Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
557
1,139
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
(20)
(22)
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
(67)
(2,560)
Pension liability adjustment
(8)
(8)
Treasury stock, at average cost
(25,477)
(23,395)
Total shareholders’ equity
24,830
21,985
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
128,442
$
126,724
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(In millions, except for per share amounts - Unaudited)
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Treasury Stock
Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
136
$
2,771
$
47,993
$
(5,520)
$
(23,395)
$
21,985
Net earnings
0
0
1,879
0
0
1,879
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(597)
0
(597)
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments
0
0
0
(47)
0
(47)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(4)
0
(4)
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
1,065
0
1,065
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
1
0
1
Dividends to shareholders (1)
($.00 per share)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Exercise of stock options
0
4
0
0
0
4
Share-based compensation
0
18
0
0
0
18
Purchases of treasury stock
0
0
0
0
(793)
(793)
Treasury stock reissued
0
13
0
0
13
26
Balance at March 31, 2024
$
136
$
2,806
$
49,872
$
(5,102)
$
(24,175)
$
23,537
Net earnings
0
0
1,755
0
0
1,755
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(425)
0
(425)
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments
0
0
0
(691)
0
(691)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
4
0
4
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
2,920
0
2,920
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
2
0
2
Dividends to shareholders (1)
($.50 per share)
0
0
(282)
0
0
(282)
Exercise of stock options
0
2
0
0
0
2
Share-based compensation
0
12
0
0
0
12
Purchases of treasury stock
0
0
0
0
(810)
(810)
Treasury stock reissued
0
15
0
0
8
23
Balance at June 30, 2024
$
136
$
2,835
$
51,345
$
(3,292)
$
(24,977)
$
26,047
(1) Dividends to shareholders are recorded in the period in which they are declared.
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(continued)
4
Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (continued)
(In millions, except for per share amounts - Unaudited)
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Treasury Stock
Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at June 30, 2024
$
136
$
2,835
$
51,345
$
(3,292)
$
(24,977)
$
26,047
Net earnings
0
0
(93)
0
0
(93)
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
952
0
952
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments
0
0
0
156
0
156
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
2
0
2
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(1,492)
0
(1,492)
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(3)
0
(3)
Dividends to shareholders (1)
($.50 per share)
0
0
(280)
0
0
(280)
Exercise of stock options
0
1
0
0
0
1
Share-based compensation
0
21
0
0
0
21
Purchases of treasury stock
0
0
0
0
(505)
(505)
Treasury stock reissued
0
19
0
0
5
24
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
136
$
2,876
$
50,972
$
(3,677)
$
(25,477)
$
24,830
(1) Dividends to shareholders are recorded in the period in which they are declared.
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(continued)
5
Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (continued)
(In millions, except for per share amounts - Unaudited)
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Treasury Stock
Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
135
$
2,641
$
44,367
$
(6,429)
$
(20,574)
$
20,140
Net earnings
0
0
1,188
0
0
1,188
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(54)
0
(54)
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments
0
0
0
1,991
0
1,991
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
1
0
1
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(2,794)
0
(2,794)
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
7
0
7
Dividends to shareholders (1)
($.00 per share)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Exercise of stock options
0
3
0
0
0
3
Share-based compensation
0
14
0
0
0
14
Purchases of treasury stock
0
0
0
0
(732)
(732)
Treasury stock reissued
0
7
0
0
13
20
Balance at March 31, 2023
$
135
$
2,665
$
45,555
$
(7,278)
$
(21,293)
$
19,784
Net earnings
0
0
1,634
0
0
1,634
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(631)
0
(631)
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments
0
0
0
689
0
689
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
1
0
1
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(165)
0
(165)
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
46
0
46
Dividends to shareholders (1)
($.42 per share)
0
0
(252)
0
0
(252)
Exercise of stock options
0
5
0
0
0
5
Share-based compensation
1
17
0
0
0
18
Purchases of treasury stock
0
0
0
0
(708)
(708)
Treasury stock reissued
0
10
0
0
8
18
Balance at June 30, 2023
$
136
$
2,697
$
46,937
$
(7,338)
$
(21,993)
$
20,439
(1) Dividends to shareholders are recorded in the period in which they are declared.
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(continued)
6
Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (continued)
(In millions, except for per share amounts - Unaudited)
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Treasury Stock
Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at June 30, 2023
$
136
$
2,697
$
46,937
$
(7,338)
$
(21,993)
$
20,439
Net earnings
0
0
1,569
0
0
1,569
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
(235)
0
(235)
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments
0
0
0
(2,381)
0
(2,381)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
1
0
1
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
4,193
0
4,193
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes
0
0
0
0
0
0
Dividends to shareholders (1)
($.42 per share)
0
0
(249)
0
0
(249)
Exercise of stock options
0
2
0
0
0
2
Share-based compensation
0
20
0
0
0
20
Purchases of treasury stock
0
0
0
0
(707)
(707)
Treasury stock reissued
0
10
0
0
7
17
Balance at September 30, 2023
$
136
$
2,729
$
48,257
$
(5,760)
$
(22,693)
$
22,669
(1) Dividends to shareholders are recorded in the period in which they are declared.
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions - Unaudited)
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings
$
3,541
$
4,391
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums
28
42
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(767)
(804)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
638
608
Increase in policy liabilities
(259)
(99)
Change in income tax liabilities
(64)
(289)
Net investment (gains) losses
(239)
(1,101)
Other, net
(504)
(140)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
2,374
2,608
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from investments sold or matured:
Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities
4,832
2,112
Equity securities
702
353
Held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities
2
2
Commercial mortgage and other loans
1,482
1,276
Costs of investments acquired:
Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities
(4,589)
(2,359)
Equity securities
(333)
(299)
Commercial mortgage and other loans
(937)
(744)
Other investments, net
(2,682)
(1,153)
Settlement of derivatives, net
(92)
56
Cash received (pledged or returned) as collateral, net
2,781
2,894
Other, net
98
(160)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
1,264
1,978
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock
(2,050)
(2,100)
Proceeds from borrowings
823
0
Principal payments under debt obligations
(194)
0
Dividends paid to shareholders
(820)
(730)
Change in investment-type contracts, net
(162)
(114)
Treasury stock reissued
21
9
Other, net
(20)
(1)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(2,402)
(2,936)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
70
(91)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
1,306
1,559
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
4,306
3,943
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
5,612
$
5,502
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid
$
805
$
870
Interest paid
127
132
Noncash interest
21
16
Noncash real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt
380
90
Noncash financing activities:
Lease obligations
25
50
Treasury stock issued for:
Associate stock bonus
15
13
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
31
28
Share-based compensation grants
6
5
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
8
Aflac Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Interim period data - Unaudited)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) primarily sell supplemental health and life insurance in Japan and the United States (U.S.). The Company's insurance business is marketed and administered through Aflac Life Insurance Japan Ltd. (ALIJ) in Japan and through American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), American Family Life Assurance Company of New York (Aflac New York), Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC), Tier One Insurance Company (TOIC) and Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. (ABS) in the U.S. The Company’s operations consist of two reportable business segments: Aflac Japan, which includes ALIJ, and Aflac U.S., which includes Aflac, Aflac New York, CAIC, TOIC and ABS. Aflac New York is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac. Most of the Aflac U.S. policies are individually underwritten and marketed through independent agents. With the exception of dental and vision products administered by ABS, and certain group life insurance products, Aflac U.S. markets and administers group products through CAIC, branded as Aflac Group Insurance. Additionally, Aflac U.S. markets its consumer markets products through TOIC. The Company's insurance operations in the U.S. and Japan service the two markets for the Company's insurance business. The Parent Company, other operating business units that are not individually reportable, reinsurance activities, including internal reinsurance activity with Aflac Re Bermuda Ltd. (Aflac Re), and other business activities not included in Aflac Japan or Aflac U.S., as well as intercompany eliminations, are included in Corporate and other.
Basis of Presentation
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). In these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, references to U.S. GAAP issued by the FASB are derived from the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (ASC). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates based on currently available information when recording transactions resulting from business operations. The most significant items on the Company's balance sheet that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to changes in the future are the valuation of investments and derivatives, deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC), liabilities for future policy benefits and income taxes. These accounting estimates and actuarial determinations are sensitive to market conditions, investment yields, interest rates, mortality, morbidity, commission and other acquisition expenses and terminations by policyholders. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised and reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, the Company believes the amounts provided are reasonable and reflective of the best estimates of management.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent Company, its subsidiaries and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income (loss) for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, June 30, 2024 and 2023, and September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2023 Annual Report).
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-year amounts to conform to current-year reporting classifications. These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or total shareholders' equity.
9
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, an immaterial reclassification was made to the consolidated statement of cash flows related to investments in limited partnerships resulting in an increase to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $251 million with a corresponding decrease to net cash flows provided by investing activities.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued amendments that require enhanced income tax disclosures including (1) disclosure of specific categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. It also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures.
The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance has no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company is evaluating the impact of adoption on its disclosures.
In November 2023, the FASB issued amendments that will add certain segment disclosures related to significant segment expenses and require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources.
The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance has no impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations but will expand its disclosures. The Company has identified its significant segment expenses and developed the required disclosures in accordance with the new guidance, which will be reflected in the notes contained in the Company's 2024 Form 10-K.
Recent accounting guidance not discussed above is not applicable, did not have, or is not expected to have a material impact to the Company's business.
For additional information on new accounting pronouncements and recent accounting guidance and their impact, if any, on the Company's financial position, results of operations or disclosures, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
2. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company consists of two reportable insurance business segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S., both of which sell supplemental health and life insurance. In addition, the Parent Company, other operating business units that are not individually reportable, reinsurance activities, including internal reinsurance activity with Aflac Re, and other business activities not included in Aflac Japan or Aflac U.S., as well as intercompany eliminations, are included in Corporate and other. The Company does not allocate corporate overhead expenses to business segments.
Consistent with U.S. GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, the Company evaluates and manages its business segments using a financial performance measure called pretax adjusted earnings.
•Pretax adjusted earnings are adjusted revenues less benefits and adjusted expenses. The adjustments to both revenues and expenses account for certain items that are outside management’s control because they tend to be driven by general economic conditions and events or are related to infrequent activities not directly associated with insurance operations. The Company excludes income taxes related to operations to arrive at pretax adjusted earnings.
◦Adjusted revenues are U.S. GAAP total revenues excluding net investment gains and losses, except for amortized hedge costs/income related to foreign currency exposure management strategies and net interest income/expense from derivatives associated with certain investment strategies, which are
10
reclassified from net investment gains (losses) and included in adjusted earnings as a component of adjusted net investment income when analyzing operations.
◦Adjusted expenses are U.S. GAAP total acquisition and operating expenses including the impact of interest from derivatives associated with notes payable but excluding any non-recurring or other items not associated with the normal course of the Company’s insurance operations and that do not reflect the Company’s underlying business performance.
Aflac Japan's adjusted revenues as a percentage of the Company's total adjusted revenues were 55% and 56% in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and 60% in both the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023. The percentage of the Company's total assets attributable to Aflac Japan was 79% at September 30, 2024, compared with 80% at December 31, 2023.
Information regarding operations by reportable segment and Corporate and other follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenues:
Aflac Japan:
Net earned premiums (1)
$
1,709
$
1,973
$
5,241
$
6,207
Adjusted net investment income
662
679
2,036
1,927
Other income
7
8
20
26
Total adjusted revenue Aflac Japan
2,378
2,660
7,297
8,160
Aflac U.S.:
Net earned premiums
1,459
1,419
4,388
4,272
Adjusted net investment income
210
209
634
609
Other income
15
33
46
102
Total adjusted revenue Aflac U.S.
1,684
1,661
5,068
4,983
Corporate and other (2)
225
115
723
384
Total adjusted revenues
4,287
4,436
13,088
13,527
Net investment gains (losses)
(1,408)
423
239
1,101
Reconciling items:
Amortized hedge costs
7
26
19
148
Amortized hedge income
(25)
(25)
(87)
(92)
Net interest (income) expense from derivatives associated with certain investment strategies
88
90
265
239
Total revenues
$
2,949
$
4,950
$
13,524
$
14,923
(1) Includes a gain (loss) of $(75) and $22 for the three-month periods and $(80) and $22 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to remeasurement of the deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts.
(2) The change in value of federal historic rehabilitation and solar investments in partnerships of $57 and $64 for the three-month periods and $119 and $169 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, is included as a reduction to net investment income. Tax credits on these investments of $78 and $63 for the three-month periods and $142 and $171 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, have been recorded as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of earnings. See Note 3 for additional information on these investments.
11
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Pretax earnings:
Aflac Japan (1)
$
1,073
$
869
$
2,747
$
2,479
Aflac U.S.
350
478
1,089
1,199
Corporate and other (2)
15
(49)
36
(107)
Pretax adjusted earnings
1,438
1,298
3,872
3,571
Other income (loss)
0
3
(1)
38
Net investment gains (losses)
(1,408)
423
239
1,101
Reconciling items:
Amortized hedge costs
7
26
19
148
Amortized hedge income
(25)
(25)
(87)
(92)
Net interest (income) expense from derivatives associated with certain investment strategies
88
90
265
239
Impact of interest from derivatives associated
with notes payable
(8)
(10)
(25)
(33)
Total earnings before income taxes
$
92
$
1,805
$
4,282
$
4,972
Income taxes applicable to pretax adjusted earnings
$
227
$
203
$
665
$
570
Effect of foreign currency translation on after-tax adjusted earnings
(16)
(33)
(97)
(100)
(1) Includes a gain (loss) of $(75) and $22 for the three-month periods and $(80) and $22 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to remeasurement of the deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts.
(2)The change in value of federal historic rehabilitation and solar investments in partnerships of $57 and $64 for the three-month periods and $119 and $169 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, is included as a reduction to net investment income. Tax credits on these investments of $78 and $63 for the three-month periods and $142 and $171 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, have been recorded as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of earnings. See Note 3 for additional information on these investments.
The Company's total assets were as follows:
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets:
Aflac Japan
$
101,132
$
101,541
Aflac U.S.
22,501
21,861
Corporate and other
4,809
3,322
Total assets
$
128,442
$
126,724
12
3. INVESTMENTS
Investment Holdings
The amortized cost and allowance for credit losses for the Company's investments in fixed maturity securities and the fair values of these investments as well as the fair value of the Company's investments in equity securities are shown in the following tables.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Allowance for Credit Losses
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value through other comprehensive income:
Fixed maturity securities:
Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies
$
22,304
$
0
$
758
$
2,322
$
20,740
Municipalities
963
0
85
77
971
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
384
0
5
22
367
Public utilities
3,043
0
232
116
3,159
Sovereign and supranational
368
0
23
8
383
Banks/financial institutions
5,929
0
309
332
5,906
Other corporate
5,898
0
628
300
6,226
Total yen-denominated
38,889
0
2,040
3,177
37,752
U.S. dollar-denominated:
U.S. government and agencies
199
0
3
1
201
Municipalities
1,218
0
73
32
1,259
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
3,211
0
199
47
3,363
Public utilities
3,982
0
431
98
4,315
Sovereign and supranational
79
0
32
0
111
Banks/financial institutions
3,462
0
415
23
3,854
Other corporate
19,352
0
2,554
497
21,409
Total U.S. dollar-denominated
31,503
0
3,707
698
34,512
Other currencies:
Other corporate
27
0
1
0
28
Total other currencies
27
0
1
0
28
Total securities available-for-sale
$
70,419
$
0
$
5,748
$
3,875
$
72,292
13
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Allowance for Credit Losses
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value through other comprehensive income:
Fixed maturity securities:
Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies
$
23,067
$
0
$
1,040
$
1,696
$
22,411
Municipalities
968
0
115
58
1,025
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
215
0
6
11
210
Public utilities
3,757
0
325
82
4,000
Sovereign and supranational
373
0
24
7
390
Banks/financial institutions
5,896
0
320
365
5,851
Other corporate
5,898
0
699
294
6,303
Total yen-denominated
40,174
0
2,529
2,513
40,190
U.S. dollar-denominated:
U.S. government and agencies
191
0
2
4
189
Municipalities
1,246
0
65
38
1,273
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
2,748
0
184
56
2,876
Public utilities
3,346
0
360
114
3,592
Sovereign and supranational
122
0
33
8
147
Banks/financial institutions
2,676
0
359
51
2,984
Other corporate
20,186
0
2,518
665
22,039
Total U.S. dollar-denominated
30,515
0
3,521
936
33,100
Total securities available-for-sale
$
70,689
$
0
$
6,050
$
3,449
$
73,290
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Allowance for Credit Losses
Net Carrying Amount
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies
$
16,970
$
2
$
16,968
$
1,200
$
0
$
18,168
Municipalities
262
0
262
31
0
293
Public utilities
35
0
35
2
0
37
Sovereign and supranational
418
3
415
42
0
457
Other corporate
18
0
18
2
0
20
Total yen-denominated
17,703
5
17,698
1,277
0
18,975
Total securities held-to-maturity
$
17,703
$
5
$
17,698
$
1,277
$
0
$
18,975
14
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Allowance for Credit Losses
Net Carrying Amount
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
Yen-denominated:
Japan government and agencies
$
17,085
$
2
$
17,083
$
1,746
$
0
$
18,829
Municipalities
266
0
266
41
0
307
Public utilities
34
0
34
4
0
38
Sovereign and supranational
421
3
418
44
0
462
Other corporate
18
0
18
3
0
21
Total yen-denominated
17,824
5
17,819
1,838
0
19,657
Total securities held-to-maturity
$
17,824
$
5
$
17,819
$
1,838
$
0
$
19,657
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Fair Value
Fair Value
Equity securities, carried at fair value through net earnings:
Equity securities:
Yen-denominated
$
515
$
751
U.S. dollar-denominated
293
252
Other currencies
0
85
Total equity securities
$
808
$
1,088
The methods of determining the fair values of the Company's investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities are described in Note 5.
During the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively, the Company did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category.
15
Contractual and Economic Maturities
The contractual and economic maturities of the Company's investments in fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2024, were as follows:
(In millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Available-for-sale:
Due in one year or less
$
1,240
$
1,329
Due after one year through five years
7,793
8,611
Due after five years through 10 years
19,539
21,081
Due after 10 years
38,252
37,541
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
3,595
3,730
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
$
70,419
$
72,292
Held-to-maturity:
Due in one year or less
$
0
$
0
Due after one year through five years
37
38
Due after five years through 10 years
9,440
10,201
Due after 10 years
8,221
8,736
Total fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity
$
17,698
$
18,975
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
Economic maturities are used for certain debt instruments with no stated maturity where the expected maturity date is based on the combination of features in the financial instrument such as the right to call or prepay obligations or changes in coupon rates.
Investment Concentrations
The Company's process for investing in credit-related investments begins with an independent approach to underwriting each issuer's fundamental credit quality. The Company evaluates independently those factors that it believes could influence an issuer's ability to make payments under the contractual terms of the Company's instruments. This includes a thorough analysis of a variety of items including the issuer's country of domicile (including political, legal, and financial considerations); the industry in which the issuer competes (with an analysis of industry structure, end-market dynamics, and regulation); company specific issues (such as management, assets, earnings, cash generation, and capital needs); and contractual provisions of the instrument (such as financial covenants and position in the capital structure). The Company further evaluates the investment considering broad business and portfolio management objectives, including asset/liability needs, portfolio diversification, and expected income.
Investment exposures that individually exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity were as follows:
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Credit Rating
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Credit Rating
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Japan National Government(1)
A+
$38,280
$37,942
A+
$39,151
$40,222
(1)Japan Government Bonds (JGBs) or JGB-backed securities
16
Net Investment Gains and Losses
Information regarding pretax net gains and losses from investments is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net investment gains (losses):
Sales and redemptions:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Gross gains from sales
$
1
$
3
$
41
$
11
Gross losses from sales
(66)
(13)
(375)
(22)
Foreign currency gains (losses)
173
51
660
136
Other investments:
Gross gains (losses) from sales and redemptions
(3)
36
7
33
Total sales and redemptions
105
77
333
158
Equity securities
13
47
100
35
Credit losses:
Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity
0
0
0
1
Commercial mortgage and other loans
(85)
(83)
(113)
(116)
Impairment losses
(55)
0
(55)
0
Loan commitments
(1)
1
2
5
Reinsurance recoverables and other
0
0
5
(3)
Total credit losses
(141)
(82)
(161)
(113)
Derivatives and other:
Derivative gains (losses)
436
(53)
(54)
(630)
Foreign currency gains (losses)
(1,821)
434
21
1,651
Total derivatives and other
(1,385)
381
(33)
1,021
Total net investment gains (losses)
$
(1,408)
$
423
$
239
$
1,101
The unrealized holding gains, net of losses, recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024 that relate to equity securities held at the September 30, 2024 reporting date were $34 million. The unrealized holding gains, net of losses, recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023 that relate to equity securities held at the September 30, 2023 reporting date were $47 million.
The unrealized holding gains, net of losses, recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 that relate to equity securities held at the September 30, 2024 reporting date were $79 million. The unrealized holding gains, net of losses, recorded as a component of net investment gains and losses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 that relate to equity securities held at the September 30, 2023 reporting date were $13 million.
Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
Effect on Shareholders’ Equity
The net effect on shareholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses from fixed maturity securities was as follows:
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale
$
1,873
$
2,601
Deferred income taxes
(1,316)
(1,462)
Shareholders’ equity, unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
$
557
$
1,139
17
Gross Unrealized Loss Aging
The following tables show the fair values and gross unrealized losses of the Company's available-for-sale investments for the periods ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
September 30, 2024
Total
Less than 12 months
12 months or longer
(In millions)
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturity securities available- for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies:
U.S. dollar-denominated
$
76
$
1
$
27
$
0
$
49
$
1
Japan government and agencies:
Yen-denominated
8,088
2,322
874
230
7,214
2,092
Municipalities:
U.S. dollar-denominated
636
32
8
0
628
32
Yen-denominated
289
77
10
0
279
77
Mortgage- and asset- backed securities:
U.S. dollar-denominated
999
47
580
20
419
27
Yen-denominated
208
22
0
0
208
22
Public utilities:
U.S. dollar-denominated
1,256
98
369
9
887
89
Yen-denominated
910
116
304
32
606
84
Sovereign and supranational:
Yen-denominated
56
8
0
0
56
8
Banks/financial institutions:
U.S. dollar-denominated
716
23
419
3
297
20
Yen-denominated
3,484
332
431
10
3,053
322
Other corporate:
U.S. dollar-denominated
6,079
497
1,579
31
4,500
466
Yen-denominated
1,807
300
213
7
1,594
293
Total
$
24,604
$
3,875
$
4,814
$
342
$
19,790
$
3,533
18
December 31, 2023
Total
Less than 12 months
12 months or longer
(In millions)
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturity securities available- for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies:
U.S. dollar-denominated
$
123
$
4
$
53
$
1
$
70
$
3
Japan government and agencies:
Yen-denominated
8,393
1,696
1,657
303
6,736
1,393
Municipalities:
U.S. dollar-denominated
703
38
31
1
672
37
Yen-denominated
301
58
34
0
267
58
Mortgage- and asset- backed securities:
U.S. dollar-denominated
925
56
340
6
585
50
Yen-denominated
58
11
0
0
58
11
Public utilities:
U.S. dollar-denominated
1,120
114
228
4
892
110
Yen-denominated
1,028
82
444
13
584
69
Sovereign and supranational:
U.S. dollar-denominated
35
8
0
0
35
8
Yen-denominated
60
7
0
0
60
7
Banks/financial institutions:
U.S. dollar-denominated
655
51
159
4
496
47
Yen-denominated
3,673
365
186
4
3,487
361
Other corporate:
U.S. dollar-denominated
6,380
665
799
19
5,581
646
Yen-denominated
1,948
294
308
9
1,640
285
Total
$
25,402
$
3,449
$
4,239
$
364
$
21,163
$
3,085
Analysis of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions
The unrealized losses on the Company's available-for-sale securities have been primarily related to general market changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and/or the levels of credit spreads rather than specific concerns with the issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal.
For any available-for-sale securities with significant declines in fair value, the Company performs detailed analyses to identify whether the drivers of the declines are due to general market drivers, such as the recent rise in interest rates, or due to credit-related factors. Identifying the drivers of the declines in fair value helps to align and allocate the Company‘s resources to the review and monitoring of securities with real credit-related concerns that could impact ultimate collection of principal and interest. For any significant declines in fair value determined to be non-interest rate or market-related, the Company performs a more focused review of the related issuers' specific credit profile.
For corporate issuers, the Company evaluates their assets, business profile including industry dynamics and competitive positioning, financial statements and other available financial data. For non-corporate issuers, the Company analyzes all sources of credit support, including issuer-specific factors. The Company utilizes information available in the public domain and, for certain private placement issuers, from consultations with the issuers directly. The Company also considers ratings from Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs), as well as the specific characteristics of the security it owns including seniority in the issuer's capital structure, covenant protections, or other relevant features. From these reviews, the Company evaluates the issuers' continued ability to service the Company's investment through payment of interest and principal.
19
Assuming no credit-related factors develop, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are expected to diminish as investments near maturity. Based on its credit analysis, the Company believes that the issuers of its available-for-sale investments in the sectors shown in the table above have the ability to service their obligations to the Company. Further, the Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity.
However, from time to time the Company identifies certain available-for-sale securities where the amortized cost basis exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected due to credit-related factors and as a result, a credit loss allowance will be estimated. Based on an evaluation of its securities currently in an unrealized loss position, the Company has determined that those securities should not have a credit loss allowance as of September 30, 2024. Refer to the Allowance for Credit Losses section below for additional information.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had an immaterial amount of fixed maturity securities on nonaccrual status.
Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans
The Company classifies its transitional real estate loans (TREs), commercial mortgage loans (CMLs), middle market loans (MMLs), and other loans as held-for-investment and includes them in the commercial mortgage and other loans line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company carries them on the balance sheet at amortized cost less an estimated allowance for credit losses.
The following table reflects the composition of the carrying value for commercial mortgage and other loans by property type as of the periods presented.
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Amortized Cost
% of Total
Amortized Cost
% of Total
Commercial Mortgage and other loans:
Transitional real estate loans:
Office
$
1,513
12.8
%
$
1,807
14.1
%
Retail
350
3.0
473
3.7
Apartments/Multi-Family
2,334
19.7
2,608
20.4
Industrial
116
1.0
157
1.2
Hospitality
663
5.6
814
6.4
Other
424
3.6
255
2.0
Total transitional real estate loans
5,400
45.7
6,114
47.8
Commercial mortgage loans:
Office
330
2.8
359
2.8
Retail
216
1.8
301
2.4
Apartments/Multi-Family
576
4.9
586
4.6
Industrial
438
3.7
463
3.6
Other
15
.1
0
0.0
Total commercial mortgage loans
1,575
13.3
1,709
13.4
Middle market loans
4,511
38.1
4,677
36.5
Other loans
342
2.9
301
2.3
Total commercial mortgage and other loans
$
11,828
100.0
%
$
12,801
100.0
%
Allowance for credit losses
(284)
(274)
Total net commercial mortgage and other loans
$
11,544
$
12,527
CMLs and TREs were secured by properties entirely within the U.S. (with the largest concentrations in California (21%), Texas (13%) and Florida (10%)). MMLs are issued only to companies domiciled within the U.S. and Canada.
20
Transitional Real Estate Loans
TREs are commercial mortgage loans that are typically relatively short-term floating rate instruments secured by a first lien on the property. These loans provide funding for properties undergoing a change in their physical characteristics and/or economic profile and do not typically require any principal repayment prior to the maturity date.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $362 million in outstanding commitments to fund TREs. These commitments are contingent on the final underwriting and due diligence to be performed.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
CMLs are typically fixed rate loans on commercial real estate with partial repayment of principal over the life of the loan with the remaining outstanding principal being repaid upon maturity. This loan portfolio is generally considered higher quality investment grade loans.
Middle Market Loans
MMLs are typically first lien senior secured cash flow loans to small to mid-size companies for working capital, refinancing, acquisition, and recapitalization. These loans are generally considered to be below investment grade. The carrying value for MMLs included $21 million and $24 million for a short-term credit facility that is reflected in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had commitments of approximately $680 million to fund future MMLs. These commitments are contingent upon the availability of MMLs that meet the Company's underwriting criteria.
Other Loans
Other loans are primarily infrastructure loans. Infrastructure loans are typically senior secured, financing operating portfolios of contracted solar and wind assets generating cash flow for loan repayment. The infrastructure loan portfolio weighted average rating is investment grade.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had commitments of approximately $1 million to fund future other loans. These commitments are contingent upon the availability of other loans that meet the Company's underwriting criteria.
Credit Quality Indicators
For TREs, the Company’s key credit quality indicators include performance of the loan and loan-to-value (LTV), which is calculated by dividing the current outstanding loan balance by the estimated property value, primarily using values at origination. Given that TREs involve properties undergoing a repositioning of their commercial profile, LTV provides the most insight into the credit risk of the loan. The Company monitors the performance of the loans periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly. The monitoring process also focuses on higher risk loans, which include those that are delinquent or for which foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is anticipated.
For CMLs, the Company’s key credit quality indicators include LTV and debt service coverage ratios (DSCR). DSCR is the most recently available net operating income of the underlying property compared to the required debt service of the loan.
