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Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
Fair Value Measurement––Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The authoritative fair value guidance establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
 
Level 1—Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Company for identical assets or liabilities. The Company’s Level 1 assets and liabilities primarily include certain cash equivalents and short-term investments, equity securities and derivative contracts that trade on an active exchange market.
 
Level 2—Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, and other market observable inputs. The Company’s Level 2 assets and liabilities include: fixed maturities (corporate public and private bonds, most government securities, certain asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, etc.), certain equity securities (mutual funds, which do not trade in active markets because they are not publicly available), certain commercial mortgage loans, short-term investments and certain cash equivalents (primarily commercial paper), and certain OTC derivatives.
 
Level 3—Fair value is based on at least one significant unobservable input for the asset or liability. The assets and liabilities in this category may require significant judgment or estimation in determining the fair value. The Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities primarily include: certain private fixed maturities and equity securities, certain manually priced public equity securities and fixed maturities, certain highly structured OTC derivative contracts, certain commercial mortgage loans, certain consolidated real estate funds for which the Company is the general partner and embedded derivatives resulting from certain products with guaranteed benefits.
 
Assets and Liabilities by Hierarchy Level––The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the dates indicated.
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
0

 
$
23,784

 
$
0

 
$
 
$
23,784

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
9,687

 
5

 
 
 
9,692

Foreign government bonds
0

 
96,132

 
124

 
 
 
96,256

U.S. corporate public securities
0

 
81,350

 
261

 
 
 
81,611

U.S. corporate private securities(7)
0

 
30,434

 
1,354

 
 
 
31,788

Foreign corporate public securities
0

 
28,166

 
71

 
 
 
28,237

Foreign corporate private securities
0

 
20,393

 
487

 
 
 
20,880

Asset-backed securities(8)
0

 
7,591

 
4,344

 
 
 
11,935

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
12,690

 
14

 
 
 
12,704

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
4,335

 
197

 
 
 
4,532

Subtotal
0

 
314,562

 
6,857

 
 
 
321,419

Trading account assets:(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
0

 
301

 
0

 
 
 
301

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
194

 
0

 
 
 
194

Foreign government bonds
0

 
714

 
227

 
 
 
941

Corporate securities
0

 
16,992

 
188

 
 
 
17,180

Asset-backed securities(8)
0

 
1,086

 
329

 
 
 
1,415

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
2,061

 
1

 
 
 
2,062

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
1,208

 
2

 
 
 
1,210

Equity securities
1,690

 
214

 
487

 
 
 
2,391

All other(3)
208

 
13,259

 
1

 
(11,708
)
 
1,760

Subtotal
1,898

 
36,029

 
1,235

 
(11,708
)
 
27,454

Equity securities, available-for-sale
6,033

 
3,450

 
265

 
 
 
9,748

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
519

 
0

 
 
 
519

Other long-term investments
44

 
106

 
7

 
(8
)
 
149

Short-term investments
5,623

 
1,558

 
1

 
 
 
7,182

Cash equivalents
3,885

 
4,421

 
0

 
 
 
8,306

Other assets
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Subtotal excluding separate account assets
17,483

 
360,645

 
8,365

 
(11,716
)
 
374,777

Separate account assets(4)
38,915

 
221,253

 
1,849

 
 
 
262,017

Total assets
$
56,398

 
$
581,898

 
$
10,214

 
$
(11,716
)
 
$
636,794

Future policy benefits(5)
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
8,238

 
$
 
$
8,238

Other liabilities
8

 
6,284

 
22

 
(5,945
)
 
369

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
0

 
1,839

 
 
 
1,839

Total liabilities
$
8

 
$
6,284

 
$
10,099

 
$
(5,945
)
 
$
10,446


 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
$
0

 
$
18,517

 
$
0

 
$
 
$
18,517

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
8,789

 
6

 
 
 
8,795

Foreign government bonds
0

 
83,590

 
123

 
 
 
83,713

U.S. corporate public securities
0

 
75,163

 
205

 
 
 
75,368

U.S. corporate private securities(7)
0

 
29,750

 
694

 
 
 
30,444

Foreign corporate public securities
0

 
28,510

 
44

 
 
 
28,554

Foreign corporate private securities
0

 
18,859

 
279

 
 
 
19,138

Asset-backed securities(8)
0

 
6,178

 
4,048

 
 
 
10,226

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
10,424

 
38

 
 
 
10,462

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
4,923

 
183

 
 
 
5,106

Subtotal
0

 
284,703

 
5,620

 
 
 
290,323

Trading account assets:(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
0

 
288

 
0

 
 
 
288

Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
0

 
189

 
0

 
 
 
189

Foreign government bonds
0

 
697

 
34

 
 
 
731

Corporate securities
0

 
23,125

 
203

 
 
 
23,328

Asset-backed securities(8)
0

 
749

 
596

 
 
 
1,345

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
0

 
1,870

 
3

 
 
 
1,873

Residential mortgage-backed securities
0

 
1,509

 
4

 
 
 
1,513

Equity securities
1,542

 
221

 
589

 
 
 
2,352

All other(3)
630

 
14,173

 
5

 
(11,447
)
 
3,361

Subtotal
2,172

 
42,821

 
1,434

 
(11,447
)
 
34,980

Equity securities, available-for-sale
6,011

 
2,997

 
266

 
 
 
9,274

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
274

 
0

 
 
 
274

Other long-term investments(6)
13

 
130

 
49

 
(10
)
 
182

Short-term investments
6,776

 
711

 
0

 
 
 
7,487

Cash equivalents
4,834

 
9,374

 
0

 
 
 
14,208

Other assets
0

 
9

 
7

 
 
 
16

Subtotal excluding separate account assets
19,806

 
341,019

 
7,376

 
(11,457
)
 
356,744

Separate account assets(4)(6)
43,076

 
214,838

 
1,995

 
 
 
259,909

Total assets
$
62,882

 
$
555,857

 
$
9,371

 
$
(11,457
)
 
$
616,653

Future policy benefits(5)
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
8,434

 
$
 
$
8,434

Other liabilities
1

 
5,306

 
2

 
(5,276
)
 
33

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
0

 
8,597

 
 
 
8,597

Total liabilities
$
1

 
$
5,306

 
$
17,033

 
$
(5,276
)
 
$
17,064

__________
(1)
“Netting” amounts represent cash collateral of $5,771 million and $6,181 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and the impact of offsetting asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty, subject to master netting arrangements.
(2)
Includes “Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities” and “Other trading account assets.”
(3)
Level 1 represents cash equivalents and short term investments. All other amounts primarily represent derivative assets.
(4)
Separate account assets represent segregated funds that are invested for certain customers. Investment risks associated with market value changes are borne by the customers, except to the extent of minimum guarantees made by the Company with respect to certain accounts. Separate account liabilities are not included in the above table as they are reported at contract value and not fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(5)
As of December 31, 2016, the net embedded derivative liability position of $8.2 billion includes $1.2 billion of embedded derivatives in an asset position and $9.4 billion of embedded derivatives in a liability position. As of December 31, 2015, the net embedded derivative liability position of $8.4 billion includes $0.7 billion of embedded derivatives in an asset position and $9.1 billion of embedded derivatives in a liability position.
(6)
Prior period amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation, reflecting the adoption of ASU 2015-07.
(7)
Excludes notes with fair value of $1,456 million and $1,039 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
(8)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.

