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INVESTMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
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.
  
June 30, 2017
(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
 
$
27,020

 
 
 
$
3,262

 
 
 
$
396

 
 
 
$
29,886

 
Municipalities
 
305

 
 
 
26

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
317

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
261

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
292

 
Public utilities
 
1,654

 
 
 
367

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
2,013

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
1,482

 
 
 
181

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
1,660

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,150

 
 
 
460

 
 
 
64

 
 
 
3,546

 
Other corporate
 
3,657

 
 
 
715

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
4,358

 
Total yen-denominated
 
37,529

 
 
 
5,042

 
 
 
499

 
 
 
42,072

 
  U.S. dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agencies
 
131

 
 
 
12

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
143

 
Municipalities
 
891

 
 
 
143

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
1,027

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
175

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
188

 
Public utilities
 
5,263

 
 
 
770

 
 
 
42

 
 
 
5,991

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
326

 
 
 
88

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
414

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
2,684

 
 
 
573

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
3,250

 
Other corporate
 
24,959

 
 
 
2,267

 
 
 
554

 
 
 
26,672

 
Total U.S. dollar-denominated
 
34,429

 
 
 
3,866

 
 
 
610

 
 
 
37,685

 
Total fixed maturities
 
71,958

 
 
 
8,908

 
 
 
1,109

 
 
 
79,757

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
1,317

 
 
 
256

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
1,542

 
Other corporate
 
197

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
228

 
  U.S. dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
46

 
 
 
27

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
73

 
Total perpetual securities
 
1,560

 
 
 
314

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
1,843

 
Equity securities:
 


 
 
 


 
 
 


 
 
 


 
      Yen-denominated
 
668

 
 
 
86

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
749

 
      U.S. dollar-denominated
 
621

 
 
 
47

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
654

 
Total equity securities
 
1,289

 
 
 
133

 
 
 
19

 
 
 
1,403

 
Total securities available for sale
 
$
74,807

 
 
 
$
9,355

 
 
 
$
1,159

 
 
 
$
83,003

 

  
June 30, 2017
(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
 
$
21,527

 
 
 
$
5,126

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
26,653

 
Municipalities
 
362

 
 
 
105

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
467

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
29

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
30

 
Public utilities
 
3,329

 
 
 
450

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
3,779

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
1,537

 
 
 
304

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
1,841

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,119

 
 
 
218

 
 
 
15

 
 
 
3,322

 
Other corporate
 
2,710

 
 
 
505

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
3,215

 
Total yen-denominated
 
32,613

 
 
 
6,709

 
 
 
15

 
 
 
39,307

 
Total securities held to maturity
 
$
32,613

 
 
 
$
6,709

 
 
 
$
15

 
 
 
$
39,307

 

  
December 31, 2016
(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
 
$
22,857

 
 
 
$
3,359

 
 
 
$
160

 
 
 
$
26,056

 
Municipalities
 
246

 
 
 
29

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
267

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
1,096

 
 
 
33

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
1,121

 
Public utilities
 
1,533

 
 
 
318

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
1,848

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
862

 
 
 
186

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
1,043

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
2,673

 
 
 
403

 
 
 
74

 
 
 
3,002

 
Other corporate
 
3,192

 
 
 
623

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
3,812

 
Total yen-denominated
 
32,459

 
 
 
4,951

 
 
 
261

 
 
 
37,149

 
  U.S dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agencies
 
148

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
158

 
Municipalities
 
894

 
 
 
142

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
1,028

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
196

 
 
 
20

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
216

 
Public utilities
 
5,205

 
 
 
690

 
 
 
60

 
 
 
5,835

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
335

 
 
 
91

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
426

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
2,570

 
 
 
507

 
 
 
16

 
 
 
3,061

 
Other corporate
 
24,556

 
 
 
2,021

 
 
 
690

 
 
 
25,887

 
Total U.S. dollar-denominated
 
33,904

 
 
 
3,481

 
 
 
774

 
 
 
36,611

 
Total fixed maturities
 
66,363

 
 
 
8,432

 
 
 
1,035

 
 
 
73,760

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
1,266

 
 
 
128

 
 
 
49

 
 
 
1,345

 
Other corporate
 
189

 
 
 
24

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
213

 
  U.S. dollar-denominated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks/financial institutions
 
51

 
 
 
24

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
75

 
Total perpetual securities
 
1,506

 
 
 
176

 
 
 
49

 
 
 
1,633

 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Yen-denominated
 
624

 
 
