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INVESTMENTS
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Investments [Abstract]  
INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS
Investment Holdings
The amortized cost for the Company's investments in fixed maturity securities, the cost for equity securities and the fair values of these investments are shown in the following tables.
  
September 30, 2020
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
Allowance for Credit LossesGross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
  Value
Securities available for sale, carried at fair
value through other comprehensive income:
Fixed maturity securities:
  Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies$32,646 $0 $4,297 $42 $36,901 
Municipalities1,013 0 305 3 1,315 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities337 0 28 1 364 
Public utilities4,585 0 960 1 5,544 
Sovereign and supranational1,054 0 82 4 1,132 
Banks/financial institutions7,505 0 683 180 8,008 
Other corporate7,934 0 1,484 86 9,332 
Total yen-denominated55,074 0 7,839 317 62,596 
  U.S. dollar-denominated:
U.S. government and agencies276 0 18 0 294 
Municipalities1,143 0 161 0 1,304 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities344 0 10 1 353 
Public utilities3,942 0 924 12 4,854 
Sovereign and supranational230 0 66 6 290 
Banks/financial institutions2,956 0 738 6 3,688 
Other corporate25,973 38 4,110 296 29,749 
Total U.S. dollar-denominated34,864 38 6,027 321 40,532 
Total securities available for sale$89,938 $38 $13,866 $638 $103,128 
  
December 31, 2019
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
  Value
Securities available for sale, carried at fair
value through other comprehensive income:
Fixed maturity securities:
  Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies$30,929 $5,169 $$36,098 
Municipalities516 116 629 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities229 25 254 
Public utilities1,855 406 2,261 
Sovereign and supranational680 50 730 
Banks/financial institutions6,152 700 86 6,766 
Other corporate5,323 944 24 6,243 
Total yen-denominated45,684 7,410 113 52,981 
  U.S dollar-denominated:
U.S. government and agencies293 302 
Municipalities1,077 141 1,218 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities149 156 
Public utilities3,804 725 10 4,519 
Sovereign and supranational239 73 312 
Banks/financial institutions2,879 646 3,521 
Other corporate25,246 3,255 248 28,253 
Total U.S. dollar-denominated33,687 4,856 262 38,281 
Total securities available for sale$79,371 $12,266 $375 $91,262 

  
September 30, 2020
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
Allowance for Credit LossesNet Carrying AmountGross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair  
Value  
Securities held to maturity, carried at
amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
  Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies$22,941 $3 $22,938 $5,564 $0 $28,502 
Municipalities370 0 370 120 0 490 
Public utilities47 1 46 14 0 60 
Sovereign and supranational564 5 559 164 0 723 
Other corporate24 0 24 8 0 32 
Total yen-denominated23,946 9 23,937 5,870 0 29,807 
Total securities held to maturity$23,946 $9 $23,937 $5,870 $0 $29,807 
  
December 31, 2019
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Securities held to maturity, carried at
amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
  Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies$22,241 $6,050 $$28,291 
Municipalities821 262 1,083 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities16 17 
Public utilities2,535 419 2,954 
Sovereign and supranational1,123 197 1,320 
Banks/financial institutions916 105 1,018 
Other corporate2,433 485 2,911 
Total yen-denominated30,085 7,519 10 37,594 
Total securities held to maturity$30,085 $7,519 $10 $37,594 

(In millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Equity securities, carried at fair value through net earnings:Fair ValueFair Value
Equity securities:
      Yen-denominated$630 $658 
      U.S. dollar-denominated145 144 
Total equity securities$775 $802 

The methods of determining the fair values of the Company's investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities, including a refinement in valuation methodology for determining fair value of privately issued securities as of September 30, 2020, are described in Note 5.

