Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Events Basis of Presentation Cigna Corporation, together with its subsidiaries (either individually or collectively referred to as “Cigna,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a global health services organization dedicated to a mission of helping individuals improve their health, well-being and sense of security. To execute on our mission, Cigna's strategy is to “Go Deep”, “Go Global” and “Go Individual” with a differentiated set of medical, dental, disability, life and accident insurance and related products and services offered by our insurance and other subsidiaries. The majority of these products are offered through employers and other groups (e.g. governmental and non-governmental organizations, unions and associations). Cigna also offers commercial health and dental insurance, Medicare and Medicaid products and health, life and accident insurance coverages to individuals in the U.S. and selected international markets. In addition to its ongoing operations described above, Cigna also has certain run-off operations. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cigna Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. These Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements necessarily reflect management's estimates and assumptions about medical costs, investment valuation, interest rates and other factors. Significant estimates are discussed throughout these Notes; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. The impact of a change in estimate is generally included in earnings in the period of adjustment. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current presentation. See Note 2 for further discussion. These interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited but include all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary, in the opinion of management, for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the periods reported. The interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K. The preparation of interim Consolidated Financial Statements necessarily relies heavily on estimates. This and certain other factors, including the seasonal nature of portions of the health care and related benefits business as well as competitive and other market conditions, call for caution in estimating full year results based on interim results of operations.
Changes in Accounting Pronouncements	Note 2 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements The Company's 2015 Form 10-K includes discussion of significant recent accounting pronouncements that either have impacted or may impact our financial statements in the future. The following issuances of, and changes in, accounting pronouncements that apply to the Company have occurred since the Company filed its 2015 Form 10-K. Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09). In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance that changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance requires excess tax benefits or deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, requires cash flows related to the excess tax benefits to be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows, permits repurchasing more than was previously allowed of an employee's shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, clarifies that all cash payments made on an employee's behalf for withheld shares are to be presented as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows, and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. In addition, the new guidance changes the calculation of common stock equivalents for earnings per share purposes. The new standard is required to be adopted as of January 1, 2017. As permitted, the Company elected to early adopt the new guidance effective January 1, 2016. Adopting this new guidance resulted in $23 million of tax benefits recorded in net income (in Corporate) during the six months ended June 30, 2016 that previously would have been reported in additional paid-in capital. The change in the calculation of common stock equivalents added approximately one million weighted average shares for the diluted earnings per share calculations for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The Company applied these provisions prospectively. The Company retrospectively applied the provisions of the new guidance related to the presentation of employee taxes paid for withheld shares and reclassified $74 million of tax withholding from operating to financing activities in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company reflected $68 million of tax withholding in financing activities. The ability under the new guidance to repurchase more employee shares for tax withholding purposes had no impact on the Company's financial statements. The Company elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur to determine the amount of compensation cost to be recognized in each period. Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02). The Company adopted this new consolidation guidance effective January 1, 2016 with no material effect on its financial statements. Among other provisions, the guidance defines limited partnerships as variable interest entities unless substantive kick-out rights or participating rights exist. See Note 10 for additional disclosures about various real estate and security limited partnerships that are newly identified as variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (ASU 2015-07). This amendment removed the requirement to categorize all investments for which fair value is measured using the practical expedient of net asset value (“NAV”) per share within the fair value hierarchy. The Company adopted this new guidance effective January 1, 2016. Upon adoption, the Company began to separately disclose certain separate account investments and provided comparable prior period disclosure. See Note 7 for this separate disclosure information. Recently Issued Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). The FASB issued three new ASUs in 2016 further clarifying the broader revenue guidance: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” (ASU 2016-08) that clarifies the definition of principals and agents. “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (ASU 2016-10) that clarifies guidance and adds examples to help companies properly identify performance obligations. This ASU also illustrates when a license provides a customer with a right to use (point in time) versus a right to access (over time) benefit. “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (ASU 2016-12) that clarifies certain aspects of the previously-issued guidance, including the objective of the collectability criterion in the new revenue model. These clarifications, together with the broader revenue recognition guidance within ASU 2014-09, are required to be adopted beginning January 1, 2018. The Company continues to monitor developing implementation guidance and evaluate these new requirements for its non-insurance customer contracts to determine its method and timing of implementation and any resulting estimated effects on its financial statements. Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (ASU 2016-13). In June 2016, the FASB issued this new standard that introduces a new approach to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments based on expected losses. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The ASU will be effective January 1, 2020, and early adoption is permitted on January 1, 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact of this new standard on its financial statements and disclosures.
Investments	Review of declines in fair value. Management reviews fixed maturities with a decline in fair value from cost for impairment based on criteria that include: length of time and severity of decline; financial health and specific near term prospects of the issuer; changes in the regulatory, economic or general market environment of the issuer's industry or geographic region; and the Company's intent to sell or the likelihood of a required sale prior to expected recovery. Equity securities also include hybrid investments consisting of preferred stock with call features that are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in other realized investment gains (losses) and dividends reported in net investment income. Credit quality. The Company regularly evaluates and monitors credit risk, beginning with the initial underwriting of a mortgage loan and continuing throughout the investment holding period. Mortgage origination professionals employ an internal credit quality rating system designed to evaluate the relative risk of the transaction at origination that is then updated each year as part of the annual portfolio loan review. The Company evaluates and monitors credit quality on an ongoing basis, classifying each loan as a loan in good standing, potential problem loan or problem loan. Quality ratings are based on our evaluation of a number of key inputs related to the loan including real estate market-related factors such as rental rates and vacancies, and property-specific inputs such as growth rate assumptions and lease rollover statistics. However, the two most significant contributors to the credit quality rating are the debt service coverage and loan-to-value ratios. The debt service coverage ratio measures the amount of property cash flow available to meet annual interest and principal payments on the debt, with a ratio below 1.0 indicating that there is not enough cash flow to cover the required loan payments. The loan-to-value ratio, commonly expressed as a percentage, compares the amount of the loan to the fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan. The Company's annual in-depth review of its commercial mortgage loan investments is the primary mechanism for identifying emerging risks in the portfolio. The most recent review was completed by the Company's investment professionals in the second quarter of 2016 and included an analysis of each underlying property's most recent annual financial statements, rent rolls, operating plans, budgets, a physical inspection of the property and other pertinent factors. Based on historical results, current leases, lease expirations and rental conditions in each market, the Company estimates the current year and future