The methods and assumptions the Company uses to estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
 
Fixed Maturity Securities—The fair values of the Company’s public fixed maturity securities are generally based on prices obtained from independent pricing services. Prices for each security are generally sourced from multiple pricing vendors, and a vendor hierarchy is maintained by asset type based on historical pricing experience and vendor expertise. The Company ultimately uses the price from the pricing service highest in the vendor hierarchy based on the respective asset type. The pricing hierarchy is updated for new financial products and recent pricing experience with various vendors. Consistent with the fair value hierarchy described above, securities with validated quotes from pricing services are generally reflected within Level 2, as they are primarily based on observable pricing for similar assets and/or other market observable inputs. Typical inputs used by these pricing services include but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, and/or estimated cash flow, prepayment speeds and default rates. If the pricing information received from third-party pricing services is deemed not reflective of market activity or other inputs observable in the market, the Company may challenge the price through a formal process with the pricing service or classify the securities as Level 3. If the pricing service updates the price to be more consistent with the presented market observations, the security remains within Level 2.
 
Internally-developed valuations or indicative broker quotes are also used to determine fair value in circumstances where vendor pricing is not available, or where the Company ultimately concludes that pricing information received from the independent pricing services is not reflective of market activity. If the Company concludes the values from both pricing services and brokers are not reflective of market activity, it may override the information with an internally-developed valuation. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, overrides on a net basis were not material. Pricing service overrides, internally-developed valuations and indicative broker quotes are generally included in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The Company conducts several specific price monitoring activities. Daily analyses identify price changes over predetermined thresholds defined at the financial instrument level. Various pricing integrity reports are reviewed on a daily and monthly basis to determine if pricing is reflective of market activity or if it would warrant any adjustments. Other procedures performed include, but are not limited to, reviews of third-party pricing services methodologies, reviews of pricing trends and back testing.
 
The fair value of private fixed maturities, which are comprised of investments in private placement securities, originated by internal private asset managers, are primarily determined using discounted cash flow models. These models primarily use observable inputs that include Treasury or similar base rates plus estimated credit spreads to value each security. The credit spreads are obtained through a survey of private market intermediaries who are active in both primary and secondary transactions, and consider, among other factors, the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer and the reduced liquidity associated with private placements. Since most private placements are valued using standard market observable inputs and inputs derived from, or corroborated by, market observable data including observed prices and spreads for similar publicly-traded or privately-traded issues, they have been reflected within Level 2. For certain private fixed maturities, the discounted cash flow model may incorporate significant unobservable inputs, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset. To the extent management determines that such unobservable inputs are significant to the price of a security, a Level 3 classification is made.
 
Trading Account Assets—Trading account assets consist primarily of fixed maturity securities, equity securities and derivatives whose fair values are determined consistent with similar instruments described above under “Fixed Maturity Securities” and below under “Equity Securities” and “Derivative Instruments.”
 
Equity Securities—Equity securities consist principally of investments in common and preferred stock of publicly-traded companies, perpetual preferred stock, privately-traded securities, as well as mutual fund shares. The fair values of most publicly-traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and are classified within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Estimated fair values for most privately traded equity securities are determined using discounted cash flow, earnings multiple and other valuation models that require a substantial level of judgment around inputs and therefore are classified within Level 3. The fair values of mutual fund shares that transact regularly (but do not trade in active markets because they are not publicly available) are based on transaction prices of identical fund shares and are classified within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of perpetual preferred stock are based on inputs obtained from independent pricing services that are primarily based on indicative broker quotes. As a result, the fair values of perpetual preferred stock are classified as Level 3.
 
Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans—The fair value of loans held and accounted for using the fair value option is determined utilizing pricing indicators from the whole loan market, where investors are committed to purchase these loans at a predetermined price, which is considered the principal exit market for these loans. The Company evaluates the valuation inputs used for these assets, including the existence of predetermined exit prices, the terms of the loans, prevailing interest rates and credit risk, and deems the primary pricing inputs are Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Other Long-Term Investments—Other long-term investments include limited partnerships which are consolidated because the Company is either deemed to exercise control or considered the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. These entities are primarily investment companies and follow specialized industry accounting whereby their assets are carried at fair value. The investments held by these entities include various feeder fund investments in underlying master funds (whose underlying holdings generally include public fixed maturities, equity securities and mutual funds), as well as wholly-owned real estate held within other investment funds. For the unconsolidated fund investments, where the Company has elected the fair value option, the fair value is primarily determined by the fund managers and is measured at NAV as a practical expedient.
 
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance (ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share or Its Equivalent (Topic 820)), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. As a result of the adoption of this new guidance, certain other long-term investments are no longer classified in the fair value hierarchy. The guidance was required to be applied retrospectively, and therefore, prior period amounts have been conformed to the current period presentation. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair values of these investments, which include certain hedge funds, private equity funds and other funds were $1,579 million and $1,413 million, respectively, of which $82 million and $1,331 million had been previously classified in Level 2 and Level 3, respectively, at December 31, 2015.
 
Other Assets—Other assets reflected in Level 3 include reinsurance recoverables which are carried at fair value and relate to the reinsurance of the Company’s living benefit guarantees on certain variable annuity contracts. The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value are consistent with those described in “Future Policy Benefits.”

Derivative Instruments—Derivatives are recorded at fair value either as assets, within “Other trading account assets,” or “Other long-term investments,” or as liabilities, within “Other liabilities,” except for embedded derivatives which are recorded with the associated host contract. The fair values of derivative contracts can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, credit spreads, market volatility, expected returns, NPR, liquidity and other factors. For derivative positions included within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, liquidity valuation adjustments are made to reflect the cost of exiting significant risk positions, and consider the bid-ask spread, maturity, complexity and other specific attributes of the underlying derivative position.
 
The Company’s exchange-traded futures and options include Treasury futures, Eurodollar futures, commodity futures, Eurodollar options and commodity options. Exchange-traded futures and options are valued using quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The majority of the Company’s derivative positions are traded in the OTC derivative market and are classified within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives classified within Level 2 are valued using models that utilize actively quoted or observable market input values from external market data providers, third-party pricing vendors and/or recent trading activity. The Company’s policy is to use mid-market pricing in determining its best estimate of fair value. The fair values of most OTC derivatives, including interest rate and cross-currency swaps, currency forward contracts, commodity swaps, commodity forward contracts, single name credit default swaps, loan commitments held for sale and “to be announced” (“TBA”) forward contracts on highly rated mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities are determined using discounted cash flow models. The fair values of European style option contracts are determined using Black-Scholes option pricing models. These models’ key inputs include the contractual terms of the respective contract, along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, currency rates, credit spreads, equity prices, index dividend yields, NPR, volatility and other factors.
 
The Company’s cleared interest rate swaps and credit derivatives linked to an index are valued using models that utilize actively quoted or observable market inputs, including Overnight Indexed Swap discount rates, obtained from external market data providers, third-party pricing vendors and/or recent trading activity. These derivatives are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The vast majority of the Company’s derivative agreements are with highly rated major international financial institutions. To reflect the market’s perception of its own and the counterparty’s NPR, the Company incorporates additional spreads over London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) into the discount rate used in determining the fair value of OTC derivative assets and liabilities that are not otherwise collateralized.
 