During the second and third quarter of 2020, the Company did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category. During the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2019-04 discussed in Note 1, the Company reclassified $6.9 billion (at amortized cost) of pre-payable fixed-maturity securities from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category. This reclassification resulted in recording in accumulated other comprehensive income a net unrealized gain of $848 million on an after-tax basis. During the first nine months of 2019, the Company did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category.
Contractual and Economic Maturities
The contractual and economic maturities of the Company's investments in fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2020, were as follows:
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
(1)
Fair
Value
Available for sale:
Due in one year or less$1,031 $1,053 
Due after one year through five years8,938 9,175 
Due after five years through 10 years13,159 15,092 
Due after 10 years66,091 77,091 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities681 717 
Total fixed maturity securities available for sale$89,900 $103,128 
Held to maturity:
Due in one year or less$$
Due after one year through five years
Due after five years through 10 years251 292 
Due after 10 years23,686 29,515 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Total fixed maturity securities held to maturity$23,937 $29,807 
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses

Economic maturities are used for certain debt instruments with no stated maturity where the expected maturity date is based on the combination of features in the financial instrument such as the right to call or prepay obligations or changes in coupon rates.

Investment Concentrations

The Company's process for investing in credit-related investments begins with an independent approach to underwriting each issuer's fundamental credit quality. The Company evaluates independently those factors that it believes could influence an issuer's ability to make payments under the contractual terms of the Company's 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). The Company further evaluates 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:
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(In millions)Credit
Rating
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Credit
Rating
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Japan National Government(1)
A+$54,078$63,588A+$51,726$62,584
(1)Japan Government Bonds (JGBs) or JGB-backed securities
Net Investment Gains and Losses

Information regarding pretax net gains and losses from investments is as follows:
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In millions)2020201920202019
Net investment gains (losses):
Sales and redemptions:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
Gross gains from sales$7 $11 $28 $55 
Gross losses from sales0 (18)(46)(29)
Foreign currency gains (losses) on sales and redemptions(5)(21)(39)(12)
Total sales and redemptions2 (28)(57)14 
Equity securities12 

18 (106)65 
Loan loss reserves (1)
0 (5)0 (8)
Credit losses:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale0 (13)
(2)
(75)(13)
(2)
Fixed maturity securities held to maturity0 1 
Commercial mortgage and other loans78 (86)
Loan commitments64 (17)
Reinsurance recoverables and other0 (2)
Total credit losses142 (13)(179)(13)
Derivatives and other:
Derivative gains (losses)138 (146)173 (24)
Foreign currency gains (losses)(186)21 (356)(181)
Total derivatives and other(48)(125)(183)(205)
Total net investment gains (losses)$108 $(153)$(525)$(147)
(1) U.S. GAAP guidance adopted as of January 1, 2020 has superseded these losses, included for comparative purposes only
(2) Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses for prior year

The unrealized holding gains, net of losses, recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, that relate to equity securities still held at the September 30, 2020 reporting date, were $31 million. The unrealized holding losses, net of gains, recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, that relate to equity securities still held at the September 30, 2020 reporting date, were $109 million.

Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
Effect on Shareholders’ Equity
The net effect on shareholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses from fixed maturity securities was as follows:
(In millions)September 30, 2020December 31,
2019
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale$13,228 $11,891 
Deferred income taxes(3,708)(3,343)
Shareholders’ equity, unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities$9,520 $8,548 

Gross Unrealized Loss Aging
The following tables show the fair values and gross unrealized losses of the Company's available-for-sale investments for the period ended September 30, 2020 and available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investments for prior periods 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.
  
