Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

We maintain an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk, equity market risk, basis risk, commodity risk and credit risk. We assess these risks by continually identifying and monitoring changes in our exposures that may adversely affect expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities.

Derivative activities are monitored by various management committees. The committees are responsible for overseeing the implementation of various hedging strategies that are developed through the analysis of financial simulation models and other internal and industry sources. The resulting hedging strategies are incorporated into our overall risk management strategies.

See Note 1 for a discussion of the accounting treatment for derivative instruments. See Note 15 for additional disclosures related to the fair value of our derivative instruments and Note 5 for derivative instruments related to our consolidated VIEs. 

Interest Rate Contracts

We use derivative instruments as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. These instruments are economic hedges unless otherwise noted and include:

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps

We use forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate exposure within our annuity and life insurance products.

Interest Rate Cap Corridors

We use interest rate cap corridors to provide a level of protection from the effect of rising interest rates for certain annuity contracts and life insurance products. Interest rate cap corridors involve purchasing an interest rate cap at a specific cap rate and selling an interest rate cap with a higher cap rate. For each corridor, the amount of quarterly payments, if any, is determined by the rate at which the underlying index rate resets above the original capped rate. The corridor limits the benefit the purchaser can receive as the related interest rate index rises above the higher capped rate. There is no additional liability to us other than the purchase price associated with the interest rate cap corridor.

Interest Rate Futures

We use interest rate futures contracts to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products. These futures contracts require payment between our counterparty and us on a daily basis for changes in the futures index price.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

We use interest rate swap agreements to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products.

We also use interest rate swap agreements designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to hedge the interest rate risk of floating-rate bond coupon payments by replicating a fixed-rate bond.

Finally, we use interest rate swap agreements designated and qualifying as fair value hedges to hedge against changes in the fair value of certain fixed-rate long-term debt and fixed maturity securities due to interest rate risks.

Treasury and Reverse Treasury Locks

We use treasury locks designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to hedge the interest rate exposure related to our issuance of fixed-rate securities or the anticipated future cash flows of floating-rate fixed maturity securities due to changes in interest rates. In addition, we use reverse treasury locks designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to hedge the interest rate exposure related to the anticipated purchase of fixed-rate securities or the anticipated future cash flows of floating-rate fixed maturity securities due to changes in interest rates. These derivatives are primarily structured to hedge interest rate risk inherent in the assumptions used to price certain liabilities.

Foreign Currency Contracts

We use derivative instruments as part of our foreign currency risk management strategy. These instruments are economic hedges unless otherwise noted and include:

Currency Futures

We use currency futures to hedge foreign exchange risk associated with certain options in variable annuity products. Currency futures exchange one currency for another at a specified date in the future at a specified exchange rate.

Foreign Currency Swaps

We use foreign currency swaps to hedge foreign exchange risk of investments in fixed maturity securities denominated in foreign currencies. A foreign currency swap is a contractual agreement to exchange one currency for another at specified dates in the future at a specified exchange rate.

We also use foreign currency swaps designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges to hedge foreign exchange risk of investments in fixed maturity securities denominated in foreign currencies.

Foreign Currency Forwards

We use foreign currency forwards to hedge foreign exchange risk of investments in fixed maturity securities denominated in foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward is a contractual agreement to exchange one currency for another at specified dates in the future at a specified current exchange rate.

Equity Market Contracts

We use derivative instruments as part of our equity market risk management strategy that are economic hedges and include:

Call Options Based on the S&P 500® Index and Other Indices

We use call options to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity, RILA, fixed indexed annuity, IUL and VUL products.

Our RILA, fixed indexed annuity and IUL contracts permit the holder to elect an interest rate return or an equity market component, where interest credited to the contracts is linked to the performance of the S&P 500 Index or other indices. Policyholders may elect to rebalance index options at renewal dates. At the end of each indexed term, which can be up to six years, we have the opportunity to re-price the indexed component by establishing participation rates, caps, spreads and specified rates, subject to contractual guarantees. We

use call options that are highly correlated to the portfolio allocation decisions of our policyholders, such that we are economically hedged with respect to equity returns for the current reset period.

Consumer Price Index Swaps

We use consumer price index swaps to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in fixed annuity products. Consumer price index swaps are contracts entered into at no cost and whose payoff is the difference between the consumer price index inflation rate and the fixed-rate determined as of inception.

Equity Futures

We use equity futures contracts to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products. These futures contracts require payment between our counterparty and us on a daily basis for changes in the futures index price.