Derivatives classified as Level 3 include look-back equity options and other structured products. These derivatives are valued based upon models, such as Monte Carlo simulation models and other techniques that utilize significant unobservable inputs. Level 3 methodologies are validated through periodic comparison of the Company’s fair values to external broker-dealer values.
 
Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments—Cash equivalents and short-term investments include money market instruments, commercial paper and other highly liquid debt instruments. Certain money market instruments are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible for identical assets and are primarily classified as Level 1. The remaining instruments in this category are generally fair valued based on market observable inputs and these investments have primarily been classified within Level 2.
 
Separate Account Assets—Separate account assets include fixed maturity securities, treasuries, equity securities and mutual funds for which values are determined consistent with similar instruments described above under “Fixed Maturity Securities” and “Equity Securities.”
 
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance (ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share or Its Equivalent (Topic 820)), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. As a result of the adoption of this new guidance, certain separate account assets are no longer classified in the fair value hierarchy. The guidance was required to be applied retrospectively, and therefore, prior period amounts have been conformed to the current period presentation. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair values of Separate Account Assets excluded from the fair value hierarchy, which include investments in real estate and other invested assets, were $25,619 million and $25,661 million, respectively, which had been previously classified in Level 3 at December 31, 2015.
 
Notes issued by Consolidated VIEs—These notes are based on the fair values of corresponding bank loan collateral. Since the notes are valued based on reference collateral, they are classified as Level 3. See Note 5 and “Fair Value Option” below for additional information.
 
Other Liabilities—Other liabilities include certain derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives associated with certain “Policyholders’ account balances.” The fair values are primarily determined consistent with similar derivative instruments described above under “Derivative Instruments.”
 
Future Policy Benefits—The liability for future policy benefits is related to guarantees primarily associated with the living benefit features of certain variable annuity contracts offered by the Company’s Individual Annuities segment, including guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and guaranteed minimum income and withdrawal benefits, accounted for as embedded derivatives. The fair values of these liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefit payments to customers less the present value of future expected rider fees attributable to the embedded derivative feature. This methodology could result in either a liability or contra-liability balance, given changing capital market conditions and various actuarial assumptions. Since there is no observable active market for the transfer of these obligations, the valuations are calculated using internally-developed models with option pricing techniques. The models are based on a risk neutral valuation framework and incorporate premiums for risks inherent in valuation techniques, inputs, and the general uncertainty around the timing and amount of future cash flows. The determination of these risk premiums requires the use of management’s judgment.

The significant inputs to the valuation models for these embedded derivatives include capital market assumptions, such as interest rate levels and volatility assumptions, the Company’s market-perceived NPR, as well as actuarially determined assumptions, including contractholder behavior, such as lapse rates, benefit utilization rates, withdrawal rates, and mortality rates. Since many of these assumptions are unobservable and are considered to be significant inputs to the liability valuation, the liability included in future policy benefits has been reflected within Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Capital market inputs and actual policyholders’ account values are updated each quarter based on capital market conditions as of the end of the quarter, including interest rates, equity markets and volatility. In the risk neutral valuation, the initial swap curve drives the total return used to grow the policyholders’ account values. The Company’s discount rate assumption is based on the LIBOR swap curve adjusted for an additional spread relative to LIBOR to reflect NPR.
 
Actuarial assumptions, including contractholder behavior and mortality, are reviewed at least annually, and updated based upon emerging experience, future expectations and other data, including any observable market data. These assumptions are generally updated annually unless a material change that the Company feels is indicative of a long term trend is observed in an interim period.
 
Transfers between Levels 1 and 2—Transfers between levels are made to reflect changes in observability of inputs and market activity. Transfers into or out of any level are generally reported as the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur for any such assets still held at the end of the quarter. Periodically there are transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for assets held in the Company’s Separate Account. The fair value of foreign common stock held in the Company’s Separate Account may reflect differences in market levels between the close of foreign trading markets and the close of U.S. trading markets for the respective day. Dependent on the existence of such a timing difference, the assets may move between Level 1 and Level 2. During the year ended December 31, 2016, $0.1 billion were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 and $0.0 billion were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1. During the year ended December 31, 2015, $0.2 billion were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 and $0.2 billion were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1.

Level 3 Assets and Liabilities by Price Source—The table below presents the balances of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value with their corresponding pricing sources.
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Internal(1)
 
External(2)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
$
5

 
$
0

 
$
5

Foreign government bonds
0

 
351

 
351

Corporate securities(3)
1,848

 
513

 
2,361

Asset-backed securities(4)
148

 
4,525

 
4,673

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
14

 
1

 
15

Residential mortgage-backed securities
18

 
181

 
199

Equity securities
143

 
609

 
752

Other long-term investments
6

 
1

 
7

Short-term investments
1

 
0

 
1

Other assets
1

 
0

 
1

Subtotal excluding separate account assets
2,184

 
6,181

 
8,365

Separate account assets
1,179

 
670

 
1,849

Total assets
$
3,363

 
$
6,851

 
$
10,214

Future policy benefits
$
8,238

 
$
0

 
$
8,238

Other liabilities
22

 
0

 
22

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
1,839

 
1,839

Total liabilities
$
8,260

 
$
1,839

 
$
10,099

 
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Internal(1)
 
External(2)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
$
6

 
$
0

 
$
6

Foreign government bonds
0

 
157

 
157

Corporate securities(3)
1,085

 
340

 
1,425

Asset-backed securities(4)
149

 
4,495

 
4,644

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
5

 
36

 
41

Residential mortgage-backed securities
37

 
150

 
187

Equity securities
63

 
792

 
855

Other long-term investments(5)
39

 
10

 
49

Other assets
12

 
0

 
12

Subtotal excluding separate account assets
1,396

 
5,980

 
7,376

Separate account assets(5)
1,024

 
971

 
1,995

Total assets
$
2,420

 
$
6,951

 
$
9,371

Future policy benefits
$
8,434

 
$
0

 
$
8,434

Other liabilities
2

 
0

 
2

Notes issued by consolidated VIEs
0

 
8,597

 
8,597

Total liabilities
$
8,436

 
$
8,597

 
$
17,033

__________
(1)
Represents valuations reflecting both internally-derived and market inputs, as well as third-party pricing information or quotes. See below for additional information related to internally-developed valuation for significant items in the above table.
(2)
Represents unadjusted prices from independent pricing services and independent indicative broker quotes where pricing inputs are not readily available.
(3)
Includes assets classified as fixed maturities available-for-sale, trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities and other trading account assets.
(4)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.
(5)
Prior period amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation, reflecting the adoption of ASU 2015-07.
 