stabilized property income and fair value and categorizes the investments as loans in good standing, potential problem loans or problem loans. The Company will reevaluate a loan's credit quality between annual reviews if new property information is received or an event such as delinquency or a borrower's request for restructure causes management to believe that the Company's estimate of financial performance, fair value or the risk profile of the underlying property has been impacted. Potential problem mortgage loans are considered current (no payment is more than 59 days past due), but they exhibit certain characteristics that increase the likelihood of future default. The characteristics management considers include, but are not limited to, the deterioration of debt service coverage below 1.0, estimated loan-to-value ratios increasing to 100% or more, downgrade in quality rating and requests from the borrower for restructuring. In addition, loans are considered potential problems if principal or interest payments are past due by more than 30 but less than 60 days. Problem mortgage loans are either in default by 60 days or more or have been restructured as to terms that could include concessions on interest rate, principal payment or maturity date. The Company monitors each problem and potential problem mortgage loan on an ongoing basis, and updates the loan categorization and quality rating when warranted. Impaired commercial mortgage loans. A commercial mortgage loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due according to the terms of the original loan agreement. These loans are included in either problem or potential problem loans. The Company monitors credit risk and assesses the impairment of loans individually and on a consistent basis for all loans in the portfolio. Impaired loans are carried at the lower of unpaid principal balance or the fair value of the underlying real estate. Certain commercial mortgage loans without valuation reserves are considered impaired because the Company will not collect all interest due according to the terms of the original agreements; however, the Company expects to recover the unpaid principal because it is less than the fair value of the underlying real estate. Because of the risk profile of the underlying investment, the Company recognizes interest income on impaired mortgage loans only when payment is actually received.
Future Policy Benefits	The Company estimates this liability with an internal model based on its experience and future expectations over an extended period, consistent with the long-term nature of this product. Because the product is premium deficient, the Company records increases to the reserve if it is inadequate based on the model. As a result of the reinsurance transaction, reserve increases have a corresponding increase in the recorded reinsurance recoverable, provided the increased recoverable remains within the overall Berkshire limit (including the GMIB assets).
Fair Value Measurements	Note 7 ― Fair Value Measurements The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value in the financial statements including fixed maturities, equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives. Other financial instruments are measured at fair value under certain conditions, such as when impaired. Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the balance sheet date. A liability's fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a market participant, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified based upon a hierarchy defined by GAAP. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset's or a liability's classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a financial asset or liability carried at fair value would be classified in Level 3 if unobservable inputs were significant to the instrument's fair value, even though the measurement may be derived using inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). The Company estimates fair values using prices from third parties or internal pricing methods. Fair value estimates received from third-party pricing services are based on reported trade activity and quoted market prices when available, and other market information that a market participant may use to estimate fair value. The internal pricing methods are performed by the Company's investment professionals and generally involve using discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating current market inputs for similar financial instruments with comparable terms and credit quality, as well as other qualitative factors. In instances where there is little or no market activity for the same or similar instruments, fair value is estimated using methods, models and assumptions that the Company believes a hypothetical market participant would use to determine a current transaction price. These valuation techniques involve some level of estimation and judgment that becomes significant with increasingly complex instruments or pricing models. The Company is responsible for determining fair value, as well as designating the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy, based on the significance of unobservable inputs. The Company reviews methodologies, processes and controls of third-party pricing services and compares prices on a test basis to those obtained from other external pricing sources or internal estimates. The Company performs ongoing analyses of both prices received from third-party pricing services and those developed internally to determine that they represent appropriate estimates of fair value. The controls executed by the Company include evaluating changes in prices and monitoring for potentially stale valuations. The Company also performs sample testing of sales values to confirm the accuracy of prior fair value estimates. The minimal exceptions identified during these processes indicate that adjustments to prices are infrequent and do not significantly impact valuations. Annually, we conduct an on-site visit of the most significant pricing service to review their processes, methodologies and controls. This on-site review includes a walk-through of inputs of a sample of securities held across various asset types to validate the documented pricing process. Inputs for instruments classified in Level 1 include unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets accessible at the measurement date. Active markets provide pricing data for trades occurring at least weekly and include exchanges and dealer markets. Assets in Level 1 include actively-traded U.S. government bonds and exchange-listed equity securities. Given the narrow definition of Level 1 and the Company's investment asset strategy to maximize investment returns, a relatively small portion of the Company's investment assets are classified in this category. Inputs for instruments classified in Level 2 include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are market observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such other inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads and yield curves. An instrument is classified in Level 2 if the Company determines that unobservable inputs are insignificant. Fixed maturities and equity securities. Approximately 95% of the Company's investments in fixed maturities and equity securities are classified in Level 2 including most public and private corporate debt and equity securities, federal agency and municipal bonds, non-government mortgage-backed securities and preferred stocks. Because many fixed maturities do not trade daily, third-party pricing services and internal methods often use recent trades of securities with similar features and characteristics. When recent trades are not available, pricing models are used to determine these prices. These models calculate fair values by discounting future cash flows at estimated market interest rates. Such market rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spreads over comparable U.S. Treasury securities, based on the credit quality, industry and structure of the asset. Typical inputs and assumptions to pricing models include, but are not limited to, a combination of benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, liquidity, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic events. For mortgage-backed securities, inputs and assumptions may also include characteristics of the issuer, collateral attributes, prepayment speeds and credit rating. Nearly all of these instruments are valued using recent trades or pricing models. Less than 1% of the fair value of investments classified in Level 2 represents foreign bonds that are valued using a single unadjusted market-observable input derived by averaging multiple broker-dealer quotes, consistent with local market practice. Short-term investments are carried at fair value which approximates cost. On a regular basis, the Company compares market prices for these securities to recorded amounts to validate that current carrying amounts approximate exit prices. The short-term nature of the investments and corroboration of the reported amounts over the holding period support their classification in Level 2. Other derivatives classified in Level 2 represent over-the-counter instruments such as interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts. Fair values for these instruments are determined using market observable inputs including forward currency and interest rate curves and widely published market observable indices. Credit risk related to the counterparty and the Company is considered when estimating the fair values of these derivatives. However, the Company is largely protected by collateral arrangements with counterparties and determined that no adjustment for credit risk was required as of June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015. Level 2 also includes exchange-traded interest rate swap contracts. Credit risk related to the clearinghouse counterparty and the Company is considered minimal when estimating the fair values of these derivatives because of upfront margin deposits and daily settlement requirements. The nature and use of these other derivatives are described in Note 9. Certain inputs for instruments classified in Level 3 are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to their resulting fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date. The Company classifies