2013 and will be eliminated for those who retire after 2019. There are no assets set aside for this plan.

The registered pension plans are governed by Pension Committees, while the supplemental non-registered plan is governed by the Board of Directors. The retiree welfare plan is governed by management.

(b) Risks

In final average pay pension plans and retiree welfare plans, the Company generally bears the material risks which include interest rate, investment, longevity and health care cost inflation risks. In defined contribution plans, these risks are typically borne by the employee. In cash balance plans, the interest rate, investment and longevity risks are partially transferred to the employee.

 

158        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Material sources of risk to the Company for all plans include:

 

   

A decline in discount rates that increases the defined benefit obligations by more than the change in value of plan assets;

   

Lower than expected rates of mortality; and

   

For retiree welfare plans, higher than expected health care costs.

The Company has managed these risks through plan design and eligibility changes that have limited the size and growth of the defined benefit obligations. Investment risks for funded plans are managed by investing significantly in asset classes which are highly correlated with the plans’ liabilities.

In the U.S., delegated committee representatives and management review the financial status of the qualified defined benefit pension plan at least monthly, and steps are taken in accordance with an established dynamic investment policy to increase the plan’s allocation to asset classes which are highly correlated with the plan’s liabilities and reduce investment risk as the funded status improves. As at December 31, 2019, the target asset allocation for the plan was 27% return-seeking assets and 73% liability-hedging assets.

In Canada, internal committees and management review the financial status of the registered defined benefit pension plans on at least a quarterly basis. As at December 31, 2019, the target asset allocation for the plans was 20% return-seeking assets and 80% liability-hedging assets.

(c) Pension and retiree welfare plans

     Pension plans             Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018             2019      2018  

Changes in defined benefit obligation:

              

Opening balance

   $ 4,675      $ 4,706         $ 640      $ 665  

Current service cost

     40        42                   

Past service cost – amendments and curtailments

            18                  12  

Interest cost

     182        165           25        24  

Plan participants’ contributions

     1        1           3        4  

Actuarial losses (gains) due to:

              

Experience

     8                  (10      (7

Demographic assumption changes

            35                  (1

Economic assumption changes

     413        (250         56        (56

Benefits paid

     (358      (304         (46      (45

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (144      262           (23      44  

Defined benefit obligation, December 31

   $   4,817      $   4,675         $   645      $   640  

 

     Pension plans             Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018             2019      2018  

Change in plan assets:

              

Fair value of plan assets, opening balance

   $   4,190      $   4,328         $   610      $   587  

Interest income

     164        153           25        21  

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

     529        (315         25        (16

Employer contributions

     75        79           12        10  

Plan participants’ contributions

     1        1           3        4  

Benefits paid

     (358      (304         (46      (45

Administration costs

     (9      (9         (2      (2

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (136      254           (29      51  

Fair value of plan assets, December 31

   $   4,456      $   4,187         $   598      $   610  

(d) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

     Pension plans             Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31,    2019      2018             2019      2018  

Development of net defined benefit liability

              

Defined benefit obligation

   $   4,817      $   4,675         $   645      $   640  

Fair value of plan assets

     4,453        4,190           598        610  

Deficit (surplus)

     364        485           47        30  

Effect of asset limit(1)

     4        9                   

Deficit (surplus) and net defined benefit liability (asset)

     368        494           47        30  

Deficit is comprised of:

              

Funded or partially funded plans

     (391      (248         (120      (121

Unfunded plans

     759        742           167        151  

Deficit (surplus) and net defined benefit liability (asset)

   $ 368      $ 494         $ 47      $ 30  

 

(1)

In 2018, the Company recognized an impairment of $9 on the net defined benefit asset for one of its registered pension plans in Canada. This was due to benefit changes for future service which reduced the economic benefit that can be derived by the Company from the plan’s surplus.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        159


(e) Disaggregation of defined benefit obligation

     U.S. plans             Canadian plans  
     Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans             Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31,    2019      2018      2019      2018             2019      2018      2019      2018  

Active members

   $ 550      $ 621      $ 31      $ 32         $ 301      $ 332      $ 25      $ 22  

Inactive and retired members

     2,529        2,431        447        457           1,437        1,291        142        129  

Total

   $   3,079      $   3,052      $   478      $   489         $   1,738      $   1,623      $   167      $   151  

(f) Fair value measurements

The major categories of plan assets and the allocation to each category are as follows.

 

     U.S. plans(1)             Canadian plans(2)  
     Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans             Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31, 2019    Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total             Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 32        1%      $ 35        6%         $ 12        1%      $         

Equity securities(3)

     563        19%        45        8%           311        21%                

Debt securities

     2,155        72%        511        85%           1,123        78%                

Other investments(4)

     255        8%        7        1%           2        0%                

Total

   $   3,005        100%      $   598        100%         $   1,448        100%      $       –         

 

     U.S. plans(1)             Canadian plans(2)  
     Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans             Pension plans      Retiree welfare plans  
As at December 31, 2018    Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total             Fair value      % of total      Fair value      % of total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 26        1%      $ 51        8%         $ 19        1%      $         

Equity securities(3)

     500        17%        38        6%           269        20%                

Debt securities

     2,088        73%        514        85%           1,033        79%                

Other investments(4)

     252        9%        7        1%           3        0%                

Total

   $   2,866        100%      $   610        100%         $   1,324        100%      $       –         

 

(1)

All the U.S. pension and retiree welfare plan assets have daily quoted prices in active markets, except for the private equity, timber and agriculture assets. In the aggregate, the latter assets represent approximately 7% of all U.S. pension and retiree welfare plan assets as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 7%).

(2)

All the Canadian pension plan assets have daily quoted prices in active markets, except for the group annuity contract assets that represent approximately 0.1% of all Canadian pension plan assets as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 0.2%).

(3)

Equity securities include direct investments in MFC common shares of $1.3 (2018 – $0.9) in the U.S. retiree welfare plan and $nil (2018 – $nil) in Canada.

(4)

Other U.S. plan assets include investment in private equity, timberland and agriculture, and managed futures. Other Canadian pension plan assets include investment in the group annuity contract.

(g) Net benefit cost recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income

Components of the net benefit cost for the pension plans and retiree welfare plans were as follows.

 

     Pension plans             Retiree welfare plans  
For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018             2019      2018  

Defined benefit current service cost

   $ 40      $ 42         $      $  

Defined benefit administrative expenses

     9        9           2        2  

Past service cost – plan amendments and curtailments(1),(2)

            18                  12  

Service cost

     49        69           2        14  

Interest on net defined benefit (asset) liability

     18        12                  3  

Defined benefit cost

     67        81           2        17  

Defined contribution cost

     80        78                   

Net benefit cost

   $     147      $      159         $     2      $     17  

 

(1)

Past service cost – plan amendments includes $8 for 2018 for a Canadian pension plan, reflecting a surplus sharing agreement between the Company and certain legacy employees in Canada, which received regulatory approval in 2018.

(2)

Past service cost – curtailments includes $22 for 2018 for the pension plans and retiree welfare plans in total, reflecting the cost of the voluntary exit and voluntary retirement programs described in section (a) of this note.

 

160        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(h) Re-measurement effects recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

    

Pension plans

 

             

Retiree welfare plans

 

 
For the years ended December 31,   

2019

 

    

2018

 

          

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Actuarial gains (losses) on defined benefit obligations due to:

             

Experience

   $ (8    $                  $     10              $ 7  

Demographic assumption changes

            (35               1  

Economic assumption changes

     (413      250          (56        56  

Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)

     529        (315        25        (16

Change in effect of asset limit

     5        (9                

Total re-measurement effects

   $     113      $     (109      $ (21            $ 48  

(i) Assumptions

The key assumptions used by the Company to determine the defined benefit obligation and net benefit cost for the defined benefit pension plans and retiree welfare plans were as follows.