Quantitative Information Regarding Internally-Priced Level 3 Assets and Liabilities—The tables below present quantitative information on significant internally-priced Level 3 assets and liabilities (see narrative below for quantitative information for separate account assets).
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
Techniques
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Weighted
Average
 
Impact of
Increase in
Input on
Fair
Value(1)
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate securities(2)
 
$
1,848

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
0.70%

20%
 
7.12
%
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
Market comparables
 
EBITDA multiples(3)
 
4.0X

4.0X
 
4.0X
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
Liquidation
 
Liquidation value
 
15.19%

98.68%
 
91.72
%
 
Increase
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits(4)
 
$
8,238

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Lapse rate(5)
 
0%

13%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
NPR spread(6)
 
0.25%

1.50%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilization rate(7)
 
52%

96%
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal rate
 
See table footnote (8) below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortality rate(9)
 
0%

14%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity volatility curve
 
16%

25%
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
Techniques
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Weighted
Average
 
Impact of
Increase in
Input on
Fair
Value(1)
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate securities(2)
 
$
1,085

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
0.93%

25%
 
7.66%
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
Market comparables
 
EBITDA multiples(3)
 
1.4X

5.0X
 
3.7X
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
Liquidation
 
Liquidation value
 
15.79%

29.33%
 
17.77%
 
Increase
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future policy benefits(4)
 
$
8,434

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Lapse rate(5)
 
0%

14%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
NPR spread(6)
 
0.06%

1.76%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilization rate(7)
 
56%

96%
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
Withdrawal rate(8)
 
74%

100%
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortality rate(9)
 
0%

14%
 
 
 
Decrease
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity volatility curve
 
17%

28%
 
 
 
Increase
__________
(1)
Conversely, the impact of a decrease in input would have the opposite impact for the fair value as that presented in the table.
(2)
Includes assets classified as fixed maturities available-for-sale, trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities and other trading account assets.
(3)
Represents multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and are amounts used when the reporting entity has determined that market participants would use such multiples when pricing the investments.
(4)
Future policy benefits primarily represent general account liabilities for the living benefit features of the Company’s variable annuity contracts which are accounted for as embedded derivatives. Since the valuation methodology for these liabilities uses a range of inputs that vary at the contract level over the cash flow projection period, presenting a range, rather than weighted average, is a more meaningful representation of the unobservable inputs used in the valuation.
(5)
Lapse rates are adjusted at the contract level based on the in-the-moneyness of the living benefit and reflect other factors, such as the applicability of any surrender charges. Lapse rates are reduced when contracts are more in-the-money. Lapse rates are also generally assumed to be lower for the period where surrender charges apply.
(6)
To reflect NPR, the Company incorporates an additional spread over LIBOR into the discount rate used in the valuation of individual living benefit contracts in a liability position and generally not to those in a contra-liability position. The NPR spread reflects the financial strength ratings of the Company, as these are insurance liabilities and senior to debt. The additional spread over LIBOR is determined by utilizing the credit spreads associated with issuing funding agreements, adjusted for any illiquidity risk premium.
(7)
The utilization rate assumption estimates the percentage of contracts that will utilize the benefit during the contract duration, and begin lifetime withdrawals at various time intervals from contract inception. The remaining contractholders are assumed to either begin lifetime withdrawals immediately or never utilize the benefit. Utilization assumptions may vary by product type, tax status, and age. The impact of changes in these assumptions is highly dependent on the product type, the age of the contractholder at the time of the sale, and the timing of the first lifetime income withdrawal. Range reflects the utilization rate for the vast majority of business with living benefits.
(8)
The withdrawal rate assumption estimates the magnitude of annual contractholder withdrawals relative to the maximum allowable amount under the contract. These assumptions vary based on the age of the contractholder, the tax status of the contract and the duration since the contractholder began lifetime withdrawals. As of December 31, 2016, the minimum withdrawal rate assumption is 78% and the maximum withdrawal rate assumption may be greater than 100%. The fair value of the liability will generally increase the closer the withdrawal rate is to 100% and decrease as the withdrawal rate moves further away from 100%.
(9)
Range reflects the mortality rate for the vast majority of business with living benefits, with policyholders ranging from 35 to 90 years old. While the majority of living benefits have a minimum age requirement, certain benefits do not have an age restriction. This results in contractholders for certain benefits with mortality rates approaching 0%. Based on historical experience, the Company applies a set of age and duration specific mortality rate adjustments compared to standard industry tables. A mortality improvement assumption is also incorporated into the overall mortality table.

Interrelationships Between Unobservable InputsIn addition to the sensitivities of fair value measurements to changes in each unobservable input in isolation, as reflected in the table above, interrelationships between these inputs may also exist, such that a change in one unobservable input may give rise to a change in another or multiple inputs. Examples of such interrelationships for significant internally-priced Level 3 assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
Corporate Securities—The rate used to discount future cash flows reflects current risk-free rates plus credit and liquidity spread requirements that market participants would use to value an asset. The discount rate may be influenced by many factors, including market cycles, expectations of default, collateral, term, and asset complexity. Each of these factors can influence discount rates, either in isolation, or in response to other factors.
 
Future Policy Benefits—The Company expects efficient benefit utilization and withdrawal rates to generally be correlated with lapse rates. However, behavior is generally highly dependent on the facts and circumstances surrounding the individual contractholder, such as their liquidity needs or tax situation, which could drive lapse behavior independent of other contractholder behavior assumptions. To the extent more efficient contractholder behavior results in greater in-the-moneyness at the contract level, lapse rates may decline for those contracts. Similarly, to the extent that increases in equity volatility are correlated with overall declines in the capital markets, lapse rates may decline as contracts become more in-the-money.
 
Separate Account Assets—In addition to the significant internally-priced Level 3 assets and liabilities presented and described above, the Company also has internally-priced separate account assets reported within Level 3. Changes in the fair value of separate account assets are borne by customers and thus are offset by changes in separate account liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As a result, changes in value associated with these investments are not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Quantitative information about significant internally-priced Level 3 separate account assets is as follows:
  
Commercial Mortgage Loans—Separate account assets include $971 million and $960 million of commercial mortgage loans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that are classified as Level 3 and reported at fair value. Commercial mortgage loans are primarily valued internally using discounted cash flow techniques, as described further under “—Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” The primary unobservable input used is the spread to discount cash flows, which ranged from 1.19% to 2.90% (1.37% weighted average) as of December 31, 2016, and 1.49% to 4.81% (1.79% weighted average) as of December 31, 2015. In isolation, an increase (decrease) in the value of this input would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement.
 
Valuation Process for Fair Value Measurements Categorized within Level 3The Company has established an internal control infrastructure over the valuation of financial instruments that requires ongoing oversight by its various business groups. These management control functions are segregated from the trading and investing functions. For invested assets, the Company has established oversight teams, often in the form of pricing committees within each asset management group. The teams, which typically include representation from investment, accounting, operations, legal and other disciplines are responsible for overseeing and monitoring the pricing of the Company’s investments and performing periodic due diligence reviews of independent pricing services. An actuarial valuation team oversees the valuation of living benefit features of the Company’s variable annuity contracts.
 
The Company has also established policies and guidelines that require the establishment of valuation methodologies and consistent application of such methodologies. These policies and guidelines govern the use of inputs and price source hierarchies and provide controls around the valuation processes. These controls include appropriate review and analysis of investment prices against market activity or indicators of reasonableness, analysis of portfolio returns to corresponding benchmark returns, back-testing, review of bid-ask spreads to assess activity, approval of price source changes, price overrides, methodology changes and classification of fair value hierarchy levels. For living benefit features of the Company’s variable annuity products, the actuarial valuation unit periodically tests contract input data and actuarial assumptions are reviewed at least annually, and updated based upon emerging experience, future expectations and other data, including any observable market data. The valuation policies and guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate.
 