September 30, 2020
  
TotalLess than 12 months12 months or longer
(In millions)Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturity securities available
for sale:
  Japan government and
agencies:
  Yen-denominated$1,997 42 1,997 42 0 0 
  Municipalities:
  Yen-denominated74 3 60 2 14 1 
Mortgage- and asset-
backed securities:
  U.S. dollar-denominated67 1 67 1 0 0 
  Yen-denominated36 1 36 1 0 0 
  Public utilities:
  U.S. dollar-denominated342 12 210 6 132 6 
      Yen-denominated214 1 214 1 0 0 
  Sovereign and supranational:
  U.S. dollar-denominated36 6 36 6 0 0 
  Yen-denominated35 4 35 4 0 0 
  Banks/financial institutions:
  U.S. dollar-denominated103 6 65 1 38 5 
  Yen-denominated2,859 180 1,853 102 1,006 78 
  Other corporate:
  U.S. dollar-denominated4,574 296 2,200 76 2,374 220 
  Yen-denominated 1,095 86 911 81 184 5 
  Total$11,432 $638 $7,684 $323 $3,748 $315 

  
December 31, 2019
  
TotalLess than 12 months12 months or longer
(In millions)Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturity securities:
  Municipalities:
  Yen-denominated$80 $$80 $$$
  Public utilities:
  U.S. dollar-denominated306 10 69 237 
  Banks/financial institutions:
  U.S. dollar-denominated79 18 61 
  Yen-denominated1,828 89 1,828 89 
  Other corporate:
  U.S. dollar-denominated4,261 248 792 53 3,469 195 
  Yen-denominated636 31 636 31 
  Total $7,190 $385 $3,423 $178 $3,767 $207 
Analysis of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions

The unrealized losses on the Company's fixed maturity 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.

For any significant declines in fair value of its fixed maturity securities, the Company performs a more focused review of the related issuers' credit profile. For corporate issuers, the Company evaluates their assets, business profile including industry dynamics and competitive positioning, financial statements and other available financial data. For non-corporate issuers, the Company analyzes all sources of credit support, including issuer-specific factors. The Company utilizes information available in the public domain and, for certain private placement issuers, from consultations with the issuers directly. The Company also considers ratings from Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs), as well as the specific characteristics of the security it owns including seniority in the issuer's capital structure, covenant protections, or other relevant features. From these reviews, the Company evaluates the issuers' continued ability to service the Company's investment through payment of interest and principal.

Assuming no credit-related factors develop, unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities are expected to diminish as investments near maturity. Based on its credit analysis, the Company believes that the issuers of its fixed maturity investments in the sectors shown in the table above have the ability to service their obligations to the Company, and the Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity.

However, the Company has identified certain available-for-sale fixed maturity securities where the amortized cost basis exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected due to credit related factors and as a result, a credit allowance has been calculated. As of September 30, 2020, the Company held an allowance of $38 million. Refer to the Credit Losses section below for additional information.

Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans

The Company classifies its transitional real estate loans (TREs), commercial mortgage loans (CMLs) and middle market loans (MMLs) as held-for-investment and includes them in the commercial mortgage and other loans line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company carries them on the balance sheet at amortized cost less an estimated allowance for credit losses.

The following table reflects the composition of the carrying value for commercial mortgage and other loans by property type as of the periods presented.
(In millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Amortized Cost% of TotalAmortized Cost% of Total
Commercial Mortgage and other loans:
Transitional real estate loans:
Office$2,146 19.5 %$1,800 18.7 %
Retail179 1.6 131 1.4 
Apartments/Multi-Family2,000 18.2 2,085 21.7 
Industrial145 1.3 256 2.7 
Hospitality1,093 10.0 1,036 10.8 
Other81 0.7 164 1.7 
Total transitional real estate loans5,644 51.3 5,472 57.0 
Commercial mortgage loans:
Office403 3.7 410 4.3 
Retail342 3.1 348 3.5 
Apartments/Multi-Family594 5.4 569 5.9 
Industrial393 3.6 383 4.0 
Total commercial mortgage loans1,732 15.8 1,710 17.7 
Middle market loans3,611 32.9 2,432 25.3 
Total commercial mortgage and other loans$10,987 100.0 %$9,614 100.0 %
Allowance for credit losses(165)(45)
(1)
Total net commercial mortgage and other loans$10,822 $9,569 
(1) U.S. GAAP guidance adopted as of January 1, 2020 has superseded these losses, included for comparative purposes only.

