UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

/X/  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

 

OR

 

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ______ to ______

 

Commission file number 1-11840

 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

36-3871531

 

 

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois

60062

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

 

(847) 402-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

 

Yes   X  

No ___

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes   X  

No ___

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”  “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

  X  

Accelerated filer

____

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

____

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

 

Yes        

No   X  

 

 

As of April 22, 2014, the registrant had 433,991,146 common shares, $.01 par value, outstanding.

 



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

March 31, 2014

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of March 31, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

5

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

6

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

44

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

   Highlights

45

 

   Consolidated Net Income

46

 

   Property-Liability Highlights

46

 

   Allstate Protection Segment

49

 

   Discontinued Lines and Coverages Segment

58

 

   Property-Liability Investment Results

59

 

   Allstate Financial Highlights

60

 

   Allstate Financial Segment

60

 

   Investments Highlights

66

 

   Investments

66

 

   Capital Resources and Liquidity Highlights

73

 

   Capital Resources and Liquidity

73

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

77

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

78

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

78

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

78

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

79

 



 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

($ in millions, except per share data)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums

$

7,064

 

$

6,770

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

607

 

 

579

 

Net investment income

 

959

 

 

983

 

Realized capital gains and losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(80

)

 

(27

)

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

 

(1

)

 

(10

)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(81

)

 

(37

)

Sales and other realized capital gains and losses

 

135

 

 

168

 

Total realized capital gains and losses

 

54

 

 

131

 

 

 

8,684

 

 

8,463

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

 

4,759

 

 

4,460

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

488

 

 

458

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

307

 

 

345

 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

1,035

 

 

946

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

1,094

 

 

1,102

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

6

 

 

26

 

Interest expense

 

87

 

 

98

 

 

 

7,776

 

 

7,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) gain on disposition of operations

 

(59

)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

849

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

249

 

 

321

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

600

 

 

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

13

 

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

587

 

$

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders per common share - Basic

$

1.31

 

$

1.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares - Basic

 

446.4

 

 

475.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders per common share - Diluted

$

1.30

 

$

1.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares - Diluted

 

452.8

 

 

480.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.28

 

$

0.25

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

600

 

$

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, after-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

445

 

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(16

)

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

 

11

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, after-tax

 

440

 

 

104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$

1,040

 

$

813

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

($ in millions, except par value data)

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

Assets

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $58,587 and $59,008)

$

61,161

 

$

60,910

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $4,575 and $4,473)

 

5,297

 

 

5,097

 

Mortgage loans

 

4,472

 

 

4,721

 

Limited partnership interests

 

5,024

 

 

4,967

 

Short-term, at fair value (amortized cost $2,573 and $2,393)

 

2,573

 

 

2,393

 

Other

 

3,163

 

 

3,067

 

Total investments

 

81,690

 

 

81,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

1,170

 

 

675

 

Premium installment receivables, net

 

5,271

 

 

5,237

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

3,316

 

 

3,372

 

Reinsurance recoverables, net

 

7,512

 

 

7,621

 

Accrued investment income

 

610

 

 

624

 

Property and equipment, net

 

1,024

 

 

1,024

 

Goodwill

 

1,243

 

 

1,243

 

Other assets

 

2,187

 

 

1,937

 

Separate Accounts

 

4,878

 

 

5,039

 

Assets held for sale

 

15,390

 

 

15,593

 

Total assets

$

124,291

 

$

123,520

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

$

21,985

 

$

21,857

 

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

 

12,435

 

 

12,386

 

Contractholder funds

 

23,989

 

 

24,304

 

Unearned premiums

 

10,821

 

 

10,932

 

Claim payments outstanding

 

785

 

 

631

 

Deferred income taxes

 

886

 

 

635

 

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

5,566

 

 

5,156

 

Long-term debt

 

6,200

 

 

6,201

 

Separate Accounts

 

4,878

 

 

5,039

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

14,641

 

 

14,899

 

Total liabilities

 

102,186

 

 

102,040

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock and additional capital paid-in, $1 par value, 25 million shares authorized, 62.2 thousand and 32.3 thousand shares issued and outstanding, $1,555 and $807.5 aggregate liquidation preference

 

1,505

 

 

780

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized and 900 million issued, 434 million and 449 million shares outstanding

 

9

 

 

9

 

Additional capital paid-in

 

3,017

 

 

3,143

 

Retained income

 

36,041

 

 

35,580

 

Deferred ESOP expense

 

(31

)

 

(31

)

Treasury stock, at cost (466 million and 451 million shares)

 

(19,922

)

 

(19,047

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses on fixed income securities with OTTI

 

66

 

 

50

 

Other unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

2,271

 

 

1,698

 

Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves

 

(246

)

 

(102

)

Total unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

2,091

 

 

1,646

 

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

 

22

 

 

38

 

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

 

(627

)

 

(638

)

Total accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,486

 

 

1,046

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

22,105

 

 

21,480

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

124,291

 

$

123,520

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Preferred stock par value

 

(unaudited)

 

Balance, beginning of period

$

--

 

$

--

 

Preferred stock issuance

 

--

 

 

--

 

Balance, end of period

 

--

 

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock additional capital paid-in

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

780

 

 

--

 

Preferred stock issuance

 

725

 

 

--

 

Balance, end of period

 

1,505

 

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional capital paid-in

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

3,143

 

 

3,162

 

Forward contract on accelerated share repurchase agreement

 

(113

)

 

(75

)

Equity incentive plans activity

 

(13

)

 

(59

)

Balance, end of period

 

3,017

 

 

3,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

35,580

 

 

33,783

 

Net income

 

600

 

 

709

 

Dividends on common stock

 

(126

)

 

(117

)

Dividends on preferred stock

 

(13

)

 

--

 

Balance, end of period

 

36,041

 

 

34,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred ESOP expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

(31

)

 

(41

)

Payments

 

--

 

 

2

 

Balance, end of period

 

(31

)

 

(39

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

(19,047

)

 

(17,508

)

Shares acquired

 

(987

)

 

(652

)

Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net

 

112

 

 

127

 

Balance, end of period

 

(19,922

)

 

(18,033

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

1,046

 

 

1,175

 

Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

445

 

 

71

 

Change in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(16

)

 

(12

)

Change in unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

 

11

 

 

45

 

Balance, end of period

 

1,486

 

 

1,279

 

Total shareholders’ equity

$

22,105

 

$

20,619

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

(unaudited)

 

Net income

$

600

 

$

709

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items

 

98

 

 

87

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

(54

)

 

(131

)

Loss (gain) on disposition of operations

 

59

 

 

(2

)

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

307

 

 

345

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy benefits and other insurance reserves

 

(18

)

 

(514

)

Unearned premiums

 

(92

)

 

(146

)

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

3

 

 

(30

)

Premium installment receivables, net

 

(46

)

 

(22

)

Reinsurance recoverables, net

 

(45

)

 

406

 

Income taxes

 

(68

)

 

277

 

Other operating assets and liabilities

 

(270

)

 

(239

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

474

 

 

740

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

6,483

 

 

5,474

 

Equity securities

 

1,328

 

 

210

 

Limited partnership interests

 

238

 

 

160

 

Mortgage loans

 

10

 

 

2

 

Other investments

 

30

 

 

15

 

Investment collections

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

849

 

 

1,745

 

Mortgage loans

 

324

 

 

237

 

Other investments

 

50

 

 

54

 

Investment purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

(6,252

)

 

(6,084

)

Equity securities

 

(1,330

)

 

(317

)

Limited partnership interests

 

(277

)

 

(255

)

Mortgage loans

 

(2

)

 

(75

)

Other investments

 

(243

)

 

(196

)

Change in short-term investments, net

 

189

 

 

(808

)

Change in other investments, net

 

36

 

 

34

 

Purchases of property and equipment, net

 

(55

)

 

(60

)

Disposition of operations

 

(2

)

 

--

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

1,376

 

 

136

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

--

 

 

492

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(1

)

 

--

 

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

 

725

 

 

--

 

Contractholder fund deposits

 

403

 

 

591

 

Contractholder fund withdrawals

 

(1,084

)

 

(1,259

)

Dividends paid on common stock

 

(113

)

 

--

 

Dividends paid on preferred stock

 

(12

)

 

--

 

Treasury stock purchases

 

(1,115

)

 

(739

)

Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net

 

77

 

 

17

 

Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements

 

13

 

 

23

 

Other

 

(6

)

 

13

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,113

)

 

(862

)

Cash classified as held for sale

 

(242

)

 

--

 

Net increase in cash

 

495

 

 

14

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

675

 

 

806

 

Cash at end of period

$

1,170

 

$

820

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.  General

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, primarily Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”), a property-liability insurance company with various property-liability and life and investment subsidiaries, including Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Allstate”).

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of March 31, 2014 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited.  The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods.  These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Pending accounting standard

 

Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects

 

In January 2014, the FASB issued guidance which allows entities that invest in certain qualified affordable housing projects through limited liability entities the option to account for these investments using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met.  Under the proportional amortization method, the entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense or benefit.  The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and is to be applied retrospectively.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption, which is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

 

2.  Earnings per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including unvested participating restricted stock units.  Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding.  For the Company, dilutive potential common shares consist of outstanding stock options and unvested non-participating restricted stock units and contingently issuable performance stock awards.

 

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31 is presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions, except per share data)

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

600

 

709

 

Less: Preferred stock dividends

 

 

13

 

 

--

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

587

 

 

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

446.4

 

 

475.4

 

Effect of dilutive potential common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

4.4

 

 

3.7

 

Restricted stock units and performance stock awards (non-participating)

 

 

2.0

 

 

1.7

 

Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding

 

 

452.8

 

 

480.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share - Basic

 

1.31

 

1.49

 

Earnings per common share - Diluted

 

1.30

 

1.47

 

 

6



 

The effect of dilutive potential common shares does not include the effect of options with an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per common share because their exercise prices exceed the average market price of Allstate common shares during the period or for which the unrecognized compensation cost would have an anti-dilutive effect.  Options to purchase 6.7 million and 17.0 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $45.61 to $62.42 and $37.40 to $62.84, were outstanding for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share in those periods.

 

3.  Held for Sale Transaction and Subsequent Event

 

On July 17, 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Resolution Life Holdings, Inc. to sell Lincoln Benefit Life Company (“LBL”), LBL’s life insurance business generated through independent master brokerage agencies, and all of LBL’s deferred fixed annuity and long-term care insurance business.  LBL is reported in the Allstate Financial segment.  This transaction met the criteria for held for sale accounting.  As a result, the related assets and liabilities are included as single line items in the asset and liability sections of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities held for sale.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

March 31,
2014

 

 

December 31,
2013

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

9,959

 

10,167

 

Mortgage loans

 

 

1,289

 

 

1,367

 

Short-term investments

 

 

--

 

 

160

 

Other investments

 

 

258

 

 

289

 

Total investments

 

 

11,506

 

 

11,983

 

Cash

 

 

242

 

 

--

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

714

 

 

743

 

Reinsurance recoverables, net

 

 

1,782

 

 

1,660

 

Accrued investment income

 

 

108

 

 

109

 

Other assets

 

 

85

 

 

79

 

Separate Accounts

 

 

1,661

 

 

1,701

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

16,098

 

 

16,275

 

Less: Loss accrual

 

 

(708)

 

 

(682)

 

Total assets held for sale

 

15,390

 

15,593

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

 

2,000

 

1,894

 

Contractholder funds

 

 

10,661

 

 

10,945

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

11

 

 

12

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

151

 

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

 

157

 

 

196

 

Separate Accounts

 

 

1,661

 

 

1,701

 

Total liabilities held for sale

 

14,641

 

14,899

 

 

Included in shareholders’ equity is $155 million and $85 million of accumulated other comprehensive income related to assets held for sale as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

The estimated loss on disposition, excluding any impact of unrealized net capital gains and losses, increased by $61 million, pre-tax, ($18 million, after-tax) in first quarter 2014.

 

On April 1, 2014, the Company closed the sale.  The estimated gross sale price is $796 million, representing $594 million of cash and the retention of tax benefits.  The actual cash proceeds will be based on the actual valuation as of the closing date of April 1, 2014.

 

7



 

4.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Non-cash modifications of certain mortgage loans, fixed income securities, limited partnership interests and other investments, as well as mergers completed with equity securities, totaled $49 million and $57 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Non-cash financing activities include $39 million and $87 million related to the issuance of Allstate common shares for vested restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Liabilities for collateral received in conjunction with the Company’s securities lending program and over-the-counter (“OTC”) and cleared derivatives are reported in other liabilities and accrued expenses or other investments.  The accompanying cash flows are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows along with the activities resulting from management of the proceeds, which for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

Net change in proceeds managed

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in short-term investments

(155)

(25)

 

Operating cash flow used

 

(155)

 

(25)

 

Net change in cash

 

(1)

 

6

 

 

Net change in proceeds managed

(156)

(19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities for collateral, beginning of period

(624)

(808)

 

Liabilities for collateral, end of period

 

(780)

 

(827)

 

 

Operating cash flow provided

156

19

 

 

5.  Investments

 

Fair values

 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed income securities are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Amortized

 

Gross unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

value

 

March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

3,674

135

(3)

3,806

 

Municipal

 

8,295

 

472

 

(51)

 

8,716

 

Corporate

 

39,416

 

1,951

 

(208)

 

41,159

 

Foreign government

 

1,641

 

100

 

(4)

 

1,737

 

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

 

3,459

 

71

 

(33)

 

3,497

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

 

1,345

 

114

 

(21)

 

1,438

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 

736

 

52

 

(5)

 

783

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

21

 

4

 

--

 

25

 

Total fixed income securities

58,587

2,899

(325)

61,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

2,791

129

(7)

2,913

 

Municipal

 

8,446

 

364

 

(87)

 

8,723

 

Corporate

 

39,331

 

1,659

 

(387)

 

40,603

 

Foreign government

 

1,736

 

99

 

(11)

 

1,824

 

ABS

 

4,491

 

71

 

(44)

 

4,518

 

RMBS

 

1,403

 

101

 

(30)

 

1,474

 

CMBS

 

788

 

48

 

(7)

 

829

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

22

 

4

 

--

 

26

 

Total fixed income securities

59,008

2,475

(573)

60,910

 

 

8



 

Scheduled maturities

 

The scheduled maturities for fixed income securities are as follows as of March 31, 2014:

 

($ in millions)

 

Amortized
cost

 

Fair
value

 

Due in one year or less

3,062

3,105

 

Due after one year through five years

 

25,246

 

26,005

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

16,198

 

16,955

 

Due after ten years

 

8,541

 

9,378

 

 

 

53,047

 

55,443

 

ABS, RMBS and CMBS

 

5,540

 

5,718

 

Total

58,587

61,161

 

 

Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of calls and make-whole payments by the issuers.  ABS, RMBS and CMBS are shown separately because of the potential for prepayment of principal prior to contractual maturity dates.

 

Net investment income

 

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Fixed income securities

705

762

 

Equity securities

 

28

 

25

 

Mortgage loans

 

81

 

98

 

Limited partnership interests

 

142

 

107

 

Short-term investments

 

1

 

2

 

Other

 

42

 

37

 

Investment income, before expense

 

999

 

1,031

 

Investment expense

 

(40)

 

(48)

 

Net investment income

959

983

 

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

Realized capital gains and losses by asset type for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Fixed income securities

36

72

 

Equity securities

 

22

 

29

 

Mortgage loans

 

3

 

31

 

Limited partnership interests

 

2

 

5

 

Derivatives

 

(12)

 

(4)

 

Other

 

3

 

(2)

 

Realized capital gains and losses

54

131

 

 

Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Impairment write-downs

(16)

(10)

 

Change in intent write-downs

 

(65)

 

(27)

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(81)

 

(37)

 

Sales

 

147

 

172

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(4)

 

(4)

 

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(8)

 

--

 

Realized capital gains and losses

54

131

 

 

9



 

Gross gains of $166 million and $183 million and gross losses of $36 million and $21 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses by asset type for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

Gross

 

Included
in OCI

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Included
in OCI

 

Net

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

(5)

--

(5)

(13)

(2)

(15)

 

ABS

 

(1)

 

--

 

(1)

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

RMBS

 

--

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

--

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

CMBS

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

(19)

 

(7)

 

(26)

 

Total fixed income securities

 

(6)

 

(1)

 

(7)

 

(32)

 

(10)

 

(42)

 

Equity securities

 

(65)

 

--

 

(65)

 

(19)

 

--

 

(19)

 

Mortgage loans

 

4

 

--

 

4

 

26

 

--

 

26

 

Limited partnership interests

 

(13)

 

--

 

(13)

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Other

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

(2)

 

--

 

(2)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

(80)

(1)

(81)

(27)

(10)

(37)

 

 

The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of impairment for fixed income securities, which were not included in earnings, are presented in the following table.  The amount excludes $279 million and $260 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

Municipal

(9)

(9)

 

ABS

 

(10)

 

(10)

 

RMBS

 

(147)

 

(152)

 

CMBS

 

(12)

 

(12)

 

Total

(178)

(183)

 

 

Rollforwards of the cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities held as of the end of the period are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Beginning balance

(513)

(617)

 

Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired

 

(5)

 

(15)

 

Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired

 

(1)

 

(15)

 

Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected

 

26

 

47

 

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

 

--

 

--

 

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

 

--

 

--

 

Ending balance (1)

(493)

(600)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The March 31, 2014 ending balance includes $59 million of cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities that are classified as held for sale.

 

The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security, discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists.  The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security.  All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable

 

10



 

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

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

Fair

 

Gross unrealized

 

Unrealized net

 

March 31, 2014

 

value

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

gains (losses)

 

Fixed income securities

61,161

2,899

(325)

 

$

2,574

 

Equity securities

 

5,297

 

736

 

(14)

 

 

722

 

Short-term investments

 

2,573

 

--

 

--

 

 

--

 

Derivative instruments (1)

 

(15)

 

1

 

(20)

 

 

(19

)

EMA limited partnerships (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Investments classified as held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

327

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,600

 

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

DAC and DSI (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(245

)

Amounts recognized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(379

)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,130

)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,091

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are $1 million classified as assets and $16 million classified as liabilities.

 

(2)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses for limited partnership interests represent the Company’s share of EMA limited partnerships’ other comprehensive income. Fair value and gross gains and losses are not applicable.

 

(3)

The insurance reserves adjustment represents the amount by which the reserve balance would increase if the net unrealized gains in the applicable product portfolios were realized and reinvested at current lower interest rates, resulting in a premium deficiency. Although the Company evaluates premium deficiencies on the combined performance of life insurance and immediate annuities with life contingencies, the adjustment primarily relates to structured settlement annuities with life contingencies, in addition to annuity buy-outs and certain payout annuities with life contingencies.

 

(4)

The DAC and DSI adjustment balance represents the amount by which the amortization of DAC and DSI would increase or decrease if the unrealized gains or losses in the respective product portfolios were realized.

 

 

11



 

($ in millions)

 

Fair

 

Gross unrealized

 

Unrealized net

 

December 31, 2013

 

value

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

gains (losses)

 

Fixed income securities

60,910

2,475

(573)

 

$

1,902

 

Equity securities

 

5,097

 

658

 

(34)

 

 

624

 

Short-term investments

 

2,393

 

--

 

--

 

 

--

 

Derivative instruments (1)

 

(13)

 

1

 

(19)

 

 

(18

)

EMA limited partnerships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Investments classified as held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

190

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,695

 

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--

 

DAC and DSI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(158

)

Amounts recognized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(158

)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(891

)

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,646

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are $1 million classified as assets and $14 million classified as liabilities.

 

Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

The change in unrealized net capital gains and losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

672

 

Equity securities

 

 

98

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

(1

)

EMA limited partnerships

 

 

(1

)

Investments classified as held for sale

 

 

137

 

Total

 

 

905

 

Amounts recognized for:

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves

 

 

(134

)

DAC and DSI

 

 

(87

)

Amounts recognized

 

 

(221

)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(239

)

Increase in unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

445

 

 

Portfolio monitoring

 

The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes.  If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.

 

If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  The Company calculates the estimated recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security.  If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

For equity securities, the Company considers various factors, including whether it has the intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis.  Where the Company lacks the intent

 

12



 

and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the equity security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.

 

For fixed income and equity securities managed by third parties, either the Company has contractually retained its decision making authority as it pertains to selling securities that are in an unrealized loss position or it recognizes any unrealized loss at the end of the period through a charge to earnings.

 

The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost (for fixed income securities) or cost (for equity securities) is below established thresholds.  The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the security.  Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed income and equity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer.  Some of the factors that may be considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost.

 

13



 

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed income and equity securities by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

($ in millions)

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or more

 

Total

 

 

 

Number

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Number

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

unrealized

 

 

 

of issues

 

value

 

losses

 

of issues

 

value

 

losses

 

losses

 

March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

23

1,335

(3)

 

--

--

--

(3

)

Municipal

 

252

 

1,646

 

(18)

 

35

 

183

 

(33)

 

(51

)

Corporate

 

513

 

7,310

 

(141)

 

54

 

541

 

(67)

 

(208

)

Foreign government

 

13

 

110

 

(2)

 

2

 

25

 

(2)

 

(4

)

ABS

 

35

 

639

 

(6)

 

31

 

303

 

(27)

 

(33

)

RMBS

 

127

 

146

 

(2)

 

167

 

200

 

(19)

 

(21

)

CMBS

 

7

 

28

 

--

 

5

 

41

 

(5)

 

(5

)

Total fixed income securities

 

970

 

11,214

 

(172)

 

294

 

1,293

 

(153)

 

(325

)

Equity securities

 

14

 

464

 

(14)

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

(14

)

Total fixed income and equity securities

 

984

$  

11,678

(186)

 

294

1,293

(153)

(339

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade fixed income securities

 

871

10,432

(158)

 

210

848

(91)

(249

)

Below investment grade fixed income securities

 

99

 

782

 

(14)

 

84

 

445

 

(62)

 

(76

)

Total fixed income securities

 

970

11,214

(172)

 

294

1,293

(153)

(325

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

22

700

(7)

 

--

--

--

(7

)

Municipal

 

315

 

2,065

 

(41)

 

38

 

208

 

(46)

 

(87

)

Corporate

 

796

 

10,375

 

(308)

 

54

 

550

 

(79)

 

(387

)

Foreign government

 

36

 

262

 

(9)

 

1

 

18

 

(2)

 

(11

)

ABS

 

85

 

1,715

 

(10)

 

43

 

429

 

(34)

 

(44

)

RMBS

 

134

 

149

 

(4)

 

175

 

247

 

(26)

 

(30

)

CMBS

 

8

 

22

 

--

 

7

 

52

 

(7)

 

(7

)

Total fixed income securities

 

1,396

 

15,288

 

(379)

 

318

 

1,504

 

(194)

 

(573

)

Equity securities

 

158

 

982

 

(34)

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

(34

)

Total fixed income and equity securities

 

1,554

16,270

(413)

 

319

1,504

(194)

(607

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment grade fixed income securities

 

1,217

14,019

(340)

 

221

975

(116)

(456

)

Below investment grade fixed income securities

 

179

 

1,269

 

(39)

 

97

 

529

 

(78)

 

(117

)

Total fixed income securities

 

1,396

15,288

(379)

 

318

1,504

(194)

(573

)

 

As of March 31, 2014, $279 million of unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of amortized cost or cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired.  Of the $279 million, $212 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities.  Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standards and Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, Kroll or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.  Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to increasing risk-free interest rates or widening credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.