 
83

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
705

 
      U.S. dollar-denominated
 
579

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
604

 
Total equity securities
 
1,203

 
 
 
114

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
1,309

 
Total securities available for sale
 
$
69,072

 
 
 
$
8,722

 
 
 
$
1,092

 
 
 
$
76,702

 

  
December 31, 2016
(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
 
$
20,702

 
 
 
$
5,338

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
26,040

 
Municipalities
 
350

 
 
 
107

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
457

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
30

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
32

 
Public utilities
 
3,201

 
 
 
358

 
 
 
23

 
 
 
3,536

 
Sovereign and supranational
 
2,602

 
 
 
283

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
2,877

 
Banks/financial institutions
 
3,731

 
 
 
195

 
 
 
26

 
 
 
3,900

 
Other corporate
 
2,734

 
 
 
452

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
3,179

 
Total yen-denominated
 
33,350

 
 
 
6,735

 
 
 
64

 
 
 
40,021

 
Total securities held to maturity
 
$
33,350

 
 
 
$
6,735

 
 
 
$
64

 
 
 
$
40,021

 


The methods of determining the fair values of our investments in fixed-maturity securities, perpetual securities and equity securities are described in Note 5.

During the second quarter of 2017, we reclassified three investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category as a result of the issuers' credit rating being downgraded to below investment grade. At the time of the transfer, the securities had an amortized cost of $773 million and an unrealized gain of $47 million. During the first quarter of 2017, we did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category.

During the first and second quarters of 2016, we did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category.
Contractual and Economic Maturities
The contractual maturities of our investments in fixed maturities at June 30, 2017, 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
 
$
140

 
 
 
$
153

 
 
 
$
114

 
 
 
$
117

 
Due after one year through five years
 
4,639

 
 
 
4,905

 
 
 
639

 
 
 
685

 
Due after five years through 10 years
 
9,668

 
 
 
10,114

 
 
 
3,118

 
 
 
3,360

 
Due after 10 years
 
44,106

 
 
 
49,639

 
 
 
8,500

 
 
 
9,688

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
304

 
 
 
346

 
 
 
40

 
 
 
42

 
Total fixed maturities available for sale
 
$
58,857

 
 
 
$
65,157

 
 
 
$
12,411

 
 
 
$
13,892

 
Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$
491

 
 
 
$
504

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
Due after one year through five years
 
929

 
 
 
981

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Due after five years through 10 years
 
1,648

 
 
 
1,826

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Due after 10 years
 
29,516

 
 
 
35,965

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
29

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Total fixed maturities held to maturity
 
$
32,613

 
 
 
$
39,307

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 


At June 30, 2017, the Parent Company and other business segments had portfolios of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities totaling $690 million at amortized cost and $708 million at fair value, which are 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 after some period of time. The instruments are generally callable by the issuer at the time of changing from a fixed coupon rate to a new variable rate of interest, which is determined by the combination of some market index plus a fixed amount of basis points. The net effect is to create an expected maturity date for the instrument. The economic maturities of our investments in perpetual securities, which were all reported as available for sale at June 30, 2017, were as follows:
  
Aflac Japan
 
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair  
Value  
Due in one year or less
 
$
85

 
 
 
$
82

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
Due after one year through five years
 
197

 
 
 
229

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Due after 10 years
 
1,239

 
 
 
1,473

 
 
 
39

 
 
 
59

 
Total perpetual securities available for sale
 
$
1,521

 
 
 
$
1,784

 
 
 
$
39

 
 
 
$
59

 


Investment Concentrations

Our process for investing in credit-related investments begins with an independent approach to underwriting each issuer's fundamental credit quality. We evaluate independently those factors that 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 evaluate the investment considering broad business and portfolio management objectives, including asset/liability needs, portfolio diversification, and expected income.

Investment exposures that individually exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity were as follows:
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
(In millions)
Credit
Rating
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Credit
Rating
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Japan National Government(1)
A
 
$47,844
 
$55,723
 
A
 
$42,931
 
$51,345
(1)Japan Government Bonds (JGBs) or JGB-backed securities


Realized Investment Gains and Losses

Information regarding pretax realized gains and losses from investments is as follows:
  
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(In millions)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Realized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains from sales
$
5

 
$
6

 
$
17

 
$
8

 
Gross losses from sales(1)
(16
)
 
(12
)
 
(31
)
 
(16
)
 
Net gains (losses) from redemptions
(9
)
(1) 
4

 
(37
)
(1) 
87

 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
(3
)
 
(9
)
(1) 
(7
)
 