For MMLs and held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, the Company’s key credit quality indicator is credit ratings. The Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio is composed of investment grade securities that are senior unsecured instruments, while its MMLs generally have below-investment-grade ratings but are typically senior secured instruments. The Company monitors the credit ratings periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly.
For other loans, the Company's key credit quality indicator is credit ratings. The Company monitors these credit ratings periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly.
21
The following tables present as of September 30, 2024 the amortized cost basis of TREs, CMLs, MMLs, and other loans by year of origination and credit quality indicator.
Transitional Real Estate Loans
(In millions)
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Total
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
0%-59.99%
$
0
$
0
$
617
$
587
$
36
$
19
$
1,259
60%-69.99%
0
115
396
573
18
559
1,661
70%-79.99%
0
14
814
712
82
55
1,677
80% or greater
0
0
220
236
80
267
803
Total
$
0
$
129
$
2,047
$
2,108
$
216
$
900
$
5,400
Current-period gross writeoffs:
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
5
$
0
$
49
$
54
Commercial Mortgage Loans
(In millions)
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Total
Weighted-Average DSCR
Loan-to-Value Ratio:
0%-59.99%
$
0
$
33
$
0
$
268
$
58
$
935
$
1,294
2.78
60%-69.99%
0
0
0
25
0
46
71
2.11
70%-79.99%
13
0
0
0
0
88
101
1.25
80% or greater
0
0
0
0
0
109
109
0.65
Total
$
13
$
33
$
0
$
293
$
58
$
1,178
$
1,575
2.50
Weighted Average DSCR
1.21
2.62
0.00
3.15
2.59
2.35
Current-period gross writeoffs:
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
3
$
3
Middle Market Loans
(In millions)
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Revolving Loans
Total
Credit Ratings:
BBB
$
10
$
27
$
39
$
80
$
93
$
80
$
16
$
345
BB
206
55
396
421
276
409
72
1,835
B
156
49
253
557
249
598
49
1,911
CCC
0
0
22
78
88
113
17
318
CC
4
0
0
0
0
23
1
28
C and lower
0
0
0
6
0
68
0
74
Total
$
376
$
131
$
710
$
1,142
$
706
$
1,291
$
155
$
4,511
Current-period gross writeoffs:
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
27
$
0
$
23
$
0
$
50
Other Loans
(In millions)
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Prior
Revolving Loans
Total
Credit Ratings:
A
$
0
$
21
$
86
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
107
AA
0
0
8
3
0
0
0
11
BBB
78
73
0
0
0
0
0
151
BB
0
0
73
0
0
0
0
73
Total
$
78
$
94
$
167
$
3
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
342
Current-period gross
writeoffs:
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
22
Past Due and Nonaccrual Loans
The following tables present an aging of past due and nonaccrual loans at amortized cost, before allowance for credit losses, as of the periods presented.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Current
Less Than 90 Days Past Due
90 Days
or More
Past Due(1)
Total Past Due
Total Loans
Nonaccrual Status
Transitional real estate loans
$
4,843
$
32
$
525
$
557
$
5,400
$
525
Commercial mortgage loans
1,575
0
0
0
1,575
0
Middle market loans
4,403
46
62
108
4,511
67
Other loans
342
0
0
0
342
0
Total
$
11,163
$
78
$
587
$
665
$
11,828
$
592
(1)As of September 30, 2024, there were $18 of loans that were 90 days or more past due that continued to accrue interest.
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Current
Less Than 90 Days Past Due
90 Days
or More
Past Due(1)
Total Past Due
Total Loans
Nonaccrual Status
Transitional real estate loans
$
5,481
$
108
$
525
$
633
$
6,114
$
633
Commercial mortgage loans
1,676
33
0
33
1,709
0
Middle market loans
4,592
0
85
85
4,677
85
Other loans
301
0
0
0
301
0
Total
$
12,050
$
141
$
610
$
751
$
12,801
$
718
(1)As of December 31, 2023, there were no loans that were 90 days or more past due that continued to accrue interest.
For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company recognized no interest income for TREs, CMLs, MMLs, or other loans on nonaccrual status. Of these loans, TREs with an amortized cost of $202 million and $160 million had no credit loss allowance as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, because these loans are collateral dependent assets for which the estimated fair values of the collateral were in excess of amortized cost. As of September 30, 2024, MMLs with an amortized cost of $5 million were on nonaccrual status without an allowance for credit losses. As of December 31, 2023, there were no MMLs on nonaccrual status without an allowance for credit losses.
Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulties
The Company granted certain loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the first nine months of 2024 and 2023. The types of modifications granted may include interest rate reductions, principal forgiveness, other-than-insignificant payment delays, term extensions or a combination of these types of modifications. The amount, timing, and extent of modifications granted are considered in determining any credit loss allowance recorded.
The following tables present the amortized cost basis of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty and the financial effect of the modifications, disaggregated by loan classification and type of modification.
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
% of Total
Financial Effect
Transitional Real Estate Loans:
Other-than-insignificant payment delays
$
123
2.3
%
Delay in payments of 24 months on average
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
23
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
% of Total
Financial Effect
Transitional Real Estate Loans:
Other-than-insignificant payment delays
$
198
3.8
%
Delay in payments of 29 months on average
Other-than-insignificant payment
delays and interest rate
reduction
216
4.1
Delay in payments of 47 months on average, and reduction in the weighted-average contractual interest rate from 7.9% to 6.6%
(1)Net of allowance for credit losses
Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, were immaterial.
The following table presents an aging of loans that received modifications in the 12 months preceding the period presented, at amortized cost.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Current
Less Than 90 Days Past Due
90 Days or More Past Due
Transitional real estate loans
$
414
$
0
$
0
The Company closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. Loans that were granted a modification in the past 12 months, as of September 30, 2024, and subsequently defaulted in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, were immaterial. There were no modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties in the past 12 months, as of September 30, 2023, that subsequently defaulted in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $6 million of outstanding commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that were granted a loan modification.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company calculates its allowance for credit losses for held-to-maturity securities, loan receivables and loan commitments by grouping assets with similar risk characteristics when there is not a specific expectation of a loss for an individual asset. For held-to-maturity securities, MMLs, and MML commitments, the Company groups assets by credit ratings, industry, and country.
The Company groups CMLs and TREs and respective loan commitments by property type, property location and the property’s LTV and DSCR. On a quarterly basis, CMLs and TREs within a portfolio segment that share similar risk characteristics are pooled for calculation of credit loss allowance. On an ongoing basis, TREs, CMLs and other loans with dissimilar risk characteristics (i.e., loans with significant declines in credit quality), such as collateral dependent mortgage loans (i.e., when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, including when foreclosure is probable), are evaluated individually for credit loss. For example, the credit loss allowance for a collateral dependent loan is established as the excess of amortized cost over the estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral, less selling cost when foreclosure is probable. Accordingly, the change in the estimated fair value of the collateral dependent loans, which are evaluated individually for credit loss, is recorded as a change in the credit loss allowance as a component of net investment gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of earnings.
24
The credit allowance for held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities and loan receivables is estimated using a probability-of-default (PD) / loss-given-default (LGD) method, discounted for the time value of money. For held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and loan receivables, the Company includes the change in present value due to the passage of time in the change in the allowance for credit losses. The Company’s methodology for estimating credit losses utilizes the contractual maturity date of the financial asset, adjusted when necessary to reflect the expected timing of repayment (such as prepayment options, renewal options, call options, or extension options). The Company applies reasonable and supportable forecasts of macroeconomic variables that impact the determination of PD / LGD over a two-year period for held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities and MMLs. The Company reverts to historical loss information over one year, following the two-year forecast period. For the CML and TRE portfolio, the Company applies reasonable and supportable forecasts of macroeconomic variables as well as national and local real-estate market factors to estimate future credit losses where the market factors revert back to historical levels over time with the period being dependent on current market conditions, projected market conditions and difference in the current and historical market levels for each factor. The Company continuously monitors the estimation methodology, due to changes in portfolio composition, changes in underwriting practices and significant events or conditions and makes adjustments as necessary.
The Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio includes Japan Government and Agency securities of $16.8 billion amortized cost as of September 30, 2024 that meet the requirements for zero-credit-loss expectation and therefore these asset classes have been excluded from the current expected credit loss measurement.
An investment in an available-for-sale security may be impaired if the fair value falls below amortized cost. The Company regularly reviews its available-for-sale portfolio for declines in fair value. The Company's available-for-sale impairment model focuses on the ultimate collection of the cash flows from its investments and whether the Company has the intent to sell or if it is more likely than not the Company would be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost. The determination of the amount of impairments under this model is based upon the Company's periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective securities. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
When determining the Company's intention to sell a security prior to recovery of its fair value to amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances such as, but not limited to, future cash flow needs, decisions to reposition its security portfolio, and risk profile of individual investment holdings. The Company performs ongoing analyses of its liquidity needs, which includes cash flow testing of its policy liabilities, debt maturities, projected dividend payments, and other cash flow and liquidity needs.
The Company’s methodology for estimating credit losses for available-for-sale securities utilizes the discounted cash flow model, based on past events, current market conditions and future economic conditions, as well as industry analysis and credit ratings of the securities. In addition, the Company evaluates the specific issuer’s probability of default and expected recovery of its position in the event of default based on the underlying financial condition and assets of the borrower as well as seniority and/or security of other debt holders in the issuer when developing management’s best estimate of expected cash flows.
25
The following table presents the roll forward of the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for loans and by accounting classification for securities.
(In millions)
Transitional Real Estate Loans
Commercial Mortgage Loans
Middle Market Loans
Other Loans and Loan Commitments
Held-to- Maturity Securities
Available- for-Sale Securities
Total
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024:
Balance at June 30, 2024
$
(123)
$
(17)
$
(98)
$
(13)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(256)
(Addition to) release of allowance
for credit losses
(67)
(16)
(5)
(1)
0
0
(89)
Writeoffs, net of recoveries
39
3
0
0
0
0
42
Change in foreign exchange
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
(151)
$
(30)
$
(103)
$
(14)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(303)
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023:
Balance at June 30, 2023
$
(76)
$
(9)
$
(140)
$
(20)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(250)
(Addition to) release of allowance for credit losses (1)
(35)
(3)
3
1
1
0
(33)
Writeoffs, net of recoveries
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Change in foreign exchange
0
0
0
0
(1)
0
(1)
Balance at September 30, 2023
$
(111)
$
(12)
$
(137)
$
(19)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(284)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024:
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
(112)
$
(16)
$
(146)
$
(16)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(295)
(Addition to) release of allowance for credit losses
(93)
(17)
(7)
2
0
0
(115)
Writeoffs, net of recoveries
54
3
50
0
0
0
107
Change in foreign exchange
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
(151)
$
(30)
$
(103)
$
(14)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(303)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
(54)
$
(9)
$
(129)
$
(24)
$
(7)
$
0
$
(223)
(Addition to) release of allowance for credit losses (1)
(57)
(3)
(8)
5
1
0
(62)
Writeoffs, net of recoveries
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Change in foreign exchange
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Balance at September 30, 2023
$
(111)
$
(12)
$
(137)
$
(19)
$
(5)
$
0
$
(284)
(1)Includes an allowance for credit losses of $4 recognized on financial assets accounted for as purchased financial assets with credit deterioration that is not recorded in earnings upon recognition.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company identified TREs and CMLs with an amortized cost of $198 million and $28 million, respectively, in anticipation of potential foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure transactions. As of September 30, 2024, the Company established a credit allowance of $33 million related to these loans.
Other Investments
The table below reflects the composition of the carrying value for other investments as of the periods presented.
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Other investments:
Policy loans
$
221
$
214
Short-term investments (1)
3,533
1,304
Limited partnerships (2)
3,206
2,750
Real estate owned
645
227
Other
42
35
Total other investments
$
7,647
$
4,530
(1) Includes securities lending collateral
(2) Includes tax credit investments and asset classes such as private equity and real estate funds
26
The Parent Company invests in partnerships that specialize in rehabilitating historic structures or the installation of solar equipment in order to receive federal historic rehabilitation and solar tax credits. These investments are classified as limited partnerships and included in other investments in the consolidated balance sheets. The change in value of each investment is recorded as a reduction to net investment income. Tax credits generated by these investments are recorded as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of earnings.
Real estate owned (REO) consists of office buildings or other commercial properties obtained through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of certain of the Company’s TREs. As of September 30, 2024, all REO was classified as held-and-used for the production of income and is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. As of December 31, 2023, $210 million of REO was classified as held-and-used with the remaining $17 million classified as held-for-sale, which is carried at the lower of depreciated cost or fair value less cost to sell and is not further depreciated once classified as such. Depreciation expense was $4 million and $8 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and immaterial for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accumulated depreciation was $9 million and an immaterial amount, respectively.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $3.0 billion in outstanding commitments to fund investments in limited partnerships.
Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)
In the normal course of its activities, the Company invests in legal entities that are VIEs. The Company's debt or ownership interest in VIEs is limited to holding the equity interests and obligations issued by them. With the exception of commitments to limited partnerships and to certain loan investments made in the normal course of business, the Company has not provided any direct or contingent obligations to fund the limited activities of these VIEs or support related to the limited activities of these VIE and does not have any intention to do so in the future, nor does it have any direct or indirect financial guarantees.
The Company's risk of loss related to its interests in any of its VIEs is limited to the carrying value of the related investments, and in certain cases, to any unfunded commitments held in the VIE.
For those VIEs other than certain unit trust structures, the Company's involvement is passive in nature.
VIEs - Consolidated
The Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has
•the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity
and
•the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.
If the Company determines that it is the VIE’s primary beneficiary, it consolidates the VIE. Creditors or beneficial interest holders of VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary have no recourse to the general credit of the Company except to the extent of the unfunded commitments referenced above, as the Company’s obligation to each VIE is limited to the amount of its committed investment.
27
The following table presents carrying value and balance sheet caption in which the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs are reported.
Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
$
4,031
$
3,712
Commercial mortgage and other loans
9,261
10,150
Other investments (1)
2,704
2,381
Other assets (2)
52
55
Total assets of consolidated VIEs
$
16,048
$
16,298
Liabilities:
Other liabilities (2)
$
623
$
507
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs
$
623
$
507
(1)Consists entirely of alternative investments in limited partnerships
(2)Consists entirely of derivatives
The Company is the sole investor in the consolidated VIEs listed in the table above. The Company invests in fixed maturity securities issued by VIEs that in turn hold U.S. dollar-denominated fixed maturity securities coupled with foreign currency swap agreements. The weighted-average lives of the Company's investments in these VIEs are very similar to the underlying collateral held by these VIEs. The activities of these VIEs are limited to holding invested assets and foreign currency swaps and utilizing the cash flows from these securities to service the VIEs' debt. Neither the Company nor any of its creditors are able to obtain the underlying collateral of these VIEs unless there is an event of default or other specified event. The Company is not a direct counterparty to the foreign currency swap contracts and has no control over them. The Company's loss exposure to these VIEs is limited to its original investment. These consolidated VIEs do not rely on outside or ongoing sources of funding to support their activities beyond the underlying collateral and foreign currency swap contracts, if applicable. The underlying collateral assets and funding of these consolidated VIEs are generally static in nature.
The Company also utilizes unit trust structures in its Aflac Japan segment to invest in various asset classes, which include CMLs, MMLs, TREs, other loans and limited partnerships. The limited partnership investments are comprised of private equity and real estate funds. The Company’s loss exposure to these VIEs is limited to its original investments, together with any unfunded portion of the Company’s commitments made in the normal course of business to fund certain loan investments and limited partnership investments, as described in the Commercial Mortgage and Other Loans and Other Investments sections of this note. Excluding these commitments, the Company does not provide financial or other support to consolidated VIEs.
VIEs - Not Consolidated
The table below reflects the carrying value and balance sheet caption in which the Company's investments in VIEs that are not consolidated are reported.
Investments in Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
$
6,683
$
6,424
Other investments (1)
502
369
Total investments in VIEs not consolidated
$
7,185
$
6,793
(1)Consists entirely of alternative investments in limited partnerships
28
Certain investments in VIEs that the Company is not required to consolidate are investments that are in the form of debt obligations issued by the VIEs. These fixed maturity securities include structured securities, primarily asset-backed securities. The Company's involvement in the related VIEs is limited to that of a passive investor in asset-backed securities issued by the VIEs. The Company also invests in VIEs that are the primary financing vehicles used by their corporate sponsors to raise financing in the capital markets. The variable interests created by these VIEs are principally or solely a result of the debt instruments issued by them. The Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, nor does it have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could be significant to the entity. As such, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and therefore is not required to consolidate them. The Company's maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to the amount of the Company's investment.
The Company also holds equity investments in limited partnerships that have been determined to be VIEs. These partnerships primarily invest in private equity and real estate funds. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to the amount of its investment and any unfunded commitments. As described in the Other Investments section of this note, the Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. Excluding these commitments, the Company did not provide financial or other support to unconsolidated VIEs. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and is therefore not required to consolidate them. The Company classifies these investments as other investments in the consolidated balance sheets.
Securities Lending and Pledged Securities
The Company lends fixed maturity securities and, from time to time, public equity securities to financial institutions in short-term securities lending transactions. These short-term securities lending arrangements increase investment income with minimal risk. The Company receives cash or other securities as collateral for such loans. The Company's securities lending policy requires that the fair value of the securities received as collateral be 102% or more of the fair value of the loaned securities and that unrestricted cash received as collateral be 100% or more of the fair value of the loaned securities. The securities loaned continue to be carried as investment assets on the Company's balance sheet during the terms of the loans and are not reported as sales. For loans involving unrestricted cash or securities as collateral, the collateral is reported as an asset with a corresponding liability for the return of the collateral. For loans where the Company receives as collateral securities that the Company is not permitted to sell or repledge, the collateral is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.
Details of collateral by loaned security type and remaining maturity of the agreements were as follows:
Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Overnight and Continuous(1)
Up to 30 days
Total
Overnight and Continuous(1)
Up to 30 days
Total
Securities lending transactions:
Fixed maturity securities:
Japan government and agencies
$
0
$
3,179
$
3,179
$
0
$
737
$
737
Public utilities
52
0
52
19
0
19
Banks/financial institutions
133
0
133
72
0
72
Other corporate
869
0
869
675
0
675
Total borrowings
$
1,054
$
3,179
$
4,233
$
766
$
737
$
1,503
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions
$
4,233
$
1,503
(1) The related loaned security, under the Company's U.S. securities lending program, can be returned to the Company at the transferee's discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous.
In connection with securities lending, in addition to cash collateral received, the Company received from counterparties securities collateral of $3.3 billion and $4.3 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default. Such securities collateral is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.
29
The Company did not have any repurchase agreements or repurchase-to-maturity transactions outstanding as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Certain fixed maturity securities can be pledged as collateral as part of derivative transactions, or pledged to support state deposit requirements on certain investment programs. For additional information regarding pledged securities related to derivative transactions, see Note 4.
4. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company's freestanding derivative financial instruments include:
•foreign currency forwards and options used in hedging foreign exchange risk on U.S. dollar-denominated investments in Aflac Japan's portfolio, with options used on a standalone basis and/or in a collar strategy;
•foreign currency forwards and options used to economically hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows denominated in yen and hedge the Company's long term exposure to a weakening yen;
•cross-currency interest rate swaps, also referred to as foreign currency swaps, associated with certain senior notes and subordinated debentures;
•foreign currency swaps that are associated with variable interest entity (VIE) bond purchase commitments, and investments in special-purpose entities, including VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary;
•interest rate swaps used to economically hedge interest rate fluctuations in certain variable-rate investments;
•interest rate swaptions used to hedge changes in the fair value associated with interest rate fluctuations for certain U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities; and
•bond purchase commitments at the inception of investments in consolidated VIEs.
Some of the Company's derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, fair value hedges or net investment hedges; however, other derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting or the Company elects not to designate them as accounting hedges.
Derivative Types
Foreign currency forwards and options are executed for the Aflac Japan segment in order to hedge the currency risk on the carrying value of certain U.S. dollar-denominated investments. The average maturity of these forwards and options can change depending on factors such as market conditions and types of investments being held. In situations where the maturity of the forwards and options is shorter than the underlying investment being hedged, the Company may enter into new forwards and options near maturity of the existing derivative in order to continue hedging the underlying investment. In forward transactions, Aflac Japan agrees with another party to buy a fixed amount of yen and sell a corresponding amount of U.S. dollars at a specified future date. The Company also uses one-sided foreign currency put options to mitigate the settlement risk on U.S. dollar-denominated assets related to extreme foreign currency rate changes. From time to time, Aflac Japan also executes foreign currency option transactions in a collar strategy, where Aflac Japan agrees with another party to simultaneously purchase put options and sell call options. In the purchased put transactions, Aflac Japan obtains the option to buy a fixed amount of yen and sell a corresponding amount of U.S. dollars at a specified future date. In the sold call transactions, Aflac Japan agrees to sell a fixed amount of yen and buy a corresponding amount of U.S. dollars at a specified future date. The combination of purchasing the put option and selling the call option results in no net premium being paid (i.e. a costless or zero-cost collar).
From time to time, the Company may also enter into foreign currency forwards and options to hedge the currency risk associated with the net investment in Aflac Japan. In these forward transactions, the Company agrees with another party to buy a fixed amount of U.S. dollars and sell a corresponding amount of yen at a specified price at a specified future date. In the option transactions, the Company may use a combination of foreign currency options to protect expected future cash flows by simultaneously purchasing yen put options (options that protect against a weakening yen) and selling yen call options (options that limit participation in a strengthening yen). The combination of these two actions create a zero-cost collar. Additionally, the Company enters into purchased options to hedge cash flows from the net investment in Aflac Japan.
30
The Company enters into foreign currency swaps pursuant to which it exchanges an initial principal amount in one currency for an initial principal amount of another currency, with an agreement to re-exchange the principal amounts at a future date. There may also be periodic exchanges of payments at specified intervals based on the agreed upon rates and notional amounts. Foreign currency swaps are used primarily in the consolidated VIEs in the Company's Aflac Japan portfolio to convert foreign-denominated cash flows to yen, the functional currency of Aflac Japan, in order to minimize cash flow fluctuations. The Company also uses foreign currency swaps to economically convert certain of its U.S. dollar-denominated senior note and subordinated debenture principal and interest obligations into yen-denominated obligations.
In order to reduce investment income volatility from its variable-rate investments, the Company enters into receive–fixed, pay–floating interest rate swaps. These derivatives are cleared and settled through a central clearinghouse.
Swaptions are used to mitigate the adverse impact resulting from significant changes in the fair value of U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale securities due to fluctuation in interest rates. In a payer swaption, the Company pays a premium to obtain the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap contract where it will pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate. Interest rate swaption collars are combinations of two swaption positions. In order to maximize the efficiency of the collars while minimizing cost, a collar strategy is used whereby the Company purchases a long payer swaption (the Company purchases an option that allows it to enter into a swap where the Company will pay the fixed rate and receive the floating rate of the swap) and sells a short receiver swaption (the Company sells an option that provides the counterparty with the right to enter into a swap where the Company will receive the fixed rate and pay the floating rate of the swap). The combination of purchasing the long payer swaption and selling the short receiver swaption results in no net premium being paid (i.e. a costless or zero-cost collar).
Bond purchase commitments result from repackaged bond structures that are consolidated VIEs whereby there is a delay in the trade date and settlement date of the bond within the structure to ensure completion of all necessary legal agreements to support the consolidated VIE that issues the repackaged bond. Since the Company has a commitment to purchase the underlying bond at a specified price, the agreement meets the definition of a derivative where the value is derived based on the current market value of the bond compared to the fixed purchase price to be paid on the settlement date.
31
Derivative Balance Sheet Classification
The table below summarizes the balance sheet classification of the Company's derivative fair value amounts, as well as the gross asset and liability fair value amounts. The fair value amounts presented do not include income accruals. Derivative assets are included in other assets, while derivative liabilities are included in other liabilities within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and are not reflective of exposure or credit risk.
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type
Notional Amount
Fair Value
Fair Value
Notional Amount
Fair Value
Fair Value
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency swaps - VIE
$
18
$
0
$
4
$
18
$
0
$
4
Total cash flow hedges
18
0
4
18
0
4
Fair value hedges:
Foreign currency options
0
0
0
2,158
0
0
Total fair value hedges
0
0
0
2,158
0
0
Net investment hedge:
Foreign currency forwards
1,919
63
35
2,611
179
27
Foreign currency options
0
0
0
456
0
0
Total net investment hedge
1,919
63
35
3,067
179
27
Non-qualifying strategies:
Foreign currency swaps
1,200
8
0
1,200
31
0
Foreign currency swaps - VIE
3,417
52
619
3,417
55
503
Foreign currency forwards
0
0
0
7,402
59
477
Foreign currency options
26,715
57
24
22,557
2
0
Interest rate swaps
17,230
19
239
17,230
11
419
Total non-qualifying strategies
48,562
136
882
51,806
158
1,399
Total derivatives
$
50,499
$
199
$
921
$
57,049
$
337
$
1,430
Cash Flow Hedges
For certain variable-rate U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale securities held by Aflac Japan via consolidated VIEs, foreign currency swaps are used to swap the U.S. Dollar (USD) variable rate interest and principal payments to fixed rate Japanese Yen (JPY) interest and principal payments. The Company has designated foreign currency swaps as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a forecasted transaction or of amounts to be received or paid related to a recognized asset (“cash flow” hedge). The remaining maximum length of time for which these cash flows are hedged is approximately two years. The derivatives in the Company's consolidated VIEs that are not designated as accounting hedges are discussed in the Non-qualifying Strategies section of this note.
Fair Value Hedges
The Company designates and accounts for certain foreign currency forwards, options, and interest rate swaptions as fair value hedges when they meet the requirements for hedge accounting. The Company recognizes gains and losses on these derivatives as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the related hedged items in current earnings.
Foreign currency forwards and options hedge the foreign currency exposure of certain U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale fixed-maturity investments held in Aflac Japan. The change in the fair value of the foreign currency forwards related to the changes in the difference between the spot rate and the forward price is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The change in fair value of the foreign currency option related to the time value of the option is recognized in current earnings and is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
Interest rate swaptions hedge the interest rate exposure of certain U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale securities held in Aflac Japan. For these hedging relationships, the Company excludes time value from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and recognizes changes in the intrinsic value of the swaptions in current earnings within net investment income. The change in the time value of the swaptions is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into earnings (net investment income) over its legal term.
32
The following table presents the gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges. The Company had no fair value hedges during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024.
Fair Value Hedging Relationships
(In millions)
Hedging Derivatives
Hedged Items
Hedging Derivatives
Hedged Items
Total Gains (Losses)
Gains (Losses) Excluded from Effectiveness Testing(1)
Gains (Losses) Included in Effectiveness Testing(2)
Gains (Losses)(2)
Net Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized for Fair Value Hedge
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023:
Foreign currency options
Fixed maturity securities
$
(1)
$
(1)
$
0
$
0
$
0
Total gains (losses)
$
(1)
$
(1)
$
0
$
0
$
0
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023:
Foreign currency options
Fixed maturity securities
$
(65)
$
(65)
$
0
$
0
$
0
Total gains (losses)
$
(65)
$
(65)
$
0
$
0
$
0
(1)Gains (losses) excluded from effectiveness testing includes the forward point on foreign currency forwards and time value change on foreign currency options which are reported in the consolidated statements of earnings as net investment gains (losses). It also includes the change in the fair value of the interest rate swaptions related to the time value of the swaptions which is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
(2)Gains and losses on foreign currency forwards and options and related hedged items are reported in the consolidated statements of earnings as net investment gains (losses). For interest rate swaptions and related hedged items, gains and losses included in the hedge assessment, premium amortization and time value amortization while the hedge items are still outstanding are reported within net investment income. The time value gains and losses for interest rate swaptions when the related hedged items are redeemed are reported in net investment gains (losses) consistent with the impact of the hedged item. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, gains and losses included in the hedge assessment on interest rate swaptions and related hedged items were immaterial.
The following table shows the carrying amounts of assets designated and qualifying as hedged items in fair value hedges of interest rate risk and the related cumulative hedge adjustment included in the carrying amount. The Company had no fair value hedges of interest rate risk as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; therefore, the amounts presented in the table below are related to previous fair value hedges of interest rate risk that were discontinued.
(In millions)
Carrying Amount of the Hedged
Assets/(Liabilities)(1)
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Fixed maturity securities
$
1,610
$
1,692
$
149
$
164
(1) The balance includes hedging adjustment on discontinued hedging relationships of $149 in 2024 and $164 in 2023.
Net Investment Hedge
The Company's investment in Aflac Japan is affected by changes in the yen/dollar exchange rate. To mitigate this exposure, the Parent Company's yen-denominated liabilities (see Note 9) have been designated as non-derivative hedges and certain foreign currency forwards and options have been designated as derivative hedges of the foreign currency exposure of the Company's net investment in Aflac Japan.
The Company's net investment hedge was effective during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
33
Non-qualifying Strategies
For the Company's derivative instruments in consolidated VIEs that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, all changes in their fair value are reported in current period earnings within net investment gains (losses). The amount of gain or loss recognized in earnings for the Company's VIEs is attributable to the derivatives in those investment structures. While the change in value of the swaps is recorded in current period earnings, the change in value of the available-for-sale fixed maturity securities associated with these swaps is recorded in other comprehensive income.
As of September 30, 2024, the Parent Company had $1.2 billion notional amount of cross-currency interest rate swap agreements related to certain of its U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes to effectively convert a portion of the interest on the notes from U.S. dollar to Japanese yen. Changes in the values of these swaps are recorded in current period earnings.