certain newly issued, privately-placed, complex or illiquid securities, as well as assets and liabilities relating to GMIB, in Level 3. Fair values of other asset and mortgage-backed securities, corporate and government fixed maturities are primarily determined using pricing models that incorporate the specific characteristics of each asset and related assumptions including the investment type and structure, credit quality, industry and maturity date in comparison to current market indices, spreads and liquidity of assets with similar characteristics. For other asset and mortgage-backed securities, inputs and assumptions for pricing may also include collateral attributes and prepayment speeds. Recent trades in the subject security or similar securities are assessed when available, and the Company may also review published research in its evaluation, as well as the issuer's financial statements. The significant unobservable inputs used to value the following other asset and mortgage-backed securities are liquidity and weighting of credit spreads. When there is limited trading activity for the security, an adjustment for liquidity is made as of the measurement date that considers current market conditions, issuer circumstances and complexity of the security structure. An adjustment to weight credit spreads is needed to value a more complex bond structure with multiple underlying collateral and no standard market valuation technique. The weighting of credit spreads is primarily based on the underlying collateral's characteristics and their proportional cash flows supporting the bond obligations. The resulting wide range of unobservable adjustments in the table below is due to the varying liquidity and quality of the underlying collateral, ranging from high credit quality to below investment grade. The significant unobservable input used to value the following corporate and government fixed maturities is an adjustment for liquidity. When there is limited trading activity for the security, an adjustment is needed to reflect current market conditions and issuer circumstances. The significant unobservable input used to value the following equity securities is a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). These securities are comprised of private equity investments with limited trading activity and therefore a ratio of EBITDA is used to estimate value based on company circumstances and relative risk characteristics. Significant increases in fixed maturity spreads would result in a lower fair value measurement while decreases in these inputs would result in a higher fair value measurement. Significant decreases in equity price-to-earnings multiples would result in a lower fair value measurement while increases in these inputs would result in a higher fair value measurement. Generally, the unobservable inputs are not interrelated and a change in the assumption used for one unobservable input is not accompanied by a change in the other unobservable input. Although these GMIB assets and liabilities must continue to be reported as derivatives at fair value, the only assumption that is expected to impact future shareholders' net income is the risk of non-performance. This assumption reflects a market participant's view of (a) the risk of a subsidiary of the Company not fulfilling its GMIB obligations (GMIB liabilities) and (b) the credit risk that the reinsurers do not pay their obligations (GMIB assets). The Company reports GMIB liabilities and assets as derivatives at fair value because the cash flows of these liabilities and assets are affected by equity markets and interest rates, but are without significant life insurance risk and are settled in lump sum payments. Under the terms of these written and purchased contracts, the Company periodically receives and pays fees based on either contractholders' account values or deposits increased at a contractual rate. The Company will also pay and receive cash depending on account values and interest rates when contractholders elect to begin to receive minimum income payments. The Company estimates the fair value of the assets and liabilities for GMIB contracts by calculating the results for many scenarios run through a model utilizing various assumptions that include non-performance risk, among other things. The non-performance risk adjustment is incorporated by adding an additional spread to the discount rate in the calculation of both (a) the GMIB liabilities to reflect a market participant's view of the risk of a subsidiary of the Company not fulfilling its GMIB obligations, and (b) the GMIB assets to reflect a market participant's view of the credit risk of the reinsurers, after considering collateral. Other assumptions that affect GMIB assets and liabilities include capital market assumptions (including market returns, interest rates and market volatilities of the underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments) and future annuitant behavior (including mortality, lapse and annuity election rates). As certain assumptions used to estimate fair values for these contracts are largely unobservable (primarily related to future annuitant behavior), the Company classifies GMIB assets and liabilities in Level 3. The Company regularly evaluates each of the assumptions used in establishing these assets and liabilities. Significant decreases in assumed lapse rates or spreads used to calculate non-performance risk, or increases in assumed annuity election rates, would result in higher fair value measurements. A change in one of these assumptions is not necessarily accompanied by a change in another assumption. GMIB liabilities are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. GMIB assets associated with these contracts represent net receivables in connection with reinsurance that the Company has purchased from three external reinsurers and are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in other assets, including other intangibles. As noted in the tables above, total gains and losses included in shareholders' net income are reflected in the following captions in the Consolidated Statements of Income: Realized investment gains (losses) and net investment income for amounts related to fixed maturities and equity securities and realized investment gains (losses) for the impact of changes in non-performance risk related to GMIB assets and liabilities, similar to hedge ineffectiveness; and Other operating expenses for amounts related to GMIB assets and liabilities (GMIB fair value gain/loss), except for the impact of changes in non-performance risk. In the tables above, gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are reflected in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 financial instruments are reported as transfers into or out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurs. Therefore gains and losses in income only reflect activity for the period the instrument was classified in Level 3. Transfers into or out of the Level 3 category occur when unobservable inputs, such as the Company's best estimate of what a market participant would use to determine a current transaction price, become more or less significant to the fair value measurement. Separate account assets Fair values and changes in the fair values of separate account assets generally accrue directly to the policyholders and are excluded from the Company's revenues and expenses. Beginning in 2016, investments that are measured using the practical expedient of NAV (see Note 2 for additional information) are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Separate account assets in Level 1 primarily include exchange-listed equity securities. Level 2 assets primarily include: corporate and structured bonds valued using recent trades of similar securities or pricing models that discount future cash flows at estimated market interest rates as described above; and actively-traded institutional and retail mutual fund investments and separate accounts priced using the daily net asset value that is the exit price. Separate account assets classified in Level 3 include certain newly issued, privately-placed, complex, or illiquid securities that are priced using methods discussed above, as well as commercial mortgage loans that are valued according to the methodologies discussed below. Separate account investments in securities partnerships, real estate, and hedge funds are generally valued based on the separate account's ownership share of the equity of the investee (NAV as a practical expedient), including changes in the fair values of its underlying investments. Some financial assets and liabilities are not carried at fair value each reporting period, but may be measured using fair value only under certain conditions, such as investments in real estate, partnership entities and commercial mortgage loans when they become impaired. Commercial mortgage loans. The Company estimates the fair value of commercial mortgage loans generally by discounting the contractual cash flows using estimated market interest rates that reflect the Company's assessment of the credit quality of the loans. Market interest rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, based on the property type, quality rating and average life of the loan. The quality ratings reflect the relative risk of the loan, considering debt service coverage, the loan-to-value ratio and other factors. Fair values of impaired mortgage loans are based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral generally determined using an internal discounted cash flow model. The fair value measurements were classified in Level 3 because the cash flow models incorporate significant unobservable inputs. Contractholder deposit funds, excluding universal life products. Generally, these funds do not have stated maturities. Approximately 70% of these balances can be withdrawn by the customer at any time without prior notice or penalty. The fair value for these contracts is the amount estimated to be payable to the customer as of the reporting date, which is generally the carrying value. Most of the remaining contractholder deposit funds are reinsured by the buyers of the individual life and annuity and retirement benefits businesses. The fair value for these contracts is determined using the fair value of these buyers' assets supporting these reinsured contracts. The Company had reinsurance recoverables equal to the carrying value of these reinsured contracts. These instruments were classified in Level 3 because certain inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to their resulting fair value measurement. Long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding capital leases. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for recent trades. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis and the Company's estimated current borrowing rate for debt of similar terms and remaining maturities. These measurements were classified in Level 2 because the fair values are based on quoted market prices or other inputs that are market observable or can be corroborated by market data.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Using cash flow hedge accounting, the Company entered into interest rate, foreign currency, and combination (interest rate and foreign currency) swap contracts to hedge the interest and foreign currency cash flows of its fixed maturity bonds to match associated insurance liabilities. Fair values are reported in other long-term investments or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Changes in fair value are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into net investment income or reported in other realized investment gains and losses as interest or principal payments are received. During the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into foreign currency swap contracts to hedge the foreign exchange related changes in fair value of its fixed maturity bonds to match associated insurance liabilities. Using fair value hedge accounting, fair values are reported in other long-term investments or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Changes in fair value of the swap, as well as changes in fair value of the hedged bond attributable to the hedged risk are reported in other realized investment gains and losses. Under the terms of these various contracts, the Company periodically exchanges cash flows between variable and fixed interest rates or between two currencies for both principal and interest. Foreign currency and combination swaps are primarily Euros, Canadian dollars and Japanese yen and have terms for periods of up to seven years. Net interest cash flows are reported in operating activities. Using fair value hedge accounting, the fair values of the swap contracts are reported in other assets, including other intangibles, or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. As the critical terms of these swaps match those of the long-term debt being hedged, the carrying value of the hedged debt is adjusted to reflect changes in its fair value driven by LIBOR. The effects of those adjustments on other operating expenses are offset by the effects of corresponding changes in the swaps' fair value, including interest expense for the difference between the variable and fixed interest rates. Under the terms of these contracts, the Company provides upfront margin and settles fair value changes and net interest between variable and fixed interest rates daily with a central clearinghouse. Net interest cash flows are reported in operating activities.
Variable Interest Entities	Note 10 – Variable Interest Entities When the Company becomes involved with a variable interest entity, as well as when there is a change in the Company's involvement with an entity, the Company evaluates the following to determine if it is the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the entity: the structure and purpose of the entity; the risks and rewards created by and shared through the entity; and the Company's ability to direct its activities, receive its benefits and absorb its losses relative to the other parties involved with the entity including its sponsors, equity holders, guarantors, creditors and servicers. The Company owns interests in security and real estate limited partnerships that are now defined as variable interest entities under ASU 2015-02 (see Note 2). These partnerships invest in the equity or mezzanine debt of privately held companies and real estate properties. General partners unaffiliated with the Company control decisions that most significantly impact the partnership's operations and the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company's maximum exposure to these entities of $1.9 billion across approximately 90 limited partnerships includes $1.0 billion reported in other long-term investments and commitments to contribute an additional $0.9 billion as of June 30, 2016. The Company's non-controlling interest in these limited partnerships is generally less than 10%. In the normal course of its investing activities, the Company also makes passive investments in certain asset-backed and corporate securities that are issued by variable interest entities whose sponsors or issuers are unaffiliated with the Company. The Company receives fixed-rate cash flows from these investments and the maximum potential exposure to loss is limited to the carrying amount of $0.5 billion as of June 30, 2016, that is reported in fixed maturities. The Company's combined ownership interests are insignificant relative to the total principal amounts issued by these entities. To provide certain services to its Medicare Advantage customers, the Company contracts with independent physician associations (“IPAs”) that are variable interest entities. Physicians provide health care services to Medicare Advantage customers and the Company provides medical management and administrative services to the IPAs. The Company's maximum exposure to loss related to the IPA arrangements is limited to their liability for incurred but not reported medical costs for the Company's Medicare Advantage customers. These liabilities are not material and are generally secured by deposits maintained by the IPAs. The Company is not the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate these entities because either: it has no power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance; or it has neither the right to receive benefits nor the obligation to absorb losses that could be significant to these variable interest entities. The Company has not provided, and does not intend to provide, financial support to these entities that it is not contractually required to provide. The Company performs ongoing qualitative analyses of its involvement with these variable interest entities to determine if consolidation is required.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) excludes amounts required to adjust future policy benefits for the run-off settlement annuity business and a portion of deferred acquisition costs associated with the corporate owned life insurance business.
Income taxes on undistributed earnings of certain foreign operations	As part of its global capital management strategy, the Company's foreign operations retain a significant portion of their earnings overseas. These undistributed earnings are deployed outside of the U.S. in support of the liquidity and capital needs of our foreign operations. The Company does not intend to repatriate these earnings to the U.S. and as a result, income taxes are provided using the respective foreign jurisdictions' tax rate.
Segment Information	In the Company's segment disclosures, we present “operating revenues,” defined as total revenues excluding realized investment results. The Company excludes realized investment results from this measure because its portfolio managers may sell investments based on factors largely unrelated to the underlying business purposes of each segment. As a result, gains or losses created in this process may not be indicative of the past or future underlying performance of the business. The Company uses “adjusted income (loss) from operations” as its principal financial measure of segment operating performance because management believes it best reflects the underlying results of business operations and permits analysis of trends in underlying revenue, expenses and profitability. Adjusted income from operations is defined as shareholders' net income (loss) excluding after-tax realized investment gains and losses, net amortization of other acquired intangible assets and special items. Income or expense amounts are excluded from adjusted income from operations for the following reasons: Realized investment results are excluded because, as noted above, our portfolio managers may sell investments based on factors largely unrelated to the underlying business purposes of each segment. Net amortization of other intangible assets is excluded because it relates to costs incurred for acquisitions and, as a result, it does not relate to the core performance of the Company's business operations. Special items, if any, are excluded because management believes they are not representative of the underlying results of operations.
Commitments and Contingencies	When the Company (in the course of its regular review of pending litigation and legal or regulatory matters) has determined that a material loss is reasonably possible, the matter is disclosed. Such matters are described in the Litigation Matters and Regulatory Matters sections below. In accordance with GAAP, when litigation and regulatory matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable, the Company accrues the estimated loss by a charge to net income. The amount accrued represents the Company's best estimate of the probable loss at the time. If only a range of estimated losses can be determined, the Company accrues an amount within the range that, in the Company's judgment, reflects the most likely outcome; if none of the estimates within that range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues the minimum amount of the range. In cases when the Company has accrued an estimated loss, the accrued amount may differ materially from the ultimate amount of the loss. In many proceedings, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any loss. The Company provides disclosure in the aggregate for material pending litigation and legal or regulatory matters, including accruals, range of loss, or a statement that such information cannot be estimated. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, the Company monitors the matter for further developments that could affect the amount previously accrued, if any, and updates such amount accrued or disclosures previously provided as appropriate.

Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Events

Basis of Presentation

Cigna Corporation, together with its subsidiaries (either individually or collectively referred to as “Cigna,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a global health services organization dedicated to a mission of helping individuals improve their health, well-being and sense of security. To execute on our mission, Cigna's strategy is to “Go Deep”, “Go Global” and “Go Individual” with a differentiated set of medical, dental, disability, life and accident insurance and related products and services offered by our insurance and other subsidiaries. The majority of these products are offered through employers and other groups (e.g. governmental and non-governmental organizations, unions and associations). Cigna also offers commercial health and dental insurance, Medicare and Medicaid products and health, life and accident insurance coverages to individuals in the U.S. and selected international markets. In addition to its ongoing operations described above, Cigna also has certain run-off operations.

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cigna Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. These Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements necessarily reflect management's estimates and assumptions about medical costs, investment valuation, interest rates and other factors. Significant estimates are discussed throughout these Notes; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. The impact of a change in estimate is generally included in earnings in the period of adjustment. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current presentation. See Note 2 for further discussion.

These interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited but include all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary, in the opinion of management, for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the periods reported. The interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in the Company's 2015 Form 10-K. The preparation of interim Consolidated Financial Statements necessarily relies heavily on estimates. This and certain other factors, including the seasonal nature of portions of the health care and related benefits business as well as competitive and other market conditions, call for caution in estimating full year results based on interim results of operations.

Changes in Accounting Pronouncements

Note 2 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company's 2015 Form 10-K includes discussion of significant recent accounting pronouncements that either have impacted or may impact our financial statements in the future. The following issuances of, and changes in, accounting pronouncements that apply to the Company have occurred since the Company filed its 2015 Form 10-K.

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09). In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance that changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance requires excess tax benefits or deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, requires cash flows related to the excess tax benefits to be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows, permits repurchasing more than was previously allowed of an employee's shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, clarifies that all cash payments made on an employee's behalf for withheld shares are to be presented as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows, and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. In addition, the new guidance changes the calculation of common stock equivalents for earnings per share purposes. The new standard is required to be adopted as of January 1, 2017.

As permitted, the Company elected to early adopt the new guidance effective January 1, 2016. Adopting this new guidance resulted in $23 million of tax benefits recorded in net income (in Corporate) during the six months ended June 30, 2016 that previously would have been reported in additional paid-in capital. The change in the calculation of common stock equivalents added approximately one million weighted average shares for the diluted earnings per share calculations for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The Company applied these provisions prospectively.

The Company retrospectively applied the provisions of the new guidance related to the presentation of employee taxes paid for withheld shares and reclassified $74 million of tax withholding from operating to financing activities in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company reflected $68 million of tax withholding in financing activities. The ability under the new guidance to repurchase more employee shares for tax withholding purposes had no impact on the Company's financial statements. The Company elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur to determine the amount of compensation cost to be recognized in each period.

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02). The Company adopted this new consolidation guidance effective January 1, 2016 with no material effect on its financial statements. Among other provisions, the guidance defines limited partnerships as variable interest entities unless substantive kick-out rights or participating rights exist. See Note 10 for additional disclosures about various real estate and security limited partnerships that are newly identified as variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary.

Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (ASU 2015-07). This amendment removed the requirement to categorize all investments for which fair value is measured using the practical expedient of net asset value (“NAV”) per share within the fair value hierarchy. The Company adopted this new guidance effective January 1, 2016. Upon adoption, the Company began to separately disclose certain separate account investments and provided comparable prior period disclosure. See Note 7 for this separate disclosure information.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). The FASB issued three new ASUs in 2016 further clarifying the broader revenue guidance:

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” (ASU 2016-08) that clarifies the definition of principals and agents.
“Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (ASU 2016-10) that clarifies guidance and adds examples to help companies properly identify performance obligations. This ASU also illustrates when a license provides a customer with a right to use (point in time) versus a right to access (over time) benefit.
“Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (ASU 2016-12) that clarifies certain aspects of the previously-issued guidance, including the objective of the collectability criterion in the new revenue model.

These clarifications, together with the broader revenue recognition guidance within ASU 2014-09, are required to be adopted beginning January 1, 2018. The Company continues to monitor developing implementation guidance and evaluate these new requirements for its non-insurance customer contracts to determine its method and timing of implementation and any resulting estimated effects on its financial statements.

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (ASU 2016-13). In June 2016, the FASB issued this new standard that introduces a new approach to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments based on expected losses. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The ASU will be effective January 1, 2020, and early adoption is permitted on January 1, 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact of this new standard on its financial statements and disclosures.

Investments

Review of declines in fair value. Management reviews fixed maturities with a decline in fair value from cost for impairment based on criteria that include:

length of time and severity of decline;

financial health and specific near term prospects of the issuer;
changes in the regulatory, economic or general market environment of the issuer's industry or geographic region; and
the Company's intent to sell or the likelihood of a required sale prior to expected recovery.

Equity securities also include hybrid investments consisting of preferred stock with call features that are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported in other realized investment gains (losses) and dividends reported in net investment income.

Credit quality. The Company regularly evaluates and monitors credit risk, beginning with the initial underwriting of a mortgage loan and continuing throughout the investment holding period. Mortgage origination professionals employ an internal credit quality rating system designed to evaluate the relative risk of the transaction at origination that is then updated each year as part of the annual portfolio loan review. The Company evaluates and monitors credit quality on an ongoing basis, classifying each loan as a loan in good standing, potential problem loan or problem loan.

Quality ratings are based on our evaluation of a number of key inputs related to the loan including real estate market-related factors such as rental rates and vacancies, and property-specific inputs such as growth rate assumptions and lease rollover statistics. However, the two most significant contributors to the credit quality rating are the debt service coverage and loan-to-value ratios. The debt service coverage ratio measures the amount of property cash flow available to meet annual interest and principal payments on the debt, with a ratio below 1.0 indicating that there is not enough cash flow to cover the required loan payments. The loan-to-value ratio, commonly expressed as a percentage, compares the amount of the loan to the fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan.

The Company's annual in-depth review of its commercial mortgage loan investments is the primary mechanism for identifying emerging risks in the portfolio. The most recent review was completed by the Company's investment professionals in the second quarter of 2016 and included an analysis of each underlying property's most recent annual financial statements, rent rolls, operating plans, budgets, a physical inspection of the property and other pertinent factors. Based on historical results, current leases, lease expirations and rental conditions in each market, the Company estimates the current year and future stabilized property income and fair value and categorizes the investments as loans in good standing, potential problem loans or problem loans.

The Company will reevaluate a loan's credit quality between annual reviews if new property information is received or an event such as delinquency or a borrower's request for restructure causes management to believe that the Company's estimate of financial performance, fair value or the risk profile of the underlying property has been impacted.

