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INVESTMENTS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract]  
INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENTS
Investment Holdings
The amortized cost for our investments in debt and perpetual securities, the cost for equity securities and the fair values of these investments are shown in the following tables.
 
  
March 31, 2013
(In millions)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
  Fair
  Value
Securities available for sale, carried at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan government and agencies
 
$
12,035

 
 
 
$
748

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
12,783

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
671

 
 
 
44

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
714

 
Public utilities
 
2,928

 
 
 
116

 
 
 
53

 
 
 
2,991

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
1,120

 
 
 
61

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
1,174

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
2,952

 
 
 
183

 
 
 
236

 
 
 
2,899

 
Other corporate
 
4,892

 
 
 
189

 
 
 
256

 
 
 
4,825

 
Total yen-denominated
 
24,598

 
 
 
1,341

 
 
 
553

 
 
 
25,386

 
  Dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agencies
 
95

 
 
 
16

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
111

 
Municipalities
 
1,018

 
 
 
149

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
1,161

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
182

 
 
 
58

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
240

 
Public utilities
 
4,581

 
 
 
609

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
5,159

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
468

 
 
 
112

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
578

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,578

 
 
 
502

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
4,072

 
Other corporate
 
18,259

 
 
 
1,581

 
 
 
271

 
 
 
19,569

 
Total dollar-denominated
 
28,181

 
 
 
3,027

 
 
 
318

 
 
 
30,890

 
Total fixed maturities
 
52,779

 
 
 
4,368

 
 
 
871

 
 
 
56,276

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,080

 
 
 
73

 
 
 
525

 
 
 
2,628

 
Other corporate
 
285

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
67

 
 
 
218

 
  Dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
268

 
 
 
25

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
287

 
Total perpetual securities
 
3,633

 
 
 
98

 
 
 
598

 
 
 
3,133

 
Equity securities
 
18

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
24

 
Total securities available for sale
 
$
56,430

 
 
 
$
4,472

 
 
 
$
1,469

 
 
 
$
59,433

 

  
March 31, 2013
(In millions)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair  
Value  
Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan government and agencies
 
$
24,606

 
 
 
$
2,154

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
26,760

 
Municipalities
 
452

 
 
 
65

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
517

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
77

 
 
 
4

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
81

 
Public utilities
 
4,532

 
 
 
202

 
 
 
222

 
 
 
4,512

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
2,953

 
 
 
220

 
 
 
100

 
 
 
3,073

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
8,480

 
 
 
163

 
 
 
690

 
 
 
7,953

 
Other corporate
 
4,104

 
 
 
249

 
 
 
202

 
 
 
4,151

 
Total yen-denominated
 
45,204

 
 
 
3,057

 
 
 
1,214

 
 
 
47,047

 
Total securities held to maturity
 
$
45,204

 
 
 
$
3,057

 
 
 
$
1,214

 
 
 
$
47,047

 

  
December 31, 2012
(In millions)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
  Fair
  Value
Securities available for sale, carried at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan government and agencies
 
$
12,612

 
 
 
$
349

 
 
 
$
81

 
 
 
$
12,880

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
746

 
 
 
40

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
785

 
Public utilities
 
3,608

 
 
 
116

 
 
 
72

 
 
 
3,652

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
1,404

 
 
 
71

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
1,475

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,455

 
 
 
233

 
 
 
180

 
 
 
3,508

 
Other corporate
 
5,656

 
 
 
241

 
 
 
153

 
 
 
5,744

 
Total yen-denominated
 
27,481

 
 
 
1,050

 
 
 
487

 
 
 
28,044

 
  Dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agencies
 
93

 
 
 
24

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
117

 
Municipalities
 
1,045

 
 
 
156

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
1,195

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
188

 
 
 
58

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
246

 
Public utilities
 
4,204

 
 
 
658

 
 
 
17

 
 
 
4,845

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
476

 
 
 
123

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
597

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,626

 
 
 
506

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
4,126

 
Other corporate
 
16,300

 
 