The Company uses foreign currency forwards and options to economically mitigate the currency risk of some of its U.S. dollar-denominated loan receivables and U.S. government fixed maturity securities held within the Aflac Japan segment. These arrangements are not designated as accounting hedges, as the foreign currency remeasurement of the loan receivables impacts current period earnings, and substantially offsets gains and losses from foreign currency forwards within net investment gains (losses). The Company also has certain foreign currency forwards on U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale securities where hedge accounting is not being applied.
The Company uses interest rate swaps to economically convert the variable rate investment income to a fixed rate on certain variable-rate investments.
34
Impact of Derivatives and Hedging Instruments
The following table summarizes the impact to earnings and other comprehensive income (loss) from all derivatives and hedging instruments.
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
(In millions)
Net
Investment
Income (1)
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(2)
Net
Investment
Income (1)
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(2)
Qualifying hedges:
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency swaps - VIE
$
(1)
$
(1)
$
2
$
(1)
$
(1)
$
1
Total cash flow hedges
(1)
(1)
(3)
2
(1)
(1)
(3)
1
Fair value hedges:
Foreign currency options
0
(1)
Total fair value hedges
0
(1)
Net investment hedge:
Non-derivative hedging instruments
0
(522)
0
112
Foreign currency forwards
43
(225)
71
32
Total net investment hedge
43
(747)
71
144
Non-qualifying strategies:
Foreign currency swaps
0
1
Foreign currency swaps - VIE
44
(22)
Foreign currency forwards
0
32
Foreign currency options
191
(9)
Interest rate swaps
159
(124)
Total non-qualifying strategies
394
(122)
Total
$
(1)
$
436
$
(745)
$
(1)
$
(53)
$
145
1) Interest expense/income on cash flow hedges are recorded in net investment income. For interest rate swaptions classified as fair value hedges, the change in the time value of the swaptions is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into net investment income over its legal term. If the swaption is early terminated but the hedge item is still outstanding, the amortization of disposal amount of the swaptions is recorded in net investment income over the remaining life of the hedged items.
(2) Gains and losseson cash flow hedges and the change in the fair value of interest rate swaptions related to the time value of the swaptions in fair value hedges are recorded as unrealized gains (losses). Gains and losses on net investment hedges related to changes in foreign currency spot rates are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(3)Impact of cash flow hedges reported as net investment gains (losses) includes $1 of losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings during the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, and $1 of losses during the three-month period ended September 30, 2023.
35
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
(In millions)
Net
Investment
Income(1)
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(2)
Net
Investment
Income(1)
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(2)
Qualifying hedges:
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign currency swaps - VIE
$
(1)
$
(3)
$
3
$
(1)
$
(3)
$
3
Total cash flow hedges
(1)
(3)
(3)
3
(1)
(3)
(3)
3
Fair value hedges:
Foreign currency options
0
(65)
Interest rate swaptions (4)
0
0
0
(1)
0
1
Total fair value hedges
0
0
0
(1)
(65)
1
Net investment hedge:
Non-derivative hedging instruments
0
(21)
0
450
Foreign currency forwards
119
74
198
454
Foreign currency options
0
0
(8)
0
Total net investment hedge
119
53
190
904
Non-qualifying strategies:
Foreign currency swaps
2
4
Foreign currency swaps - VIE
(172)
(112)
Foreign currency forwards
17
(350)
Foreign currency options
9
(46)
Interest rate swaps
(26)
(244)
Forward bond purchase commitment - VIE
0
(4)
Total non-qualifying strategies
(170)
(752)
Total
$
(1)
$
(54)
$
56
$
(2)
$
(630)
$
908
(1)Interest expense/income on cash flow hedges are recorded in net investment income. For interest rate swaptions classified as fair value hedges, the change in the time value of the swaptions is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into net investment income over its legal term. If the swaption is early terminated but the hedge item is still outstanding, the amortization of disposal amount of the swaptions is recorded in net investment income over the remaining life of the hedged items.
(2) Gains and losseson cash flow hedges and the change in the fair value of interest rate swaptions related to the time value of the swaptions in fair value hedges are recorded as unrealized gains (losses). Gains and losses on net investment hedges related to changes in foreign currency spot rates are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(3)Impact of cash flow hedges reported as net investment gains (losses) includes $3 of losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, and $3 of losses during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
(4) Includes $1 of losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, and $1 of losses during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, related to fair value hedges excluded component. Impact shown net of effect of hedged items (see Fair Value Hedges section of this Note 4 for further detail).
As of September 30, 2024, $5 million of deferred losses on derivative instruments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months.
Credit Risk Assumed through Derivatives
For the foreign currency swaps associated with the Company's VIE investments for which it is the primary beneficiary, the Company bears the risk of loss due to counterparty default even though it is not a direct counterparty to those contracts.
The Company is a direct counterparty to the foreign currency swaps that it has entered into in connection with certain of its senior notes and subordinated debentures; foreign currency forwards; and foreign currency options, and therefore the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties in those contracts. The risk of counterparty default for the Company's foreign currency swaps, certain foreign currency forwards, and foreign currency options is mitigated by collateral posting requirements that counterparties to those transactions must meet.
As of September 30, 2024, all of the Company's derivative agreement counterparties were investment grade.
36
The Company engages in over-the-counter (OTC) bilateral derivative transactions directly with unaffiliated third parties under International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) agreements and other documentation. Most of the ISDA agreements also include Credit Support Annexes (CSAs) provisions, which generally provide for two-way collateral postings at the first dollar of exposure. The Company mitigates the risk that counterparties to transactions might be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations by monitoring counterparty credit exposure and collateral value while generally requiring that collateral be posted at the outset of the transaction. In addition, a significant portion of the derivative transactions have provisions that give the counterparty the right to terminate the transaction upon a downgrade of the Company's financial strength rating. The actual amount of payments that the Company could be required to make depends on market conditions, the fair value of outstanding affected transactions, and other factors prevailing at and after the time of the downgrade.
The Company also engages in OTC cleared derivative transactions through regulated central clearing counterparties. These positions are marked to market and margined on a daily basis (both initial margin and variation margin), and the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to these derivatives.
Collateral posted by the Company to third parties for derivative transactions can generally be repledged or resold by the counterparties. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position by counterparty was approximately $794 million and $1.2 billion as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had been triggered on September 30, 2024, the Company estimates that it would be required to post a maximum of $566 million of additional collateral to these derivative counterparties. The Company is generally allowed to sell or repledge collateral obtained from its derivative counterparties, although it does not typically exercise such rights. See the Offsetting tables below for collateral posted or received as of the reported balance sheet dates.
Offsetting of Financial Instruments and Derivatives
Most of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that provide for the net settlement of all derivative contracts between the Parent Company or its subsidiaries and the respective counterparty in the event of default or upon the occurrence of certain termination events. Collateral support agreements with the master netting arrangements generally provide that the Company will receive or pledge financial collateral at the first dollar of exposure.
The Company has securities lending agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions that post collateral to the Company in return for the use of its fixed maturity and public equity securities (see Note 3). When the Company has entered into securities lending agreements with the same counterparty, the agreements generally provide for net settlement in the event of default by the counterparty. This right of set-off allows the Company to keep and apply collateral received if the counterparty failed to return the securities borrowed from the Company as contractually agreed.
The tables below summarize the Company's derivatives and securities lending transactions, and as reflected in the tables, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company's policy is to not offset these financial instruments in the consolidated balance sheets.
37
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
September 30, 2024
Gross Amounts Not Offset in Balance Sheet
(In millions)
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet
Net Amount of Assets Presented in Balance Sheet
Financial Instruments
Securities Collateral
Cash Collateral Received
Net Amount
Derivative assets:
Derivative
assets subject to a
master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
$
128
$
0
$
128
$
(45)
$
(12)
$
(49)
$
22
OTC - cleared
19
0
19
(19)
0
0
0
Total derivative assets subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
147
0
147
(64)
(12)
(49)
22
Derivative
assets not subject
to a master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
52
52
52
Total derivative assets not subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
52
52
52
Total derivative assets
199
0
199
(64)
(12)
(49)
74
Securities lending and similar arrangements
4,189
0
4,189
0
0
(4,189)
0
Total
$
4,388
$
0
$
4,388
$
(64)
$
(12)
$
(4,238)
$
74
38
December 31, 2023
Gross Amounts Not Offset in Balance Sheet
(In millions)
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet
Net Amount of Assets Presented in Balance Sheet
Financial Instruments
Securities Collateral
Cash Collateral Received
Net Amount
Derivative assets:
Derivative
assets subject to a
master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
$
271
$
0
$
271
$
(85)
$
(53)
$
(130)
$
3
OTC - cleared
11
0
11
(11)
0
0
0
Total derivative assets subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
282
0
282
(96)
(53)
(130)
3
Derivative
assets not subject
to a master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
55
55
55
Total derivative assets not subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
55
55
55
Total derivative assets
337
0
337
(96)
(53)
(130)
58
Securities lending and similar arrangements
1,480
0
1,480
0
0
(1,480)
0
Total
$
1,817
$
0
$
1,817
$
(96)
$
(53)
$
(1,610)
$
58
39
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
September 30, 2024
Gross Amounts Not Offset in Balance Sheet
(In millions)
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet
Net Amount of Liabilities Presented in Balance Sheet
Financial Instruments
Securities Collateral
Cash Collateral Pledged
Net Amount
Derivative liabilities:
Derivative
liabilities subject
to a master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
$
59
$
0
$
59
$
(45)
$
0
$
(8)
$
6
OTC - cleared
239
0
239
(19)
(15)
(205)
0
Total derivative liabilities subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
298
0
298
(64)
(15)
(213)
6
Derivative
liabilities not
subject to a
master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
623
623
623
Total derivative liabilities not subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
623
623
623
Total derivative liabilities
921
0
921
(64)
(15)
(213)
629
Securities lending and similar arrangements
4,233
0
4,233
(4,189)
0
0
44
Total
$
5,154
$
0
$
5,154
$
(4,253)
$
(15)
$
(213)
$
673
40
December 31, 2023
Gross Amounts Not Offset in Balance Sheet
(In millions)
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet
Net Amount of Liabilities Presented in Balance Sheet
Financial Instruments
Securities Collateral
Cash Collateral Pledged
Net Amount
Derivative liabilities:
Derivative
liabilities subject
to a master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
$
504
$
0
$
504
$
(85)
$
(381)
$
(37)
$
1
OTC - cleared
419
0
419
(11)
(19)
(389)
0
Total derivative liabilities subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
923
0
923
(96)
(400)
(426)
1
Derivative
liabilities not
subject to a
master netting
agreement or
offsetting
arrangement
OTC - bilateral
507
507
507
Total derivative liabilities not subject to a master netting agreement or offsetting arrangement
507
507
507
Total derivative liabilities
1,430
0
1,430
(96)
(400)
(426)
508
Securities lending and similar arrangements
1,503
0
1,503
(1,480)
0
0
23
Total
$
2,933
$
0
$
2,933
$
(1,576)
$
(400)
$
(426)
$
531
For additional information on the Company's financial instruments, see the accompanying Notes 3 and 5 and Notes 1, 3 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair Value Hierarchy
U.S. GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. These two types of inputs create three valuation hierarchy levels, as follows:
•Level 1 valuations reflect quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
•Level 2 valuations reflect quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets or model-derived valuations in which all significant valuation inputs are observable in active markets.
•Level 3 valuations reflect valuations in which one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in an active market.
41
The following tables present the fair value hierarchy levels of the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Assets:
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies
$
20,089
$
852
$
0
$
20,941
Municipalities
0
2,230
0
2,230
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
0
2,521
1,209
3,730
Public utilities
0
6,904
570
7,474
Sovereign and supranational
0
466
28
494
Banks/financial institutions
0
9,750
10
9,760
Other corporate
0
27,289
374
27,663
Total fixed maturity securities
20,089
50,012
2,191
72,292
Equity securities
647
0
161
808
Other investments
3,533
0
0
3,533
Cash and cash equivalents
5,612
0
0
5,612
Other assets:
Foreign currency swaps
0
60
0
60
Foreign currency forwards
0
63
0
63
Foreign currency options
0
57
0
57
Interest rate swaps
0
19
0
19
Total other assets
0
199
0
199
Total assets
$
29,881
$
50,211
$
2,352
$
82,444
Liabilities:
Other liabilities:
Foreign currency swaps
$
0
$
623
$
0
$
623
Foreign currency forwards
0
35
0
35
Foreign currency options
0
24
0
24
Interest rate swaps
0
239
0
239
Total liabilities
$
0
$
921
$
0
$
921
42
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Assets:
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies
$
21,700
$
900
$
0
$
22,600
Municipalities
0
2,298
0
2,298
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
0
2,314
772
3,086
Public utilities
0
7,339
253
7,592
Sovereign and supranational
0
507
30
537
Banks/financial institutions
0
8,757
78
8,835
Other corporate
0
27,694
648
28,342
Total fixed maturity securities
21,700
49,809
1,781
73,290
Equity securities
840
0
248
1,088
Other investments
1,304
0
0
1,304
Cash and cash equivalents
4,306
0
0
4,306
Other assets:
Foreign currency swaps
0
86
0
86
Foreign currency forwards
0
238
0
238
Foreign currency options
0
2
0
2
Interest rate swaps
0
11
0
11
Total other assets
0
337
0
337
Total assets
$
28,150
$
50,146
$
2,029
$
80,325
Liabilities:
Other liabilities:
Foreign currency swaps
$
0
$
507
$
0
$
507
Foreign currency forwards
0
504
0
504
Interest rate swaps
0
419
0
419
Total liabilities
$
0
$
1,430
$
0
$
1,430
43
The following tables present the carrying amount and fair value categorized by fair value hierarchy level for the Company's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Carrying Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Assets:
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies
$
16,968
$
18,007
$
161
$
0
$
18,168
Municipalities
262
0
293
0
293
Public utilities
35
0
37
0
37
Sovereign and supranational
415
0
457
0
457
Other corporate
18
0
20
0
20
Commercial mortgage and other loans
11,544
0
0
11,315
11,315
Other investments (1)
42
0
42
0
42
Total assets
$
29,284
$
18,007
$
1,010
$
11,315
$
30,332
Liabilities:
Other policyholders’ funds
$
6,095
$
0
$
0
$
6,015
$
6,015
Notes payable (excluding leases)
7,868
0
6,895
748
7,643
Total liabilities
$
13,963
$
0
$
6,895
$
6,763
$
13,658
(1)Excludes policy loans of $221, equity method investments of $3,206, and REO of $645, at carrying value.
44
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Carrying Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Assets:
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies
$
17,083
$
18,662
$
167
$
0
$
18,829
Municipalities
266
0
307
0
307
Public utilities
34
0
38
0
38
Sovereign and supranational
418
0
462
0
462
Other corporate
18
0
21
0
21
Commercial mortgage and other loans
12,527
0
0
12,217
12,217
Other investments (1)
35
0
35
0
35
Total assets
$
30,381
$
18,662
$
1,030
$
12,217
$
31,909
Liabilities:
Other policyholders’ funds
$
6,169
$
0
$
0
$
6,080
$
6,080
Notes payable (excluding leases)
7,240
0
6,178
752
6,930
Total liabilities
$
13,409
$
0
$
6,178
$
6,832
$
13,010
(1)Excludes policy loans of $214, equity method investments of $2,750, and REO of $227, at carrying value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fixed maturity and equity securities
The fair values of the Company’s public fixed maturity securities are generally based on prices provided by third-party pricing vendors. The Company utilizes internally generated valuations or broker quotes for privately issued fixed maturity securities or fixed maturity securities where there is no price available from a third-party pricing vendor.
The fair values of the Company's public equity securities are generally based on price quotes, including quoted market prices readily available from independent public exchange markets or established security dealer associations. The Company determines the fair values of privately issued equity securities using the following approaches or techniques: price quotes and valuations from third-party pricing vendors, in-house valuations and non-binding price quotes the Company obtains from outside brokers.
The pricing data and market quotes the Company obtains from outside sources, including third-party pricing services, are reviewed internally for reasonableness. If a fair value appears unreasonable, the Company will re-examine the inputs and assess the reasonableness of the pricing data with the provider. Additionally, the Company may compare the inputs to relevant market indices and other performance measurements. Based on management's analysis, the valuation is confirmed or may be revised if there is evidence of a more appropriate estimate of fair value based on available market data. The Company has performed verification of the inputs and calculations in any valuation models, including independent validations and back testing, to confirm that the valuations represent reasonable estimates of fair value. For the periods presented, the Company has not adjusted the quotes or prices it obtains from the pricing services and brokers it uses.
For internally generated valuations, the Company utilizes valuation models developed by a third-party pricing vendor. The models and associated processes and controls are executed by Company personnel.
45
These models are discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation models but also use information from related markets, specifically public bond markets and the credit default swap (CDS) market, to estimate expected cash flows. The models take into consideration any unique characteristics of the securities and make various adjustments to arrive at an appropriate issuer-specific loss adjusted credit curve using the most appropriate comparable security(ies) of the issuer and issuer-specific CDS spreads. This credit curve is then used with the relevant recovery rates to estimate expected cash flows and modeling of additional features, including illiquidity adjustments, if necessary, to price the security by discounting those loss adjusted cash flows. In cases where a credit curve cannot be developed from market information for the specific issuer, the valuation methodology takes into consideration other market observable inputs, including:
•the most appropriate comparable security(ies) of a guarantor and/or parent
•CDS spreads of a guarantor and/or parent
•bonds of comparable issuers with similar characteristics such as rating, geography, or sector
•CDS spreads of an appropriate index or of comparable issuers with similar characteristics such as rating, geography, or sector
•bond indices that are comparative in rating, industry, maturity, and region.
46
The following tables present the pricing sources for the fair values of the Company's fixed maturity and equity securities.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies:
Third-party pricing vendor
$
20,089
$
505
$
0
$
20,594
Internal
0
347
0
347
Total government and agencies
20,089
852
0
20,941
Municipalities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
1,962
0
1,962
Internal
0
268
0
268
Total municipalities
0
2,230
0
2,230
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
2,487
0
2,487
Internal
0
34
38
72
Broker/other
0
0
1,171
1,171
Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities
0
2,521
1,209
3,730
Public utilities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
3,858
0
3,858
Internal
0
3,046
0
3,046
Broker/other
0
0
570
570
Total public utilities
0
6,904
570
7,474
Sovereign and supranational:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
111
0
111
Internal
0
355
0
355
Broker/other
0
0
28
28
Total sovereign and supranational
0
466
28
494
Banks/financial institutions:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
5,330
0
5,330
Internal
0
4,420
0
4,420
Broker/other
0
0
10
10
Total banks/financial institutions
0
9,750
10
9,760
Other corporate:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
21,666
0
21,666
Internal
0
5,623
169
5,792
Broker/other
0
0
205
205
Total other corporate
0
27,289
374
27,663
Total securities available-for-sale
$
20,089
$
50,012
$
2,191
$
72,292
Equity securities, carried at fair value:
Third-party pricing vendor
$
647
$
0
$
0
$
647
Broker/other
0
0
161
161
Total equity securities
$
647
$
0
$
161
$
808
47
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies:
Third-party pricing vendor
$
18,007
$
161
$
0
$
18,168
Total government and agencies
18,007
161
0
18,168
Municipalities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
293
0
293
Total municipalities
0
293
0
293
Public utilities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
37
0
37
Total public utilities
0
37
0
37
Sovereign and supranational:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
224
0
224
Internal
0
233
0
233
Total sovereign and supranational
0
457
0
457
Other corporate:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
20
0
20
Total other corporate
0
20
0
20
Total securities held-to-maturity
$
18,007
$
968
$
0
$
18,975
48
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies:
Third-party pricing vendor
$
21,692
$
808
$
0
$
22,500
Internal
0
60
0
60
Broker/other
8
32
0
40
Total government and agencies
21,700
900
0
22,600
Municipalities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
1,426
0
1,426
Internal
0
256
0
256
Broker/other
0
616
0
616
Total municipalities
0
2,298
0
2,298
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
2,277
0
2,277
Internal
0
27
105
132
Broker/other
0
10
667
677
Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities
0
2,314
772
3,086
Public utilities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
4,570
0
4,570
Internal
0
2,677
0
2,677
Broker/other
0
92
253
345
Total public utilities
0
7,339
253
7,592
Sovereign and supranational:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
118
0
118
Internal
0
330
0
330
Broker/other
0
59
30
89
Total sovereign and supranational
0
507
30
537
Banks/financial institutions:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
5,085
0
5,085
Internal
0
3,008
69
3,077
Broker/other
0
664
9
673
Total banks/financial institutions
0
8,757
78
8,835
Other corporate:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
18,088
4
18,092
Internal
0
4,210
230
4,440
Broker/other
0
5,396
414
5,810
Total other corporate
0
27,694
648
28,342
Total securities available-for-sale
$
21,700
$
49,809
$
1,781
$
73,290
Equity securities, carried at fair value:
Third-party pricing vendor
$
800
$
0
$
0
$
800
Internal
0
0
216
216
Broker/other
40
0
32
72
Total equity securities
$
840
$
0
$
248
$
1,088
49
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies:
Third-party pricing vendor
$
18,662
$
167
$
0
$
18,829
Total government and agencies
18,662
167
0
18,829
Municipalities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
307
0
307
Total municipalities
0
307
0
307
Public utilities:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
38
0
38
Total public utilities
0
38
0
38
Sovereign and supranational:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
226
0
226
Internal
0
236
0
236
Total sovereign and supranational
0
462
0
462
Other corporate:
Third-party pricing vendor
0
21
0
21
Total other corporate
0
21
0
21
Total securities held-to-maturity
$
18,662
$
995
$
0
$
19,657
The following is a discussion of the determination of fair value of the Company's remaining financial instruments.
Derivatives
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with certain assets. However, the derivative instrument may not be classified in the same fair value hierarchy level as the associated asset. The significant inputs to pricing derivatives are generally observable in the market or can be derived by observable market data. When these inputs are observable, the derivatives are classified as Level 2.
The Company uses present value techniques to value non-option based derivatives. It also uses option pricing models to value option based derivatives. Key inputs are as follows:
The fair values of the foreign currency forwards and options are based on observable market inputs, therefore they are classified as Level 2.
The Parent Company has cross-currency swap agreements related to certain of its U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes to effectively convert a portion of the interest on the notes from U.S. dollar to Japanese yen. Their fair values are based on observable market inputs, therefore they are classified as Level 2.
To determine the fair value of its interest rate derivatives, the Company uses inputs that are generally observable in the market or can be derived from observable market data. Interest rate swaps are cleared trades. In a cleared swap contract, the clearinghouse provides benefits to the counterparties similar to contracts listed for investment traded on an exchange since it maintains a daily margin to mitigate counterparties' credit risk. These derivatives are priced using observable inputs, accordingly, they are classified as Level 2.
For derivatives associated with VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company is not the direct counterparty to the swap contracts. Nevertheless, the Company has full transparency into the contracts to properly value the swaps for reporting purposes. For these derivatives, the Company utilizes valuation models developed by independent valuation analytics providers. The models are market standard DCF models and all associated processes and controls are executed by Company personnel. These models take into consideration any unique characteristics of the derivatives in determining the appropriate valuation methodology to estimate expected cash flows. The fair values of these swaps are based on observable market inputs and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
For forward bond purchase commitments with VIEs, the fair value of the derivative is based on the difference in the fixed purchase price and the current market value of the related bond prior to the settlement date. Since the bond is typically a public bond with readily available pricing, the derivatives associated with the forward purchase commitment are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Commercial mortgage and other loans
Commercial mortgage and other loans include TREs, CMLs, MMLs and other loans. The Company's loan receivables do not have readily determinable market prices and generally lack market liquidity. Fair values for loan receivables are determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the applicable U.S. Treasury or floating-rate benchmark yield plus an appropriate spread that considers other risk factors, such as credit and liquidity risk. The spreads are a significant component of the pricing inputs and are generally considered unobservable. Therefore, these investments are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Other investments
Other investments includes short-term investments that are measured at fair value where amortized cost approximates fair value.
Other policyholders' funds
The largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability is the Company's annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. The Company's annuities have fixed benefits and premiums. For this product, the Company estimates the fair value to be equal to the cash surrender value. This is analogous to the value paid to policyholders on the valuation date if they were to surrender their policy. The Company periodically checks the cash value against discounted cash flow projections for reasonableness. The Company considers its inputs for this valuation to be unobservable and have accordingly classified this valuation as Level 3.
Notes payable
The fair values of the Company's publicly issued notes payable are determined by utilizing available sources of observable inputs from third-party pricing vendors and are classified as Level 2. The Company's private placement notes payable are valued using the same internal models that the Company uses for its yen-denominated and U.S. dollar-denominated private placement investment portfolio. The fair values for these private placements are deemed Level 2 valuations, as they are model-derived valuations that are generated internally with all significant valuation inputs being observed in active markets. The fair values of the Company's yen-denominated loans approximate their carrying values and are classified as Level 3.
51
Transfers between Hierarchy Levels and Level 3 Rollforward
Assets and liabilities are transferred into Level 3 when a significant input cannot be corroborated with market observable data. This occurs when market activity decreases significantly and underlying inputs cannot be observed, current prices are not available, and/or when there are significant variances in quoted prices, thereby affecting transparency. Assets and liabilities are transferred out of Level 3 when circumstances change such that a significant input can be corroborated with market observable data. This may be due to a significant increase in market activity, a specific event, or one or more significant input(s) becoming observable.
The following tables present the changes in fair value of the Company's investments carried at fair value classified as Level 3.
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Fixed Maturity Securities
Equity Securities
(In millions)
Mortgage- and Asset- Backed Securities
Public Utilities
Sovereign and Supranational
Banks/ Financial Institutions
Other Corporate
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
1,213
$
365
$
25
$
69
$
384
$
157
$
2,213
Net investment gains (losses) included in earnings
1
0
0
0
0
2
3
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)
57
19
3
0
20
0
99
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases
31
48
0
4
98
3
184
Issuances
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sales
0
0
0
0
0
(1)
(1)
Settlements
(18)
(1)
0
(4)
(1)
0
(24)
Transfers into Level 3
15
139
0
0
5
0
159
Transfers out of Level 3
(90)
0
0
(59)
(132)
0
(281)
Balance, end of period
$
1,209
$
570
$
28
$
10
$
374
$
161
$
2,352
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at the end of the period included in earnings
$
1
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
6
$
7
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fixed Maturity Securities
Equity Securities
(In millions)
Mortgage- and Asset- Backed Securities
Public Utilities
Sovereign and Supranational
Banks/ Financial Institutions
Other Corporate
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
652
$
302
$
32
$
69
$
572
$
213
$
1,840
Net investment gains (losses) included in earnings
0
0
0
0
0
(7)
(7)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)
(13)
(12)
(1)
(2)
(41)
0
(69)
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases
55
36
0
0
36
0
127
Issuances
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sales
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Settlements
(11)
(6)
0
0
0
0
(17)
Transfers into Level 3
0
0
0
3
39
0
42
Transfers out of Level 3
(3)
(61)
0
0
(42)
(3)
(109)
Balance, end of period
$
680
$
259
$
31
$
70
$
564
$
203
$
1,807
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at the end of the period included in earnings
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
(3)
$
(3)
52
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Fixed Maturity Securities
Equity Securities
(In millions)
Mortgage- and Asset- Backed Securities
Public Utilities
Sovereign and Supranational
Banks/ Financial Institutions
Other Corporate
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
772
$
253
$
30
$
78
$
648
$
248
$
2,029
Net investment gains (losses) included in earnings
3
0
0
0
0
(5)
(2)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)
48
8
0
(9)
16
0
63
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases
338
147
0
9
193
3
690
Issuances
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sales
0
0
0
0
0
(1)
(1)
Settlements
(67)
(26)
(2)
(9)
(4)
(84)
(192)
Transfers into Level 3
205
421
0
0
5
0
631
Transfers out of Level 3
(90)
(233)
0
(59)
(484)
0
(866)
Balance, end of period
$
1,209
$
570
$
28
$
10
$
374
$
161
$
2,352
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at the end of the period included in earnings
$
3
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
3
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fixed Maturity Securities
Equity Securities
(In millions)
Mortgage- and Asset- Backed Securities
Public Utilities
Sovereign and Supranational
Banks/ Financial Institutions
Other Corporate
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
343
$
497
$
37
$
159
$
742
$
209
$
1,987
Net investment gains (losses) included in earnings
0
0
0
0
0
(13)
(13)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)
(23)
(18)
(4)
2
(33)
0
(76)
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases
383
36
0
0
148
10
577
Issuances
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sales
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Settlements
(144)
(15)
(2)
(7)
(3)
0
(171)
Transfers into Level 3
124
18
0
3
39
0
184
Transfers out of Level 3
(3)
(259)
0
(87)
(329)
(3)
(681)
Balance, end of period
$
680
$
259
$
31
$
70
$
564
$
203
$
1,807
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at the end of the period included in earnings
The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of the Company's Level 3 investments carried at fair value. Included in the tables are the inputs or range of possible inputs that have an effect on the overall valuation of the financial instruments.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Fair Value
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input
Range
Weighted Average
Assets:
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
$
1,209
Consensus pricing
Offered quotes
85.75
-
109.00
(a)
100.74
Public utilities
570
Discounted cash flow
Credit spreads
175 bps
-
375 bps
(c)
216 bps
Sovereign and supranational
28
Consensus pricing
Offered quotes
N/A
(b)
N/A
Banks/financial institutions
10
Adjusted cost
Private financials
N/A
(d)
N/A
Other corporate
374
Discounted cash flow
Credit spreads
90 bps
-
294 bps
(c)
211 bps
Equity securities
161
Adjusted cost
Private financials
N/A
(d)
N/A
Total assets
$
2,352
(a) Represents prices for securities where the Company receives unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques.