 

    

U.S. Plans

 

           

Canadian Plans

 

 
    

Pension plans

 

    

Retiree welfare plans

 

           

Pension plans

 

    

Retiree welfare plans

 

 
For the years ended December 31,   

2019

 

    

2018

 

    

2019

 

    

2018

 

           

2019

 

    

2018

 

    

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

To determine the defined benefit obligation at end of year(1):

                          

Discount rate

     3.2%        4.3%        3.2%        4.3%           3.1%        3.8%        3.1%        3.8%  

Initial health care cost trend rate(2)

     n/a        n/a        7.5%        7.8%           n/a        n/a        5.6%        5.7%  

To determine the defined benefit cost for the year(1):

                          

Discount rate

     4.3%        3.6%        4.3%        3.6%           3.8%        3.5%        3.8%        3.6%  

Initial health care cost trend rate(2)

    

 

n/a

 

 

 

    

 

n/a

 

 

 

    

 

7.8%

 

 

 

    

 

8.5%

 

 

 

       

 

n/a

 

 

 

    

 

n/a

 

 

 

    

 

5.7%

 

 

 

    

 

5.9%

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Inflation and salary increase assumptions are not shown as they do not materially affect obligations and cost.

(2)

The health care cost trend rate used to measure the U.S. based retiree welfare obligation was 7.5% grading to 4.5% for 2032 and years thereafter (2018 – 7.8% grading to 5.0% for 2030) and to measure the net benefit cost was 7.8% grading to 5.0% for 2030 and years thereafter (2018 – 8.5% grading to 5.0% for 2032). In Canada, the rate used to measure the retiree welfare obligation was 5.6% grading to 4.8% for 2026 and years thereafter (2018 – 5.7% grading to 4.8% for 2026) and to measure the net benefit cost was 5.7% grading to 4.8% for 2026 and years thereafter (2018 – 5.9% grading to 4.8% for 2026).

Assumptions regarding future mortality are based on published statistics and mortality tables. The current life expectancies underlying the values of the obligations in the defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans are as follows.

 

As at December 31, 2019

 

  

U.S.

 

    

Canada

 

 

Life expectancy (in years) for those currently age 65

     

Males

     22.6        23.7  

Females

     24.1        25.6  

Life expectancy (in years) at age 65 for those currently age 45

     

Males

     24.2        24.7  

Females

 

    

 

25.7

 

 

 

    

 

26.5

 

 

 

(j) Sensitivity of assumptions on obligations

Assumptions used can have a significant effect on the obligations reported for defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans. The potential impact on the obligations arising from changes in the key assumptions is set out in the following table. The sensitivities assume all other assumptions are held constant. In actuality, inter-relationships with other assumptions may exist.

 

As at December 31, 2019

  

Pension plans

    

Retiree welfare plans

 

Discount rate:

     

Impact of a 1% increase

   $ (443    $ (66

Impact of a 1% decrease

     525        80  

Health care cost trend rate:

     

Impact of a 1% increase

     n/a        20  

Impact of a 1% decrease

     n/a        (17

Mortality rates(1)

     

Impact of a 10% decrease

 

    

 

    136

 

 

 

    

 

    14

 

 

 

 

(1)

If the actuarial estimates of mortality are adjusted in the future to reflect unexpected decreases in mortality, the effect of a 10% decrease in mortality rates at each future age would be an increase in life expectancy at age 65 of 0.9 years for U.S. males and females and 0.8 years for Canadian males and females.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        161


(k) Maturity profile

The weighted average duration (in years) of the defined benefit obligations is as follows.

 

    

Pension plans

 

          

Retiree welfare plans

 

 
As at December 31,   

2019

 

    

2018

 

          

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

U.S. plans

     9.3        8.8          9.7        9.0  

Canadian plans

    

 

        12.3

 

 

 

    

 

12.4

 

 

 

      

 

        14.3

 

 

 

    

 

14.3

 

 

 

(l) Cash flows – contributions

Total cash payments for all employee future benefits, comprised of cash contributed by the Company to funded defined benefit pension and retiree welfare plans, cash payments directly to beneficiaries in respect of unfunded pension and retiree welfare plans, and cash contributed to defined contribution pension plans, are as follows.

 

    

Pension plans

 

          

Retiree welfare plans

 

 
For the years ended December 31,   

2019

 

    

2018

 

          

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Defined benefit plans

           $ 75      $ 79                $ 12      $ 10  

Defined contribution plans

     80        78                  

Total

           $   155      $   157                $   12      $   10  

The Company’s best estimate of expected cash payments for employee future benefits for the year ending December 31, 2020 is $77 for defined benefit pension plans, $80 for defined contribution pension plans and $12 for retiree welfare plans.

Note 16    Income Taxes

(a) Income tax expense

The following table presents income tax expense (recovery) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Current tax

     

Current year

   $   1,246      $ (327

Adjustments related to prior year

     (74      29  

Total current tax

     1,172        (298

Deferred tax

     

Change related to temporary differences

     (454      1,250  

Impact of U.S. Tax Reform

            (320

Total deferred tax

     (454      930  

Income tax expense

   $ 718      $ 632  

The following table discloses income tax expense (recovery) recognized directly in equity.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Recognized in other comprehensive income

     

Current income tax expense (recovery)

   $ 92      $ 2  

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

     366        (148

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

   $     458      $   (146

Recognized in equity, other than other comprehensive income

     

Current income tax expense (recovery)

   $ 5      $ 6  

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

     (6      (7

Total income tax recognized directly in equity

   $ (1    $ (1

(b) Current tax receivable and payable

As at December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $600 and $121 of current tax receivable and current tax payable, respectively (2018 – $1,712 and $118).

 

162        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


(c) Tax reconciliation

The effective income tax rate reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income varies from the Canadian tax rate of 26.75 per cent for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018 – 26.75 per cent) due to the following reasons.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Income before income taxes

   $    6,220      $   5,519  

Income tax expense at Canadian statutory tax rate

   $ 1,664      $ 1,476  

Increase (decrease) in income taxes due to:

     

Tax-exempt investment income

     (260      (200

Differences in tax rate on income not subject to tax in Canada

     (754      (391

Adjustments to taxes related to prior years

     (106      (71

Impact of U.S. Tax Reform

            (320

Other differences

     174        138  

Income tax expense

   $ 718      $ 632  

Impact of U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted new tax legislation with broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, effective January 1, 2018. In 2018, the Company finalized its estimate of the impact of these changes and reported a gain of $124 including a $196 increase in insurance contract liabilities. Refer to note 6(g) for the impact of U.S. Tax Reform on the Company’s insurance contract liabilities.

(d) Deferred tax assets and liabilities

The following table presents the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

As at December 31,    2019      2018  

Deferred tax assets

   $ 4,574      $ 4,318  

Deferred tax liabilities

     (1,972      (1,814

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

   $    2,602      $    2,504  

The following table presents movement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

As at December 31, 2019    Balance,
January 1,
2019
    Disposals     Recognized
in Income
Statement
    Recognized in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Recognized
in Equity
    Translation
and Other
    Balance,
December 31,
2019
 

Loss carry forwards

   $ 1,019     $ (18   $ (278   $     $ (1   $ (17)     $ 705  

Actuarial liabilities

     5,466             3,093             (1     (115     8,443  

Pensions and post-employment benefits

     242             4       (20                 226  

Tax credits

     261             (253                 (8      

Accrued interest

     1                                     1  

Real estate

     (959           (110                 23       (1,046

Securities and other investments

     (2,689           (1,863     (347     39       156       (4,704

Sale of investments

     (87           17                   1       (69

Goodwill and intangible assets

     (847           (49                 20       (876

Other

     97       (37     (107     1       (31     (1     (78

Total

   $    2,504     $    (55   $ 454     $   (366)     $         6     $       59     $    2,602  
As at December 31, 2018    Balance,
January 1,
2018
    Disposals     Recognized
in Income
Statement
    Recognized in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Recognized
in Equity
    Translation
and Other
    Balance,
December 31,
2018
 

Loss carry forwards

   $ 596     $     $ 387     $     $ 7     $ 29     $ 1,019  

Actuarial liabilities

     7,878             (2,697           3       282       5,466  

Pensions and post-employment benefits

     208             27       7                   242  

Tax credits

     454             (224                 31       261  

Accrued interest

     1                                     1  

Real estate

     (1,062           150       (1           (46     (959

Securities and other investments

     (3,807           1,234       136       1       (253     (2,689

Sale of investments

     (105           18                         (87

Goodwill and intangible assets

     (825           18                   (40     (847

Other

     (50           157       6       (4     (12     97  

Total

   $ 3,288     $         –     $    (930   $    148     $         7     $      (9   $    2,504  

The total deferred tax assets as at December 31, 2019 of $4,574 (2018 – $4,318) include $98 (2018 – $3,508) where the Company has suffered losses in either the current or preceding year and where the recognition is dependent on future taxable profits in the relevant jurisdictions and feasible management actions.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        163


As at December 31, 2019, tax loss carryforwards available were approximately $3,440 (2018 – $4,838) of which $3,293 expire between the years 2022 and 2039 while $147 have no expiry date, and capital loss carryforwards available were approximately $31 (2018 – $20) and have no expiry date. A $705 (2018 – $1,019) tax benefit related to these tax loss carryforwards has been recognized as a deferred tax asset as at December 31, 2019, and a benefit of $93 (2018 – $121) has not been recognized. In addition, the Company has approximately $157 (2018 – $426) of tax credit carryforwards which will expire between the years 2027 and 2029 of which a benefit of $157 (2018 – $165) has not been recognized.