 
1,878

 
 
 
95

 
 
 
18,083

 
Total dollar-denominated
 
25,932

 
 
 
3,403

 
 
 
126

 
 
 
29,209

 
Total fixed maturities
 
53,413

 
 
 
4,453

 
 
 
613

 
 
 
57,253

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,635

 
 
 
193

 
 
 
161

 
 
 
3,667

 
Other corporate
 
309

 
 
 
43

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
352

 
  Dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
269

 
 
 
23

 
 
 
9

 
 
 
283

 
Total perpetual securities
 
4,213

 
 
 
259

 
 
 
170

 
 
 
4,302

 
Equity securities
 
20

 
 
 
4

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
23

 
Total securities available for sale
 
$
57,646

 
 
 
$
4,716

 
 
 
$
784

 
 
 
$
61,578

 


  
December 31, 2012
(In millions)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan government and agencies
 
$
32,043

 
 
 
$
356

 
 
 
$
67

 
 
 
$
32,332

 
Municipalities
 
492

 
 
 
30

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
520

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
90

 
 
 
4

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
94

 
Public utilities
 
4,924

 
 
 
233

 
 
 
106

 
 
 
5,051

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
3,209

 
 
 
192

 
 
 
84

 
 
 
3,317

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
9,211

 
 
 
211

 
 
 
431

 
 
 
8,991

 
Other corporate
 
4,457

 
 
 
187

 
 
 
108

 
 
 
4,536

 
Total yen-denominated
 
54,426

 
 
 
1,213

 
 
 
798

 
 
 
54,841

 
Total securities held to maturity
 
$
54,426

 
 
 
$
1,213

 
 
 
$
798

 
 
 
$
54,841

 


The methods of determining the fair values of our investments in fixed-maturity securities, perpetual securities and equity securities, including a change in valuation methodology for determining fair value of privately issued securities as of March 31, 2013, are described in Note 5.

During the first quarter of 2013, we did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity portfolio to the available-for-sale portfolio. During the first quarter of 2012, we reclassified one investment from the held-to-maturity portfolio to the available-for-sale portfolio as a result of a significant decline in the issuer's creditworthiness. At the time of the transfer, the security had an amortized cost of $122 million and an unrealized loss of $23 million.
Contractual and Economic Maturities
The contractual maturities of our investments in fixed maturities at March 31, 2013, were as follows:
  
Aflac Japan
 
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair  
Value  
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$
715

 
 
 
$
724

 
 
 
$
107

 
 
 
$
110

 
Due after one year through five years
 
1,963

 
 
 
2,065

 
 
 
316

 
 
 
359

 
Due after five years through 10 years
 
8,295

 
 
 
8,615

 
 
 
1,336

 
 
 
1,548

 
Due after 10 years
 
30,805

 
 
 
32,172

 
 
 
8,245

 
 
 
9,562

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
813

 
 
 
903

 
 
 
40

 
 
 
51

 
Total fixed maturities available for sale
 
$
42,591

 
 
 
$
44,479

 
 
 
$
10,044

 
 
 
$
11,630

 
Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$
321

 
 
 
$
322

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
Due after one year through five years
 
624

 
 
 
672

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Due after five years through 10 years
 
2,924

 
 
 
3,127

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Due after 10 years
 
41,258

 
 
 
42,845

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
77

 
 
 
81

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Total fixed maturities held to maturity
 
$
45,204

 
 
 
$
47,047

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 


At March 31, 2013, the Parent Company had a portfolio of investment-grade available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities totaling $144 million at amortized cost and $167 million at fair value, which is not included in the table above.

