Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

13. Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees

Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is a defendant in a number of litigation matters. In some of the matters, large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Modern pleading practice in the U.S. permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief. Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the trial court. In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters. This variability in pleadings, together with the actual experience of the Company in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value.

The Company also receives and responds to subpoenas or other inquiries seeking a broad range of information from various state and federal regulators, agencies and officials. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely, but can include inquiries or investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations. The Company cooperates in these inquiries.

Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may normally be difficult to ascertain. Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.

The Company establishes liabilities for litigation and regulatory loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. It is possible that some matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated at March 31, 2024.

Matters as to Which an Estimate Can Be Made

For some loss contingency matters, the Company is able to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss. For such matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual has been made. In addition to amounts accrued for probable and reasonably estimable losses, as of March 31, 2024, the Company estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses to be up to approximately $10 million.

Matters as to Which an Estimate Cannot Be Made

For other matters, the Company is not currently able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss. The Company is often unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss until developments in such matters have provided sufficient information to support an assessment of the range of possible loss, such as quantification of a damage demand from plaintiffs, discovery from other parties and investigation of factual allegations, rulings by the court on motions or appeals, analysis by experts, and the progress of settlement negotiations. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to litigation contingencies and updates its accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews.

Sales Practices Claims

Over the past several years, the Company has faced claims and regulatory inquiries and investigations, alleging improper marketing or sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities or other products. The Company continues to defend vigorously against the claims in these matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for sales practices matters.

Cost of Insurance Class Actions

Richard A. Newton v. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, filed May 8, 2020). Plaintiff has filed a purported class action lawsuit against Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. Plaintiff was the owner of a universal life insurance policy issued by Travelers Insurance Company, a predecessor to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. Plaintiff seeks to certify a class of all persons who own or owned life insurance policies issued where the terms of the life insurance policy provide or provided, among other things, a guarantee that the cost of insurance rates would not be increased by more than a specified percentage in any contract year. Plaintiff also alleges that cost of insurance charges were based on improper factors and should have decreased over time due to improving mortality but did not. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, causes of action for breach of contract, fraud, suppression and concealment, and violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Plaintiff seeks to recover damages, including punitive damages, interest and treble damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctive and declaratory relief. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company filed a motion to dismiss in June 2020, which was granted in part and denied in part in March 2021. Plaintiff was granted leave to amend the complaint. On January 18, 2023, the plaintiff filed a motion on consent to amend the second amended class action complaint to narrow the scope of the class sought to those persons who own or owned life insurance policies issued in Georgia. The motion was granted on January 23, 2023, and the third amended class action complaint was filed on January 23, 2023. The Company intends to vigorously defend this matter.

Lawrence Martin v. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, filed April 6, 2021). Plaintiff has filed a purported class action lawsuit against Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. Plaintiff is the owner of a universal life insurance policy issued by Travelers Insurance Company, a predecessor to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company. Plaintiff seeks to certify a class of similarly situated owners of universal life insurance policies issued or administered by defendants and alleges that cost of insurance charges were based on improper factors and should have decreased over time due to improving mortality but did not. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, causes of action for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment. Plaintiff seeks to recover compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, interest, and equitable relief including a constructive trust. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company filed a motion to dismiss in June 2021, which was denied in February 2022. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY was initially named as a defendant when the lawsuit was filed, but was dismissed as a defendant, without prejudice, in April 2022. The Company intends to vigorously defend this matter.

MOVEit Data Security Incident Litigation

Kennedy v. Progress Software Corporation, et al. (U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, filed October 3, 2023). BHF has been named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit. The action relates to a data security incident at an alleged third-party vendor, PBI Research Services (“PBI”), and allegedly involves the MOVEit file transfer system that PBI uses in its provision of services (“MOVEit Incident”). As it relates to BHF, plaintiff seeks to certify a subclass of persons whose private information was allegedly maintained by BHF and accessed or acquired in connection with the MOVEit Incident. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, that BHF negligently chose to utilize PBI to store and transfer plaintiff’s and purported class members’ private information despite PBI’s use of the MOVEit software which plaintiff contends contained security vulnerabilities. The complaint asserts claims against BHF for negligence, negligence per se, and unjust enrichment, and plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees and prejudgment interest. BHF intends to vigorously defend this matter.

Summary

Various litigations, claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed previously and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, investor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.

It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although, in light of these considerations, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

Other Loss Contingencies

As with litigation and regulatory loss contingencies, the Company considers establishing liabilities for loss contingencies associated with disputes or other matters involving third parties, including counterparties to contractual arrangements entered into by the Company (e.g., third-party vendors and reinsurers), as well as with tax or other authorities (“other loss contingencies”). The Company establishes liabilities for such other loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In matters where it is not probable, but is reasonably possible that a loss will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, such losses or range of losses are disclosed, and no accrual is made. In the absence of sufficient information to support an assessment of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, no accrual is made and no loss or range of loss is disclosed. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to other loss contingencies and, when applicable, updates its accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews.

The Company’s tax-related matters have involved disputes with taxing authorities, ongoing audits, evaluation of filing positions and any potential assessments related thereto. In the matters where the Company’s subsidiaries are acting as the reinsured or the reinsurer, such reinsurance matters have involved assertions by third parties primarily related to rates, fees or reinsured benefit calculations, and certain of such reinsurance matters have resulted in arbitration. In March 2024, an arbitration panel ruled in favor of a reinsurer seeking a premium rate increase retroactive to September 2019 resulting in a $187 million loss, of which $167 million is reported in universal life and investment product-type policy fees and $20 million is reported in other expenses. As of March 31, 2024, the Company estimates the range of reasonably possible losses in excess of the amounts accrued for certain other loss contingencies to be from zero up to approximately $75 million for the aforementioned tax matters. The reduction in the estimated range of reasonably possible losses reflects the conclusion of the reinsurance arbitration described above. For certain other matters, the Company may not currently be able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss until developments in such matters have provided sufficient information to support an assessment of such loss.

Commitments

Mortgage Loan Commitments

The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loan commitments. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $387 million and $377 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments, Bank Credit Facilities and Private Corporate Bond Investments

The Company commits to fund partnership investments and to lend funds under bank credit facilities and private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $1.4 billion at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Guarantees

In the normal course of its business, the Company has provided certain indemnities, guarantees and commitments to third parties such that it may be required to make payments now or in the future. In the context of acquisition, disposition, investment and other transactions, the Company has provided indemnities and guarantees, including those related to tax, environmental and other specific liabilities and other indemnities and guarantees that are triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in contracts with triggers similar to the foregoing, as well as for certain other liabilities, such as third-party lawsuits. These obligations are often subject to time limitations that vary in duration, including contractual limitations and those that arise by operation of law, such as applicable statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential obligation under the indemnities and guarantees is subject to a contractual limitation ranging from less than $1 million to $92 million, with a cumulative maximum of $98 million, while in other cases such limitations are not specified or applicable. Since certain of these obligations are not subject to limitations, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future. Management believes that it is unlikely the Company will have to make any material payments under these indemnities, guarantees, or commitments.

In addition, the Company indemnifies its directors and officers as provided in its charters and bylaws. Also, the Company indemnifies its agents for liabilities incurred as a result of their representation of the Company’s interests. Since these indemnities are generally not subject to limitation with respect to duration or amount, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these indemnities in the future.

The Company’s recorded liabilities were $1 million at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 for indemnities, guarantees and commitments.