The total deferred tax liability as at December 31, 2019 was $1,972 (2018 – $1,814). This amount includes the deferred tax liability of consolidated entities. The aggregate amount of taxable temporary differences associated with the Company’s own investments in subsidiaries is not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and was $19,623 (2018 – $16,570).

Note 17    Interests in Structured Entities

The Company is involved with both consolidated and unconsolidated structured entities (“SEs”) which are established to generate investment and fee income. The Company is also involved with SEs that are used to facilitate financing for the Company. These entities may have some or all the following features: control is not readily identified based on voting rights; restricted activities designed to achieve a narrow objective; high amount of leverage; and/or highly structured capital.

The Company only discloses its involvement in significant consolidated and unconsolidated SEs. In assessing the significance, the Company considers the nature of its involvement with the SE, including whether it is sponsored by the Company (i.e. initially organized and managed by the Company). Other factors considered include the Company’s investment in the SE as compared to total investments, its returns from the SE as compared to total net investment income, the SE’s size as compared to total funds under management, and its exposure to any other risks from its involvement with the SE.

The Company does not provide financial or other support to its SEs, when it does not have a contractual obligation to do so.

(a) Consolidated SEs

Investment SEs

The Company acts as an investment manager of timberlands and timber companies. The Company’s general fund and segregated funds invest in many of these companies. The Company has control over one timberland company which it manages, Hancock Victoria Plantations Holdings PTY Limited (“HVPH”). HVPH is a SE primarily because the Company’s employees exercise voting rights over it on behalf of other investors. As at December 31, 2019, the Company’s consolidated timber assets relating to HVPH were $936 (2018 – $920). The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from HVPH.

Financing SEs

The Company securitizes certain insured and variable rate commercial and residential mortgages and HELOC. This activity is facilitated by consolidated entities that are SEs because their operations are limited to issuing and servicing the Company’s funding. Further information regarding the Company’s mortgage securitization program is included in note 3.

(b) Unconsolidated SEs

Investment SEs

The following table presents the Company’s investments and maximum exposure to loss from significant unconsolidated investment SEs, some of which are sponsored by the Company. The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from these SEs.

 

    

Company’s investment(1)

 

          

Company’s maximum

exposure to loss(2)

 

 
As at December 31,   

2019

 

    

2018

 

          

2019

 

    

2018

 

 

Leveraged leases(3)

   $   3,371      $   3,575        $   3,371      $   3,575  

Timberland companies(4)

     752        788          765        821  

Real estate companies(5)

    

 

541

 

 

 

    

 

413

 

 

 

      

 

541

 

 

 

    

 

413

 

 

 

Total

 

   $

 

4,664

 

 

 

   $

 

4,776

 

 

 

     $

 

4,677

 

 

 

   $

 

4,809

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Company’s investments in these unconsolidated SEs are included in invested assets and the Company’s returns from them are included in net investment income and AOCI.

(2)

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from each SE is limited to amounts invested in each, plus unfunded capital commitments, if any. The Company’s investment commitments are disclosed in note 18. The maximum loss is expected to occur only upon the entity’s bankruptcy/liquidation, or in case a natural disaster in the case of the timber companies.

(3)

These entities are statutory business trusts which use capital provided by the Company and senior debt provided by other parties to finance the acquisition of assets. These assets are leased to third-party lessees under long-term leases. The Company owns equity capital in these business trusts. The Company does not consolidate any of the trusts that are party to the lease arrangements because the Company does not have decision-making power over them.

(4)

These entities own and operate timberlands. The Company invests in their equity and debt. The Company’s returns include investment income, investment advisory fees, forestry management fees and performance advisory fees. The Company does not control these entities because it either does not have the power to govern their financial and operating policies or does not have significant variable returns from them, or both.

(5)

These entities, which include the Manulife U.S. REIT, own and manage commercial real estate. The Company invests in their equity. The Company’s returns include investment income, investment management fees, property management fees, acquisition/disposition fees, and leasing fees. The Company does not control these entities because it either does not have the power to govern their financial and operating policies or does not have significant variable returns from them, or both.

 

164        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Financing SEs

The Company’s interests and maximum exposure to loss from significant unconsolidated financing SEs are as follows.

 

    

Company’s interests(1)

 

As at December 31,

  

2019

    

2018

 

Manulife Finance (Delaware), L.P.(2)

   $ 852      $ 821  

Manulife Financial Capital Trust II(3)

     1        999  

Total

  

$

     853

 

  

$

  1,820

 

 

(1)

The Company’s interests include amounts borrowed from the SEs and the Company’s investment in their subordinated capital, and foreign currency and interest swaps with them, if any.

(2)

This entity is a wholly-owned partnership used to facilitate the Company’s financing. Refer to notes 10 and 18.

(3)

This entity is an open-ended trust that was used to facilitate the Company’s financing. The Company redeemed all of its outstanding $1 billion principal amount of MFCT II Senior debenture notes, at par, on December 30, 2019. Using these proceeds, the trust redeemed MFCT II Series 1 held by 3rd parties, at par, on December 31, 2019. Refer to note 10.

(i) Other invested assets

The Company has investment relationships with a variety of other entities, which result from its direct investment in their debt and/or equity and which have been assessed for control. These other entities’ investments include but are not limited to investments in power and infrastructure, oil and gas, private equity, real estate and agriculture, organized as limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Most of these other entities are not sponsored by the Company. The Company’s involvement with these other entities is not individually significant. As such, the Company neither provides summary financial data for these entities nor individually assesses whether they are SEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to losses because of its involvement with these other entities is limited to its investment in them and amounts committed to be invested but not yet funded. The Company records its income from these entities in net investment income and AOCI. The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from these other entities.

(ii) Interest in securitized assets

The Company invests in mortgage/asset-backed securities issued by securitization vehicles sponsored by other parties, including private issuers and government sponsored issuers, to generate investment income. The Company does not own a controlling financial interest in any of the issuers. These securitization vehicles are SEs based on their narrow scope of activities and highly leveraged capital structures. Investments in mortgage/asset-backed securities are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as debt securities and private placements, and their fair value and carrying value are disclosed in note 3. The Company’s maximum loss from these investments is limited to amounts invested.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) are secured by commercial mortgages and residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) are secured by residential mortgages. Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) may be secured by various underlying assets including credit card receivables, automobile loans and aviation leases. The mortgage/asset-backed securities that the Company invests in primarily originate in North America.

The following table presents investments in securitized holdings by the type and asset quality.

 

    

2019

    

2018

 

As at December 31,

  

CMBS

    

RMBS

    

ABS

    

Total

    

Total

 

AAA

   $ 1,580      $ 7      $ 1,218      $ 2,805      $ 2,471  

AA

                   648        648        306  

A

     69        7        296        372        453  

BBB

                   63        63        70  

Total company exposure

  

$

    1,649

 

  

$

    14

 

  

$

    2,225

 

  

$

  3,888

 

  

$

  3,300

 

(iii) Mutual funds

The Company sponsors and may invest in a range of public mutual funds with a broad range of investment styles. As sponsor, the Company organizes mutual funds that implement investment strategies on behalf of current and future investors. The Company earns fees which are at market rates for providing advisory and administrative services to these mutual funds. Generally, the Company does not control its sponsored mutual funds because either the Company does not have power to govern their financial and operating policies, or its returns in the form of fees and ownership interests are not significant, or both. Certain mutual funds are SEs because their decision-making rights are not vested in voting equity interests and their investors are provided with redemption rights.