(b) Category represents a single security; range not applicable.
(c) Actual or equivalent credit spreads in basis points.
(d) Prices do not utilize credit spreads; therefore, range is not applicable.
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Fair Value
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input
Range
Weighted Average
Assets:
Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
$
772
Consensus pricing
Offered quotes
84.81
-
105.89
(a)
99.39
Public utilities
253
Consensus pricing
Offered quotes
94.34
-
102.99
(a)
96.46
Sovereign and supranational
30
Consensus pricing
Offered quotes
N/A
(b)
N/A
Banks/financial institutions
78
Discounted cash flow
Credit spreads
N/A
(b)
N/A
Other corporate
648
Discounted cash flow
Credit spreads
69 bps
-
423 bps
(c)
206 bps
Equity securities
248
Adjusted cost
Private financials
N/A
(d)
N/A
Total assets
$
2,029
(a) Represents prices for securities where the Company receives unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques.
(b) Category represents a single security; range not applicable.
(c) Actual or equivalent credit spreads in basis points.
(d) Prices do not utilize credit spreads; therefore, range is not applicable.
54
The following is a discussion of the significant unobservable inputs or valuation techniques used in determining the fair value of securities classified as Level 3.
Credit Spreads
The Company holds certain assets that are of a unique, specialized, and/or securitized nature that do not trade on a regular basis in an active market, which makes their fair values difficult to estimate. Most of these assets are managed by external asset managers and the Company utilizes these managers for their expertise when evaluating various inputs used to determine the fair values for these assets, including identifying the appropriate credit or risk spread over risk-free interest rates that incorporates the unique nature or structure of the asset in the valuations. For those assets of a similar nature but not managed by external asset managers, the Company internally estimates the spreads and risk adjustments over risk-free interest rates that reflect the unique nature or structure of the asset as well as the current pricing environment and market conditions for comparable or related investments. Credit or risk spreads are an important input needed to complete the discounted cash flow analyses used to estimate an investment’s fair value. Credit or risk spreads underlying these fair values are a significant, unobservable input whose derivation is based on the Company’s evaluation of a combination of the external manager’s expertise and knowledge, the current pricing environment, and market conditions for the specific asset.
Offered Quotes
In circumstances where the Company's valuation model price is overridden because it implies a value that is not consistent with current market conditions, the Company will solicit bids from a limited number of brokers. The Company also receives unadjusted prices from brokers for certain of its mortgage and asset-backed securities. These quotes are non-binding but are reflective of valuation best estimates at that particular point in time. Offered quotes are an unobservable input in the determination of fair value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, certain banks/financial institutions, certain other corporate, and equity securities investments.
Private Financials
The Company invests in the debt and equity securities of private companies operating in the cancer, healthtech, insurtech, finance, internet of things, big data and analytics sectors. Due to their private and often small, startup nature, these companies rely on capital provided by institutional and private equity investors for their ongoing operations. They do not have public securities that trade on a regular basis in an active market, which makes their fair values difficult to estimate. The Company values these investments on a cost basis with appropriate adjustments made based on monitoring private financial information provided by these companies. Adjustments to valuations are generally made as new funding tranches are executed or if the financial information provided significantly changes indicating the need for impairment. This private financial information is unobservable and is a significant determinant in the fair value of these corporate venture investments.
For additional information on the Company's investments and financial instruments, see the accompanying Notes 3 and 4 and Notes 1, 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
6. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The following tables present a rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
55
September 30, 2024
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Cancer
Medical and Other Health
Life Insurance
Other
Accident
Disability
Critical Care
Hospital Indemnity
Dental/Vision
Life Insurance
Other
Total
Deferred policy acquisition costs:
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
2,971
$
2,041
$
491
$
56
$
917
$
625
$
1,336
$
436
$
86
$
172
$
1
$
9,132
Capitalization
221
79
25
3
101
93
119
63
9
55
(1)
767
Amortization expense
(139)
(75)
(26)
(2)
(107)
(88)
(114)
(55)
(9)
(23)
0
(638)
Foreign currency translation and other
(14)
(13)
(2)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
(29)
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
3,039
$
2,032
$
488
$
57
$
911
$
630
$
1,341
$
444
$
86
$
204
$
0
$
9,232
December 31, 2023
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Cancer
Medical and Other Health
Life Insurance
Other
Accident
Disability
Critical Care
Hospital Indemnity
Dental/Vision
Life Insurance
Other
Total
Deferred policy acquisition costs:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
3,035
$
2,161
$
525
$
55
$
904
$
613
$
1,304
$
418
$
88
$
135
$
1
$
9,239
Capitalization
317
123
33
8
151
125
173
84
10
61
1
1,086
Amortization expense
(184)
(105)
(34)
(3)
(138)
(113)
(141)
(66)
(12)
(24)
4
(816)
Foreign currency translation and other
(197)
(138)
(33)
(4)
0
0
0
0
0
0
(5)
(377)
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
2,971
$
2,041
$
491
$
56
$
917
$
625
$
1,336
$
436
$
86
$
172
$
1
$
9,132
The Company uses the following constant level bases to amortize deferred policy acquisition costs:
Policy Type
Constant-level Basis
Life Products (U.S.)
Face Amount
Health Products (U.S.)
Number of Policies in Force
Health & Life Products (Japan)
Units in Force
Face amount is the stated dollar amount that the policy’s beneficiaries receive upon the death of the insured. For life and health products issued in Japan, the constant-level basis used is units in force, which is a proxy for face amount and insurance in force, respectively. Future DAC amortization is impacted by persistency.
There were no changes to the inputs, judgments or methods used to determine amortization amounts during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The Company updated the assumptions used to determine amortization using the same assumptions as those used for measuring the liability for future policy benefits during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The Company recognizes the effects of changes in assumptions prospectively over the remaining contract term as a revision of the future amortization pattern. For additional information on deferred policy acquisition costs, see Notes 1 and 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
56
7. POLICY LIABILITIES
Future Policy Benefits
The liability for future policy benefits is determined as the present value of expected future policy benefits to be paid to or on the behalf of policyholders and certain related expenses less the present value of expected future net premiums receivable under the Company's insurance contracts. Future net premiums receivable are future gross premiums receivable under the contract multiplied by the net premium ratio (NPR).
The following tables present the changes in the present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type. The present value of expected future net premiums and the present value of expected future policy benefits are presented gross of internal and external ceded reinsurance.
57
September 30, 2024
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Cancer
Medical and Other Health
Life Insurance
Other
Accident
Disability
Critical Care
Hospital Indemnity
Dental/Vision
Life Insurance
Other
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
17,509
$
14,697
$
6,488
$
1,088
$
2,488
$
1,652
$
4,074
$
1,107
$
206
$
853
$
277
Beginning balance at original discount rate
16,452
14,040
6,258
1,069
2,630
1,738
4,416
1,193
217
909
272
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions
(627)
(154)
(191)
(19)
65
(47)
(106)
(21)
(17)
(5)
(8)
Effect of actual variances from expected experience
(72)
(123)
(60)
(12)
33
8
(55)
16
(9)
(18)
27
Adjusted beginning of period balance
15,753
13,763
6,007
1,038
2,728
1,699
4,255
1,188
191
886
291
Issuances
735
277
346
13
242
288
439
187
40
173
401
Interest accrual
286
228
83
13
79
49
130
34
6
27
16
Net premiums collected (1)
(1,099)
(861)
(656)
(76)
(357)
(301)
(432)
(182)
(29)
(116)
(35)
Foreign currency translation
(134)
(114)
(59)
(11)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
(1)
0
0
0
(5)
(4)
(6)
(3)
(1)
(3)
(9)
Ending balance at original discount rate
15,540
13,293
5,721
977
2,687
1,731
4,386
1,224
207
967
664
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
535
269
125
(2)
(96)
(46)
(256)
(60)
(6)
(33)
35
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
16,075
$
13,562
$
5,846
$
975
$
2,591
$
1,685
$
4,130
$
1,164
$
201
$
934
$
699
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
50,161
$
25,257
$
29,731
$
5,178
$
3,109
$
2,422
$
11,290
$
1,943
$
478
$
1,764
$
798
Beginning balance at original discount rate
43,626
25,023
30,256
5,444
3,302
2,541
12,120
2,076
506
1,971
769
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions
(817)
(229)
(303)
(7)
109
(73)
(112)
(31)
(28)
(3)
(12)
Effect of actual variances from expected experience
(107)
(145)
(73)
(21)
38
(11)
(86)
15
(12)
(28)
25
Adjusted beginning of period balance
42,702
24,649
29,880
5,416
3,449
2,457
11,922
2,060
466
1,940
782
Issuances
749
286
352
17
247
301
452
192
42
179
405
Interest accrual
1,026
430
438
70
99
74
386
63
15
58
36
Benefit payments
(2,066)
(766)
(1,180)
(157)
(408)
(349)
(693)
(235)
(45)
(83)
(69)
Foreign currency translation
(318)
(173)
(218)
(36)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ending balance at original discount rate
42,093
24,426
29,272
5,310
3,387
2,483
12,067
2,080
478
2,094
1,154
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
4,484
(761)
(1,597)
(460)
(137)
(66)
(680)
(95)
(17)
(175)
59
Balance at September 30, 2024
46,577
23,665
27,675
4,850
3,250
2,417
11,387
1,985
461
1,919
1,213
Net liability for future policy benefits
30,502
10,103
21,829
3,875
659
732
7,257
821
260
985
514
Less: reinsurance recoverable
3,896
1,430
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
0
Net liability for future policy benefits after reinsurance recoverable
$
26,606
$
8,673
$
21,829
$
3,875
$
659
$
732
$
7,257
$
821
$
260
$
966
$
514
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
58
December 31, 2023
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
(In millions)
Cancer
Medical and Other Health
Life Insurance
Other
Accident
Disability
Critical Care
Hospital Indemnity
Dental/Vision
Life Insurance
Other
Present value of expected future net premiums:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
19,298
$
16,714
$
7,485
$
1,256
$
2,534
$
1,635
$
4,486
$
1,220
$
211
$
724
$
110
Beginning balance at original discount rate
18,221
16,195
7,284
1,242
2,760
1,775
5,050
1,365
231
799
118
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions
(165)
(470)
43
(12)
(16)
(51)
(494)
(142)
(9)
61
(9)
Effect of actual variances from expected experience
(315)
(137)
(42)
(15)
(58)
(29)
(223)
(73)
(17)
(25)
(2)
Adjusted beginning of period balance
17,741
15,588
7,285
1,215
2,686
1,695
4,333
1,150
205
835
107
Issuances
1,034
418
335
26
323
376
493
249
44
181
169
Interest accrual
412
334
124
20
102
62
179
45
8
31
6
Net premiums collected (1)
(1,564)
(1,261)
(1,017)
(112)
(473)
(390)
(580)
(247)
(39)
(137)
(17)
Foreign currency translation
(1,170)
(1,038)
(469)
(80)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
(1)
(1)
0
0
(8)
(5)
(9)
(4)
(1)
(1)
7
Ending balance at original discount rate
16,452
14,040
6,258
1,069
2,630
1,738
4,416
1,193
217
909
272
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
1,057
657
230
19
(142)
(86)
(342)
(86)
(11)
(56)
5
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
17,509
$
14,697
$
6,488
$
1,088
$
2,488
$
1,652
$
4,074
$
1,107
$
206
$
853
$
277
Present value of expected future policy benefits:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
54,766
$
27,419
$
31,954
$
5,582
$
3,098
$
2,445
$
11,489
$
2,074
$
488
$
1,526
$
622
Beginning balance at original discount rate
47,677
27,566
32,800
5,940
3,391
2,636
12,846
2,300
532
1,778
624
Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions
(147)
(507)
65
(27)
(11)
(59)
(592)
(194)
(14)
72
(13)
Effect of actual variances from expected experience
(385)
(154)
(51)
(15)
(75)
(59)
(271)
(99)
(22)
(32)
(4)
Adjusted beginning of period balance
47,145
26,905
32,814
5,898
3,305
2,518
11,983
2,007
496
1,818
607
Issuances
1,059
432
341
32
331
392
505
258
46
185
169
Interest accrual
1,473
608
625
100
127
96
524
84
21
68
33
Benefit payments
(2,987)
(1,153)
(1,415)
(206)
(464)
(465)
(893)
(274)
(59)
(105)
(48)
Foreign currency translation
(3,064)
(1,769)
(2,109)
(380)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
1
2
5
8
Ending balance at original discount rate
43,626
25,023
30,256
5,444
3,302
2,541
12,120
2,076
506
1,971
769
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
6,535
234
(525)
(266)
(193)
(119)
(830)
(133)
(28)
(207)
29
Balance at December 31, 2023
50,161
25,257
29,731
5,178
3,109
2,422
11,290
1,943
478
1,764
798
Net liability for future policy benefits
32,652
10,560
23,243
4,090
621
770
7,216
836
272
911
521
Less: reinsurance recoverable
4,135
1,521
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
Net liability for future policy benefits after reinsurance recoverable
$
28,517
$
9,039
$
23,243
$
4,090
$
621
$
770
$
7,216
$
836
$
272
$
896
$
521
(1) Net premiums collected represent the portion of gross premiums collected from policyholders that is used to fund expected future benefit payments.
59
The following tables present the weighted-average interest rates and weighted-average liability duration (calculated using the original discount rate) by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
September 30, 2024
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
Cancer
Medical and Other Health
Life Insurance
Other
Accident
Disability
Critical Care
Hospital Indemnity
Dental/Vision
Life Insurance
Other
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.9 %
2.5 %
2.1 %
1.8 %
4.0 %
4.3 %
4.6 %
4.5 %
4.3 %
3.8 %
5.4 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
2.2 %
2.7 %
2.0 %
2.4 %
5.2 %
5.1 %
5.3 %
5.2 %
5.2 %
5.2 %
5.2 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)
12.6
23.7
16.2
16.9
8.0
5.6
11.1
9.1
7.6
13.5
8.8
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.
December 31, 2023
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
Cancer
Medical and Other Health
Life Insurance
Other
Accident
Disability
Critical Care
Hospital Indemnity
Dental/Vision
Life Insurance
Other
Weighted-average interest, original discount rate (1)
3.9 %
2.6 %
2.1 %
1.8 %
3.9 %
4.2 %
4.6 %
4.4 %
4.3 %
3.7 %
5.4 %
Weighted-average interest, current discount rate (1)
1.8 %
2.3 %
1.7 %
2.1 %
5.3 %
5.3 %
5.3 %
5.3 %
5.3 %
5.3 %
5.3 %
Weighted-average liability duration (years)
13.1
24.9
16.3
17.3
8.1
5.6
11.3
9.3
7.9
13.6
9.4
(1) The weighted-average interest rates are calculated using the reserve balances as the weights. No adjustments were made to observable market information.
60
The following table presents a reconciliation of the disaggregated rollforwards above to the ending future policy benefits presented in the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts and the deferred reinsurance gain liability are presented together with the liability for future policy benefits in the consolidated balance sheets and have been included as reconciling items in the table below.
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Balances included in future policy benefits rollforward:
Aflac Japan
Cancer
$
30,502
$
32,652
Medical and other health
10,103
10,560
Life insurance
21,829
23,243
Other
3,875
4,090
Aflac U.S.
Accident
659
621
Disability
732
770
Critical care
7,257
7,216
Hospital indemnity
821
836
Dental/vision
260
272
Life insurance
985
911
Other
514
521
Corporate and other
3,897
4,225
Deferred profit liability
2,000
1,806
Deferred reinsurance gain liability
949
1,012
Intercompany eliminations (1)
(4,711)
(5,017)
Total
$
79,672
$
83,718
(1)Elimination entry necessary due to the internal reinsurance transactions with Aflac Re and to recapture a portion of policy liabilities ceded externally as a result of the reinsurance retrocession transaction. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
Discount rates are determined using upper-medium grade (low-credit-risk) fixed-income instrument yields that reflect the duration characteristics of the liability. Locked-in discount rates are determined separately for each issue-year cohort as a single discount rate, calculated as the weighted-average of monthly upper-medium grade (low-credit-risk) fixed-income instrument forward curves in the calendar year, where the weights are the annualized premiums issued for each month of the cohort. The single discount rate for each issue-year cohort is determined by solving for a rate that produces an equivalent NPR to the forward curve and will remain unchanged after the calendar year of issue.
Discount rates are updated each reporting period and require estimation techniques (e.g., interpolation, extrapolation) for determination of points on the curve for which there is limited or no observable market data. The Company constructs a current discount rate curve separately for discounting cash flows used to calculate each of the Japan and U.S. liabilities for future policy benefits, reflective of the characteristics of the corresponding insurance liabilities, such as currency and tenor.
In the Aflac Japan segment, all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in yen. A significant portion of policies are characterized by tenors exceeding the availability of liquid market data in Japan for single-A rated (as a proxy for upper-medium grade) corporate yen-denominated debt. The discount rate curve is designed to prioritize the observable inputs where available, while past the last liquid point, the data is derived based on estimation techniques consistent with the fair value guidance in ASC 820. The Aflac Japan segment curve utilizes liquid market indices tracking publicly traded yen-denominated single-A corporate debt for the initial 10-year tenor. For the bonds within these market indices where only local ratings are available, the Company prioritizes the bonds with local ratings that are equivalent to a single-A rating based on international rating standards.
For the discount rates applicable to tenors for which the Japan single-A debt market is not liquid but there is sufficient observable market data and/or the observable market data is available for similar instruments (between 10 and 30 years), the Company estimates tenor-specific single-A credit spreads and applies them to risk-free government rates. Lastly, for the tenors where there is limited or no observable single-A or similar market data or risk-free government rates (beyond 30
61
years), the discount curve is derived by extrapolation of risk free rates beyond their last liquid point following the Smith-Wilson method and grading of the estimated forward credit spread anchored by the ultimate forward rate. The ultimate forward rate is based on the economic value-based solvency regime, which is consistent with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Capital Standards (ICS) (to be introduced in Japan in 2025), and is adjusted for credit and inflation components.
For the Aflac U.S. segment where all long-duration insurance policies are denominated in U.S. dollars and substantially all have cash flow duration within 30 years, for which the U.S. upper-medium grade fixed-income market is liquid and observable, the Company uses data from a liquid fixed-income market index tracking single-A U.S. corporate debt. For the insignificant portion of the policies with cash flow tenors exceeding 30 years, the discount curve beyond that tenor is extrapolated following the Smith-Wilson method from year 30 to the same ultimate forward rate calculated for the Japan discount curve at year 60 and held constant thereafter. The use of the same ultimate rate for U.S. and Japan segments is based on the assumption of long-term global economic convergence.
For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $(1.5) billion and $4.2 billion in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax, respectively, due to changes in the future policy benefits estimate from updating the discount rate assumptions. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $2.5 billion and $1.2 billion in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax, respectively, due to changes in the future policy benefits estimate from updating the discount rate assumptions. There were no changes to the methods used to determine the discount rates during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $(460) million in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax, due to changes in the future policy benefits estimate from updating the discount rate assumptions. There were no changes to the methods used to determine the discount rates during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Mortality rate assumptions are based on industry tables and adjusted for the Company's actual or expected experience where credible or appropriate. These assumptions typically vary by age, gender, and other demographic characteristics such as smoking status.
Morbidity assumptions are based on the Company's internal data and consider emerging experience. These assumptions are reflective of the coverage and benefits provided and generally vary by age, gender, duration, and any other material policyholder characteristics. In cases where a calendar-year trend is significant, future cash flow projections may include a trend adjustment.
In Japan, separate lapse assumptions are set based on actual or expected experience. These lapse and total termination rate assumptions vary by line of business and with policyholder characteristics such as duration. In the U.S., the majority of the future cash flows are modeled using total termination rates (which include both lapse and mortality) and are adjusted for actual experience. Policy provisions, such as reaching premium paid-up status, are taken into account when setting assumptions.
For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the variance of actual experience from expected experience was primarily due to favorable variances in morbidity assumptions as compared to actual experience. There were no changes to the inputs, judgments or methods used in measuring the liability for future policy benefits during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company performs an annual review of its assumptions during the third quarter. In 2024, the Company's annual assumption review process resulted in favorable changes largely due to recent favorable Japan morbidity experience. In 2023, the Company's annual assumption review process resulted in favorable changes to its morbidity and termination assumptions, largely due to reflecting more recent favorable U.S. morbidity experience.
62
The following table summarizes the amount of net earned premiums recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net earned premiums:
Aflac Japan
Cancer
$
885
$
1,004
$
2,595
$
3,154
Medical and other health
577
640
1,752
2,018
Life insurance
251
371
906
1,183
Other
35
38
104
113
Aflac U.S.
Accident
314
320
955
973
Disability
333
315
998
941
Critical care
439
436
1,324
1,317
Hospital indemnity
181
180
548
547
Dental/vision
54
53
159
160
Life insurance
141
122
420
351
Other
29
13
75
31
Corporate and other
160
83
479
258
Reinsurance ceded
(71)
(99)
(206)
(309)
Total
$
3,328
$
3,476
$
10,109
$
10,737
The following table summarizes the amount of interest expense related to insurance contracts recognized in total benefits and claims, net in the consolidated statements of earnings by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Interest expense:
Aflac Japan
Cancer
$
257
$
243
$
740
$
804
Medical and other health
71
63
202
206
Life insurance
123
115
355
378
Other
20
19
57
61
Aflac U.S.
Accident
7
6
20
18
Disability
9
8
25
26
Critical care
85
86
256
259
Hospital indemnity
10
10
29
30
Dental/vision
3
3
9
9
Life insurance
11
8
31
27
Other
7
7
20
20
Total
$
603
$
568
$
1,744
$
1,838
63
The following tables summarize the amount of undiscounted expected future gross premiums and expected future policy benefits and expenses and discounted (discounted at the current period discount rate) expected future gross premiums and expected future policy benefits and expenses by reporting segment and disaggregated by product type. These tables are presented gross of internal and external ceded reinsurance. Future gross premiums represent the expected amount of future premiums to be received. For limited-payment policies, the premiums are collected over a shorter period than the policy term over which benefits are provided. As a result, once the policy reaches premium paid-up status, the future gross premiums can be significantly less than the future benefit payments. Further, benefits and expenses are generally greater in the later years of a policy. These are the primary factors that result in future gross premiums lower than future benefit and expense payments for certain lines of business of the Company.
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Gross Premiums
Benefits and Expenses
Gross Premiums
Benefits and Expenses
Undiscounted expected future gross premiums
and expected future policy benefits and
expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer
$
57,471
$
63,270
$
59,169
$
66,427
Medical and other health
37,282
38,763
38,583
39,884
Life insurance
12,133
41,545
12,677
42,541
Other
1,665
7,232
1,781
7,448
Aflac U.S.
Accident
8,977
4,694
9,095
4,548
Disability
5,748
3,109
5,776
3,177
Critical care
19,775
20,421
19,886
20,626
Hospital indemnity
4,911
3,023
4,922
3,025
Dental/vision
1,124
682
1,162
726
Life insurance
2,922
3,488
2,719
3,260
Other
1,692
2,017
724
1,396
Total
$
153,700
$
188,244
$
156,494
$
193,058
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Gross Premiums
Benefits and Expenses
Gross Premiums
Benefits and Expenses
Discounted expected future gross premiums
and expected future policy benefits and
expenses:
Aflac Japan
Cancer
$
45,651
$
46,577
$
48,363
$
50,161
Medical and other health
28,885
23,665
30,757
25,257
Life insurance
10,582
27,675
11,240
29,731
Other
1,384
4,850
1,512
5,178
Aflac U.S.
Accident
6,381
3,250
6,369
3,109
Disability
4,551
2,417
4,488
2,422
Critical care
12,585
11,387
12,417
11,290
Hospital indemnity
3,484
1,985
3,419
1,943
Dental/vision
796
461
807
478
Life insurance
2,098
1,919
1,914
1,764
Other
1,078
1,213
467
798
Total
$
117,475
$
125,399
$
121,753
$
132,131
64
Loss expense as a result of NPR capping for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was immaterial.
Other Policyholders' Funds
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability was the Company's annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. The Company's annuities have fixed benefits and premiums.
The following table presents the changes in other policyholders’ funds.
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Other policyholders' funds:
Fixed annuities account balance, beginning of period (1)
$
5,939
$
6,423
Premiums received
86
126
Transfers from WAYS conversions
207
229
Surrenders and withdrawals
(49)
(59)
Benefit payments
(373)
(419)
Interest credited
42
53
Foreign currency translation and other
(38)
(414)
Fixed annuities account balance, end of period
5,814
5,939
Other deposit type reserves
281
230
Total
$
6,095
$
6,169
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities
The following table presents other policyholders’ funds balances by range of guaranteed crediting rates.
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Range of Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rates (2)
At Guaranteed Minimum
Cash Surrender Value
Range of Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rates (2)
At Guaranteed Minimum
Cash Surrender Value
Fixed annuities (1)
0.5% - 2.2%
$5,814
$5,734
0.5% - 2.3%
$5,939
$5,850
(1) Aflac Japan fixed annuities
(2) Weighted-average crediting rate of 1.5% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Aflac Japan’s fixed annuities have guaranteed fixed crediting rates which results in the policyholders' funds balances being able to cover all guaranteed benefit amounts. The reserves are adequate to fully fund future benefits at any given time.
For additional information on policy liabilities, see Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
8. REINSURANCE
The Company periodically enters into fixed quota-share coinsurance agreements in the normal course of business, primarily to provide additional capacity for future growth, optimize capital, limit losses, and minimize exposure to significant risks. For each of its reinsurance agreements, the Company determines whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. For additional information on reinsurance, see Notes 1 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
65
The following table reconciles direct earned premiums, direct benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement gains and losses, and reserve remeasurement gains and losses to net amounts after the effect of reinsurance.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Direct earned premiums
$
3,360
$
3,524
$
10,194
$
10,885
Ceded to other companies:
Ceded Aflac Japan closed blocks
(32)
(75)
(97)
(240)
Other
(39)
(24)
(109)
(69)
Assumed from other companies:
Retrocession activities
28
33
84
96
Other
11
18
37
65
Net earned premiums
$
3,328
$
3,476
$
10,109
$
10,737
Direct benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement
$
2,024
$
2,106
$
6,101
$
6,545
Ceded benefits and change in reserves for future benefits:
Ceded Aflac Japan closed blocks
(16)
(71)
(51)
(222)
Other
(20)
(7)
(53)
(29)
Assumed from other companies:
Retrocession activities
17
29
42
90
Other
(2)
8
3
36
Benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement
$
2,003
$
2,065
$
6,042
$
6,420
Direct reserve remeasurement (gains) losses
$
(407)
$
(219)
$
(515)
$
(327)
Ceded reserve remeasurement gains (losses)
(1)
14
0
15
Reserve remeasurement (gains) losses
$
(408)
$
(205)
$
(515)
$
(312)
Total benefits and claims, net
$
1,595
$
1,860
$
5,527
$
6,108
The Company has recorded a deferred reinsurance gain liability related to reinsurance transactions which represents ceded reserves in excess of consideration paid, or consideration received in excess of assumed reserves. The remaining consolidated deferred reinsurance gain liability of $165 million and $175 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, is included in future policy benefits in the consolidated balance sheets and is being amortized into income over the expected lives of the policies.
The Company has also recorded a reinsurance recoverable for reinsurance transactions. The reinsurance recoverable, which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, is reported net of allowance for credit losses and had a remaining balance of $183 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses related to the Company's reinsurance recoverable balance was $4 million and $10 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The credit allowance for the reinsurance recoverable balance is estimated using a PD / LGD method and the key credit quality indicator is the credit rating of the Company’s reinsurance counterparty. The Company uses external credit ratings focused on the reinsurer’s financial strength and credit worthiness. As of September 30, 2024, the Company's reinsurance counterparties were rated A+. The Company monitors the credit ratings periodically, but not less frequently than quarterly.
These reinsurance transactions are indemnity reinsurance that do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. In the event that the reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations, the Company remains liable for the reinsured claims.
