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Investments
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments
Investments
Fair values
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed income securities are as follows:
($ in millions)
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair
value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
September 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,642

 
$
118

 
$
—

 
$
3,760

Municipal
7,082

 
431

 
(19
)
 
7,494

Corporate
40,997

 
1,322

 
(690
)
 
41,629

Foreign government
1,026

 
60

 
(1
)
 
1,085

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
2,727

 
19

 
(35
)
 
2,711

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)
913

 
108

 
(10
)
 
1,011

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
510

 
35

 
(3
)
 
542

Redeemable preferred stock
21

 
4

 
—

 
25

Total fixed income securities
$
56,918

 
$
2,097

 
$
(758
)
 
$
58,257

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
4,192

 
$
139

 
$
(3
)
 
$
4,328

Municipal
7,877

 
645

 
(25
)
 
8,497

Corporate
40,386

 
1,998

 
(240
)
 
42,144

Foreign government
1,543

 
102

 
—

 
1,645

ABS
3,971

 
38

 
(31
)
 
3,978

RMBS
1,108

 
112

 
(13
)
 
1,207

CMBS
573

 
44

 
(2
)
 
615

Redeemable preferred stock
22

 
4

 
—

 
26

Total fixed income securities
$
59,672

 
$
3,082

 
$
(314
)
 
$
62,440



Scheduled maturities
The scheduled maturities for fixed income securities are as follows as of September 30, 2015:
($ in millions)
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
Due in one year or less
$
4,465

 
$
4,494

Due after one year through five years
25,511

 
26,082

Due after five years through ten years
16,859

 
16,944

Due after ten years
5,933

 
6,473

 
52,768

 
53,993

ABS, RMBS and CMBS
4,150

 
4,264

Total
$
56,918

 
$
58,257


Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of calls and make-whole payments by the issuers.  ABS, RMBS and CMBS are shown separately because of the potential for prepayment of principal prior to contractual maturity dates.
Net investment income
Net investment income is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
546

 
$
581

 
$
1,681

 
$
1,870

Equity securities
23

 
28

 
77

 
91

Mortgage loans
53

 
54

 
165

 
206

Limited partnership interests
167

 
162

 
483

 
499

Short-term investments
4

 
1

 
8

 
5

Other
49

 
41

 
143

 
127

Investment income, before expense
842

 
867

 
2,557

 
2,798

Investment expense
(35
)
 
(44
)
 
(111
)
 
(118
)
Net investment income
$
807

 
$
823

 
$
2,446

 
$
2,680


Realized capital gains and losses
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
221

 
$
23

 
$
361

 
$
121

Equity securities
(150
)
 
213

 
(24
)
 
474

Mortgage loans
1

 
2

 
2

 
3

Limited partnership interests
(55
)
 
59

 
(52
)
 
10

Derivatives
24

 
(8
)
 
4

 
(27
)
Other
(8
)
 
5

 
(11
)
 
7

Realized capital gains and losses
$
33

 
$
294

 
$
280

 
$
588


Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Impairment write-downs
$
(47
)
 
$
10

 
$
(77
)
 
$
(12
)
Change in intent write-downs
(127
)
 
(63
)
 
(189
)
 
(167
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(174
)
 
(53
)
 
(266
)
 
(179
)
Sales and other
183

 
355

 
545

 
792

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
24

 
(8
)
 
1

 
(25
)
Realized capital gains and losses
$
33

 
$
294

 
$
280

 
$
588



Gross gains of $357 million and $353 million and gross losses of $120 million and $48 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Gross gains of $828 million and $866 million and gross losses of $241 million and $111 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses by asset type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2015
 
Three months ended September 30, 2014
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$
(1
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
—

 
$
(3
)
Corporate
(9
)
 
—

 
(9
)
 
(6
)
 
1

 
(5
)
ABS
(16
)
 
12

 
(4
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

RMBS
—

 
—

 
—

 
3

 
(1
)
 
2

CMBS
(1
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Total fixed income securities
(27
)
 
12

 
(15
)
 
(6
)
 
—

 
(6
)
Equity securities
(151
)
 
—

 
(151
)
 
(63
)
 
—

 
(63
)
Mortgage loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
2

 
—

 
2

Limited partnership interests
(2
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
14

 
—

 
14

Other
(6
)
 