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

The majority of our perpetual securities are subordinated to other debt obligations of the issuer, but rank higher than the issuer's equity securities. Perpetual securities have characteristics of both debt and equity investments, along with unique features that create economic maturity dates for the securities. Although perpetual securities have no contractual maturity date, they have stated interest coupons that were fixed at their issuance and subsequently change to a floating short-term interest rate of 125 to more than 300 basis points above an appropriate market index, generally by the 25th year after issuance, thereby creating an economic maturity date. The economic maturities of our investments in perpetual securities, which were all reported as available for sale at March 31, 2013, were as follows:
  
Aflac Japan
 
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair  
Value  
Due in one year or less
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
Due after one year through five years
 
1,147

 
 
 
968

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
5

 
Due after five years through 10 years
 
285

 
 
 
218

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Due after 10 years
 
2,037

 
 
 
1,771

 
 
 
159

 
 
 
171

 
Total perpetual securities available for sale
 
$
3,469

 
 
 
$
2,957

 
 
 
$
164

 
 
 
$
176

 


Investment Concentrations

Our investment process begins with an independent approach to underwriting each issuer's fundamental credit quality. We evaluate independently those factors which we believe could influence an issuer's ability to make payments under the contractual terms of our instruments. This includes a thorough analysis of a variety of items including the issuer's country of domicile (including political, legal, and financial considerations); the industry in which the issuer competes (with an analysis of industry structure, end-market dynamics, and regulation); company specific issues (such as management, assets, earnings, cash generation, and capital needs); and contractual provisions of the instrument (such as financial covenants and position in the capital structure). We further determine the appropriateness of the investment considering broad business and portfolio management objectives, asset/liability needs, portfolio diversification, and expected income.

Banks and Financial Institutions

After Japanese government bonds (JGBs), our second largest investment concentration as of March 31, 2013, was banks and financial institutions. Within the countries we approve for investment opportunities, we primarily invest in financial institutions that are strategically crucial to each approved country's economy. The bank and financial institution sector is a highly regulated industry and plays a strategic role in the global economy.

Our total investments in the bank and financial institution sector, including those classified as perpetual securities, were as follows:
  
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Total Investments in
Banks and Financial
Institutions Sector
(in millions)
 
Percentage of
Total Investment
Portfolio
 
Total Investments in
Banks and Financial
Institutions Sector
(in millions)
 
Percentage of
Total Investment    
Portfolio
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized cost
 
$
15,010

 
 
 
15
%
 
 
 
$
16,292

 
 
 
14
%
 
Fair value
 
14,924

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
16,625

 
 
 
14

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upper Tier II:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized cost
 
$
2,340

 
 
 
2
%
 
 
 
$
2,825

 
 
 
3
%
 
Fair value
 
2,059

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
2,919

 
 
 
3

 
Tier I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized cost
 
1,008

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
1,079

 
 
 
1

 
Fair value
 
856

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
1,031

 
 
 
1

 
Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized cost
 
$
18,358

 
 
 
18
%
 
 
 
$
20,196

 
 
 
18
%
 
Fair value
 
17,839

 
 
 
17

 
 
 
20,575

 
 
 
18

 


Realized Investment Gains and Losses

Information regarding pretax realized gains and losses from investments is as follows:


  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In millions)
2013
 
2012
Realized investment gains (losses) on securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains from sales
 
$
119

 
 
 
$
14

 
Gross losses from sales
 
(6
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
Net gains (losses) from redemptions
 
6

 
 
 
0

 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
(54
)
 
 
 
(63
)
 
Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gains (losses) from redemptions
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Total fixed maturities
 
65

 
 
 
(50
)
 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains from sales
 
0

 
 
 
70

 
Gross losses from sales
 
0

 
 
 
(65
)
 
Net gains (losses) from redemptions
 
0

 
 
 
60

 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
0

 
 
 
(140
)
 
Total perpetual securities
 
0

 
 
 
(75
)
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
(1
)
 
 
 
0

 
Total equity securities
 
(1
)
 
 
 
0

 
Derivatives and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative gains (losses)
 
87

 
 
 
80

 
Other
 
5

 
 
 
0

 
Total derivatives and other
 
92

 
 
 
80

 
Total realized investment gains (losses)
 
$
156

 
 
 
$
(45
)
 


