Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Fair Value Hierarchy

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices with readily available independent data in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable market inputs (Level 3). When various inputs for measurement fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest observable input that has a significant impact on fair value measurement is used. Our valuation techniques have not changed from those used at December 31, 2019, and ultimately management determines fair value. Financial instruments reported at fair value in our consolidated financial statements are categorized based upon the following characteristics or inputs to the valuation techniques:

•Level 1 – Financial assets and liabilities for which inputs are observable and are obtained from reliable quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. This is the most reliable fair value measurement and includes, for example, active exchange-traded equity securities.

•Level 2 – Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which values are based on similar assets and liabilities that are actively traded. This also includes pricing models for which the inputs are corroborated by market data.

The technique used for the Level 2 fixed-maturity securities is the application of market based modeling. The inputs used for all classes of fixed-maturity securities listed in the table below include relevant market information by asset class, trade activity of like securities, marketplace quotes, benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, interest rates, U.S. Treasury or swap curves, yield to maturity and economic events. Specific to commercial mortgage-backed securities, key inputs also include prepayment and default projections based on past performance of the underlying collateral and current market data. Level 2 fixed-maturity securities are priced by a nationally recognized pricing vendor.

The Level 2 nonredeemable preferred equities technique used is the application of market based modeling. The inputs used, similar to those used by the pricing vendor for our fixed-maturity securities, include relevant market information, trade activity of like securities, yield to maturity, corporate action notices and economic events. Level 2 nonredeemable preferred equities are priced by a nationally recognized pricing vendor.

•Level 3 – Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 inputs include the following:

◦Quotes from brokers or other external sources that are not considered binding;

◦Quotes from brokers or other external sources where it cannot be determined that market participants would in fact transact for the asset or liability at the quoted price; or

◦Quotes from brokers or other external sources where the inputs are not deemed observable.

The following tables illustrate the fair value hierarchy for those assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020 and 2019. We do not have any liabilities carried at fair value. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.



(Dollars in millions)	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)				Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
At December 31, 2020			Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)				Total
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
Corporate	$	—	$	6,895	$	—	$	6,895
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		4,997		—		4,997
Commercial mortgage-backed	—		285		—		285
United States Government	120		—		—		120
Foreign government	—		29		—		29
Government-sponsored enterprises	—		12		—		12

Subtotal	120		12,218		—		12,338
Common equities	8,541		—		—		8,541
Nonredeemable preferred equities	—		315		—		315
Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities	—		903		—		903
Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common equity (included in Other assets)	51		—		—		51
Total	$	8,712	$	13,436	$	—	$	22,148

At December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
Corporate	$	—	$	6,401	$	—	$	6,401
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		4,728		—		4,728
Commercial mortgage-backed	—		301		—		301
United States Government	104		—		—		104
Foreign government	—		28		—		28
Government-sponsored enterprises	—		136		—		136

Subtotal	104		11,594		—		11,698
Common equities	7,518		—		—		7,518
Nonredeemable preferred equities	—		234		—		234
Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities	—		855		—		855
Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common equity (included in Other assets)	45		—		—		45
Total	$	7,667	$	12,683	$	—	$	20,350

We also held Level 1 cash and cash equivalents of $900 million and $767 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Level 3 assets reported at fair value in our consolidated financial statements are not material, and therefore no further disclosures are provided.

Fair Value Disclosure for Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value

The disclosures below are presented to provide information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments that are not reported at fair value in our consolidated financial statements.

The following table shows fair values of our note payable and long-term debt:


(Dollars in millions)	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Total
At December 31, 2020
Note payable	$	—	$	54	$	—	$	54
6.900% senior debentures, due 2028	—		35		—		35
6.920% senior debentures, due 2028	—		515		—		515
6.125% senior notes, due 2034	—		522		—		522
Total	$	—	$	1,126	$	—	$	1,126

At December 31, 2019
Note payable	$	—	$	39	$	—	$	39
6.900% senior debentures, due 2028	—		34		—		34
6.920% senior debentures, due 2028	—		506		—		506
6.125% senior notes, due 2034	—		512		—		512
Total	$	—	$	1,091	$	—	$	1,091

Fair value of the note payable was determined based upon the outstanding balance at December 31, 2020 and 2019, because it is short term and tied to a variable interest rate. Fair value of the long-term debt was determined under the fair value measurements and disclosure accounting rules based on market pricing of similar debt instruments that are actively trading. We determine fair value for our debt the same way that we value corporate fixed maturities in our investment portfolio. Fair value can vary with macroeconomic conditions. Regardless of the fluctuations in fair value, the outstanding principal amount of our long-term debt is $793 million at both December 31, 2020 and 2019. None of the long-term debt is encumbered by rating triggers. The note payable and long-term debt were classified as Level 2 as an active market does not exist, but fair value is determined based on observable inputs.

The following table shows the fair value of our life policy loans, included in other invested assets:


(Dollars in millions)	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Total
At December 31, 2020
Life policy loans	$	—	$	—	$	49	$	49

At December 31, 2019
Life policy loans	$	—	$	—	$	44	$	44

Outstanding principal and interest for these life policy loans totaled $33 million and $32 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. To determine the fair value, we make the following significant assumptions: (1) the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates, as nonperformance risk is minimal; and (2) the loan repayment rate by which policyholders pay off their loan balances is in line with past experience.

The following table shows fair value of our deferred annuities and structured settlements included in life policy and investment contract reserves:


(Dollars in millions)	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)		Total
At December 31, 2020
Deferred annuities	$	—	$	—	$	836	$	836
Structured settlements	—		227		—		227
Total	$	—	$	227	$	836	$	1,063

At December 31, 2019
Deferred annuities	$	—	$	—	$	770	$	770
Structured settlements	—		212		—		212
Total	$	—	$	212	$	770	$	982

Recorded reserves for the deferred annuities were $761 million and $760 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Recorded reserves for the structured settlements were $145 million and $151 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Fair values for deferred annuities were calculated based upon internally developed models because active markets and observable inputs do not exist. To determine the fair value, we made the following significant assumptions: (1) the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates plus an A3 rated bond spread for financial issuers at December 31, 2020 and 2019, to account for nonperformance risk; (2) the rate of interest credited to policyholders is the portfolio net earned interest rate less a spread for expenses and profit; and (3) additional lapses occur when the credited interest rate is exceeded by an assumed competitor credited rate, which is a function of the risk-free rate of the economic scenario being modeled.

Fair values for structured settlements were calculated based on internally developed models which assume the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates plus an A3 rated bond spread for financial issuers at December 31, 2020 and 2019, to account for nonperformance risk. The structured settlements were classified as Level 2 as an active market does not exist, but fair value is based on observable inputs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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