Internal Reinsurance Transactions
Aflac Re is a Bermuda domiciled insurer that reinsures certain policies issued by ALIJ. The inter-segment amounts associated with these internal reinsurance transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
66
9. NOTES PAYABLE AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
A summary of notes payable and lease obligations follows:
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
1.125% senior sustainability notes due March 2026
$
399
$
398
2.875% senior notes due October 2026
299
299
3.60% senior notes due April 2030
994
993
6.90% senior notes due December 2039
221
221
6.45% senior notes due August 2040
254
254
4.00% senior notes due October 2046
394
394
4.750% senior notes due January 2049
542
542
Yen-denominated senior notes and subordinated debentures:
.300% senior notes due September 2025 (principal amount ¥12.4 billion)
87
87
.932% senior notes due January 2027 (principal amount ¥60.0 billion)
419
422
1.048% senior notes due March 2029 (principal amount ¥13.0 billion)
91
0
1.075% senior notes due September 2029 (principal amount ¥33.4 billion)
233
234
.500% senior notes due December 2029 (principal amount ¥12.6 billion)
88
88
.550% senior notes due March 2030 (principal amount ¥13.3 billion)
93
93
1.159% senior notes due October 2030 (principal amount ¥29.3 billion)
204
206
1.412% senior notes due March 2031 (principal amount ¥27.9 billion)
195
0
.633% senior notes due April 2031 (principal amount ¥30.0 billion)
209
211
.843% senior notes due December 2031 (principal amount ¥9.3 billion)
65
65
.750% senior notes due March 2032 (principal amount ¥20.7 billion)
144
145
1.320% senior notes due December 2032 (principal amount ¥21.1 billion)
147
148
.844% senior notes due April 2033 (principal amount ¥12.0 billion)
84
84
1.488% senior notes due October 2033 (principal amount ¥15.2 billion)
106
106
1.682% senior notes due March 2034 (principal amount ¥7.7 billion)
54
0
1.600% senior notes due March 2034 (principal amount ¥18.3 billion)
127
0
.934% senior notes due December 2034 (principal amount ¥9.8 billion)
68
69
.830% senior notes due March 2035 (principal amount ¥10.6 billion)
74
74
1.740% senior notes due March 2036 (principal amount ¥15.0 billion)
104
0
1.039% senior notes due April 2036 (principal amount ¥10.0 billion)
69
70
1.594% senior notes due September 2037 (principal amount ¥6.5 billion)
45
45
1.750% senior notes due October 2038 (principal amount ¥8.9 billion)
62
62
1.920% senior notes due March 2039 (principal amount ¥16.5 billion)
114
0
1.122% senior notes due December 2039 (principal amount ¥6.3 billion)
44
44
1.264% senior notes due April 2041 (principal amount ¥10.0 billion)
69
70
2.160% senior notes due March 2044 (principal amount ¥5.7 billion)
40
0
2.108% subordinated debentures due October 2047 (principal amount ¥60.0 billion)
416
419
.963% subordinated bonds paid April 2024 (principal amount ¥30.0 billion)
0
211
1.560% senior notes due April 2051 (principal amount ¥20.0 billion)
139
140
2.144% senior notes due September 2052 (principal amount ¥12.0 billion)
83
84
1.958% subordinated bonds due December 2053 (principal amount ¥30.0 billion)
209
210
2.400% senior notes due March 2054 (principal amount ¥19.5 billion)
135
0
Yen-denominated loans:
Variable interest rate loan due August 2027 (.72% in 2024 and .35% in 2023,
principal amount ¥11.7 billion)
82
82
Variable interest rate loan due August 2029 (.82% in 2024 and .45% in 2023,
principal amount ¥25.3 billion)
177
178
Variable interest rate loan due August 2032 (.97% in 2024 and .60% in 2023,
principal amount ¥70.0 billion)
489
492
Finance lease obligations payable through 2030
5
6
Operating lease obligations payable through 2049
105
118
Total notes payable and lease obligations
$
7,978
$
7,364
Amounts in the table above are reported net of debt issuance costs and issuance premiums or discounts, if applicable, that are being amortized over the life of the notes.
67
In April 2024, ALIJ redeemed ¥30.0 billion of its .963% subordinated bonds due April 2049.
In March 2024, the Parent Company issued five series of senior notes totaling ¥75.0 billion through a private placement. The first series, which totaled ¥18.3 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.600% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2034. The second series, which totaled ¥15.0 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.740% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2036. The third series, which totaled ¥16.5 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.920% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2039. The fourth series, which totaled ¥5.7 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.160% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2044. The fifth series, which totaled ¥19.5 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.400% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2054. These notes are redeemable at the Parent Company's option (i) in whole at any time or (ii) in part from time to time in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the notes to be redeemed.
In March 2024, the Parent Company issued three series of senior notes totaling ¥48.6 billion through a public debt offering under its U.S. shelf registration statement. The first series, which totaled ¥13.0 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.048% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2029. The second series, which totaled ¥27.9 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.412% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2031. The third series, which totaled ¥7.7 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.682% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2034. These notes are redeemable at the Parent Company’s option at any time, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain changes affecting U.S. taxation, as specified in the indenture governing the terms of the issuance. In addition, the notes maturing in March 2029, March 2031 and March 2034 are redeemable at the Parent Company's option, in whole or in part from time to time, on or after December 21, 2028, December 31, 2030 and September 21, 2033, respectively, at a redemption price equal to the aggregate principal amount of the applicable series to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
Interest expense related to the Company's notes payable, which is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of earnings, was $49 million and $48 million for the three-month periods and $145 million and $144 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
68
A summary of the Company's lines of credit as of September 30, 2024 follows:
Borrower(s)
Type
Term
Expiration Date
Capacity
Amount Outstanding
Interest Rate on Borrowed Amount
Maturity Period
Commitment Fee
Business Purpose
Aflac Incorporated and Aflac
uncommitted bilateral
364 days
December 6, 2024
$100 million
$0 million
The rate quoted by the bank and agreed upon at the time of borrowing
Up to 3 months
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Incorporated
unsecured revolving
5 years
May 9, 2027, or the date commitments are terminated pursuant to an event of default
¥100.0 billion
¥0.0 billion
A rate per annum equal to (a) Tokyo Interbank Market Rate (TIBOR) plus, the alternative applicable TIBOR margin during the availability period from the closing date to the commitment termination date or (b) the TIBOR rate offered by the agent to major banks in yen for the applicable period plus, the applicable alternative TIBOR margin during the term out period
No later than May 10, 2027
.28% to .45%, depending on the Parent Company's debt ratings as of the date of determination
General corporate purposes, including a capital contingency plan for the operations of the Parent Company
Aflac Incorporated and Aflac
unsecured revolving
5 years
November 15, 2027, or the date commitments are terminated pursuant to an event of default
$1.0 billion
$0.0 billion
A rate per annum equal to, at the Company's option, either, (a) Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings or TIBOR for Japanese yen-denominated borrowings, in either case adjusted for certain costs, or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (2) the rate of interest for such day announced by the agent as its prime rate, or (3) SOFR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin
No later than November 15, 2027
.08% to
.20%, depending on the Parent Company's debt ratings as of the date of determination
General corporate purposes, including a capital contingency plan for the operations of the Parent Company
Aflac Incorporated and Aflac
uncommitted bilateral
None specified
None specified
$50 million
$0 million
A rate per annum equal to, at the Parent Company's option, either (a) a rate determined by reference to SOFR for the interest period relevant to such borrowing or (b) the base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the lender's USD short-term commercial loan rate and (2) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%
Up to 3 months
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$250 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 75 basis points per annum
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Incorporated(1)
(Tranche 1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
November 25, 2024
¥50.0 billion
¥0.0 billion
Three-month yen TIBOR plus 75 basis points per annum
No later than November 26, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Incorporated(1)
(Tranche 2)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
November 25, 2024
¥50.0 billion
¥0.0 billion
Three-month yen TIBOR plus 75 basis points per annum
No later than November 26, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac New York(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$25 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 75 basis points per annum
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
CAIC(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$15 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 75 basis points per annum
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
(1) Intercompany credit agreement
(continued)
69
Borrower(s)
Type
Term
Expiration Date
Capacity
Amount Outstanding
Interest Rate on Borrowed Amount
Maturity Period
Commitment Fee
Business Purpose
TOIC(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$0.3 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 75 basis points per annum
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac GI Holdings LLC(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$30 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 75 basis points per annum
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Incorporated(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$400 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 97 basis points per annum for U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings or three-month TIBOR plus 97 basis points per annum for Japanese yen-denominated borrowings
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Re(1)
uncommitted revolving
364 days
December 2, 2024
$400 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 68 basis points per annum for U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings or three-month TIBOR plus 68 basis points per annum for Japanese yen-denominated borrowings
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Asset Management LLC(1)
uncommitted revolving
214 days
December 2, 2024
$25 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 68 basis points per annum for U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings or three-month TIBOR plus 68 basis points per annum for Japanese yen-denominated borrowings
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
Aflac Global Ventures LLC(1)
uncommitted revolving
214 days
December 2, 2024
$2 million
$0 million
Three-month term SOFR plus a 10 basis point SOFR adjustment and an additional 68 basis points per annum for U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings or three-month TIBOR plus 68 basis points per annum for Japanese yen-denominated borrowings
No later than December 3, 2024
None
General corporate purposes
(1) Intercompany credit agreement
The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of its notes payable and lines of credit at September 30, 2024. No events of default or defaults occurred during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024.
For additional information, see Notes 4 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
70
10. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The following table is a reconciliation of the number of shares of the Company's common stock for the nine-month periods ended September 30.
(In thousands of shares)
2024
2023
Common stock - issued:
Balance, beginning of period
1,355,398
1,354,079
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares
1,294
1,233
Balance, end of period
1,356,692
1,355,312
Treasury stock:
Balance, beginning of period
776,919
738,823
Purchases of treasury stock:
Share repurchase program
23,446
30,199
Other
491
360
Dispositions of treasury stock:
Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan
(594)
(707)
Exercise of stock options
(99)
(81)
Other
(188)
(179)
Balance, end of period
799,975
768,415
Shares outstanding, end of period
556,717
586,897
Outstanding share-based awards are excluded from the calculation of weighted-average shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share (EPS). The following table presents the approximate number of share-based awards to purchase shares, on a weighted-average basis, that were considered to be anti-dilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the following periods.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Anti-dilutive share-based awards
0
0
23
68
Share Repurchase Program
During the first nine months of 2024, the Company repurchased 23.4 million shares of its common stock for $2.1 billion as part of its share repurchase program. During the first nine months of 2023, the Company repurchased 30.2 million shares of its common stock for $2.1 billion as part of its share repurchase program. As of September 30, 2024, a remaining balance of 54.3 million shares of the Company's common stock was available for purchase under share repurchase authorizations by its board of directors.
71
Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The tables below are reconciliations of accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the following periods.
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Fixed Maturity Securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives
Effect of Changes in Discount Rate Assumptions
Pension Liability Adjustment
Total
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
(3,564)
$
(702)
$
(27)
$
(2,100)
$
(36)
$
(6,429)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
(920)
398
0
1,234
52
764
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
0
(99)
3
0
1
(95)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
(920)
299
3
1,234
53
669
Balance at September 30, 2023
$
(4,484)
$
(403)
$
(24)
$
(866)
$
17
$
(5,760)
All amounts in the table above are net of tax.
73
The tables below summarize the amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings for the following periods.
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
(In millions)
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
$
53
Net investment gains (losses)
(11)
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
42
Net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$
(1)
Net investment gains (losses)
0
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
(1)
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Actuarial gains (losses)
$
0
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
Prior service (cost) credit
0
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
0
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
0
Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
$
41
Net of tax
(1) Based on 21% tax rate
(2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 12 for additional details).
(In millions)
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
$
41
Net investment gains (losses)
(9)
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
32
Net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$
(1)
Net investment gains (losses)
0
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
(1)
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Actuarial gains (losses)
$
0
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
Prior service (cost) credit
0
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
0
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
0
Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
$
31
Net of tax
(1) Based on 21% tax rate
(2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 12 for additional details).
74
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
$
271
Net investment gains (losses)
(57)
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
214
Net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$
(3)
Net investment gains (losses)
1
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
(2)
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Actuarial gains (losses)
$
1
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
Prior service (cost) credit
0
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
0
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
1
Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
$
213
Net of tax
(1)Based on 21% tax rate
(2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 12 for additional details).
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
$
125
Net investment gains (losses)
(26)
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
99
Net of tax
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$
(3)
Net investment gains (losses)
(1)
Net investment income
(4)
Total before tax
1
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
(3)
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Actuarial gains (losses)
$
(1)
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
Prior service (cost) credit
0
Acquisition and operating expenses(2)
0
Tax (expense) or benefit(1)
$
(1)
Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
$
95
Net of tax
(1) Based on 21% tax rate
(2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 12 for additional details).
75
11. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
As of September 30, 2024, the Company has outstanding share-based awards under the Aflac Incorporated Long-Term Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated February 14, 2017), as further amended on August 9, 2022 (the Plan). Share-based awards are designed to reward employees for their long-term contributions to the Company and provide incentives for them to remain with the Company. The number and frequency of share-based awards are based on competitive practices, operating results of the Company, government regulations, and other factors.
The Plan allows for a maximum number of shares issuable over its term of 75 million shares including 38 million shares that may be awarded in respect of awards other than options or stock appreciation rights. If any awards granted under the Plan are forfeited or are terminated before being exercised or settled for any reason other than tax forfeiture, then the shares underlying the awards will again be available under the Plan.
The Plan allows awards to Company employees for incentive stock options (ISOs), non-qualifying stock options (NQSOs), restricted stock, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights. Non-employee directors are eligible for grants of NQSOs, restricted stock, and stock appreciation rights. As of September 30, 2024, approximately 33.6 million shares were available for future grants under this plan. The ISOs and NQSOs have a term of 10 years, and the share-based awards generally vest upon time-based conditions or time and performance-based conditions. Time-based vesting generally occurs after three years. Performance-based vesting conditions generally include the attainment of goals related to Company financial performance. As of September 30, 2024, the only performance-based awards issued and outstanding were restricted stock awards and units.
Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the amended Plan have an exercise price of at least the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and have an expiration date no later than 10 years from the grant date. Time-based restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options generally vest on a ratable basis over three years. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has the discretion to determine vesting schedules.
Share-based awards granted to U.S.-based grantees are settled with authorized but unissued Company stock, while those issued to Japan-based grantees are settled with treasury shares.
The following table provides information on stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2024.
Stock Option Shares (in thousands)
Weighted-Average Remaining Term (in years)
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding
688
1.8
$
54
$
33.65
Exercisable
688
1.8
54
33.65
The Company received cash from the exercise of stock options in the amount of $11 million and $13 million during the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The tax benefit realized as a result of stock option exercises and restricted stock releases was $28 million in the first nine months of 2024, compared with $20 million in the first nine months of 2023.
As of September 30, 2024, total compensation cost not yet recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements related to restricted stock awards and units was $46 million, of which $22 million (1.8 million shares) was related to restricted stock awards and units with a performance-based vesting condition. The Company expects to recognize these amounts over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years. There are no other contractual terms covering restricted stock awards once vested.
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024.
(In thousands of shares)
Shares
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Restricted stock at December 31, 2023
2,308
$
62.96
Granted in 2024
1,278
80.54
Canceled in 2024
(40)
74.71
Vested in 2024
(1,449)
47.05
Restricted stock at September 30, 2024
2,097
$
73.44
76
In February 2024, the Company granted 303 thousand performance-based stock awards and units, which are contingent on the achievement of the Company's financial performance metrics and its market-based conditions. On the date of grant, the Company estimated the fair value of restricted stock awards and units with market-based conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The model discounts the value of the stock at the assumed vesting date based on the risk-free interest rate. Based on estimates of actual performance versus the vesting thresholds, the calculated fair value percentage payout estimate will be updated each quarter.
The Company uses third-party analyses to assist in developing the assumptions used in, as well as calibrating, a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Company is responsible for determining the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of its share-based payment awards.
For additional information on the Company's long-term share-based compensation plans and the types of share-based awards, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2023 Annual Report.
12. BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has funded defined benefit plans in Japan and the U.S.; however, future benefits under the U.S. plan were frozen effective January 1, 2024, which resulted in the Company recognizing a curtailment gain of $49 million in the second quarter of 2023. As part of the U.S. plan freeze, the Company offered lump sum payments to certain participants. The lump sum payments are expected to be distributed in November 2024, and the Company expects to recognize an immaterial settlement charge in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to the payments being greater than the settlement threshold. U.S. employees, including those that participated in the U.S. plan prior to the freeze, currently receive a nonelective 401(k) employer contribution.
The Company also maintains non-qualified, unfunded supplemental retirement plans that provide defined pension benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law for certain Japanese, U.S. and former employees. However, future benefits under the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Retirement Plan for Senior Officers were frozen effective January 1, 2024, provided that actively employed participants may continue to accrue service toward eligibility for early retirement benefits or delayed early retirement benefits.
The Company provides certain health care benefits for eligible U.S. retired employees, their beneficiaries and covered dependents (other postretirement benefits). The health care plan is contributory and unfunded. Effective January 1, 2014, employees eligible for benefits included the following: (1) active employees whose age plus service, in years, equaled or exceeded 80 (rule of 80); (2) active employees who were age 55 or older and have met the 15 years of service requirement; (3) active employees who would meet the rule of 80 in the next five years; (4) active employees who were age 55 or older and who would meet the 15 years of service requirement within the next five years; and (5) current retirees. For certain employees and former employees, additional coverage is provided for all medical expenses for life.
Pension and other postretirement benefit expenses are included in acquisition and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings, which includes other components of net periodic pension cost and postretirement costs (other than service costs) of $3 million and $2 million for the three-month periods and $7 million and $(41) million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total net periodic benefit cost includes the following components:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Pension Benefits
Other
Japan
U.S.
Postretirement Benefits
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
$
3
$
4
$
0
$
0
$
0
$
0
Interest cost
2
2
9
10
1
0
Expected return on plan assets
(2)
(2)
(7)
(8)
0
0
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss
0
0
0
0
0
0
Curtailment (gain) loss
0
0
0
0
0
0
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
3
$
4
$
2
$
2
$
1
$
0
77
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Pension Benefits
Other
Japan
U.S.
Postretirement Benefits
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
$
10
$
11
$
0
$
7
$
0
$
0
Interest cost
6
6
28
31
1
1
Expected return on plan assets
(5)
(5)
(22)
(26)
0
0
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss
0
0
(1)
0
0
1
Curtailment (gain) loss
0
0
0
(49)
0
0
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)
$
11
$
12
$
5
$
(37)
$
1
$
2
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Aflac Japan contributed approximately $18 million (using the weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024) to the Japanese funded defined benefit plan, and Aflac U.S. did not make a contribution to the U.S. funded defined benefit plan.
For additional information regarding the Company's Japanese and U.S. benefit plans, see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
In the second quarter of 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with an information technology and data services company to provide cloud hosting services for the Company. As of September 30, 2024, the agreement has a remaining term of three years with an aggregate remaining cost of $58 million.
In the second quarter of 2024, the Company renewed an outsourcing agreement with a technology and consulting company that provides for mainframe computer operations, distributed mid-range server computer operations, and related support for Aflac Japan. As of September 30, 2024, the agreement has a remaining term of four years with an aggregate remaining cost of ¥45.6 billion ($320 million using the September 30, 2024 exchange rate).
In the second quarter of 2024, the Company entered into an outsourcing agreement with a management consulting and technology services company to provide policy administration services for Aflac Japan. As of September 30, 2024, the agreement has a remaining term of four years with an aggregate remaining cost of ¥6.8 billion ($48 million using the September 30, 2024 exchange rate).
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits and receives various regulatory inquiries considered to be in the normal course of business. Members of the Company's senior legal and financial management teams review litigation and regulatory inquiries on a quarterly and annual basis. The final results of any litigation or regulatory inquiries cannot be predicted with certainty. Although some of this litigation is pending in states where large punitive damages, bearing little relation to the actual damages sustained by plaintiffs, have been awarded in recent years, the Company believes the outcome of pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
See Note 3 for details on certain investment commitments.
Guaranty Fund Assessments
The U.S. insurance industry has a policyholder protection system that is monitored and regulated by state insurance departments. These life and health insurance guaranty associations are state entities (in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) created to protect policyholders of an insolvent insurance company. All insurance companies (with limited exceptions) licensed to sell life or health insurance in a state must be members of that state’s guaranty association. Under state guaranty association laws, certain insurance companies can be assessed (up to prescribed limits) for certain obligations to the policyholders and claimants of impaired or insolvent insurance companies that write the same line or similar lines of business.
Guaranty fund assessments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were immaterial.
78
For additional information regarding commitments and contingent liabilities, see Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In October 2024, the Company received Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) approval for Aflac Re and ALIJ to enter into a coinsurance transaction whereby ALIJ will cede 30% of the liabilities associated with certain cancer insurance policies and riders to Aflac Re. The Company intends to execute this transaction in the fourth quarter of 2024. This transaction is expected to transfer approximately ¥275 billion of reserves associated with these policies and is expected to also include the transfer of assets by ALIJ to Aflac Re to support these reserves. This internal reinsurance transaction will have no financial statement impact on a consolidated basis, except for the effect of foreign currency accounting.
79
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent Company, the Company) desire to take advantage of these provisions. This report contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected herein, and in any other statements made by Company officials in communications with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as the ones listed below or similar words, as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
• expect
• anticipate
• believe
• goal
• objective
• may
• should
• estimate
• intends
• projects
• will
• assumes
• potential
• target
• outlook
The Company cautions readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements:
•difficult conditions in global capital markets and the economy, including inflation
•defaults and credit downgrades of investments
•global fluctuations in interest rates and exposure to significant interest rate risk
•concentration of business in Japan
•limited availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments
•foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate
•differing interpretations applied to investment valuations
•significant valuation judgments in determination of expected credit losses recorded on the Company's investments
•decreases in the Company's financial strength or debt ratings
•decline in creditworthiness of other financial institutions
•the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates, brokers, employees, and distribution partners
•deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions
•ability to continue to develop and implement improvements in information technology systems and on successful execution of revenue growth and expense management initiatives
•interruption in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality, integrity or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems
•subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to the Parent Company
•inherent limitations to risk management policies and procedures
•operational risks of third-party vendors
•tax rates applicable to the Company may change
•failure to comply with restrictions on policyholder privacy and information security
•extensive regulation and changes in law or regulation by governmental authorities
•competitive environment and ability to anticipate and respond to market trends
•catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, as a result of climate change, epidemics, pandemics, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, war or other military action, major public health issues, terrorism or other acts of violence, and damage incidental to such events
•ability to protect the Aflac brand and the Company's reputation
•ability to effectively manage key executive succession
•changes in accounting standards
•level and outcome of litigation or regulatory inquiries
•allegations or determinations of worker misclassification in the United States
80
MD&A OVERVIEW
MD&A is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of Aflac Incorporated and its subsidiaries for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. As a result, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes that are included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2023 Annual Report). In this MD&A, amounts may not foot due to rounding.
Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) provide financial protection to millions of policyholders and customers in Japan and the United States (U.S.). The Company’s principal business is supplemental health and life insurance products with the goal to provide customers the best value in supplemental insurance products in Japan and the U.S. The Company's insurance business consists of two reporting segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Parent Company’s primary insurance subsidiaries are Aflac Life Insurance Japan Ltd. in Japan (Aflac Japan) and American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac); Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC), branded as Aflac Group Insurance (AGI); American Family Life Assurance Company of New York (Aflac New York); Tier One Insurance Company (TOIC) and Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. (ABS), which provides a platform for Aflac Dental and Vision in the U.S. (collectively, Aflac U.S.). The Parent Company, other operating business units that are not individually reportable, reinsurance activities, including internal reinsurance activity with Aflac Re Bermuda Ltd. (Aflac Re), and other business activities not included in Aflac Japan or Aflac U.S., as well as intercompany eliminations, are included in Corporate and other.
Performance Highlights
Total revenues were $2.9 billion in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $5.0 billion in the third quarter of 2023. Net earnings were $(93) million, or $(.17) per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $1.6 billion, or $2.64 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to increased foreign exchange-related losses from the yen strengthening by 12.9% during the quarter.
Total revenues were $13.5 billion in the first nine months of 2024, compared with $14.9 billion in the first nine months of 2023. Net earnings were $3.5 billion, or $6.23 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2024, compared with $4.4 billion, or $7.28 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2023.
Results in the third quarter of 2024 included pretax net investment losses of $1.4 billion, compared with pretax net investment gains of $423 million in the third quarter of 2023. Net investment losses in the third quarter of 2024 included an increase in credit loss allowances of $141 million; $1.4 billion of net losses from certain derivative and foreign currency gains or losses; $13 million of net gains on equity securities; and $105 million of net gains from sales and redemptions.
Results in the first nine months of 2024 included pretax net investment gains of $239 million, compared with pretax net investment gains of $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2023. Net investment gains in the first nine months of 2024 included an increase in credit loss allowances of $161 million; $33 million of net losses from certain derivative and foreign currency gains or losses; $100 million of net gains on equity securities; and $333 million of net gains from sales and redemptions.
The average yen/dollar exchange rate(1) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024 was 147.95, or 2.0% weaker than the average yen/dollar exchange rate(1) of 144.97 for the same period in 2023. The average yen/dollar exchange rate(1) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 was 150.60, or 8.1% weaker than the average yen/dollar exchange rate(1) of 138.38 for the same period in 2023.
Adjusted earnings(2) in the third quarter of 2024 were $1.2 billion, or $2.16 per diluted share, compared with $1.1 billion, or $1.84 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023. The weaker yen/dollar exchange rate negatively impacted adjusted earnings per diluted share by $.03. Adjusted earnings(2) in the first nine months of 2024 were $3.2 billion, or $5.64 per diluted share, compared with $3.0 billion, or $4.97 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2023. The weaker yen/dollar exchange rate negatively impacted adjusted earnings per diluted share by $.17.
In the first nine months of 2024, Aflac Incorporated repurchased $2.1 billion, or 23.4 million of its common shares as part of its share repurchase program. At September 30, 2024, the Company had 54.3 million remaining shares authorized for repurchase.
Shareholders’ equity was $24.8 billion, or $44.60 per share, at September 30, 2024, compared with $22.0 billion, or $38.00 per share, at December 31, 2023. Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2024 included a cumulative decrease of $67 million from the effect of changes in discount rate assumptions on insurance contracts, compared with a corresponding cumulative decrease of $2.6 billion at December 31, 2023, and a net unrealized gain on investment securities and derivatives of $537 million, compared with a net unrealized gain of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2023. Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2024 also included an unrealized foreign currency translation lossof $4.1 billion, compared with an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $4.1 billion at December 31, 2023. The annualized return on average shareholders’ equity in the third quarter of 2024 was (1.5)%.
82
Shareholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)(2) (adjusted book value) was $28.5 billion, or $51.21 per share, at September 30, 2024, compared with $27.5 billion, or $47.55 per share, at December 31, 2023. The annualized adjusted return on equity (ROE) excluding foreign currencyimpact(2) in the third quarter of 2024 was 17.0%.
(1) Yen/U.S. dollar exchange rates are based on the published MUFG Bank, Ltd. telegraphic transfer middle rate (TTM).
(2) See the Results of Operations section of this MD&A for a definition of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company earns its revenues principally from insurance premiums and investments. The Company’s operating expenses primarily consist of insurance benefits provided and reserves established for anticipated future insurance benefits, general business expenses, commissions and other costs of selling and servicing its products. Profitability for the Company depends principally on its ability to price its insurance products at a level that enables the Company to earn a margin over the costs associated with providing benefits and administering those products. Profitability also depends on, among other items, actuarial and policyholder behavior experience on insurance products, and the Company's ability to attract and retain customer assets, generate and maintain favorable investment results, effectively deploy capital and utilize tax capacity, and manage expenses.
This document includes references to the Company’s financial performance measures which are not calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) (non-U.S. GAAP). The financial measures exclude items that the Company believes may obscure the underlying fundamentals and trends in insurance operations because they tend to be driven by general economic conditions and events or related to infrequent activities not directly associated with insurance operations.
Due to the size of Aflac Japan, where the functional currency is the Japanese yen, fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on reported results. In periods when the yen weakens, translating yen into dollars results in fewer dollars being reported. When the yen strengthens, translating yen into dollars results in more dollars being reported. Consequently, yen weakening has the effect of suppressing current period results in relation to the comparable prior period, while yen strengthening has the effect of magnifying current period results in relation to the comparable prior period. A significant portion of the Company’s business is conducted in yen and never converted into dollars but translated into dollars for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes, which results in foreign currency impact to earnings, cash flows and book value on a U.S. GAAP basis. Management evaluates the Company's financial performance both including and excluding the impact of foreign currency translation to monitor, respectively, cumulative currency impacts and the currency-neutral operating performance over time. The average yen/dollar exchange rate is based on the published MUFG Bank, Ltd. telegraphic transfer middle rate (TTM).
The Company defines the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures included in this document as follows:
•Adjusted earnings are adjusted revenues less benefits and adjusted expenses. Adjusted earnings per share (basic or diluted) are the adjusted earnings for the period divided by the weighted average outstanding shares (basic or diluted) for the period presented. The adjustments to both revenues and expenses account for certain items that are outside of management’s control because they tend to be driven by general economic conditions and events or are related to infrequent activities not directly associated with insurance operations. Adjusted revenues are U.S. GAAP total revenues excluding adjusted net investment gains and losses. Adjusted expenses are U.S. GAAP total acquisition and operating expenses including the impact of interest from derivatives associated with notes payable but excluding any non-recurring or other items not associated with the normal course of the Company’s insurance operations and that do not reflect the Company's underlying business performance. Management uses adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share to evaluate the financial performance of the Company’s insurance operations on a consolidated basis and believes that a presentation of these financial measures is vitally important to an understanding of the underlying profitability drivers and trends of the Company’s insurance business. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share (basic or diluted) are net earnings and net earnings per share, respectively.
•Adjusted net investment gains and losses are net investment gains and losses adjusted for i) amortized hedge cost/income related to foreign currency exposure management strategies and certain derivative activity, ii) net interest income/expense from foreign currency and interest rate derivatives associated with certain investment strategies, which are both reclassified to net investment income, and iii) the impact of interest from derivatives associated with notes payable, which is reclassified to interest expense as a component of total adjusted expenses. The Company considers adjusted net investment gains and losses important as it represents the
83
remainder amount that is considered outside management’s control, while excluding the components that are within management’s control and are accordingly reclassified to net investment income and interest expense. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for adjusted net investment gains and losses is net investment gains and losses.