Other-than-temporary Impairment

The fair values of our debt and perpetual security investments fluctuate based on changes in interest rates and credit spreads in the global financial markets. Fair values can also be heavily influenced by the values of the assets of the issuer and expected ultimate recovery values upon default, bankruptcy or other financial restructuring. Credit spreads are most impacted by the general credit environment and global market liquidity. Interest rates are driven by numerous factors including, but not limited to, supply and demand, governmental monetary actions, expectations of inflation and economic growth. We believe that fluctuations in the fair value of our investment securities related to changes in credit spreads or interest rates have little bearing on underlying credit quality of the issuer, and whether our investment is ultimately recoverable. Generally, we consider such declines in fair values to be temporary even in situations where an investment remains in an unrealized loss position for a year or more.

However, in the course of our credit review process, we may determine that it is unlikely that we will recover our investment in an issuer due to factors specific to an individual issuer, as opposed to general changes in global credit spreads or interest rates. In this event, we consider such a decline in the investment's fair value, to the extent it is below the investment's cost or amortized cost, to be an other-than-temporary impairment of the investment and reduce the book value of the investment to its fair value.
 
In addition to the usual investment risk associated with a debt instrument, our perpetual security holdings are largely issued by banks that are integral to the financial markets of the corresponding sovereign country of the issuer. As a result of the issuer's position within the economy of the sovereign country, our perpetual securities may be subject to a higher risk of nationalization of their issuers in connection with capital injections from an issuer's sovereign government. We cannot be assured that such capital support will extend to all levels of an issuer's capital structure. In addition, certain governments or regulators may consider imposing interest and principal payment restrictions on issuers of hybrid securities to preserve cash and preserve the issuer's capital. Beyond the cash flow impact that additional deferrals would have on our portfolio, such deferrals could result in ratings downgrades of the affected securities, which in turn could result in a reduction of fair value of the securities and increase our regulatory capital requirements. We consider these factors in our credit review process.

When determining our intention to sell a security prior to recovery of its fair value to amortized cost, we evaluate facts and circumstances such as, but not limited to, sales of securities to meet cash flow needs and decisions to reposition our security portfolio. We perform ongoing analyses of our liquidity needs, which includes cash flow testing of our policy liabilities, debt maturities, projected dividend payments and other cash flow and liquidity needs. Our cash flow testing includes extensive duration matching of our investment portfolio and policy liabilities. Based on our analyses, we have concluded that we have sufficient excess cash flows to meet our liquidity needs without selling any of our investments prior to their maturity. Recently, we have been repositioning our security portfolio in an effort to enhance diversification and our credit profile by reducing our risk exposure through opportunistic investment transactions.

The following table details our pretax other-than-temporary impairment losses by investment category that resulted from our impairment evaluation process.
  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In millions)
2013
 
2012
 
Perpetual securities
$
0

 
$
140

 
Corporate bonds
38

 
63

 
Sovereign and supranational
16

 
0

 
Equity securities
1

 
0

 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses realized
$
55

(1) 
$
203

(1) 
(1) Includes $0 and $28 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $54 and $175 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $1 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value

Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
Effect on Shareholders’ Equity
The net effect on shareholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses from investment securities was as follows:
(In millions)
March 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
 
$
3,003

 
 
 
$
3,932

 
Unamortized unrealized gains on securities transferred to held to maturity
 
17

 
 
 
20

 
Deferred income taxes
 
(1,039
)
 
 
 
(1,382
)
 
Shareholders’ equity, unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
 
$
1,981

 
 
 
$
2,570

 

Gross Unrealized Loss Aging
The following tables show the fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investments that were in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

  
March 31, 2013
  
Total
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
(In millions)
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed Maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Japan government and agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
$
5

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
5

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
  Municipalities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
34

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
34

 
 
 
6

 
  Mortgage- and asset- backed
securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
9

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
9

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Yen-denominated
 
125

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
125

 
 
 
1

 
  Public utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
1,154

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
1,144

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
0

 
  Yen-denominated
 
3,052

 
 
 
275

 
 
 
1,779

 
 
