Investments and other assets

Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):




	Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015

Deferred compensation investments	$	77,004	$	77,199
Cash value life insurance	64,581		68,332
Equity method investments	32,285		27,824
Available for sale investment	26,107		28,090
Deferred debt issuance cost	12,546		13,620
Other long term assets	49,624		41,925
Total	$	262,147	$	256,990

Deferred compensation investments: Employee compensation-related investments consist of debt and equity securities which are classified as trading securities and fund our deferred compensation plan liabilities.

Equity method investments: Investments where we have the ability to exercise significant influence but do not control are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Significant influence typically exists when we own between 20% and 50% of the voting interests in a corporation, own more than a minimal investment in a limited liability company, or hold substantial management rights in the investee. Under this method of accounting, our share of the net earnings or losses of the investee is included in non-operating income, on our consolidated statements of income. We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period. Certain differences exist between our investment carrying value and the underlying equity of the investee companies, principally due to fair value measurement at the date of investment acquisition and due to impairment charges we recorded for certain investments. No material impairments were recorded in the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and March 29, 2015.

Cost method investments: The carrying value of cost method investments at March 31, 2016 was $17.3 million and was $8.6 million at December 31, 2015, and are included within other long-term assets in the table above. The increase is primarily due to our investment in Whistle Sports during the first quarter of 2016.