Commercial mortgage and transitional real estate loans were secured by properties entirely within the U.S. (with the largest concentrations in California (21%), Texas (14%) and Florida (11%)). Middle market loans are issued only to companies domiciled within the U.S. and Canada.

Transitional Real Estate Loans

Transitional real estate loans are commercial mortgage loans that are typically relatively short-term floating rate instruments secured by a first lien on the property. These loans provide funding for properties undergoing a change in their physical characteristics and/or economic profile and do not typically require any principal repayment prior to the maturity date. This loan portfolio is generally considered to be investment grade. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $657 million in outstanding commitments to fund transitional real estate loans. These commitments are contingent on the final underwriting and due diligence to be performed.

Commercial Mortgage Loans

Commercial mortgage loans are typically fixed rate loans on commercial real estate with partial repayment of principal over the life of the loan with the remaining outstanding principal being repaid upon maturity. This loan portfolio is generally considered higher quality investment grade loans. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no outstanding commitments to fund commercial mortgage loans.

Middle Market Loans

Middle market loans are typically first lien senior secured cash flow loans to small to mid-size companies for working capital, refinancing, acquisition, and recapitalization. These loans are generally considered to be below investment grade. The carrying value for middle market loans included $26 million and $99 million for a short term credit facility that is reflected in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had commitments of approximately $2.3 billion of which $2.0 billion was a result of a new agreement with an external manager during the first quarter of 2020 to fund future middle market loans. These commitments are contingent upon the availability of middle market loans that meet the Company's underwriting criteria.

Credit Losses

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC 326: Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. The newly adopted accounting standard requires the Company to estimate an expected lifetime credit loss on financial assets including short-term receivables, held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, loan receivables, loan commitments and reinsurance recoverables. For the Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, the newly adopted guidance requires an entity to evaluate estimated credit losses only when the fair value of the available-for-sale fixed maturity security is below its amortized cost basis. Credit loss changes are recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the Company’s held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities, loan receivables, loan commitments and reinsurance recoverables. The Company’s off-balance sheet credit exposure is primarily attributable to loan commitments that are not unconditionally cancellable. The Company considers the contractual period of exposure to credit risk, the likelihood that funding will occur, the risk of loss, and the current conditions and expectations of future economic conditions to develop the estimate of expected credit losses. The Company records the estimate of expected credit losses for certain loan commitments within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

Write-offs and partial write-offs are recorded as a reduction to the amortized cost of the loan or fixed maturity security balance and a reduction to the credit allowance.

The Company’s held-to-maturity fixed maturity portfolio includes Japan Government and Agency securities of $22.8 billion amortized cost as of September 30, 2020 that meet the requirements for zero-credit-loss expectation and therefore these asset classes have been excluded from the current expected credit loss measurement.

The Company has elected not to measure an allowance on accrued interest income for all asset types, because the uncollectible accrued interest receivable is written off in a timely manner. The Company writes off accrued interest when it is more than ninety days past due. The Company has elected to write off accrued interest by reversing interest income, which is a component of net investment income, in the consolidated statement of earnings.
The Company designates nonaccrual status for a nonperforming debt security or a loan that is not generating its stated interest rate because of nonpayment of periodic interest by the borrower. The Company applies the cash basis method to record any payments received on non-accrual assets. The Company resumes the accrual of interest on fixed maturity securities and loans that are currently making contractual payments or for those that are not current where the borrower has paid timely (less than 30 days outstanding).

The Company records due premium receivable net of current expected credit losses in the receivables line item in the consolidated balance sheet, utilizing an aging methodology based on historical loss information, adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes in the estimated credit losses related to premium receivable are recorded in net premiums in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Credit Quality Indicators

For TREs, the Company’s key credit quality indicator is loan-to-value (LTV). Given that TRE loans involve properties undergoing renovation or construction, loan-to-value provides the most insight into the credit risk of the loan. The Company monitors the performance of the loans periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly.