 
120

 
 
 
1,273

 
 
 
155

 
  Sovereign and supranational:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
33

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
33

 
 
 
2

 
  Yen-denominated
 
903

 
 
 
107

 
 
 
515

 
 
 
17

 
 
 
388

 
 
 
90

 
  Banks/financial institutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
347

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
318

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
29

 
 
 
1

 
  Yen-denominated
 
6,537

 
 
 
926

 
 
 
3,178

 
 
 
171

 
 
 
3,359

 
 
 
755

 
  Other corporate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
7,478

 
 
 
271

 
 
 
7,350

 
 
 
263

 
 
 
128

 
 
 
8

 
  Yen-denominated
 
4,847

 
 
 
458

 
 
 
3,509

 
 
 
265

 
 
 
1,338

 
 
 
193

 
  Total fixed maturities
 
24,524

 
 
 
2,085

 
 
 
17,807

 
 
 
874

 
 
 
6,717

 
 
 
1,211

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
18

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
18

 
 
 
6

 
  Yen-denominated
 
2,045

 
 
 
592

 
 
 
1,349

 
 
 
325

 
 
 
696

 
 
 
267

 
  Total perpetual securities
 
2,063

 
 
 
598

 
 
 
1,349

 
 
 
325

 
 
 
714

 
 
 
273

 
Equity securities
 
1

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
0

 
  Total
 
$
26,588

 
 
 
$
2,683

 
 
 
$
19,156

 
 
 
$
1,199

 
 
 
$
7,432

 
 
 
$
1,484

 

  
December 31, 2012
  
Total
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
(In millions)
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed Maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Japan government and agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
$
17,342

 
 
 
$
148

 
 
 
$
17,342

 
 
 
$
148

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
  Municipalities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
34

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
33

 
 
 
6

 
  Yen-denominated
 
56

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
56

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Mortgage- and asset- backed
securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
10

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Yen-denominated
 
136

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
136

 
 
 
1

 
  Public utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
736

 
 
 
17

 
 
 
736

 
 
 
17

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Yen-denominated
 
3,920

 
 
 
178

 
 
 
1,339

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
2,581

 
 
 
147

 
  Sovereign and supranational:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
31

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
2

 
  Yen-denominated
 
1,244

 
 
 
84

 
 
 
507

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
737

 
 
 
71

 
  Banks/financial institutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
276

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
180

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
96

 
 
 
3

 
  Yen-denominated
 
6,918

 
 
 
611

 
 
 
1,935

 
 
 
28

 
 
 
4,983

 
 
 
583

 
  Other corporate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
4,534

 
 
 
95

 
 
 
4,404

 
 
 
86

 
 
 
130

 
 
 
9

 
  Yen-denominated
 
4,013

 
 
 
261

 
 
 
1,635

 
 
 
40

 
 
 
2,378

 
 
 
221

 
  Total fixed maturities
 
39,250

 
 
 
1,411

 
 
 
28,145

 
 
 
368

 
 
 
11,105

 
 
 
1,043

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Dollar-denominated
 
136

 
 
 
9

 
 
 
120

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
16

 
 
 
9

 
  Yen-denominated
 
1,315

 
 
 
161

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
1,315

 
 
 
161

 
  Total perpetual securities
 
1,451

 
 
 
170

 
 
 
120

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
1,331

 
 
 
170

 
Equity securities
 
6

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
1

 
  Total
 
$
40,707

 
 
 
$
1,582

 
 
 
$
28,268

 
 
 
$
368

 
 
 
$
12,439

 
 
 
$
1,214

 


Analysis of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions

The unrealized losses on our investments have been primarily related to general market changes in foreign exchange rates or the levels of credit spreads or interest rates rather than specific concerns with the issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. In addition, in the first quarter of 2013, we refined our methodology for valuing certain privately issued securities (see Note 5). The change in valuation methodology resulted in an increase in gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2013, compared with December 31, 2012. The following summarizes our evaluation of investment categories with significant unrealized losses and securities that were rated below investment grade as of March 31, 2013.