•Amortized hedge costs/income represent costs/income incurred or recognized as a result of using foreign currency derivatives to hedge certain foreign exchange risks in the Company's Japan segment or in Corporate and other. These amortized hedge costs/income are estimated at the inception of the derivatives based on the specific terms of each contract and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the derivative. The Company believes that amortized hedge costs/income measure the periodic currency risk management costs/income related to hedging certain foreign currency exchange risks and are an important component of net investment income. There is no comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for amortized hedge costs/income.
•Adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact are computed using the average foreign currency exchange rate for the comparable prior-year period, which eliminates fluctuations driven solely by foreign currency exchange rate changes. Adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding current period foreign currency impact is adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact divided by the weighted average outstanding diluted shares for the period presented. The Company considers adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact and adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding current period foreign currency impact important because a significant portion of the Company's business is conducted in Japan and foreign exchange rates are outside management’s control; therefore, the Company believes it is important to understand the impact of translating foreign currency (primarily Japanese yen) into U.S. dollars. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact and adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding current period foreign currency impact are net earnings and net earnings per share, respectively.
•Adjusted book value is the U.S. GAAP book value (representing total shareholders’ equity), less AOCI as recorded on the U.S. GAAP balance sheet. Adjusted book value per common share is adjusted book value at the period end divided by the ending outstanding common shares for the period presented. The Company considers adjusted book value and adjusted book value per common share important as they exclude AOCI, which fluctuates due to market movements that are outside management’s control. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted book value and adjusted book value per common share are total book value and total book value per common share, respectively.
•Adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact is adjusted earnings excluding the current period foreign currency impact divided by average shareholders’ equity, excluding AOCI. The Company considers adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact important as it excludes changes in foreign currency and components of AOCI, which fluctuate due to market movements that are outside management's control. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact is return on average equity (ROE) as determined using net earnings and average total shareholders’ equity.
•U.S. dollar-denominated investment income excluding foreign currency impact represents amounts excluding foreign currency impact on U.S. dollar-denominated investment income using the average foreign currency exchange rate for the comparable prior year period. The Company considers U.S. dollar-denominated investment income excluding foreign currency impact important as it eliminates the impact of foreign currency changes on the Aflac Japan segment results, which are outside management’s control. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for U.S. dollar-denominated investment income excluding foreign currency impact is the corresponding net investment income amount from the U.S. dollar denominated investments translated to yen.
84
The following table is a reconciliation of items impacting adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures of net earnings and net earnings per diluted share, respectively.
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted Earnings
In Millions
Per Diluted Share
In Millions
Per Diluted Share
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net earnings
$
(93)
$
1,569
$
(.17)
$
2.64
$
3,541
$
4,391
$
6.23
$
7.28
Items impacting net earnings:
Adjusted net investment (gains) losses (1)
1,347
(504)
2.40
(.85)
(411)
(1,363)
(.72)
(2.26)
Other and non-recurring (income) loss
0
(3)
.00
(.01)
1
(38)
.00
(.06)
Income tax (benefit) expense on items excluded from adjusted earning
(43)
33
(.08)
.06
76
12
.13
.02
Adjusted earnings
1,211
1,095
2.16
1.84
3,207
3,001
5.64
4.97
Current period foreign currency impact (2)
16
N/A
.03
N/A
97
N/A
.17
N/A
Adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact
$
1,228
$
1,095
$
2.19
$
1.84
$
3,304
$
3,001
$
5.81
$
4.97
(1) See reconciliation of net investment (gains) losses to adjusted net investment (gains) losses below.
(2) Prior period foreign currency impact reflected as “N/A” to isolate change for current period only.
Reconciling Items
Net Investment Gains and Losses
Reconciliation of Net Investment (Gains) Losses to Adjusted Net Investment (Gains) Losses
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net investment (gains) losses
$
1,408
$
(423)
$
(239)
$
(1,101)
Items impacting net investment (gains) losses:
Amortized hedge costs
(7)
(26)
(19)
(148)
Amortized hedge income
25
25
87
92
Net interest income (expense) from derivatives associated
with certain investment strategies
(88)
(90)
(265)
(239)
Impact of interest from derivatives associated with notes payable
8
10
25
33
Adjusted net investment (gains) losses
$
1,347
$
(504)
$
(411)
$
(1,363)
The Company's investment strategy is to invest primarily in fixed maturity securities to provide a reliable stream of investment income, which is one of the drivers of the Company’s profitability. This investment strategy incorporates asset-liability matching (ALM) to align the expected cash flows of the portfolio to the needs of the Company's liability structure. The Company does not purchase securities with the intent of generating investment gains or losses. However, investment gains and losses may be realized as a result of changes in the financial markets and the creditworthiness of specific issuers, tax planning strategies, and/or general portfolio management and rebalancing. The realization of investment gains and losses is independent of the underwriting and administration of the Company's insurance products.
Net investment gains and losses excluded from adjusted earnings include the following:
•Securities Transactions
•Credit Losses
•Changes in the Fair Value of Equity Securities
•Certain Derivative and Foreign Currency Activities.
85
Securities Transactions, Credit Losses and Changes in the Fair Value of Equity Securities
Securities transactions include gains and losses from sales and redemptions of investments where the amount received is different from the amortized cost of the investment. Credit losses include losses for held-to-maturity fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, loan receivables, loan commitments and reinsurance recoverables. Changes in the fair value of equity securities are the result of gains or losses driven by fluctuations in market prices.
Certain Derivative and Foreign Currency Activities
The Company's derivative activities include:
•foreign currency forwards and options used in hedging foreign exchange risk on U.S. dollar-denominated investments in Aflac Japan's portfolio, with options used on a standalone basis and/or in a collar strategy;
•foreign currency forwards and options used to economically hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows denominated in yen and hedge the Company's long term exposure to a weakening yen;
•cross-currency interest rate swaps, also referred to as foreign currency swaps, associated with certain senior notes and subordinated debentures;
•foreign currency swaps that are associated with variable interest entity (VIE) bond purchase commitments, and investments in special-purpose entities, including VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary;
•interest rate swaps used to economically hedge interest rate fluctuations in certain variable-rate investments;
•interest rate swaptions used to hedge changes in the fair value associated with interest rate fluctuations for certain U.S. dollar-denominated available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities; and
•bond purchase commitments at the inception of investments in consolidated VIEs.
Gains and losses are recognized as a result of valuing these derivatives, net of the effects of hedge accounting. The Company also excludes from adjusted earnings the accounting impacts of remeasurement associated with changes in the foreign currency exchange rate.
For additional information regarding net investment gains and losses, including details of reported amounts for the periods presented, see Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other and Non-recurring Items
The U.S. insurance industry has a policyholder protection system that provides funds for the policyholders of insolvent insurers. The system can result in periodic charges to the Company as a result of insolvencies/bankruptcies that occur with other companies in the life insurance industry. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets. These charges neither relate to the ordinary course of the Company’s business nor reflect the Company’s underlying business performance, but result from external situations not controlled by the Company. The Company excludes any charges associated with U.S. guaranty fund assessments and the corresponding tax benefit or expense from adjusted earnings.
In Japan, the government also requires the insurance industry to contribute to a policyholder protection corporation that provides funds for the policyholders of insolvent insurers; however, these costs are calculated and administered differently than in the U.S. In Japan, these costs are not directly related to specific insolvencies or bankruptcies, but are rather a regular operational cost for an insurance company. Based on this structure, the Company does not remove the Japan policyholder protection expenses from adjusted earnings.
The Company considers the costs associated with the early redemption of its debt to be unrelated to the underlying fundamentals and trends in its insurance operations. Additionally, these costs are driven by changes in interest rates subsequent to the issuance of the debt, and the Company considers these interest rate changes to represent economic conditions not directly associated with its insurance operations.
86
In June 2023, the Company amended the U.S. defined benefit plan to freeze future benefits under the plan for all participants effective January 1, 2024, which resulted in the Company recognizing a curtailment gain of approximately $49 million in the second quarter of 2023. The curtailment gain was both unusual and non-recurring and unrelated to other recurring benefit costs associated with the plan; therefore, the Company excluded the curtailment gain from adjusted earnings.
Other items excluded from adjusted earnings also included an impairment for certain finite-lived intangible assets of approximately $11 million in the second quarter of 2023 as a result of the Company exiting the third-party administration business acquired in connection with the purchase of Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. (formerly known as Argus Dental & Vision, Inc.) in 2019. The impairment of these intangible assets was not related to the ongoing operations of the business and occurs infrequently; therefore, the Company excluded the impairment from adjusted earnings.
Income Taxes
The Company's combined U.S. and Japanese effective income tax rate on pretax earnings was 201.8% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared with 13.1% for the same period in 2023. The Company's combined U.S. and Japanese effective income tax rate on pretax earnings was 17.3% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared with 11.7% for the same period in 2023. The combined effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to historic and solar tax credits and the exclusion of foreign currency translation gains and losses held in the Delaware Statutory Trust. For additional information, see the Critical Accounting Estimates - Income Taxes section of Item 7. MD&A in the 2023 Annual Report.
The Company expects that its effective tax rate on adjusted earnings for future periods will be approximately 20%. The effective tax rate continues to be subject to future tax law changes both in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions. See the risk factor entitled "Tax rates applicable to the Company may change" in Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2023 Annual Report for more information.
Foreign Currency Translation
Aflac Japan’s premiums and a significant portion of its investment income are received in yen, and its claims and most expenses are paid in yen. Aflac Japan purchases yen-denominated assets and U.S. dollar-denominated assets, which may be hedged to yen, to support yen-denominated policy liabilities. Yen-denominated income statement accounts are translated to U.S. dollars using the weighted average Japanese yen/U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate for the reporting period, except realized gains and losses on securities transactions which are translated at the exchange rate on the trade date of each transaction. Yen-denominated balance sheet accounts are translated to U.S. dollars using the spot Japanese yen/U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate at the end of the reporting period.
In recent periods, the Japanese yen has weakened against the U.S. dollar. Although the Company is unable to predict the timing or extent of future movements of the Japanese yen/U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate, the Company maintains hedging strategies (see the Hedging Activities section of this MD&A) that are intended to mitigate the impacts of yen fluctuation on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. See the risk factor entitled “The Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate” in Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2023 Annual Report for more information.
87
Reconciliation of Book Value to Adjusted Book Value
The following table is a reconciliation of items impacting adjusted book value and adjusted book value per diluted share to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures of book value and book value per diluted share, respectively.
(In millions, except for share and per-share amounts)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivatives
537
1,117
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
(67)
(2,560)
Pension liability adjustment
(8)
(8)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
(3,677)
(5,520)
Adjusted book value
$
28,507
$
27,505
Number of shares outstanding at end of period
556,717
578,479
U.S. GAAP book value per common share
$
44.60
$
38.00
Items impacting U.S. GAAP book value per common share:
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) per common share
(7.43)
(7.03)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivatives per common share
.96
1.93
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions per common share
(.12)
(4.43)
Pension liability adjustment per common share
(.01)
(.01)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income per common share
(6.60)
(9.54)
Adjusted book value per common share
$
51.21
$
47.55
Reconciliation of Return on Equity to Adjusted Return on Equity
(Excluding the Impact of Foreign Currency)
The following table is a reconciliation of items impacting adjusted return on equity excluding the impact of foreign currency to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure of return on equity.
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
U.S. GAAP return on equity - net earnings (1)
(1.5)
%
29.1
%
Impact of excluding unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)
.3
(4.5)
Impact of excluding unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivatives
.0
.8
Impact of excluding effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
.0
(3.1)
Impact of excluding pension liability adjustment
.0
.0
Impact of excluding accumulated other comprehensive income
.2
(6.8)
U.S. GAAP return on equity less accumulated other comprehensive income
(1.3)
22.3
Differences between adjusted earnings and net earnings (2)
18.0
(6.7)
Adjusted return on equity - reported
16.7
15.6
Impact of foreign currency (3)
(.2)
N/A
Adjusted return on equity, excluding impact of foreign currency
17.0
15.6
(1) U.S. GAAP return on equity is calculated by dividing net earnings (annualized) by average shareholders' equity.
(2) See separate reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted earnings above.
(3) Impact of foreign currency is calculated by restating all foreign currency components of the income statement to the weighted average foreign currency exchange rate for the comparable prior year period. The impact is the difference of the restated adjusted earnings compared to reported adjusted earnings. For comparative purposes, only current period income is restated using the weighted average prior period exchange rate, which eliminates the foreign currency impact for the current period. This allows for equal comparison of this financial measure.
88
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
U.S. GAAP financial reporting requires that a company report financial and descriptive information about operating segments in its annual and interim period financial statements. Furthermore, the Company is required to report a measure of segment profit or loss, certain revenue and expense items, and segment assets. The Company's insurance business consists of two segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. Aflac Japan is the principal contributor to consolidated earnings. In addition, the Parent Company, other business units that are not individually reportable, reinsurance activities, including internal reinsurance activity with Aflac Re, and other business activities not included in Aflac Japan or Aflac U.S., as well as intercompany eliminations, are included in Corporate and other. See Item 1. Business in the 2023 Annual Report for a summary of each segment's products and distribution channels.
Consistent with U.S. GAAP guidance for segment reporting, pretax adjusted earnings is the Company's U.S. GAAP measure of segment performance. The Company believes that a presentation of this measure is vitally important to an understanding of the underlying profitability drivers and trends of its business. Additional performance measures used to evaluate the financial condition and performance of the Company's segments are listed below.
•Operating Ratios
•New Annualized Premium Sales
•New Money Yield
•Return on Average Invested Assets
•Average Weekly Producer
•Premium Persistency
For additional information on the Company’s performance measures included in this MD&A, see the Glossary of Selected Terms found directly following Part II. Other Information. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the reconciliation of segment results to the Company's consolidated U.S. GAAP results and additional information.
89
AFLAC JAPAN SEGMENT
Aflac Japan Pretax Adjusted Earnings
Changes in Aflac Japan’s pretax adjusted earnings and profit margins are primarily affected by morbidity, mortality, expenses, persistency and investment yields. The following table presents a summary of operating results for Aflac Japan.
Aflac Japan Summary of Operating Results
In Dollars
In Yen
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions of dollars and billions of yen)
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net earned premiums (1)
$
1,709
$
1,973
$
5,241
$
6,207
¥
255
¥
285
¥
793
¥
856
Net investment income: (2)
Yen-denominated investment income
215
243
673
755
32
35
102
104
U.S. dollar-denominated investment income
453
462
1,382
1,320
68
67
209
183
Net investment income
668
705
2,055
2,075
100
102
311
287
Amortized hedge costs
7
26
19
148
1
3
3
19
Adjusted net investment income
662
679
2,036
1,927
99
99
309
268
Other income (loss)
7
8
20
26
1
1
3
4
Total adjusted revenues
2,378
2,660
7,297
8,160
355
385
1,104
1,127
Benefits and claims:
Benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement
1,197
1,319
3,614
4,164
179
191
547
574
Reserve remeasurement (gains) losses
(369)
(33)
(421)
(68)
(54)
(5)
(61)
(10)
Total benefits and claims, net
828
1,286
3,193
4,097
126
186
485
564
Adjusted expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
82
79
242
247
12
11
37
34
Insurance commissions
110
112
330
377
16
16
50
52
Insurance and other expenses
285
315
785
960
42
46
119
132
Total adjusted expenses
477
506
1,357
1,585
71
73
205
219
Total benefits and adjusted expenses
1,305
1,791
4,550
5,682
197
259
690
783
Pretax adjusted earnings
$
1,073
$
869
$
2,747
$
2,479
¥
159
¥
126
¥
414
¥
344
Weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rate
147.95
144.97
150.60
138.38
—
—
—
—
Percentage change over previous period
Net earned premiums
(13.4)
%
(7.2)
%
(15.6)
%
(12.4)
%
(10.5)
%
(2.8)
%
(7.4)
%
(5.0)
%
Adjusted net investment income
(2.5)
2.4
5.7
(6.7)
.1
7.2
15.2
.9
Total adjusted revenues
(10.6)
(4.9)
(10.6)
(11.1)
(7.8)
(.5)
(2.0)
(3.6)
Total benefits and claims, net
(35.6)
(9.4)
(22.1)
(14.3)
(32.4)
(5.2)
(14.0)
(7.1)
Total adjusted expenses
(5.7)
(9.6)
(14.4)
(13.5)
(2.8)
(5.7)
(6.2)
(6.5)
Pretax adjusted earnings
23.5
6.4
10.8
(3.2)
25.5
11.4
20.3
4.9
(1) Includes a gain (loss) of $(75) and $22 for the three-month periods and $(80) and $22 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to remeasurement of the deferred profit liability for limited-payment contracts.
(2) Net interest income/expense from derivatives associated with certain investment strategies of $(79) and $(79) for the three-month periods and $(237) and $(214) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, have been reclassified from net investment gains (losses) and included in adjusted earnings as a component of net investment income.
90
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, operating results in yen terms compared to the same period in the previous year were as follows:
•Net earned premiums decreased primarily due to approximately ¥11 billion related to the remeasurement of the deferred profit liability for limited-pay contracts in the third quarter of 2024, approximately ¥7 billion related to the internal cancer reinsurance transaction with Aflac Re established in the fourth quarter of 2023 and approximately ¥5 billion from limited-pay products reaching premium paid-up status.
•Adjusted net investment income was essentially flat.
•Total adjusted revenues decreased primarily due to the decrease in net earned premiums.
•Total benefits and claims decreased primarily due to ¥50 billion of reserve remeasurement gains related to assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024 as well as internal reinsurance activity.
•Total adjusted expenses decreased primarily due to internal reinsurance activity.
•Pretax adjusted earnings increased primarily due to the decrease in total benefits and claims, partially offset by the decrease in net earned premiums.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, operating results in yen terms compared to the same period in the previous year were as follows:
•Net earned premiums decreased primarily due to approximately ¥22 billion related to the internal cancer reinsurance transaction with Aflac Re established in the fourth quarter of 2023, approximately ¥16 billion from limited-pay products reaching premium paid-up status and approximately ¥11 billion related to the remeasurement of the deferred profit liability for limited-pay contracts in the third quarter of 2024.
•Adjusted net investment income increased primarily due to lower amortized hedge costs of ¥17 billion, the weakening of the yen on U.S. dollar investments of ¥15 billion and higher variable investment income of ¥10 billion.
•Total adjusted revenues decreased primarily due to the decrease in net earned premiums, partially offset by the increase in adjusted net investment income.
•Total benefits and claims decreased primarily due to ¥50 billion of reserve remeasurement gains related to assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024 as well as internal reinsurance activity.
•Total adjusted expenses decreased primarily due to internal reinsurance activity as well as expense control efforts.
•Pretax adjusted earnings increased primarily due to the decrease in both total benefits and claims and total adjusted expenses, partially offset by the decrease in net earned premiums.
Annualized premiums in force decreased 3.2% to ¥1.22 trillion as of September 30, 2024, compared with ¥1.26 trillion as of September 30, 2023. The decrease in annualized premiums in force in yen was driven primarily by limited-pay products reaching premium paid-up status. Annualized premiums in force, translated into dollars at respective period-end exchange rates, were $8.5 billion at September 30, 2024, compared with $8.4 billion at September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, Aflac Japan exceeded 22 million individual policies in force in Japan, with more than 14 million cancer policies in force in Japan.
Aflac Japan's investment portfolios include U.S. dollar-denominated securities and reverse-dual currency securities (yen-denominated debt securities with dollar coupon payments). In years when the yen strengthens in relation to the dollar, translating Aflac Japan's U.S. dollar-denominated investment income into yen lowers growth rates for net investment income, total adjusted revenues, and pretax adjusted earnings in yen terms. In years when the yen weakens, translating U.S. dollar-denominated investment income into yen magnifies growth rates for net investment income, total adjusted revenues, and pretax adjusted earnings in yen terms.
The following table illustrates the effect of translating Aflac Japan’s U.S. dollar-denominated investment income and related items into yen by comparing certain segment results with those that would have been reported had foreign currency exchange rates remained unchanged from the comparable period in the prior year. Amounts excluding foreign currency impact on U.S. dollar-denominated investment income were determined using the average foreign currency exchange rate for the comparable prior year period. See non-U.S. GAAP financial measures defined above.
91
Aflac Japan Percentage Changes Over Previous Period
(Yen Operating Results)
For the Periods Ended September 30,
Including Foreign Currency Changes
Excluding Foreign Currency Changes
Three Months
Nine Months
Three Months
Nine Months
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
Adjusted net investment income
.1
%
7.2
%
15.2
%
.9
%
(1.9)
%
1.6
%
8.4
%
(5.0)
%
Total adjusted revenues
(7.8)
(.5)
(2.0)
(3.6)
(8.3)
(1.8)
(3.7)
(5.0)
Pretax adjusted earnings
25.5
11.4
20.3
4.9
24.0
7.0
15.1
.3
The following table presents a summary of operating ratios in yen terms for Aflac Japan followed by a discussion of the significant drivers of changes in operating ratios in yen compared to the same periods in the previous year.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Ratios to total adjusted revenues:
2024
2023
2024
2023
Total benefits and claims, net
35.3
%
48.2
%
44.0
%
50.1
%
Adjusted expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
3.4
3.0
3.3
3.0
Insurance commissions
4.6
4.2
4.5
4.6
Insurance and other expenses
11.9
11.8
10.7
11.8
Total adjusted expenses
20.0
19.0
18.6
19.4
Pretax adjusted earnings
44.7
32.8
37.5
30.5
Ratios to total premiums:
Total benefits and claims, net
49.2
%
65.1
%
61.2
%
66.0
%
Adjusted expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
4.8
4.0
4.6
4.0
•For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, the total benefits and claims to total premiums ratio decreased primarily due to a decrease in total benefits and claims resulting from reserve remeasurement gains related to assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024, partially offset by the decline in net earned premiums resulting from reinsurance activity, limited-pay products reaching premium paid-up status, and a deferred profit liability remeasurement loss. For the full year of 2024, the Company expects Aflac Japan to generate a benefit ratio in the range of 62% to 63% as a result of the impact from assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024.
•For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, the total adjusted expense ratio increased primarily due to the decrease in total adjusted revenues. The total adjusted expense ratio decreased in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to the decrease in total adjusted expenses associated with reinsurance activity as well as expense control efforts.
•In total, the pretax adjusted profit margin increased in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to a decrease in total benefits and claims.
The following table presents Aflac Japan's premium persistency on a 12-month rolling basis as of September 30.
2024
2023
Premium persistency
93.3
%
93.5
%
92
Aflac Japan Sales
The following table presents Aflac Japan’s new annualized premium sales for the periods ended September 30.
In Dollars
In Yen
Three Months
Nine Months
Three Months
Nine Months
(In millions of dollars and billions of yen)
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
New annualized premium sales
$
117
$
108
$
309
$
325
¥
17.5
¥
15.6
¥
46.9
¥
44.9
Increase (decrease) over prior period
8.6
%
7.8
%
(4.8)
%
7.9
%
12.3
%
12.4
%
4.4
%
16.6
%
The increase in new annualized premium sales on a yen basis in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 was driven primarily by sales of Aflac Japan's new life insurance product, Tsumitasu, that offers an asset formation component and a nursing care option, which was launched in June 2024.
The following table details the contributions to Aflac Japan's new annualized premium sales by major insurance product for the periods ended September 30.
Three Months
Nine Months
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cancer
55.1
%
65.6
%
58.6
%
64.7
%
Medical and other health:
Medical
12.2
20.0
15.9
19.3
Income support
.2
.4
.3
.5
Life insurance:
Traditional life (1)
30.8
6.1
21.5
6.4
WAYS
.8
6.0
2.5
7.1
Child endowment
.1
.4
.2
.4
Other
.8
1.5
1.0
1.6
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1) Includes term, whole life and Tsumitasu
The foundation of Aflac Japan's product portfolio has been, and continues to be, third sector products, which include cancer, medical, income support and other products. With continued cost pressure on Japan’s health care system, the Company expects the need for third sector products will continue to rise in the future and that the medical and cancer insurance products Aflac Japan provides will continue to be an important part of its product portfolio. Additionally, the Company believes that sales of first sector products, including WAYS, Child Endowment and Tsumitasu, position Aflac Japan for potential future long-term sales opportunities by marketing these products to a younger demographic as well as potential cross-selling opportunities of Aflac Japan's third sector products.
Aflac Japan continues to promote digital and web-based sales to groups and use of its system that enables smart device-based insurance application by allowing the customer and an Aflac Japan operator to see the same screen through their smart devices. Further, Aflac Japan continues to utilize its virtual sales tool that enables online consultations and policy applications to be completed entirely online.
The following table details the contributions to Aflac Japan's new annualized premium sales by agency type for the three-month periods ended September 30.
2024
2023
Independent corporate and individual
46.2
%
44.4
%
Affiliated corporate (1)
50.2
51.9
Bank
3.6
3.7
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1) Includes Japan Post Group, Dai-ichi Life and Daido Life
During the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, Aflac Japan recruited 19 new sales agencies. At September 30, 2024, Aflac Japan was represented by approximately 6,600 sales agencies, with approximately 114,000
93
licensed sales associates employed by those agencies. The number of sales agencies has declined in recent years due to Aflac Japan's focus on supporting agencies with strong management frameworks, high productivity and more producing agents.
At September 30, 2024, Aflac Japan had agreements to sell its products at 360 banks, approximately 90% of the total number of banks in Japan.
Strategic Alliance with Japan Post Holdings
On May 10, 2024, the Parent Company reported that the shares owned by the J&A Alliance Trust (Trust) represented, in aggregate, 20% of the voting power of the Parent Company's common stock. The Shareholders Agreement, entered into on February 28, 2019, by the Parent Company, Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd., J&A Alliance Holdings Corporation, solely in its capacity as trustee of the Trust and General Incorporated Association J&A Alliance, provides voting restrictions that require the Trust to vote (i) all shares representing voting rights in excess of 20% of the voting rights in the Parent Company and (ii) all of its shares in connection with a change in control transaction, in each case, in a manner proportionally equal to votes of shares not beneficially owned by the Trust. Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. does not have a board seat on the Parent Company’s board of directors and does not have rights to control, manage or intervene in the management of the Parent Company.
For additional information, see the Aflac Japan Segment subsection of Item 7. MD&A in the 2023 Annual Report.
Aflac Japan Investments
The level of investment income in yen is affected by available cash flow from operations, the timing of investing the cash flow, yields on new investments, the effect of yen/dollar exchange rates on U.S. dollar-denominated investment income, and other factors.
As part of the Company's portfolio management and asset allocation process, Aflac Japan invests in yen and U.S. dollar-denominated investments. Yen-denominated investments primarily consist of Japan Government Bonds (JGBs), public and private fixed maturity securities and public equity securities. Aflac Japan's U.S. dollar-denominated investments include fixed maturity investments, loan receivables, and growth assets, including alternative investments in limited partnerships or similar investment vehicles. Aflac Japan invests in both publicly traded and privately originated U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade and below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities and loan receivables, and has entered into foreign currency forwards and options to hedge the currency risk on the fair value of a portion of the U.S. dollar investments.
94
The following table details the investment purchases for Aflac Japan.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Yen-denominated:
Fixed maturity securities:
Japan government and agencies
$
0
$
71
$
0
$
338
Private placements
0
71
131
510
Other fixed maturity securities
50
72
290
72
Equity securities
159
110
335
289
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
Other loans
0
0
0
77
Other investments
6
3
20
12
Total yen-denominated
$
215
$
327
$
776
$
1,298
U.S. dollar-denominated:
Fixed maturity securities:
Other fixed maturity securities
$
571
$
38
$
2,460
$
516
Infrastructure debt
89
25
258
29
Collateralized loan obligations
0
0
30
0
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
Transitional real estate loans
27
45
73
160
Middle market loans
298
59
649
336
Other loans
40
0
40
0
Other investments
89
96
206
308
Total U.S. dollar-denominated
$
1,114
$
263
$
3,716
$
1,349
Other currencies:
Fixed maturity securities:
Infrastructure debt
$
26
$
0
$
26
$
0
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
Other loans
32
0
32
0
Other investments
3
0
5
0
Total other currencies
$
61
$
0
$
63
$
0
Total Aflac Japan purchases
$
1,390
$
590
$
4,555
$
2,647
See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of these investment programs, and see Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes 1, 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report for more information regarding loans and loan receivables.
95
The following table presents the results of Aflac Japan’s investment yields for the periods ended September 30.
Three Months
Nine Months
2024
2023
2024
2023
Total purchases for the period (in millions) (1)
$
1,292
$
491
$
4,324
$
2,327
New money yield (1),(2)
6.21
%
4.28
%
5.85
%
4.84
%
Return on average invested assets (3)
3.16
3.07
3.31
2.80
Portfolio book yield, including U.S. dollar-denominated investments, end of period (1),(2)
3.21
%
3.19
%
3.21
%
3.19
%
(1) Includes fixed maturity securities, commercial mortgage and other loans, equity securities, and excludes alternative investments in limited partnerships
(2) Reported on a gross yield basis; excludes investment expenses, external management fees and amortized hedge costs
(3) Net of investment expenses and amortized hedge costs, year-to-date number reflected on a quarterly average basis
The increase in the Aflac Japan new money yield in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher allocations to higher yielding asset classes. See Notes 3, 4 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Investments and Hedging Activities sections of this MD&A for additional information on the Company's investments and hedging strategies.