 

As of March 31, 2014, the remaining $60 million of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost.  Investment grade fixed income securities comprising $37 million of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations.  Of the $60 million, $22 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities and $1 million are related to equity securities.  Of these amounts, $10 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities that had been in an unrealized loss position greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of March 31, 2014.

 

ABS, RMBS and CMBS in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on actual and projected collateral losses relative to the securities’ positions in the respective securitization trusts, security specific expectations of cash

 

14



 

flows, and credit ratings.  This evaluation also takes into consideration credit enhancement, measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security the Company owns, (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to the class of securities the Company owns, such as overcollateralization and excess spread, and (iii) for ABS and RMBS in an unrealized loss position, credit enhancements from reliable bond insurers, where applicable.  Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the quality of the underlying securities.  Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to temporary equity market fluctuations of securities that are expected to recover.

 

As of March 31, 2014, the Company has not made the decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis.  As of March 31, 2014, the Company had the intent and ability to hold equity securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient for them to recover.

 

Limited partnerships

 

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of equity method limited partnerships totaled $3.68 billion and $3.52 billion, respectively.  The Company recognizes an impairment loss for equity method limited partnerships when evidence demonstrates that the loss is other than temporary.  Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain a level of earnings that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.  The Company had no write-downs related to equity method limited partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value for cost method limited partnerships was $1.35 billion and $1.44 billion, respectively.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the Company evaluates whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by the limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.  Additionally, the Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all cost method limited partnerships to identify instances where the net asset value is below established thresholds for certain periods of time, as well as investments that are performing below expectations, for further impairment consideration.  If a cost method limited partnership is other-than-temporarily impaired, the carrying value is written down to fair value, generally estimated to be equivalent to the reported net asset value of the underlying funds.  The Company had $13 million of write-downs related to cost method limited partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The Company had no write-downs related to cost method limited partnerships for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

Mortgage loans

 

Mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment on a specific loan basis through a quarterly credit monitoring process and review of key credit quality indicators.  Mortgage loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect the contractual principal and interest.  Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans to reduce the carrying value to the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or the present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate.  Impaired mortgage loans may not have a valuation allowance when the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is higher than the carrying value.  Valuation allowances are adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell.  Mortgage loans are charged off against their corresponding valuation allowances when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.  The impairment evaluation is non-statistical in respect to the aggregate portfolio but considers facts and circumstances attributable to each loan.  It is not considered probable that additional impairment losses, beyond those identified on a specific loan basis, have been incurred as of March 31, 2014.

 

Accrual of income is suspended for mortgage loans that are in default or when full and timely collection of principal and interest payments is not probable.  Cash receipts on mortgage loans on nonaccrual status are generally recorded as a reduction of carrying value.

 

15



 

Debt service coverage ratio is considered a key credit quality indicator when mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment.  Debt service coverage ratio represents the amount of estimated cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations.  Debt service coverage ratio estimates are updated annually or more frequently if conditions are warranted based on the Company’s credit monitoring process.

 

The following table reflects the carrying value of non-impaired fixed rate and variable rate mortgage loans summarized by debt service coverage ratio distribution.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Debt service coverage
ratio distribution

 

Fixed rate 
mortgage 
loans

 

Variable rate
mortgage 
loans

 

Total

 

Fixed rate 
mortgage 
loans

 

Variable rate
mortgage 
loans

 

Total

 

Below 1.0

179

--

179

153

--

153

 

1.0 - 1.25

 

597

 

--

 

597

 

613

 

--

 

613

 

1.26 - 1.50

 

1,184

 

2

 

1,186

 

1,233

 

2

 

1,235

 

Above 1.50

 

2,433

 

63

 

2,496

 

2,562

 

77

 

2,639

 

Total non-impaired mortgage loans

4,393

65

4,458

4,561

79

4,640

 

 

Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio below 1.0 that are not considered impaired primarily relate to instances where the borrower has the financial capacity to fund the revenue shortfalls from the properties for the foreseeable term, the decrease in cash flows from the properties is considered temporary, or there are other risk mitigating circumstances such as additional collateral, escrow balances or borrower guarantees.

 

The net carrying value of impaired mortgage loans is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

Impaired mortgage loans with a valuation allowance

14

81

 

Impaired mortgage loans without a valuation allowance

 

--

 

--

 

Total impaired mortgage loans

14

81

 

Valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans

9

21

 

 

The average balance of impaired loans was $48 million and $99 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

The rollforward of the valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Beginning balance

21 

42 

 

Net decrease in valuation allowance

 

(4)

 

(26)

 

Charge offs

 

(8)

 

(1)

 

Ending balance

15 

 

 

Payments on all mortgage loans were current as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

6.  Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The hierarchy for inputs used in determining fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available.  Assets and liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

 

Level 1:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.

 

Level 2:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:

 

(a)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

16



 

(b)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or

(c)  Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

Level 3:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.  Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the assets and liabilities.

 

The availability of observable inputs varies by instrument.  In situations where fair value is based on internally developed pricing models or inputs that are unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is typically greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.  In many instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market disruption.  In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments.

 

The Company is responsible for the determination of fair value and the supporting assumptions and methodologies.  The Company gains assurance that assets and liabilities are appropriately valued through the execution of various processes and controls designed to ensure the overall reasonableness and consistent application of valuation methodologies, including inputs and assumptions, and compliance with accounting standards.  For fair values received from third parties or internally estimated, the Company’s processes and controls are designed to ensure that the valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistently applied, the inputs and assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value, and the fair values are accurately recorded.  For example, on a continuing basis, the Company assesses the reasonableness of individual fair values that have stale security prices or that exceed certain thresholds as compared to previous fair values received from valuation service providers or brokers or derived from internal models.  The Company performs procedures to understand and assess the methodologies, processes and controls of valuation service providers.  In addition, the Company may validate the reasonableness of fair values by comparing information obtained from valuation service providers or brokers to other third party valuation sources for selected securities.  The Company performs ongoing price validation procedures such as back-testing of actual sales, which corroborate the various inputs used in internal models to market observable data.  When fair value determinations are expected to be more variable, the Company validates them through reviews by members of management who have relevant expertise and who are independent of those charged with executing investment transactions.

 

The Company has two types of situations where investments are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  The first is where quotes continue to be received from independent third-party valuation service providers and all significant inputs are market observable; however, there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset when compared to normal market activity such that the degree of market observability has declined to a point where categorization as a Level 3 measurement is considered appropriate.  The indicators considered in determining whether a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for a specific asset has occurred include the level of new issuances in the primary market, trading volume in the secondary market, the level of credit spreads over historical levels, applicable bid-ask spreads, and price consensus among market participants and other pricing sources.

 

The second situation where the Company classifies securities in Level 3 is where specific inputs significant to the fair value estimation models are not market observable.  This primarily occurs in the Company’s use of broker quotes to value certain securities where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable, and the use of valuation models that use significant non-market observable inputs.

 

Certain assets are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including investments such as mortgage loans, limited partnership interests, bank loans and policy loans.  Accordingly, such investments are only included in the fair value hierarchy disclosure when the investment is subject to remeasurement at fair value after initial recognition and the resulting remeasurement is reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  In addition, derivatives embedded in fixed income securities are not disclosed in the hierarchy as free-standing derivatives since they are presented with the host contracts in fixed income securities.

 

17



 

In determining fair value, the Company principally uses the market approach which generally utilizes market transaction data for the same or similar instruments.  To a lesser extent, the Company uses the income approach which involves determining fair values from discounted cash flow methodologies.  For the majority of Level 2 and Level 3 valuations, a combination of the market and income approaches is used.

 

Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

 

Level 1 measurements

 

·      Fixed income securities:  Comprise certain U.S. Treasury fixed income securities.  Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

 

·      Equity securities:  Comprise actively traded, exchange-listed equity securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

 

·      Short-term:  Comprise actively traded money market funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.

 

·      Separate account assets:  Comprise actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.  Net asset values for the actively traded mutual funds in which the separate account assets are invested are obtained daily from the fund managers.

 

·      Assets held for sale:  Comprise U.S. Treasury fixed income securities, short-term investments and separate account assets.  The valuation is based on the respective asset type as described above.

 

Level 2 measurements

 

·      Fixed income securities:

 

U.S. government and agencies:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

Municipal:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

Corporate, including privately placed:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  Also included are privately placed securities valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses market observable inputs and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.  The primary inputs to the discounted cash flow model include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets in markets that are not active that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

 

Foreign government:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

 

ABS and RMBS:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Certain ABS are valued based on non-binding broker quotes whose inputs have been corroborated to be market observable.

 

CMBS:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.

 

Redeemable preferred stock:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, underlying stock prices and credit spreads.

 

·      Equity securities:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices or quoted net asset values for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.

 

·      Short-term:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  For certain short-term investments, amortized cost is used as the best estimate of fair value.

 

18



 

·      Other investments:  Free-standing exchange listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued based on quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active.

 

OTC derivatives, including interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, certain options and certain credit default swaps, are valued using models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves, currency rates, and counterparty credit spreads that are observable for substantially the full term of the contract.  The valuation techniques underlying the models are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not involve significant judgment.

 

·      Assets held for sale:  Comprise U.S. government and agencies, municipal, corporate, foreign government, ABS, RMBS and CMBS fixed income securities, and short-term investments.  The valuation is based on the respective asset type as described above.

 

Level 3 measurements

 

·      Fixed income securities:

 

Municipal:  Municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies but are rated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”).  The primary inputs to the valuation of these municipal bonds include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  Also includes auction rate securities (“ARS”) primarily backed by student loans that have become illiquid due to failures in the auction market and are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, including the anticipated date liquidity will return to the market.

 

Corporate, including privately placed:  Primarily valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.  Also included are equity-indexed notes which are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, such as volatility.  Other inputs include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

 

ABS, RMBS and CMBS:  Valued based on non-binding broker quotes received from brokers who are familiar with the investments and where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.

 

·      Equity securities:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices or quoted net asset values for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements.

 

·      Other investments:  Certain OTC derivatives, such as interest rate caps, certain credit default swaps and certain options (including swaptions), are valued using models that are widely accepted in the financial services industry.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs such as volatility.  Other primary inputs include interest rate yield curves and credit spreads.

 

·      Assets held for sale:  Comprise municipal, corporate, ABS and CMBS fixed income securities.  The valuation is based on the respective asset type as described above.

 

·      Contractholder funds:  Derivatives embedded in certain life and annuity contracts are valued internally using models widely accepted in the financial services industry that determine a single best estimate of fair value for the embedded derivatives within a block of contractholder liabilities.  The models primarily use stochastically determined cash flows based on the contractual elements of embedded derivatives, projected option cost and applicable market data, such as interest rate yield curves and equity index volatility assumptions.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs.

 

·      Liabilities held for sale:  Comprise derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts.  The valuation is the same as described above for contractholder funds.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

 

Mortgage loans written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing impairments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell.  Limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in

 

19



 

connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments are valued using net asset values.  The carrying value of the LBL business was written-down to fair value in connection with being classified as held for sale.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions)

 

Quoted prices
in active
markets for identical assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant
other
observable
inputs
 (Level 2)

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs

(Level 3)

 

Counterparty
and cash
collateral

netting

 

Balance
as of
March 31,
2014

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

2,745

1,055

6

 

 

3,806

 

Municipal

 

--

 

8,381

 

335

 

 

 

8,716

 

Corporate

 

--

 

40,160

 

999

 

 

 

41,159

 

Foreign government

 

--

 

1,737

 

--

 

 

 

1,737

 

ABS

 

--

 

3,323

 

174

 

 

 

3,497

 

RMBS

 

--

 

1,436

 

2

 

 

 

1,438

 

CMBS

 

--

 

729

 

54

 

 

 

783

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

--

 

25

 

--

 

 

 

25

 

Total fixed income securities

 

2,745

 

56,846

 

1,570

 

 

 

61,161

 

Equity securities

 

4,571

 

709

 

17

 

 

 

5,297

 

Short-term investments

 

677

 

1,866

 

30

 

 

 

2,573

 

Other investments: Free-standing derivatives

 

--

 

183

 

5

(19)

 

169

 

Separate account assets

 

4,878

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

4,878

 

Other assets

 

2

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

2

 

Assets held for sale

 

1,688

 

9,585

 

347

 

 

 

11,620

 

Total recurring basis assets

 

14,561

 

69,189

 

1,969

 

(19)

 

85,700

 

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

--

 

--

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Total assets at fair value

14,561

69,189

1,979

(19)

85,710

 

% of total assets at fair value

 

17.0 %

 

80.7 %

 

2.3 %

 

-- %

 

100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

--

--

(319)

 

 

(319)

 

Other liabilities: Free-standing derivatives

 

(1)

 

(132)

 

(12)

7

 

(138)

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

--

 

--

 

(230)

 

 

 

(230)

 

Total recurring basis liabilities

 

(1)

 

(132)

 

(561)

 

7

 

(687)

 

Non-recurring basis (2)

 

--

 

--

 

(10,641)

 

 

 

(10,641)

 

Total liabilities at fair value

(1)

(132)

(11,202)

7

(11,328)

 

% of total liabilities at fair value

 

-- %

 

1.2 %

 

98.9 %

 

(0.1) %

 

100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes $10 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

 

(2)

Relates to LBL business held for sale (see Note 3).  The total fair value measurement includes $15,390 million of assets held for sale and $(14,641) million of liabilities held for sale, less $11,620 million of assets and $(230) million of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

20



 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2013.

 

($ in millions)

 

Quoted prices 
in active 
markets for 
identical assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant 
other 
observable 
inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant 
unobservable 
inputs
(Level 3)

 

Counterparty 
and cash 
collateral
netting

 

Balance
as of
December 31,
2013

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

1,801

1,105

7

 

 

2,913

 

Municipal

 

--

 

8,380

 

343

 

 

 

8,723

 

Corporate

 

--

 

39,494

 

1,109

 

 

 

40,603

 

Foreign government

 

--

 

1,824

 

--

 

 

 

1,824

 

ABS

 

--

 

4,326

 

192

 

 

 

4,518

 

RMBS

 

--

 

1,472

 

2

 

 

 

1,474

 

CMBS

 

--

 

786

 

43

 

 

 

829

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

--

 

25

 

1

 

 

 

26

 

Total fixed income securities

 

1,801

 

57,412

 

1,697

 

 

 

60,910

 

Equity securities

 

4,268

 

697

 

132

 

 

 

5,097

 

Short-term investments

 

752

 

1,626

 

15

 

 

 

2,393

 

Other investments: Free-standing derivatives

 

--

 

284

 

9

(24)

 

269

 

Separate account assets

 

5,039

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

5,039

 

Other assets

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

1

 

Assets held for sale

 

1,854

 

9,812

 

362

 

 

 

12,028

 

Total recurring basis assets

 

13,715

 

69,831

 

2,215

 

(24)

 

85,737

 

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

--

 

--

 

24

 

 

 

24

 

Total assets at fair value

13,715

69,831

2,239

(24)

85,761

 

% of total assets at fair value

 

16.0 %

 

81.4 %

 

2.6 %

 

-- %

 

100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

--

--

(307)

 

 

(307)

 

Other liabilities: Free-standing derivatives

 

--

 

(194)

 

(14)

11

 

(197)

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

--

 

--

 

(246)

 

 

 

(246)

 

Total recurring basis liabilities

 

--

 

(194)

 

(567)

 

11

 

(750)

 

Non-recurring basis (2)

 

--

 

--

 

(11,088)

 

 

 

(11,088)

 

Total liabilities at fair value

--

(194)

(11,655)

11

(11,838)

 

% of total liabilities at fair value

 

-- %

 

1.6 %

 

98.5 %

 

(0.1) %

 

100.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes $8 million of mortgage loans and $16 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.

 

(2)

Relates to LBL business held for sale (see Note 3).  The total fair value measurement includes $15,593 million of assets held for sale and $(14,899) million of liabilities held for sale, less $12,028 million of assets and $(246) million of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

21



 

The following table summarizes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements.

 

($ in millions)

 

Fair value

 

Valuation
technique

 

Unobservable
input

 

Range

 

Weighted
average

March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts – Equity-indexed and forward starting options

 

  $

(264)

 

Stochastic cash flow model

 

Projected option cost

 

1.0 - 2.0 %

 

1.76%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale  – Equity-indexed and forward starting options

 

  $

(230)

 

Stochastic cash flow model

 

Projected option cost

 

1.0 - 2.0 %

 

1.90%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts – Equity-indexed and forward starting options

 

  $

(247)

 

Stochastic cash flow model

 

Projected option cost

 

1.0 - 2.0 %

 

1.75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale  – Equity-indexed and forward starting options

 

  $

(246)

 

Stochastic cash flow model

 

Projected option cost

 

1.0 - 2.0 %

 

1.91%

 

If the projected option cost increased (decreased), it would result in a higher (lower) liability fair value.

 

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Level 3 fair value measurements include $1.15 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively, of fixed income securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable and $205 million and $208 million, respectively, of municipal fixed income securities that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies.  As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Level 3 fair value measurements for assets held for sale include $317 million and $319 million, respectively, of fixed income securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.  The Company does not develop the unobservable inputs used in measuring fair value; therefore, these are not included in the table above.  However, an increase (decrease) in credit spreads for fixed income securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes would result in a lower (higher) fair value, and an increase (decrease) in the credit rating of municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies would result in a higher (lower) fair value.

 

22



 

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)
included in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2013

 

Net
income
(1)

 

OCI

 

Transfers
into

Level 3

 

Transfers
out of
Level 3

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

7

--

--

--

--

Municipal

 

343

 

(4)

 

5

 

--

 

--

Corporate

 

1,109

 

5

 

1

 

--

 

(25)

ABS

 

192

 

--

 

(1)

 

--

 

(57)

RMBS

 

2

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

CMBS

 

43

 

--

 

--

 

5

 

--

Redeemable preferred stock

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

Total fixed income securities

 

1,697

 

1

 

5

 

5

 

(82)

Equity securities

 

132

 

20

 

(15)

 

--

 

--

Short-term investments

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

(5)

 

(2)

 

--

 

--

 

--

Assets held for sale

 

362

 

(1)

 

2

 

4

 

(2)

Total recurring Level 3 assets

2,186

18

(8)

9

(84)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

(307)

(2)

--

--

--

Liabilities held for sale

 

(246)

 

17

 

--

 

--

 

--

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

(553)

15

--

--

--

 

 

 

Transfer from
held for sale

 

Purchases/
Issues
(2)

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Balance as of
March 31, 2014

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

--

--

--

(1)

6

Municipal

 

--

 

1

 

(9)

 

(1)

 

335

Corporate

 

--

 

16

 

(87)

 

(20)

 

999

ABS

 

--

 

44

 

--

 

(4)

 

174

RMBS

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

2

CMBS

 

4

 

4

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

54

Redeemable preferred stock

 

--

 

--

 

(1)

 

--

 

--

Total fixed income securities

 

4

 

65

 

(98)

 

(27)

 

1,570

Equity securities

 

--

 

1

 

(121)

 

--

 

17

Short-term investments

 

--

 

30

 

--

 

--

 

30

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

--

 

2

 

--

 

(2)

 

(7) (3)

Assets held for sale

 

(4)

 

--

 

(8)

 

(6)

 

347

Total recurring Level 3 assets

--

98

(227)

(35)

1,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

--

(11)

--

1

(319)

Liabilities held for sale

 

--

 

(4)

 

--

 

3

 

(230)

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

--

(15)

--

4

(549)

_____________

 

(1) The effect to net income totals $33 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $20 million in realized capital gains and losses, $2 million in net investment income, $10 million in interest credited to contractholder funds, $5 million in life and annuity contract benefits and $(4) million in loss on disposition of operations.

(2) Represents purchases for assets and issues for liabilities.

(3) Comprises $5 million of assets and $12 million of liabilities.

 

23



 

The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)
included in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2012

 

Net
income
(1)

 

OCI

 

Transfers
into

Level 3

 

Transfers
out of
Level 3

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

8

--

--

--

--

Municipal

 

965

 

(24)

 

54

 

6

 

--

Corporate

 

1,617

 

12

 

(1)

 

25

 

(125)

ABS

 

251

 

1

 

7

 

18

 

--

RMBS

 

3

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

CMBS

 

52

 

--

 

2

 

--

 

--

Redeemable preferred stock

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

Total fixed income securities

 

2,897

 

(11)

 

62

 

49

 

(125)

Equity securities

 

171

 

1

 

1

 

--

 

--

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

(27)

 

7

 

--

 

--

 

--

Other assets

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

Total recurring Level 3 assets

3,042

(3)

63

49

(125)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

(553)

6

--

--

--

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

(553)

6

--

--

--

 

 

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Issues

 

Settlements

 

Balance as of
March 31, 2013

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

--

--

--

(1)

7

Municipal

 

--

 

(339)

 

--

 

(2)

 

660

Corporate

 

264

 

(199)

 

--

 

(17)

 

1,576

ABS

 

56

 

(49)

 

--

 

(8)

 

276

RMBS

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3

CMBS

 

1

 

(17)

 

--

 

(1)

 

37

Redeemable preferred stock

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1

Total fixed income securities

 

321

 

(604)

 

--

 

(29)

 

2,560

Equity securities

 

--

 

(1)

 

--

 

--

 

172

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

(1)

 

(20) (2)

Other assets

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1

Total recurring Level 3 assets

322

(605)

--

(30)

2,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

--

--

(24)

4

(567)

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

--

--

(24)

4

(567)

_____________

 

(1) The effect to net income totals $3 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(10) million in realized capital gains and losses, $7 million in net investment income, $(20) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $26 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

(2) Comprises $4 million of assets and $24 million of liabilities.