For CMLs, the Company’s key credit quality indicators include LTV and debt service coverage ratios (DSCR). LTV is calculated by dividing the current outstanding loan balance by the most recent estimated property value. DSCR is the most recently available operating income of the underlying property compared to the required debt service of the loan.

For MMLs and held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, the Company’s key credit quality indicator is credit ratings. The Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio is composed of investment grade securities that are senior unsecured instruments, while its MMLs generally have below-investment-grade ratings but are typically senior secured instruments. The Company monitors the credit ratings periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly.
For the Company’s reinsurance recoverable balance, the key credit quality indicator is the credit rating of the Company’s reinsurance counterparty. The Company uses external credit ratings focused on the reinsurer’s financial strength and credit worthiness. The Company's counterparties are rated A+. The Company monitors the credit ratings periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly.

The following tables present as of September 30, 2020 the amortized cost basis of TREs, CMLs and MMLs by year of origination and credit quality indicator.
Transitional Real Estate Loans
(In millions)20202019201820172016PriorTotal
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
0%-59.99%$48 $529 $382 $158 $20 $57 $1,194 
60%-69.99%324 811 825 440 2,400 
70%-79.99%132 767 851 224 14 1,988 
80% or greater26 36 62 
Total$530 $2,143 $2,058 $822 $34 $57 $5,644 

Commercial Mortgage Loans
(In millions)20202019201820172016PriorTotalWeighted-Average DSCR
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
0%-59.99%$32 $402 $101 $69 $553 $$1,157 2.63
60%-69.99%16 224 70 184 494 1.93
70%-79.99%33 22 55 1.79
80% or greater26 26 1.66
Total48 659 171 69 785 1,732 2.39
Weighted Average DSCR1.982.532.232.562.320.002.39

Middle Market Loans
(In millions)20202019201820172016PriorRevolving LoansTotal
Credit Ratings:
BBB$25 $117 $62 $56 $$$16 $281 
BB201 235 237 84 37 15 86 895 
B267 740 315 235 119 24 185 1,885 
CCC15 98 121 96 37 31 90 488 
CC and lower19 39 62 
Total$508 $1,190 $754 $510 $201 $70 $378 $3,611 
Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company calculates its allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, loan receivables, loan commitments and reinsurance recoverable by grouping assets with similar risk characteristics when there is not a specific expectation of a loss for an individual asset. For held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, MMLs, and MML commitments, the Company groups assets by credit ratings, industry, and country. The Company groups CMLs and TREs and respective loan commitments by property type, property location and the property’s loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios. The credit allowance for the reinsurance recoverable balance is estimated using a probability-of-default (PD) / loss-given-default (LGD) method.

The Company’s methodology for estimating credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities utilizes the discounted cash flow model, based on past events, current market conditions and future economic conditions, as well as industry analysis and credit ratings of the fixed maturity securities. In addition, the Company evaluates the specific issuer’s probability of default and expected recovery of its position in the event of default based on the underlying financial condition and assets of the borrower as well as seniority and/or security of other debt holders in the issuer when developing management’s best estimate of expected cash flows.

The credit allowance for held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities and loan receivables is estimated using a PD / LGD method, discounted for the time value of money. For held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and loan receivables, the Company includes the change in present value due to the passage of time in the change in the allowance for credit losses. The Company’s methodology for estimating credit losses utilizes the contractual maturity date of the financial asset, adjusted when necessary to reflect the expected timing of repayment (such as prepayment options, renewal options, call options, or extension options). The Company applies reasonable and supportable forecasts of macroeconomic variables that impact the determination of PD/LGD over a two-year period for held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities and MMLs. The Company reverts to historical loss information over one year, following the two-year forecast period. For the CML and TRE portfolio, the Company applies reasonable and supportable forecasts of macroeconomic variables as well as national and local real-estate market factors to estimate future credit losses where the market factors revert back to historical levels over time with the period being dependent on current market conditions, projected market conditions and difference in the current and historical market levels for each factor. The Company continuously monitors the estimation methodology, due to changes in portfolio composition, changes in underwriting practices and significant events or conditions and makes adjustments as necessary.