Potential problem mortgage loans are considered current (no payment is more than 59 days past due), but they exhibit certain characteristics that increase the likelihood of future default. The characteristics management considers include, but are not limited to, the deterioration of debt service coverage below 1.0, estimated loan-to-value ratios increasing to 100% or more, downgrade in quality rating and requests from the borrower for restructuring. In addition, loans are considered potential problems if principal or interest payments are past due by more than 30 but less than 60 days. Problem mortgage loans are either in default by 60 days or more or have been restructured as to terms that could include concessions on interest rate, principal payment or maturity date. The Company monitors each problem and potential problem mortgage loan on an ongoing basis, and updates the loan categorization and quality rating when warranted.

Impaired commercial mortgage loans. A commercial mortgage loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due according to the terms of the original loan agreement. These loans are included in either problem or potential problem loans. The Company monitors credit risk and assesses the impairment of loans individually and on a consistent basis for all loans in the portfolio. Impaired loans are carried at the lower of unpaid principal balance or the fair value of the underlying real estate. Certain commercial mortgage loans without valuation reserves are considered impaired because the Company will not collect all interest due according to the terms of the original agreements; however, the Company expects to recover the unpaid principal because it is less than the fair value of the underlying real estate.

Because of the risk profile of the underlying investment, the Company recognizes interest income on impaired mortgage loans only when payment is actually received.

Future Policy Benefits

The Company estimates this liability with an internal model based on its experience and future expectations over an extended period, consistent with the long-term nature of this product. Because the product is premium deficient, the Company records increases to the reserve if it is inadequate based on the model. As a result of the reinsurance transaction, reserve increases have a corresponding increase in the recorded reinsurance recoverable, provided the increased recoverable remains within the overall Berkshire limit (including the GMIB assets).

Fair Value Measurements

Note 7 ― Fair Value Measurements

The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value in the financial statements including fixed maturities, equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives. Other financial instruments are measured at fair value under certain conditions, such as when impaired.

Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the balance sheet date. A liability's fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a market participant, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified based upon a hierarchy defined by GAAP. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset's or a liability's classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a financial asset or liability carried at fair value would be classified in Level 3 if unobservable inputs were significant to the instrument's fair value, even though the measurement may be derived using inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3).

The Company estimates fair values using prices from third parties or internal pricing methods. Fair value estimates received from third-party pricing services are based on reported trade activity and quoted market prices when available, and other market information that a market participant may use to estimate fair value. The internal pricing methods are performed by the Company's investment professionals and generally involve using discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating current market inputs for similar financial instruments with comparable terms and credit quality, as well as other qualitative factors. In instances where there is little or no market activity for the same or similar instruments, fair value is estimated using methods, models and assumptions that the Company believes a hypothetical market participant would use to determine a current transaction price. These valuation techniques involve some level of estimation and judgment that becomes significant with increasingly complex instruments or pricing models.

The Company is responsible for determining fair value, as well as designating the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy, based on the significance of unobservable inputs. The Company reviews methodologies, processes and controls of third-party pricing services and compares prices on a test basis to those obtained from other external pricing sources or internal estimates. The Company performs ongoing analyses of both prices received from third-party pricing services and those developed internally to determine that they represent appropriate estimates of fair value. The controls executed by the Company include evaluating changes in prices and monitoring for potentially stale valuations. The Company also performs sample testing of sales values to confirm the accuracy of prior fair value estimates. The minimal exceptions identified during these processes indicate that adjustments to prices are infrequent and do not significantly impact valuations. Annually, we conduct an on-site visit of the most significant pricing service to review their processes, methodologies and controls. This on-site review includes a walk-through of inputs of a sample of securities held across various asset types to validate the documented pricing process.

Inputs for instruments classified in Level 1 include unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets accessible at the measurement date. Active markets provide pricing data for trades occurring at least weekly and include exchanges and dealer markets.

Assets in Level 1 include actively-traded U.S. government bonds and exchange-listed equity securities. Given the narrow definition of Level 1 and the Company's investment asset strategy to maximize investment returns, a relatively small portion of the Company's investment assets are classified in this category.

Inputs for instruments classified in Level 2 include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are market observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such other inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads and yield curves. An instrument is classified in Level 2 if the Company determines that unobservable inputs are insignificant.

Fixed maturities and equity securities. Approximately 95% of the Company's investments in fixed maturities and equity securities are classified in Level 2 including most public and private corporate debt and equity securities, federal agency and municipal bonds, non-government mortgage-backed securities and preferred stocks. Because many fixed maturities do not trade daily, third-party pricing services and internal methods often use recent trades of securities with similar features and characteristics. When recent trades are not available, pricing models are used to determine these prices. These models calculate fair values by discounting future cash flows at estimated market interest rates. Such market rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spreads over comparable U.S. Treasury securities, based on the credit quality, industry and structure of the asset. Typical inputs and assumptions to pricing models include, but are not limited to, a combination of benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, liquidity, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic events. For mortgage-backed securities, inputs and assumptions may also include characteristics of the issuer, collateral attributes, prepayment speeds and credit rating.

Nearly all of these instruments are valued using recent trades or pricing models. Less than 1% of the fair value of investments classified in Level 2 represents foreign bonds that are valued using a single unadjusted market-observable input derived by averaging multiple broker-dealer quotes, consistent with local market practice.

Short-term investments are carried at fair value which approximates cost. On a regular basis, the Company compares market prices for these securities to recorded amounts to validate that current carrying amounts approximate exit prices. The short-term nature of the investments and corroboration of the reported amounts over the holding period support their classification in Level 2.

Other derivatives classified in Level 2 represent over-the-counter instruments such as interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts. Fair values for these instruments are determined using market observable inputs including forward currency and interest rate curves and widely published market observable indices. Credit risk related to the counterparty and the Company is considered when estimating the fair values of these derivatives. However, the Company is largely protected by collateral arrangements with counterparties and determined that no adjustment for credit risk was required as of June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015. Level 2 also includes exchange-traded interest rate swap contracts. Credit risk related to the clearinghouse counterparty and the Company is considered minimal when estimating the fair values of these derivatives because of upfront margin deposits and daily settlement requirements. The nature and use of these other derivatives are described in Note 9.

Certain inputs for instruments classified in Level 3 are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to their resulting fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date.

The Company classifies certain newly issued, privately-placed, complex or illiquid securities, as well as assets and liabilities relating to GMIB, in Level 3.

Fair values of other asset and mortgage-backed securities, corporate and government fixed maturities are primarily determined using pricing models that incorporate the specific characteristics of each asset and related assumptions including the investment type and structure, credit quality, industry and maturity date in comparison to current market indices, spreads and liquidity of assets with similar characteristics. For other asset and mortgage-backed securities, inputs and assumptions for pricing may also include collateral attributes and prepayment speeds. Recent trades in the subject security or similar securities are assessed when available, and the Company may also review published research in its evaluation, as well as the issuer's financial statements.

