Derivative Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Investments

DERIVATIVE INVESTMENTS

Fixed-index products provide traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts with the option to have credited interest rates linked in part to an underlying equity index or a combination of equity indices. The equity return component of such policy contracts is identified separately and accounted for in future policy benefits as embedded derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under debt instrument type accounting in which future policy benefits are recorded as discounted debt instruments that are accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates.

The Company purchases over-the-counter index options, which are derivative financial instruments, to hedge the equity return component of its fixed-index annuity and life products. The index options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying index or indices. The amounts which may be credited to policyholders are linked, in part, to the returns of the underlying index or indices. As a result, changes to policyholders' liabilities are substantially offset by changes in the value of the options. Cash is exchanged upon purchase of the index options and no principal or interest payments are made by either party during the option periods. Upon maturity or expiration of the options, cash may be paid to the Company depending on the performance of the underlying index or indices and terms of the contract.

The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to these derivative instruments. The index options are reported at fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The changes in the values of the index options and the changes in the policyholder liabilities are both reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Any changes relative to the embedded derivatives associated with policy contracts are reflected in contract interest in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in values, are reflected as net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Although there is credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the index options, the Company does not expect any of its counterparties to fail to meet their obligations, given their high credit ratings. In addition, credit support agreements are in place with all counterparties for option holdings in excess of specific limits, which may further reduce the Company's credit exposure.

The tables below present the fair value of derivative instruments.

	December 31, 2018
	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Equity index options	Derivatives, Index Options	$	14,684
Fixed-index products				Universal Life and Annuity Contracts	$	44,781
Total		$	14,684		$	44,781

	December 31, 2017
	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Equity index options	Derivatives, Index Options	$	194,731
Fixed-index products				Universal Life and Annuity Contracts	$	211,159
Total		$	194,731		$	211,159

The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives	2018			2017		2016
		(In thousands)
Equity index options	Net investment income	$	(80,004	)	222,875		28,364
Fixed-index products	Universal life and annuity contract interest	66,335			(237,281	)	(10,436	)
		$	(13,669	)	(14,406	)	17,928

The embedded derivative liability, the change of which is recorded in universal life and annuity contract interest in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, includes projected interest credits that are offset by the expected collectability by the Company of asset management fees on fixed-index products. The anticipated asset management fees assumed to be collected increases or decreases based upon the most recent performance of index options and adds to or reduces the offset applied to the embedded derivative liability (increasing or decreasing contract interest expense). In the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, the change in the embedded derivative liability due to the expected collectability of asset management fees increased/(decreased) contract interest expense by $17.6 million, $6.9 million, and $(15.9) million, respectively.