(21
)
(1) 
Total fixed maturities
(23
)
 
(11
)
 
(58
)
 
58

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gains (losses) from redemptions
4

 
30

 
4

 
40

 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
0

 
0

 
0

 
(2
)
(1) 
Total perpetual securities
4

 
30

 
4

 
38

 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains from sales
23

 
2

 
48

 
5

 
Gross losses from sales
(2
)
 
(8
)
(1) 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
(6
)
 
(24
)
 
(12
)
 
(24
)
 
Total equity securities
15

 
(30
)
 
34

 
(30
)
 
Derivatives and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative gains (losses)
(51
)
 
(167
)
 
(103
)
 
(171
)
 
Foreign currency gains (losses)
(1
)
 
(45
)
 
(73
)
 
(89
)
 
  Total derivatives and other
(52
)
 
(212
)
 
(176
)
 
(260
)
 
  Total realized investment gains (losses)
$
(56
)
 
$
(223
)
 
$
(196
)
 
$
(194
)
 
(1) Primarily driven by foreign exchange
Prior year foreign currency transaction gains and losses have been reclassified to conform to current-year reporting classifications


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)
June 30,
 2017
 
December 31,
2016
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
 
$
8,196

 
 
 
$
7,630

 
Deferred income taxes
 
(3,023
)
 
 
 
(2,825
)
 
Shareholders’ equity, unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
 
$
5,173

 
 
 
$
4,805

 

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.

  
June 30, 2017
  
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
 
$
6,241

 
 
 
$
396

 
 
 
$
6,234

 
 
 
$
395

 
 
 
$
7

 
 
 
$
1

 
  Municipalities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
45

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
45

 
 
 
7

 
  Yen-denominated
 
128

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
116

 
 
 
11

 
 
 
12

 
 
 
3

 
  Public utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
1,121

 
 
 
42

 
 
 
623

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
498

 
 
 
28

 
  Yen-denominated
 
96

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
96

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Sovereign and supranational:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
42

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
42

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Banks/financial institutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
232

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
216

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
16

 
 
 
2

 
  Yen-denominated
 
1,523

 
 
 
79

 
 
 
590

 
 
 
27

 
 
 
933

 
 
 
52

 
  Other corporate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
8,252

 
 
 
554

 
 
 
4,772

 
 
 
155

 
 
 
3,480

 
 
 
399

 
  Yen-denominated
 
169

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
132

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
37

 
 
 
1

 
  Total fixed maturities
 
17,849

 
 
 
1,124

 
 
 
12,821

 
 
 
631

 
 
 
5,028

 
 
 
493

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
429

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
429

 
 
 
31

 
  Total perpetual securities
 
429

 
 
 
31

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
429

 
 
 
31

 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
268

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
255

 
 
 
11

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
3

 
  Yen-denominated
 
99

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
80

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
19

 
 
 
2

 
  Total equity securities
 
367

 
 
 
19

 
 
 
335

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
32

 
 
 
5

 
  Total
 
$
18,645

 
 
 
$
1,174

 
 
 
$
13,156

 
 
 
$
645

 
 
 
$
5,489

 
 
 
$
529

 

  
December 31, 2016
  
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
 
$
3,958

 
 
 
$
160

 
 
 
$
3,958

 
 
 
$
160

 
 
 
$
0

 
 
 
$
0

 
  Municipalities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
44

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
44

 
 
 
8

 
  Yen-denominated
 
105

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
105

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Mortgage- and asset-
backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
713

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
713

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Public utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
1,265

 
 
 
60

 
 
 
790

 
 
 
32

 
 
 
475

 
 
 
28

 
  Yen-denominated
 
635

 
 
 
26

 
 
 
347

 
 
 
14

 
 
 
288

 
 
 
12

 
  Sovereign and supranational:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
244

 
 
 
13

 
 
 
38

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
206

 
 
 
8

 
  Banks/financial institutions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
268

 
 
 
16

 
 
 
238

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
30

 
 
 
6

 
  Yen-denominated
 
1,521

 
 
 
100

 
 
 
636

 
 
 
19

 
 
 
885

 
 
 
81

 
  Other corporate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  U.S. dollar-denominated
 
10,462

 
 
 
690

 
 
 
7,252

 
 
 
346

 
 
 
3,210

 
 
 
344

 
  Yen-denominated
 
321

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
321

 
 
 
10

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Total fixed maturities
 
19,536

 
 
 
1,099

 
 
 
14,398

 
 
 
612

 
 
 
5,138

 
 