The significant unobservable inputs used to value the following other asset and mortgage-backed securities are liquidity and weighting of credit spreads. When there is limited trading activity for the security, an adjustment for liquidity is made as of the measurement date that considers current market conditions, issuer circumstances and complexity of the security structure. An adjustment to weight credit spreads is needed to value a more complex bond structure with multiple underlying collateral and no standard market valuation technique. The weighting of credit spreads is primarily based on the underlying collateral's characteristics and their proportional cash flows supporting the bond obligations. The resulting wide range of unobservable adjustments in the table below is due to the varying liquidity and quality of the underlying collateral, ranging from high credit quality to below investment grade.

The significant unobservable input used to value the following corporate and government fixed maturities is an adjustment for liquidity. When there is limited trading activity for the security, an adjustment is needed to reflect current market conditions and issuer circumstances.

The significant unobservable input used to value the following equity securities is a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). These securities are comprised of private equity investments with limited trading activity and therefore a ratio of EBITDA is used to estimate value based on company circumstances and relative risk characteristics.

Significant increases in fixed maturity spreads would result in a lower fair value measurement while decreases in these inputs would result in a higher fair value measurement. Significant decreases in equity price-to-earnings multiples would result in a lower fair value measurement while increases in these inputs would result in a higher fair value measurement. Generally, the unobservable inputs are not interrelated and a change in the assumption used for one unobservable input is not accompanied by a change in the other unobservable input.

Although these GMIB assets and liabilities must continue to be reported as derivatives at fair value, the only assumption that is expected to impact future shareholders' net income is the risk of non-performance. This assumption reflects a market participant's view of (a) the risk of a subsidiary of the Company not fulfilling its GMIB obligations (GMIB liabilities) and (b) the credit risk that the reinsurers do not pay their obligations (GMIB assets).

The Company reports GMIB liabilities and assets as derivatives at fair value because the cash flows of these liabilities and assets are affected by equity markets and interest rates, but are without significant life insurance risk and are settled in lump sum payments. Under the terms of these written and purchased contracts, the Company periodically receives and pays fees based on either contractholders' account values or deposits increased at a contractual rate. The Company will also pay and receive cash depending on account values and interest rates when contractholders elect to begin to receive minimum income payments. The Company estimates the fair value of the assets and liabilities for GMIB contracts by calculating the results for many scenarios run through a model utilizing various assumptions that include non-performance risk, among other things.

The non-performance risk adjustment is incorporated by adding an additional spread to the discount rate in the calculation of both (a) the GMIB liabilities to reflect a market participant's view of the risk of a subsidiary of the Company not fulfilling its GMIB obligations, and (b) the GMIB assets to reflect a market participant's view of the credit risk of the reinsurers, after considering collateral.

Other assumptions that affect GMIB assets and liabilities include capital market assumptions (including market returns, interest rates and market volatilities of the underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments) and future annuitant behavior (including mortality, lapse and annuity election rates). As certain assumptions used to estimate fair values for these contracts are largely unobservable (primarily related to future annuitant behavior), the Company classifies GMIB assets and liabilities in Level 3.

The Company regularly evaluates each of the assumptions used in establishing these assets and liabilities. Significant decreases in assumed lapse rates or spreads used to calculate non-performance risk, or increases in assumed annuity election rates, would result in higher fair value measurements. A change in one of these assumptions is not necessarily accompanied by a change in another assumption.

GMIB liabilities are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. GMIB assets associated with these contracts represent net receivables in connection with reinsurance that the Company has purchased from three external reinsurers and are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in other assets, including other intangibles.

As noted in the tables above, total gains and losses included in shareholders' net income are reflected in the following captions in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

Realized investment gains (losses) and net investment income for amounts related to fixed maturities and equity securities and realized investment gains (losses) for the impact of changes in non-performance risk related to GMIB assets and liabilities, similar to hedge ineffectiveness; and
Other operating expenses for amounts related to GMIB assets and liabilities (GMIB fair value gain/loss), except for the impact of changes in non-performance risk.

In the tables above, gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are reflected in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on securities in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Reclassifications impacting Level 3 financial instruments are reported as transfers into or out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurs. Therefore gains and losses in income only reflect activity for the period the instrument was classified in Level 3.

Transfers into or out of the Level 3 category occur when unobservable inputs, such as the Company's best estimate of what a market participant would use to determine a current transaction price, become more or less significant to the fair value measurement.

Separate account assets

Fair values and changes in the fair values of separate account assets generally accrue directly to the policyholders and are excluded from the Company's revenues and expenses. Beginning in 2016, investments that are measured using the practical expedient of NAV (see Note 2 for additional information) are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Separate account assets in Level 1 primarily include exchange-listed equity securities. Level 2 assets primarily include:

corporate and structured bonds valued using recent trades of similar securities or pricing models that discount future cash flows at estimated market interest rates as described above; and
actively-traded institutional and retail mutual fund investments and separate accounts priced using the daily net asset value that is the exit price.

Separate account assets classified in Level 3 include certain newly issued, privately-placed, complex, or illiquid securities that are priced using methods discussed above, as well as commercial mortgage loans that are valued according to the methodologies discussed below.

Separate account investments in securities partnerships, real estate, and hedge funds are generally valued based on the separate account's ownership share of the equity of the investee (NAV as a practical expedient), including changes in the fair values of its underlying investments.

Some financial assets and liabilities are not carried at fair value each reporting period, but may be measured using fair value only under certain conditions, such as investments in real estate, partnership entities and commercial mortgage loans when they become impaired.

Commercial mortgage loans. The Company estimates the fair value of commercial mortgage loans generally by discounting the contractual cash flows using estimated market interest rates that reflect the Company's assessment of the credit quality of the loans. Market interest rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, based on the property type, quality rating and average life of the loan. The quality ratings reflect the relative risk of the loan, considering debt service coverage, the loan-to-value ratio and other factors. Fair values of impaired mortgage loans are based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral generally determined using an internal discounted cash flow model. The fair value measurements were classified in Level 3 because the cash flow models incorporate significant unobservable inputs.

Contractholder deposit funds, excluding universal life products. Generally, these funds do not have stated maturities. Approximately 70% of these balances can be withdrawn by the customer at any time without prior notice or penalty. The fair value for these contracts is the amount estimated to be payable to the customer as of the reporting date, which is generally the carrying value. Most of the remaining contractholder deposit funds are reinsured by the buyers of the individual life and annuity and retirement benefits businesses. The fair value for these contracts is determined using the fair value of these buyers' assets supporting these reinsured contracts. The Company had reinsurance recoverables equal to the carrying value of these reinsured contracts. These instruments were classified in Level 3 because certain inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to their resulting fair value measurement.