Within the trading and investing functions, the Company has established policies and procedures that relate to the approval of all new transaction types, transaction pricing sources and fair value hierarchy coding within the financial reporting system. For variable annuity product changes or new launches of living benefit features, the actuarial valuation unit validates input logic and new product features and agrees new input data directly to source documents.
 
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities––The following tables provide summaries of the changes in fair values of Level 3 assets and liabilities as of the dates indicated, as well as the portion of gains or losses included in income attributable to unrealized gains or losses related to those assets and liabilities still held at the end of their respective periods.
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Fixed Maturities Available-For-Sale
 
U.S.
States
 
Foreign
Government
 
U.S. Corporate Public Securities
 
U.S. Corporate Private Securities
 
Foreign Corporate Public Securities
 
Foreign Corporate Private Securities
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
6

 
$
123

 
$
205

 
$
694

 
$
44

 
$
279

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
0

 
0

 
0

 
(129
)
 
0

 
(2
)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
0

 
(3
)
 
17

 
64

 
4

 
(9
)
Net investment income
0

 
0

 
1

 
9

 
0

 
1

Purchases
0

 
0

 
24

 
144

 
44

 
106

Sales
0

 
0

 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
(11
)
Issuances
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Settlements
(1
)
 
0

 
(3
)
 
(88
)
 
(4
)
 
(228
)
Foreign currency translation
0

 
3

 
2

 
1

 
3

 
(1
)
Other(1)
0

 
0

 
(13
)
 
0

 
13

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
0

 
1

 
73

 
775

 
88

 
550

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
0

 
0

 
(44
)
 
(111
)
 
(120
)
 
(198
)
Fair Value, end of period
$
5

 
$
124

 
$
261

 
$
1,354

 
$
71

 
$
487

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
(109
)
 
$
0

 
$
(1
)

 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Fixed Maturities Available-For-Sale
 
Asset-
Backed(7)
 
Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Residential
Mortgage-
Backed
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
4,048

 
$
38

 
$
183

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
9

 
1

 
0

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
(15
)
 
(7
)
 
(1
)
Net investment income
13

 
1

 
(1
)
Purchases
3,342

 
155

 
85

Sales
(377
)
 
(34
)
 
(33
)
Issuances
0

 
0

 
0

Settlements
(643
)
 
(3
)
 
(54
)
Foreign currency translation
17

 
0

 
18

Other(1)
159

 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
1,768

 
19

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
(3,977
)
 
(156
)
 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
4,344

 
$
14

 
$
197

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0


 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Trading Account Assets
 
Foreign
Government
 
Corporate
 
Asset-
Backed(7)
 
Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Residential
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Equity
 
All
Other
Activity
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
34

 
$
203

 
$
596

 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
589

 
$
5

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other income
(5
)
 
(9
)
 
(10
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
8

 
1

Net investment income
1

 
2

 
2

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Purchases
201

 
11

 
185

 
0

 
0

 
20

 
0

Sales
0

 
(3
)
 
(49
)
 
0

 
0

 
(65
)
 
0

Issuances
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Settlements
(4
)
 
(41
)
 
(120
)
 
0

 
(2
)
 
(108
)
 
0

Foreign currency translation
0

 
0

 
(2
)
 
0

 
0

 
31

 
0

Other(1)
0

 
(15
)
 
141

 
(1
)
 
1

 
14

 
(5
)
Transfers into Level 3(2)
0

 
151

 
252

 
0

 
0

 
28

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
0

 
(111
)
 
(666
)
 
0

 
0

 
(30
)
 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
227

 
$
188

 
$
329

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
487

 
$
1

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Other income
$
(5
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
3

 
$
1

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Equity
Securities
Available-
For-Sale
 
Other
Long-term
Investments
 
Short-term
Investments
 
Other
Assets
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
266

 
$
49

 
$
0

 
$
7

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
52

 
(1
)
 
0

 
(30
)
Other income
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
(75
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Net investment income
0

 
(1
)
 
0

 
0

Purchases
99

 
1

 
1

 
23

Sales
(79
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Issuances
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Settlements
(13
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Foreign currency translation
13

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other(1)
0

 
(33
)
 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
9

 
0

 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
0

 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
265

 
$
7

 
$
1

 
$
0

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
(1
)
 
$
0

 
$
(30
)
Other income
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0


 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Separate
Account
Assets(4)
 
Future
Policy
Benefits
 
Other
Liabilities
 
Notes Issued
by Consolidated
VIEs
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
1,995

 
$
(8,434
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(8,597
)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
1

 
1,252

 
(8
)
 
(23
)
Other income
0

 
0

 
0

 
(14
)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
22

 
0

 
0

 
0

Net investment income
17

 
0

 
0

 
0

Purchases
555

 
0

 
0

 
0

Sales
(141
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Issuances
0

 
(1,056
)
 
0

 
(2,187
)
Settlements
(485
)
 
0

 
(6
)
 
697

Foreign currency translation
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other(1)
0

 
0

 
(6
)
 
8,285

Transfers into Level 3(2)
344

 
0

 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
(459
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
1,849

 
$
(8,238
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
(1,839
)
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets/liabilities still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
1,046

 
$
(9
)
 
$
(23
)
Other income
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
(14
)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
$
3

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Fixed Maturities Available-For-Sale
 
U.S.
States
 
Foreign
Government
 
U.S. Corporate Public Securities
 
U.S. Corporate Private Securities
 
Foreign Corporate Public Securities
 
Foreign Corporate Private Securities
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
6

 
$
2

 
$
357

 
$
523

 
$
252

 
$
171

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
0

 
0

 
0

 
(14
)
 
0

 
(81
)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
0

 
(3
)
 
1

 
(27
)
 
6

 
27

Net investment income(6)
0

 
0

 
1

 
12

 
0

 
4

Purchases
15

 
20

 
33

 
182

 
33

 
108

Sales
(1
)
 
0

 
(1
)
 
(43
)
 
(51
)
 
0

Issuances
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Settlements(6)
0

 
0

 
(26
)
 
(110
)
 
(32
)
 
(90
)
Foreign currency translation
0

 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
0

 
(5
)
 
0

Other(1)
0

 
0

 
0

 
(3
)
 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
0

 
129

 
23

 
209

 
0

 
140

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
(14
)
 
(21
)
 
(180
)
 
(35
)
 
(159
)
 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
6

 
$
123

 
$
205

 
$
694

 
$
44

 
$
279

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
(19
)
 
$
0

 
$
(68
)

 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Fixed Maturities Available-For-Sale
 
Asset-
Backed(7)
 
Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Residential
Mortgage-
Backed
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
4,059

 
$
43

 
$
253

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
40

 
1

 
0

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
(37
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Net investment income
21

 
0

 
(1
)
Purchases
1,234

 
44

 
0

Sales
(563
)
 
0

 
(7
)
Issuances
(4
)
 
0

 
0

Settlements
(308
)
 
(6
)
 
(52
)
Foreign currency translation
(13
)
 
0

 
(8
)
Other(1)
3

 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
2,555

 
2

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
(2,939
)
 
(45
)
 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
4,048

 
$
38

 
$
183

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
4

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Trading Account Assets
 
Foreign
Government
 
Corporate
 
Asset-
Backed(7)
 
Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Residential
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Equity
 
All
Other
Activity
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
21

 
$
124

 
$
393

 
$
5

 
$
7

 
$
663

 
$
7

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Other income
0

 
(28
)
 