The Company’s relationships with these mutual funds are not individually significant. As such, the Company neither provides summary financial data for these mutual funds nor individually assesses whether they are SEs. The Company’s interest in mutual funds is limited to its investment and fees earned, if any. The Company’s investments in mutual funds are recorded as part of its investment in public equities within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. For information regarding the Company’s invested assets, refer to note 3. The Company does not provide guarantees to other parties against the risk of loss from these mutual funds.

As sponsor, the Company’s investment in startup capital of mutual funds as at December 31, 2019 was $1,576 (2018 – $1,711). The Company’s retail mutual fund assets under management as at December 31, 2019 were $217,015 (2018 – $188,729).

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        165


Note 18    Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Legal proceedings

The Company is regularly involved in legal actions, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The legal actions where the Company is a party ordinarily relate to its activities as a provider of insurance protection or wealth management products, reinsurance, or in its capacity as an investment adviser, employer, or taxpayer. Other life insurers and asset managers, operating in the jurisdictions in which the Company does business, have been subject to a wide variety of other types of actions, some of which resulted in substantial judgments or settlements against the defendants; it is possible that the Company may become involved in similar actions in the future. In addition, government and regulatory bodies in Canada, the United States, Asia and other jurisdictions where the Company conducts business regularly make inquiries and, from time to time, require the production of information or conduct examinations concerning the Company’s compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers.

In June 2018, a class action was initiated against John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHUSA”) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (“JHNY”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of owners of approximately 1,500 Performance Universal Life policies issued between 2003 and 2009 whose policies were subject to a Cost of Insurance (“COI”) increase announced in 2018. In October 2018, a second and almost identical class action was initiated against JHUSA and JHNY in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of NY. The two cases were determined to be related, and they were assigned to the same judge. Discovery has commenced in these cases. No hearings on substantive matters have been scheduled. It is too early to assess the range of potential outcomes for these two related lawsuits. In addition to the consolidated class action, there are six non-class lawsuits opposing the Performance UL COI increases that also have been filed. Each of the lawsuits, except one, is brought by plaintiffs owning multiple policies and by entities managing them for investment purposes. Two of the non-class lawsuits are pending in New York state court; two of the lawsuits are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; and the last two lawsuits are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Whether individually or on a combined basis, it remains premature, given the procedural status of these cases, as well as the relatively early development of parties’ respective legal theories, to provide a reliable estimate of potential outcomes.

(b) Investment commitments

In the normal course of business, various investment commitments are outstanding which are not reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. There were $8,682 (2018 – $10,372) of outstanding investment commitments as at December 31, 2019, of which $411 (2018 – $888) mature in 30 days, $2,507 (2018 – $3,546) mature in 31 to 365 days and $5,764 (2018 – $5,938) mature after one year.

(c) Letters of credit

In the normal course of business, third-party relationship banks issue letters of credit on the Company’s behalf. The Company’s businesses utilize letters of credit for which third parties are the beneficiaries, as well as for affiliate reinsurance transactions between its subsidiaries. As at December 31, 2019, letters of credit for which third parties are beneficiary, in the amount of $57 (2018 – $74), were outstanding.

(d) Guarantees

(i) Guarantees regarding Manulife Finance (Delaware), L.P. (“MFLP”)

MFC has guaranteed the payment of amounts on the $650 subordinated debentures due on December 15, 2041 issued by MFLP, a wholly-owned unconsolidated partnership.

(ii) Guarantees regarding The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

On January 29, 2007, MFC provided a subordinated guarantee, as amended and restated on January 13, 2017, of Class A Shares and Class B Shares of MLI and any other class of preferred shares that rank in parity with Class A Shares or Class B Shares of MLI. MFC has also provided a subordinated guarantee on the day of issuance for the following subordinated debentures issued by MLI: $500 issued on December 1, 2014; $750 issued on March 10, 2015; $350 issued on June 1, 2015; and $1,000 issued on November 20, 2015.

 

166        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table sets forth certain condensed consolidated financial information for MFC and MFLP.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Information

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019

  

MFC

(Guarantor)

    

MLI
consolidated

    

Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis

    

Consolidation
adjustments

    

Total
consolidated
amounts

           

MFLP

 

Total revenue

   $ 371      $    79,711      $     417      $ (929    $    79,570         $    32  

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

        5,602        5,963        (401         (5,562      5,602           (1

For the year ended December 31, 2018

   MFC
(Guarantor)
     MLI
consolidated
     Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
     Consolidation
adjustments
     Total
consolidated
amounts
            MFLP  

Total revenue

   $ 443      $ 38,994      $ 434      $ (899    $ 38,972         $ 62  

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

     4,800        5,076        (419         (4,657      4,800           22  

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

 

As at December 31, 2019   

MFC

(Guarantor)

     MLI
consolidated
     Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
     Consolidation
adjustments
     Total
consolidated
amounts
            MFLP  

Invested assets

   $ 21      $ 378,496      $   10      $      $   378,527         $          6  

Total other assets

       57,474        87,774        3        (57,756      87,495           1,088  

Segregated funds net assets

            343,108                      343,108            

Insurance contract liabilities

              351,161                      351,161            

Investment contract liabilities

            3,104                      3,104            

Segregated funds net liabilities

            343,108                      343,108            

Total other liabilities

     8,357        53,998               (704      61,651           858  
As at December 31, 2018    MFC
(Guarantor)
     MLI
consolidated
     Other
subsidiaries of
MFC on a
combined basis
     Consolidation
adjustments
     Total
consolidated
amounts
            MFLP  

Invested assets

   $ 21      $ 353,632      $       11      $               –      $ 353,664           $          11  

Total other assets

       54,346        83,523        3        (54,474      83,398           1,059  

Segregated funds net assets

            313,209                      313,209            

Insurance contract liabilities

              328,654                      328,654            

Investment contract liabilities

            3,265                      3,265            

Segregated funds net liabilities

            313,209                      313,209            

Total other liabilities

     8,403        50,043               (454      57,992           833  

(iii) Guarantees regarding John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHUSA”)

Details of guarantees regarding certain securities issued or to be issued by JHUSA are outlined in note 23.

(e) Pledged assets

In the normal course of business, the Company pledges its assets in respect of liabilities incurred, strictly for providing collateral to the counterparty. In the event of the Company’s default, the counterparty is entitled to apply the collateral to settle the liability. The pledged assets are returned to the Company if the underlying transaction is terminated or, in the case of derivatives, if there is a decrease in the net exposure due to market value changes.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        167


The amounts pledged are as follows.

 

    2019          2018  
As at December 31,   Debt securities      Other          Debt securities      Other  

In respect of:

            

Derivatives

  $   4,257      $ 17        $ 3,655      $ 102  

Regulatory requirements

    433        67          412        84  

Repurchase agreements

    330                 64         

Non-registered retirement plans in trust

           407                 420  

Other

    3        331          3        301  

Total

  $ 5,023      $   822        $   4,134      $   907  

(f) Lease obligations

The Company has a number of lease obligations, primarily for the use of office space. The aggregate future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases are $374 (2018 – $575). Payments by year are included in the “Risk Management” section of the Company’s 2019 MD&A under Liquidity Risk.

(g) Participating business

In some territories where the Company maintains participating accounts, there are regulatory restrictions on the amounts of profit that can be transferred to shareholders. Where applicable, these restrictions generally take the form of a fixed percentage of policyholder dividends. For participating businesses operating as separate “closed blocks”, transfers are governed by the terms of MLI’s and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company’s plans of demutualization.

(h) Fixed surplus notes

A third party contractually provides standby financing arrangements for the Company’s U.S. operations under which, in certain circumstances, funds may be provided in exchange for the issuance of fixed surplus notes. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had no fixed surplus notes outstanding.

Note 19    Segmented Information

The Company’s reporting segments are Asia, Canada, U.S., Global WAM and Corporate and Other. Each reporting segment is responsible for managing its operating results, developing products, defining strategies for services and distribution based on the profile and needs of its business and market. The Company’s significant product and service offerings by the reporting segments are mentioned below.

Wealth and asset management businesses (Global WAM) – include mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services across all major asset classes. These products and services are distributed through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the Company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks.

Insurance and annuity products (Asia, Canada and U.S.) – includes a variety of individual life insurance, individual and group long-term care insurance and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products. Products are distributed through multiple distribution channels, including insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners and direct marketing. Manulife Bank of Canada offers a variety of deposit and credit products to Canadian customers.