 
487

 
Perpetual securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yen-denominated
 
479

 
 
 
49

 
 
 
85

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
394

 
 
 
48

 
  Total perpetual securities
 
479

 
 
 
49

 
 
 
85

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
394

 
 
 
48

 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. dollar-denominated
 
211

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
211

 
 
 
6

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
Yen-denominated
 
49

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
49

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Total equity securities
 
260

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
260

 
 
 
8

 
 
 
0

 
 
 
0

 
  Total
 
$
20,275

 
 
 
$
1,156

 
 
 
$
14,743

 
 
 
$
621

 
 
 
$
5,532

 
 
 
$
535

 


Analysis of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions

The unrealized losses on our fixed maturity or perpetual securities investments have been primarily related to general market changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and/or the levels of credit spreads rather than specific concerns with the issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. The unrealized losses on our investments in equity securities are primarily related to foreign exchange rates, general market conditions which reflect prospects for the economy as a whole, or specific information pertaining to an industry or an individual company.

For any significant declines in fair value of our fixed income or perpetual securities, we perform a more focused review of the related issuers' credit profile. For corporate issuers, we evaluate their assets, business profile including industry dynamics and competitive positioning, financial statements and other available financial data. For non-corporate issuers, we analyze all sources of credit support, including issuer-specific factors. We utilize information available in the public domain and, for certain private placement issuers, from consultations with the issuers directly. We also consider ratings from Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs), as well as the specific characteristics of the security we own including seniority in the issuer's capital structure, covenant predictions, or other relevant features. From these reviews, we evaluate the issuers' continued ability to service our investment through payment of interest and principal.

For any significant declines in fair value of our equity securities, we review the severity of the security’s decline in fair value coupled with the length of time the fair value of the security has been below cost. We also perform a more focused review of the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer as well as general market conditions reflecting the prospects for the economy as a whole, and determine whether we have the intent to hold the securities until they recover in value.

Assuming no credit-related factors develop, unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturities and perpetual securities are expected to diminish as investments near maturity. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our fixed maturity and perpetual security investments in the sectors shown in the table above have the ability to service their obligations to us.

Other Investments

The table below reflects the composition of the carrying value for other investments as of the periods presented.
(In millions)
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans
 
$
1,052

 
 
 
$
855

 
Middle market loans
 
578

 
 
 
319

 
Short-term investments
 
138

 
 
 
89

 
Policy loans
 
201

 
 
 
184

 
Other
 
47

 
 
 
3

 
Total other investments
 
$
2,016

 
 
 
$
1,450

 


Loans and Loan Receivables

We classify our commercial mortgage loans (CMLs) and middle market loans (MMLs) as held-for-investment and include them in the other investments line on the consolidated balance sheets. We carry them on the balance sheet at amortized cost less an estimated allowance for loan losses. Our allowance for loan losses is established using both general and specific allowances. The general allowance is used for loans grouped by similar risk characteristics where a loan-specific or market-specific risk has not been identified, but for which we estimate probable incurred losses. The specific allowance is used on an individual loan basis when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our allowance for loan losses was $6 million and $3 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had no loans that were past due in regards to principal and/or interest payments. Additionally, we held no loans that were on nonaccrual status or considered impaired as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. We had no troubled debt restructurings during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Commercial Mortgage Loans

Commercial mortgage loans include transitional real estate (TRE) loans. As of June 30, 2017, we had $336 million in outstanding commitments to fund commercial mortgage loans, inclusive of loans held in unit trust structures. These commitments are contingent on the final underwriting and due diligence to be performed.

Middle Market Loans

Middle market loans are generally considered to be below investment grade. The carrying value for middle market loans included an unfunded amount of $147 million and $91 million, as of June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively, that is reflected in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

As of June 30, 2017, we had commitments of approximately $600 million to fund potential future loan originations related to this investment program, inclusive of loans held in unit trust structures. These commitments are contingent upon the availability of middle market loans that meet our underwriting criteria.

Other

As of June 30, 2017, we had $200 million in outstanding commitments to fund alternative investments in limited partnerships.

Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

As a condition of 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.

For those VIEs other than certain unit trust structures, our involvement is passive in nature. We are not, nor have we been, required to purchase any securities issued in the future by these VIEs.

Our ownership interest in VIEs is limited to holding the obligations issued by them. 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. For those VIEs in which we hold debt obligations, the weighted-average lives of our notes are very similar to the underlying collateral held by these VIEs where applicable.