 

24



 

Transfers between level categorizations may occur due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs, which generally are caused by changes in market conditions such as liquidity, trading volume or bid-ask spreads.  Transfers between level categorizations may also occur due to changes in the valuation source.  For example, in situations where a fair value quote is not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price is stale or has been replaced with a broker quote whose inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable, the security is transferred into Level 3.  Transfers in and out of level categorizations are reported as having occurred at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurred.  Therefore, for all transfers into Level 3, all realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses in the quarter of transfer are reflected in the Level 3 rollforward table.

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

Transfers into Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 included situations where a fair value quote was not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price was stale or had been replaced with a broker quote where the inputs had not been corroborated to be market observable resulting in the security being classified as Level 3.  Transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 included situations where a broker quote was used in the prior period and a fair value quote became available from the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider in the current period.  A quote utilizing the new pricing source was not available as of the prior period, and any gains or losses related to the change in valuation source for individual securities were not significant.

 

The following table provides the change in unrealized gains and losses included in net income for Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of March 31.

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

(4)

(14)

 

Corporate

 

3

 

5

 

CMBS

 

--

 

(1)

 

Total fixed income securities

 

(1)

 

(10)

 

Equity securities

 

--

 

1

 

Free-standing derivatives, net

 

--

 

7

 

Assets held for sale

 

(1)

 

--

 

Total recurring Level 3 assets

(2)

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts

(2)

6

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

17

 

--

 

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities

15

6

 

 

The amounts in the table above represent the change in unrealized gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3.  These gains and losses total $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and are reported as follows: $(2) million in realized capital gains and losses, $2 million in net investment income, $10 million in interest credited to contractholder funds, $5 million in life and annuity contract benefits and $(2) million in loss on disposition of operations.  These gains and losses total $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and are reported as follows: $(8) million in realized capital gains and losses, $6 million in net investment income, $(20) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $26 million in life and annuity contract benefits.

 

25



 

Presented below are the carrying values and fair value estimates of financial instruments not carried at fair value.

 

Financial assets

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

Mortgage loans

4,472

4,686

4,721

4,871

Cost method limited partnerships

 

1,346

 

1,764

 

1,443

 

1,835

Bank loans

 

1,447

 

1,445

 

1,242

 

1,244

Agent loans

 

348

 

344

 

341

 

325

Assets held for sale

 

1,350

 

1,436

 

1,458

 

1,532

 

The fair value of mortgage loans, including those classified as assets held for sale, is based on discounted contractual cash flows or, if the loans are impaired due to credit reasons, the fair value of collateral less costs to sell.  Risk adjusted discount rates are selected using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar characteristics, using similar types of properties as collateral.  The fair value of cost method limited partnerships is determined using reported net asset values of the underlying funds.  The fair value of bank loans, which are reported in other investments or assets held for sale, is based on broker quotes from brokers familiar with the loans and current market conditions.  The fair value of agent loans, which are reported in other investments, is based on discounted cash flow calculations that use discount rates with a spread over U.S. Treasury rates.  Assumptions used in developing estimated cash flows and discount rates consider the loan’s credit and liquidity risks.  The fair value measurements for mortgage loans, cost method limited partnerships, bank loans, agent loans and assets held for sale are categorized as Level 3.

 

Financial liabilities

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

 

Carrying
value

 

Fair
value

Contractholder funds on investment contracts

15,267

15,968

15,569

16,225

Long-term debt

 

6,200

 

6,691

 

6,201

 

6,509

Liability for collateral

 

780

 

780

 

624

 

624

Liabilities held for sale

 

7,166

 

7,127

 

7,417

 

7,298

 

The fair value of contractholder funds on investment contracts, including those classified as liabilities held for sale, is based on the terms of the underlying contracts utilizing prevailing market rates for similar contracts adjusted for the Company’s own credit risk.  Deferred annuities included in contractholder funds are valued using discounted cash flow models which incorporate market value margins, which are based on the cost of holding economic capital, and the Company’s own credit risk.  Immediate annuities without life contingencies and fixed rate funding agreements are valued at the present value of future benefits using market implied interest rates which include the Company’s own credit risk.  The fair value measurements for contractholder funds on investment contracts and liabilities held for sale are categorized as Level 3.

 

The fair value of long-term debt is based on market observable data (such as the fair value of the debt when traded as an asset) or, in certain cases, is determined using discounted cash flow calculations based on current interest rates for instruments with comparable terms and considers the Company’s own credit risk.  The liability for collateral is valued at carrying value due to its short-term nature.  The fair value measurements for long-term debt and liability for collateral are categorized as Level 2.

 

26



 

7.  Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company uses derivatives to manage risks with certain assets and liabilities arising from the potential adverse impacts from changes in risk-free interest rates, changes in equity market valuations, increases in credit spreads and foreign currency fluctuations, and for asset replication.  The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes.

 

Property-Liability uses interest rate swaps, swaptions, futures and options to manage the interest rate risks of existing investments.  Portfolio duration management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Property-Liability wherein financial futures and interest rate swaps are utilized to change the duration of the portfolio in order to offset the economic effect that interest rates would otherwise have on the fair value of its fixed income securities.  Equity index futures and options are used by Property-Liability to offset valuation losses in the equity portfolio during periods of declining equity market values.  Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio.  Property-Liability uses equity futures to hedge the market risk related to deferred compensation liability contracts and forward contracts to hedge foreign currency risk associated with holding foreign currency denominated investments and foreign operations.

 

Asset-liability management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Allstate Financial to balance the respective interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities.  Depending upon the attributes of the assets acquired and liabilities issued, derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, swaptions and futures are utilized to change the interest rate characteristics of existing assets and liabilities to ensure the relationship is maintained within specified ranges and to reduce exposure to rising or falling interest rates.  Allstate Financial uses financial futures and interest rate swaps to hedge anticipated asset purchases and liability issuances and futures and options for hedging the equity exposure contained in its equity indexed life and annuity product contracts that offer equity returns to contractholders.  In addition, Allstate Financial uses interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk inherent in funding agreements.  Allstate Financial uses foreign currency swaps and forwards primarily to reduce the foreign currency risk associated with issuing foreign currency denominated funding agreements and holding foreign currency denominated investments.  Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Allstate Financial fixed income portfolio.

 

The Company may also use derivatives to manage the risk associated with corporate actions, including the sale of a business.  During the first quarter of 2014 and December 2013, swaptions were utilized to hedge the expected proceeds from the pending disposition of LBL.

 

Asset replication refers to the “synthetic” creation of assets through the use of derivatives and primarily investment grade host bonds to replicate securities that are either unavailable in the cash markets or more economical to acquire in synthetic form.  The Company replicates fixed income securities using a combination of a credit default swap and one or more highly rated fixed income securities to synthetically replicate the economic characteristics of one or more cash market securities.

 

The Company also has derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts that are required to be separated from the host contracts and accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value of embedded derivatives reported in net income.  The Company’s primary embedded derivatives are equity options in life and annuity product contracts, which provide equity returns to contractholders; equity-indexed notes containing equity call options, which provide a coupon payout that is determined using one or more equity-based indices; credit default swaps in synthetic collateralized debt obligations, which provide enhanced coupon rates as a result of selling credit protection; and conversion options in fixed income securities, which provide the Company with the right to convert the instrument into a predetermined number of shares of common stock.

 

When derivatives meet specific criteria, they may be designated as accounting hedges and accounted for as fair value, cash flow, foreign currency fair value or foreign currency cash flow hedges.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts and certain investment risk transfer reinsurance agreements as fair value hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the risk of changes in the fair value of the hedged item.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its foreign currency swap contracts as cash flow hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the exposure of variations in cash flows for the hedged risk that could affect net income.  Amounts are reclassified to net investment income or realized capital gains and losses as the hedged item affects net income.

 

The notional amounts specified in the contracts are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are generally not representative of the potential for gain or loss on these agreements. 

 

27



 

However, the notional amounts specified in credit default swaps where the Company has sold credit protection represent the maximum amount of potential loss, assuming no recoveries.

 

Fair value, which is equal to the carrying value, is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the derivative contracts at the reporting date.  The carrying value amounts for OTC derivatives are further adjusted for the effects, if any, of enforceable master netting agreements and are presented on a net basis, by counterparty agreement, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  For certain exchange traded and cleared derivatives, margin deposits are required as well as daily cash settlements of margin accounts.  As of March 31, 2014, the Company pledged $32 million of cash and securities in the form of margin deposits.

 

For those derivatives which qualify for fair value hedge accounting, net income includes the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged risk, and therefore reflects any hedging ineffectiveness.  For cash flow hedges, gains and losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income and are reported in net income in the same period the forecasted transactions being hedged impact net income.

 

Non-hedge accounting is generally used for “portfolio” level hedging strategies where the terms of the individual hedged items do not meet the strict homogeneity requirements to permit the application of hedge accounting.  For non-hedge derivatives, net income includes changes in fair value and accrued periodic settlements, when applicable.  With the exception of non-hedge derivatives used for asset replication and non-hedge embedded derivatives, all of the Company’s derivatives are evaluated for their ongoing effectiveness as either accounting hedge or non-hedge derivative financial instruments on at least a quarterly basis.

 

28



 

The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

 

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet location

 

Notional
amount

 

Number
of
contracts

 

Fair
value,
net

 

Gross
asset

 

Gross
liability

Asset derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other investments

16

 

n/a

1

1

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate cap agreements

 

Other investments

 

56

 

n/a

 

1

 

1

 

--

Financial futures contracts

 

Other assets

 

--

 

500

 

--

 

--

 

--

Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options and warrants (2)

 

Other investments

 

--

 

7,905

 

164

 

164

 

--

Financial futures contracts

 

Other assets

 

--

 

1,871

 

2

 

2

 

--

Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forwards

 

Other investments

 

107

 

n/a

 

7

 

7

 

--

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps

 

Fixed income securities

 

12

 

n/a

 

(12)

 

--

 

(12)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Other investments

 

1,000

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps - buying protection

 

Other investments

 

2

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Credit default swaps - selling protection

 

Other investments

 

120

 

n/a

 

2

 

2

 

--

Other contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other contracts

 

Other assets

 

4

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Subtotal

 

 

 

1,301

 

10,276

 

164

 

176

 

(12)

Total asset derivatives

 

 

1,317

 

10,276

165

177

(12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liability derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

129

 

n/a

(16)

--

(16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

85

 

n/a

 

4

 

4

 

--

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

5,000

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Interest rate cap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

233

 

n/a

 

4

 

4

 

--

Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options and futures

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

--

 

9,005

 

(90)

 

--

 

(90)

Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forwards

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

182

 

n/a

 

(1)

 

3

 

(4)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

711

 

n/a

 

(39)

 

--

 

(39)

Guaranteed withdrawal benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

493

 

n/a

 

(12)

 

--

 

(12)

Equity-indexed and forward starting options in life and annuity product contracts

 

Contractholder funds

 

1,755

 

n/a

 

(264)

 

--

 

(264)

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

2,239

 

n/a

 

(230)

 

--

 

(230)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Contractholder funds

 

85

 

n/a

 

(4)

 

--

 

(4)

Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps – buying protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

864

 

n/a

 

(23)

 

--

 

(23)

Credit default swaps – selling protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

170

 

n/a

 

(10)

 

2

 

(12)

Subtotal

 

 

 

11,817

 

9,005

 

(665)

 

13

 

(678)

Total liability derivatives

 

 

 

11,946

 

9,005

 

(681)

13

(694)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

 

13,263

 

19,281

(516)

 

 

 

 

_______________

 

(1) Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)

(2) In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 8,860 stock rights and 1,233,820 stock warrants.  Stock rights and warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.

 

29



 

The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013.

 

($ in millions, except number of contracts)

 

 

 

Volume (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet location

 

Notional
amount

 

Number
of
contracts

 

Fair
value,
net

 

Gross
asset

 

Gross
liability

Asset derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other investments

16

 

n/a

1

1

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other investments

 

1,420

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Interest rate cap agreements

 

Other investments

 

61

 

n/a

 

2

 

2

 

--

Financial futures contracts

 

Other assets

 

--

 

550

 

--

 

--

 

--

Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options and warrants (2)

 

Other investments

 

3

 

10,035

 

263

 

263

 

--

Financial futures contracts

 

Other assets

 

--

 

1,432

 

1

 

1

 

--

Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forwards

 

Other investments

 

161

 

n/a

 

10

 

10

 

--

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps

 

Fixed income securities

 

12

 

n/a

 

(12)

 

--

 

(12)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Other investments

 

1,000

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps - buying protection

 

Other investments

 

2

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Credit default swaps - selling protection

 

Other investments

 

105

 

n/a

 

2

 

2

 

--

Other contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other contracts

 

Other assets

 

4

 

n/a

 

--

 

--

 

--

Subtotal

 

 

 

2,768

 

12,017

 

266

 

278

 

(12)

Total asset derivatives

 

 

2,784

 

12,017

267

279

(12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liability derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

132

 

n/a

(15)

--

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

85

 

n/a

 

4

 

4

 

--

Interest rate swaption agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

4,570

 

n/a

 

1

 

1

 

--

Interest rate cap agreements

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

262

 

n/a

 

4

 

4

 

--

Equity and index contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

55

 

10,035

 

(165)

 

2

 

(167)

Foreign currency contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forwards

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

148

 

n/a

 

(3)

 

2

 

(5)

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

738

 

n/a

 

(43)

 

--

 

(43)

Guaranteed withdrawal benefits

 

Contractholder funds

 

506

 

n/a

 

(13)

 

--

 

(13)

Equity-indexed and forward starting options in life and annuity product contracts

 

Contractholder funds

 

1,693

 

n/a

 

(247)

 

--

 

(247)

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

2,363

 

n/a

 

(246)

 

--

 

(246)

Other embedded derivative financial instruments

 

Contractholder funds

 

85

 

n/a

 

(4)

 

--

 

(4)

Credit default contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit default swaps – buying protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

397

 

n/a

 

(6)

 

--

 

(6)

Credit default swaps – selling protection

 

Other liabilities & accrued expenses

 

185

 

n/a

 

(13)

 

2

 

(15)

Subtotal

 

 

 

11,087

 

10,035

 

(731)

 

15

 

(746)

Total liability derivatives

 

 

 

11,219

 

10,035

 

(746)

15

(761)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

 

14,003

 

22,052

(479)

 

 

 

 

_______________

 

(1) Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)

(2) In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 6,160 stock rights and 1,232,420 stock warrants.  Stock rights and warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.

 

30



 

The following table provides gross and net amounts for the Company’s OTC derivatives, all of which are subject to enforceable master netting agreements.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Offsets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross
amount

 

Counter-
party
netting

 

Cash
collateral
(received)
pledged

 

Net
amount on
balance
sheet

 

Securities
collateral
(received)
pledged

 

Net
amount

March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset derivatives

22

(13)

(6)

3

(2)

1

Liability derivatives

 

(41)

 

13

 

(6)

 

(34)

 

24

 

(10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset derivatives

28

(15)

(9)

4

(4)

--

Liability derivatives

 

(41)

 

15

 

(4)

 

(30)

 

23

 

(7)

 

The following table provides a summary of the impacts of the Company’s foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended March 31.  Amortization of net losses from accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges is expected to be $2 million during the next twelve months.  There was no hedge ineffectiveness reported in realized gains and losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

(Loss) gain recognized in OCI on derivatives during the period

(2)

3

 

Loss recognized in OCI on derivatives during the term of the hedging relationship

 

(19)

 

(19)

 

Loss reclassified from AOCI into income (net investment income)

 

(1)

 

--

 

Loss reclassified from AOCI into income (realized capital gains and losses)

 

--

 

--

 

 

The following tables present gains and losses from valuation, settlements and hedge ineffectiveness reported on derivatives used in fair value hedging relationships and derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no derivatives used in fair value hedging relationships.

 

($ in millions)

 

Realized
capital
gains and
losses

 

Life and
annuity
contract
benefits

 

Interest
credited to
contractholder
funds

 

Operating
costs and
expenses

 

Loss on
disposition
of
operations

 

Total gain
(loss)
recognized in
net income on
derivatives

Three months ended March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

(4)

--

--

--

(4)

(8)

Equity and index contracts

 

(3)

 

--

 

9

 

1

 

--

 

7

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

--

 

5

 

(1)

 

--

 

--

 

4

Foreign currency contracts

 

(6)

 

--

 

--

 

1

 

--

 

(5)

Credit default contracts

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1

Total

(12)

5

8

2

(4)

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and index contracts

(9)

--

38

11

--

40

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

(1)

 

26

 

(40)

 

--

 

--

 

(15)

Foreign currency contracts

 

1

 

--

 

--

 

(7)

 

--

 

(6)

Credit default contracts

 

5

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

5

Total

(4)

26

(2)

4

--

24

 

The Company manages its exposure to credit risk by utilizing highly rated counterparties, establishing risk control limits, executing legally enforceable master netting agreements (“MNAs”) and obtaining collateral where appropriate.  The Company uses MNAs for OTC derivative transactions that permit either party to net payments due for transactions and collateral is either pledged or obtained when certain predetermined exposure limits are exceeded.  As of March 31, 2014, counterparties pledged $15 million in cash and securities to the Company, and the Company pledged $25 million in securities to counterparties which includes $19 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent provisions that are in a liability position and $6 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts without credit-risk-contingent liabilities.  The Company has not incurred

 

31



 

any losses on derivative financial instruments due to counterparty nonperformance.  Other derivatives, including futures and certain option contracts, are traded on organized exchanges which require margin deposits and guarantee the execution of trades, thereby mitigating any potential credit risk.

 

Counterparty credit exposure represents the Company’s potential loss if all of the counterparties concurrently fail to perform under the contractual terms of the contracts and all collateral, if any, becomes worthless.  This exposure is measured by the fair value of OTC derivative contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date reduced by the effect, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements.

 

The following table summarizes the counterparty credit exposure by counterparty credit rating as it relates to the Company’s OTC derivatives.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Rating (1)

 

Number of
counter-
parties

 

Notional
amount 
(2)

 

Credit
exposure 
(2)

 

Exposure,
net of
collateral 
(2)

 

Number of
counter-
parties

 

Notional
amount 
(2)

 

Credit
exposure 
(2)

 

Exposure,
net of
collateral 
(2)

 

A+

 

1

21

1

1

 

1

22

1

1

 

A

 

5

 

192

 

9

 

--

 

5

 

1,628

 

9

 

2

 

A-

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1

 

24

 

1

 

--

 

BBB+

 

1

 

33

 

3

 

--

 

1

 

33

 

3

 

--

 

BBB

 

1

 

76

 

--

 

--

 

1

 

76

 

1

 

--

 

Total

 

8

322

13

1

 

9

1,783

15

3

 

______________

(1)  Rating is the lower of S&P or Moody’s ratings.

(2)  Only OTC derivatives with a net positive fair value are included for each counterparty.

 

Market risk is the risk that the Company will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices.  Market risk exists for all of the derivative financial instruments the Company currently holds, as these instruments may become less valuable due to adverse changes in market conditions.  To limit this risk, the Company’s senior management has established risk control limits.  In addition, changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments that the Company uses for risk management purposes are generally offset by the change in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged risk component of the related assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions.

 

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-contingent termination events, cross-default provisions and credit support annex agreements.  Credit-risk-contingent termination events allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative on certain dates if AIC’s, ALIC’s or Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York’s (“ALNY”) financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P fall below a certain level or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by either Moody’s or S&P.  Credit-risk-contingent cross-default provisions allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative instruments if the Company defaults by pre-determined threshold amounts on certain debt instruments.  Credit-risk-contingent credit support annex agreements specify the amount of collateral the Company must post to counterparties based on AIC’s, ALIC’s or ALNY’s financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P, or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by either Moody’s or S&P.

 

The following summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments with termination, cross-default or collateral credit-risk-contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as the fair value of assets and collateral that are netted against the liability in accordance with provisions within legally enforceable MNAs.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

Gross liability fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features

$

31

$

28

Gross asset fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features and subject to MNAs

 

(8)

 

(11)

Collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features

 

(19)

 

(14)

Maximum amount of additional exposure for contracts with credit-risk-contingent features if all features were triggered concurrently

$

4

$

3

 

Credit derivatives - selling protection

 

Free-standing credit default swaps (“CDS”) are utilized for selling credit protection against a specified credit event.  A credit default swap is a derivative instrument, representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a specified entity (or a group of entities), or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities (all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), in return for a periodic premium.  In selling protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities and to complement the cash

 

32



 

market when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when the derivative alternative is less expensive than the cash market alternative.  CDS typically have a five-year term.

 

The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold.

 

($ in millions)

 

Notional amount

 

 

 

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BB and
lower

 

Total

 

Fair
value

March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

20

$

25

$

65

$

--

$

110

$

2

First-to-default Basket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

--

 

100

 

--

 

--

 

100

 

(12)

Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

1

 

20

 

55

 

4

 

80

 

2

Total

$

21

$

145

$

120

$

4

$

290

$

(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

20

$

25

$

65

$

--

$

110

$

2

First-to-default Basket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

--

 

100

 

--

 

--

 

100

 

(15)

Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

1

 

20

 

55

 

4

 

80

 

2

Total

$

21

$

145

$

120

$

4

$

290

$

(11)

 

In selling protection with CDS, the Company sells credit protection on an identified single name, a basket of names in a first-to-default (“FTD”) structure or credit derivative index (“CDX”) that is generally investment grade, and in return receives periodic premiums through expiration or termination of the agreement.  With single name CDS, this premium or credit spread generally corresponds to the difference between the yield on the reference entity’s public fixed maturity cash instruments and swap rates at the time the agreement is executed.  With a FTD basket, because of the additional credit risk inherent in a basket of named reference entities, the premium generally corresponds to a high proportion of the sum of the credit spreads of the names in the basket and the correlation between the names.  CDX is utilized to take a position on multiple (generally 125) reference entities.  Credit events are typically defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, or restructuring, depending on the nature of the reference entities.  If a credit event occurs, the Company settles with the counterparty, either through physical settlement or cash settlement.  In a physical settlement, a reference asset is delivered by the buyer of protection to the Company, in exchange for cash payment at par, whereas in a cash settlement, the Company pays the difference between par and the prescribed value of the reference asset.  When a credit event occurs in a single name or FTD basket (for FTD, the first credit event occurring for any one name in the basket), the contract terminates at the time of settlement.  To date, realized losses have not exceeded the subordination.  For CDX, the reference entity’s name incurring the credit event is removed from the index while the contract continues until expiration.  The maximum payout on a CDS is the contract notional amount.  A physical settlement may afford the Company with recovery rights as the new owner of the asset.

 

The Company monitors risk associated with credit derivatives through individual name credit limits at both a credit derivative and a combined cash instrument/credit derivative level.  The ratings of individual names for which protection has been sold are also monitored.