—

 
(6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
$
(186
)
 
$
12

 
$
(174
)
 
$
(53
)
 
$
—

 
$
(53
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$
(5
)
 
$
4

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
—

 
$
(9
)
Corporate
(19
)
 
4

 
(15
)
 
(6
)
 
1

 
(5
)
ABS
(20
)
 
13

 
(7
)
 
(3
)
 
—

 
(3
)
RMBS
1

 
(1
)
 
—

 
9

 
(3
)
 
6

CMBS
(1
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Total fixed income securities
(44
)
 
20

 
(24
)
 
(9
)
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
Equity securities
(226
)
 
—

 
(226
)
 
(149
)
 
—

 
(149
)
Mortgage loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
6

 
—

 
6

Limited partnership interests
(7
)
 
—

 
(7
)
 
(25
)
 
—

 
(25
)
Other
(9
)
 
—

 
(9
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
$
(286
)
 
$
20

 
$
(266
)
 
$
(177
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(179
)
The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of impairment for fixed income securities, which were not included in earnings, are presented in the following table.  The amounts exclude $221 million and $233 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
($ in millions)
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Municipal
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
ABS
(15
)
 
(2
)
RMBS
(105
)
 
(108
)
CMBS
(6
)
 
(5
)
Total
$
(134
)
 
$
(123
)





Rollforwards of the cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities held as of the end of the period are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
$
(372
)
 
$
(424
)
 
$
(380
)
 
$
(513
)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired
(7
)
 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 
(2
)
Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired
(8
)
 
(5
)
 
(14
)
 
(8
)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected
23

 
28

 
37

 
61

Reduction in credit loss for securities the Company has made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows
—

 
1

 
3

 
2

Reduction in credit loss for securities sold in Lincoln Benefit Life Company (“LBL”) disposition
—

 
—

 
—

 
59

Ending balance
$
(364
)
 
$
(401
)
 
$
(364
)
 
$
(401
)

The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security, discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists.  The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security.  All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable assumptions and forecasts, are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected.  That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, foreign exchange rates, the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer, expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral, vintage, geographic concentration, available reserves or escrows, current subordination levels, third party guarantees and other credit enhancements.  Other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond insurer for insured fixed income securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered.  The estimated fair value of collateral will be used to estimate recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement.  If the estimated recovery value is less than the amortized cost of the security, a credit loss exists and an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the estimated recovery value and amortized cost is recorded in earnings.  The portion of the unrealized loss related to factors other than credit remains classified in accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the Company determines that the fixed income security does not have sufficient cash flow or other information to estimate a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and the loss is recorded in earnings.















Unrealized net capital gains and losses
Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
($ in millions)
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
September 30, 2015
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
$
58,257

 
$
2,097

 
$
(758
)
 
$
1,339

Equity securities
4,236

 
274

 
(161
)
 
113

Short-term investments
3,036

 
—

 
—

 
—

Derivative instruments (1)
11

 
11

 
(4
)
 
7

Equity method (“EMA”) limited partnerships (2)
 

 
 

 
 

 
(5
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,454

Amounts recognized for:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves (3)
 

 
 

 
 

 
—

DAC and DSI (4)
 

 
 

 
 

 
(98
)
Amounts recognized
 

 
 

 
 

 
(98
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
(477
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
879

_______________
(1) 
Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are $4 million classified as assets and $(7) million classified as liabilities.
(2) 
Unrealized net capital gains and losses for limited partnership interests represent the Company’s share of EMA limited partnerships’ other comprehensive income. Fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses are not applicable.
(3) 
The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency. Although the Company evaluates premium deficiencies on the combined performance of life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.
(4) 
The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.
($ in millions)
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
December 31, 2014
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
$
62,440

 
$
3,082

 
$
(314
)
 
$
2,768

Equity securities
4,104

 
467

 
(55
)
 
412

Short-term investments
2,540

 
—

 
—

 
—

Derivative instruments (1)
2

 
3

 
(5
)
 
(2
)
EMA limited partnerships
 

 
 

 
 

 
(5
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
3,173

Amounts recognized for:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves
 

 
 

 
 

 
(28
)
DAC and DSI
 

 
 

 
 

 
(179
)
Amounts recognized
 

 
 

 
 

 
(207
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
(1,040
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
1,926

_______________
(1) 
Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are $3 million classified as assets and $1 million classified as liabilities.








Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses
The change in unrealized net capital gains and losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is as follows:
($ in millions)
 
Fixed income securities
$
(1,429
)
Equity securities
(299
)
Derivative instruments
9

Total
(1,719
)
Amounts recognized for:
 

Insurance reserves
28

DAC and DSI
81

Amounts recognized
109

Deferred income taxes
563

Decrease in unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
(1,047
)

Portfolio monitoring
The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.
For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes.  If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  The Company calculates the estimated recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security.  If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in other comprehensive income.
For equity securities, the Company considers various factors, including whether it has the intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis.  Where the Company lacks the intent and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the equity security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
For fixed income and equity securities managed by third parties, either the Company has contractually retained its decision making authority as it pertains to selling securities that are in an unrealized loss position or it recognizes any unrealized loss at the end of the period through a charge to earnings.
The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost (for fixed income securities) or cost (for equity securities) is below established thresholds.  The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the security.  Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed income and equity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer.  Some of the factors that may be considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost.





The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed income and equity securities by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
($ in millions)
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
unrealized
losses
 
Number
of issues
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Number
of issues
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
September 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
5

 
$
364

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Municipal
171

 
495

 
(5
)
 
9

 
48

 
(14
)
 
(19
)
Corporate
1,078

 
12,371

 
(563
)
 
82

 
800

 
(127
)
 
(690
)
Foreign government
14

 
73

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
ABS
53

 
738

 
(17
)
 
21

 
281

 
(18
)
 
(35
)
RMBS
76

 
13

 
—

 
176

 
132

 
(10
)
 
(10
)
CMBS
7

 
32

 
(1
)
 
2

 
4

 
(2
)
 
(3
)
Total fixed income securities
1,404

 
14,086

 
(587
)
 
290

 
1,265

 
(171
)
 
(758
)
Equity securities
354

 
1,619

 
(137
)
 
25

 
84

 
(24
)
 
(161
)
Total fixed income and equity securities
1,758

 
$
15,705

 
$
(724
)
 
315

 
$
1,349

 
$
(195
)
 
$
(919
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade fixed income securities
906

 
$
9,147

 
$
(217
)
 
212

 
$
762

 
$
(80
)
 
$
(297
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
498

 
4,939

 
(370
)
 
78

 
503

 
(91
)
 
(461
)
Total fixed income securities
1,404

 
$
14,086

 
$
(587
)
 
290

 
$
1,265

 
$
(171
)
 
$
(758
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
21

 
$
1,501

 
$
(3
)
 
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(3
)
Municipal
252

 
1,008

 
(9
)
 
19

 
116

 
(16
)
 
(25
)
Corporate
576

 
7,545

 
(147
)
 
119

 
1,214

 
(93
)
 
(240
)
Foreign government
2

 
13

 
—

 
1

 
19

 
—

 
—

ABS
81

 
1,738

 
(11
)
 
26

 
315

 
(20
)
 
(31
)
RMBS
75

 
70

 
(1
)
 
188

 
156

 
(12
)
 
(13
)
CMBS
8

 
33

 
—

 
3

 
32

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Total fixed income securities
1,015

 
11,908

 
(171
)
 
356

 
1,852

 
(143
)
 
(314
)
Equity securities
258

 
866

 
(53
)
 
1

 
11

 
(2
)
 
(55
)
Total fixed income and equity securities
1,273

 
$
12,774

 
$
(224
)
 
357

 
$
1,863

 
$
(145
)
 
$
(369
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade fixed income securities
754

 
$
9,951

 
$
(71
)
 
281

 
$
1,444

 
$
(87
)
 
$
(158
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
261

 
1,957

 
(100
)
 
75

 
408

 
(56
)
 
(156
)
Total fixed income securities
1,015

 
$
11,908

 
$
(171
)
 
356

 
$
1,852

 
$
(143
)
 
$
(314
)

