On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, replacing the GAAP "incurred loss" model with a new methodology referred to as current expected credit losses (CECL). The previous methodology delayed recognition of credit losses until it was probable that a loss had incurred, ultimately resulting in fewer instances of losses being recorded in earnings. The new CECL methodology is forward looking—encompassing relevant information about historical experience, current conditions, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of a reported amount.

The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables. The standard affected the Company's commercial mortgage loan participations (Other long-term investments) and agent debit balances (Other receivables). The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method.

The Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax of $454 thousand to retained earnings, consisting of $265 thousand, net of tax and $189 thousand, net of tax for commercial mortgage loan participations and agent debit balances, respectively. Refer to the table below for pre-tax amounts and Note 4—Investments for additional details.

In addition, the standard made changes to the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities through the removal of "other-than-temporary-impairment" (OTTI) write downs and replaced them with an allowance for credit losses. The new methodology will allow the Company to record reversals of credit losses in situations where the estimate of credit losses declines through current period net income (Realized gains (losses)).

The Company adopted the standard using the prospective transition approach for available-for-sale fixed maturities for which other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized prior to January 1, 2020. As a result, the amortized cost basis and the effective interest rate remain unchanged after the adoption of ASU 2016-13. Amortized cost will now be reflected as "amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses" or "amortized cost, net." The Company has not elected the fair value option for any financial assets recorded at amortized cost that would be in scope of this standard.

Investments, Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities: Globe Life classifies all of its fixed maturity investments as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes reflected directly in Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI").

Income from investments is recorded in net investment income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses from sales, maturities, or other redemptions of investments are recorded in Realized gains (losses). Interest income and prepayment fees are recognized when earned. Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method. When amortized cost of a callable debt security exceeds the first call price, the premium is amortized to the earliest call date. Otherwise, the period of amortization or accretion generally extends from the purchase date to the maturity date.

Accrued investment income consists of interest income or dividends earned on the investment portfolio, but which are yet to be received as of the balance sheet date. The Company will write-off accrued investment income that is deemed to be uncollectible related to the fixed maturities. As a practical expedient, the Company excludes the accrued investment income from the amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity and separately reports it in another financial statement line item, Accrued investment income. Additionally, the amount will be excluded from disclosures within Note 4.

Investments, Allowance For Credit Losses For Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities: At the onset of the evaluation, the Company individually assesses each fixed maturity to determine whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria are met, the Company will write down the fixed maturity's amortized cost basis to fair value through Realized gains (losses).

If neither of the aforementioned criteria are met, the Company will evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from a credit event. The Company will evaluate many factors, as further described below, to determine the present value of the expected cash flows. A credit loss occurs when the present value of the expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis. This will result in the recording of an allowance for credit losses as a contra asset account to the amortized cost basis with an offsetting provision for credit losses in Realized gains (losses) on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Additionally, the CECL methodology includes a fair value floor where the allowance for credit loss for a security cannot exceed the difference between fair value and amortized cost. When it is determined that there is not a credit loss, the decline in fair value is recognized in Other comprehensive income.

All changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses recorded to the allowance for credit losses are management's best estimate of the uncollectibility of principal and interest of a fixed maturity.

The evaluation of Globe Life's securities for credit losses is a process that is undertaken at least quarterly and is overseen by a team of investment and accounting professionals. The process for making this determination is highly subjective and involves the careful consideration of many factors. The factors considered include, but are not limited to:

The relative weight given to each of these factors can change over time as facts and circumstances change. In many cases, management believes it is appropriate to give more consideration to prospective factors than to retrospective factors. Prospective factors that are given more weight include prospects for recovery, the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until anticipated recovery, and expected future cash flows.

The expected cash flows are determined using judgment and the best information available to the Company. Inputs used to derive expected cash flows generally include expected default rates, current levels of subordination, and estimated recovery rate. The discount rate utilized in the discounted cash flows is the effective interest rate, which is the rate of return implicit in the asset at acquisition.