General Review of Credit Considerations

For any significant declines in fair value, we perform a more focused review of the related issuers' credit profile. We evaluate their ratings from the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs), their assets, business profile including industry dynamics and competitive positioning, financial statements and other available financial data. We utilize information available in the public domain as well as consultations with issuers themselves. For non-corporate issuers, the analysis will focus on all sources of credit support including macro-economic variables and issuer specific factors. From these reviews, we evaluate the issuer's continued ability to service our investment through their payment of interest and principal.

Public Utilities

As of March 31, 2013, 85% of the unrealized losses on investments in the public utilities sector were related to investments that were investment grade, compared with 69% at December 31, 2012. We have determined that the majority of the unrealized losses in the public utilities sector as of March 31, 2013 were caused by general market changes. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our investments in this sector have the ability to service their obligations to us.

Sovereign and Supranational

As of March 31, 2013, 99% of the unrealized losses on investment securities in the sovereign and supranational sector were related to investments that were investment grade, compared with 96% at December 31, 2012. We have determined that the majority of the unrealized losses on the investments in the sovereign and supranational sector as of March 31, 2013 were caused by general market changes. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our investments in this sector have the ability to service their obligations to us.

Bank and Financial Institutions

The following table shows the composition of our investments in an unrealized loss position in the bank and financial institution sector by fixed-maturity securities and perpetual securities. The table reflects those securities in that sector that were in an unrealized loss position as a percentage of our total investment portfolio in an unrealized loss position. The table also reflects the respective unrealized losses in this sector as a percentage of total unrealized losses in our investment portfolio.  
  
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Percentage of
Total Investments in
an Unrealized Loss
Position
 
Percentage of
Total
Unrealized
Losses
 
Percentage of
Total Investments in
an Unrealized Loss
Position
 
Percentage of
Total
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturities
 
26
%
 
 
 
35
%
 
 
 
18
%
 
 
 
39
%
 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upper Tier II
 
5

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
4

 
Tier I
 
2

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
7

 
Total perpetual
securities
 
7

 
 
 
20

 
 
 
4

 
 
 
11

 
Total
 
33
%
 
 
 
55
%
 
 
 
22
%
 
 
 
50
%
 


As of March 31, 2013, 83% of the $1.5 billion in unrealized losses on investments in the bank and financial institution sector, including perpetual securities, were related to investments that were investment grade, compared with 81% at December 31, 2012. Of the $8.7 billion in total investments, at fair value, in this sector in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2013, only $617 million, which had $255 million in unrealized losses, was below investment grade. Three issuers of investments comprised the $255 million unrealized loss.

Based on our credit analysis, we have determined that the majority of the unrealized losses on the investments in this sector as of March 31, 2013 were caused by wider credit spreads, the downturn in the global economic environment and, to a lesser extent, changes in foreign exchange rates. Further, unrealized gains or losses relating to prevailing interest rate environments are impacted by the remaining time to maturity of an investment. Assuming no credit-related factors develop, as investments near maturity, the unrealized gains or losses can be expected to diminish. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our investments in this sector have the ability to service their obligations to us.

Other Corporate

As of March 31, 2013, 88% of the unrealized losses on investments in the other corporate sector were related to investments that were investment grade, compared with 72% at December 31, 2012. We have determined that the majority of the unrealized losses on the investments in the other corporate sector as of March 31, 2013 were caused by general market changes. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our investments in this sector have the ability to service their obligations to us.

Perpetual Securities

As of March 31, 2013, 88% of the unrealized losses on investments in perpetual securities were related to investments that were investment grade, compared with 100% at December 31, 2012. The majority of our investments in Upper Tier II and Tier I perpetual securities were in highly-rated global financial institutions. Upper Tier II securities have more debt-like characteristics than Tier I securities and are senior to Tier I securities, preferred stock, and common equity of the issuer. Conversely, Tier I securities have more equity-like characteristics, but are senior to the common equity of the issuer. They may also be senior to certain preferred shares, depending on the individual security, the issuer's capital structure and the regulatory jurisdiction of the issuer.