 

In addition to the CDS described above, the Company’s synthetic collateralized debt obligations contain embedded credit default swaps which sell protection on a basket of reference entities.  The synthetic collateralized debt obligations are fully funded; therefore, the Company is not obligated to contribute additional funds when credit events occur related to the reference entities named in the embedded credit default swaps.  The Company’s maximum amount at risk equals the amount of its aggregate initial investment in the synthetic collateralized debt obligations.

 

8.  Reserve for Property-Liability Insurance Claims and Claims Expense

 

The Company establishes reserves for claims and claims expense on reported and unreported claims of insured losses.  The Company’s reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and

 

33



 

factors including the Company’s experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, changes in law and regulation, judicial decisions, and economic conditions.  In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, and other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims.  The effects of inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.

 

Because reserves are estimates of unpaid portions of losses that have occurred, including incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses, the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, is an inherently uncertain and complex process.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimates.  The highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for losses incurred in the current reporting period as it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled.  The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims.  Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported in property-liability insurance claims and claims expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period such changes are determined.

 

Management believes that the reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, net of reinsurance recoverables, is appropriately established in the aggregate and adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported claims arising from losses which had occurred by the date of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.

 

9.  Reinsurance

 

Property-liability insurance premiums earned and life and annuity premiums and contract charges have been reduced by reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

Property-liability insurance premiums earned

$

258

$

273

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

153

 

158

 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, life and annuity contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds have been reduced by the reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

$

98

$

218

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

126

 

88

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

6

 

6

 

10.  Capital Structure

 

Preferred stock

 

In March 2014, the Company issued 29,900 shares of 6.625% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E, with a $1.00 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for gross proceeds of $747.5 million.  The proceeds of this issuance were used for general corporate purposes.

 

11.  Company Restructuring

 

The Company undertakes various programs to reduce expenses.  These programs generally involve a reduction in staffing levels, and in certain cases, office closures.  Restructuring and related charges include employee termination and relocation benefits, and post-exit rent expenses in connection with these programs, and non-cash charges resulting from pension benefit payments made to agents in connection with the 1999 reorganization of Allstate’s multiple agency programs to a single exclusive agency program.  The expenses related to these activities are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring and related charges, and totaled $6 million and $26 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

34



 

The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions)

 

Employee
costs

 

Exit
costs

 

Total
liability

Balance as of December 31, 2013

$

21

$

3

$

24

Adjustments to liability

 

1

 

--

 

1

Payments applied against liability

 

(3)

 

(1)

 

(4)

Balance as of March 31, 2014

$

19

$

2

$

21

 

The payments applied against the liability for employee costs primarily reflect severance costs, and the payments for exit costs generally consist of post-exit rent expenses and contract termination penalties.  As of March 31, 2014, the cumulative amount incurred to date for active programs totaled $96 million for employee costs and $54 million for exit costs.

 

12.  Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities

 

Shared markets and state facility assessments

 

The Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations in various states that provide insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers.  Underwriting results related to these arrangements, which tend to be adverse, have been immaterial to the Company’s results of operations.  Because of the Company’s participation, it may be exposed to losses that surpass the capitalization of these facilities and/or assessments from these facilities.

 

Guarantees

 

The Company provides residual value guarantees on Company leased automobiles.  If all outstanding leases were terminated effective March 31, 2014, the Company’s maximum obligation pursuant to these guarantees, assuming the automobiles have no residual value, would be $37 million as of March 31, 2014.  The remaining term of each residual value guarantee is equal to the term of the underlying lease that ranges from less than one year to three years.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these guarantees.

 

The Company owns certain fixed income securities that obligate the Company to exchange credit risk or to forfeit principal due, depending on the nature or occurrence of specified credit events for the reference entities.  In the event all such specified credit events were to occur, the Company’s maximum amount at risk on these fixed income securities, as measured by the amount of the aggregate initial investment, was $5 million as of March 31, 2014.  The obligations associated with these fixed income securities expire at various dates on or before March 11, 2018.

 

Related to the disposal through reinsurance of substantially all of Allstate Financial’s variable annuity business to Prudential in 2006, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, ALIC and ALNY, have agreed to indemnify Prudential for certain pre-closing contingent liabilities (including extra-contractual liabilities of ALIC and ALNY and liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction) that ALIC and ALNY have agreed to retain.  In addition, the Company, ALIC and ALNY will each indemnify Prudential for certain post-closing liabilities that may arise from the acts of ALIC, ALNY and their agents, including in connection with ALIC’s and ALNY’s provision of transition services.  The reinsurance agreements contain no limitations or indemnifications with regard to insurance risk transfer, and transferred all of the future risks and responsibilities for performance on the underlying variable annuity contracts to Prudential, including those related to benefit guarantees.  Management does not believe this agreement will have a material effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company provides standard indemnifications to contractual counterparties in connection with numerous transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures.  The types of indemnifications typically provided include indemnifications for breaches of representations and warranties, taxes and certain other liabilities, such as third party lawsuits.  The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business based on an assessment that the risk of loss would be remote.  The terms of the indemnifications vary in duration and nature.  In many cases, the maximum obligation is not explicitly stated and the contingencies triggering the obligation to indemnify have not occurred and are not expected to occur.  Consequently, the maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications is not determinable.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these obligations.

 

35



 

The aggregate liability balance related to all guarantees was not material as of March 31, 2014.

 

Regulation and Compliance

 

The Company is subject to changing social, economic and regulatory conditions.  From time to time, regulatory authorities or legislative bodies seek to influence and restrict premium rates, require premium refunds to policyholders, require reinstatement of terminated policies, restrict the ability of insurers to cancel or non-renew policies, require insurers to continue to write new policies or limit their ability to write new policies, limit insurers’ ability to change coverage terms or to impose underwriting standards, impose additional regulations regarding agent and broker compensation, regulate the nature of and amount of investments, and otherwise expand overall regulation of insurance products and the insurance industry.  The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations, to foster prudent business operations, and to support financial reporting.  The Company routinely reviews its practices to validate compliance with laws and regulations and with internal procedures and policies.  As a result of these reviews, from time to time the Company may decide to modify some of its procedures and policies.  Such modifications, and the reviews that led to them, may be accompanied by payments being made and costs being incurred.  The ultimate changes and eventual effects of these actions on the Company’s business, if any, are uncertain.

 

Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries

 

The Company and certain subsidiaries are involved in a number of lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings arising out of various aspects of its business.

 

Background

 

These matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including the underlying facts of each matter; novel legal issues; variations between jurisdictions in which matters are being litigated, heard, or investigated; differences in applicable laws and judicial interpretations; the length of time before many of these matters might be resolved by settlement, through litigation, or otherwise; the fact that some of the lawsuits are putative class actions in which a class has not been certified and in which the purported class may not be clearly defined; the fact that some of the lawsuits involve multi-state class actions in which the applicable law(s) for the claims at issue is in dispute and therefore unclear; and the current challenging legal environment faced by large corporations and insurance companies.

 

The outcome of these matters may be affected by decisions, verdicts, and settlements, and the timing of such decisions, verdicts, and settlements, in other individual and class action lawsuits that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities and by other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities.  The outcome may also be affected by future state or federal legislation, the timing or substance of which cannot be predicted.

 

In the lawsuits, plaintiffs seek a variety of remedies which may include equitable relief in the form of injunctive and other remedies and monetary relief in the form of contractual and extra-contractual damages.  In some cases, the monetary damages sought may include punitive or treble damages.  Often specific information about the relief sought, such as the amount of damages, is not available because plaintiffs have not requested specific relief in their pleadings.  When specific monetary demands are made, they are often set just below a state court jurisdictional limit in order to seek the maximum amount available in state court, regardless of the specifics of the case, while still avoiding the risk of removal to federal court.  In Allstate’s experience, monetary demands in pleadings bear little relation to the ultimate loss, if any, to the Company.

 

In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution, and changes in business practices.  The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding.

 

Accrual and disclosure policy

 

The Company reviews its lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions.  The Company establishes accruals for such matters at management’s best estimate when the Company assesses that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company does not establish accruals for such matters when the Company does not believe both that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company’s assessment of whether a loss is reasonably possible

 

36



 

or probable is based on its assessment of the ultimate outcome of the matter following all appeals.  The Company does not include potential recoveries in its estimates of reasonably possible or probable losses.  Legal fees are expensed as incurred.

 

The Company continues to monitor its lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings for further developments that would make the loss contingency both probable and estimable, and accordingly accruable, or that could affect the amount of accruals that have been previously established.  There may continue to be exposure to loss in excess of any amount accrued.  Disclosure of the nature and amount of an accrual is made when there have been sufficient legal and factual developments such that the Company’s ability to resolve the matter would not be impaired by the disclosure of the amount of accrual.

 

When the Company assesses it is reasonably possible or probable that a loss has been incurred, it discloses the matter.  When it is possible to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, for the matters disclosed, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed.  Disclosure is not required when an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be made.

 

For certain of the matters described below in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections, the Company is able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any.  In determining whether it is possible to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, the Company reviews and evaluates the disclosed matters, in conjunction with counsel, in light of potentially relevant factual and legal developments.

 

These developments may include information learned through the discovery process, rulings on dispositive motions, settlement discussions, information obtained from other sources, experience from managing these and other matters, and other rulings by courts, arbitrators or others.  When the Company possesses sufficient appropriate information to develop an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed below.  There may be other disclosed matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible but such an estimate is not possible.  Disclosure of the estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, for any individual matter would only be considered when there have been sufficient legal and factual developments such that the Company’s ability to resolve the matter would not be impaired by the disclosure of the individual estimate.

 

As of March 31, 2014, the Company estimates that the aggregate range of reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if any, for the disclosed matters where such an estimate is possible is zero to $825 million, pre-tax.  This disclosure is not an indication of expected loss, if any.  Under accounting guidance, an event is “reasonably possible” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely” and an event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is slight.”  This estimate is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties.  The matters underlying the estimate will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate.  The estimate does not include matters or losses for which an estimate is not possible.  Therefore, this estimate represents an estimate of possible loss only for certain matters meeting these criteria.  It does not represent the Company’s maximum possible loss exposure.  Information is provided below regarding the nature of all of the disclosed matters and, where specified, the amount, if any, of plaintiff claims associated with these loss contingencies.

 

Due to the complexity and scope of the matters disclosed in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections below and the many uncertainties that exist, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted.  In the event of an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters, the ultimate liability may be in excess of amounts currently accrued, if any, and may be material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period.  However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described below, as they are resolved over time, is not likely to have a material effect on the financial position of the Company.

 

Claims related proceedings

 

Allstate is vigorously defending a class action lawsuit in Montana state court challenging aspects of its claim handling practices in Montana.  The plaintiff alleges that the Company adjusts claims made by individuals who do not have attorneys in a manner that unfairly resulted in lower payments compared to claimants who were represented by attorneys.  In January 2012, the court certified a class of Montana claimants who were not represented by attorneys with respect to the resolution of auto accident claims.  The court certified the class to cover

 

37



 

an indefinite period that commences in the mid-1990’s.  The certified claims include claims for declaratory judgment, injunctive relief and punitive damages in an unspecified amount.  Injunctive relief may include a claim process by which unrepresented claimants could request that their claims be readjusted.  No compensatory damages are sought on behalf of the class.  The Company appealed the order certifying the class.  In August 2013, the Montana Supreme Court affirmed in part, and reversed in part, the lower court’s order granting plaintiff’s motion for class certification and remanded the case for trial.  The Company petitioned for rehearing of the Montana Supreme Court’s decision, which the Court denied.  In January 2014, the Company timely filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Montana Supreme Court’s decision.  On May 5, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for a writ of certiorari.  The case will continue in Montana state court and all of the Company’s various defenses remain available to it.  To date no discovery has occurred related to the potential value of the class members’ claims.  The Company has asserted various defenses with respect to the plaintiff’s claims, which have not been finally resolved.  In the Company’s judgment a loss is not probable.

 

The Company is vigorously litigating two class action cases in California in which the plaintiffs allege off-the-clock wage and hour claims.  One case, involving two classes, is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court and was filed in December 2007.  In this case, one class includes auto physical damage adjusters employed in the state of California from January 1, 2005 to the date of final judgment, to the extent the Company failed to pay for off-the-clock work to those adjusters who performed certain duties prior to their first assignments.  The other class includes all non-exempt employees in California from December 19, 2006 until January 2010 who received pay statements from Allstate which allegedly did not comply with California law.  The other case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in September 2010 and is now on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  In addition to off-the-clock claims, the plaintiffs in this case allege other California Labor Code violations resulting from purported unpaid overtime.  There is a class certified in this case which includes all adjusters in the state of California from September 29, 2006 to final judgment.  Plaintiffs in both cases seek recovery of unpaid compensation, liquidated damages, penalties, and attorneys’ fees and costs.  In the Company’s judgment a loss is not probable.

 

Other proceedings

 

The Company is defending certain matters relating to the Company’s agency program reorganization announced in 1999.   Although these cases have been pending for many years, they currently are in the early stages of litigation because of appellate court proceedings and threshold procedural issues.

 

·            These matters include a lawsuit filed in 2001 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) alleging retaliation under federal civil rights laws (“EEOC I”) and a class action filed in 2001 by former employee agents alleging retaliation and age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), breach of contract and ERISA violations (“Romero I”).  In 2004, in the consolidated EEOC I and Romero I litigation, the trial court issued a memorandum and order that, among other things, certified classes of agents, including a mandatory class of agents who had signed a release, for purposes of effecting the court’s declaratory judgment that the release was voidable at the option of the release signer.  The court also ordered that an agent who voided the release must return to Allstate “any and all benefits received by the [agent] in exchange for signing the release.”  The court also stated that, “on the undisputed facts of record, there is no basis for claims of age discrimination.”  The EEOC and plaintiffs asked the court to clarify and/or reconsider its memorandum and order and in January 2007, the judge denied their request.  In June 2007, the court reversed its prior ruling that the release was voidable and granted the Company’s motions for summary judgment, ruling that the asserted claims were barred by the release signed by most plaintiffs.  Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (“Third Circuit”).  In July 2009, the Third Circuit vacated the trial court’s entry of summary judgment in the Company’s favor and remanded the cases to the trial court for additional discovery, including additional discovery related to the validity of the release and waiver.  In its opinion, the Third Circuit held that if the release and waiver is held to be valid, then all of the claims in Romero I and EEOC I are barred.  Thus, if the waiver and release is upheld, then only the claims in Romero I asserted by the small group of employee agents who did not sign the release and waiver would remain for adjudication.  In January 2010, following the remand, the cases were assigned to a new judge for further proceedings in the trial court.  Plaintiffs filed their Second Amended Complaint on July 28, 2010.  Plaintiffs seek broad but unspecified “make whole relief,” including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, liquidated damages, lost investment capital, attorneys’ fees and costs, and equitable relief, including reinstatement to employee agent status with all attendant benefits for up to approximately 6,500 former employee agents.  Despite the length of time that these matters have been pending, to date only limited discovery has occurred related to the damages claimed by individual plaintiffs, and no damages discovery has occurred related to the claims of the putative class.  Nor

 

38



 

have plaintiffs provided any calculations of the putative class’s alleged back pay or the alleged liquidated, compensatory or punitive damages, instead asserting that such calculations will be provided at a later stage during expert discovery.  Damage claims are subject to reduction by amounts and benefits received by plaintiffs and putative class members subsequent to their employment termination.  Little to no discovery has occurred with respect to amounts earned or received by plaintiffs and putative class members in mitigation of their alleged losses.  Alleged damage amounts and lost benefits of the approximately 6,500 putative class members also are subject to individual variation and determination dependent upon retirement dates, participation in employee benefit programs, and years of service.  Discovery limited to the validity of the waiver and release is closed.  The parties filed cross motions for summary judgment with respect to the validity of the waiver and release.  On February 28, 2014, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ and Allstate’s motions for summary judgment in Romero I and indicated that the question of whether the releases were knowingly and voluntarily signed under a totality of circumstances test raised factual issues to be resolved at trial.  Among other things, the trial court also held that the release, if valid, would bar all claims in Romero I.  On March 13, 2014, the trial court denied EEOC’s motion for summary judgment and granted Allstate’s motion for summary judgment in EEOC I and entered final judgment in favor of Allstate.  At present, no class is certified.

 

·            A putative nationwide class action has also been filed by former employee agents alleging various violations of ERISA, including a worker classification issue (“Romero II”).  These plaintiffs are challenging certain amendments to the Agents Pension Plan and are seeking to have exclusive agent independent contractors treated as employees for benefit purposes.  Romero II was dismissed with prejudice by the trial court, was the subject of further proceedings on appeal, and was reversed and remanded to the trial court in 2005.  In June 2007, the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the case.  Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Third Circuit.  In July 2009, the Third Circuit vacated the district court’s dismissal of the case and remanded the case to the trial court for additional discovery, and directed that the case be reassigned to another trial court judge.  In its opinion, the Third Circuit held that if the release and waiver is held to be valid, then one of plaintiffs’ three claims asserted in Romero II is barred.  The Third Circuit directed the district court to consider on remand whether the other two claims asserted in Romero II are barred by the release and waiver.  In January 2010, following the remand, the case was assigned to a new judge (the same judge for the Romero I and EEOC I cases) for further proceedings in the trial court.  On April 23, 2010, plaintiffs filed their First Amended Complaint.  Plaintiffs seek broad but unspecified “make whole” or other equitable relief, including losses of income and benefits as a result of their decision to retire from the Company between November 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000.  They also seek repeal of the challenged amendments to the Agents Pension Plan with all attendant benefits revised and recalculated for thousands of former employee agents, and attorney’s fees and costs.  Despite the length of time that this matter has been pending, to date only limited discovery has occurred related to the damages claimed by individual plaintiffs, and no damages discovery has occurred related to the claims of the putative class.  Nor have plaintiffs provided any calculations of the putative class’s alleged losses, instead asserting that such calculations will be provided at a later stage during expert discovery.  Damage claims are subject to reduction by amounts and benefits received by plaintiffs and putative class members subsequent to their employment termination.  Little to no discovery has occurred with respect to amounts earned or received by plaintiffs and putative class members in mitigation of their alleged losses.  Alleged damage amounts and lost benefits of the putative class members also are subject to individual variation and determination dependent upon retirement dates, participation in employee benefit programs, and years of service.  As in Romero I and EEOC I, discovery limited to issues relating to the validity of the waiver and release is closed.  The parties filed cross motions for summary judgment with respect to the validity of the waiver and release.  On February 28, 2014, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ and Allstate’s motions for summary judgment in Romero I and indicated that the question of whether the releases were knowingly and voluntarily signed under a totality of circumstances test raised factual issues to be resolved at trial.  Among other things, the trial court also held that the release, if valid, would bar all claims asserted in Romero II.  On March 13, 2014, the trial court denied EEOC’s motion for summary judgment and granted Allstate’s motion for summary judgment in EEOC I and entered final judgment in favor of Allstate.  At present, no class is certified.

 

In these agency program reorganization matters, the threshold issue of the validity and scope of the waiver and release is yet to be fully decided.  Based on the trial court’s February 28, 2014 ruling, if the validity of the release is decided in favor of the Company, that would preclude any damages being awarded in Romero I and Romero II.  In

 

39



 

the Company’s judgment a loss is not probable.  Allstate has been vigorously defending these lawsuits and other matters related to its agency program reorganization.

 

Asbestos and environmental

 

Allstate’s reserves for asbestos claims were $993 million and $1.02 billion, net of reinsurance recoverables of $467 million and $478 million, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Reserves for environmental claims were $204 million and $208 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $60 million, as of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  Approximately 55% of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves as of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were for incurred but not reported estimated losses.

 

Management believes its net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines exposures are appropriately established based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.  However, establishing net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is subject to uncertainties that are much greater than those presented by other types of claims.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimate.  Among the complications are lack of historical data, long reporting delays, uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds with potential exposure and unresolved legal issues regarding policy coverage; unresolved legal issues regarding the determination, availability and timing of exhaustion of policy limits; plaintiffs’ evolving and expanding theories of liability; availability and collectability of recoveries from reinsurance; retrospectively determined premiums and other contractual agreements; estimates of the extent and timing of any contractual liability; the impact of bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants; and other uncertainties.  There are also complex legal issues concerning the interpretation of various insurance policy provisions and whether those losses are covered, or were ever intended to be covered, and could be recoverable through retrospectively determined premium, reinsurance or other contractual agreements.  Courts have reached different and sometimes inconsistent conclusions as to when losses are deemed to have occurred and which policies provide coverage; what types of losses are covered; whether there is an insurer obligation to defend; how policy limits are determined; how policy exclusions and conditions are applied and interpreted; and whether clean-up costs represent insured property damage.  Management believes these issues are not likely to be resolved in the near future, and the ultimate costs may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded resulting in material changes in loss reserves.  In addition, while the Company believes that improved actuarial techniques and databases have assisted in its ability to estimate asbestos, environmental, and other discontinued lines net loss reserves, these refinements may subsequently prove to be inadequate indicators of the extent of probable losses.  Due to the uncertainties and factors described above, management believes it is not practicable to develop a meaningful range for any such additional net loss reserves that may be required.

 

13.  Benefit Plans

 

The components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

Pension benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

24

 

$

40

 

Interest cost

 

64

 

 

66

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(99

)

 

(97

)

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

(15

)

 

--

 

Net actuarial loss

 

29

 

 

65

 

Settlement loss

 

11

 

 

10

 

Net periodic pension cost

$

14

 

$

84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

3

 

$

4

 

Interest cost

 

6

 

 

8

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

(6

)

 

(6

)

Net actuarial gain

 

(6

)

 

(3

)

Net periodic postretirement (credit) cost

$

(3

)

$

3

 

 

40



 

14.  Reporting Segments

 

Summarized revenue data for each of the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

$

4,712

 

$

4,530

 

Homeowners

 

1,697

 

 

1,616

 

Other personal lines

 

412

 

 

404

 

Commercial lines

 

110

 

 

114

 

Other business lines

 

133

 

 

106

 

Allstate Protection

 

7,064

 

 

6,770

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

--

 

 

--

 

Total property-liability insurance premiums

 

7,064

 

 

6,770

 

Net investment income

 

312

 

 

341

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

53

 

 

112

 

Total Property-Liability

 

7,429

 

 

7,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Financial

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional life insurance

 

127

 

 

116

 

Immediate annuities with life contingencies

 

5

 

 

7

 

Accident and health insurance

 

195

 

 

180

 

Total life and annuity premiums

 

327

 

 

303

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

274

 

 

273

 

Fixed annuities

 

6

 

 

3

 

Total contract charges

 

280

 

 

276

 

Total life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

607

 

 

579

 

Net investment income

 

640

 

 

635

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

1

 

 

19

 

Total Allstate Financial

 

1,248

 

 

1,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service fees

 

2

 

 

1

 

Net investment income

 

7

 

 

7

 

Total Corporate and Other before reclassification of service fees

 

9

 

 

8

 

Reclassification of service fees (1)

 

(2

)

 

(1

)

Total Corporate and Other

 

7

 

 

7

 

Consolidated revenues

$

8,684

 

$

8,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)     For presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, service fees of the Corporate and Other segment are reclassified to operating costs and expenses.

