SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements of KKR & Co. Inc. have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The condensed consolidated financial statements (referred to hereafter as the "financial statements"), including these notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in annual financial statements. Management believes it has made all necessary adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) such that the financial statements are presented fairly and that estimates made in preparing the financial statements are reasonable and prudent. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023 were derived from audited financial statements included in KKR & Co. Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 29, 2024 (our "Annual Report"), and the financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included therein. Additionally, in the accompanying financial statements, the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition are referred to hereafter as the "consolidated statements of financial condition"; the condensed consolidated statements of operations are referred to hereafter as the "consolidated statements of operations"; the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) are referred to hereafter as the "consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss)"; the condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity are referred to hereafter as the "consolidated statements of changes in equity"; and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are referred to hereafter as the "consolidated statements of cash flows."

KKR consolidates the financial results of KKR Group Partnership and its consolidated entities, which include the accounts of KKR's investment management and capital markets companies, the general partners of certain unconsolidated investment funds, general partners of consolidated investment funds and their respective consolidated investment funds, Global Atlantic’s insurance companies and certain other entities including CFEs.

The presentations in the consolidated statement of financial condition and consolidated statement of operations reflect the significant industry diversification of KKR by its acquisition of Global Atlantic. Global Atlantic operates an insurance business, and KKR operates an asset management business, which manages the operations of the newly-formed Strategic Holdings segment (see Note 21 - "Segment Reporting"), each of which possess distinct characteristics. As a result, KKR developed a two-tiered approach for the financial statements presentation, where Global Atlantic's insurance operations are presented separately from KKR's asset management business. KKR believes that these separate presentations provide a more informative view of the consolidated financial position and results of operations than traditional aggregated presentations and that reporting Global Atlantic’s insurance operations separately is appropriate given, among other factors, the relative significance of Global Atlantic’s policy liabilities, which are not obligations of KKR. (other than the insurance companies that issued them). If a traditional aggregate presentation were to be used, KKR would expect to eliminate or combine several identical or similar captions, which would condense the presentations, but would also reduce the level of information presented. KKR also believes that using a traditional aggregate presentation would result in no new line items compared to the two-tier presentation included in the financial statements in this report.

In the ordinary course of business, KKR’s Asset Management business, Strategic Holdings business and Insurance business enter into transactions with each other, which may include transactions pursuant to their investment management agreements and certain financing arrangements. The borrowings from these financing arrangements are non-recourse to KKR beyond the assets designated to support such borrowings. All of the investment management and financing arrangements amongst KKR segments are eliminated in consolidation.

All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

For a detailed discussion about KKR’s significant accounting policies and for further information on accounting updates adopted in the prior year, see Note 2 to the financial statements in the Annual Report. Other than the items listed below, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, there were no significant updates to KKR’s significant accounting policies.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the recognition and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, investment income (loss) and income taxes during the reporting periods. Such estimates include but are not limited to (i) the valuation of investments and financial instruments, (ii) the determination of the income tax provision, (iii) the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, (iv) the impairment of available-for-sale investments, (v) the valuation of insurance policy liabilities, including market risk benefits, (vi) the valuation of embedded derivatives in policy liabilities and funds withheld, (vii) the determination of the allowance for loan losses, and (viii) amortization of deferred revenues and expenses associated with the insurance business.

Certain events particular to each industry and country or region in which the portfolio companies conduct their operations, as well as general market, economic, political and geopolitical, regulatory and public health conditions, may have a significant negative impact on KKR’s investments and profitability. Such events are beyond KKR’s control, and the likelihood that they may occur and the effect on KKR's use of estimates cannot be predicted. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the financial statements.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

Carry Pool Allocation

With respect to our funds that provide for carried interest, KKR allocates a portion of the realized and unrealized carried interest that KKR earns to Associates Holdings, which is referred to as the carry pool, from which KKR's asset management employees and certain other carry pool participants are eligible to receive a carried interest allocation. The allocation is determined based upon a fixed arrangement between Associates Holdings and KKR, and KKR does not exercise discretion on whether to make an allocation to the carry pool upon a realization event. KKR refers to the portion of carried interest that KKR allocates to the carry pool as the carry pool percentage.