Details of our holdings of perpetual securities were as follows:
Perpetual Securities
  
  
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(In millions)
Credit
Rating
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Upper Tier II:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A
 
 
$
164

 
 
 
$
181

 
 
 
$
17

 
 
 
$
460

 
 
 
$
488

 
 
 
$
28

 
 
BBB
 
 
1,911

 
 
 
1,684

 
 
 
(227
)
 
 
 
2,077

 
 
 
2,129

 
 
 
52

 
 
BB or lower
 
 
265

 
 
 
194

 
 
 
(71
)
 
 
 
288

 
 
 
302

 
 
 
14

 
Total Upper Tier II
 
 
 
2,340

 
 
 
2,059

 
 
 
(281
)
 
 
 
2,825

 
 
 
2,919

 
 
 
94

 
Tier I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BBB
 
 
835

 
 
 
669

 
 
 
(166
)
 
 
 
966

 
 
 
904

 
 
 
(62
)
 
 
BB or lower
 
 
173

 
 
 
187

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
113

 
 
 
127

 
 
 
14

 
Total Tier I
 
 
 
1,008

 
 
 
856

 
 
 
(152
)
 
 
 
1,079

 
 
 
1,031

 
 
 
(48
)
 
Other subordinated
- non-banks
BBB
 
 
285

 
 
 
218

 
 
 
(67
)
 
 
 
309

 
 
 
352

 
 
 
43

 
Total
 
 
 
$
3,633

 
 
 
$
3,133

 
 
 
$
(500
)
 
 
 
$
4,213

 
 
 
$
4,302

 
 
 
$
89

 


With the exception of the Icelandic bank securities that we completely impaired in 2008, none of the perpetual securities we own were in default on interest and principal payments at March 31, 2013.

During the first three months of 2013, our aggregate holdings in perpetual securities moved from an unrealized gain of $89 million to an unrealized loss of $500 million. This change is primarily due to a refinement in our methodology for valuing privately issued securities, including perpetual securities, that was implemented in the first quarter of 2013 (see Note 5).

For those securities with unrealized losses as of March 31, 2013, we believe the losses are principally due to a temporary widening of the applicable discount rate through a combination of interest rates and/or credit spreads. Based on our reviews, we do not believe the ability of these issuers to service our investments has been compromised. Assuming no unforeseen credit factors develop, as the investments near their expected economic maturity, the unrealized gains or losses should lessen. Based on our analysis, we believe the issuers of our holdings in this sector have the ability to service their obligations to us.

Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

As a condition to our involvement or investment in a VIE, we enter into certain protective rights and covenants that preclude changes in the structure of the VIE that would alter the creditworthiness of our investment or our beneficial interest in the VIE.

Our involvement with all of the VIEs in which we have an interest is passive in nature, and we are not the arranger of these entities. We have not been involved in establishing these entities, except as it relates to our review and evaluation of the structure of these VIEs in the normal course of our investment decision-making process. Further, we are not, nor have we been, required to purchase any securities issued in the future by these VIEs.

Our ownership interest in the VIEs is limited to holding the obligations issued by them. All of the VIEs in which we invest are static with respect to funding and have no ongoing forms of funding after the initial funding date. We have no direct or contingent obligations to fund the limited activities of these VIEs, nor do we have any direct or indirect financial guarantees related to the limited activities of these VIEs. We have not provided any assistance or any other type of financing support to any of the VIEs we invest in, nor do we have any intention to do so in the future. The weighted-average lives of our notes are very similar to the underlying collateral held by these VIEs where applicable.