Put Options

We use put options to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity, RILA and VUL products. Put options are contracts that require the buyers to pay at a specified future date the amount, if any, by which a specified equity index is less than the strike rate stated in the agreement, applied to a notional amount.

Total Return Swaps

We use total return swaps to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity, RILA and VUL products.

In addition, we use total return swaps to hedge a portion of the liability related to our deferred compensation plans. We receive the total return on a portfolio of indexes and pay a floating-rate of interest.

Commodity Contracts

We use commodity contracts to economically hedge certain investments that are closely tied to the changes in commodity values. The commodity contract is an over-the-counter contract that combines a purchase put/sold call to lock in a commodity price within a predetermined range in exchange for a net premium.

Credit Contracts

We use derivative instruments as part of our credit risk management strategy that are economic hedges and include:

Credit Default Swaps – Buying Protection

We use credit default swaps (“CDSs”) to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products.

We buy CDSs to hedge against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. A CDS allows us to put the bond back to the counterparty at par upon a default event by the bond issuer. A default event is defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration or restructuring.

CDSs – Selling Protection

We use CDSs to hedge the liability exposure on certain options in variable annuity products.

We sell CDSs to offer credit protection to policyholders and investors. The CDSs hedge the policyholders and investors against a drop in bond prices due to credit concerns of certain bond issuers. A CDS allows the investor to put the bond back to us at par upon a default event by the bond issuer. A default event is defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration or restructuring.

Embedded Derivatives

We have embedded derivatives that include:

RILA, Fixed Indexed Annuity and IUL Contracts Embedded Derivatives

Our RILA, fixed indexed annuity and IUL contracts permit the holder to elect an interest rate return or an equity market component, where interest credited to the contracts is linked to the performance of the S&P 500® Index or other indices. Policyholders may elect to rebalance index options at renewal dates. At the end of each indexed term, which can be up to six years, we have the opportunity to re-price the indexed component by establishing participation rates, caps, spreads and specified rates, subject to contractual guarantees. We use options that are highly correlated to the portfolio allocation decisions of our policyholders, such that we are economically hedged with respect to equity returns for the current reset period.

Reinsurance-Related Embedded Derivatives

We have certain modified coinsurance and coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance agreements with embedded derivatives related to the withheld assets of the related funds. These derivatives are considered total return swaps with contractual returns that are attributable to various assets and liabilities associated with these reinsurance agreements.

Derivatives Related to Divestitures and Reinsurance Transactions

We used interest rate futures contracts to hedge the interest rate risk related to the assets used as consideration in the Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction. These futures contracts required payment between our counterparty and us on a daily basis for changes in the associated future index prices.

We use swaptions and forward-starting swaps to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the Stock Purchase Agreement entered into with Osaic.

We have derivative instruments with off-balance-sheet risks whose notional or contract amounts exceed the related credit exposure. Outstanding derivative instruments with off-balance-sheet risks (in millions) were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2023						As of December 31, 2022
	Notional Amounts		Fair Value				Notional Amounts		Fair Value
			Asset		Liability				Asset		Liability
Qualifying Hedges
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate contracts (1)	$	1,698	$	181	$	47	$	2,590	$	123	$	232
Foreign currency contracts (1)	4,662		423		78		4,383		643		18
Total cash flow hedges	6,360		604		125		6,973		766		250
Fair value hedges:
Interest rate contracts (1)	1,081		1		39		1,155		2		44
Foreign currency contracts (1)	25		–		1		–		–		–
Total fair value hedges	1,106		1		40		1,155		2		44
Non-Qualifying Hedges
Interest rate contracts (1)	90,829		636		979		105,977		709		935
Foreign currency contracts (1)	306		11		6		395		27		2
Equity market contracts (1)	225,626		10,244		4,227		142,946		5,135		2,035
Commodity contracts (1)	–		–		–		13		14		3
Credit contracts (1)	91		–		–		–		–		–
Embedded derivatives:
Reinsurance-related (2)	–		–		552		–		416		–
RILA, fixed indexed annuity and IUL contracts (3)	–		940		9,077		–		525		4,783
Total derivative instruments	$	324,318	$	12,436	$	15,006	$	257,459	$	7,594	$	8,052

(1) These asset and liability balances are presented on a gross basis. Amounts are reported in derivative investments and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets after the evaluation for right of offset subject to master netting agreements as described in Note 1.