A TDR involves a situation where the Company grants a concession to a borrower that the Company would not otherwise have considered due to the borrower’s financial difficulties. The Company has elected to apply Section 4013 of the CARES Act, or the Interagency statement which temporarily suspends TDR accounting guidance for loan modifications, such as extensions or deferrals, related to COVID-19. The relief provided by the CARES Act applies to loan modifications made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) December 31, 2020 or (ii) 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency, as determined by the Executive Branch, whereas the Interagency statement does not specify a time horizon.

The Company granted certain loan modifications in its MML and TRE portfolios due to COVID-19 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The nature of the modifications varied in scope and significance, but generally a small proportion of modifications qualified as TDR. The Company continues to evaluate loan modifications in our MML and TRE portfolios. As of September 30, 2020, the amortized cost of modified loans where Section 4013 of the CARES Act or the Interagency statement is applicable was immaterial.

The Company had an immaterial amount of TDRs during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company had no TDRs during 2019For certain TDRs, modifications resulted in write-offs for certain loans where the modified loan resulted in a forgiveness of existing principal and are included in the rollforward of the allowance for credit losses below.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had an immaterial amount (cost basis) of loans and fixed maturities on nonaccrual status.

The following table presents the roll forward of the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.
(in millions)Transitional Real Estate LoansCommercial Mortgage LoansMiddle Market LoansHeld to Maturity SecuritiesAvailable for Sale SecuritiesReinsurance Recoverables
Balance at December 31, 2019 (1)
$(22)$(3)$(20)$$$
Transition impact to retained earnings(2)(8)(33)(10)(11)
(Addition to) release of allowance for credit losses(29)(17)(31)(75)
Write-offs, net of recoveries37 
Balance at September 30, 2020$(53)$(28)$(84)$(9)$(38)$(11)
(1) U.S. GAAP guidance adopted as of January 1, 2020 has superseded these losses, included for comparative purposes only.

For assets that are subject to the credit loss measurement, the change in credit loss allowance will be significantly impacted by purchases and sales in those assets during the period as well as entering into new non-cancelable loan commitments. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company entered into a loan commitment with an external manager that met the requirements to recognize a credit loss on over $2.2 billion of loan commitments over the next few years. The estimate of credit losses for loan commitments as of September 30, 2020 was $31 million.
Other Investments

The table below reflects the composition of the carrying value for other investments as of the periods presented.
(In millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Other investments:
Policy loans$261 $250 
Short-term investments (1)
823 628 
Limited partnerships795 569 
Other25 30 
Total other investments$1,904 $1,477 
(1) Includes securities lending collateral

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $1.5 billion in outstanding commitments to fund alternative investments in limited partnerships.

Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)

As a condition of its involvement or investment in a VIE, the Company enters into certain protective rights and covenants that preclude changes in the structure of the VIE that would alter the creditworthiness of the Company's investment or its beneficial interest in the VIE.

For those VIEs other than certain unit trust structures, the Company's involvement is passive in nature. The Company has not, nor has it been, required to purchase any securities issued in the future by these VIEs.

The Company's ownership interest in VIEs is limited to holding the obligations issued by them. The Company has no direct or contingent obligations to fund the limited activities of these VIEs, nor does it have any direct or indirect financial guarantees related to the limited activities of these VIEs. The Company has not provided any assistance or any other type of financing support to any of the VIEs it invests in, nor does it have any intention to do so in the future. For those VIEs in which the Company holds debt obligations, the weighted-average lives of the Company's notes are very similar to the underlying collateral held by these VIEs where applicable.