(7
)
 
0

 
0

 
(15
)
 
(1
)
Net investment income
0

 
1

 
1

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Purchases
16

 
124

 
325

 
27

 
0

 
28

 
0

Sales
0

 
(15
)
 
(16
)
 
(3
)
 
0

 
(26
)
 
(1
)
Issuances
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Settlements
(3
)
 
(39
)
 
(11
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(40
)
 
0

Foreign currency translation
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(13
)
 
0

Other(1)
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

 
(8
)
 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
0

 
77

 
272

 
1

 
0

 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
0

 
(41
)
 
(361
)
 
(25
)
 
(1
)
 
0

 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
34

 
$
203

 
$
596

 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
589

 
$
5

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Other income
$
0

 
$
9

 
$
(7
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
6

 
$
(1
)
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Equity
Securities
Available-
For-Sale
 
Other
Long-term
Investments(5)
 
Other
Assets
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
275

 
$
13

 
$
2

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
15

 
21

 
0

Other income
0

 
0

 
0

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
1

 
0

 
0

Net investment income
0

 
(1
)
 
0

Purchases
31

 
19

 
0

Sales
(48
)
 
(2
)
 
0

Issuances
0

 
0

 
5

Settlements
(3
)
 
0

 
0

Foreign currency translation
(7
)
 
0

 
0

Other(1)
0

 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
2

 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
0

 
(1
)
 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
266

 
$
49

 
$
7

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
(3
)
 
$
19

 
$
2

Other income
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0


 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Separate
Account
Assets(4)(5)
 
Future
Policy
Benefits
 
Other
Liabilities
 
Notes
Issued by
Consolidated
VIEs
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
$
1,738

 
$
(8,182
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(6,033
)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
0

 
717

 
1

 
287

Other income
0

 
0

 
0

 
146

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
(38
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Net investment income
24

 
0

 
0

 
0

Purchases
1,060

 
0

 
0

 
0

Sales
(175
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Issuances
0

 
(969
)
 
0

 
(2,997
)
Settlements
(140
)
 
0

 
2

 
0

Foreign currency translation
(5
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Other(1)
0

 
0

 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
51

 
0

 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
(520
)
 
0

 
0

 
0

Fair Value, end of period
$
1,995

 
$
(8,434
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(8,597
)
Unrealized gains (losses) for assets/liabilities still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
485

 
$
1

 
$
287

Other income
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
146

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
$
318

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
The following tables summarize the portion of changes in fair values of Level 3 assets and liabilities included in earnings and other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as the portion of gains or losses included in income attributable to unrealized gains or losses related to those assets and liabilities still held as of December 31, 2014.

 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Fixed Maturities Available-For-Sale
 
U.S. Corporate Public Securities
 
U.S. Corporate Private Securities
 
Foreign Corporate Public Securities
 
Foreign Corporate Private Securities
 
Asset-
Backed(7)
 
Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
 
(in millions)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
9

 
$
(8
)
 
$
19

 
$
17

 
$
4

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
$
11

 
$
2

 
$
52

 
$
(20
)
 
$
24

 
$
(1
)
Net investment income
$
(1
)
 
$
8

 
$
1

 
$
(18
)
 
$
17

 
$
0

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
(20
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
2

 
$
0


 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Trading Account Assets
 
Corporate
 
Asset-
Backed(7)
 
Residential
Mortgage-
Backed
 
Equity
 
All
Other
Activity
 
(in millions)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
1

 
$
0

Other income
$
(7
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
13

 
$
1

Net investment income
$
0

 
$
1

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
1

 
$
0

Other income
$
6

 
$
0

 
$
1

 
$
16

 
$
1

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Equity
Securities
Available-
For-Sale
 
Other
Long-term
Investments(5)
 
(in millions)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
8

 
$
(1
)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
$
9

 
$
0

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets/liabilities still held(3):
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
(2
)
 
$
(1
)

 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Separate
Account
Assets(4)(5)
 
Future
Policy
Benefits
 
Other
Liabilities
 
Notes
Issued by
Consolidated
VIEs
 
(in millions)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
(6,831
)
 
$
2

 
$
201

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
$
(11
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Net investment income
$
24

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Unrealized gains (losses) for assets/liabilities still held(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
$
0

 
$
(6,853
)
 
$
2

 
$
201

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances
$
(8
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

__________
(1)
Other as of December 31, 2016 primarily represents deconsolidations of certain previously consolidated collateralized loan obligations. Other as of December 31, 2015 primarily represents reclassifications of certain assets between reporting categories.
(2)
Transfers into or out of Level 3 are generally reported as the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur for any such assets still held at the end of the quarter.
(3)
Unrealized gains or losses related to assets still held at the end of the period do not include amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts.
(4)
Separate account assets represent segregated funds that are invested for certain customers. Investment risks associated with market value changes are borne by the customers, except to the extent of minimum guarantees made by the Company with respect to certain accounts. Separate account liabilities are not included in the above table as they are reported at contract value and not fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(5)
Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, including the adoption of ASU 2015-07.
(6)
Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2015, have been revised to correct the previously reported amounts.
(7)
Includes credit-tranched securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, education loans and other asset types.

Transfers—Transfers into Level 3 are generally the result of unobservable inputs utilized within valuation methodologies and the use of indicative broker quotes for assets that were previously valued using observable inputs. Transfers out of Level 3 are generally due to the use of observable inputs in valuation methodologies as well as the availability of pricing service information for certain assets that the Company is able to validate.
Derivative Fair Value Information
 
The following tables present the balance of derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the date indicated, by primary underlying. These tables include NPR and exclude embedded derivatives and associated reinsurance recoverables. The derivative assets and liabilities shown below are included in “Trading account assets-All Other Activity,” “Other long-term investments” or “Other liabilities” in the tables presented above, under the headings “Assets and Liabilities by Hierarchy Level” and “Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities.”
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
 
$
55

 
$
9,269

 
$
6

 
 
 
$
9,330

Currency
 
0

 
375

 
0

 
 
 
375

Credit
 
0

 
1

 
0

 
 
 
1

Currency/Interest Rate
 
0

 
3,174

 
0

 
 
 
3,174

Equity
 
0

 
203

 
0

 
 
 
203

Commodity
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(11,716
)
 
(11,716
)
Total derivative assets
 
$
55

 
$
13,022

 
$
6

 
$
(11,716
)
 
$
1,367

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
 
$
1

 
$
4,515

 
$
2

 
 
 
$
4,518

Currency
 
0

 
893

 
0

 
 
 
893

Credit
 
0

 
25

 
0

 
 
 
25

Currency/Interest Rate
 
0

 
365

 
0

 
 
 
365

Equity
 
6

 
483

 
0

 
 
 
489

Commodity
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5,945
)
 
(5,945
)
Total derivative liabilities
 
$
7

 
$
6,281

 
$
2

 
$
(5,945
)
 
$
345

 
 
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(1)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
 
$
11

 
$
10,561

 
$
7

 
 
 
$
10,579

Currency
 
0

 
318

 
0

 
 
 
318

Credit
 
0

 
3

 
0

 
 
 
3

Currency/Interest Rate
 
0

 
2,995

 
0

 
 
 
2,995

Equity
 
4

 
254

 
32

 
 
 
290

Commodity
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(11,457
)
 
(11,457
)
Total derivative assets
 
$
15

 
$
14,131

 
$
39

 
$
(11,457
)
 
$
2,728

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate
 
$
3

 
$
4,573

 
$
2

 
 
 
$
4,578

Currency
 
0

 
114

 
0

 
 
 
114

Credit
 
0

 
53

 
0

 
 
 
53

Currency/Interest Rate
 
0

 
244

 
0

 
 
 
244

Equity
 
0

 
327

 
0

 
 
 
327

Commodity
 
0

 
0

 
0

 
 
 
0

Netting(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5,276
)
 
(5,276
)
Total derivative liabilities
 
$
3

 
$
5,311

 
$
2

 
$
(5,276
)
 
$
40

 __________
(1)
“Netting” amounts represent cash collateral and the impact of offsetting asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty.
 