(2) Reported in funds withheld reinsurance liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3) Reported in policyholder account balances and deposit accounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The maturity of the notional amounts of derivative instruments (in millions) was as follows:

	Remaining Life as of December 31, 2023
	Less Than 1 Year		1 – 5 Years		6 - 10 Years		11 - 30 Years		Over 30 Years		Total
Interest rate contracts (1)	$	22,166	$	25,350	$	22,349	$	22,530	$	1,213	$	93,608
Foreign currency contracts (2)	276		956		1,687		2,032		42		4,993
Equity market contracts	174,805		37,200		6,950		9		6,662		225,626
Credit contracts	–		91		–		–		–		91
Total derivative instruments
with notional amounts	$	197,247	$	63,597	$	30,986	$	24,571	$	7,917	$	324,318

(1) As of December 31, 2023, the latest maturity date for which we were hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for these instruments was April 20, 2067.

(2) As of December 31, 2023, the latest maturity date for which we were hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for these instruments was June 16, 2061.

The following amounts (in millions) were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges:

	Amortized Cost of the Hedged Assets / (Liabilities)				Cumulative Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Amortized Cost of the Hedged Assets / (Liabilities)
	As of December 31, 2023		As of December 31, 2022		As of December 31, 2023		As of December 31, 2022
Line Item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in
which the Hedged Item is Included
Fixed maturity AFS securities, at fair value	$	534	$	587	$	39	$	44
Long-term debt (1)	(703)		(698)		172		177

(1) Includes $(326) million and $(341) million of unamortized adjustments from discontinued hedges as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The change in our unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments within AOCI (in millions) was as follows:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments
Balance as of beginning-of-year	$	388	$	(85)	$	(402)
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standard	–		–		25
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period:
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate contracts	293		196		116
Foreign currency contracts	(50)		182		130
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment	(169)		312		152
Income tax benefit (expense)	(15)		(144)		(85)
Less:
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses)
included in net income (loss):
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate contracts (1)	(1)		2		3
Interest rate contracts (2)	31		(11)		(23)
Foreign currency contracts (1)	54		62		48
Foreign currency contracts (3)	7		39		(2)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(19)		(19)		(5)
Balance as of end-of-year	$	375	$	388	$	(85)

(1) The OCI offset is reported within net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

(2) The OCI offset is reported within interest and debt expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

(3) The OCI offset is reported within realized gain (loss) on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The effects of qualifying and non-qualifying hedges (in millions) on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows:

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
	Realized Gain (Loss)		Net Investment Income		Interest and Debt Expense
Total Line Items in which the Effects of Fair Value or Cash
Flow Hedges are Recorded	$	(4,311)	$	5,879	$	331
Qualifying Hedges
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Hedged items	–		(5)		(5)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	–		5		5
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	–		(1)		31
Foreign currency contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	7		54		–
Non-Qualifying Hedges
Interest rate contracts	(161)		–		–
Foreign currency contracts	(2)		–		–
Equity market contracts	1,387		–		–
Commodity contracts	8		–		–
Credit contracts	(4)		–		–
Embedded derivatives:
Reinsurance-related	(968)		–		–
RILA, fixed indexed annuity and IUL contracts	(3,187)		–		–

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
	Realized Gain (Loss)		Net Investment Income		Interest and Debt Expense
Total Line Items in which the Effects of Fair Value or Cash
Flow Hedges are Recorded	$	840	$	5,515	$	283
Qualifying Hedges
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Hedged items	–		(167)		156
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	–		167		(156)
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	–		2		(11)
Foreign currency contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	39		62		–
Non-Qualifying Hedges
Interest rate contracts	(2,113)		–		–
Foreign currency contracts	3		–		–
Equity market contracts	(2,075)		–		–
Commodity contracts	11		–		–
Credit contracts	(4)		–		–
Embedded derivatives:
Reinsurance-related	622		–		–
RILA, fixed indexed annuity and IUL contracts	1,760		–		–

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
	Realized Gain (Loss)		Net Investment Income		Interest and Debt Expense
Total Line Items in which the Effects of Fair Value or Cash
Flow Hedges are Recorded	$	(867)	$	6,111	$	270
Qualifying Hedges
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Hedged items	–		(60)		46
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	–		60		(46)
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	–		3		(23)
Foreign currency contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	(2)		48		–
Non-Qualifying Hedges
Interest rate contracts	(957)		–		–
Foreign currency contracts	(1)		–		–
Equity market contracts	3,354		–		–
Credit contracts	(1)		–		–
Embedded derivatives:
Reinsurance-related	185		–		–
RILA, fixed indexed annuity and IUL contracts	(2,622)		–		–

As of December 31, 2023, $91 million of the deferred net gains (losses) on derivative instruments in AOCI were expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months. This reclassification would be due primarily to interest rate variances related to our interest rate swap agreements.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no material reclassifications to earnings due to hedged firm commitments no longer deemed probable or due to hedged forecasted transactions that had not occurred by the end of the originally specified time period.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any exposure related to CDSs for which we are the seller.

Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by our counterparties on various derivative contracts and reflect assumptions regarding the credit or non-performance risk. The non-performance risk is based upon assumptions for each counterparty’s credit spread over the estimated weighted average life of the counterparty exposure, less collateral held. As of December 31, 2023, the non-performance risk adjustment was zero. The credit risk associated with such agreements is minimized by entering into agreements with financial institutions with long-standing, superior performance records. Additionally, we maintain a policy of requiring derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement. We are required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice in negotiating ISDA agreements. Under some ISDA agreements, our insurance subsidiaries have agreed to maintain certain financial strength or claims-paying ratings. A downgrade below these levels could result in termination of derivative contracts, at which time any amounts payable by us would be dependent on the market value of the underlying derivative contracts. In certain transactions, we and the counterparty have entered into a credit support annex requiring either party to post collateral when net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds. These thresholds vary by counterparty and credit rating. The amount of such exposure is essentially the net replacement cost or market value less collateral held for such agreements with each counterparty if the net market value is in our favor. We did not have any exposure as of December 31, 2023 or 2022.

The amounts recognized (in millions) by S&P credit rating of counterparty, for which we had the right to reclaim cash collateral or were obligated to return cash collateral, were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2023				As of December 31, 2022
S&P Credit Rating of Counterparty	Collateral Posted by Counter- Party (Held by LNC)		Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter- Party)		Collateral Posted by Counter- Party (Held by LNC)		Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter- Party)
AA-	$	2,378	$	(63)	$	383	$	(6)
A+	2,496		(125)		1,718		(166)
A	82		–		1,172		–
A-	273		–		–		–
	$	5,229	$	(188)	$	3,273	$	(172)

Balance Sheet Offsetting

Information related to the effects of offsetting on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions) was as follows:

	As of December 31, 2023
	Derivative Instruments		Embedded Derivative Instruments		Total
Financial Assets
Gross amount of recognized assets	$	10,927	$	940	$	11,867
Gross amounts offset	(4,453)		–		(4,453)
Net amount of assets	6,474		940		7,414
Gross amounts not offset:
Cash collateral	(5,229)		–		(5,229)
Non-cash collateral (1)	(1,245)		–		(1,245)
Net amount	$	–	$	940	$	940
Financial Liabilities
Gross amount of recognized liabilities	$	967	$	9,629	$	10,596
Gross amounts offset	(612)		–		(612)
Net amount of liabilities	355		9,629		9,984
Gross amounts not offset:
Cash collateral	(188)		–		(188)
Non-cash collateral (2)	(167)		–		(167)
Net amount	$	–	$	9,629	$	9,629

(1) Excludes excess non-cash collateral received of $1.3 billion, as the collateral offset is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting arrangements.

(2) Excludes excess non-cash collateral pledged of $82 million, as the collateral offset is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting arrangements.

	As of December 31, 2022
	Derivative Instruments		Embedded Derivative Instruments		Total
Financial Assets
Gross amount of recognized assets	$	6,604	$	941	$	7,545
Gross amounts offset	(3,010)		–		(3,010)
Net amount of assets	3,594		941		4,535
Gross amounts not offset:
Cash collateral	(3,273)		–		(3,273)
Non-cash collateral (1)	(321)		–		(321)
Net amount	$	–	$	941	$	941
Financial Liabilities
Gross amount of recognized liabilities	$	260	$	4,783	$	5,043
Gross amounts offset	(50)		–		(50)
Net amount of liabilities	210		4,783		4,993
Gross amounts not offset:
Cash collateral	(172)		–		(172)
Non-cash collateral (2)	(38)		–		(38)
Net amount	$	–	$	4,783	$	4,783

(1) Excludes excess non-cash collateral received of $1.1 billion, as the collateral offset is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting arrangements.

(2) Excludes excess non-cash collateral pledged of $8 million, as the collateral offset is limited to the net estimated fair value of derivatives after application of netting arrangements.