We also utilize unit trust structures in our Aflac Japan segment to invest in various asset classes. As the sole investor of these VIEs, we are required to consolidate these entities under U.S. GAAP.

Our risk of loss related to our interests in any of our VIEs is limited to the carrying value of the related investments held in the VIE.

VIEs - Consolidated

The following table presents the cost or 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
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
(In millions)
Cost or Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Cost or Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
$
4,149

 
 
 
$
5,059

 
 
 
$
4,168

 
 
 
$
4,982

 
Perpetual securities, available for sale
 
241

 
 
 
216

 
 
 
237

 
 
 
208

 
Equity securities
 
1,032

 
 
 
1,123

 
 
 
972

 
 
 
1,044

 
Other investments (1)
 
1,200

 
 
 
1,186

 
 
 
819

 
 
 
789

 
Other assets (2)
 
142

 
 
 
142

 
 
 
127

 
 
 
127

 
Total assets of consolidated VIEs
 
$
6,764

 
 
 
$
7,726

 
 
 
$
6,323

 
 
 
$
7,150

 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities (2)
 
$
133

 
 
 
$
133

 
 
 
$
146

 
 
 
$
146

 
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs
 
$
133

 
 
 
$
133

 
 
 
$
146

 
 
 
$
146

 

(1) Consists of CMLs and MMLs
(2) Consist entirely of derivatives

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 invested assets and foreign currency, and/or credit default swaps (CDS), 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 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.

Investments in Unit Trust Structures

We invest through unit trust structures in yen-denominated public equity securities, U.S. dollar-denominated public equity securities, bank loans, commercial mortgage loans, infrastructure debt, and middle market loans in which we are the only investor, requiring us to consolidate these trusts under U.S. GAAP. The yen-denominated and U.S. dollar-denominated equity securities, bank loans and certain infrastructure debt are classified as available-for-sale in the financial statements. The commercial mortgage loans, middle market loans and certain infrastructure debt that meets the criteria to be classified as a loan are classified as loans held for investment and reflected in other investments on the consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost.

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
  
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
$
4,832

 
 
 
$
5,433

 
 
 
$
4,729

 
 
 
$
5,261

 
Perpetual securities, available for sale
 
179

 
 
 
230

 
 
 
172

 
 
 
200

 
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
 
2,662

 
 
 
3,085

 
 
 
2,563

 
 
 
2,948

 
Other investments
 
47

 
 
 
48

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
1

 
Total investments in VIEs not consolidated
 
$
7,720

 
 
 
$
8,796

 
 
 
$
7,465

 
 
 
$
8,410

 


The VIEs that we are not required to consolidate are investments that are in the form of debt obligations from the VIEs that are irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by their corporate parents or sponsors. These VIEs are the primary financing vehicles used by their corporate sponsors to raise financing in the 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 the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or 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 147 separate issuers with an average credit rating of BBB as of June 30, 2017, compared with 145 separate issuers with an average credit rating of BBB as of December 31, 2016.

Securities Lending and Pledged Securities

We lend fixed-maturity and public equity 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. These securities continue to be carried as investment assets on our balance sheet during the terms of the loans and are not reported as sales. We receive cash or other securities as collateral for such loans. For loans involving unrestricted cash or securities as collateral, the collateral is reported as an asset with a corresponding liability for the return of the collateral.

Details of our securities lending activities were as follows:
Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings
June 30, 2017
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
(In millions)
Overnight
and
Continuous
(1)
 
Up to 30
days
 
 
Total
Securities lending transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public utilities
$
63

 
$
0

 
 
$
63

Banks/financial institutions
38

 
0

 
 
38

Other corporate
556

 
0

 
 
556

    Equity securities
6

 
0

 
 
6

          Total borrowings
$
663

 
$
0

 
 
$
663

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions
 
$
663

Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4
 
$
0

(1) These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous.
Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings
December 31, 2016
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
(In millions)
Overnight
and
Continuous
(1)
 
Up to 30
days
 
 
Total
Securities lending transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public utilities
$
62

 
$
0

 
 
$
62

Banks/financial institutions
34

 
0

 
 
34

Other corporate
430

 
0

 
 
430

          Total borrowings
$
526

 
$
0

 
 
$
526

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions
 
$
526

Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4
 
$
0

(1) These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous.

We did not have any repurchase agreements or repurchase-to-maturity transactions outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Certain fixed-maturity securities can be pledged as collateral as part of derivative transactions, or pledged to support state deposit requirements or certain investment programs. For additional information regarding pledged securities related to derivative transactions, see Note 4.