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POLICY LIABILITIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]  
POLICY LIABILITIES POLICY LIABILITIES
Future Policy Benefits

The liability for future policy benefits is determined as the present value of expected future benefits to be paid to or on the behalf of policyholders and certain related expenses less the present value of expected future net premiums receivable under the Company's insurance contracts. Future net premiums receivable are future gross premiums receivable under the contract multiplied by the NPR.

The following tables present the changes in the present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type. The present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits are presented gross of internal and external reinsurance.
September 30, 2023
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
(In millions)CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$19,298 $16,714 $7,485 $1,256 $2,534 $1,635 $4,486 $1,220 $211 $724 $110 
Beginning balance at original discount rate 18,221 16,195 7,284 1,242 2,760 1,775 5,050 1,365 231 799 118 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(166)(473)44 (12)(16)(51)(494)(142)(9)61 (9)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(261)(90)(34)(9)(44)(6)(154)(48)(13)(9)2 
Adjusted beginning of period balance17,794 15,632 7,294 1,221 2,700 1,718 4,402 1,175 209 851 111 
Issuances770 285 267 19 256 293 397 203 31 137 76 
Interest accrual312 255 94 15 77 46 137 34 6 23 4 
 Net premiums collected (1)
(1,182)(959)(778)(85)(356)(292)(440)(187)(30)(101)(12)
Foreign currency translation(2,023)(1,767)(798)(137)0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other(1)(1)0 0 (5)(6)(5)(3)1 1 8 
Ending balance at original discount rate15,670 13,445 6,079 1,033 2,672 1,759 4,491 1,222 217 911 187 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions823 449 171 9 (283)(162)(630)(150)(23)(105)(15)
Balance at September 30, 2023
$16,493 $13,894 $6,250 $1,042 $2,389 $1,597 $3,861 $1,072 $194 $806 $172 
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$54,766 $27,419 $31,954 $5,582 $3,098 $2,445 $11,489 $2,074 $488 $1,526 $622 
Beginning balance at original discount rate47,677 27,566 32,800 5,940 3,391 2,636 12,846 2,300 532 1,778 624 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(148)(510)66 (27)(11)(59)(592)(194)(14)72 (13)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(314)(102)(43)(7)(61)(21)(188)(68)(17)(12)2 
Adjusted beginning of period balance47,215 26,954 32,823 5,906 3,319 2,556 12,066 2,038 501 1,838 613 
Issuances787 295 272 24 265 305 408 211 33 140 76 
Interest accrual1,116 461 472 76 95 72 396 64 15 50 24 
Benefit payments(2,245)(883)(1,090)(154)(340)(349)(668)(207)(44)(81)(35)
Foreign currency translation(5,327)(3,064)(3,681)(664)0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 5 9 
Ending balance at original discount rate41,546 23,763 28,796 5,188 3,339 2,584 12,203 2,106 508 1,952 687 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions5,663 (170)(868)(332)(375)(233)(1,743)(259)(58)(344)(35)
Balance at September 30, 2023
47,209 23,593 27,928 4,856 2,964 2,351 10,460 1,847 450 1,608 652 
Net liability for future policy benefits30,716 9,699 21,678 3,814 575 754 6,599 775 256 802 480 
Less: reinsurance recoverable1,952 1,422 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 
Net liability for future policy benefits after
  reinsurance recoverable
$28,764 $8,277 $21,678 $3,814 $575 $754 $6,599 $775 $256 $791 $480 
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
December 31, 2022
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
(In millions)CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2021
$25,893 $21,174 $10,847 $1,586 $3,283 $1,862 $6,023 $1,467 $264 $834 $153 
Beginning balance at original discount rate 22,470 18,681 10,064 1,461 2,999 1,760 5,391 1,380 241 780 135 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(639)317 (494)25 (52)(38)42 10 (1)(12)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(284)61 (81)(10)(152)(43)(421)(111)(20)(16)
Adjusted beginning of period balance21,547 19,059 9,489 1,476 2,795 1,722 4,932 1,311 231 763 129 
Issuances947 639 221 62 355 384 537 273 33 146 
Interest accrual459 364 146 22 105 57 193 45 27 
Net premiums collected (1)
(1,734)(1,376)(1,229)(123)(496)(382)(612)(261)(42)(131)(17)
Foreign currency translation(2,997)(2,488)(1,343)(195)
Other(1)(3)(6)(3)(6)
Ending balance at original discount rate18,221 16,195 7,284 1,242 2,760 1,775 5,050 1,365 231 799 118 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions1,077 519 201 14 (226)(140)(564)(145)(20)(75)(8)
Balance at December 31, 2022
$19,298 $16,714 $7,485 $1,256 $2,534 $1,635 $4,486 $1,220 $211 $724 $110 
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2021
$72,747 $36,021 $42,720 $7,322 $3,949 $2,871 $15,388 $2,552 $616 $1,843 $837 
Beginning balance at original discount rate56,807 31,398 39,002 6,787 3,594 2,670 13,079 2,300 549 1,694 645 
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions(721)352 (550)96 (70)(43)40 13 (1)(15)
Effect of actual variances from expected
   experience
(333)83 (91)(10)(177)(48)(465)(130)(23)(21)
Adjusted beginning of period balance55,753 31,833 38,361 6,873 3,347 2,627 12,571 2,210 539 1,672 637 
Issuances960 646 222 68 364 397 550 282 34 149 
Interest accrual1,599 642 670 106 128 94 539 85 21 62 32 
Benefit payments(3,050)(1,375)(1,248)(202)(456)(483)(823)(277)(62)(103)(45)
Foreign currency translation(7,585)(4,180)(5,205)(905)
Other(2)
Ending balance at original discount rate47,677 27,566 32,800 5,940 3,391 2,636 12,846 2,300 532 1,778 624 
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions7,089 (147)(846)(358)(293)(191)(1,357)(226)(44)(252)(2)
Balance at December 31, 2022
54,766 27,419 31,954 5,582 3,098 2,445 11,489 2,074 488 1,526 622 
Net liability for future policy benefits35,468 10,705 24,469 4,326 564 810 7,003 854 277 802 512 
Less: reinsurance recoverable1,579 
Net liability for future policy benefits after
   reinsurance recoverable
$35,468 $9,126 $24,469 $4,326 $564 $810 $7,003 $854 $277 $793 $512 
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
The following tables present the weighted-average interest rates and weighted-average liability duration (calculated using the original discount rate) by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
September 30, 2023
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.9 %2.6 %2.1 %1.8 %3.9 %4.2 %4.6 %4.4 %4.3 %3.7 %5.4 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
1.8 %2.3 %1.7 %2.0 %5.4 %5.4 %5.4 %5.4 %5.4 %5.4 %5.4 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)13.125.216.417.58.35.511.39.38.013.99.5
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.