96
AFLAC U.S. SEGMENT
Aflac U.S. Pretax Adjusted Earnings
Changes in Aflac U.S. pretax adjusted earnings and profit margins are primarily affected by morbidity, mortality, expenses, persistency and investment yields. The following table presents a summary of operating results for Aflac U.S.
Aflac U.S. Summary of Operating Results
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net earned premiums
$
1,459
$
1,419
$
4,388
$
4,272
Adjusted net investment income (1)
210
209
634
609
Other income
15
33
46
102
Total adjusted revenues
1,684
1,661
5,068
4,983
Benefits and claims:
Benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement
711
682
2,130
2,048
Reserve remeasurement (gains) losses
(17)
(172)
(71)
(242)
Total benefits and claims, net
694
510
2,059
1,805
Adjusted expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
132
122
396
361
Insurance commissions
141
138
422
420
Insurance and other expenses
367
414
1,102
1,198
Total adjusted expenses
640
674
1,920
1,979
Total benefits and adjusted expenses
1,334
1,183
3,979
3,784
Pretax adjusted earnings
$
350
$
478
$
1,089
$
1,199
Percentage change over previous period:
Net earned premiums
2.8
%
3.2
%
2.7
%
2.2
%
Adjusted net investment income
.5
13.0
4.1
8.2
Total adjusted revenues
1.4
3.9
1.7
2.4
Total benefits and claims, net
36.1
(17.2)
14.1
(7.0)
Total adjusted expenses
(5.0)
5.6
(3.0)
3.9
Pretax adjusted earnings
(26.8)
38.6
(9.2)
17.5
(1) Net interest income/expense from derivatives associated with certain investment strategies of $(9) and $(9) for the three-month periods and $(28) and $(24) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, have been reclassified from net investment gains (losses) and included in adjusted earnings as a component of net investment income.
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, operating results compared to the same period in the previous year were as follows:
•Net earned premiums increased primarily due to higher net earned premiums from growth initiatives including group life and disability and consumer markets businesses and continued improvements in premium persistency.
•Adjusted net investment income was essentially flat.
•Total adjusted revenues increased primarily due to the increase in net earned premiums.
•Total benefits and claims increased primarily due to a decrease of approximately $139 million in reserve remeasurement gains related to assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024 and higher incurred claims.
•Total adjusted expenses decreased primarily due to improved expense efficiency.
•Pretax adjusted earnings decreased primarily due to the increase in total benefits and claims, partially offset by the increase in total adjusted revenues and the decrease in total adjusted expenses.
97
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, operating results compared to the same period in the previous year were as follows:
•Net earned premiums increased primarily due to higher net earned premiums from growth initiatives including group life and disability and consumer markets businesses and continued improvements in premium persistency.
•Adjusted net investment income increased primarily due to higher fixed rate income, higher variable income and higher short-term income.
•Total adjusted revenues increased primarily due to the increase in both net earned premiums and adjusted net investment income.
•Total benefits and claims increased primarily due to a decrease of approximately $139 million in reserve remeasurement gains related to assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024 and higher incurred claims.
•Total adjusted expenses decreased primarily due to improved expense efficiency.
•Pretax adjusted earnings decreased primarily due to the increase in total benefits and claims, partially offset by the increase in total adjusted revenues and the decrease in total adjusted expenses.
Annualized premiums in force increased 3.3% to $6.3 billion at September 30, 2024, compared with $6.1 billion at September 30, 2023.
The following table presents a summary of operating ratios for Aflac U.S. followed by a discussion of the significant drivers of changes in operating ratios compared to the same periods in the previous year.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Ratios to total adjusted revenues:
2024
2023
2024
2023
Total benefits and claims
41.2
%
30.7
%
40.6
%
36.2
%
Adjusted expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
7.8
7.3
7.8
7.2
Insurance commissions
8.4
8.3
8.3
8.4
Insurance and other expenses
21.8
24.9
21.7
24.0
Total adjusted expenses
38.0
40.6
37.9
39.7
Pretax adjusted earnings
20.8
28.8
21.5
24.1
Ratios to total premiums:
Total benefits and claims
47.6
%
35.9
%
46.9
%
42.3
%
Adjusted expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
9.0
8.6
9.0
8.5
•For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, the total benefits and claims to total premiums ratio increased primarily due to the decrease in reserve remeasurement gains related to assumption updates in the third quarter of 2024 as well as higher incurred claims.
•The total adjusted expense ratio decreased in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to expense efficiency efforts.
•In total, the pretax adjusted profit margin decreased in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to the increase in total benefits and claims partially offset by higher total adjusted revenues and lower total adjusted expenses.
The following table presents premium persistency for Aflac U.S. on a 12-month rolling basis as of September 30.
2024
2023
Premium persistency
78.9
%
78.7
%
98
Aflac U.S. Sales
The following table presents Aflac's U.S. new annualized premium sales for the periods ended September 30.
Three Months
Nine Months
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
New annualized premium sales
$
379
$
359
$
1,008
$
998
Increase (decrease) over prior period
5.5
%
7.5
%
1.0
%
6.4
%
The increase in new annualized premium sales for Aflac U.S. in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 was primarily driven by group life, absence management and disability products, as well as cancer insurance.
The following table details the contributions to Aflac's U.S. new annualized premium sales by major insurance product category for the periods ended September 30.
Three Months
Nine Months
2024
2023
2024
2023
Accident
17.7
%
19.9
%
20.3
%
21.9
%
Disability
28.8
28.2
26.1
26.1
Critical care (1)
18.6
18.6
20.5
19.8
Hospital indemnity
11.9
12.6
13.4
14.2
Dental/vision
4.7
5.7
5.6
6.5
Life
18.3
15.0
14.1
11.5
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1) Includes cancer, critical illness, and hospital intensive care products
In the third quarter of 2024, the Aflac U.S. sales force included an average of approximately 5,900 U.S. agents, including brokers, who were actively producing business on a weekly basis. The Company believes that this average weekly producer equivalent metric allows sales management to monitor progress and needs, as well as serve as a leading indicator of future production capacity.
As previously reported in the 2023 Annual Report, in July 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the tri-agencies) issued a proposed joint rule that, as written, could have potentially imposed significant limitations on the structure of benefits for hospital indemnity and other fixed indemnity plans, including those sold by Aflac U.S. However, on March 28, 2024, the tri-agencies released the final regulations requiring expanded disclosures to consumers for hospital and fixed indemnity insurance. The final regulations, which became effective June 17, 2024, did not include the proposals relating to the regulation and tax treatment of hospital and fixed indemnity insurance. As such, the implementation of the final regulations is not anticipated to have a material impact on Aflac U.S. sales.
Aflac U.S. Investments
The level of investment income is affected by available cash flow from operations, the timing of investing the cash flow, yields on new investments, and other factors.
As part of the Company's portfolio management and asset allocation process, Aflac U.S. invests in fixed maturity investments, loan receivables, and growth assets, including public equity securities and alternative investments in limited partnerships. Aflac U.S. invests in both publicly traded and privately originated investment-grade and below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities and loan receivables.
99
The following table details the investment purchases for Aflac U.S.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Fixed maturity securities:
Other fixed maturity securities
$
110
$
170
$
654
$
576
Infrastructure debt
25
0
64
0
Collateralized loan obligations
0
0
12
0
Equity securities
0
0
22
0
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
Transitional real estate loans
7
18
19
73
Commercial mortgage loans
0
19
13
19
Middle market loans
16
6
102
55
Other loans
0
4
0
25
Other investments
11
11
23
34
Total Aflac U.S. Purchases
$
169
$
228
$
909
$
782
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes 1 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report for more information regarding loans and loans receivables.
The following table presents the results of Aflac's U.S. investment yields for the periods ended September 30.
Three Months
Nine Months
2024
2023
2024
2023
Total purchases for period (in millions) (1)
$
158
$
217
$
886
$
748
New money yield (1),(2)
6.00
%
7.21
%
6.76
%
7.38
%
Return on average invested assets (3)
4.94
5.04
5.00
4.84
Portfolio book yield, end of period (1),(2)
5.63
%
5.52
%
5.63
%
5.52
%
(1) Includes fixed maturity securities, commercial mortgage and other loans, equity securities, and excludes alternative investments in limited partnerships
(2) Reported on a gross yield basis; excludes investment expenses and external management fees
(3) Net of investment expenses, year-to-date number reflected on a quarterly average basis
The decrease in the Aflac U.S. new money yield in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher allocations to lower yielding asset classes. See Notes 3 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Investments section of this MD&A for additional information on the Company's investments.
100
CORPORATE AND OTHER
Changes in the pretax adjusted earnings of Corporate and other are primarily affected by internal reinsurance activity and net investment income. The following table presents a summary of operating results for Corporate and other.
Corporate and Other Summary of Operating Results
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net earned premiums
$
160
$
83
$
479
$
258
Net investment income (loss) (1)
39
2
146
24
Amortized hedge income
25
25
87
92
Adjusted net investment income
64
27
233
116
Other income
1
4
11
9
Total adjusted revenues
225
115
723
384
Benefits and claims:
Benefits and claims, excluding reserve remeasurement
95
65
298
208
Reserve remeasurement (gains) losses
(21)
0
(23)
(2)
Total benefits and claims, net
74
65
275
206
Adjusted expenses:
Interest expense
39
39
113
109
Other adjusted expenses
97
59
299
176
Total adjusted expenses
136
98
412
285
Total benefits and adjusted expenses
210
163
687
490
Pretax adjusted earnings
$
15
$
(49)
$
36
$
(107)
Percentage change over previous period:
Net earned premiums
92.8
%
137.1
%
85.7
%
130.4
%
Adjusted net investment income
137.0
(22.9)
100.9
110.9
Total adjusted revenues
95.7
57.5
88.3
103.2
Total benefits and claims, net
13.8
62.5
33.5
87.3
Total adjusted expenses
38.8
10.1
44.6
13.1
Pretax adjusted earnings
130.6
12.5
133.6
38.2
(1) The change in value of federal historic rehabilitation and solar investments in partnerships of $57 and $64 for the three-month periods and $119 and $169 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, is included as a reduction to net investment income. Tax credits on these investments of $78 and $63 for the three-month periods and $142 and $171 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, have been recorded as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of earnings. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these investments.
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, operating results compared to the same period in the previous year were as follows:
•Net earned premiums and total benefits and claims increased primarily due to higher reinsurance activity resulting from agreements established in the fourth quarter of 2023.
•Adjusted net investment income increased primarily due to higher Aflac Re consolidated investment income of $15 million primarily due to a higher volume of assets as part of the reinsurance agreements established in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $7 million due to a lower volume of federal historic rehabilitation and solar tax credit investments, with offsetting tax benefits recognized as a corresponding lower income tax expense.
•Total adjusted revenues increased primarily due to higher net earned premiums and higher adjusted net investment income.
•Total adjusted expenses increased primarily due to the higher reinsurance activity.
•Pretax adjusted earnings increased primarily due to higher total adjusted revenues partially offset by higher total benefits and adjusted expenses.
101
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, operating results compared to the same period in the previous year were as follows:
•Net earned premiums and total benefits and claims increased primarily due to higher reinsurance activity resulting from agreements established in the fourth quarter of 2023.
•Adjusted net investment income increased primarily due to higher Aflac Re consolidated investment income of $53 million primarily due to a higher volume of assets as part of the reinsurance agreements established in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $50 million due to a lower volume of federal historic rehabilitation and solar tax credit investments, with offsetting tax benefits recognized as a corresponding lower income tax expense.
•Total adjusted revenues increased primarily due to higher net earned premiums and higher adjusted net investment income.
•Total adjusted expenses increased primarily due to the higher reinsurance activity of $108 million as well as an increase in other general operating expenses.
•Pretax adjusted earnings increased primarily due to higher total adjusted revenues partially offset by the higher total benefits and adjusted expenses.
The Parent Company invests in partnerships that specialize in rehabilitating historic structures or the installation of solar equipment in order to receive federal historic rehabilitation and solar tax credits. These investments are classified as limited partnerships and included in other investments in the consolidated balance sheets. The change in value of each investment is recorded as a reduction to net investment income. Tax credits generated by these investments are recorded as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of earnings.
102
INVESTMENTS
The Company’s investment strategy utilizes disciplined asset and liability management while seeking long-term risk-adjusted investment returns and the delivery of stable income within regulatory and capital objectives, and preserving shareholder value. In attempting to optimally balance these objectives, the Company seeks to maintain on behalf of Aflac Japan a diversified portfolio of yen-denominated investment assets, a U.S. dollar-denominated investment portfolio hedged back to yen and a portfolio of unhedged U.S. dollar-denominated assets. As part of the Company's portfolio management and asset allocation process, Aflac U.S. invests in fixed maturity investments and growth assets, including public equity securities and alternative investments in limited partnerships. Aflac U.S. invests in both publicly traded and privately originated investment-grade and below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities and loans.
For additional information concerning the Company's investments, see Notes 3, 4, and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following tables detail investments by segment.
Investment Securities by Segment
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
Corporate and Other
Total
Available-for-sale, fixed maturity securities, at fair value
$
53,435
$
13,230
$
5,627
$
72,292
Held-to-maturity, fixed maturity securities,
at amortized cost (1)
17,698
0
0
17,698
Equity securities
485
2
321
808
Commercial mortgage and other loans: (1)
Transitional real estate loans
4,128
931
190
5,249
Commercial mortgage loans
933
612
0
1,545
Middle market loans
3,950
458
0
4,408
Other loans
250
77
15
342
Other investments:
Policy loans
188
33
0
221
Short-term investments (2)
2,418
283
832
3,533
Limited partnerships
2,678
289
239
3,206
Real estate owned
545
100
0
645
Other
0
42
0
42
Investment in affiliate (3)
0
514
(514)
0
Total investments
86,708
16,571
6,710
109,989
Cash and cash equivalents
1,981
765
2,866
5,612
Total investments and cash
$
88,689
$
17,336
$
9,576
$
115,601
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
(2) Includes securities lending collateral
(3) For consolidated reporting, Aflac U.S.'s investment in Aflac Re is eliminated in Corporate and other
103
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Aflac Japan
Aflac U.S.
Corporate and Other
Total
Available-for-sale, fixed maturity securities, at fair value
$
54,983
$
12,884
$
5,423
$
73,290
Held-to-maturity, fixed maturity securities,
at amortized cost (1)
17,819
0
0
17,819
Equity securities
720
2
366
1,088
Commercial mortgage and other loans: (1)
Transitional real estate loans
4,795
1,011
192
5,998
Commercial mortgage loans
1,075
622
0
1,697
Middle market loans
4,095
436
0
4,531
Other loans
185
101
15
301
Other investments:
Policy loans
186
28
0
214
Short-term investments (2)
347
204
753
1,304
Limited partnerships
2,360
258
132
2,750
Real estate owned
180
47
0
227
Other
0
35
0
35
Investment in affiliate (3)
0
439
(439)
0
Total investments
86,745
16,067
6,442
109,254
Cash and cash equivalents
1,861
651
1,794
4,306
Total investments and cash
$
88,606
$
16,718
$
8,236
$
113,560
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
(2) Includes securities lending collateral
(3) For consolidated reporting, Aflac U.S.'s investment in Aflac Re is eliminated in Corporate and other
The Company has invested in a variety of commercial mortgage loans (CMLs) and other loans including transitional real estate loans (TREs). The Company's TRE and CML investments are collateralized by commercial real estate, including some office properties. The Company considers these investments to be well diversified by geography and among property types. Further, the Company believes that the portfolio is generally well positioned with exposures concentrated in high quality underlying properties with institutional investors who are experienced in managing their assets during periods of market volatility.
While generally resilient, the Company's investments in TREs and CMLs have been affected by conditions in the commercial real estate market, with a greater impact on mortgages secured by office properties. The Company invested in certain TREs and CMLs that are currently in default of interest or maturity payments. The Company works with the affected borrowers to resolve specific situations through loan continuance with potential modifications, through loan sales, or through the process of foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Since the third quarter of 2023, the Company has taken possession, through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, of certain commercial real estate properties, which secured defaulted loans. Properties acquired by the Company through foreclosure and deed in lieu of foreclosure are reported as real estate owned (REO) in other investments in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, the Company completed foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure on TREs collateralized with commercial real estate properties with an amortized cost of $407 million. As a result of the amortized cost of the TREs exceeding the estimated fair value of the collateral upon consummating the foreclosures or deed in lieu of foreclosure transactions, the Company recognized a net loss of $27 million in net investment gains (losses) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, the Company completed foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure on TREs collateralized with commercial real estate properties with an amortized cost of $142 million. As a result of the amortized cost of the TREs exceeding the estimated fair value of the collateral upon consummating the foreclosures or deed in lieu of foreclosure transactions, the Company recognized a net loss of $53 million in net investment gains (losses) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
104
The Company utilizes third-party asset managers to source, underwrite and manage each loan, as well as any resulting REO. The Company closely monitors the activities of these managers. In the event that a loan workout is necessary, the Company believes these external managers have the experience and resources to manage the process to maximize recovery.
The Company also monitors its commercial mortgage and other loan investments internally on an ongoing basis, including a review of loans' credit quality indicators and payment status as current, past due, restructured or under foreclosure. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information concerning credit quality indicators, information on loans that are on nonaccrual status, and REO obtained through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. See also Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2023 Annual Report for a discussion of risk factors associated with the Company's investments.
The ratings of the Company's securities referenced in the table below are based on the ratings designations provided by major rating organizations such as Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch or, if not rated, are determined based on the Company's internal analysis of such securities. When the ratings issued by the rating agencies differ, the Company utilizes the second lowest rating when three or more rating agency ratings are available or the lowest rating when only two rating agency ratings are available.
The distributions of fixed maturity securities the Company owns, by credit rating, were as follows:
Composition of Fixed Maturity Securities by Credit Rating
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
AAA
1.4
%
1.5
%
1.6
%
1.6
%
AA
6.0
6.3
5.7
5.9
A
68.5
66.9
68.1
67.2
BBB
22.7
23.8
22.9
23.5
BB or lower
1.4
1.5
1.7
1.8
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
As of September 30, 2024, the Company's direct and indirect exposure to securities in its investment portfolio that were guaranteed by third parties was immaterial both individually and in the aggregate.
The following table presents the 10 largest unrealized loss positions in the Company's portfolio as of September 30, 2024.
(In millions)
Credit Rating
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Unrealized Loss
Japan National Government
A+
$
38,280
$
37,942
$
(338)
Urban Renaissance Agency
A+
171
131
(40)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
B+
139
104
(35)
Thames Water Utility
CCC+
140
112
(28)
JP Morgan Chase and Co.
A+
214
187
(27)
Prologis LP
A-
160
136
(24)
BASF
A-
70
47
(23)
SNCF Reseau
AA
75
54
(21)
Anglian Water Services Financing
A-
98
78
(20)
Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.
A-
73
53
(20)
Generally, declines in fair values can be a result of changes in interest rates, yen/dollar exchange rate, and changes in net spreads driven by a broad market move or a change in the issuer's underlying credit quality. The Company believes these issuers have the ability to continue making timely payments of principal and interest. See the Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses section in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussions of unrealized losses related to financial institutions and other corporate investments.
105
Below-Investment-Grade Securities
The Company's portfolio of below-investment-grade securities includes debt securities purchased while the issuer was rated investment grade plus other loans and bonds purchased as part of an allocation to that segment of the market. The following is the Company's below-investment-grade exposure.
Below-Investment-Grade Investments
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Par Value
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Investcorp Capital Limited
$
239
$
239
$
233
$
(6)
Telecom Italia SpA
140
140
185
45
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
140
139
104
(35)
Thames Water Utility
140
140
112
(28)
IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG
91
48
79
31
Generalitat de Catalunya
56
24
55
31
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc
35
36
30
(6)
CPI Property Group SA
21
21
21
0
Transalta Corporation
10
11
11
0
Other Issuers
13
14
11
(3)
Subtotal (2)
885
812
841
29
High yield corporate bonds
547
455
524
69
Middle market loans
4,194
4,063
3,995
(68)
Grand Total
$
5,626
$
5,330
$
5,360
$
30
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
(2) Securities initially purchased as investment grade, but have subsequently been downgraded to below investment grade
The Company maintains an allocation to higher yielding corporate bonds within the Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. portfolios. Most of these securities were rated below-investment-grade at the time of purchase, but the Company also purchased several that were rated investment grade which, because of market pricing, offer yields commensurate with below-investment-grade risk profiles. The objective of this allocation was to enhance the Company's yield on invested assets and further diversify credit risk. All investments in this program must have a minimum rating at purchase of low BB using the Company's above described rating methodology and are managed by the Company's internal credit portfolio management team.
The Company invests in middle market loans primarily to U.S. corporate borrowers, most of which have below-investment-grade ratings. The objectives of this program include enhancing the yield on invested assets, achieving further diversification of credit risk, and mitigating the risk of rising interest rates and hedge costs through the acquisition of floating rate assets.
106
Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector
The Company maintains diversification in investments by sector to avoid concentrations to any one sector, thus managing exposure risk. The following table shows the distribution of fixed maturities by sector classification.
September 30, 2024
(In millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
% of Total
Government and agencies
$
39,471
$
1,961
$
(2,323)
$
39,109
44.8
%
Municipalities
2,443
189
(109)
2,523
2.8
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
3,595
204
(69)
3,730
4.1
Public utilities
7,060
665
(214)
7,511
8.0
Electric
5,631
543
(104)
6,070
6.4
Natural Gas
889
81
(58)
912
1.0
Other
540
41
(52)
529
.6
Sovereign and supranational
862
97
(8)
951
1.1
Banks/financial institutions
9,391
724
(355)
9,760
10.6
Banking
5,589
454
(186)
5,857
6.3
Insurance
1,886
183
(56)
2,013
2.1
Other
1,916
87
(113)
1,890
2.2
Other corporate
25,295
3,185
(797)
27,683
28.6
Basic Industry
2,156
348
(82)
2,422
2.4
Capital Goods
3,001
320
(91)
3,230
3.4
Communications
2,723
463
(40)
3,146
3.1
Consumer Cyclical
1,996
224
(28)
2,192
2.3
Consumer Non-Cyclical
5,861
713
(179)
6,395
6.7
Energy
2,233
438
(21)
2,650
2.5
Other
1,176
84
(83)
1,177
1.3
Technology
3,216
242
(116)
3,342
3.6
Transportation
2,933
353
(157)
3,129
3.3
Total fixed maturity securities
$
88,117
$
7,025
$
(3,875)
$
91,267
100.0
%
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
Securities by Type of Issuance
The Company has investments in both publicly and privately issued securities. The Company's ability to sell either type of security is a function of overall market liquidity which is impacted by, among other things, the amount of outstanding securities of a particular issuer or issuance, trading history of the issue or issuer, overall market conditions, and idiosyncratic events affecting the specific issue or issuer.
107
The following table details investment securities by type of issuance.
Investment Securities by Type of Issuance
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost (1)
Fair Value
Publicly issued securities:
Fixed maturity securities
$
71,929
$
74,171
$
72,218
$
75,622
Equity securities
646
646
838
838
Total publicly issued
72,575
74,817
73,056
76,460
Privately issued securities: (2)
Fixed maturity securities (3)
16,188
17,096
16,290
17,325
Equity securities
162
162
250
250
Total privately issued
16,350
17,258
16,540
17,575
Total investment securities
$
88,925
$
92,075
$
89,596
$
94,035
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
(2) Primarily consists of securities owned by Aflac Japan
(3) Excludes Rule 144A securities
The following table details the Company's reverse-dual currency securities.
Reverse-Dual Currency Securities(1)
(Amortized cost, in millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Privately issued reverse-dual currency securities
$
3,729
$
3,740
Publicly issued collateral structured as reverse-dual currency securities
1,224
1,232
Total reverse-dual currency securities
$
4,953
$
4,972
Reverse-dual currency securities as a percentage of total investment securities
5.6
%
5.5
%
(1) Principal payments in yen and interest payments in dollars
Aflac Japan has a portfolio of privately issued securities to better match liability characteristics and secure higher yields than those available on Japanese government or other public corporate bonds.Aflac Japan’s investments in yen-denominated privately issued securities consist primarily of non-Japanese issuers, are rated investment grade at purchase and have longer maturities, thereby allowing the Company to improve asset/liability matching and overall investment returns. These securities are generally either privately negotiated arrangements or issued under medium-term note programs and have standard documentation commensurate with credit ratings of the issuer, except when internal credit analysis indicates that additional protective and/or event-risk covenants were required. Many of these investments have protective covenants appropriate to the specific investment. These may include a prohibition of certain activities by the borrower, maintenance of certain financial measures, and specific conditions impacting the payment of the Company's notes.
HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company uses derivative contracts to hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk. The Company uses various strategies, including derivatives, to manage these risks. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the 2023 Annual Report for more information about market risk and the Company’s use of derivatives.
108
Derivatives are designed to reduce risk on an economic basis while minimizing the impact on financial results. The Company’s derivatives programs vary depending on the type of risk being hedged. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for:
•A description of the Company's derivatives, hedging strategies and underlying risk exposure.
•Information about the notional amount and fair market value of the Company's derivatives.
•The unrealized and realized gains and losses impact on adjusted earnings of derivatives in cash flow, fair value, net investments in foreign operations, or non-qualifying hedging relationships.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Hedge Program
The Company has deployed the following hedging strategies to mitigate exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk:
•Aflac Japan hedges U.S. dollar-denominated investments back to yen (see Aflac Japan’s U.S. Dollar-Denominated Hedge Program below).
•Aflac Japan maintains certain unhedged U.S. dollar-denominated securities, which serve as an economic currency hedge of a portion of the Company's investment in Aflac Japan (see Aflac Japan’s U.S. Dollar-Denominated Hedge Program below).
•The Parent Company designates yen-denominated liabilities (notes payable and loans) as non-derivative hedging instruments and designates certain foreign currency forwards and options as derivative hedges of the Company’s net investment in Aflac Japan (see Enterprise Corporate Hedging Program below).
•The Parent Company enters into forward and option contracts to accomplish a dual objective of hedging foreign currency exchange rate risk related to dividend payments by its subsidiary, ALIJ, and reducing enterprise-wide hedge costs (see Enterprise Corporate Hedging Program below).
The following table presents metrics related to Aflac Japan's U.S. dollar-denominated hedge program and the Parent Company's enterprise corporate hedging program, including associated amortized hedge costs/income, for the periods ended September 30. See the Results of Operations section of this MD&A for the Company's definition of amortized hedge costs/income.
Three Months
Nine Months
2024
2023
2024
2023
Aflac Japan:
FX Forwards
FX forward (sell USD, buy yen) notional at end of period (in billions) (1)
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
$0.0
Amortized hedge income (cost) for period (in millions)
$0
$(10)
$1
$(94)
FX Options
FX option notional at the end of period (in billions) (1)
$24.7
$24.4
$24.7
$24.4
Amortized hedge income (cost) for period (in millions)
$(7)
$(16)
$(20)
$(54)
Corporate and other (Parent Company):
FX Forwards
FX forward (buy USD, sell yen) notional at end of period (in billions) (1)
$1.9
$2.4
$1.9
$2.4
Amortized hedge income (cost) for period (in millions)
$25
$29
$87
$99
FX Options
FX option notional at the end of period (in billions) (1)
$0.0
$0.9
$0.0
$0.9
Amortized hedge income (cost) for period (in millions)
$0
$(4)
$0
$(7)
(1) Notional is reported net of any offsetting positions within Aflac Japan or the Parent Company, respectively.
Amortized hedge costs/income can fluctuate based upon many factors, including the derivative notional amount, the length of time of the derivative contract, changes in both U.S. and Japan interest rates, and supply and demand for dollar funding. Amortized hedge costs/income have fluctuated in recent periods due to changes in the previously mentioned factors.
109
Aflac Japan’s U.S. Dollar-Denominated Hedge Program (U.S. Dollar Program)
Aflac Japan buys U.S. dollar-denominated investments, typically corporate bonds, and hedges them back to yen with foreign currency forwards and options to hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk. This economically creates yen assets that match yen liabilities during the life of the derivative and provides favorable capital treatment under the Japan solvency margin ratio (SMR) calculations. The currency risk being hedged is generally based on fair value of hedged investments. The following table summarizes the U.S. dollar-denominated investments held by Aflac Japan.
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost (1)
Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturity securities
$
11,792
$
13,700
$
10,924
$
12,918
Equity securities
22
22
22
22
Commercial mortgage and other loans:
Transitional real estate loans (floating rate)
4,128
4,103
4,795
4,829
Commercial mortgage loans
933
854
1,075
948
Middle market loans (floating rate)
3,950
3,876
4,095
4,065
Other loans
145
146
112
111
Other investments
4,662
4,662
2,361
2,361
Total U.S. Dollar Program
25,632
27,363
23,384
25,254
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturity securities - economically converted to yen
2,063
2,957
2,081
2,902
Total U.S. dollar-denominated investments in Aflac Japan
$
27,695
$
30,320
$
25,465
$
28,156
(1) Net of allowance for credit losses
The U.S. Dollar Program includes all U.S. dollar-denominated investments in Aflac Japan other than the investments in certain consolidated VIEs where the instrument is economically converted to yen as a result of a derivative in the consolidated VIE. The Company uses one-sided foreign currency put options to mitigate the settlement risk on U.S. dollar-denominated assets related to extreme foreign currency rate changes. From time to time, Aflac Japan also maintains a collar program on a portion of its U.S. Dollar Program to mitigate against more extreme moves in foreign exchange and therefore support SMR. As of September 30, 2024, some of the Company's foreign currency options hedging Aflac Japan's U.S. dollar-denominated assets were in-the-money.