As of September 30, 2015, $652 million of the $919 million unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of amortized cost or cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired.  Of the $652 million, $223 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities and $105 million are related to equity securities. Of the remaining $324 million, $276 million have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.  Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, Kroll or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.  Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to increasing risk-free interest rates or widening credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.
As of September 30, 2015, the remaining $267 million of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost.  Investment grade fixed income securities comprising $74 million of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations.  Of the $267 million, $137 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities and $56 million are related to equity securities.  Of these amounts, $10 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities that had been in an unrealized loss position greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of September 30, 2015.
ABS, RMBS and CMBS in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on actual and projected collateral losses relative to the securities’ positions in the respective securitization trusts, security specific expectations of cash flows, and credit ratings.  This evaluation also takes into consideration credit enhancement, measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security the Company owns, (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to the class of securities the Company owns, such as overcollateralization and excess spread, and (iii) for ABS and RMBS in an unrealized loss position, credit enhancements from reliable bond insurers, where applicable.  Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the underlying credit quality of the primary obligator, obligation type and quality of the underlying assets.  Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to temporary equity market fluctuations of securities that are expected to recover.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company has not made the decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis.  As of September 30, 2015, the Company had the intent and ability to hold equity securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient for them to recover.
Limited partnerships
As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of equity method limited partnerships totaled $3.68 billion and $3.41 billion, respectively.  The Company recognizes an impairment loss for equity method limited partnerships when evidence demonstrates that the loss is other than temporary.  Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain a level of earnings that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.
As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value for cost method limited partnerships was $1.15 billion and $1.12 billion, respectively.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the Company evaluates whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by the limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.  Additionally, the Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all cost method limited partnerships to identify instances where the net asset value is below established thresholds for certain periods of time, as well as investments that are performing below expectations, for further impairment consideration.  If a cost method limited partnership is other-than-temporarily impaired, the carrying value is written down to fair value, generally estimated to be equivalent to the reported net asset value of the fund.
Mortgage loans
Mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment on a specific loan basis through a quarterly credit monitoring process and review of key credit quality indicators.  Mortgage loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect the contractual principal and interest.  Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans to reduce the carrying value to the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or the present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate.  Impaired mortgage loans may not have a valuation allowance when the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is higher than the carrying value.  Valuation allowances are adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell.  Mortgage loans are charged off against their corresponding valuation allowances when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.  The impairment evaluation is non-statistical in respect to the aggregate portfolio but considers facts and circumstances attributable to each loan.  It is not considered probable that additional impairment losses, beyond those identified on a specific loan basis, have been incurred as of September 30, 2015.
Accrual of income is suspended for mortgage loans that are in default or when full and timely collection of principal and interest payments is not probable.  Cash receipts on mortgage loans on nonaccrual status are generally recorded as a reduction of carrying value.
Debt service coverage ratio is considered a key credit quality indicator when mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment.  Debt service coverage ratio represents the amount of estimated cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations.  Debt service coverage ratio estimates are updated annually or more frequently if conditions are warranted based on the Company’s credit monitoring process.



The following table reflects the carrying value of non-impaired fixed rate and variable rate mortgage loans summarized by debt service coverage ratio distribution.
($ in millions)
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Debt service coverage ratio distribution
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
 
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
Below 1.0
$
106

 
$
—

 
$
106

 
$
110

 
$
—

 
$
110

1.0 - 1.25
433

 
—

 
433

 
424

 
—

 
424

1.26 - 1.50
1,271

 
—

 
1,271

 
1,167

 
1

 
1,168

Above 1.50
2,565

 
18

 
2,583

 
2,450

 
20

 
2,470

Total non-impaired mortgage loans
$
4,375

 
$
18

 
$
4,393

 
$
4,151

 
$
21

 
$
4,172


Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio below 1.0 that are not considered impaired primarily relate to instances where the borrower has the financial capacity to fund the revenue shortfalls from the properties for the foreseeable term, the decrease in cash flows from the properties is considered temporary, or there are other risk mitigating circumstances such as additional collateral, escrow balances or borrower guarantees.
The net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans is as follows:
($ in millions)
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Impaired mortgage loans with a valuation allowance
$
9

 
$
16

Impaired mortgage loans without a valuation allowance
—

 
—

Total impaired mortgage loans
$
9

 
$
16

Valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans
$
7

 
$
8


The average balance of impaired loans was $12 million and $30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The rollforward of the valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
$
7

 
$
9

 
$
8

 
$
21

Net decrease in valuation allowance
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(6
)
Charge offs
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(8
)
Ending balance
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
7


Payments on all loans were current as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.