Our risk of loss related to our interests in any of our VIEs is limited to our investment in the debt securities issued by them.
VIEs - Consolidated
The following table presents the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs are reported.
Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
 
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
$
4,721

 
 
 
$
5,377

 
 
 
$
5,058

 
 
 
$
5,787

 
Perpetual securities, available for sale
 
520

 
 
 
455

 
 
 
559

 
 
 
574

 
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
 
266

 
 
 
259

 
 
 
289

 
 
 
287

 
Other assets
 
158

 
 
 
158

 
 
 
191

 
 
 
191

 
Total assets of consolidated VIEs
 
$
5,665

 
 
 
$
6,249

 
 
 
$
6,097

 
 
 
$
6,839

 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
$
371

 
 
 
$
371

 
 
 
$
399

 
 
 
$
399

 
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs
 
$
371

 
 
 
$
371

 
 
 
$
399

 
 
 
$
399

 


We are substantively the only investor in the consolidated VIEs listed in the table above. As the sole investor in these VIEs, we have the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and are therefore considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs that we consolidate. We also participate in substantially all of the variability created by these VIEs. The activities of these VIEs are limited to holding debt and perpetual securities and interest rate, foreign currency, and/or credit default swaps (CDSs), as appropriate, and utilizing the cash flows from these securities to service our investment. Neither we nor any of our creditors are able to obtain the underlying collateral of the VIEs unless there is an event of default or other specified event. For those VIEs that contain a swap, we are not a direct counterparty to the swap contracts and have no control over them. Our loss exposure to these VIEs is limited to our original investment. Our consolidated VIEs do not rely on outside or ongoing sources of funding to support their activities beyond the underlying collateral and swap contracts, if applicable. With the exception of our investment in senior secured bank loans through unit trust structures, the underlying collateral assets and funding of our consolidated VIEs are generally static in nature and the underlying collateral and the reference corporate entities covered by any CDS contracts were all investment grade at the time of issuance.

We are exposed to credit losses within any consolidated collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) that could result in principal losses to our investments. We have mitigated our risk of credit loss through the structure of the VIE, which contractually requires the subordinated tranches within these VIEs to absorb the majority of the expected losses from the underlying credit default swaps. We currently own only senior mezzanine CDO tranches. Based on our statistical analysis models and the current subordination levels in our CDOs, each of these VIEs can sustain a reasonable number of defaults in the underlying reference entities in the CDSs with no loss to our investment.

VIEs-Not Consolidated
The table below reflects the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which our investment in VIEs not consolidated are reported.
Investments in Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated
  
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
$
6,907

 
 
 
$
7,287

 
 
 
$
7,738

 
 
 
$
8,350

 
Perpetual securities, available for sale
 
413

 
 
 
392

 
 
 
736

 
 
 
751

 
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
 
3,521

 
 
 
3,522

 
 
 
3,829

 
 
 
3,922

 
Total investments in VIEs not consolidated
 
$
10,841

 
 
 
$
11,201

 
 
 
$
12,303

 
 
 
$
13,023

 


The VIEs that we are not required to consolidate are investments that are limited to loans in the form of debt obligations from the VIEs that are irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by their corporate parents. These VIEs are the primary financing vehicles used by their corporate sponsors to raise financing in the international capital markets. The variable interests created by these VIEs are principally or solely a result of the debt instruments issued by them. We do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, nor do we have (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. As such, we are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and are therefore not required to consolidate them. These VIE investments comprise securities from 143 separate issuers with an average credit rating of BBB.

Securities Lending

We lend fixed-maturity securities to financial institutions in short-term security-lending transactions. These short-term security-lending arrangements increase investment income with minimal risk. Our security lending policy requires that the fair value of the securities and/or unrestricted cash received as collateral be 102% or more of the fair value of the loaned securities. The following table presents our security loans outstanding and the corresponding collateral held: 
(In millions)
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Security loans outstanding, fair value
 
$
202

 
 
 
$
6,122

 
Cash collateral on loaned securities
 
207

 
 
 
6,277

 

The balance of our security loans outstanding was significantly lower at March 31, 2013, compared with that at December 31, 2012, due to the conclusion of a six-month securities lending program that began in the third quarter of 2012. For this particular securities lending program, we invested the cash collateral in JGBs with maturities that corresponded with the conclusion of the program.