December 31, 2022
Aflac JapanAflac U.S.
CancerMedical and Other HealthLife InsuranceOtherAccidentDisabilityCritical CareHospital IndemnityDental/VisionLife InsuranceOther
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
4.1 %2.6 %2.1 %1.8 %3.8 %4.2 %4.6 %4.4 %4.3 %3.7 %5.4 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
1.6 %2.2 %1.6 %1.9 %4.8 %4.7 %4.8 %4.8 %4.8 %4.8 %4.8 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)13.726.917.318.28.55.612.09.48.113.19.6
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the disaggregated rollforwards above to the ending future policy benefits presented in the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts and the deferred profit liability for reinsurance is presented together with the liability for future policy benefits in the consolidated balance sheets and has been included as a reconciling item in the table below.
(In millions)September 30,
2023
December 31, 2022
Balances included in future policy benefits rollforward:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$30,716 $35,468 
Medical and other health9,699 10,705 
Life insurance21,678 24,469 
Other3,814 4,326 
Aflac U.S.
Accident575 564 
Disability754 810 
Critical care6,599 7,003 
Hospital indemnity775 854 
Dental/vision256 277 
Life insurance802 802 
Other480 512 
Corporate and other2,375 686 
Deferred profit liability - limited-payment contracts1,669 1,740 
Deferred profit liability - reinsurance590 692 
Intercompany eliminations (1)
(2,334)(667)
Total$78,448 $88,241 
(1) Elimination entry necessary due to the internal reinsurance transaction with Aflac Re and to recapture a portion of policy liabilities ceded externally as a result of the reinsurance retrocession transaction. See Note 8 for additional details.

Discount rates are determined using upper-medium grade (low-credit-risk) fixed-income instrument yields that reflect the duration characteristics of the liability. Locked-in discount rates are determined as a weighted average of monthly upper-medium grade (low-credit-risk) fixed-income instrument forward curves, where the weights are the annualized premiums issued for each month of the cohort. Discount rates are updated each reporting period and require estimation techniques (e.g., interpolation, extrapolation) for determination of points on the curve for which there is limited or no observable market data.

More specifically, the Company constructs a discount rate curve separately for discounting cash flows used to calculate each of the Japan and U.S. liabilities for future policy benefits, reflective of the characteristics of the corresponding insurance liabilities, such as currency and tenor.