As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of Aflac Japan's unhedged U.S. dollar-denominated portfolio was $648 million (excluding certain U.S. dollar-denominated assets shown in the table above as a result of consolidation that have been economically converted to yen using derivatives).
Foreign exchange derivatives used for hedging are periodically settled, which results in cash receipt or payment at maturity or early termination. The following table presents the settlements associated with the Company's currency derivatives used for hedging Aflac Japan’s U.S. dollar-denominated investments.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net cash inflows (outflows)
$
(8)
$
(10)
$
(423)
$
(589)
110
Enterprise Corporate Hedging Program
The Company has designated certain yen-denominated liabilities and foreign currency forwards and options of the Parent Company as accounting hedges of its net investment in Aflac Japan. The Company's consolidated yen-denominated net asset position was partially hedged at $6.5 billion as of September 30, 2024, with hedging instruments comprised of $4.6 billion of yen-denominated debt and $1.9 billion of foreign currency forwards, compared with $6.8 billion as of December 31, 2023, with hedging instruments comprised of $3.7 billion of yen-denominated debt and $3.1 billion of foreign currency forwards and options.
The Company makes its accounting designation of net investment hedge at the beginning of each quarter. If the total of the designated Parent Company non-derivative and derivative notional is equal to or less than the Company's net investment in Aflac Japan, the hedge is deemed to be effective, and the currency exchange effect on the yen-denominated liabilities and the change in estimated fair value of the derivatives are reported in the unrealized foreign currency component of other comprehensive income. The Company's net investment hedge was effective during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For additional information on the Company's net investment hedging strategy, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In order to economically mitigate risks associated with the enterprise-wide exposure to the yen and the level and volatility of hedge costs, the Parent Company enters into foreign currency forward and option contracts. By buying U.S. dollars and selling yen, the Parent Company is effectively lowering its overall economic exposure to the yen, while Aflac Japan's U.S. dollar exposure remains reduced as a result of Aflac Japan's U.S. Dollar Program that economically creates yen assets. Among other objectives, this strategy is intended to offset the enterprise-wide amortized hedge costs by generating amortized hedge income. This activity is reported in Corporate and other. The Company continually evaluates the program’s efficacy.
As part of the Company’s internal reinsurance platform, Aflac Re enters into foreign currency forwards with the Parent Company, and may enter into such forwards with third parties, to economically manage the currency mismatch between Aflac Re's assets, which are mostly denominated in U.S. dollars, and liabilities, which are mostly denominated in yen, in order to support and optimize Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) capital requirements. For additional information on the Company's internal reinsurance platform, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this MD&A and Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
Interest Rate Risk Hedge Program
Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. use interest rate swaps from time to time to mitigate the risk of investment income volatility for certain variable-rate investments. Additionally, to manage interest rate risk associated with its U.S. dollar-denominated investments held by Aflac Japan, from time to time the Company utilizes interest rate swaptions.
For additional discussion of the risks associated with the foreign currency exposure refer to the Currency Risk section in Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, and Item 1A, specifically to the Risk Factors titled “The Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate" and “Lack of availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments could adversely affect the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity" in the 2023 Annual Report.
See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company's hedging activities.
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The following table presents deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) by segment.
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
% Change
Aflac Japan
$
5,616
$
5,559
1.0
%
(1)
Aflac U.S.
3,616
3,573
1.2
Total
$
9,232
$
9,132
1.1
%
(1) Aflac Japan’s deferred policy acquisition costs increased 1.7% in yen during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
111
See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company's deferred policy acquisition costs.
POLICY LIABILITIES
The following table presents policy liabilities by segment.
(In millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
% Change
Aflac Japan
$
76,927
$
81,167
(5.2)
%
(1)
Aflac U.S.
11,749
11,600
1.3
Corporate and other
3,750
3,979
(5.8)
Intercompany eliminations(2)
(4,872)
(5,147)
(5.3)
Total
$
87,554
$
91,599
(4.4)
%
(1) Aflac Japan’s policy liabilities decreased 4.6% in yen during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
(2) Elimination entry necessary due to the internal reinsurance transactions with Aflac Re and to recapture of a portion of policy liabilities ceded externally as a result of the reinsurance retrocession transaction. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company's policy liabilities.
BENEFIT PLANS
Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. have various benefit plans. For additional information on the Company's Japanese and U.S. plans, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report.
POLICYHOLDER PROTECTION
Policyholder Protection Corporation
The Japanese insurance industry has a policyholder protection system that provides funds for the policyholders of insolvent insurers. Legislation enacted regarding the framework of the Life Insurance Policyholder Protection Corporation (LIPPC) included government fiscal measures supporting the LIPPC. In March 2022, Japan's Diet passed legislation that extended the government's fiscal support of the LIPPC through March 2027. In March 2022, the LIPPC reached the required balance for the total life industry of ¥400 billion as specified by its Articles of Incorporation. As a result, additional contributions are not expected to be required unless the balance is reduced due to payments made by the LIPPC to the policyholders of insolvent insurers. Accordingly, Aflac Japan did not recognize an expense for LIPPC assessments for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Guaranty Fund Assessments
Under U.S. state guaranty association laws, certain insurance companies can be assessed (up to prescribed limits) for certain obligations to the policyholders and claimants of impaired or insolvent insurance companies that write the same line or similar lines of business. The amount of the guaranty fund assessment that an insurer is assessed is based on its proportionate share of premiums in that state. Guaranty fund assessments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were immaterial.
112
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity refers to the ability to generate sufficient cash resources to meet the payment obligations of the Company. Capital refers to the long-term financial resources available to support the operations of the businesses, fund business growth and provide for an ability to withstand adverse circumstances. Financial leverage (leverage) refers to an investment strategy of using debt to increase the potential ROE. The Company targets and actively manages liquidity, capital and leverage in the context of a number of considerations, including:
•business investment and growth needs
•strategic growth objectives
•financial flexibility and obligations
•capital support for hedging activity
•a constantly evolving business and economic environment
•a balanced approach to capital allocation and shareholder deployment.
The governance framework supporting liquidity, capital, and leverage includes global senior management and board committees that review and approve all significant capital related decisions.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash on hand, money market instruments, and other debt instruments with a maturity of 90 days or less when purchased, all of which have minimal market, settlement or other risk exposure. The target minimum amount for the Parent Company’s cash and cash equivalents is approximately $1.8 billion to provide a capital buffer and liquidity support at the holding company. The Company remains committed to prudent liquidity and capital management. At September 30, 2024, the Company held $5.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents for stress conditions, which includes the Parent Company's target minimum amount of $1.8 billion.
Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. generate cash flows from their operations and provide the primary sources of liquidity to the Parent Company through management fees and dividends, with Aflac Japan being the largest contributor. The primary uses of cash by the Parent Company are shareholder dividends, the repurchase of its common stock, interest on its outstanding indebtedness and operating expenses.
The following table presents the amounts provided to the Parent Company for the nine-month periods ended September 30.
Liquidity Provided by Subsidiaries to Parent Company
(In millions)
2024
2023
Management fees paid by subsidiaries
$
118
$
109
Dividends declared or paid by subsidiaries
2,559
2,252
The following table details Aflac Japan remittances, which are included in the totals above, for the nine-month periods ended September 30.
Aflac Japan Remittances
(In millions of dollars and billions of yen)
2024
2023
Aflac Japan management fees paid to Parent Company
$
49
$
48
Aflac Japan dividends declared or paid to Parent Company (in dollars)
2,032
1,777
Aflac Japan dividends declared or paid to Parent Company (in yen)
¥
313.3
¥
250.8
The Company intends to maintain higher than historical levels of liquidity and capital at the Parent Company for stress conditions and with the goals of addressing the Company’s hedge costs and related potential need for collateral and mitigating against long-term weakening of the Japanese yen. Further, the Company plans to continue to maintain a population of unhedged U.S. dollar-denominated investments at Aflac Japan and to consider whether the amount of such investments should be increased or decreased relative to the Company’s view of economic equity surplus in Aflac Japan in light of potentially rising hedge costs and other factors. See the Hedging Activities subsection of this MD&A for additional information.
113
The Company believes that its balance of cash and cash equivalents and cash generated by operations will be sufficient to satisfy both its short-term and long-term cash requirements and plans for cash, including material cash requirements from known contractual obligations and returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. For additional information, see the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 7. MD&A in the 2023 Annual Report.
In addition to cash and cash equivalents, the Company also maintains credit facilities, both intercompany and with external partners, and a number of other available tools to support liquidity needs on a global basis. In September 2024, the Parent Company filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC that allows the Company to issue an indefinite amount of debt securities, in one or more series, from time to time until September 2027. The Company believes outside sources for additional debt and equity capital, if needed, will continue to be available. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of its notes payable and lines of credit at September 30, 2024. For additional information, see Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As part of enterprise-wide capital management and optimization, the Company also utilizes the intercompany reinsurance platform to execute internal reinsurance transactions with Aflac Re. For additional information, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company's consolidated financial statements convey its financing arrangements during the periods presented. The Company has not engaged in material intra-period short-term financings during the periods presented that are not otherwise reported in its balance sheet or disclosed therein. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had no material letters of credit, standby letters of credit, guarantees or standby repurchase obligations. The Company has not entered into transactions involving the transfer of financial assets with an obligation to repurchase financial assets that have been accounted for as a sale under applicable accounting standards, including securities lending transactions. See Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes 1, 3, and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report for more information on the Company's securities lending and derivative activities. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report for information on material unconditional purchase obligations that are not recorded on the Company's balance sheet. With the exception of disclosed activities in those referenced footnotes and the Risk Factors in the 2023 Annual Report entitled, "The Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate" and "Lack of availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments could adversely affect the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity," the Company is not aware of any trend, demand, commitment, event or uncertainty that would reasonably result in its liquidity increasing or decreasing by a material amount.
Consolidated Cash Flows
The Company consistently generates positive cash flows from operations, and has the ability to adjust cash flow management from other sources of liquidity including reinvestment cash flows and selling investments in order to meet short-term cash needs.
The Company translates cash flows for Aflac Japan’s yen-denominated items into U.S. dollars using weighted-average exchange rates. In periods when the yen weakens, translating yen into dollars causes fewer dollars to be reported. When the yen strengthens, translating yen into dollars causes more dollars to be reported.
The following table summarizes consolidated cash flows by activity for the nine-month periods ended September 30.
(In millions)
2024
2023
Operating activities
$
2,374
$
2,608
Investing activities
1,264
1,978
Financing activities
(2,402)
(2,936)
Exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents
70
(91)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
$
1,306
$
1,559
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Operating Activities
The principal cash inflows for the Company's insurance activities come from insurance premiums and investment income. The principal cash outflows are the result of policy claims, operating expenses, income tax, as well as interest expense. As a result of policyholder aging, claims payments are expected to gradually increase over the life of a policy. Therefore, future policy benefit reserves are accumulated in the early years of a policy and are designed to help fund future claims payments.
The Company expects its future cash flows from premiums and investment portfolios to be sufficient to meet its cash needs for benefits and expenses.
Investing Activities
The Company's investment objectives provide for liquidity primarily through the purchase of publicly traded investment-grade debt securities. Prudent portfolio management dictates that the Company attempts to match the duration of its assets with the duration of its liabilities. Currently, when the Company's fixed maturity securities mature, the proceeds may be reinvested at a yield below that required for the accretion of policy benefit liabilities on policies issued in earlier years. However, the long-term nature of the Company's business and its strong cash flows provide the Company with the ability to minimize the effect of mismatched durations and/or yields identified by various asset adequacy analyses. From time to time or when market opportunities arise, the Company disposes of selected fixed maturity securities that are available-for-sale to improve the duration matching of assets and liabilities, improve future investment yields, and/or rebalance its portfolio. As a result, dispositions before maturity can vary significantly from year to year.
As part of its overall corporate strategy, the Company has committed $400 million to Aflac Ventures, LLC (Aflac Ventures), as opportunities emerge. As of September 30, 2024, of the $400 million committed, approximately $283 million has been deployed. Aflac Ventures is a subsidiary of Aflac Global Ventures, LLC (Aflac Global Ventures) which is reported in Corporate and other. The central mission of Aflac Global Ventures is to support the organic growth and business development needs of Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. with an emphasis on digital applications designed to improve the customer experience, gain efficiencies, and develop new markets in an effort to enhance and defend long-term shareholder value. Investments are included in equity securities or the other investments line in the consolidated balance sheets.
As part of an arrangement with Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB), Aflac U.S. obtains low-cost funding from FHLB supported by acceptable forms of collateral pledged by Aflac U.S. In the first nine months of 2024, Aflac U.S. borrowed and repaid $325 million under this program. As of September 30, 2024, Aflac U.S. had outstanding borrowings of $640 million reported in its balance sheet.
See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on certain investment commitments.
Financing Activities
Cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of share repurchases, dividends to shareholders and, from time to time, debt issuances and redemptions.
In April 2024, ALIJ redeemed ¥30.0 billion of its .963% subordinated bonds due April 2049.
In March 2024, the Parent Company issued five series of senior notes totaling ¥75.0 billion through a private placement. The first series, which totaled ¥18.3 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.600% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2034. The second series, which totaled ¥15.0 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.740% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2036. The third series, which totaled ¥16.5 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.920% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2039. The fourth series, which totaled ¥5.7 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.160% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2044. The fifth series, which totaled ¥19.5 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.400% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2054. These notes are redeemable at the Parent Company's option (i) in whole at any time or (ii) in part from time to time in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the notes to be redeemed.
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In March 2024, the Parent Company issued three series of senior notes totaling ¥48.6 billion through a public debt offering under its U.S. shelf registration statement. The first series, which totaled ¥13.0 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.048% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2029. The second series, which totaled ¥27.9 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.412% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2031. The third series, which totaled ¥7.7 billion, bears interest at a fixed rate of 1.682% per annum, payable semi-annually, and will mature in March 2034. These notes are redeemable at the Parent Company’s option at any time, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain changes affecting U.S. taxation, as specified in the indenture governing the terms of the issuance. In addition, the notes maturing in March 2029, March 2031 and March 2034 are redeemable at the Parent Company's option, in whole or in part from time to time, on or after December 21, 2028, December 31, 2030 and September 21, 2033, respectively, at a redemption price equal to the aggregate principal amount of the applicable series to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
Cash returned to shareholders through treasury stock purchases and dividends was $2.9 billion during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared with $2.8 billion during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023.
The following tables present a summary of treasury stock activity during the nine-month periods ended September 30.
Treasury Stock Purchased
(In millions of dollars and thousands of shares)
2024
2023
Treasury stock purchases
$
2,050
$
2,100
Number of shares purchased:
Share repurchase program
23,446
30,199
Other
491
360
Total shares purchased
23,937
30,559
Treasury Stock Issued
(In millions of dollars and thousands of shares)
2024
2023
Stock issued from treasury:
Cash financing
$
21
$
9
Noncash financing
52
46
Total stock issued from treasury
$
73
$
55
Number of shares issued
881
967
As of September 30, 2024, a remaining balance of 54.3 million shares of the Company's common stock was available for purchase under share repurchase authorizations by its board of directors.
Cash dividends paid to shareholders were $.50 per share in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $.42 per share in the third quarter of 2023. The following table presents the dividend activity for the nine-month periods ended September 30.
(In millions)
2024
2023
Dividends paid in cash
$
820
$
730
Dividends through issuance of treasury shares
31
28
Total dividends to shareholders
$
851
$
758
In October 2024, the board of directors declared the fourth quarter cash dividend of $.50 per share, an increase of 19.0% compared with the same period in 2023. The dividend is payable on December 2, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 20, 2024.
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Regulatory Restrictions
Aflac Japan
Aflac Japan is required to meet certain financial criteria as governed by Japanese corporate law in order to provide dividends to the Parent Company. Under these criteria, dividend capacity at the Japan subsidiary is basically defined as total equity excluding common stock and capital reserves (representing statutorily required amounts in Japan) but reduced for net after-tax unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities. These dividend capacity requirements are generally aligned with the SMR. Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) maintains its own solvency standard which is quantified through the SMR. Aflac Japan's SMR is sensitive to interest rate, credit spread, and foreign exchange rate changes; therefore, the Company continues to evaluate alternatives for reducing this sensitivity, including the reduction of subsidiary dividends paid to the Parent Company and Parent Company capital contributions. In the event of a rapid change in market risk conditions causing SMR to decline, the Company has a senior unsecured revolving credit facility in the amount of ¥100 billion as a capital contingency plan. Additionally, subject to market conditions, the Company expects that it could take action to enter into derivatives on unhedged U.S. dollar-denominated investments with foreign currency options or forwards or execute additional internal reinsurance transactions with Aflac Re. See Notes 8 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Company has already undertaken various measures to mitigate the sensitivity of Aflac Japan's SMR. For example, the Company employs policy reserve matching (PRM) investment strategies, which is a Japan-specific accounting treatment that reduces SMR interest rate sensitivity since PRM-designated investments are carried at amortized cost consistent with corresponding liabilities. In order for a PRM-designated asset to be held at amortized cost, there are certain criteria that must be maintained. The primary criterion relates to maintaining the duration of designated assets and liabilities within a specified tolerance range. If the duration difference is not maintained within the specified range without rebalancing, then a certain portion of the assets must be reclassified as available-for-sale and held at fair value with any associated unrealized gain or loss recorded in surplus. To rebalance, assets may need to be sold in order to maintain the duration with the specified range, resulting in realizing a gain or loss from the sale. For U.S. GAAP, PRM investments are categorized as available-for-sale. The Company also uses foreign currency derivatives to hedge a portion of its U.S. dollar-denominated investments. See Notes 3, 4 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report for additional information on the Company's investment strategies, hedging activities, and reinsurance, respectively.
As of September 30, 2024, Aflac Japan's SMR remains high and reflects a strong capital and surplus position. The Company is committed to maintaining strong capital levels, consistent with maintaining current insurance financial strength and credit ratings.
The FSA will introduce an economic value-based solvency regime based on the Insurance Capital Standards (ICS) for insurance companies in Japan. The final specifications were published in May 2024 with the new capital regime and initial economic value-based solvency ratio report becoming effective for Aflac Japan's 2025 fiscal year.
Aflac U.S.
A life insurance company’s statutory capital and surplus is determined according to rules prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as modified by the insurance department in the insurance company’s state of domicile. Statutory accounting rules are different from U.S. GAAP and are intended to emphasize policyholder protection and company solvency. The continued long-term growth of the Company's business may require increases in the statutory capital and surplus of its insurance operations. The Company's insurance operations may secure additional statutory capital through various sources, such as internally generated statutory earnings, reduced dividends paid to the Parent Company, capital contributions by the Parent Company from funds generated through debt or equity offerings, or reinsurance transactions. The NAIC’s Risk-based capital (RBC) formula is used by insurance regulators to help identify inadequately capitalized insurance companies. The RBC formula quantifies insurance risk, business risk, asset risk and interest rate risk by weighing the types and mixtures of risks inherent in the insurer’s operations. As of September 30, 2024, Aflac U.S.'s combined RBC ratio remains high and reflects a strong capital and surplus position.
Aflac, CAIC and TOIC are domiciled in Nebraska and are subject to its regulations. The maximum amount of dividends that can be paid to the Parent Company by Aflac, CAIC and TOIC without prior approval of Nebraska's director of insurance is the greater of the net income from operations, which excludes net investment gains, for the previous year determined under statutory accounting principles, or 10% of statutory capital and surplus as of the previous year-end. Dividends declared by Aflac during 2024 in excess of $1.1 billion would be considered extraordinary and require such approval. Similar laws apply in New York, the domiciliary jurisdiction of Aflac New York.
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Corporate and Other
Aflac Re is licensed by the BMA as a long-term insurer and is subject to the Bermuda Insurance Act of 1978 (Bermuda Insurance Act). Aflac Re is required to file an annual return for its Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement (BSCR) which utilizes an Economic Balance Sheet (EBS) framework to determine Aflac Re’s Enhanced Capital Requirement (ECR). Aflac Re is also subject to a Minimum Margin of Solvency (MMS) related to its statutory financial statements. The MMS is equal to the greater of $500,000, 1.5% of the total statutory assets, or 25% of ECR.
Under the Bermuda Insurance Act, Aflac Re is prohibited from paying dividends in an amount that exceeds 25% of the prior year's statutory capital and surplus without an affidavit stating that Aflac Re will continue to meet its solvency margin. Further, Aflac Re may not reduce its total statutory capital by 15% or more without prior regulatory approval. Additionally, Aflac Re is not permitted to pay any dividends that would cause Aflac Re to fail to meet its minimum capital requirements.
Other
For information regarding commitments and contingent liabilities, see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Additional Information
Investors should note that the Company announces material financial information in its SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. In accordance with SEC guidance, the Company may also use the Investor Relations section of the Company's website (http://investors.aflac.com) to communicate with investors about the Company. It is possible that the financial and other information the Company posts there could be deemed to be material information. The information on the Company's website is not part of this document. Further, the Company's references to website URLs are intended to be inactive textual references only.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). In this MD&A, references to U.S. GAAP issued by the FASB are derived from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (ASC). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates based on currently available information when recording transactions resulting from business operations. The estimates that the Company deems to be most critical to an understanding of its results of operations and financial condition are those related to the valuation of investments and derivatives, DAC, liabilities for future policy benefits, and income taxes. The preparation and evaluation of these critical accounting estimates involve the use of various assumptions developed from management’s analyses and judgments. Calculations of DAC and the liability for future policy benefits require the use of estimates based on actuarial valuation techniques. The application of these critical accounting estimates determines the values at which 93% of the Company's assets and 78% of its liabilities are reported as of September 30, 2024, and thus has a direct effect on net earnings and shareholders’ equity. Subsequent experience or use of other assumptions could produce significantly different results.
There have been no changes in the items the Company has identified as critical accounting estimates during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024. For additional information, see the Critical Accounting Estimates section of Item 7. MD&A included in the 2023 Annual Report.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For information on new accounting pronouncements and the impact, if any, on the Company's financial position or results of operations, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
118
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed primarily to the following types of market risks: currency risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and equity risk. The Company regularly monitors its market risks and uses a variety of strategies to manage its exposure to these market risks. A description of the Company's market risk exposures may be found under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A, of the 2023 Annual Report. There have been no material changes to the Company's market risk exposures from the market risk exposures previously disclosed in the 2023 Annual Report.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report (the Evaluation Date). Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the third fiscal quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
119
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the first nine months of 2024, the Parent Company repurchased shares of its common stock as follows:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 - January 31
0
$
0.00
0
77,745,381
February 1 - February 29
5,308,570
78.58
4,859,803
72,885,578
March 1 - March 31
4,424,657
83.34
4,416,656
68,468,922
April 1 - April 30
2,674,130
83.18
2,665,236
65,803,686
May 1 - May 31
3,680,826
86.25
3,678,430
62,125,256
June 1 - June 30
2,956,250
88.72
2,944,026
59,181,230
July 1 - July 31
1,385,917
91.09
1,385,917
57,795,313
August 1 - August 31
1,684,841
104.59
1,684,841
56,110,472
September 1 - September 30
1,821,000
109.15
1,810,629
54,299,843
Total
23,936,191
(1)
$
87.29
23,445,538
54,299,843
(2)
(1) During the first nine months of 2024, 490,653 shares were purchased in connection with income tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of restricted-share-based awards during the period.
(2) The total remaining shares available for purchase at September 30, 2024, are related to a 100,000,000 share repurchase authorization by the board of directors announced in November 2022.
Item 5. Other Information
Insider Trading Arrangements
During the third quarter of 2024, no directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of the Parent Company's securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement as defined in Regulation S-K Item 408(c).
Certification of CEO and CFO dated November 1, 2024, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
-
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Cover Page Interactive Data File - formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
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Glossary of Selected Terms
Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company may use certain performance metrics and other terms which are defined below.
Adjusted Net Investment Income - Net Investment Income adjusted for i) amortized hedge cost/income related to foreign currency exposure management strategies and certain derivative activity and ii) net interest income/expense from foreign currency and interest rate derivatives associated with certain investment strategies, which are reclassified from net investment gains and losses to net investment income. The Company considers adjusted net investment income important because it provides a more comprehensive understanding of the costs and income associated with the Company's investments and related hedging strategies. The metric is used in segment reporting as a component of segment profitability.
Affiliated Corporate Agency – Agency in Japan directly affiliated with a specific corporation that sells insurance policies primarily to its employees.
Annualized Premiums in Force– The amount of gross premium that a policyholder must pay over a full year in order to keep coverage. The growth of net earned premiums (defined below) is directly affected by the change in premiums in force and by the change in weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rates.
Average Weekly Producer– The total number of writing agents who have produced greater than $0.00 during the production week - excluding any manual adjustments - divided by the number of weeks in the time period. The Company believes this metric allows sales management to monitor progress and needs, as well as serve as a leading indicator of future production capacity.
Capital Buffer– Established dollar amount of liquidity at the Parent Company reserved for injecting capital into the insurance entities or general liquidity support for general expenses at the Parent Company.
Earnings Per Basic Share – Net earnings divided by weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.
Earnings Per Diluted Share – Net earnings divided by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period plus the weighted-average shares for the dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding.
Group Insurance– Insurance issued to a group, such as an employer or trade association, that covers employees or association members and their dependents through certificates of coverage.
Individual Insurance – Insurance issued to an individual with the policy designed to cover that person and his or her dependents.
In force Policies– A count of policies that are active contracts at the end of a period.
Liquidity Support – Internally defined and established dollar amount of liquidity reserved for supporting potential collateral and settlements of derivatives at the Parent Company.
Net Investment Income – The income derived from interest and dividends on invested assets, after deducting investment expenses.
Net Earned Premiums – is a financial measure that appears on the Company's consolidated statements of earnings and in its segment reporting. This measure reflects collected or due premiums that have been earned ratably on policies in force during the reporting period, reduced by premiums that have been ceded to third parties and increased by premiums assumed through reinsurance.
New Annualized Premium Sales – (sometimes referred to as new sales or sales) An operating measure that is not reflected on the Company's financial statements. New annualized premium sales generally represent annual premiums on policies and riders the Company sold and incremental increases from policy conversions that would be collected over a 12-month period assuming the policies remain in force for that entire period. For Aflac Japan, new annualized premium sales are determined by applications submitted during the reporting period. For Aflac U.S., new annualized premium sales are determined by applications that are issued during the reporting period. Policy conversions are defined as the positive difference in the annualized premium when a policy upgrades in the current reporting period. The Company believes that this metric is a key indicator of the Company's future source of earnings.
New Money Yield– Gross yields earned on purchases of fixed maturities, loan receivables, and equities. Purchases exclude capitalized interest, securities lending/repurchase agreements, short-term/cash activity, and alternatives. New money yield for equities is based on the assumed dividend yield at the time of purchase. The new money yield for Aflac Japan excludes the impact of any derivatives and associated amortized hedge costs associated with USD-denominated investments. Management uses this metric as a leading indicator of future investment earning potential.
Operating Ratios– Used to evaluate the Company's financial condition and profitability. Examples include: (1) Ratios to total adjusted revenues, which present expenses as a percentage of total revenues and (2) Ratios to total premium, including benefit ratio.
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Premium Persistency – Percentage of premiums remaining in force at the end of a period, usually one year, and presented on a trailing 12-month basis. For example, 95% persistency would mean that 95% of the premiums in force at the beginning of the period were still in force at the end of the period. The Company believes that this metric is a key driver of in force levels, which is a key measure of the size of the Company's business and future sources of earnings.
Pretax Adjusted Earnings – Earnings as adjusted earnings before the application of income taxes. This measure is used in the Company's segment reporting.
Pretax Adjusted Profit Margin – Adjusted earnings divided by adjusted revenues, before taxes are applied. This measure is used in the Company's segment reporting.
Return on Average Invested Assets – Net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets during the period. Management uses this metric to demonstrate how the Company's actual net investment income results represent an overall return on the portfolio to provide a more comparative metric as the size of the Company's investment portfolio changes over time.
Risk-based Capital (RBC) Ratio – Statutory adjusted capital divided by statutory required capital. This insurance ratio is based on rules prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and provides an indication of the amount of statutory capital the insurance company maintains, relative to the inherent risks in the insurer’s operations.
Solvency Margin Ratio (SMR) – Solvency margin total divided by one half of the risk total. This insurance ratio is prescribed by the Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) and is used for all life insurance companies in Japan to measure the adequacy of the company’s ability to pay policyholder claims in the event actual risks exceed expected levels.
Statutory Earnings– Earnings determined according to accounting rules prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as modified by the insurance department in the insurance company’s state of domicile. These statutory accounting rules are different from U.S. GAAP and are intended to emphasize policyholder protection and company solvency.
Weighted-Average Foreign Currency Exchange Rate – Japan segment operating earnings for the period (excluding hedge costs) in yen divided by Japan segment operating earnings for the period (excluding hedge costs) in dollars. Management uses this metric to evaluate and determine consolidated results on foreign currency effective basis.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