 

41



 

Summarized financial performance data for each of the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection

$

375

 

$

462

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

(3

)

 

(4

)

Total underwriting income

 

372

 

 

458

 

Net investment income

 

312

 

 

341

 

Income tax expense on operations

 

(225

)

 

(256

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

34

 

 

73

 

Property-Liability net income available to common shareholders

 

493

 

 

616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Financial

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

607

 

 

579

 

Net investment income

 

640

 

 

635

 

Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative instruments

 

--

 

 

10

 

Contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds

 

(779

)

 

(794

)

Operating costs and expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(192

)

 

(224

)

Restructuring and related charges

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

Income tax expense on operations

 

(85

)

 

(60

)

Operating income

 

189

 

 

144

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

--

 

 

12

 

Valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged, after-tax

 

(11

)

 

(6

)

DAC and DSI amortization related to realized capital gains and losses and valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged, after-tax

 

--

 

 

1

 

Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative instruments, after-tax

 

--

 

 

(6

)

(Loss) gain on disposition of operations, after-tax

 

(16

)

 

1

 

Allstate Financial net income available to common shareholders

 

162

 

 

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service fees (1)

 

2

 

 

1

 

Net investment income

 

7

 

 

7

 

Operating costs and expenses (1)

 

(97

)

 

(96

)

Income tax benefit on operations

 

32

 

 

35

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

(13

)

 

--

 

Operating loss

 

(69

)

 

(53

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

1

 

 

--

 

Corporate and Other net loss available to common shareholders

 

(68

)

 

(53

)

Consolidated net income available to common shareholders

$

587

 

$

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

For presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, service fees of the Corporate and Other segment are reclassified to operating costs and expenses.

 

42



 

15.  Other Comprehensive Income

 

The components of other comprehensive income on a pre-tax and after-tax basis for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

Pre-
tax

 

Tax

 

After
-tax

 

Pre-
tax

 

Tax

 

After-
tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets

$

730

 

$

(255

)

$

475

 

$

211

 

$

(74

)

$

137

 

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses

 

46

 

 

(16

)

 

30

 

 

102

 

 

(36

)

 

66

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses

 

684

 

 

(239

)

 

445

 

 

109

 

 

(38

)

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost arising during the period

 

4

 

 

(1

)

 

3

 

 

2

 

 

--

 

 

2

 

Less: reclassification adjustment of net periodic cost recognized in operating costs and expenses

 

(13

)

 

5

 

 

(8

)

 

(66

)

 

23

 

 

(43

)

Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost

 

17

 

 

(6

)

 

11

 

 

68

 

 

(23

)

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(25

)

 

9

 

 

(16

)

 

(18

)

 

6

 

 

(12

)

Other comprehensive income

$

676

 

$

(236

)

 

440

 

$

159

 

$

(55

)

 

104

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

709

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,040

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

813

 

 

43



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The Allstate Corporation

Northbrook, Illinois 60062

 

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2014, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 20, 2014, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2013 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

May 6, 2014

 

44



 

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

OVERVIEW

 

The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated financial position and results of operations of The Allstate Corporation (referred to in this document as “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” or “Allstate”).  It should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found under Part I. Item 1. contained herein, and with the discussion, analysis, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I. Item 1. and Part II. Item 7. and Item 8. of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2013.  Further analysis of our insurance segments is provided in the Property-Liability Operations (which includes the Allstate Protection and the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segments) and in the Allstate Financial Segment sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”).  The segments are consistent with the way in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine the allocation of resources.  Resources are allocated by the chief operating decision maker and performance is assessed for Allstate Protection, Discontinued Lines and Coverages and Allstate Financial.  Allstate Protection and Allstate Financial performance and resources are managed by committees of senior officers of the respective segments.

 

Allstate is focused on the following priorities:

 

·                  grow insurance policies in force;

·                  maintain the underlying combined ratio;

·                  proactively manage investments to generate attractive risk adjusted returns;

·                  modernize the operating model; and

·                  build long-term growth platforms.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Consolidated net income available to common shareholders was $587 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $709 million in the first quarter of 2013.  Net income available to common shareholders per diluted common share was $1.30 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $1.47 in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Property-Liability net income available to common shareholders was $493 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $616 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  The Property-Liability combined ratio was 94.7 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 93.2 in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Allstate Financial net income available to common shareholders was $162 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $146 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Total revenues were $8.68 billion in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $8.46 billion in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Property-Liability premiums earned totaled $7.06 billion in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 4.3% from $6.77 billion in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Investments totaled $81.69 billion as of March 31, 2014, increasing from $81.16 billion as of December 31, 2013.  Investments classified as held for sale totaled $11.51 billion as of March 31, 2014.  Net investment income was $959 million in the first quarter of 2014, a decrease of 2.4% from $983 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Net realized capital gains were $54 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $131 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  In March 2014, we issued 29,900 shares of 6.625% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $747.5 million.

·                  Book value per diluted common share (ratio of common shareholders’ equity to total common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares outstanding) was $46.70 as of March 31, 2014, an increase of 7.5% from $43.46 as of March 31, 2013, and an increase of 3.1% from $45.31 as of December 31, 2013.

·                  For the twelve months ended March 31, 2014, return on the average of beginning and ending period common shareholders’ equity was 10.4%, a decrease of 0.9 points from 11.3% for the twelve months ended March 31, 2013.

·                  As of March 31, 2014, shareholders’ equity was $22.11 billion.  This total included $3.35 billion in deployable assets at the parent holding company level.

·                  On April 1, 2014, we closed the sale of Lincoln Benefit Life Company (“LBL”), LBL’s life insurance business generated through independent master brokerage agencies, and all of LBL’s deferred fixed annuity and long-

 

45



 

term care insurance business to Resolution Life Holdings, Inc.  The estimated loss on disposition increased by $18 million, after-tax, in first quarter 2014.

 

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance premiums

$

7,064

$

6,770

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

 

607

 

579

 

Net investment income

 

959

 

983

 

Realized capital gains and losses:

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(80)

 

(27)

 

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

 

(1)

 

(10)

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(81)

 

(37)

 

Sales and other realized capital gains and losses

 

135

 

168

 

Total realized capital gains and losses

 

54

 

131

 

Total revenues

 

8,684

 

8,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense

 

(4,759)

 

(4,460)

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

(488)

 

(458)

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

(307)

 

(345)

 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(1,035)

 

(946)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

(1,094)

 

(1,102)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(6)

 

(26)

 

Interest expense

 

(87)

 

(98)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

(7,776)

 

(7,435)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) gain on disposition of operations

 

(59)

 

2

 

Income tax expense

 

(249)

 

(321)

 

Net income

 

600

 

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

(13)

 

--

 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

587

$

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-Liability

$

493

$

616

 

Allstate Financial

 

162

 

146

 

Corporate and Other

 

(68)

 

(53)

 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

587

$

709

 

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Property-Liability net income available to common shareholders was $493 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $616 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Property-Liability premiums written totaled $6.97 billion in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 5.2% from $6.63 billion in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  The Property-Liability loss ratio was 67.4 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 65.9 in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Catastrophe losses were $445 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $359 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Property-Liability prior year reserve reestimates totaled $13 million favorable in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $35 million favorable in the first quarter of 2013.

 

46



 

·                  Property-Liability underwriting income was $372 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $458 million in the first quarter of 2013.  Underwriting income, a measure not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), is defined below.

·                  Property-Liability investments were $38.91 billion as of March 31, 2014, a decrease of 1.8% from $39.64 billion as of December 31, 2013.  Net investment income was $312 million in the first quarter of 2014, a decrease of 8.5% from $341 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Net realized capital gains were $53 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $112 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY OPERATIONS

 

Overview Our Property-Liability operations consist of two reporting segments: Allstate Protection and Discontinued Lines and Coverages.  Allstate Protection comprises three brands where we accept underwriting risk: Allstate, Encompass and Esurance.  Allstate Protection is principally engaged in the sale of personal property and casualty insurance, primarily private passenger auto and homeowners insurance, to individuals in the United States and Canada.  Discontinued Lines and Coverages includes results from insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  These segments are consistent with the groupings of financial information that management uses to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of resources.

 

Underwriting income, a measure that is not based on GAAP and is reconciled to net income available to common shareholders below, is calculated as premiums earned, less claims and claims expense (“losses”), amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), operating costs and expenses and restructuring and related charges, as determined using GAAP.  We use this measure in our evaluation of results of operations to analyze the profitability of the Property-Liability insurance operations separately from investment results.  It is also an integral component of incentive compensation.  It is useful for investors to evaluate the components of income separately and in the aggregate when reviewing performance.  Net income available to common shareholders is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to underwriting income.  Underwriting income should not be considered as a substitute for net income available to common shareholders and does not reflect the overall profitability of the business.

 

The table below includes GAAP operating ratios we use to measure our profitability.  We believe that they enhance an investor’s understanding of our profitability.  They are calculated as follows:

 

·                  Claims and claims expense (“loss”) ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  Loss ratios include the impact of catastrophe losses.

·                  Expense ratio - the ratio of amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

·                  Combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense, amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.  The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.  The difference between 100% and the combined ratio represents underwriting income as a percentage of premiums earned, or underwriting margin.

 

We have also calculated the following impacts of specific items on the GAAP operating ratios because of the volatility of these items between fiscal periods.

 

·                  Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio - the percentage of catastrophe losses included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.

·                  Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio - the percentage of prior year reserve reestimates included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.

·                  Effect of amortization of purchased intangible assets on combined and expense ratio - the percentage of amortization of purchased intangible assets to premiums earned.

·                  Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio - the percentage of restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

·                  Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense and operating costs and expenses in the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment to Property-Liability premiums earned.  The sum of the effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on the combined ratio and the Allstate Protection combined ratio is equal to the Property-Liability combined ratio.

 

47



 

Summarized financial data, a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income available to common shareholders, and GAAP operating ratios for our Property-Liability operations are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions, except ratios)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Premiums written

6,969

6,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

7,064

6,770

 

Net investment income

 

312

 

341

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

53

 

112

 

Total revenues

 

7,429

 

7,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claims expense

 

(4,759)

 

(4,460)

 

Amortization of DAC

 

(961)

 

(871)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

(968)

 

(957)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(4)

 

(24)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

(6,692)

 

(6,312)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

(244)

 

(295)

 

Net income available to common shareholders

493

616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income

372

458

 

Net investment income

 

312

 

341

 

Income tax expense on operations

 

(225)

 

(256)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 

34

 

73

 

Net income available to common shareholders

493

616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe losses (1)

445

359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP operating ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claims expense ratio

 

67.4

 

65.9

 

Expense ratio

 

27.3

 

27.3

 

Combined ratio

 

94.7

 

93.2

 

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio (1)

 

6.3

 

5.3

 

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio (1) 

 

(0.2)

 

(0.6)

 

Effect of amortization of purchased intangible assets on combined ratio

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

 

(1) Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $2 million unfavorable in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $32 million favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

Premiums written is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during a fiscal period.  Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro-rata basis over the policy period.  The portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of the policies is recorded as unearned premiums on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

48



 

A reconciliation of premiums written to premiums earned is shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection

 

6,969

 

6,625

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

--

 

--

 

Property-Liability premiums written

 

6,969

 

6,625

 

Decrease in unearned premiums

 

112

 

155

 

Other

 

(17)

 

(10)

 

Property-Liability premiums earned

 

7,064

 

6,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection

 

7,064

 

6,770

 

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

--

 

--

 

Property-Liability

 

7,064

 

6,770

 

 

ALLSTATE PROTECTION SEGMENT

 

Premiums written by brand are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate
brand

 

Encompass
brand

 

Esurance
brand

 

Allstate
Protection

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Auto

$

4,292

$

4,155

$

151

$

147

$

404

$

342

$

4,847

$

4,644

 

Homeowners

 

1,342

 

1,268

 

110

 

97

 

1

 

--

 

1,453

 

1,365

 

Other personal lines (1)

 

351

 

348

 

25

 

23

 

1

 

--

 

377

 

371

 

Subtotal – Personal lines

 

5,985

 

5,771

 

286

 

267

 

406

 

342

 

6,677

 

6,380

 

Commercial lines

 

116

 

112

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

116

 

112

 

Other business lines (2)

 

176

 

133

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

176

 

133

 

Total

$

6,277

$

6,016

$

286

$

267

$

406

$

342

$

6,969

$

6,625

 

 

 

 

(1)  Other personal lines include renter, condominium, landlord and other personal lines.

(2)  Other business lines include Allstate Roadside Services, Allstate Dealer Services and other business lines.

 

Premiums earned by brand are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Allstate
brand

 

Encompass
brand

 

Esurance
brand

 

Allstate
Protection

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Auto

$

4,209

$

4,094

$

161

$

155

$

342

$

281

$

4,712

$

4,530

 

Homeowners

 

1,580

 

1,516

 

117

 

100

 

--

 

--

 

1,697

 

1,616

 

Other personal lines

 

385

 

379

 

26

 

25

 

1

 

--

 

412

 

404

 

Subtotal – Personal lines

 

6,174

 

5,989

 

304

 

280

 

343

 

281

 

6,821

 

6,550

 

Commercial lines

 

110

 

114

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

110

 

114

 

Other business lines

 

133

 

106

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

133

 

106

 

Total

$

6,417

$

6,209

$

304

$

280

$

343

$

281

$

7,064

$

6,770

 

 

49



 

Premium measures and statistics that are used to analyze the business are calculated and described below.

 

·                  PIF:  Policy counts are based on items rather than customers.  A multi-car customer would generate multiple item (policy) counts, even if all cars were insured under one policy.

·                  Average premium-gross written (“average premium”):  Gross premiums written divided by issued item count.  Gross premiums written include the impacts from discounts, surcharges and ceded reinsurance premiums and exclude the impacts from mid-term premium adjustments and premium refund accruals.  Average premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line.  Allstate and Esurance brands are 6 months for auto and 12 months for homeowners.  Encompass brand is 12 months for auto and homeowners.

·                  Renewal ratio:  Renewal policies issued during the period, based on contract effective dates, divided by the total policies issued 6 months prior for auto (12 months prior for Encompass brand) or 12 months prior for homeowners.

·                  New issued applications:  Item counts of automobiles or homeowners insurance applications for insurance policies that were issued during the period, regardless of whether the customer was previously insured by another Allstate Protection brand.  Does not include automobiles that are added by existing customers.

 

Auto premiums written totaled $4.85 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a 4.4% increase from $4.64 billion in the first quarter of 2013.

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Esurance brand

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

PIF (thousands)

 

19,413

 

19,020

 

778

 

737

 

1,375

 

1,151

 

Average premium (1)

$

473

$

464

$

893

$

882

$

504

$

494

 

Renewal ratio (%)

 

89.0

 

88.4

 

79.2

 

77.8

 

80.4

 

81.2

 

Approved rate changes (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# of states

 

19

 

15

 

2

 

5

 

17

 

11

 

Countrywide (%) (3)

 

0.8

 

0.3

 

0.5

 

0.8

 

2.2

 

0.9

 

State specific (%) (4) (5)

 

2.5

 

1.8

 

4.9

 

5.6

 

8.2

 

4.2

 

 

 

 

(1) Policy term is six months for Allstate and Esurance brands and twelve months for Encompass brand.

(2) Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued.  Rate changes do not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.  These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a state.  Rate changes for Allstate brand for the 2013 period exclude Canada and specialty auto.

(3) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of total countrywide prior year-end premiums written.

(4) Represents the impact in the states where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those states.

(5) Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for auto totaled $166 million and $54 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Allstate brand auto premiums written totaled $4.29 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a 3.3% increase from $4.16 billion in the first quarter of 2013.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:

 

                 2.1% increase in PIF as of March 31, 2014 compared to March 31, 2013.

                 8.8% increase in new issued applications to 714 thousand in the first quarter of 2014 from 656 thousand in the first quarter of 2013.

                 1.9% increase in average premium in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

                 0.6 point increase in the renewal ratio in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

In 2013, the Ontario government gave the Financial Services Commission of Ontario the authority to implement an average reduction of premium rates by 15%.  Regulator approval of the rate filings was received at the end of first quarter 2014.  The rate reductions are effective on new business beginning May 2014 and renewal contracts beginning July 2014 and represent an overall decrease of approximately 14%.  This will reduce expected premiums written by approximately $35 million and premiums earned by approximately $11 million in 2014.

 

Encompass brand auto premiums written totaled $151 million in the first quarter of 2014, a 2.7% increase from $147 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase was primarily due to a 5.6% increase in PIF as of March 31, 2014 compared to March 31, 2013 and actions taken to enhance the Package policy.  New issued applications decreased 5.7% to 33 thousand in the first quarter of 2014 from 35 thousand in the first quarter of 2013, primarily

 

50



 

due to 2013 rate actions.  The renewal ratio increased 1.4 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

Esurance brand auto premiums written totaled $404 million in the first quarter of 2014, an 18.1% increase from $342 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase was primarily due to a 19.5% increase in PIF as of March 31, 2014 compared to March 31, 2013.  New issued applications decreased 0.5% to 221 thousand in the first quarter of 2014 from 222 thousand in the first quarter of 2013, as an increase in quote volume driven by the new advertising program was offset by a decrease in conversion rate (the percentage of completed quotes to actual issued policies) primarily due to rate actions.  The renewal ratio decreased 0.8 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

Homeowners premiums written totaled $1.45 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a 6.4% increase from $1.37 billion in the first quarter of 2013.  Excluding the cost of catastrophe reinsurance, premiums written increased 4.7% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

 

 

Allstate brand

 

Encompass brand

 

Esurance
brand

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

PIF (thousands)

 

6,063

 

6,136

 

359

 

333

 

1

 

Average premium (12 months)

$

 

1,137

$

 

1,104

$

 

1,440

$

 

1,346

$

 

691

 

Renewal ratio (%) (12 months)

 

88.2

 

87.2

 

86.6

 

86.1

 

N/A

 

Approved rate changes (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# of states

 

8

 (3)

16

 

1

 

3

 

N/A

 

Countrywide (%)

 

0.2

 

1.3

 

--

 

1.4

 

N/A

 

State specific (%) (2)

 

2.3

 

4.8

 

2.5

 

7.0

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance.  Rate changes for Allstate brand for the 2013 period exclude Canada.

(2) Based on historical premiums written in those states, rate changes approved for homeowners totaled $13 million and $87 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(3) Includes Canadian province of Alberta.

N/A reflects not applicable.

 

Allstate brand homeowners premiums written totaled $1.34 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a 5.8% increase from $1.27 billion in the first quarter of 2013.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:

 

                 1.2% decrease in PIF as of March 31, 2014 compared to March 31, 2013 due to fewer policies available to renew.

                 27.3% increase in new issued applications to 154 thousand in the first quarter of 2014 from 121 thousand in the first quarter of 2013.

                 3.0% increase in average premium in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to rate changes.

                 1.0 point increase in the renewal ratio in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

                 $18 million decrease in the cost of our catastrophe reinsurance program to $98 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $116 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Encompass brand homeowners premiums written totaled $110 million in the first quarter of 2014, a 13.4% increase from $97 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase was primarily due to a 7.8% increase in PIF as of March 31, 2014 compared to March 31, 2013 and actions taken to enhance the Package policy.  New issued applications totaled 17 thousand in the first quarter of 2014 and was comparable to the first quarter of 2013.  The renewal ratio increased 0.5 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

Esurance brand homeowners premiums written totaled $1 million in the first quarter of 2014.  New issued applications totaled 1 thousand in the first quarter of 2014.  As of March 31, 2014, Esurance is writing homeowners insurance in four states with low hurricane risk.

 

Other personal lines  Allstate brand other personal lines premiums written totaled $351 million in the first quarter of 2014, a 0.9% increase from $348 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase primarily relates to renter and condominium insurance.

 

51



 

Commercial lines premiums written totaled $116 million in the first quarter of 2014, a 3.6% increase from $112 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Other business lines premiums written totaled $176 million in the first quarter of 2014, a 32.3% increase from $133 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase was primarily due to increased sales of vehicle service contracts at Allstate Dealer Services and new and expanded contracts where Allstate Roadside Services provides roadside assistance to a third party company’s customer base.

 

Underwriting results are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Premiums written

$

6,969

$

6,625

 

Premiums earned

$

7,064

$

6,770

 

Claims and claims expense

 

(4,756)

 

(4,457)

 

Amortization of DAC

 

(961)

 

(871)

 

Other costs and expenses

 

(968)

 

(956)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(4)

 

(24)

 

Underwriting income

$

375

$

462

 

Catastrophe losses

$

445

$

359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (loss) by line of business

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

$

183

$

196

 

Homeowners

 

197

 

232

 

Other personal lines

 

(6)

 

14

 

Commercial lines

 

(5)

 

19

 

Other business lines

 

8

 

6

 

Answer Financial

 

(2)

 

(5)

 

Underwriting income

$

375

$

462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting income (loss) by brand

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate brand

$

478

$

520

 

Encompass brand

 

(8)

 

(6)

 

Esurance brand

 

(93)

 

(47)

 

Answer Financial

 

(2)

 

(5)

 

Underwriting income

$

375

$

462

 

 

Allstate Protection had underwriting income of $375 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $462 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to decreases in underwriting income in homeowners and auto, underwriting losses in commercial lines and other personal lines in the first quarter of 2014 compared to underwriting income in the first quarter of 2013.  Homeowners underwriting income was $197 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $232 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increased catastrophe losses and increased loss costs excluding catastrophe losses, partially offset by increased premiums earned and lower unfavorable reserve reestimates.  Auto underwriting income was $183 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $196 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher incurred losses excluding catastrophe losses, higher expenses and lower favorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned and decreased catastrophe losses.  Commercial lines underwriting loss was $5 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to underwriting income of $19 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increased catastrophe losses, lower favorable reserve reestimates and decreased premiums earned.  Other personal lines underwriting loss was $6 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to underwriting income of $14 million in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increased catastrophe losses and increased unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by decreased loss costs excluding catastrophe losses, increased premiums earned and lower expenses.