In the Aflac Japan segment, all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in yen. A significant portion of policies are characterized by tenors exceeding the availability of liquid market data in Japan for single-A rated (as a proxy for upper-medium grade) corporate yen-denominated debt. The discount rate curve is designed to prioritize the observable inputs where available, while past the last liquid point, the data is derived based on estimation techniques consistent with the fair value guidance in ASC 820. The Aflac Japan segment curve utilizes liquid market indices tracking publicly traded yen-denominated single-A corporate debt for the initial 10-year tenor. For the bonds within these market indices where only local ratings are available, the Company prioritizes the bonds with local ratings that are equivalent to a single-A rating based on international rating standards.

For the discount rates applicable to tenors for which the Japan single-A debt market is not liquid but there is sufficient observable market data and/or the observable market data is available for similar instruments (between 10 and 30 years), the Company estimates tenor-specific single-A credit spreads and applies them to risk-free government rates. Lastly, for the tenors where there is limited or no observable single-A or similar market data or risk-free government rates (beyond 30 years), the discount curve is derived by extrapolation of risk free rates beyond their last liquid point following the Smith-Wilson method and grading of the estimated forward credit spread anchored by the ultimate forward rate. The ultimate
forward rate is based on the economic value-based solvency regime, which is consistent with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Capital Standards (ICS) (which is expected to be introduced in Japan in 2025), and is adjusted for credit and inflation components.

For the Aflac U.S. segment where all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in U.S. dollar and substantially all have cash flow duration within 30 years, for which the U.S. upper-medium grade fixed-income market is liquid and observable, the Company uses data from a liquid fixed-income market index tracking single-A U.S. corporate debt. For the insignificant portion of the policies with cash flow tenors exceeding 30 years, the discount curve beyond that tenor is extrapolated following the Smith-Wilson method from year 30 to the same ultimate forward rate calculated for the Japan discount curve at year 60 and held constant thereafter. The use of the same ultimate rate for U.S. and Japan segments is based on the assumption of long-term global economic convergence.

For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $4.2 billion and $2.4 billion in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax, respectively, due to changes in the future policy benefits estimate from updating the discount rate assumptions. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $1.2 billion and $11.8 billion in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax, respectively, due to changes in the future policy benefits estimate from updating the discount rate assumptions. There were no changes to the methods used to determine the discount rates during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $13.7 billion in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax, due to changes in the future policy benefits estimate from updating the discount rate assumptions. There were no changes to the methods used to determine the discount rates during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Mortality rate assumptions are based on industry tables and adjusted for the Company's actual or expected experience where credible or appropriate. These assumptions typically will vary by age, gender, and other demographic characteristics such as smoking status.

Morbidity assumptions are based on the Company's internal data and consider emerging experience. These assumptions are reflective of the coverage and benefits provided and generally vary by age, gender, duration, and any other material policyholder characteristics. In cases where a calendar-year trend is significant, future cash flow projections may include a trend adjustment.

In Japan, separate lapse assumptions are set based on actual or expected experience. These lapse and total termination rate assumptions will vary by line of business and with policyholder characteristics such as duration. In the U.S., the majority of the future cash flows are modeled using total termination rates (which include both lapse and mortality) and are adjusted for actual experience. Policy provisions, such as reaching premium paid-up status, are taken into account when setting assumptions.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the variance of actual experience from expected experience was primarily due to favorable variances in morbidity assumptions as compared to actual experience. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company's adjustment for actual variances from expected experience resulted in reserve remeasurement gains of $54 million and $18 million in the consolidated statements of earnings, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company's adjustment for actual variances from expected experience resulted in reserve remeasurement gains of $161 million and $77 million in the consolidated statements of earnings, respectively. There were no changes to the inputs or methods used in measuring the liability for future policy benefits during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

The Company performs an annual review of its assumptions during the third quarter. In 2023, the Company's annual review process resulted in favorable changes to its morbidity and termination assumptions, largely due to reflecting more recent favorable U.S. morbidity experience. These assumption updates, together with the variance of actual from expected experience, resulted in reserve remeasurement gains of $312 million in the consolidated statement of earnings for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. In 2022, the Company's annual review process resulted in favorable changes to its morbidity assumptions due to favorable claims experience, primarily. This, together with the variance of actual experience from expected experience, resulted in reserve remeasurement gains of $215 million in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following table summarizes the amount of net earned premiums recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
  