Corporate and Other Segment – comprised of investment performance on assets backing capital, net of amounts allocated to operating segments; costs incurred by the corporate office related to shareholder activities (not allocated to operating segments); financing costs; Property and Casualty (“P&C”) Reinsurance Business; and run-off reinsurance operations including variable annuities and accident and health.

Reporting segments

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company updated its methodology for allocating capital and the related earnings to each reporting segment from the Corporate and Other segment.

 

168        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table presents results by reporting segments.

 

As at and for the year ended

December 31, 2019

   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Global WAM     Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Revenue

            

Life and health insurance

   $ 17,107     $ 8,714     $ 6,522     $     $ 112     $ 32,455  

Annuities and pensions

     2,900       361       (138                 3,123  

Net premium income

     20,007       9,075       6,384             112       35,578  

Net investment income (loss)

     7,451       9,446       15,556       33       1,107       33,593  

Other revenue

     1,215       1,088       2,654       5,562       (120     10,399  

Total revenue

     28,673       19,609       24,594       5,595       1,099       79,570  

Contract benefits and expenses

            

Life and health insurance

     17,975       10,572       19,320             (36     47,831  

Annuities and pensions

     3,090       4,312       599       83             8,084  

Net benefits and claims

     21,065       14,884       19,919       83       (36     55,915  

Interest expense

     236       508       43       6       526       1,319  

Other expenses

     5,148       3,237       2,944       4,362       425       16,116  

Total contract benefits and expenses

     26,449       18,629       22,906       4,451       915       73,350  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     2,224       980       1,688       1,144       184       6,220  

Income tax recovery (expense)

     (277     25       (260     (122     (84     (718

Net income (loss)

     1,947       1,005       1,428       1,022       100       5,502  

Less net income (loss) attributed to:

            

Non-controlling interests

     228                         5       233  

Participating policyholders

     (216     (117                       (333

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

   $ 1,935     $ 1,122     $ 1,428     $ 1,022     $ 95     $ 5,602  

Total assets

   $   127,367     $   159,042     $   274,993     $   216,348     $   31,380     $   809,130  

As at and for the year ended

December 31, 2018

   Asia     Canada     U.S.     Global WAM     Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Revenue

            

Life and health insurance

   $ 14,938     $ 8,975     $ 6,341     $     $ 98     $ 30,352  

Annuities and pensions(1)

     3,175       452       (9,967                 (6,340

Net premium income

     18,113       9,427       (3,626           98       24,012  

Net investment income (loss)

     301       2,725       1,670       (9     (155     4,532  

Other revenue

     1,296       1,446       2,542       5,472       (328     10,428  

Total revenue

     19,710       13,598       586       5,463       (385     38,972  

Contract benefits and expenses

            

Life and health insurance

     10,875       8,044       4,255             (37     23,137  

Annuities and pensions

     1,986       518       (9,784     77             (7,203

Net benefits and claims

     12,861       8,562       (5,529     77       (37     15,934  

Interest expense

     187       447       56       2       583       1,275  

Other expenses

     4,749       3,063       3,428       4,322       682       16,244  

Total contract benefits and expenses

     17,797       12,072       (2,045     4,401       1,228       33,453  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     1,913       1,526       2,631       1,062       (1,613     5,519  

Income tax recovery (expense)

     (361     (311     (340     (108     488       (632

Net income (loss)

     1,552       1,215       2,291       954       (1,125     4,887  

Less net income (loss) attributed to:

            

Non-controlling interests

     208                         6       214  

Participating policyholders

     (360     233                         (127

Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders

   $ 1,704     $ 982     $ 2,291     $ 954     $ (1,131   $ 4,800  

Total assets

   $   113,781     $   149,219     $   270,601     $   194,214     $   22,456     $   750,271  

 

(1)

In 2018, the Company ceded premiums to RGA and Jackson for the JHNY transactions, refer to note 6(k) for details.

Geographical location

The results of the Company’s reporting segments differ from its geographical location primarily due to the allocation of Global WAM and Corporate and Other segments into the geographical location to which its businesses relate.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        169


The following table presents results by geographical location.

 

For the year ended

December 31, 2019

   Asia      Canada      U.S.      Other      Total  

Revenue

              

Life and health insurance

   $ 17,178      $ 8,388      $ 6,523      $ 366      $ 32,455  

Annuities and pensions

     2,900        361        (138             3,123  

Net premium income

     20,078        8,749        6,385        366        35,578  

Net investment income (loss)

     7,750        9,801        15,816        226        33,593  

Other revenue

     2,100        2,651        5,641        7        10,399  

Total revenue

   $ 29,928      $ 21,201      $ 27,842      $ 599      $ 79,570  

For the year ended

December 31, 2018

   Asia      Canada      U.S.      Other      Total  

Revenue

              

Life and health insurance

   $ 15,010      $ 8,561      $ 6,342      $ 439      $ 30,352  

Annuities and pensions

     3,175        452        (9,967             (6,340

Net premium income

     18,185        9,013        (3,625      439        24,012  

Net investment income (loss)

     371        2,933        1,032        196        4,532  

Other revenue

     2,115        2,904        5,395        14        10,428  

Total revenue

   $   20,671      $   14,850      $   2,802      $   649      $   38,972  

Note 20    Related Parties

The Company enters into transactions with related parties in the normal course of business and at the terms that would exist in arm’s-length transactions.

(a) Transactions with certain related parties

Transactions with MFLP, a wholly owned unconsolidated partnership, and MFCT, a wholly owned unconsolidated trust, are described in notes 10, 17 and 18. Refer to note 3(a) for additional transactions with related parties.

(b) Compensation of key management personnel

The Company’s key management personnel are those personnel who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company. Directors (both executive and non-executive) and senior management are considered key personnel. A summary of compensation of key management personnel is as follows.

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Short-term employee benefits

   $ 67      $ 65  

Post-employment benefits

     5        5  

Share-based payments

     55        50  

Termination benefits

     8        5  

Other long-term benefits

     2        2  

Total

   $   137      $   127  

Note 21    Subsidiaries

The following is a list of Manulife’s directly and indirectly held major operating subsidiaries.

 

As at December 31, 2019

(100% owned unless otherwise noted in brackets
beside company name)

 

 

Equity Interest

 

 

Address

 

 

Description

 

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

 

  $56,795

 

 

  Toronto, Canada  

Leading Canadian-based financial services company that offers a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services

 

Manulife Holdings (Alberta) Limited

 

  $21,673

 

 

Calgary, Canada

 

 

Holding company

 

John Hancock Financial Corporation

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Holding company

 

The Manufacturers Investment Corporation

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Holding company

 

John Hancock Reassurance Company Ltd.

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Captive insurance subsidiary that provides life, annuity and long-term care reinsurance to affiliates

 

 

170        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


As at December 31, 2019

(100% owned unless otherwise noted in
brackets beside company name)

 

 

Equity Interest

 

 

Address

 

 

Description

 

John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

U.S. life insurance company licensed in all states, except New York

 

John Hancock Subsidiaries LLC

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Holding company

 

John Hancock Financial Network, Inc.

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Financial services distribution organization

 

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Investment advisor

 

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Broker-dealer

 

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Investment advisor

 

Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc.

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Manager of globally diversified timberland and agricultural portfolios

 

John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York

 

     

New York, U.S.A.

 

 

U.S. life insurance company licensed in New York

 

John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Investment advisor for open-end mutual funds

 

John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

U.S. life insurance company licensed in all states

 

John Hancock Distributors LLC

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Broker-dealer

 

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

     

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

 

Insurance agency

 

Manulife Reinsurance Limited

 

     

Hamilton, Bermuda

 

 

Provides life and financial reinsurance to affiliates

 

Manulife Reinsurance (Bermuda) Limited

     

Hamilton, Bermuda

 

  Provides life and annuity reinsurance to affiliates

Manulife Bank of Canada

  $1,570  

Waterloo, Canada

 

 

Provides integrated banking products and service options not available from an insurance company

 

Manulife Investment Management Holdings (Canada) Limited

  $935  

Toronto, Canada

 

  Holding company

Manulife Investment Management Limited

     

Toronto, Canada

 

  Provides investment counseling, portfolio and mutual fund management in Canada

First North American Insurance Company

  $7  

Toronto, Canada

 

 

Property and casualty insurance company

 

NAL Resources Management Limited

 

  $8  

Calgary, Canada

 

 

Management company for oil and gas properties

 

Manulife Resources Limited

  $19  

Calgary, Canada

 

  Holds oil and gas properties

Manulife Property Limited Partnership

  $4  

Toronto, Canada

 

  Holds oil and gas royalties

Manulife Property Limited Partnership II

  $835  

Toronto, Canada

 

  Holds oil and gas royalties and foreign bonds and equities

Manulife Western Holdings Limited Partnership

     

Calgary, Canada

 

  Holds oil and gas properties

Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc.