Changes in Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities—The following tables provide a summary of the changes in fair value of Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2016, as well as the portion of gains or losses included in income for the year ended December 31, 2016, attributable to unrealized gains or losses related to those assets and liabilities still held at December 31, 2016.
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
Derivative
Assets–
Equity
 
Derivative
Assets–
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
 
$
32

 
$
5

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
0

 
(1
)
Other income
 
0

 
0

Purchases
 
0

 
0

Sales
 
0

 
0

Issuances
 
0

 
0

Settlements
 
0

 
0

Other(1)
 
(32
)
 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
 
0

 
0

Fair Value, end of period
 
$
0

 
$
4

Unrealized gains (losses) for the period relating to those Level 3 assets that were still held at the end of the period:
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
$
0

 
$
0

Other income
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
Derivative
Assets–
Equity
 
Derivative
Assets–
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Fair Value, beginning of period
 
$
6

 
$
3

Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
20

 
2

Other income
 
0

 
0

Purchases
 
9

 
0

Sales
 
(2
)
 
0

Issuances
 
0

 
0

Settlements
 
0

 
0

Other
 
0

 
0

Transfers into Level 3(2)
 
0

 
0

Transfers out of Level 3(2)
 
(1
)
 
0

Fair Value, end of period
 
$
32

 
$
5

Unrealized gains (losses) for the period relating to those Level 3 assets that were still held at the end of the period:
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
$
20

 
$
2

Other income
 
$
0

 
$
0

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Derivative
Assets–
Equity
 
Derivative
Assets–
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
$
1

 
$
0

Other income
 
$
0

 
$
0

Unrealized gains (losses) for the period relating to those Level 3 assets that were still held at the end of the period:
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
$
1

 
$
0

Other income
 
$
0

 
$
0

__________
(1)
Primarily related to private warrants reclassified from derivatives to trading securities.
(2)
Transfers into or out of Level 3 are generally reported as the value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurs.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements—The following table represents information for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The estimated fair values were classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy.

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans(1):
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying value as of period end
$
47

 
$
0

 
$
0

Realized investment gains (losses) net
$
(5
)
 
$
0

 
$
0

Mortgage servicing rights(2):
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying value as of period end
$
84

 
$
90

 
$
89

Realized investment gains (losses) net
$
(1
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
7

Cost method investments(3):
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying value as of period end
$
284

 
$
239

 
$
102

Realized investment gains (losses) net
$
(85
)
 
$
(123
)
 
$
(21
)
__________
(1)
Commercial mortgage loans are valued based on discounted cash flows utilizing market rates or the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral.
(2)
Mortgage servicing rights are revalued based on internal models which utilize inputs. The fair value for mortgage servicing rights is determined using a discounted cash flow model incorporating assumptions for servicing revenues, adjusted for expected prepayments, delinquency rates, escrow deposit income and estimated loan servicing expenses.
(3)
For cost method impairments, the methodologies utilized are primarily discounted cash flow and, where appropriate, valuations provided by the general partners taking into consideration investment-related expenses.
Fair Value Option
 
The fair value option provides the Company an option to elect fair value as an alternative measurement for selected financial assets and financial liabilities not otherwise reported at fair value. Such elections have been made by the Company to help mitigate volatility in earnings that results from different measurement attributes. Electing the fair value option also allows the Company to achieve consistent accounting for certain assets and liabilities.
 
The following table presents information regarding changes in fair values recorded in earnings for commercial mortgage and other loans, other long-term investments and notes issued by consolidated VIEs, where the fair value option has been elected.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in instrument-specific credit risk
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
0

Other changes in fair value
0

 
0

 
0

Other long-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in fair value
58

 
2

 
54

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Notes issued by consolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in fair value
$
37

 
$
(434
)
 
$
(201
)

 
Changes in fair value are reflected in “Realized investment gains (losses), net” for commercial mortgage and other loans and “Other income” for other long-term investments and notes issued by consolidated VIEs. Changes in fair value due to instrument-specific credit risk are estimated based on changes in credit spreads and quality ratings for the period reported.
 
Interest income on commercial mortgage and other loans is included in net investment income. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded $10 million, $11 million and $11 million of interest income, respectively, on fair value option loans. Interest income on these loans is recorded based on the effective interest rates as determined at the closing of the loan.
 
The fair values and aggregate contractual principal amounts of commercial mortgage and other loans, for which the fair value option has been elected, were $519 million and $508 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016, and $274 million and $270 million, respectively, as December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2016, for loans for which the fair value option has been elected, there were no loans in non-accrual status and none of the loans are more than 90 days past due and still accruing.
 
The fair value of other long-term investments was $1,556 million and $1,322 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
The fair values and aggregate contractual principal amounts of limited recourse notes issued by consolidated VIEs, for which the fair value option has been elected at issuance, were $1,839 million and $1,886 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016, and $8,597 million and $9,186 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. Interest expense recorded for these liabilities was $120 million, $351 million and $200 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The table below presents the carrying amount and fair value by fair value hierarchy level of certain financial instruments that are not reported at fair value. The financial instruments presented below are reported at carrying value on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position; however, in some cases, as described below, the carrying amount equals or approximates fair value.
 
 
December 31, 2016(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount(2)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(3)
$
0

 
$
1,526

 
$
998

 
$
2,524

 
$
2,144

Trading account assets
0

 
150

 
0

 
150

 
150

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
139

 
53,625

 
53,764

 
52,260

Policy loans
1

 
0

 
11,754

 
11,755

 
11,755

Short-term investments
0

 
326

 
0

 
326

 
326

Cash and cash equivalents
4,945

 
876

 
0

 
5,821

 
5,821

Accrued investment income
0

 
3,204

 
0

 
3,204

 
3,204

Other assets
54

 
1,976

 
658

 
2,688

 
2,688

Total assets
$
5,000

 
$
8,197

 
$
67,035

 
$
80,232

 
$
78,348

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholders’ account balances—investment contracts
$
0

 
$
41,653

 
$
58,392

 
$
100,045

 
$
99,719

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
0

 
7,606

 
0

 
7,606

 
7,606

Cash collateral for loaned securities
0

 
4,333

 
0

 
4,333

 
4,333

Short-term debt
0

 
1,077

 
73

 
1,150

 
1,133

Long-term debt(4)
1,267

 
15,705

 
2,957

 
19,929

 
18,041

Other liabilities
0

 
6,540

 
696

 
7,236

 
7,236

Separate account liabilities—investment contracts
0

 
71,010

 
27,578

 
98,588

 
98,588

Total liabilities
$
1,267

 
$
147,924

 
$
89,696

 
$
238,887

 
$
236,656


 
December 31, 2015(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount(2)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity(3)
$
0