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)2023202220232022
Net earned premiums:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$1,004 $1,106 $3,154 $3,640 
Medical and other health640 690 2,018 2,253 
Life insurance371 377 1,183 1,360 
Other38 39 113 124 
Aflac U.S.
Accident320 324 973 990 
Disability315 293 941 882 
Critical care436 434 1,317 1,319 
Hospital indemnity180 178 547 546 
Dental/vision53 50 160 148 
Life insurance122 99 351 297 
Other13 31 29 
Corporate and other83 35 258 112 
Reinsurance ceded(99)(99)(309)(321)
Total$3,476 $3,535 $10,737 $11,379 

The following table summarizes the amount of interest expense related to insurance contracts recognized in total benefits and claims, net in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
  
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)2023202220232022
Interest expense:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$243 $242 $804 $868 
Medical and other health63 59 206 210 
Life insurance115 112 378 397 
Other19 18 61 63 
Aflac U.S.
Accident6 18 18 
Disability8 26 27 
Critical care86 87 259 259 
Hospital indemnity10 11 30 31 
Dental/vision3 9 10 
Life insurance8 27 26 
Other7 20 20 
Total$568 $563 $1,838 $1,929 
The following tables summarize the amount of undiscounted expected future gross premiums and expected future benefits and expenses and discounted (discounted at the current period discount rate) expected future gross premiums and expected future benefits and expenses by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type. Future gross premiums represent the expected amount of future premiums to be received. For limited-payment policies, the premiums are collected over a shorter period than the policy term over which benefits are provided. As a result, once the policy reaches premium paid-up status, the future gross premiums can be significantly less than the future benefit payments. Further, benefits and expenses are generally greater in the later years of a policy. These are the primary factors that result in future gross premiums lower than future benefit and expense payments for certain lines of business of the Company.
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(In millions)Gross
Premiums
Benefits and ExpensesGross PremiumsBenefits and Expenses
Undiscounted expected future gross premiums
  and expected future benefits and expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$73,299 $82,368 $75,529 $84,246 
Medical and other health48,031 49,223 50,720 50,778 
Life insurance15,926 52,692 16,946 53,271 
Other2,223 9,249 2,322 9,433 
Aflac U.S.
Accident9,246 4,595 9,481 4,636 
Disability5,800 3,215 5,858 3,267 
Critical care20,099 20,748 21,069 22,113 
Hospital indemnity5,005 3,058 5,164 3,338 
Dental/vision1,168 726 1,208 759 
Life insurance2,692 3,208 2,375 2,787 
Other509 1,251 333 1,147 
Total$183,998 $230,333 $191,005 $235,775 
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(In millions)Gross PremiumsBenefits and ExpensesGross PremiumsBenefits and Expenses
Discounted expected future gross premiums
  and expected future benefits and expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer$45,569 $47,209 $53,278 $54,766 
Medical and other health29,117 23,593 34,693 27,419 
Life insurance10,780 27,928 12,951 31,954 
Other1,438 4,856 1,697 5,582 
Aflac U.S.
Accident6,144 2,964 6,510 3,098 
Disability4,319 2,351 4,468 2,445 
Critical care11,752 10,460 12,659 11,489 
Hospital indemnity3,301 1,847 3,483 2,074 
Dental/vision768 450 821 488 
Life insurance1,797 1,608 1,663 1,526 
Other316 652 228 622 
Total$115,301 $123,918 $132,451 $141,463 

Loss expense as a result of net premium ratio capping for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was immaterial.
Other Policyholders' Funds

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability was the Company's annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. The Company's annuities have fixed benefits and premiums.

The following table presents the changes in other policyholders’ funds.
(In millions)September 30,
2023
December 31, 2022
Other policyholders' funds:
Fixed annuities account balance, beginning of period (1)
$6,423 $7,410 
Premiums received90 150 
Transfers from WAYS conversions162 214 
Surrenders and withdrawals(40)(52)
Benefit payments(296)(367)
Interest credited37 57 
Foreign currency translation and other(724)(989)
Fixed annuities account balance, end of period5,652 6,423 
Other deposit type reserves232 220 
Total$5,884 $6,643 
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities

The following table presents other policyholders’ funds balances by range of guaranteed crediting rates.
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(In millions)
Range of Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rates (2)
At Guaranteed MinimumCash Surrender Value
Range of Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rates (2)
At Guaranteed MinimumCash Surrender Value
Fixed annuities (1)
0.5% - 2.3%
$5,652$5,564
0.5% - 2.3%
$6,423$6,326
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities
(2) Weighted-average crediting rate of 1.5% at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Aflac Japan’s fixed annuities have guaranteed fixed crediting rates which results in the policyholders' funds balances being able to cover all guaranteed benefit amounts. The reserves are adequate to fully fund future benefits at any given time.

See Note 1 for additional information on policy liabilities.