 

  $72  

Oakville, Canada

 

 

Mutual fund dealer for Canadian operations

 

Manulife Holdings (Bermuda) Limited

 

  $17,597  

Hamilton, Bermuda

 

 

Holding company

 

Manufacturers P&C Limited

     

St. Michael, Barbados

 

 

Provides property and casualty reinsurance

 

Manulife Financial Asia Limited

 

     

Hong Kong, China

 

 

Holding company

 

Manulife (Cambodia) PLC

 

     

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

 

 

Life insurance company

 

Manufacturers Life Reinsurance Limited

 

     

St. Michael, Barbados

 

 

Provides life and annuity reinsurance to affiliates

 

Manulife (Vietnam) Limited

 

     

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

 

 

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Investment Fund Management (Vietnam) Company Limited

 

     

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

 

 

Fund management company

 

Manulife International Holdings Limited

 

     

Hong Kong, China

 

 

Holding company

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        171


As at December 31, 2019

(100% owned unless otherwise noted in brackets
beside company name)

 

 

Equity Interest

 

 

Address

 

 

Description

 

Manulife (International) Limited

 

     

Hong Kong, China

 

 

Life insurance company

 

Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (51%)

 

     

Shanghai, China

 

 

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Investment Management International Holdings Limited

 

     

Hong Kong, China

 

 

Holding company

 

Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited

 

     

Hong Kong, China

 

 

Investment management and advisory company marketing mutual funds

 

Manulife Investment Management (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.

 

     

Taipei, Taiwan (China)

 

 

Asset management company

 

Manulife Life Insurance Company (Japan)

 

     

Tokyo, Japan

 

 

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Asset Management (Japan) Limited

      Tokyo, Japan  

Investment management and advisory company and mutual fund business

 

Manulife Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited (85.6%)(1)

      Bangkok, Thailand  

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited (93.0%)(1)

      Bangkok, Thailand  

Investment management company

 

Manulife Holdings Berhad (59.5%)

      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  

Holding company

 

Manulife Insurance Berhad (59.5%)

      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Investment Management (Malaysia) Bhd (59.5%)

      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  

Asset management company

 

Manulife (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

      Singapore  

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Investment Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

      Singapore  

Asset management company

 

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc.

      Makati City, Philippines  

Life insurance company

 

Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance Corporation (60%)

      Makati City, Philippines  

Life insurance company

 

PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia

  $812   Jakarta, Indonesia  

Life insurance company

 

PT Manulife Aset Manajemen Indonesia

      Jakarta, Indonesia  

Investment management and investment advisor

 

Manulife Investment Management (Europe) Limited

  $25   London, England  

Investment management company for Manulife Financial’s international funds

 

Manulife Assurance Company of Canada

  $68   Toronto, Canada  

Life insurance company

 

EIS Services (Bermuda) Limited

  $980   Hamilton, Bermuda  

Investment holding company

 

Berkshire Insurance Services Inc.

  $1,637   Toronto, Canada  

Investment holding company

 

JH Investments (Delaware), LLC

      Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.  

Investment holding company

 

Manulife Securities Incorporated

  $117   Oakville, Canada  

Investment dealer

 

Manulife Investment Management (North America) Limited

  $4
  Toronto, Canada  

Investment advisor

 

 

(1)

MFC voting rights percentages are the same as the ownership percentages except for Manulife Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited and Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited where MFC’s voting rights are 97.0% and 98.5%, respectively.

Note 22    Segregated Funds

The Company manages segregated funds on behalf of policyholders. Policyholders are provided with the opportunity to invest in different categories of segregated funds that respectively hold a range of underlying investments. The Company retains legal title to the underlying investments; however, returns from these investments belong to the policyholders. Accordingly, the Company does not bear the risk associated with these assets outside of guarantees offered on certain variable life and annuity products. The “Risk Management” section of the Company’s 2019 MD&A provides information regarding the variable annuity and segregated fund guarantees.

 

172        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The composition of net assets by categories of segregated funds was within the following ranges for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

    

Ranges in per cent

 

Type of fund

  

2019

    

2018

 

Money market funds

     2% to 3%        2% to 3%  

Fixed income funds

     14% to 15%        14% to 15%  

Balanced funds

     24% to 25%        25% to 26%  

Equity funds

     58% to 60%        58% to 60%  

Money market funds consist of investments that have a term to maturity of less than one year. Fixed income funds primarily consist of investments in fixed grade income securities and may contain smaller investments in diversified equities or high-yield bonds. Relative to fixed income funds, balanced funds consist of fixed income securities and a larger equity investment component. The types of equity funds available to policyholders range from low volatility equity funds to aggressive equity funds. Equity funds invest in a varying mix of Canadian, U.S. and global equities.

The underlying investments of the segregated funds consist of both individual securities and mutual funds (collectively “net assets”), some of which may be structured entities. The carrying value and change in segregated funds net assets are as follows. Fair value related information of segregated funds is disclosed in note 3(g).

Segregated funds net assets

 

As at December 31,    2019      2018  

Investments at market value

     

Cash and short-term securities

   $ 3,364      $ 3,700  

Debt securities

     16,883        15,313  

Equities

     12,989        11,661  

Mutual funds

     304,753        277,133  

Other investments

     4,785        4,678  

Accrued investment income

     1,678        1,811  

Other assets and liabilities, net

     (975      (700

Total segregated funds net assets

   $ 343,477      $ 313,596  

Composition of segregated funds net assets

     

Held by policyholders

   $ 343,108      $ 313,209  

Held by the Company

     369        387  

Total segregated funds net assets

   $   343,477      $   313,596  

Changes in segregated funds net assets

 

For the years ended December 31,    2019      2018  

Net policyholder cash flow

     

Deposits from policyholders

   $ 38,561      $ 38,236  

Net transfers to general fund

     (1,000      (1,089

Payments to policyholders

     (49,372      (47,475
       (11,811      (10,328

Investment related

     

Interest and dividends

     18,872        19,535  

Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)

     37,643        (34,683
       56,515        (15,148

Other

     

Management and administration fees

     (3,926      (3,985

Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates

     (10,897      18,249  
       (14,823      14,264  

Net additions (deductions)

     29,881        (11,212

Segregated funds net assets, beginning of year

     313,596        324,808  

Segregated funds net assets, end of year

   $   343,477      $   313,596  

Segregated funds assets may be exposed to a variety of financial and other risks. These risks are primarily mitigated by investment guidelines that are actively monitored by professional and experienced portfolio advisors. The Company is not exposed to these risks beyond the liabilities related to guarantees associated with certain variable life and annuity products. Accordingly, the Company’s exposure to loss from segregated fund products is limited to the value of these guarantees.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        173


These guarantees are recorded within the Company’s insurance contract liabilities. Assets supporting these guarantees are recognized in invested assets according to their investment type.

Note 23    Information Provided in Connection with Investments in Deferred Annuity Contracts and SignatureNotes Issued or Assumed by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)

The following condensed consolidated financial information, presented in accordance with IFRS, and the related disclosure have been included in these Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to JHUSA in compliance with Regulation S-X and Rule 12h-5 of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). These financial statements are incorporated by reference in the MFC and its subsidiaries registration statements that are described below and which relate to MFC’s guarantee of certain securities to be issued by its subsidiaries.

JHUSA maintains a book of deferred annuity contracts that feature a market value adjustment, some of which are registered with the Commission. The deferred annuity contracts may contain variable investment options along with fixed investment period options, or may offer only fixed investment period options. The fixed investment period options enable the participant to invest fixed amounts of money for fixed terms at fixed interest rates, subject to a market value adjustment if the participant desires to terminate a fixed investment period before its maturity date. The annuity contract provides for the market value adjustment to keep the parties whole with respect to the fixed interest bargain for the entire fixed investment period. These fixed investment period options that contain a market value adjustment feature are referred to as “MVAs”.

JHUSA may also sell medium-term notes to retail investors under its SignatureNotes program.