 

52



 

Catastrophe losses were $445 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $359 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

We define a “catastrophe” as an event that produces pre-tax losses before reinsurance in excess of $1 million and involves multiple first party policyholders, or an event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event.  Catastrophes are caused by various natural events including high winds, winter storms, tornadoes, hailstorms, wildfires, tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes.  We are also exposed to man-made catastrophic events, such as certain types of terrorism or industrial accidents.  The nature and level of catastrophes in any period cannot be reliably predicted.

 

Catastrophe losses by the size of event are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31, 2014

 

 

 

Number
of events

 

 

 

Claims
and
claims
expense

 

 

 

Combined
ratio
impact

 

Average
catastrophe
loss per
event

 

Size of catastrophe loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than $250 million

 

1

 

7.7%

$

 

 256

 

57.5%

 

3.6

$

 

 256

 

$101 million to $250 million 

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

$50 million to $100 million

 

1

 

7.7

 

83

 

18.7

 

1.2

 

83

 

Less than $50 million

 

11

 

84.6

 

104

 

23.4

 

1.5

 

9

 

Total

 

13

 

100.0%

 

443

 

99.6

 

6.3

 

34

 

Prior year reserve reestimates

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

0.4

 

--

 

 

 

Total catastrophe losses

 

 

 

 

$

 

 445

 

100.0%

 

6.3

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe losses by the type of event are shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

Number
of events

 

 

 

Number
of events

 

Hurricanes/Tropical storms

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Tornadoes

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Wind/Hail

 

49

 

6

 

381

 

8

 

Wildfires

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Other events

 

394

 

7

 

10

 

1

 

Prior year reserve reestimates

 

2

 

 

 

(32)

 

 

 

Total catastrophe losses

 

445

 

13

 

359

 

9

 

 

Catastrophe losses, including prior year reserve reestimates, excluding hurricanes named or numbered by the National Weather Service, fires following earthquakes and earthquakes totaled $448 million and $387 million in the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively.  While certain of the severe winter weather losses experienced in the first quarter of 2014 were classified as catastrophes, many such losses were not.  As severe winter weather losses often get reported over an extended period of time, it is difficult to attach losses to any one particular catastrophe event.  Accordingly, severe winter weather tends to unfavorably impact catastrophe losses and underlying results.

 

53



 

Combined ratio  Loss ratios by product, and expense and combined ratios by brand, are shown in the following table.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

Ratio (1)

 

Effect of
catastrophe losses
on
combined ratio

 

Effect of
prior year reserve
reestimates
on combined ratio

 

Effect of
amortization of purchased
intangible assets on
combined ratio

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Allstate brand loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

 

67.9

 

67.7

 

0.4

 

1.1

 

(0.9)

 

(1.6)

 

 

 

 

 

Homeowners

 

62.9

 

60.3

 

21.3

 

18.7

 

0.8

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

Other personal lines

 

72.5

 

65.2

 

12.7

 

4.7

 

3.9

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial lines

 

73.6

 

53.5

 

8.2

 

(1.8)

 

(0.9)

 

(8.8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Allstate brand loss ratio

 

66.6

 

65.1

 

6.4

 

5.5

 

(0.2)

 

(0.6)

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate brand expense ratio

 

26.0

 

26.5

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Allstate brand combined ratio

 

92.6

 

91.6

 

6.4

 

5.5

 

(0.2)

 

(0.6)

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encompass brand loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

 

70.8

 

75.5

 

0.6

 

(0.6)

 

(4.3)

 

(3.9)

 

 

 

 

 

Homeowners

 

73.5

 

62.0

 

25.6

 

12.0

 

4.3

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

Other personal lines

 

80.8

 

80.0

 

11.5

 

8.0

 

--

 

12.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Encompass brand loss ratio

 

72.7

 

71.1

 

11.2

 

4.6

 

(0.7)

 

(0.7)

 

 

 

 

 

Encompass brand expense ratio

 

29.9

 

31.0

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Encompass brand combined ratio

 

102.6

 

102.1

 

11.2

 

4.6

 

(0.7)

 

(0.7)

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esurance brand loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto

 

76.0

 

76.5

 

0.3

 

1.1

 

(0.9)

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

Other personal lines

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Esurance brand loss ratio

 

75.8

 

76.5

 

0.3

 

1.1

 

(0.9)

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

Esurance brand expense ratio

 

51.3

 

40.2

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3.5

 

5.3

 

Esurance brand combined ratio

 

127.1

 

116.7

 

0.3

 

1.1

 

(0.9)

 

--

 

3.5

 

5.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection loss ratio

 

67.3

 

65.9

 

6.3

 

5.3

 

(0.2)

 

(0.6)

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Protection expense ratio

 

27.4

 

27.3

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

Allstate Protection combined ratio

 

94.7

 

93.2

 

6.3

 

5.3

 

(0.2)

 

(0.6)

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

(1) Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business.

 

Auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 0.2 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to non-catastrophe weather-related claim frequency and lower favorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses.

 

Claim frequencies (rate of claim occurrence per policy in force) in the bodily injury and property damage coverages decreased 0.3% and increased 5.1% in the first quarter of 2014, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2013.  The property damage frequency increase was due to severe winter weather experienced in the Midwest and East in the first quarter of 2014.  Frequencies in bodily injury continue to perform within the historical ranges.  Bodily injury and property damage coverage paid claim severities (average cost per claim) increased 0.7% and 2.7% in the first quarter of 2014, respectively, compared to first quarter of 2013.  Bodily injury severity in the first quarter of 2014 is showing only moderate growth compared to the historical Consumer Price Index trends after adjusting for geographic mix, age of claims and policy limit shifts.

 

Encompass brand auto loss ratio decreased 4.7 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, due to a lower loss ratio related to a higher mix of preferred insureds and higher favorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by the impact of severe winter weather in the first quarter of 2014.

 

Esurance brand auto loss ratio decreased 0.5 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to lower catastrophe losses, rate actions and favorable reserve reestimates related to prior year personal injury protection losses, partially offset by non-catastrophe weather-related claim frequency.

 

54



 

Homeowners loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 2.6 points to 62.9 in the first quarter of 2014 from 60.3 in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses and increased loss costs excluding catastrophe losses, partially offset by increased premiums earned and lower unfavorable reserve reestimates.  Claim frequency excluding catastrophe losses increased 6.1% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 due to severe winter weather in the Midwest and East in the first quarter of 2014.  Paid claim severity excluding catastrophe losses increased 8.3% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.  Colder temperatures in the first quarter of 2014 drove an increase in heating-related fire losses which carry a higher severity than other homeowner losses.

 

Encompass brand homeowners loss ratio increased 11.5 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher catastrophe losses.  Excluding the impact of catastrophe losses, the Encompass brand homeowners loss ratio decreased 2.1 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.

 

Expense ratio for Allstate Protection increased 0.1 points in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.  The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are shown in the following table.

 

 

 

Allstate
brand

 

Encompass
brand

 

Esurance
brand

 

Allstate
Protection

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Amortization of DAC

 

13.9

 

13.1

 

18.8

 

17.9

 

2.6

 

2.5

 

13.6

 

12.9

 

Advertising expenses

 

2.4

 

2.7

 

0.7

 

0.7

 

28.3

 

16.0

 

3.6

 

3.2

 

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3.5

 

5.3

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

Other costs and expenses

 

9.6

 

10.3

 

10.4

 

12.1

 

16.9

 

16.4

 

9.9

 

10.5

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

--

 

0.3

 

--

 

--

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

Total expense ratio

 

26.0

 

26.5

 

29.9

 

31.0

 

51.3

 

40.2

 

27.4

 

27.3

 

 

Amortization of DAC increased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.  Amortization of DAC primarily includes agent remuneration and premium taxes.  Allstate exclusive agent remuneration comprises a base commission, variable compensation and a bonus.  Variable compensation has two components: agency success factors (local presence, Allstate Financial product sales and licensed staff), which must be achieved in order to qualify for the second component, customer experience (customer satisfaction survey).  In addition, a bonus that is a percentage of premiums can be earned by agents.  To qualify for the bonus, agents must achieve a loss ratio and an amount of sales of Allstate Financial products.  The bonus is earned by achieving qualifying numbers of multi-category households and increases in Property-Liability policies in force and Allstate Financial policies in force.  The Allstate agent commissions and bonus were expensed at increasing levels during 2013 as more agents successfully met the success factors.  In 2014, the bonus success factors were raised from 2013 levels commensurate with performance achieved in 2013.

 

Advertising expenses increased primarily due to higher levels of advertising spend at Esurance related to a new campaign.

 

Other costs and expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to lower technology and employee related costs for Allstate and Encompass brands, partially offset by increased expenses for Esurance brand.  Esurance continues to invest in geographic expansion of its products.  Esurance expanded its renters product since December 31, 2013 from 16 to 17 states, auto from 41 to 42 states, motorcycle from 6 to 7 states, and homeowners from 3 to 4 states.  The spending on expansion, which occurs prior to premiums being written, contributed approximately 2.1 points to the expense ratio in the first quarter of 2014.  Other costs and expenses for Esurance also includes certain costs relating to the acquisition of new business, such as salaries of telephone sales personnel and other underwriting costs.

 

Allstate Protection catastrophe reinsurance  Our catastrophe reinsurance program is designed, utilizing our risk management methodology, to address our exposure to catastrophes nationwide.  Our program is designed to provide reinsurance protection for catastrophes including hurricanes, windstorms, hail, tornados, fires following earthquakes, earthquakes and wildfires.  These reinsurance agreements are part of our catastrophe management strategy, which is intended to provide our shareholders an acceptable return on the risks assumed in our property business, and to reduce variability of earnings, while providing protection to our customers.  We utilize reinsurance

 

55



 

to reduce exposure to catastrophe risk, manage capital, and to support our insurance financial strength ratings.  We also purchase significant reinsurance for coverage for extreme hurricane events, if they occur.

 

Except for certain coverage above the Sixth Layer of the Nationwide Per Occurrence Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Program and the Florida component, both of which are expected to be placed in the second quarter of 2014, we substantially completed the placement of the 2014 catastrophe reinsurance program as described below.  As we did in 2013, we will pursue reinsurance offered by the insurance linked securities market when placing a portion of the Nationwide Program above the Sixth Layer.  In placing this coverage, we anticipate utilizing agreements providing coverage based on insured industry losses as reported by the Property Claim Service (“PCS”).  The information below provides further detail regarding our 2014 catastrophe reinsurance program.

 

Our 2014 reinsurance program continues to support our goal to have no more than a 1% likelihood of exceeding average annual aggregate catastrophe losses by $2 billion, net of reinsurance, from hurricanes and earthquakes, based on modeled assumptions and applications currently available.  Since the 2006 inception of Allstate’s catastrophe reinsurance program, our exposure to wind loss has been materially reduced and we have substantially eliminated our exposure to homeowners earthquake loss.  Similar to our 2013 program, we have designed our 2014 program to respond to these exposure changes by including coverage for multiple perils, in addition to hurricanes and earthquakes, in all agreements except for the following:  a Kentucky agreement, which provides coverage for earthquakes and fires following earthquakes, and in our Nationwide program an agreement comprising two contracts which provides coverage in specific states for hurricanes and earthquakes, including fires following earthquakes, based on insured industry losses as reported by PCS (the “2013-1 PCS Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement”).

 

The 2014 program, as described below, provides $3.83 billion of reinsurance coverage subject to a $500 million retention and amount of reinsurance placed.  Similar to the expiring program, the 2014 program will include a Per Occurrence Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement reinsuring our personal lines property and automobile excess catastrophe losses resulting from multiple perils in every state other than New Jersey and Florida.  For June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015, the program consists of three agreements:  a Per Occurrence Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement providing coverage 95% placed in six layers with reinstatement of limits available for each Layer; a 2013-1 PCS Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement; and a Buffer Layer Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement.  These latter two agreements provide additional limits above the Sixth Layer of the Nationwide Per Occurrence Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Program and do not include a reinstatement of limits.

 

The New Jersey and Florida components of the reinsurance program are designed separately from the other components of the program to address the distinct needs of our separately capitalized legal entities in those states.

 

A description of the catastrophe reinsurance treaties that will reinsure Allstate Protection as of June 1, 2014 follows:

 

Nationwide excluding Florida and New Jersey

 

·                  The Per Occurrence Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement reinsures personal lines property and automobile excess catastrophe losses caused by multiple perils under six layers of coverage 95% placed as follows:

 

First Layer                                    $250 million limit in excess of a $500 million retention,  1 reinstatement

Second Layer                     $250 million limit in excess of a $750 million retention, 1 reinstatement

Third Layer                                $500 million limit in excess of a $1.00 billion retention, 1 reinstatement

Fourth Layer                         $750 million limit in excess of a $1.50 billion retention, 1 reinstatement

Fifth Layer                                   $500 million limit in excess of a $2.25 billion retention, 1 reinstatement

Sixth Layer                                 $204 million limit in excess of a $2.75 billion retention, 1 reinstatement

 

Coverage for each of the First through the Fifth Layers comprises three contracts, each contract providing one third of 95% placed of the total Layer limit and expiring as of May 31, 2015, May 31, 2016 and May 31, 2017.  Coverage for the Sixth Layer is 95% placed and comprises two contracts expiring May 31, 2016 and May 31, 2017.  All the contracts include one reinstatement of limits with premium required.  Reinsurance premium is subject to redetermination for exposure changes at each anniversary.

 

·                  The 2013-1 PCS Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement reinsures personal lines property and automobile excess catastrophe losses caused by hurricanes in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and earthquakes,

 

56



 

including fires following earthquakes, in California, New York, and Washington.  This agreement is placed with a Bermuda insurance company, Sanders Re Ltd, which completed an offering to unrelated investors of principal at risk, variable market rate notes to collateralize losses covered by the agreement.  Amounts payable under the agreement are based on insured industry losses as reported by PCS and further indexed to account for our exposures in each contracts’ covered areas.  Reinsurance recoveries under the PCS Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement are limited to our ultimate net loss from a PCS reported hurricane or earthquake event, in excess of each contract’s specific retention and subject to each contract’s limit.  The contracts’ risk period is for four years from May 4, 2013 to May 3, 2017.  The placement of these contracts achieves, for the perils of hurricanes and earthquakes, including fires following earthquakes, a 31% placement of reinsurance limits ($150 million) between a $2.95 billion to $3.44 billion layer or $482 million layer of coverage and a 60.42% placement of reinsurance limits ($200 million) between a $3.50 billion to $3.83 billion layer or $331 million layer of coverage.  The contracts do not include a reinstatement of limits.

 

·                  The Buffer Layer Excess Reinsurance agreement reinsures personal lines property and automobile excess catastrophe losses caused by multiple perils in all states except Florida and New Jersey.  The contract is a three year term contract incepting June 1, 2014 and expiring May 31, 2017.  The contract provides one annual limit for each of the three years in effect of $63 million excess of a $3.44 billion retention and is 95% placed.  Annually, the retention and limit of the agreement may be adjusted, within limits, to more closely align with the reset attachment and exhaustion levels of the 2013-1 PCS Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement.  The contract does not include a reinstatement of limits.  The reinsurance premium is subject to redetermination for exposure changes and limit and retention adjustments.

 

New Jersey

 

·                  The Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement comprises an existing contract that reinsures personal lines property excess catastrophe losses in New Jersey caused by multiple perils, and an existing and a newly placed contract that reinsures personal lines property and automobile excess catastrophe losses in New Jersey.  The two existing contracts expiring May 31, 2015 and May 31, 2016 and the newly placed contract expiring May 31, 2017 each provide 32% of $400 million of limits excess of a provisional $144 million retention, a $156 million retention, and a $150 million retention, respectively.  Each contract includes one reinstatement per contract year, with premium due.  The reinsurance premium and retention are subject to redetermination for exposure changes at each anniversary.

 

Pennsylvania

 

·                  The Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement comprises an existing, three year term contract which reinsures personal lines property losses in Pennsylvania caused by multiple perils.  The contract expires May 31, 2015 and provides three limits of $100 million in excess of a $100 million retention with two limits available in any one contract year and is 95% placed.  The reinsurance premium and retention are not subject to redetermination for exposure changes.

 

Kentucky

 

·                  The Earthquake Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance agreement comprises a newly placed three year term contract which reinsures personal lines property losses in Kentucky caused by earthquakes or fires following earthquakes.  The contract expires May 31, 2017 and provides three limits of $25 million in excess of a $5 million retention with two limits available in any one contract year and is 95% placed.  The reinsurance premium and retention are not subject to redetermination for exposure changes.

 

The total cost of our property catastrophe reinsurance programs during the first quarter of 2014 was $113 million.  The total cost of our catastrophe reinsurance programs during 2013 was $133 million in the first quarter, $131 million in the second quarter, $110 million in the third quarter and $113 million in the fourth quarter.  These quarterly costs reflect premium re-measurements recognized in the quarter.

 

57



 

Reserve reestimates  The tables below show Allstate Protection net reserves representing the estimated cost of outstanding claims as they were recorded at the beginning of years 2014 and 2013, and the effect of reestimates in each year.

 

($ in millions)

 

January 1 reserves

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Auto

$

11,616

$

11,383

 

Homeowners

 

1,821

 

2,008

 

Other personal lines

 

1,512

 

1,596

 

Commercial lines

 

576

 

627

 

Other business lines

 

22

 

27

 

Total Allstate Protection

$

15,547

$

15,641

 

 

($ in millions, except ratios)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

Reserve
reestimate 
(1)

 

Effect on
combined
ratio 
(2)

 

Reserve
reestimate 
(1)

 

Effect on
combined
ratio 
(2)

 

Auto

$

(48)

 

(0.7)

$

(70)

 

(1.0)

 

Homeowners

 

18

 

0.3

 

41

 

0.6

 

Other personal lines

 

15

 

0.2

 

4

 

--

 

Commercial lines

 

(1)

 

--

 

(10)

 

(0.2)

 

Other business lines

 

--

 

--

 

(3)

 

--

 

Total Allstate Protection (3)

$

(16)

 

(0.2)

$

(38)

 

(0.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate brand

$

(11)

 

(0.2)

$

(36)

 

(0.5)

 

Encompass brand

 

(2)

 

--

 

(2)

 

(0.1)

 

Esurance brand

 

(3)

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

Total Allstate Protection

$

(16)

 

(0.2)

$

(38)

 

(0.6)

 

______________________________

(1) Favorable reserve reestimates are shown in parentheses.

(2) Ratios are calculated using Property-Liability premiums earned.

(3) Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $2 million unfavorable in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $32 million favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2013.  There was no effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates on the combined ratio in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 0.5 favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

DISCONTINUED LINES AND COVERAGES SEGMENT

 

Overview  The Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment includes results from insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  Our exposure to asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is reported in this segment.  We have assigned management of this segment to a designated group of professionals with expertise in claims handling, policy coverage interpretation, exposure identification and reinsurance collection.  As part of its responsibilities, this group may at times be engaged in policy buybacks, settlements and reinsurance assumed and ceded commutations.

 

Summarized underwriting results are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Premiums written

$

--

$

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

--

$

--

 

Claims and claims expense

 

(3)

 

(3)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

--

 

(1)

 

Underwriting loss

$

(3)

(4)

 

 

58



 

PROPERTY-LIABILITY INVESTMENT RESULTS

 

Net investment income  The following table presents net investment income.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Fixed income securities

$

215

$

249

 

Equity securities

 

23

 

23

 

Mortgage loans

 

5

 

5

 

Limited partnership interests

 

75

 

77

 

Short-term investments

 

1

 

1

 

Other

 

14

 

8

 

Investment income, before expense

 

333

 

363

 

Investment expense

 

(21)

 

(22)

 

Net investment income

$

312

$

341

 

 

The average pre-tax investment yields are presented in the following table. Pre-tax yield is calculated as annualized investment income before investment expense (including dividend income in the case of equity securities) divided by the average of the investment balances at the end of each quarter during the year. Investment balances, for purposes of the pre-tax yield calculation, exclude unrealized capital gains and losses.

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Fixed income securities: tax-exempt

 

2.7%

 

3.7%

 

Fixed income securities: tax-exempt equivalent

 

3.9

 

5.4

 

Fixed income securities: taxable

 

3.1

 

3.5

 

Equity securities

 

2.5

 

2.8

 

Mortgage loans

 

4.3

 

4.3

 

Limited partnership interests

 

10.3

 

10.4

 

Total portfolio

 

3.5

 

4.0

 

 

Net investment income decreased 8.5% to $312 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $341 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The decrease was primarily due to lower fixed income yields, partially offset by higher average investment balances.  The decrease in fixed income yields is primarily due to actions taken in 2012 and 2013 to reduce interest rate risk.

 

Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Impairment write-downs

$

(12)

$

(8)

 

Change in intent write-downs

 

(60)

 

(20)

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(72)

 

(28)

 

Sales

 

139

 

151

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(7)

 

--

 

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(7)

 

(11)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

53

 

112

 

Income tax expense

 

(19)

 

(39)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

34

$

73

 

 

For a further discussion of net realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.

 

59



 

ALLSTATE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Net income available to common shareholders was $162 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $146 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Premiums and contract charges on underwritten products, including traditional life, interest-sensitive life and accident and health insurance, totaled $596 million in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 4.7% from $569 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Investments totaled $39.71 billion as of March 31, 2014, reflecting an increase of $605 million from $39.11 billion as of December 31, 2013.  Investments classified as held for sale totaled $11.51 billion as of March 31, 2014.  Net investment income increased 0.8% to $640 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $635 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Net realized capital gains totaled $1 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $19 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Contractholder funds totaled $23.99 billion as of March 31, 2014, reflecting a decrease of $315 million from $24.30 billion as of December 31, 2013.  Contractholder funds classified as held for sale totaled $10.66 billion as of March 31, 2014.

·               On April 1, 2014, we closed the sale of LBL, LBL’s life insurance business generated through independent master brokerage agencies, and all of LBL’s deferred fixed annuity and long-term care insurance business to Resolution Life Holdings, Inc.  The estimated loss on disposition increased by $18 million, after-tax, in first quarter 2014.  Net income available to common shareholders relating to the LBL business being sold was approximately $28 million in first quarter 2014.