As of December 31, 2023, the carry pool percentage was fixed at 40%, 43% or 65% by investment fund, depending on the fund’s vintage. For funds that closed after December 31, 2020 but before December 31, 2023, the carry pool percentage was fixed at 65%. For funds that closed after June 30, 2017 but before December 31, 2020, the carry pool percentage was fixed at 43%, and the carry pool percentage was fixed at 40% for older funds that contributed to KKR's carry pool. Effective January 2, 2024, KKR is authorized to apply a carry pool percentage in excess of these fixed percentages of up to 80% for all funds.

This increase to the carry pool percentage was approved by a majority of KKR's independent directors, and the carry pool percentage may not be increased above 80% without the further approval of a majority of KKR's independent directors. For funds that closed after December 31, 2023, the carry pool percentage is fixed at 80%. For funds that closed prior to December 31, 2023, the carry pool percentage is calculated at a fixed percentage of 40%, 43% or 65% (depending on the fund’s vintage) for carried interest realized up to a high water mark, which was established based on the unrealized carried interest balance that existed on January 2, 2024, plus an additional percentage amount up to 80% based on a formulaic allocation, only if the unrealized carried interest balance at any period end exceeds the high water mark. This imposes a limitation of the carry pool allocation for such funds based on the amount of cumulative unrealized carried interest income earned subsequent to December 31, 2023.

For funds that closed before December 31, 2023, if the cumulative carried interest subsequent to December 31, 2023 is not sufficient to fund this formulaic allocation, the allocation of carried interest reverts to the carry pool percentage in effect before this modification. As such, upon modification of the carry pool percentage effective on January 2, 2024, the cumulative unrealized carried interest was not sufficient to fund the additional formulaic allocation percentage in excess of the pre-existing 40%, 43% and 65% carry pool percentages, and therefore no incremental expense was recognized as of such date. The carry pool percentage applicable for all funds that closed prior to December 31, 2023 will not be less than their applicable carry pool percentages of 40%, 43% or 65% prior to December 31, 2023, and will not be more than 80%. The intent of this modification is that for all funds that closed prior to January 2, 2024, upon the final liquidation of each fund, realized carried interest distributed will equal the historical fund carry pool allocations up to the high water mark and only distributions of realized carried interest in excess of the high water mark will be distributed at 80 percent if and only if the unrealized carried interest balance at any period end exceeds the high water mark. Under no circumstance would a distribution of carried interest exceed 80% of the total allocable carried interest at any time.

KKR accounts for the carry pool as a compensatory profit-sharing arrangement in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities within the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition in conjunction with the related carried interest income and it is recorded as compensation expense. The liability that is recorded in each period reflects the legal entitlement of Associates Holdings at each point in time should the total unrealized carried interest be realized at the value recorded at each reporting date. Upon a reversal of carried interest income, the related carry pool allocation, if any, is also reversed. Accordingly, such compensation expense is subject to both positive and negative adjustments.

Adoption of new accounting pronouncements and Future application of accounting standards

Adoption of new accounting pronouncements

Fair value measurement of equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022–03, ASC Subtopic 820 “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions” ("ASU 2022–03"). According to ASU 2022-03, an entity should not consider the contractual sale restriction when measuring the equity security’s fair value and an entity is not allowed to recognize a contractual sale restriction as a separate unit of account.

ASU 2022–03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. KKR adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2024 and its adoption on a prospective basis did not have any material impact on KKR's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023–02 "Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method" ("ASU 2023–02") to expand the population of investments in tax credit structures that may be eligible to apply the proportional amortization method (“PAM”), if certain criteria are met. The election to use the PAM can be made on a tax credit program-by-program basis. Under the new guidance, certain disclosures are required for investments in tax credit programs for which the PAM is elected. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. KKR adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2024 and its adoption did not have any material impact on KKR's consolidated financial statements.

Future application of accounting standards

Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023–07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures" ("ASU 2023–07"). ASU 2023–07 intends to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards

In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024–01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards (“ASU 2024–01”). ASU 2024–01 amends the guidance in Accounting Standard Codification 718 (“ASC 718”) by adding an illustrative example to demonstrate and clarify how to apply the scope guidance to determine whether profits interests and similar awards should be accounted for as a share-based payment arrangement under ASC 718 or another standard. ASU 2024–01 will be effective for KKR’s reporting period ended March 31, 2025. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023–09 "Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures" ("ASU 2023–09"). ASU 2023–09 intends to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, requiring disaggregated information about an entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as income taxes paid. This is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. KKR is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.