Long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding capital leases. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for recent trades. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis and the Company's estimated current borrowing rate for debt of similar terms and remaining maturities. These measurements were classified in Level 2 because the fair values are based on quoted market prices or other inputs that are market observable or can be corroborated by market data.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Using cash flow hedge accounting, the Company entered into interest rate, foreign currency, and combination (interest rate and foreign currency) swap contracts to hedge the interest and foreign currency cash flows of its fixed maturity bonds to match associated insurance liabilities. Fair values are reported in other long-term investments or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Changes in fair value are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into net investment income or reported in other realized investment gains and losses as interest or principal payments are received.

During the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into foreign currency swap contracts to hedge the foreign exchange related changes in fair value of its fixed maturity bonds to match associated insurance liabilities. Using fair value hedge accounting, fair values are reported in other long-term investments or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. Changes in fair value of the swap, as well as changes in fair value of the hedged bond attributable to the hedged risk are reported in other realized investment gains and losses.

Under the terms of these various contracts, the Company periodically exchanges cash flows between variable and fixed interest rates or between two currencies for both principal and interest. Foreign currency and combination swaps are primarily Euros, Canadian dollars and Japanese yen and have terms for periods of up to seven years. Net interest cash flows are reported in operating activities.

Using fair value hedge accounting, the fair values of the swap contracts are reported in other assets, including other intangibles, or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. As the critical terms of these swaps match those of the long-term debt being hedged, the carrying value of the hedged debt is adjusted to reflect changes in its fair value driven by LIBOR. The effects of those adjustments on other operating expenses are offset by the effects of corresponding changes in the swaps' fair value, including interest expense for the difference between the variable and fixed interest rates.

Under the terms of these contracts, the Company provides upfront margin and settles fair value changes and net interest between variable and fixed interest rates daily with a central clearinghouse. Net interest cash flows are reported in operating activities.

Variable Interest Entities

Note 10 – Variable Interest Entities

When the Company becomes involved with a variable interest entity, as well as when there is a change in the Company's involvement with an entity, the Company evaluates the following to determine if it is the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the entity:

the structure and purpose of the entity;
the risks and rewards created by and shared through the entity; and
the Company's ability to direct its activities, receive its benefits and absorb its losses relative to the other parties involved with the entity including its sponsors, equity holders, guarantors, creditors and servicers.

The Company owns interests in security and real estate limited partnerships that are now defined as variable interest entities under ASU 2015-02 (see Note 2). These partnerships invest in the equity or mezzanine debt of privately held companies and real estate properties. General partners unaffiliated with the Company control decisions that most significantly impact the partnership's operations and the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company's maximum exposure to these entities of $1.9 billion across approximately 90 limited partnerships includes $1.0 billion reported in other long-term investments and commitments to contribute an additional $0.9 billion as of June 30, 2016. The Company's non-controlling interest in these limited partnerships is generally less than 10%.

In the normal course of its investing activities, the Company also makes passive investments in certain asset-backed and corporate securities that are issued by variable interest entities whose sponsors or issuers are unaffiliated with the Company. The Company receives fixed-rate cash flows from these investments and the maximum potential exposure to loss is limited to the carrying amount of $0.5 billion as of June 30, 2016, that is reported in fixed maturities. The Company's combined ownership interests are insignificant relative to the total principal amounts issued by these entities.

To provide certain services to its Medicare Advantage customers, the Company contracts with independent physician associations (“IPAs”) that are variable interest entities. Physicians provide health care services to Medicare Advantage customers and the Company provides medical management and administrative services to the IPAs. The Company's maximum exposure to loss related to the IPA arrangements is limited to their liability for incurred but not reported medical costs for the Company's Medicare Advantage customers. These liabilities are not material and are generally secured by deposits maintained by the IPAs.

The Company is not the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate these entities because either:

it has no power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance; or
it has neither the right to receive benefits nor the obligation to absorb losses that could be significant to these variable interest entities.

The Company has not provided, and does not intend to provide, financial support to these entities that it is not contractually required to provide. The Company performs ongoing qualitative analyses of its involvement with these variable interest entities to determine if consolidation is required.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) excludes amounts required to adjust future policy benefits for the run-off settlement annuity business and a portion of deferred acquisition costs associated with the corporate owned life insurance business.

Income taxes on undistributed earnings of certain foreign operations

As part of its global capital management strategy, the Company's foreign operations retain a significant portion of their earnings overseas. These undistributed earnings are deployed outside of the U.S. in support of the liquidity and capital needs of our foreign operations. The Company does not intend to repatriate these earnings to the U.S. and as a result, income taxes are provided using the respective foreign jurisdictions' tax rate.

Segment Information

In the Company's segment disclosures, we present “operating revenues,” defined as total revenues excluding realized investment results. The Company excludes realized investment results from this measure because its portfolio managers may sell investments based on factors largely unrelated to the underlying business purposes of each segment. As a result, gains or losses created in this process may not be indicative of the past or future underlying performance of the business.

The Company uses “adjusted income (loss) from operations” as its principal financial measure of segment operating performance because management believes it best reflects the underlying results of business operations and permits analysis of trends in underlying revenue, expenses and profitability. Adjusted income from operations is defined as shareholders' net income (loss) excluding after-tax realized investment gains and losses, net amortization of other acquired intangible assets and special items. Income or expense amounts are excluded from adjusted income from operations for the following reasons:

Realized investment results are excluded because, as noted above, our portfolio managers may sell investments based on factors largely unrelated to the underlying business purposes of each segment.
Net amortization of other intangible assets is excluded because it relates to costs incurred for acquisitions and, as a result, it does not relate to the core performance of the Company's business operations.
Special items, if any, are excluded because management believes they are not representative of the underlying results of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

When the Company (in the course of its regular review of pending litigation and legal or regulatory matters) has determined that a material loss is reasonably possible, the matter is disclosed. Such matters are described in the Litigation Matters and Regulatory Matters sections below. In accordance with GAAP, when litigation and regulatory matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable, the Company accrues the estimated loss by a charge to net income. The amount accrued represents the Company's best estimate of the probable loss at the time. If only a range of estimated losses can be determined, the Company accrues an amount within the range that, in the Company's judgment, reflects the most likely outcome; if none of the estimates within that range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues the minimum amount of the range. In cases when the Company has accrued an estimated loss, the accrued amount may differ materially from the ultimate amount of the loss. In many proceedings, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any loss. The Company provides disclosure in the aggregate for material pending litigation and legal or regulatory matters, including accruals, range of loss, or a statement that such information cannot be estimated. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, the Company monitors the matter for further developments that could affect the amount previously accrued, if any, and updates such amount accrued or disclosures previously provided as appropriate.