Investments, Commercial Mortgage Loan Participations (Commercial Mortgage Loans): Commercial mortgage loans, a type of investment where the commercial mortgage loan is shared among investors, are accounted for as financing receivables. The commercial mortgage loans are managed by a third party. The Company purchased the legal rights to interests in commercial mortgage loans that are secured by properties such as hotels, retail, multiple family, or offices. The commercial mortgage loans typically have a term of three years with an option to extend up to two years.

The commercial mortgage loans are recorded at unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized origination fees and net of allowance for loan losses. Interest income, net of the amortization of origination fees, is recorded in Net investment income under the effective yield method. Accrued investment income on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of interest income earned on the commercial mortgage loan portfolio, but which is yet to be received as of the balance sheet date. Accrued investment income will be placed in nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent or otherwise deemed to be uncollectible by management. Any currently accrued investment income will subsequently be written off. As a practical expedient, the Company excludes the accrued investment income from the amortized cost basis of the commercial mortgage loans and separately reports it in another financial statement line item, Accrued investment income. Additionally, the amount will be excluded from disclosures within Note 4. As of June 30, 2020, the accrued interest receivable for commercial mortgage loans was $384 thousand. Commercial mortgage loans generally pay interest monthly, therefore accrued interest is typically for a period of 30 days or less. The unfunded commitment balance was $81 million as of June 30, 2020.

The Company evaluates the performance and credit quality of the commercial mortgage loan portfolio at least on a quarterly basis, or as needed, by utilizing common metrics such as loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios as well as evaluating the fair value of the underlying collateral. The fair value of the underlying collateral is based on a third-party appraisal of the property at origination of the loan, and is reviewed on an annual basis thereafter, or more frequently when a loan is materially underperforming, 30 days delinquent, or in technical default. The Company determines the probability of estimated losses for the commercial mortgage loan portfolio on a pool basis each quarter and records an allowance. The allowance for credit losses is based on estimates, historical experience, probability of loss, value of the underlying collateral, and macro factors that affect the collectibility of the loan. Each loan within the pool is assigned a risk rating (credit quality indicator) of low, medium, and high based on risk and expected future performance. A loan that is assigned as high risk would have a higher probability of a potential principal loss. The assigned risk category and the estimated loss rate is adjusted each quarter for current and forecasted economic factors management believes are relevant.

If management determines that foreclosure of a particular property is probable, the Company may elect the practical expedient for an individual mortgage loan to estimate the expected credit losses, which are based on the fair value of the property less amortized cost, adjusted for selling and other associated costs. See Note 4 for current activity.

Other Receivables, Agent Debit Balances: Agent debit balances primarily represent commissions advanced to insurance agents, a common industry practice. These balances are repaid to the Company over time, generally one year, as the premiums associated with the advanced commissions are collected by the Company and a portion of the agents' commissions on such premiums are retained in order to repay the balances. The balances were $428 million at June 30, 2020 and $424 million at December 31, 2019. When an agent sells a policy, commissions are advanced to the agent, and the collection of the advance is made as long as the policy stays in force. While there is a susceptibility to loss should an agent terminate or excessive policy lapses occur, the ability of the Company to continue to collect an agent's commission streams over time from prior sales of policies reduces the Company's exposure to loss.

The Company has a very low inherent risk with regards to the collection of agent debit balances and views these balances as recoverable since they are, in aggregate, less than the estimated present value of future commissions discounted at a conservative rate which includes assumptions for lapses and mortality. The Company’s security, or collateral, is in the form of future commission streams collected over the life of the policies sold by the respective agents, which ultimately revert to the Company in the event an agent is terminated. The Company evaluated the agent debit balances on a pool basis to determine the allowance for credit losses, as the loans have similar characteristics. A provision for credit losses will be recorded in Realized gains (losses) on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and the asset balance will be reflected as Agent Debit Balances, net of allowance for credit losses (Other receivables). Based on factors considered by management, there were no additional credit losses recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, the allowance for credit losses was $1.2 million compared with $1.0 million as of December 31, 2019.