 

ALLSTATE FINANCIAL SEGMENT

 

Summary analysis   Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges

$

607

$

579

 

Net investment income

 

640

 

635

 

Realized capital gains and losses

 

1

 

19

 

Total revenues

 

1,248

 

1,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity contract benefits

 

(488)

 

(458)

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds

 

(307)

 

(345)

 

Amortization of DAC

 

(74)

 

(75)

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

(118)

 

(148)

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

(989)

 

(1,028)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) gain on disposition of operations

 

(59)

 

2

 

Income tax expense

 

(38)

 

(61)

 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

162

$

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life insurance

$

71

$

63

 

Accident and health insurance

 

27

 

24

 

Annuities and institutional products

 

64

 

59

 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

162

$

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allstate Life and Retirement

$

135

$

121

 

Allstate Benefits

 

27

 

25

 

Net income available to common shareholders

$

162

$

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments as of March 31

$

39,710

$

56,853

 

Investments classified as held for sale as of March 31

 

11,506

 

--

 

 

60



 

Net income available to common shareholders was $162 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $146 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase was primarily due to the lower interest credited to contractholder funds, lower operating costs and expenses, and higher life and annuity premiums and contract charges, partially offset by the increase in the estimated loss on disposition related to the pending LBL sale and higher life and annuity contract benefits.

 

Analysis of revenues   Total revenues increased 1.2% or $15 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher life and annuity premiums and contract charges, partially offset by lower realized capital gains.

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges   Premiums represent revenues generated from traditional life insurance, immediate annuities with life contingencies, and accident and health insurance products that have significant mortality or morbidity risk.  Contract charges are revenues generated from interest-sensitive and variable life insurance and fixed annuities for which deposits are classified as contractholder funds or separate account liabilities.  Contract charges are assessed against the contractholder account values for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance and surrender prior to contractually specified dates.

 

The following table summarizes life and annuity premiums and contract charges by product.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Underwritten products

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional life insurance premiums

$

120

$

109

 

Accident and health insurance premiums

 

6

 

6

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance contract charges

 

250

 

250

 

Subtotal – Allstate Life and Retirement

 

376

 

365

 

Traditional life insurance premiums

 

7

 

7

 

Accident and health insurance premiums

 

189

 

174

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance contract charges

 

24

 

23

 

Subtotal – Allstate Benefits

 

220

 

204

 

Total underwritten products

 

596

 

569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annuities

 

 

 

 

 

Immediate annuities with life contingencies premiums

 

5

 

7

 

Other fixed annuity contract charges

 

6

 

3

 

Total annuities

 

11

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges (1)

$

607

$

579

 

_____________

(1) Contract charges related to the cost of insurance totaled $187 million and $180 million for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Total premiums and contract charges increased 4.8% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to growth in Allstate Benefits accident and health insurance business and increased traditional life insurance premiums due to higher renewals and sales through Allstate agencies.

 

61



 

Contractholder funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of products such as interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities and funding agreements.  The balance of contractholder funds is equal to the cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract benefits, surrenders, withdrawals, maturities and contract charges for mortality or administrative expenses.  The following table shows the changes in contractholder funds.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Contractholder funds, beginning balance

$

24,304

$

39,319

 

Contractholder funds classified as held for sale, beginning balance

 

10,945

 

--

 

Total contractholder funds, including those classified as held for sale

 

35,249

 

39,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

318

 

386

 

Fixed annuities

 

127

 

287

 

Total deposits

 

445

 

673

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest credited

 

308

 

350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits, withdrawals, maturities and other adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits

 

(380)

 

(395)

 

Surrenders and partial withdrawals

 

(712)

 

(891)

 

Maturities of and interest payments on institutional products

 

--

 

(1)

 

Contract charges

 

(281)

 

(277)

 

Net transfers from separate accounts

 

3

 

1

 

Other adjustments (1)

 

18

 

28

 

Total benefits, withdrawals, maturities and other adjustments

 

(1,352)

 

(1,535)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds classified as held for sale, ending balance

 

(10,661)

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractholder funds, ending balance

$

23,989

$

38,807

 

________________

(1)  The table above illustrates the changes in contractholder funds, which are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The table above is intended to supplement our discussion and analysis of revenues, which are presented net of reinsurance on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  As a result, the net change in contractholder funds associated with products reinsured to third parties is reflected as a component of the other adjustments line.

 

Contractholder funds decreased 1.3% in both the first quarter of 2014 and 2013.  The decrease in the first quarter of 2014 reflects no longer offering fixed annuity products beginning January 1, 2014.

 

Contractholder deposits decreased 33.9% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, primarily due to no longer offering fixed annuity products beginning January 1, 2014, as well as lower deposits on interest-sensitive life insurance.

 

Surrenders and partial withdrawals on deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products decreased 20.1% to $712 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $891 million in the first quarter of 2013.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 9.4% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 11.0% in the same period of 2013.

 

Net investment income increased 0.8% or $5 million to $640 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $635 million in the same period of 2013, primarily due to higher limited partnership income, partially offset by lower average investment balances.  Net investment income in the first quarter of 2014 includes $122 million relating to investments classified as held for sale.

 

62



 

Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment write-downs

$

(4)

$

(2)

 

Change in intent write-downs

 

(5)

 

(7)

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(9)

 

(9)

 

Sales

 

8

 

21

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

3

 

(4)

 

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(1)

 

11

 

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

1

 

19

 

Income tax expense

 

(1)

 

(7)

 

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

--

$

12

 

 

For further discussion of realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.

 

Analysis of costs and expenses   Total costs and expenses decreased 3.8% or $39 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, primarily due to lower interest credited to contractholder funds and lower operating costs and expenses, partially offset by higher life and annuity contract benefits.

 

Life and annuity contract benefits increased 6.6% or $30 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, primarily due to worse mortality experience on life insurance.

 

We analyze our mortality and morbidity results using the difference between premiums and contract charges earned for the cost of insurance and life and annuity contract benefits excluding the portion related to the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies (“benefit spread”).  This implied interest totaled $130 million and $133 million in the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

The benefit spread by product group is disclosed in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Life insurance

$

71

$

84

 

Accident and health insurance

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

Annuities

 

(20)

 

(17)

 

Subtotal – Allstate Life and Retirement

 

50

 

65

 

Life insurance

 

3

 

2

 

Accident and health insurance

 

103

 

91

 

Subtotal – Allstate Benefits

 

106

 

93

 

Total benefit spread

$

156

$

158

 

 

Benefit spread decreased 1.3% or $2 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to worse mortality experience on life insurance and annuities, partially offset by premium growth in Allstate Benefits accident and health insurance and higher life insurance premiums and cost of insurance contract charges.

 

Interest credited to contractholder funds decreased 11.0% or $38 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, primarily due to lower average contractholder funds and lower interest crediting rates.  Valuation changes on derivatives embedded in equity-indexed annuity contracts that are not hedged increased interest credited to contractholder funds by $17 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $9 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

63



 

In order to analyze the impact of net investment income and interest credited to contractholders on net income, we monitor the difference between net investment income and the sum of interest credited to contractholder funds and the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies, which is included as a component of life and annuity contract benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (“investment spread”).

 

The investment spread by product group is shown in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended 
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Annuities and institutional products

110

59

 

Life insurance

 

28

 

23

 

Accident and health insurance

 

4

 

3

 

Net investment income on investments supporting capital

 

69

 

71

 

Subtotal – Allstate Life and Retirement

 

211

 

156

 

Life insurance

 

2

 

4

 

Accident and health insurance

 

3

 

3

 

Net investment income on investments supporting capital

 

4

 

3

 

Subtotal – Allstate Benefits

 

9

 

10

 

Investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged

 

220

 

166 

 

Valuation changes on derivatives embedded in equity-indexed annuity contracts that are not hedged

 

(17)

 

(9)

 

Total investment spread

203

157 

 

 

Investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged increased 32.5% or $54 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher limited partnership income and lower crediting rates, partially offset by the continued managed reduction in our spread-based business in force.

 

To further analyze investment spreads, the following table summarizes the weighted average investment yield on assets supporting product liabilities and capital, interest crediting rates and investment spreads for the three months ended March 31.  For purposes of these calculations, investments, reserves and contractholder funds classified as held for sale are included.

 

 

 

Weighted average
investment yield

 

Weighted average 
interest crediting rate

 

Weighted average 
investment spreads

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

5.1

%

5.2

%

3.8

%

3.9

%

1.3

%

1.3

%

Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products

 

4.5

 

4.6

 

2.9

 

3.1

 

1.6

 

1.5

 

Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies

 

7.5

 

6.3

 

5.9

 

6.0

 

1.6

 

0.3

 

Investments supporting capital, traditional life and other products

 

4.0

 

4.0

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

 

64



 

The following table summarizes our product liabilities and indicates the account value of those contracts and policies in which an investment spread is generated.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Immediate fixed annuities with life contingencies

8,921

8,889

 

Other life contingent contracts and other

 

3,514

 

5,878

 

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits

12,435

14,767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

7,791

11,093

 

Deferred fixed annuities

 

12,267

 

21,484

 

Immediate fixed annuities without life contingencies

 

3,620

 

3,797

 

Institutional products

 

85

 

1,874

 

Other

 

226

 

559

 

Contractholder funds

23,989

38,807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional life insurance

651

--

 

Accident and health insurance

 

1,349

 

--

 

Interest-sensitive life insurance

 

3,495

 

--

 

Deferred fixed annuities

 

7,166

 

--

 

Liabilities held for sale

12,661

--

 

 

Amortization of DAC decreased 1.3% or $1 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013.  The components of amortization of DAC are summarized in the following table.

 

($ in millions) 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Amortization of DAC before amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses, valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged and changes in assumptions

74

76 

 

Amortization (accretion)  relating to realized capital gains and losses (1) and valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged

 

--

 

(1)

 

Amortization acceleration for changes in assumptions (“DAC unlocking”)

 

--

 

-- 

 

Total amortization of DAC

74

75 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)      The impact of realized capital gains and losses on amortization of DAC is dependent upon the relationship between the assets that give rise to the gain or loss and the product liability supported by the assets.  Fluctuations result from changes in the impact of realized capital gains and losses on actual and expected gross profits.

 

The decrease in DAC amortization in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013 was primarily due to lower amortization on interest-sensitive life insurance resulting from decreased benefit spread, partially offset by higher amortization on accident and health insurance resulting from growth.

 

65



 

Operating costs and expenses decreased 20.3% or $30 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.  The following table summarizes operating costs and expenses.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Non-deferrable commissions

31

26

 

General and administrative expenses

 

71

 

106

 

Taxes and licenses

 

16

 

16

 

Total operating costs and expenses

118

148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and related charges

2

2

 

 

General and administrative expenses decreased 33.0% or $35 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, primarily due to lower employee related expenses driven by reduced headcount, lower net Allstate agencies distribution channel expenses reflecting increased fees from sales of third party financial products, and lower technology and marketing costs.

 

INVESTMENTS HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Investments totaled $81.69 billion as of March 31, 2014, increasing from $81.16 billion as of December 31, 2013.  Investments classified as held for sale totaled $11.51 billion as of March 31, 2014.

·                  Unrealized net capital gains totaled $3.60 billion as of March 31, 2014, increasing from $2.70 billion as of December 31, 2013.

·                  Net investment income was $959 million in the first quarter of 2014, a decrease of 2.4% from $983 million in the first quarter of 2013.

·                  Net realized capital gains were $54 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $131 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

INVESTMENTS

 

The composition of the investment portfolios as of March 31, 2014 is presented in the following table.

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Property-Liability (5)

 

Allstate Financial (5)

 

Corporate
and Other 
(5)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Percent 
to total

 

 

 

Percent 
to total

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

Fixed income securities (1)

28,841

 

74.1%

30,059

 

75.7%

2,261

 

73.6%

61,161

 

74.9%

 

Equity securities (2)

 

4,341

 

11.2

 

956

 

2.4

 

--

 

--

 

5,297

 

6.5

 

Mortgage loans

 

403

 

1.0

 

4,069

 

10.3

 

--

 

--

 

4,472

 

5.5

 

Limited partnership interests (3)

 

2,900

 

7.5

 

2,121

 

5.3

 

3

 

0.1

 

5,024

 

6.1

 

Short-term investments(4)

 

894

 

2.3

 

870

 

2.2

 

809

 

26.3

 

2,573

 

3.1

 

Other

 

1,528

 

3.9

 

1,635

 

4.1

 

--

 

--

 

3,163

 

3.9

 

Total

38,907

 

100.0%

39,710

 

100.0%

3,073

 

100.0%

81,690

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)                Fixed income securities are carried at fair value.  Amortized cost basis for these securities was $28.22 billion, $28.13 billion, $2.24 billion and $58.59 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.

(2)                Equity securities are carried at fair value.  Cost basis for these securities was $3.74 billion, $838 million and $4.58 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial and in Total, respectively.

(3)                We have commitments to invest in additional limited partnership interests totaling $1.40 billion, $1.34 billion and $2.74 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial and in Total, respectively.

(4)                Short-term investments are carried at fair value.  Amortized cost basis for these investments was $894 million, $870 million, $809 million and $2.57 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.

(5)                Balances reflect the elimination of related party investments between segments.

 

Total investments increased to $81.69 billion as of March 31, 2014, from $81.16 billion as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to higher fixed income valuations resulting from a decrease in risk-free interest rates.

 

The Property-Liability investment portfolio decreased to $38.91 billion as of March 31, 2014, from $39.64 billion as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to dividends paid by Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”) to The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”), partially offset by higher fixed income valuations.

 

66



 

The Allstate Financial investment portfolio increased to $39.71 billion as of March 31, 2014, from $39.11 billion as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to higher fixed income valuations.

 

The Corporate and Other investment portfolio increased to $3.07 billion as of March 31, 2014, from $2.41 billion as of December 31, 2013, primarily due to dividends paid by AIC to the Corporation and proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, partially offset by common share repurchases and dividends paid to shareholders.

 

Fixed income securities by type are listed in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Fair value as of
March 31, 2014

 

Percent to 
total
investments

 

Fair value as of
December 31, 2013

 

Percent to 
total
investments

 

U.S. government and agencies

3,806

 

4.7%

2,913

 

3.6%

 

Municipal

 

8,716

 

10.7

 

8,723

 

10.8

 

Corporate

 

41,159

 

50.4

 

40,603

 

50.0

 

Foreign government

 

1,737

 

2.1

 

1,824

 

2.2

 

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

 

3,497

 

4.3

 

4,518

 

5.6

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

 

1,438

 

1.8

 

1,474

 

1.8

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 

783

 

0.9

 

829

 

1.0

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

25

 

--

 

26

 

0.1

 

Total fixed income securities

61,161

 

74.9%

60,910

 

75.1%

 

 

As of March 31, 2014, 88.7% of the consolidated fixed income securities portfolio was rated investment grade, which is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, Kroll or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.  All of our fixed income securities are rated by third party credit rating agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and/or are internally rated.  Our initial investment decisions and ongoing monitoring procedures for fixed income securities are based on a thorough due diligence process which includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the credit quality, sector, structure, and liquidity risks of each issue.

 

67



 

The following table summarizes the fair value and unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities by credit rating as of March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions)

 

Investment grade

 

Below investment grade

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

Fair
value

 

Unrealized
gain/(loss)

 

U.S. government and agencies

3,806

132

--

--

3,806

132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax exempt

 

5,060

 

117

 

118

 

--

 

5,178

 

117

 

Taxable

 

3,476

 

307

 

62

 

(3)

 

3,538

 

304

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public

 

26,740

 

1,107

 

3,822

 

138

 

30,562

 

1,245

 

Privately placed

 

9,097

 

464

 

1,500

 

34

 

10,597

 

498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign government

 

1,737

 

96

 

--

 

--

 

1,737

 

96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)

 

1,124

 

1

 

183

 

(7)

 

1,307

 

(6)

 

Consumer and other asset-backed securities (“Consumer and other ABS”)

 

2,163

 

44

 

27

 

--

 

2,190

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”)

 

374

 

13

 

--

 

--

 

374

 

13

 

Prime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Prime”)

 

121

 

3

 

336

 

37

 

457

 

40

 

Alt-A residential mortgage-backed securities (“Alt-A”)

 

16

 

1

 

343

 

34

 

359

 

35

 

Subprime residential mortgage-backed securities (“Subprime”)

 

6

 

--

 

242

 

5

 

248

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMBS

 

533

 

24

 

250

 

23

 

783

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

25

 

4

 

--

 

--

 

25

 

4

 

Total fixed income securities

54,278

2,313

6,883

261

61,161

2,574

 

 

Municipal bonds, including tax exempt and taxable securities, totaled $8.72 billion as of March 31, 2014 with an unrealized net capital gain of $421 million.  The municipal bond portfolio includes general obligations of state and local issuers and revenue bonds (including pre-refunded bonds, which are bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest).

 

Corporate bonds, including publicly traded and privately placed, totaled $41.16 billion as of March 31, 2014, with an unrealized net capital gain of $1.74 billion.  Privately placed securities primarily consist of corporate issued senior debt securities that are directly negotiated with the borrower or are in unregistered form.

 

ABS, RMBS and CMBS are structured securities that are primarily collateralized by consumer or corporate borrowings and residential and commercial real estate loans.  The cash flows from the underlying collateral paid to the securitization trust are generally applied in a pre-determined order and are designed so that each security issued by the trust, typically referred to as a “class”, qualifies for a specific original rating.  For example, the “senior” portion or “top” of the capital structure, or rating class, which would originally qualify for a rating of Aaa typically has priority in receiving principal repayments on the underlying collateral and retains this priority until the class is paid in full.  In a sequential structure, underlying collateral principal repayments are directed to the most senior rated Aaa class in the structure until paid in full, after which principal repayments are directed to the next most senior Aaa class in the structure until it is paid in full.  Senior Aaa classes generally share any losses from the underlying collateral on a pro-rata basis after losses are absorbed by classes with lower original ratings.  The payment priority and class subordination included in these securities serves as credit enhancement for holders of the senior or top portions of the structures.  These securities continue to retain the payment priority features that existed at the origination of the securitization trust.  Other forms of credit enhancement may include structural features embedded in the securitization trust, such as overcollateralization, excess spread and bond insurance.  The underlying collateral

 

68



 

can have fixed interest rates, variable interest rates (such as adjustable rate mortgages) or may contain features of both fixed and variable rate mortgages.

 

ABS, including CDO and Consumer and other ABS, totaled $3.50 billion as of March 31, 2014, with 94.0% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $38 million.  Credit risk is managed by monitoring the performance of the underlying collateral.  Many of the securities in the ABS portfolio have credit enhancement with features such as overcollateralization, subordinated structures, reserve funds, guarantees and/or insurance.

 

CDO totaled $1.31 billion as of March 31, 2014, with 86.0% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital loss of $6 million.  CDO consist of obligations collateralized by cash flow CDO, which are structures collateralized primarily by below investment grade senior secured corporate loans.

 

Consumer and other ABS totaled $2.19 billion as of March 31, 2014, with 98.8% rated investment grade.  Consumer and other ABS consists of $774 million of consumer auto, $413 million of credit card and $1.00 billion of other ABS with unrealized net capital gains of $6 million, $3 million and $35 million, respectively.

 

RMBS totaled $1.44 billion as of March 31, 2014, with 36.0% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $93 million.  The RMBS portfolio is subject to interest rate risk, but unlike other fixed income securities, is additionally subject to significant prepayment risk from the underlying residential mortgage loans.  RMBS consists of a U.S. Agency portfolio having collateral issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and a non-agency portfolio consisting of securities collateralized by Prime, Alt-A and Subprime loans.  The non-agency portfolio totaled $1.06 billion as of March 31, 2014, with 13.4% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $80 million.

 

CMBS totaled $783 million as of March 31, 2014, with 68.1% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $47 million.  The CMBS portfolio is subject to credit risk and has a sequential paydown structure.  Of the CMBS investments, 93.4% are traditional conduit transactions collateralized by commercial mortgage loans, broadly diversified across property types and geographical area.  The remainder consists of non-traditional CMBS such as small balance transactions, large loan pools and single borrower transactions.

 

Mortgage loans  Our mortgage loan portfolio, which is primarily held in the Allstate Financial portfolio, totaled $4.47 billion as of March 31, 2014 and primarily comprises loans secured by first mortgages on developed commercial real estate.  Key considerations used to manage our exposure include property type and geographic diversification.  For further detail on our mortgage loan portfolio, see Note 5 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Limited partnership interests consist of investments in private equity/debt funds, real estate funds, tax credit funds and other funds.  The limited partnership interests portfolio is well diversified across a number of characteristics including fund managers, vintage years, strategies, geography (including international), and company/property types.  The following table presents information about our limited partnership interests as of March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions)

 

Private
equity/debt
funds
(1)

 

Real estate
funds

 

Tax credit
funds

 

Other
funds

 

Total

 

Cost method of accounting (“Cost”)

974

369

--

3

1,346

 

Equity method of accounting (“EMA”)

 

1,700

 

1,208

 

622

 

148

 

3,678

 

Total

2,674

1,577

622

151

5,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of managers

 

108

 

46

 

11

 

12

 

 

 

Number of individual funds

 

190

 

96

 

21

 

17

 

 

 

Largest exposure to single fund

90

265

53

85

 

 

 

 

_______________

(1) Includes $533 million of infrastructure and real asset funds.

 

69



 

The following tables show the earnings from our limited partnership interests by fund type and accounting classification for the three months ended March 31.

 

($ in millions)

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

Cost

 

EMA

 

Total
income

 

Impairment
write-downs

 

Cost

 

EMA

 

Total
income

 

Impairment
write-downs

Private equity/debt funds

36

70

106

(10)

20

48

68

--

 

Real estate funds

 

14

 

24

 

38

 

(3)

 

6

 

28

 

34

 

--

 

Tax credit funds

 

--

 

(4)

 

(4)

 

--

 

--

 

(4)

 

(4)

 

--

 

Other funds

 

--

 

2

 

2

 

--

 

--

 

9

 

9

 

--

 

Total

50

92

142

(13)

26

81

107

--

 

 

Limited partnership interests produced income, excluding impairment write-downs, of $142 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $107 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013.  Higher EMA limited partnership income resulted from favorable equity valuations which increased the carrying value of the partnerships, while cost method limited partnerships experienced an increase in earnings distributed by the partnerships.  Income on EMA limited partnerships is recognized on a delay due to the availability of the related financial statements.  The recognition of income on private equity/debt funds, real estate funds and tax credit funds are generally on a three month delay and the income recognition on other funds is primarily on a one month delay.  Income on cost method limited partnerships is recognized only upon receipt of amounts distributed by the partnerships.