The Company's risk of loss related to its interests in any of its 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
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(In millions)
Amortized
Cost
(1)
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale$3,279 $4,284 $3,308 $4,312 
Commercial mortgage and other loans9,245 9,201 7,956 8,015 
Other investments (2)
658 658 494 494 
Other assets (3)
97 97 169 169 
Total assets of consolidated VIEs$13,279 $14,240 $11,927 $12,990 
Liabilities:
Other liabilities (3)
$240 $240 $126 $126 
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs$240 $240 $126 $126 
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
(2) Consists entirely of alternative investments in limited partnerships
(3) Consists entirely of derivatives

The Company is substantively the only investor in the consolidated VIEs listed in the table above. As the sole investor in these VIEs, the Company has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and is therefore considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs that it consolidates. The Company also participates in substantially all of the variability created by these VIEs. The activities of these VIEs are limited to holding invested assets and foreign currency swaps, as appropriate, and utilizing the cash flows from these securities to service its investment. Neither the Company nor any of its 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, the Company is not a direct counterparty to the swap contracts and has no control over them. The Company's loss exposure to these VIEs is limited to its original investment. The Company's 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 its investment in unit trust structures, the underlying collateral assets and funding of the Company's consolidated VIEs are generally static in nature.

Investments in Unit Trust Structures

The Company also utilizes unit trust structures in its Aflac Japan segment to invest in various asset classes. As the sole investor of these VIEs, the Company is required to consolidate these trusts under U.S. GAAP.
VIEs - Not Consolidated
The table below reflects the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which the Company's investment in VIEs not consolidated are reported.
Investments in Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated
  
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(In millions)Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale$5,800 $6,985 $4,129 $4,884 
Fixed maturity securities, held to maturity0 0 1,848 2,236 
Other investments (1)
137 137 75 74 
Total investments in VIEs not consolidated$5,937 $7,122 $6,052 $7,194 
(1) Consists entirely of alternative investments in limited partnerships

The Company holds alternative investments in limited partnerships that have been determined to be VIEs. These partnerships invest in private equity and structured investments. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to the amount of its investment. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and is therefore not required to consolidate them. The Company classifies these investments as Other investments in the consolidated balance sheets.

Certain investments in VIEs that the Company is 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. The Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, nor does it have the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity. As such, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and is therefore not required to consolidate them.

Securities Lending and Pledged Securities

The Company lends 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. The Company receives cash or other securities as collateral for such loans. The Company's security lending policy requires that the fair value of the securities received as collateral be 102% or more of the fair value of the loaned securities and that unrestricted cash received as collateral be 100% or more of the fair value of the loaned securities. The securities loaned continue to be carried as investment assets on the Company's balance sheet during the terms of the loans and are not reported as sales. 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. For loans where the Company receives as collateral securities that the Company is not permitted to sell or repledge, the collateral is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.
Details of collateral by loaned security type and remaining maturity of the agreements were as follows:
Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(In millions)
Overnight
and
Continuous
(1)
Up to 30
days
Total
Overnight
and
Continuous
(1)
Up to 30
days
Total
Securities lending transactions:
Fixed maturity securities:
Japan government and
agencies
$0 $534 $534 $$1,013 $1,013 
Public utilities61 0 61 35 35 
Sovereign and supranational2 0 2 
Banks/financial institutions85 0 85 48 48 
Other corporate813 0 813 778 778 
          Total borrowings$961 $534 $1,495 $863 $1,013 $1,876 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending
transactions
$1,495 $1,876 
(1) The related loaned security, under the Company's U.S. securities lending program, can be returned to the Company at the transferee's discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous.

In connection with securities lending, in addition to cash collateral received, the Company received from counterparties securities collateral of $6,176 million and $4,759 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, which may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default. Such securities collateral is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.

The Company did not have any repurchase agreements or repurchase-to-maturity transactions outstanding as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, 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.