Effective December 31, 2009, John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company (the “Variable Company”) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (the “Life Company”) merged with and into JHUSA. In connection with the mergers, JHUSA assumed the Variable Company’s rights and obligations with respect to the MVAs issued by the Variable Company and the Life Company’s rights and obligations with respect to the SignatureNotes issued by the Life Company.

MFC fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of JHUSA’s obligations under the MVAs and under the SignatureNotes (including the MVAs and SignatureNotes assumed by JHUSA in the merger), and such MVAs and the SignatureNotes were registered with the Commission. The SignatureNotes and MVAs assumed or issued by JHUSA are collectively referred to in this note as the “Guaranteed Securities”. JHUSA is, and each of the Variable Company and the Life Company was, a wholly owned subsidiary of MFC.

MFC’s guarantees of the Guaranteed Securities are unsecured obligations of MFC and are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all other obligations of MFC, except for other guarantees or obligations of MFC which by their terms are designated as ranking equally in right of payment with or subordinate to MFC’s guarantees of the Guaranteed Securities.

The laws of the State of New York govern MFC’s guarantees of the SignatureNotes issued or assumed by JHUSA and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts govern MFC’s guarantees of the MVAs issued or assumed by JHUSA. MFC has consented to the jurisdiction of the courts of New York and Massachusetts. However, because a substantial portion of MFC’s assets are located outside the United States, the assets of MFC located in the United States may not be sufficient to satisfy a judgment given by a federal or state court in the United States to enforce the subordinate guarantees. In general, the federal laws of Canada and the laws of the Province of Ontario, where MFC’s principal executive offices are located, permit an action to be brought in Ontario to enforce such a judgment provided that such judgment is subsisting and unsatisfied for a fixed sum of money and not void or voidable in the United States and a Canadian court will render a judgment against MFC in a certain dollar amount, expressed in Canadian dollars, subject to customary qualifications regarding fraud, violations of public policy, laws limiting the enforcement of creditor’s rights and applicable statutes of limitations on judgments. There is currently no public policy in effect in the Province of Ontario that would support avoiding the recognition and enforcement in Ontario of a judgment of a New York or Massachusetts court on MFC’s guarantees of the SignatureNotes issued or assumed by JHUSA or a Massachusetts court on guarantees of the MVAs issued or assumed by JHUSA.

MFC is a holding company. MFC’s assets primarily consist of investments in its subsidiaries. MFC’s cash flows primarily consist of dividends and interest payments from its operating subsidiaries, offset by expenses and shareholder dividends and MFC stock repurchases. As a holding company, MFC’s ability to meet its cash requirements, including, but not limited to, paying any amounts due under its guarantees, substantially depends upon dividends from its operating subsidiaries.

These subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory restrictions under laws in Canada, the United States and certain other countries, which may limit their ability to pay dividends or make contributions or loans to MFC. For example, some of MFC’s subsidiaries are subject to restrictions prescribed by the ICA on their ability to declare and pay dividends. The restrictions related to dividends imposed by the ICA are described in note 12.

In the United States, insurance laws in Michigan, New York, and Massachusetts, the jurisdictions in which certain of MFC’s U.S. insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled, impose general limitations on the payment of dividends and other upstream distributions or loans by these insurance subsidiaries. These limitations are described in note 12.

In Asia, the insurance laws of the jurisdictions in which MFC operates either provide for specific restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions or loans by subsidiaries or impose solvency or other financial tests, which could affect the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends in certain circumstances.

There can be no assurance that any current or future regulatory restrictions in Canada, the United States or Asia will not impair MFC’s ability to meet its cash requirements, including, but not limited to, paying any amounts due under its guarantee.

 

174        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following condensed consolidated financial information, presented in accordance with IFRS, reflects the effects of the mergers and is provided in compliance with Regulation S-X and in accordance with Rule 12h-5 of the Commission.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

As at December 31, 2019    MFC
(Guarantor)
     JHUSA
(Issuer)
     Other
subsidiaries
    Consolidation
adjustments
    Consolidated
MFC
 

Assets

            

Invested assets

   $ 21      $ 107,746      $ 271,100     $ (340   $ 378,527  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

     57,068        7,467        16,983       (81,518      

Reinsurance assets

            61,310        10,080       (29,944     41,446  

Other assets

     406        20,859        45,111       (20,327     46,049  

Segregated funds net assets

            181,982        162,845       (1,719     343,108  

Total assets

   $ 57,495      $ 379,364      $ 506,119     $ (133,848   $ 809,130  

Liabilities and equity

            

Insurance contract liabilities

   $      $ 157,398      $ 224,378     $ (30,615   $ 351,161  

Investment contract liabilities

            1,091        2,014       (1     3,104  

Other liabilities

     537        21,311        48,226       (20,086     49,988  

Long-term debt

     4,543                           4,543  

Capital instruments

     3,277        599        3,244             7,120  

Segregated funds net liabilities

            181,982        162,845       (1,719     343,108  

Shareholders’ equity

     49,138        16,983        64,444       (81,427     49,138  

Participating policyholders’ equity

                   (243           (243

Non-controlling interests

                   1,211             1,211  

Total liabilities and equity

   $   57,495      $   379,364      $   506,119     $   (133,848)     $   809,130  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

As at December 31, 2018    MFC
(Guarantor)
     JHUSA
(Issuer)
     Other
subsidiaries
     Consolidation
adjustments
    Consolidated
MFC
 

Assets

             

Invested assets

   $ 21      $ 105,043      $ 248,962      $ (362   $ 353,664  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

     54,015        7,356        17,738        (79,109      

Reinsurance assets

            63,435        9,136        (29,518     43,053  

Other assets

     331        17,025        42,534        (19,545     40,345  

Segregated funds net assets

            168,476        146,671        (1,938     313,209  

Total assets

   $   54,367      $   361,335      $   465,041      $   (130,472)     $   750,271  

Liabilities and equity

             

Insurance contract liabilities

   $      $ 155,162      $ 203,682      $ (30,190   $ 328,654  

Investment contract liabilities

            1,191        2,076        (2     3,265  

Other liabilities

     275        18,136        45,393        (19,313     44,491  

Long-term debt

     4,769                            4,769  

Capital instruments

     3,359        632        4,741              8,732  

Segregated funds net liabilities

            168,476        146,671        (1,938     313,209  

Shareholders’ equity

     45,964        17,738        61,291        (79,029     45,964  

Participating policyholders’ equity

                   94              94  

Non-controlling interests

                   1,093              1,093  

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 54,367      $ 361,335      $ 465,041      $ (130,472   $ 750,271  

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        175


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019    MFC
(Guarantor)
     JHUSA
(Issuer)
     Other
subsidiaries
     Consolidation
adjustments
     Consolidated
MFC
 

Revenue

              

Gross premiums

   $      $ 8,599      $ 33,620      $ (1,160    $ 41,059  

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

            (3,575      (3,066      1,160        (5,481

Net premium income

            5,024        30,554               35,578  

Net investment income (loss)

     355        12,128        22,108        (998      33,593  

Net other revenue

     16        2,866        11,447        (3,930      10,399  

Total revenue

     371        20,018        64,109        (4,928      79,570  

Contract benefits and expenses

              

Net benefits and claims

            17,133        41,220        (2,438      55,915  

Commissions, investment and general expenses

     20        3,299        13,938        (1,530      15,727  

Other expenses

     421        206        2,041        (960      1,708  

Total contract benefits and expenses

     441        20,638        57,199        (4,928      73,350  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (70      (620      6,910               6,220  

Income tax (expense) recovery

     18        347        (1,083             (718

Income (loss) after income taxes

     (52      (273      5,827               5,502  

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     5,654        772        499        (6,925       

Net income (loss)

   $   5,602      $ 499      $ 6,326      $   (6,925)      $ 5,502  

Net income (loss) attributed to:

              

Non-controlling interests

   $      $      $ 233      $      $ 233  

Participating policyholders

            2        (333      (2      (333

Shareholders

     5,602        497        6,426        (6,923      5,602  
     $ 5,602      $ 499      $ 6,326      $ (6,925    $ 5,502  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018    MFC
(Guarantor)
     JHUSA
(Issuer)
     Other
subsidiaries
     Consolidation
adjustments
     Consolidated
MFC
 

Revenue

              

Gross premiums

   $      $ 8,452      $ 31,814      $ (1,116    $ 39,150  

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

            (14,149      (2,105      1,116        (15,138

Net premium income

            (5,697      29,709               24,012  

Net investment income (loss)