 
$
1,543

 
$
1,081

 
$
2,624

 
$
2,308

Commercial mortgage and other loans
0

 
533

 
51,046

 
51,579

 
50,285

Policy loans
0

 
0

 
11,657

 
11,657

 
11,657

Short-term investments
0

 
617

 
1

 
618

 
618

Cash and cash equivalents
2,832

 
572

 
0

 
3,404

 
3,404

Accrued investment income
0

 
3,110

 
0

 
3,110

 
3,110

Other assets
136

 
2,334

 
652

 
3,122

 
3,122

Total assets
$
2,968

 
$
8,709

 
$
64,437

 
$
76,114

 
$
74,504

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Policyholders’ account balances—investment contracts
$
0

 
$
39,314

 
$
54,957

 
$
94,271

 
$
93,937

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
0

 
7,882

 
0

 
7,882

 
7,882

Cash collateral for loaned securities
0

 
3,496

 
0

 
3,496

 
3,496

Short-term debt
0

 
1,221

 
0

 
1,221

 
1,216

Long-term debt(4)(5)
1,328

 
16,540

 
3,433

 
21,301

 
19,594

Other liabilities
0

 
5,344

 
695

 
6,039

 
6,039

Separate account liabilities—investment contracts
0

 
69,978

 
32,267

 
102,245

 
102,245

Total liabilities
$
1,328

 
$
143,775

 
$
91,352

 
$
236,455

 
$
234,409

__________
(1)
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance (ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share or Its Equivalent (Topic 820)), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. As a result of the adoption of this new guidance, certain other long-term investments are no longer classified in the fair value hierarchy. The guidance was required to be applied retrospectively, and therefore, prior period amounts have been conformed to the current period presentation. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair values of these cost method investments were $1,514 million and $1,653 million, respectively, which had been previously classified in level 3 at December 31, 2015. The carrying value of these investments were $1,478 million and $1,563 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(2)
Carrying values presented herein differ from those in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position because certain items within the respective financial statement captions are not considered financial instruments or out of scope under authoritative guidance relating to disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments. Financial statement captions excluded from the above table are not considered financial instruments.
(3)
As of December 31, 2016, excludes notes with both fair value and carrying amount of $4,403 million. As of December 31, 2015, excludes notes with fair value and carrying amount of $4,081 million and $3,850 million, respectively. These amounts have been offset with the associated payables under a netting agreement.
(4)
As of December 31, 2016, includes notes with both fair value and carrying amount of $5,859 million. As of December 31, 2015, includes notes with fair value and carrying amount of $5,120 million and $4,889 million, respectively. These amounts have been offset with the associated receivables under a netting agreement.
(5)
Prior period amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation, reflecting the adoption of ASU 2015-03.

The fair values presented above have been determined by using available market information and by applying market valuation methodologies, as described in more detail below.
 
Fixed Maturities, Held-to-Maturity
 
The fair values of public fixed maturity securities are generally based on prices from third-party pricing services, which are reviewed for reasonableness; however, for certain public fixed maturity securities and investments in private placement fixed maturity securities, this information is either not available or not reliable. For these public fixed maturity securities, the fair value is based on indicative broker quotes, if available, or determined using a discounted cash flow model or other internally-developed models. For private fixed maturities, fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow model. In determining the fair value of certain fixed maturity securities, the discounted cash flow model may also use unobservable inputs, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the security.
 
Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans
 
The fair value of most commercial mortgage loans is based upon the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the appropriate U.S. Treasury rate or foreign government bond rate (for non-U.S. dollar-denominated loans) plus an appropriate credit spread for loans of similar quality, average life and currency. The quality ratings for these loans, a primary determinant of the credit spreads and a significant component of the pricing process, are based on an internally-developed methodology. Certain commercial mortgage loans are valued incorporating other factors, including the terms of the loans, the principal exit strategies for the loans, prevailing interest rates and credit risk.
 
Policy Loans
 
The Company’s valuation technique for policy loans is to discount cash flows at the current policy loan coupon rate. Policy loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of underlying insurance policies. As a result, the carrying value of the policy loans approximates the fair value.
 
Short-Term Investments, Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Investment Income and Other Assets
 
The Company believes that due to the short-term nature of certain assets, the carrying value approximates fair value. These assets include: certain short-term investments which are not securities, are recorded at amortized cost and include quality loans; cash and cash equivalent instruments; accrued investment income; and other assets that meet the definition of financial instruments, including receivables, such as reinsurance recoverables, unsettled trades, accounts receivable and restricted cash.
 
Policyholders’ Account Balances—Investment Contracts
 
Only the portion of policyholders’ account balances related to products that are investment contracts (those without significant mortality or morbidity risk) are reflected in the table above. For fixed deferred annuities, single premium endowments, payout annuities and other similar contracts without life contingencies, fair values are generally derived using discounted projected cash flows based on interest rates that are representative of the Company’s financial strength ratings, and hence reflect the Company’s own NPR. For guaranteed investment contracts, funding agreements, structured settlements without life contingencies and other similar products, fair values are generally derived using discounted projected cash flows based on interest rates being offered for similar contracts with maturities consistent with those of the contracts being valued. For those balances that can be withdrawn by the customer at any time without prior notice or penalty, the fair value is the amount estimated to be payable to the customer as of the reporting date, which is generally the carrying value. For defined contribution and defined benefit contracts and certain other products, the fair value is the market value of the assets supporting the liabilities.
 
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
 
The Company receives collateral for selling securities under agreements to repurchase, or pledges collateral under agreements to resell. Repurchase and resale agreements are also generally short-term in nature and, therefore, the carrying amounts of these instruments approximate fair value.

Cash Collateral for Loaned Securities
 
Cash collateral for loaned securities represents the collateral received or paid in connection with loaning or borrowing securities, similar to the securities sold under agreement to repurchase above. Due to the short-term nature of these transactions, the carrying value approximates fair value.
 
Debt
 
The fair value of short-term and long-term debt, as well as notes issued by consolidated VIEs, is generally determined by either prices obtained from independent pricing services, which are validated by the Company, or discounted cash flow models. With the exception of the notes issued by consolidated VIEs for which recourse is limited to the assets of the respective VIE and does not extend to the general credit of the Company, the fair values of these instruments consider the Company’s own NPR. Discounted cash flow models predominately use market observable inputs such as the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for debt and financial instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities. For commercial paper issuances and other debt with a maturity of less than 90 days, the carrying value approximates fair value.
  
Other Liabilities
 
Other liabilities are primarily payables, such as reinsurance payables, unsettled trades, drafts and accrued expense payables. Due to the short-term until settlement of most of these liabilities, the Company believes that carrying value approximates fair value.
 
Separate Account Liabilities—Investment Contracts
 
Only the portion of separate account liabilities related to products that are investment contracts are reflected in the table above. Separate account liabilities are recorded at the amount credited to the contractholder, which reflects the change in fair value of the corresponding separate account assets including contractholder deposits less withdrawals and fees; therefore, carrying value approximates fair value.