 

Unrealized net capital gains totaled $3.60 billion as of March 31, 2014 compared to $2.70 billion as of December 31, 2013.  The increase for fixed income securities was primarily due to a decrease in risk-free interest rates, partially offset by the realization of unrealized net capital gains through sales.  The increase for equity securities was primarily due to positive equity market performance, partially offset by the realization of unrealized net capital gains through sales.  The following table presents unrealized net capital gains and losses.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

U.S. government and agencies

$

132

 

$

122

 

Municipal

 

421

 

 

277

 

Corporate

 

1,743

 

 

1,272

 

Foreign government

 

96

 

 

88

 

ABS

 

38

 

 

27

 

RMBS

 

93

 

 

71

 

CMBS

 

47

 

 

41

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

4

 

 

4

 

Fixed income securities

 

2,574

 

 

1,902

 

Equity securities

 

722

 

 

624

 

Derivatives

 

(19

)

 

(18

)

EMA limited partnerships

 

(4

)

 

(3

)

Investments classified as held for sale

 

327

 

 

190

 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax

$

3,600

 

$

2,695

 

 

The unrealized net capital gain for the fixed income portfolio totaled $2.57 billion and comprised $2.90 billion of gross unrealized gains and $325 million of gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2014.  This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the fixed income portfolio totaling $1.90 billion, comprised of $2.48 billion of gross unrealized gains and $573 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2013.

 

70



 

Gross unrealized gains and losses on fixed income securities by type and sector as of March 31, 2014 are provided in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Amortized

 

Gross unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

value

Corporate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking

$

3,330

 

$

83

 

$

(39

)

$

3,374

 

Consumer goods (cyclical and non-cyclical)

 

9,063

 

 

373

 

 

(33

)

 

9,403

 

Utilities

 

6,465

 

 

521

 

 

(33

)

 

6,953

 

Capital goods

 

4,213

 

 

216

 

 

(28

)

 

4,401

 

Basic industry

 

2,346

 

 

88

 

 

(19

)

 

2,415

 

Energy

 

3,570

 

 

168

 

 

(15

)

 

3,723

 

Technology

 

2,384

 

 

67

 

 

(14

)

 

2,437

 

Financial services

 

2,954

 

 

130

 

 

(10

)

 

3,074

 

Communications

 

2,822

 

 

146

 

 

(9

)

 

2,959

 

Transportation

 

1,568

 

 

114

 

 

(6

)

 

1,676

 

Other

 

701

 

 

45

 

 

(2

)

 

744

 

Total corporate fixed income portfolio

 

39,416

 

 

1,951

 

 

(208

)

 

41,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government and agencies

 

3,674

 

 

135

 

 

(3

)

 

3,806

 

Municipal

 

8,295

 

 

472

 

 

(51

)

 

8,716

 

Foreign government

 

1,641

 

 

100

 

 

(4

)

 

1,737

 

ABS

 

3,459

 

 

71

 

 

(33

)

 

3,497

 

RMBS

 

1,345

 

 

114

 

 

(21

)

 

1,438

 

CMBS

 

736

 

 

52

 

 

(5

)

 

783

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

21

 

 

4

 

 

--

 

 

25

 

Total fixed income securities

$

58,587

 

$

2,899

 

$

(325

)

$

61,161

 

 

The banking, consumer goods, utilities and capital goods sectors had the highest concentration of gross unrealized losses in our corporate fixed income securities portfolio as of March 31, 2014.  In general, the gross unrealized losses are principally related to increasing risk-free interest rates or widening credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.

 

The unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaled $722 million and comprised $736 million of gross unrealized gains and $14 million of gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2014.  This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaling $624 million, comprised of $658 million of gross unrealized gains and $34 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2013.

 

Net investment income  The following table presents net investment income.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

Fixed income securities

$

705

 

$

762

 

Equity securities

 

28

 

 

25

 

Mortgage loans

 

81

 

 

98

 

Limited partnership interests

 

142

 

 

107

 

Short-term investments

 

1

 

 

2

 

Other

 

42

 

 

37

 

Investment income, before expense

 

999

 

 

1,031

 

Investment expense

 

(40

)

 

(48

)

Net investment income

$

959

 

$

983

 

 

Net investment income decreased 2.4% or $24 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to lower fixed income yields and lower average investment balances, partially offset by higher limited partnership income.  Net investment income in the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 includes $41 million and $42 million, respectively, related to prepayment fee income and litigation proceeds.  Higher EMA limited

 

71



 

partnership income resulted from favorable equity valuations which increased the carrying value of the partnerships, while cost method limited partnerships experienced an increase in earnings distributed by the partnerships.

 

Realized capital gains and losses  The following table presents the components of realized capital gains and losses and the related tax effect.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

Impairment write-downs

$

(16

)

$

(10

)

Change in intent write-downs

 

(65

)

 

(27

)

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(81

)

 

 

(37

)

Sales

 

147

 

 

172

 

Valuation of derivative instruments

 

(4

)

 

(4

)

Settlements of derivative instruments

 

(8

)

 

--

 

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax

 

54

 

 

131

 

Income tax expense

 

(19

)

 

(46

)

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

$

35

 

$

85

 

 

Impairment write-downs, which includes changes in the mortgage loan valuation allowance, are presented in the following table.

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

Fixed income securities

$

(6

)

$

(30

)

Equity securities

 

(1

)

 

(4

)

Mortgage loans

 

4

 

 

26

 

Limited partnership interests

 

(13

)

 

--

 

Other investments

 

--

 

 

(2

)

Impairment write-downs

$

(16

)

$

(10

)

 

Impairment write-downs on fixed income securities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were primarily driven by municipal bonds impacted by issuer specific circumstances.  Limited partnership write-downs primarily related to cost method limited partnerships that experienced declines in portfolio valuations deemed to be other than temporary.

 

Change in intent write-downs totaling $65 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 were primarily related to the repositioning and ongoing portfolio management of our equity securities.

 

Sales generated $147 million of net realized capital gains in the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to equity and fixed income securities in connection with portfolio repositioning and ongoing portfolio management.

 

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments generated net realized capital losses of $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily composed of losses on equity futures used for risk management due to increases in equity indices and losses on foreign currency contracts due to the weakening Canadian Dollar.

 

72



               

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY HIGHLIGHTS

 

·                  Shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2014 was $22.11 billion, an increase of 2.9% from $21.48 billion as of December 31, 2013.

·                  On January 2, 2014, we paid common shareholder dividends of $0.25.  On February 19, 2014, we declared a common shareholder dividend of $0.28 to be payable on April 1, 2014.

·                  On January 15, 2014, we paid a dividend on our 5.625% preferred stock for the dividend period from October 15, 2013 through January 14, 2014 and on our 6.75% preferred stock for the dividend period from September 30, 2013 through January 14, 2014.  On February 19, 2014, we declared dividends on our 5.625% and 6.75% preferred stock for the dividend period from January 15, 2014 through April 14, 2014 to be payable on April 15, 2014 and our 6.625% preferred stock for the dividend period from December 16, 2013 through April 14, 2014  to be payable on April 15, 2014.

·                  In March 2014, we issued 29,900 shares of 6.625% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $747.5 million.

·                  On March 21, 2014, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR”) with Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) and Barclays Capital Inc., as Barclays’ agent, to purchase $750 million of our outstanding common stock.

·                  During the first quarter of 2014, we repurchased 6.4 million common shares for $348 million in the market and 11.4 million shares under an ASR, pursuant to which we paid a prepayment amount of $750 million.  The actual number of shares we repurchase under the ASR, and the purchase price, will be determined at the completion of the agreement, which is expected to be no sooner than May 19, 2014 and no later than July 24, 2014.  As of March 31, 2014, there was $1.65 billion remaining on our common share repurchase program.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

 

Capital resources consist of shareholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations or for general corporate purposes.  The following table summarizes our capital resources.

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

Preferred stock, common stock, retained income and other shareholders’ equity items

$

20,619

 

$

20,434

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,486

 

 

1,046

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

22,105

 

 

21,480

 

Debt

 

6,200

 

 

6,201

 

Total capital resources

$

28,305

 

$

27,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity

 

28.0%

 

 

28.9%

 

Ratio of debt to capital resources

 

21.9%

 

 

22.4%

 

 

Shareholders’ equity increased in the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to the issuance of preferred stock,  net income and increased unrealized net capital gains on investments, partially offset by common share repurchases and dividends paid to shareholders.

 

Preferred stock  In March 2014, we issued 29,900 shares of 6.625% Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $747.5 million.  The proceeds of this issuance were used for general corporate purposes.  During 2014, we may execute additional issuances of perpetual preferred stock for general corporate purposes.

 

Debt  The next debt maturities are on May 16, 2014 when $300 million of 6.20% Senior Notes are due and August 15, 2014 when $650 million of 5.00% Senior Notes are due.  These are expected to be paid from available funds.

 

Capital resources comprise an increasing mix of preferred stock and subordinated debt due to issuances in 2013 and 2014 and the completion of a tender offer in 2013.  As of March 31, 2014, capital resources includes $1.51 billion or 5.3% of preferred stock and $2.05 billion or 7.2% of subordinated debt, a total of 12.5% compared to 10.2% as of December 31, 2013 and 3.8% as of December 31, 2012.  This increases our strategic flexibility by decreasing our debt to shareholders’ equity ratio, which is one determinant of borrowing capacity.

 

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Common share repurchases  As of March 31, 2014, our $2.5 billion common share repurchase program that commenced in February 2014 had $1.65 billion remaining and is expected to be completed by August 31, 2015.  On March 21, 2014, we entered into an ASR with Barclays and Barclays Capital Inc., as Barclays’ agent, to purchase $750 million of our outstanding common stock.  During the first quarter of 2014, we repurchased 6.4 million common shares for $348 million in the market and 11.4 million shares under the ASR, pursuant to which we paid a prepayment amount of $750 million.  The actual number of shares we repurchase under the ASR, and the purchase price, will be determined at the completion of the agreement, which is expected to be no sooner than May 19, 2014 and no later than July 24, 2014, which includes a settlement at maturity.  The settlement is dependent on market price over the duration of the agreement and is expected to be made in shares.  The average price of the shares purchased under the ASR will be determined at settlement.

 

Financial ratings and strength  Our ratings are influenced by many factors including our operating and financial performance, asset quality, liquidity, asset/liability management, overall portfolio mix, financial leverage (i.e., debt), exposure to risks such as catastrophes and the current level of operating leverage.  Rating agencies continue to give favorable treatment in capitalization to preferred stock and subordinated debt, of which Allstate had $3.56 billion as of March 31, 2014 compared to $2.83 billion as of December 31, 2013 and $1.00 billion as of December 31, 2012.  In January 2014, A.M. Best affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and commercial paper ratings of a- and AMB-1, respectively, and our insurance entities financial strength ratings of A+ for AIC and Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”).  The outlook for AIC and ALIC remained stable.  There have been no changes to our debt, commercial paper and insurance financial strength ratings from Moody’s and S&P since December 31, 2013.

 

ALIC, AIC and The Allstate Corporation are party to the Amended and Restated Intercompany Liquidity Agreement (“Liquidity Agreement”) which allows for short-term advances of funds to be made between parties for liquidity and other general corporate purposes.  The Liquidity Agreement does not establish a commitment to advance funds on the part of any party.  ALIC and AIC each serve as a lender and borrower and the Corporation serves only as a lender.  AIC also has a capital support agreement with ALIC.  Under the capital support agreement, AIC is committed to provide capital to ALIC to maintain an adequate capital level.  The maximum amount of potential funding under each of these agreements is $1.00 billion.

 

In addition to the Liquidity Agreement, the Corporation also has an intercompany loan agreement with certain of its subsidiaries, which include, but are not limited to, AIC and ALIC.  The amount of intercompany loans available to the Corporation’s subsidiaries is at the discretion of the Corporation.  The maximum amount of loans the Corporation will have outstanding to all its eligible subsidiaries at any given point in time is limited to $1.00 billion.  The Corporation may use commercial paper borrowings, bank lines of credit and securities lending to fund intercompany borrowings.

 

Liquidity sources and uses  We actively manage our financial position and liquidity levels in light of changing market, economic, and business conditions.  Liquidity is managed at both the entity and enterprise level across the Company, and is assessed on both base and stressed level liquidity needs.  We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet these needs.  Additionally, we have existing intercompany agreements in place that facilitate liquidity management across the Company to enhance flexibility.

 

Parent company capital capacity  At the parent holding company level, we have deployable assets totaling $3.35 billion as of March 31, 2014 comprising cash and investments that are generally saleable within one quarter.  The substantial earnings capacity of the operating subsidiaries is the primary source of capital generation for the Corporation.  This provides funds for the parent company’s fixed charges and other corporate purposes.

 

In the first three months of 2014, AIC paid dividends totaling $1.20 billion to its parent, Allstate Insurance Holdings, LLC (“AIH”), who then paid the same amount of dividends to the Corporation.

 

Dividends may not be paid or declared on our common stock and shares of common stock may not be repurchased unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on our preferred stock have been declared and paid or provided for.  We are prohibited from declaring or paying dividends on our preferred stock if we fail to meet specified capital adequacy, net income or shareholders’ equity levels, except out of the net proceeds of common stock issued during the 90 days prior to the date of declaration.  As of March 31, 2014, we satisfied all of the tests, with no current restrictions on the payment of preferred stock dividends.

 

The terms of our outstanding subordinated debentures also prohibit us from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on our common or preferred stock or redeeming, purchasing, acquiring, or making liquidation

 

74



 

payments on our common stock or preferred stock if we have elected to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures, subject to certain limited exceptions.  In the first three months of 2014, we did not defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures.

 

The Corporation has access to additional borrowing to support liquidity as follows:

 

·                  A commercial paper facility with a borrowing limit of $1.00 billion to cover short-term cash needs.  As of March 31, 2014, there were no balances outstanding and therefore the remaining borrowing capacity was $1.00 billion; however, the outstanding balance can fluctuate daily.

·                  Our $1.00 billion unsecured revolving credit facility is available for short-term liquidity requirements and backs our commercial paper facility.  In April 2014, we amended the maturity date of this facility to April 2019 and also amended our option to extend the expiration by one year to the first and second anniversary of the amendment, upon approval of existing or replacement lenders.  The facility is fully subscribed among 12 lenders with the largest commitment being $115 million.  The commitments of the lenders are several and no lender is responsible for any other lender’s commitment if such lender fails to make a loan under the facility.  This facility contains an increase provision that would allow up to an additional $500 million of borrowing.  This facility has a financial covenant requiring that we not exceed a 37.5% debt to capitalization ratio as defined in the agreement.  This ratio was 15.3% as of March 31, 2014.  Although the right to borrow under the facility is not subject to a minimum rating requirement, the costs of maintaining the facility and borrowing under it are based on the ratings of our senior unsecured, unguaranteed long-term debt.  There were no borrowings under the credit facility during the first three months of 2014.  The total amount outstanding at any point in time under the combination of the commercial paper program and the credit facility cannot exceed the amount that can be borrowed under the credit facility.

·                  A universal shelf registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2012.  We can use this shelf registration to issue an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock (including 466 million shares of treasury stock as of March 31, 2014), preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and securities of trust subsidiaries.  The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.

 

Liquidity exposure  Contractholder funds were $23.99 billion as of March 31, 2014.  The following table summarizes contractholder funds by their contractual withdrawal provisions as of March 31, 2014.

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

Percent
to total

 

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

$

3,787

 

 

15.8

%

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specified surrender charges (1)

 

6,793

 

 

28.3

 

Market value adjustments (2)

 

3,129

 

 

13.0

 

Subject to discretionary withdrawal without adjustments (3)

 

10,280

 

 

42.9

 

Total contractholder funds (4)

$

23,989

 

 

100.0

%

____________

(1)    Includes $3.03 billion of liabilities with a contractual surrender charge of less than 5% of the account balance.

(2)    $2.36 billion of the contracts with market value adjusted surrenders have a 30-45 day period at the end of their initial and subsequent interest rate guarantee periods (which are typically 5, 6, 7 or 10  years) during which there is no surrender charge or market value adjustment.

(3)    81% of these contracts have a minimum interest crediting rate guarantee of 3% or higher.

(4)    Includes $881 million of contractholder funds on variable annuities reinsured to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc., in 2006.

 

Retail life and annuity products may be surrendered by customers for a variety of reasons.  Reasons unique to individual customers include a current or unexpected need for cash or a change in life insurance coverage needs.  Other key factors that may impact the likelihood of customer surrender include the level of the contract surrender charge, the length of time the contract has been in force, distribution channel, market interest rates, equity market conditions and potential tax implications.  In addition, the propensity for retail life insurance policies to lapse is lower than it is for fixed annuities because of the need for the insured to be re-underwritten upon policy replacement.  Surrenders and partial withdrawals for our retail annuities decreased 29.3% in the first three months of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed

 

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annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 9.4% and 11.0% in the first three months of 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Allstate Financial strives to promptly pay customers who request cash surrenders; however, statutory regulations generally provide up to six months in most states to fulfill surrender requests.

 

Our asset-liability management practices enable us to manage the differences between the cash flows generated by our investment portfolio and the expected cash flow requirements of our life insurance and annuity product obligations.

 

The following table summarizes consolidated cash flow activities by segment for the first three months ended March 31.

 

($ in millions)

 

Property-Liability (1)

 

Allstate Financial (1)

 

Corporate
and Other
(1)

 

Consolidated

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

$

236

 

$

446

 

$

231

 

$

289

 

$

7

 

$

5

 

$

474

 

$

740

 

Investing activities

 

1,210

 

 

(40

)

 

800

 

 

251

 

 

(634

)

 

(75

)

 

1,376

 

 

136

 

Financing activities

 

13

 

 

23

 

 

(686

)

 

(655

)

 

(440

)

 

(230

)

 

(1,113

)

 

(862

)

Cash classified as held for sale

 

--

 

 

--

 

 

(242

)

 

--

 

 

--

 

 

--

 

 

(242

)

 

--

 

Net increase in consolidated cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

495

 

$

14

 

_______________

 

(1) Business unit cash flows reflect the elimination of intersegment dividends, contributions and borrowings.

 

Property-Liability  Lower cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2014 compared to the first three months of 2013 was primarily due to higher income tax payments, the proceeds received in 2013 from the surrender of company owned life insurance, and higher claim payments, partially offset by increased premiums.

 

Cash provided by investing activities in the first three months of 2014 compared to cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2013 was primarily related to sales in 2014 of fixed income securities exceeding amounts purchased and a decrease in short-term investments in 2014 compared to an increase in 2013.

 

Allstate Financial  Lower cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2014 compared to the first three months of 2013 was primarily due to higher contract benefits paid and lower net investment income, partially offset by higher premiums.

 

Higher cash was provided by investing activities in the first three months of 2014 compared to the first three months of 2013 as cash balances were increased to prepare for the settlement of the sale of LBL, including cash classified as held for sale, and for securities lending activities.  In addition, in the 2013 period short-term investments were increased to support scheduled maturities of institutional products.

 

Higher cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2014 compared to the first three months of 2013 was primarily due to lower deposits, partially offset by lower contractholder benefits and withdrawals on fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance.

 

Corporate and Other  Fluctuations in the Corporate and Other operating cash flows were primarily due to the timing of intercompany settlements.  Investing activities primarily relate to investments in the parent company portfolio.  Financing cash flows of the Corporate and Other segment reflect actions such as fluctuations in short-term debt, repayment of debt, proceeds from the issuance of debt and preferred stock, dividends to shareholders of The Allstate Corporation and common share repurchases; therefore, financing cash flows are affected when we increase or decrease the level of these activities.

 

76



 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act is made known to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

77



 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

 

Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussion under the heading “Regulation and Compliance” and under the heading “Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries” in Note 12 of the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

This document contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty.  These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

 

These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings.  These statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, catastrophe exposure management, product development, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, expenses, financial results, litigation and reserves.  We believe that these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans.  However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements.  Risk factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to those discussed or identified in this document, in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and those incorporated by reference in Part I, Item 1A of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2013.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total number
of shares
(or units)
purchased 
(1)

 

Average price
paid per share
(or unit)

 

Total number
of shares (or units)
 purchased
as part of publicly 
announced plans or
programs 
(2)

 

Maximum number
(or approximate dollar 
value) of shares
(or units) that may yet be 
purchased under the
plans or programs 
(3)

 

January 1, 2014 - January 31, 2014

 

2,702,900

 

$  52.8851

 

2,684,945

 

$  0

 

February 1, 2014 - February 28, 2014

 

1,427,880

 

$  53.8768

 

1,108,800

 

$  2.4 billion

 

March 1, 2014- March 31, 2014

 

14,016,037

 

$  56.0300

 

14,016,037

 

$  1.7 billion

 

Total

 

18,146,817

 

$  55.3921

 

17,809,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) In accordance with the terms of its equity compensation plans, Allstate acquired the following shares in connection with stock option exercises by employees and/or directors.  The stock was received in payment of the exercise price of the options and in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon exercise or vesting.

January:       17,955

February:   319,080

March:            none

(2) From time to time, repurchases under our programs are executed under the terms of a pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(3) On February 6, 2013, we announced the approval of a share repurchase program for $1.00 billion, which was completed on January 31, 2014.  On February 19, 2014, we announced the approval of an additional share repurchase program for $2.50 billion, to be completed by August 31, 2015.

 

78



 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

(a)           Exhibits

 

An Exhibit Index has been filed as part of this report on page E-1.

 

79



 

SIGNATURE

 

 

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.

 

 

 

The Allstate Corporation

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 6, 2014

By

/s/ Samuel H. Pilch

 

 

Samuel H. Pilch

 

 

(chief accounting officer and duly

 

 

authorized officer of Registrant)

 

80



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

 

Exhibit 
Number

 

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

Form

 

 

File 
Number

 

 

Exhibit

 

 

Filing Date

 

 

Filed or 
Furnished
Herewith

3.1

 

 

Certificate of Designations with respect to the Preferred Stock, Series E of the Registrant, dated February 27, 2014

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

3.1

 

 

March 3, 2014

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

The Allstate Corporation hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission, upon request, the instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of it and its consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

Deposit Agreement, dated March 3, 2014, among the Registrant, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts described therein (Series E)

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

4.1

 

 

March 3, 2014

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

Form of Preferred Stock Certificate, Series E (included as Exhibit A to 3.1 above)

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

4.2

 

 

March 3, 2014

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

Form of Depositary Receipt, Series E (included as Exhibit A to 4.2 above)

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

4.3

 

 

March 3, 2014

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

The Allstate Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective February 19, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

10.2

 

 

Amended and Restated Reinsurance Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

10.1

 

 

April 7, 2014

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

Partial Commutation Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, between Allstate Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life Company

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

10.2

 

 

April 7, 2014

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of April 27, 2014

 

 

8-K

 

 

1-11840

 

 

10.1

 

 

April 29, 2014

 

 

 

15

 

 

Acknowledgment of awareness from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated May 6, 2014, concerning unaudited interim financial information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

31(i)

 

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

31(i)

 

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

32

 

 

Section 1350 Certifications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

101.INS

 

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

101.SCH

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

101.CAL

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

101.DEF

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

101.LAB

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

101.PRE

 

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

E-1