     445        907        4,126        (946      4,532  

Net other revenue

     (2      1,799        9,791        (1,160      10,428  

Total revenue

     443        (2,991      43,626        (2,106      38,972  

Contract benefits and expenses

              

Net benefits and claims

            (7,403      22,862        475        15,934  

Commissions, investment and general expenses

     19        3,427        14,052        (1,660      15,838  

Other expenses

     380        233        1,989        (921      1,681  

Total contract benefits and expenses

     399        (3,743        38,903          (2,106)          33,453  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     44        752        4,723               5,519  

Income tax (expense) recovery

     (11      223        (844             (632

Income (loss) after income taxes

     33        975        3,879               4,887  

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     4,767        1,206        2,181        (8,154       

Net income (loss)

   $   4,800      $ 2,181      $ 6,060      $ (8,154    $ 4,887  

Net income (loss) attributed to:

              

Non-controlling interests

   $      $      $ 214      $      $ 214  

Participating policyholders

            (10      (127      10        (127

Shareholders

     4,800        2,191        5,973        (8,164      4,800  
     $ 4,800      $ 2,181      $ 6,060      $ (8,154    $ 4,887  

 

176        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019  

MFC

(Guarantor)

   

JHUSA

(Issuer)

   

Other

subsidiaries

   

Consolidation

adjustments

   

Consolidated

MFC

 

Operating activities

         

Net income (loss)

  $    5,602     $ 499     $      6,326     $    (6,925   $ 5,502  

Adjustments:

         

Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

    (5,654     (772     (499     6,925        

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities

          11,381       22,346             33,727  

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities

          51       119             170  

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets excluding coinsurance transactions

          (1,236     679             (557

Amortization of (premium) discount on invested assets

          40       77             117  

Other amortization

    5       118       503             626  

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses and impairment on assets

    (12     (7,105     (13,148           (20,265

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

    (18     (192     (244           (454

Stock option expense

          (1     12             11  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities before undernoted items

    (77     2,783       16,171             18,877  

Dividends from unconsolidated subsidiary

    3,000       623       1,123       (4,746      

Changes in policy related and operating receivables and payables

    (39     (146     1,850             1,665  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    2,884       3,260       19,144       (4,746     20,542  

Investing activities

         

Purchases and mortgage advances

          (24,898     (55,712              (80,610

Disposals and repayments

          22,324       43,009             65,333  

Changes in investment broker net receivables and payables

          631       528             1,159  

Investment in common shares of subsidiaries

    (404                 404        

Net cash flows from acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and businesses

                288             288  

Capital contribution to unconsolidated subsidiaries

          (1           1        

Return of capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries

          177             (177      

Notes receivable from parent

                (157     157        

Notes receivable from subsidiaries

    (1     13             (12      

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (405     (1,754     (12,044     373       (13,830

Financing activities

         

Change in repurchase agreements and securities sold but not yet purchased

                266             266  

Redemption of capital instruments

                (1,500           (1,500

Secured borrowings from securitization transactions

                107             107  

Changes in deposits from Bank clients, net

                1,819             1,819  

Lease payments

          (8     (109           (117

Shareholders’ dividends paid in cash

    (1,398                       (1,398

Dividends paid to parent

          (1,123     (3,623     4,746        

Contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests, net

                (22           (22

Common shares repurchased

    (1,339                       (1,339

Common shares issued, net

    104             404       (404     104  

Capital contributions by parent

                1       (1      

Return of capital to parent

                (177     177        

Notes payable to parent

                (12     12        

Notes payable to subsidiaries

    157                   (157      

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (2,476     (1,131     (2,846     4,373       (2,080

Cash and short-term securities

         

Increase (decrease) during the year

    3       375       4,254             4,632  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and short-term securities

    (2     (128     (336           (466

Balance, beginning of year

    21       2,317       13,044             15,382  

Balance, end of year

    22       2,564       16,962             19,548  

Cash and short-term securities

         

Beginning of year

         

Gross cash and short-term securities

    21       2,783       13,411             16,215  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

          (466     (367           (833

Net cash and short-term securities, beginning of year

    21       2,317       13,044             15,382  

End of year

         

Gross cash and short-term securities

    22       3,058       17,220             20,300  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

          (494     (258           (752

Net cash and short-term securities, end of year

  $ 22     $ 2,564     $ 16,962     $     $     19,548  

Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information:

         

Interest received

  $ 422     $    4,252     $ 7,823     $ (948   $ 11,549  

Interest paid

    423       83       1,741       (948     1,299  

Income taxes paid (refund)

          (788     892             104  

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  |  Manulife Financial Corporation  |   2019 Annual Report        177


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018   

MFC

(Guarantor)

    

JHUSA

(Issuer)

    

Other

subsidiaries

    

Consolidation

adjustments

    

Consolidated

MFC

 

Operating activities

              

Net income (loss)

   $    4,800      $      2,181      $ 6,060      $ (8,154    $ 4,887  

Adjustments:

              

Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     (4,767      (1,206      (2,181      8,154         

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities

            (5,273      8,180                    2,907  

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities

            (86      121               35  

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance assets excluding coinsurance transactions

            1,609        (716             893  

Amortization of (premium) discount on invested assets

            58        154               212  

Other amortization

     4        225        518               747  

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses and impairment on assets

     (11      4,158        4,580               8,727  

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

     11        679        240               930  

Stock option expense

                   10               10  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities before undernoted items

     37        2,345           16,966               19,348  

Dividends from unconsolidated subsidiary

     2,700        819        777        (4,296       

Changes in policy related and operating receivables and payables

     251        (907      496               (160

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     2,988        2,257        18,239        (4,296      19,188  

Investing activities

              

Purchases and mortgage advances

            (38,799      (62,373             (101,172

Disposals and repayments

            35,817        46,294               82,111  

Changes in investment broker net receivables and payables

            (169      41               (128

Investment in common shares of subsidiaries

     (1,284                       1,284         

Net cash flows from acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries and businesses

                   187               187  

Capital contribution to unconsolidated subsidiaries

            (14             14         

Return of capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries

            72               (72       

Notes receivable from parent

                   (83      83         

Notes receivable from subsidiaries

     (23      (61             84         

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (1,307      (3,154      (15,934      1,393        (19,002

Financing activities

              

Change in repurchase agreements and securities sold but not yet purchased

                   (189             (189

Redemption of long-term debt

     (400                           (400

Issue of capital instruments, net

     597                             597  

Redemption of capital instruments

                   (450             (450

Secured borrowings from securitization transactions

                   250               250  

Changes in deposits from Bank clients, net

                   1,490               1,490  

Shareholders’ dividends paid in cash

     (1,788                           (1,788

Contributions from (distributions to) non-controlling interests, net

                   (60             (60

Common shares repurchased

     (478                           (478

Common shares issued, net

     59               1,284        (1,284      59  

Preferred shares issued, net

     245                             245  

Dividends paid to parent

            (777      (3,519      4,296         

Capital contributions by parent

                   14        (14       

Return of capital to parent

                   (72      72         

Notes payable to parent

                   84        (84       

Notes payable to subsidiaries

     83                      (83       

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,682      (777      (1,168      2,903        (724

Cash and short-term securities

              

Increase (decrease) during the year

     (1      (1,674      1,137               (538

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and short-term securities

     1        353        468               822  

Balance, beginning of year

     21        3,638        11,439               15,098  

Balance, end of year

     21        2,317        13,044               15,382  

Cash and short-term securities

              

Beginning of year

              

Gross cash and short-term securities

     21        4,133        11,811               15,965  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

            (495      (372             (867

Net cash and short-term securities, beginning of year

     21        3,638        11,439               15,098  

End of year

              

Gross cash and short-term securities

     21        2,783        13,411               16,215  

Net payments in transit, included in other liabilities

            (466      (367             (833

Net cash and short-term securities, end of year

   $ 21      $ 2,317      $ 13,044      $      $ 15,382  

Supplemental disclosures on cash flow information:

              

Interest received

   $ 427      $ 4,381      $ 7,074      $ (930    $ 10,952  

Interest paid

     373        92        1,677        (930      1,212  

Income taxes paid (refund)

     (59      286        234               461  

Note 24    Comparatives

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

178        Manulife  Financial Corporation  |  2019 Annual Report  |  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements