☑QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
or
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-37963
ATHENE HOLDING LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
98-0630022
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification Number)
7700 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines, Iowa50266
1-(515) 342-4678
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a
6.35% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
ATHPrA
New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a
5.625% Fixed-Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B
ATHPrB
New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a
6.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
ATHPrC
New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a
4.875% Fixed-Rate Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Share, Series D
ATHPrD
New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a
7.75% Fixed-Rate Reset Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Share, Series E
ATHPrE
New York Stock Exchange
7.250% Fixed-Rate Reset Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2064
ATHS
New York Stock Exchange
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 ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☑
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of May 3, 2024, 203,805,432 of our Class A common shares were outstanding, all of which are held by Apollo Global Management, Inc.
As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (report), unless the context otherwise indicates, any reference to “Athene,” “our Company,” “the Company,” “us,” “we” and “our” refer to Athene Holding Ltd. together with its consolidated subsidiaries and any reference to “AHL” refers to Athene Holding Ltd. only.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “assume,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning, including the negative of these or similar words and terms, in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places throughout and give our current expectations and projections relating to our business, financial condition, results of operations, plans, strategies, objectives, future performance and other matters.
We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and performance may differ materially from that made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. A number of important factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from those contained or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the risks discussed in Part II–Item 1A. Risk Factors included in this report and Part I–Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2023 Annual Report). Factors that could cause actual results or conditions to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this report include:
•the accuracy of management’s assumptions and estimates;
•variability in the amount of statutory capital that our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have or are required to hold;
•our potential need for additional capital in the future and the potential unavailability of such capital to us on favorable terms or at all;
•major public health issues, such as the pandemic caused by the effects of the spread of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19);
•changes in relationships with important parties in our product distribution network;
•the activities of our competitors and our ability to grow our retail business in a highly competitive environment;
•the impact of general economic conditions on our ability to sell our products and on the fair value of our investments;
•our ability to successfully acquire new companies or businesses and/or integrate such acquisitions into our existing framework;
•downgrades, potential downgrades or other negative actions by rating agencies;
•our dependence on key executives and inability to attract qualified personnel;
•market and credit risks that could diminish the value of our investments;
•changes to the creditworthiness of our reinsurance and derivative counterparties;
•changes in consumer perception regarding the desirability of annuities as retirement savings products;
•potential litigation (including class action litigation), enforcement investigations or regulatory scrutiny against us and our subsidiaries, which we may be required to defend against or respond to;
•the impact of new accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules on our business;
•interruption or other operational failures in telecommunication and information technology and other operating systems, including as a result of threat actors attempting to attack those systems, as well as our ability to maintain the security of those systems;
•Apollo’s dependence on key executives and inability to attract qualified personnel;
•the accuracy of our estimates regarding the future performance of our investment portfolio;
•increased regulation or scrutiny of alternative investment advisers and certain trading methods;
•potential changes to laws or regulations affecting, among other things, group supervision and/or group capital requirements, entity-level regulatory capital standards, transactions with our affiliates, the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments or distributions to AHL, acquisitions by or of us, minimum capitalization and statutory reserve requirements for insurance companies and fiduciary obligations on parties who distribute our products;
•the failure to obtain or maintain licenses and/or other regulatory approvals as required for the operation of our insurance subsidiaries;
•increases in our tax liability resulting from the implementation in various jurisdictions of measures to introduce the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) “Pillar Two” global minimum tax initiative, or similar rules in other jurisdictions (including the recently enacted corporate income tax in Bermuda or otherwise);
•certain of our non-United States (US) subsidiaries becoming subject to US federal income taxation in amounts greater than expected;
•adverse changes in tax law;
•adverse impacts of AHL changing its domicile from Bermuda to the US, causing AHL to become a US-domiciled corporation and a US taxpayer (Redomicile);
•changes in our ability to pay dividends or make distributions, including as a result of the Redomicile;
•the failure to achieve the economic benefits expected to be derived from Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate Holding Ltd. and Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate Holding 2 Ltd. (together with their subsidiaries, ACRA) capital raise or future ACRA capital raises;
•the failure of third-party ACRA investors to fund their capital commitment obligations; and
•other risks and factors listed in Part II–Item 1A. Risk Factors included in this report, Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our 2023 Annual Report and those discussed elsewhere in this report and in our 2023 Annual Report.
We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not be exhaustive. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect or anticipate. In light of these risks, you should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Unless an earlier date is specified, the forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date that this report was filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We undertake no obligation, except as may be required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS
Unless otherwise indicated in this report, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Entities
Term or Acronym
Definition
AAA
Apollo Aligned Alternatives Aggregator, LP
AADE
Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company
AAM
Apollo Asset Management, Inc., formerly known as Apollo Global Management, Inc.
AARe
Athene Annuity Re Ltd., a Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary
ACRA
ACRA 1 and ACRA 2
ACRA 1
Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate Holding Ltd., together with its subsidiaries
Athene Life Re Ltd., a Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary
ALReI
Athene Life Re International Ltd., a Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary
Apollo
Apollo Global Management, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (other than us or our subsidiaries)
Apollo Group
(1) AGM and its subsidiaries, including AAM, (2) any investment fund or other collective investment vehicle whose general partner or managing member is owned, directly or indirectly, by clause (1), (3) BRH Holdings GP, Ltd. and each of its shareholders, (4) any executive officer or employee of AGM or AGM’s subsidiaries, and (5) any affiliate of a person described in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above; provided none of AHL or its subsidiaries (other than ACRA) will be deemed to be a member of the Apollo Group
AUSA
Athene USA Corporation
Athora
Athora Holding Ltd.
BMA
Bermuda Monetary Authority
ISG
Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP
Jackson
Jackson Financial, Inc., together with its subsidiaries
LIMRA
Life Insurance and Market Research Association
MidCap Financial
MidCap FinCo Designated Activity Company
NAIC
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
US Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
VIAC
Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company
Venerable
Venerable Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries
Alternative investments, including investment funds, VIEs and certain equity securities due to their underlying characteristics
Base of earnings
Earnings generated from our results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business
Bermuda capital
The capital of Athene’s non-US reinsurance subsidiaries calculated under US statutory accounting principles, including that for policyholder reserve liabilities which are subjected to US cash flow testing requirements, but (1) excluding certain items that do not exist under our applicable Bermuda requirements, such as interest maintenance reserves and (2) including certain Bermuda statutory accounting differences, such as marking to market of inception date investment gains or losses relating to reinsurance transactions. Bermuda capital may from time to time materially differ from the calculation of statutory capital under US statutory accounting principles primarily due to the foregoing differences.
Bermuda RBC
The risk-based capital ratio of our non-US reinsurance subsidiaries by applying NAIC risk-based capital factors to the statutory financial statements on an aggregate basis. Adjustments are made to (1) exclude US subsidiaries which are included within our US RBC Ratio and (2) limit RBC concentration charges such that when they are applied to determine target capital, the charges do not exceed 100% of the asset’s carrying value.
Block reinsurance
A transaction in which the ceding company cedes all or a portion of a block of previously issued annuity contracts through a reinsurance agreement
BSCR
Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement
CAL
Company action level risk-based capital as defined by the model created by the NAIC
CLO
Collateralized loan obligation
CMBS
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
CML
Commercial mortgage loan
Consolidated RBC
The consolidated risk-based capital ratio of our non-US reinsurance and US insurance subsidiaries calculated by applying NAIC risk-based capital factors to the statutory financial statements on an aggregate basis, including interests in other non-insurance subsidiary holding companies; with an adjustment in Bermuda and non-insurance holding companies to limit RBC concentration charges such that when they are applied to determine target capital, the charges do not exceed 100% of the asset’s carrying value.
Cost of funds
Cost of funds includes liability costs related to cost of crediting on both deferred annuities, including, with respect to our fixed indexed annuities, option costs, and institutional costs related to institutional products, as well as other liability costs, but does not include the proportionate share of the ACRA cost of funds associated with the noncontrolling interests. Other liability costs include DAC, DSI and VOBA amortization, certain market risk benefit costs, the cost of liabilities on products other than deferred annuities and institutional products, premiums and certain product charges and other revenues. We include the costs related to business added through assumed reinsurance transactions and exclude the costs on business related to ceded reinsurance transactions. Cost of funds is computed as the total liability costs divided by the average net invested assets for the relevant period, presented on an annualized basis for interim periods.
Capital in excess of the level management believes is needed to support our current operating strategy
FIA
Fixed indexed annuity, which is an insurance contract that earns interest at a crediting rate based on a specified index on a tax-deferred basis
Fixed annuities
FIAs together with fixed rate annuities
Fixed rate annuity
An insurance contract that offers tax-deferred growth and the opportunity to produce a guaranteed stream of retirement income for the lifetime of its policyholder
Flow reinsurance
A transaction in which the ceding company cedes a portion of newly issued policies to the reinsurer
Funds withheld
Funds withheld modified coinsurance
GLWB
Guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit
GMDB
Guaranteed minimum death benefit
Gross invested assets
Represent the investments that directly back our gross reserve liabilities as well as surplus assets. Gross invested assets include (a) total investments on the consolidated balance sheet with available-for-sale securities, trading securities and mortgage loans at cost or amortized cost, excluding derivatives, (b) cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, (c) investments in related parties, (d) accrued investment income, (e) VIE assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest adjustments, (f) net investment payables and receivables, (g) policy loans ceded (which offset the direct policy loans in total investments) and (h) an adjustment for the allowance for credit losses. Gross invested assets exclude the derivative collateral offsetting the related cash positions. We include the investments supporting assumed funds withheld and modco agreements and exclude the investments related to ceded reinsurance transactions in order to match the assets with the income received. Gross invested assets include the entire investment balance attributable to ACRA as ACRA is 100% consolidated.
IMO
Independent marketing organization
Liability outflows
The aggregate of withdrawals on our deferred annuities, death benefits, pension group annuity benefit payments, payments on payout annuities, repurchases and maturities of our funding agreements and block reinsurance outflows.
Market risk benefits
Guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits and guaranteed minimum death benefits
Represent the investments that directly back our net reserve liabilities as well as surplus assets. Net invested assets include (a) total investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, with available-for-sale securities, trading securities and mortgage loans at cost or amortized cost, excluding derivatives, (b) cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, (c) investments in related parties, (d) accrued investment income, (e) VIE assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest adjustments, (f) net investment payables and receivables, (g) policy loans ceded (which offset the direct policy loans in total investments) and (h) an adjustment for the allowance for credit losses. Net invested assets exclude the derivative collateral offsetting the related cash positions. We include the investments supporting assumed funds withheld and modco agreements and exclude the investments related to ceded reinsurance transactions in order to match the assets with the income received. Net invested assets include our economic ownership of ACRA investments but do not include the investments associated with the noncontrolling interests.
Net investment earned rate
Computed as the income from our net invested assets divided by the average net invested assets for the relevant period, presented on an annualized basis for interim periods. The adjustments to net investment income to arrive at our net investment earnings add (a) alternative investment gains and losses, (b) gains and losses related to certain equity securities, (c) net VIE impacts (revenues, expenses and noncontrolling interest), (d) forward points gains and losses on foreign exchange derivative hedges, (e) amortization of premium/discount on held-for-trading securities and (f) the change in fair value of reinsurance assets, and remove the proportionate share of the ACRA net investment income associated with the noncontrolling interests. Net investment earned rate includes the income and assets supporting our change in fair value of reinsurance assets by evaluating the underlying investments of the funds withheld at interest receivables and including the net investment income from those underlying investments which does not correspond to the US GAAP presentation of change in fair value of reinsurance assets. Net investment earned rate excludes the income and assets on business related to ceded reinsurance transactions.
Net investment spread
Net investment spread measures our investment performance plus our strategic capital management fees less our total cost of funds, presented on an annualized basis for interim periods.
Net reserve liabilities
Represent our policyholder liability obligations net of reinsurance and used to analyze the costs of our liabilities. Net reserve liabilities include (a) interest sensitive contract liabilities, (b) future policy benefits, (c) net market risk benefits, (d) long-term repurchase obligations, (e) dividends payable to policyholders and (f) other policy claims and benefits, offset by reinsurance recoverable, excluding policy loans ceded. Net reserve liabilities include our economic ownership of ACRA reserve liabilities but do not include the reserve liabilities associated with the noncontrolling interests. Net reserve liabilities are net of the ceded liabilities to third-party reinsurers as the costs of the liabilities are passed to such reinsurers and, therefore, we have no net economic exposure to such liabilities, assuming our reinsurance counterparties perform under our agreements. Net reserve liabilities include the underlying liabilities assumed through modco reinsurance agreements in order to match the liabilities with the expenses incurred.
Payout annuities
Annuities with a current cash payment component, which consist primarily of single premium immediate annuities, supplemental contracts and structured settlements
Policy loan
A loan to a policyholder under the terms of, and which is secured by, a policyholder’s policy
RBC
Risk-based capital
RILA
Registered index-linked annuity, which is an insurance contract similar to an FIA that has the potential for higher returns but also has the potential risk of loss to principal and related earnings, subject to a floor
RMBS
Residential mortgage-backed securities
RML
Residential mortgage loan
Sales
All money paid into an individual annuity, including money paid into new contracts with initial purchase occurring in the specified period and existing contracts with initial purchase occurring prior to the specified period (excluding internal transfers)
Spread Related Earnings, or SRE
Pre-tax non-GAAP measure used to evaluate our financial performance excluding market volatility (other than with respect to alternative investments) as well as integration, restructuring, stock compensation and certain other expenses which are not part of our underlying profitability drivers.
Surplus assets
Assets in excess of policyholder obligations, determined in accordance with the applicable domiciliary jurisdiction’s statutory accounting principles
TAC
Total adjusted capital as defined by the model created by the NAIC
US GAAP
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
US RBC
The CAL RBC ratio for AADE, our parent US insurance company
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2024 – $157,128 and 2023 – $147,561; allowance for credit losses: 2024 – $597 and 2023 – $590)
$
142,873
$
134,338
Trading securities, at fair value
1,685
1,706
Equity securities (portion at fair value: 2024 – $1,293 and 2023 – $935)
1,651
1,293
Mortgage loans, at fair value
48,207
44,115
Investment funds
110
109
Policy loans
330
334
Funds withheld at interest (portion at fair value: 2024 – $(3,362) and 2023 – $(3,379))
23,230
24,359
Derivative assets
7,159
5,298
Short-term investments, at fair value
340
341
Other investments (portion at fair value: 2024 – $1,113 and 2023 – $943)
1,371
1,206
Total investments
226,956
213,099
Cash and cash equivalents
15,250
13,020
Restricted cash
1,575
1,761
Investments in related parties
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2024 – $16,804 and 2023 – $14,455; allowance for credit losses: 2024 – $1 and 2023 – $1)
16,378
14,009
Trading securities, at fair value
781
838
Equity securities, at fair value
315
318
Mortgage loans, at fair value
1,263
1,281
Investment funds (portion at fair value: 2024 – $1,067 and 2023 – $1,082)
1,626
1,632
Funds withheld at interest (portion at fair value: 2024 – $(723) and 2023 – $(721))
6,028
6,474
Short-term investments
556
947
Other investments, at fair value
336
343
Accrued investment income (related party: 2024 – $168 and 2023 – $166)
2,332
1,933
Reinsurance recoverable (related party: 2024 – $1,125 and 2023 – $0; portion at fair value: 2024 – $1,468 and 2023 – $1,367)
5,183
4,154
Deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements and value of business acquired
6,408
5,979
Goodwill
4,064
4,065
Other assets (related party: 2024 – $226 and 2023 – $189)
10,185
10,179
Assets of consolidated variable interest entities
Investments
Trading securities, at fair value (related party: 2024 – $624 and 2023 – $644)
2,034
2,136
Mortgage loans, at fair value (related party: 2024 – $378 and 2023 – $358)
2,147
2,173
Investment funds, at fair value (related party: 2024 – $16,327 and 2023 – $15,425)
16,816
15,927
Other investments, at fair value (related party: 2024 – $98 and 2023 – $80)
121
103
Cash and cash equivalents
93
98
Other assets
132
110
Total assets
$
320,579
$
300,579
(Continued)
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Revenues
Premiums (related party of $6 and $3 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
$
101
$
96
Product charges (related party of $9 and $10 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
238
198
Net investment income (related party investment income of $390 and $371 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and related party investment expense of $289 and $222 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
3,292
2,407
Investment related gains (losses) (related party of $(40) and $85 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
1,677
1,065
Other revenues
2
13
Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities
Net investment income (related party of $11 and $22 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
77
80
Investment related gains (losses) (related party of $370 and $224 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
334
201
Total revenues
5,721
4,060
Benefits and expenses
Interest sensitive contract benefits (related party of $21 and $47 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
2,884
1,289
Future policy and other policy benefits (related party of $7 and $21 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and remeasurement (gains) losses of $12 and $2 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
543
466
Market risk benefits remeasurement (gains) losses (related party of $(14) and $28 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
(154)
346
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements and value of business acquired
207
138
Policy and other operating expenses (related party of $(16) and $30 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)
459
435
Total benefits and expenses
3,939
2,674
Income before income taxes
1,782
1,386
Income tax expense
307
163
Net income
1,475
1,223
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
283
455
Net income attributable to Athene Holding Ltd. stockholders
1,192
768
Less: Preferred stock dividends
45
47
Net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder
$
1,147
$
721
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Athene Holding Ltd. (AHL), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, Athene, we, our, us, or the Company), is a leading financial services company that specializes in issuing, reinsuring and acquiring retirement savings products in the United States (US) and internationally. We are a direct subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (AGM, and together with its subsidiaries other than us or our subsidiaries, Apollo).
We conduct business primarily through the following consolidated subsidiaries:
•Our non-US reinsurance subsidiaries, to which AHL’s other insurance subsidiaries and third-party ceding companies directly and indirectly reinsure a portion of their liabilities, including Athene Life Re Ltd. (ALRe), Athene Annuity Re Ltd. (AARe) and Athene Life Re International Ltd. (ALReI); and
•Athene USA Corporation, an Iowa corporation (together with its subsidiaries, AUSA).
In addition, we consolidate certain variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. See Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities for further information on VIEs.
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—We have prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) for interim financial information and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, considered necessary for fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform with current year presentation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the entire year.
For entities that are consolidated, but not wholly owned, we allocate a portion of the income or loss and corresponding equity to the owners other than us. We include the aggregate of the income or loss and corresponding equity that is not owned by us in noncontrolling interests in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.The preparation of financial statements requires the use of management estimates. Actual results may differ from estimates used in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Compensation – Stock Compensation (ASU 2024-01)
The amendments in this update clarify how an entity determines whether it is required to account for profits interest awards (and similar awards) in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation or other guidance. The Accounting Standards Update (ASU) provides specific examples on when profits interest awards should be accounted for as a share-based payment arrangement under ASC 718 or in a manner similar to a cash bonus or profit-sharing arrangement under ASC 710 Compensation – General or other ASC topics. The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2025, and early adoption is permitted but must be implemented as of the beginning of the fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new pronouncement on our consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes—Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09)
The amendments in this update revise certain disclosures on income taxes including rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and certain amendments on disaggregation by federal, state and foreign taxes. The guidance is effective for us for annual periods beginning in 2025. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Segment Reporting – Improvements to Reporting Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07)
The amendments in this update incrementally add disclosures for public entities’ reporting segments including significant segment expenses and other segment items. The guidance is effective for us for the 2024 annual period and in interim periods in 2025. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (ASU 2023-05)
The amendments in this update address how a joint venture initially recognizes and measures contributions received at its formation date. The amendments require a joint venture to apply a new basis of accounting upon formation and to initially recognize its assets and liabilities at fair value. The guidance is effective prospectively for all joint ventures formed on or after January 1, 2025, while retrospective application may be elected for a joint venture formed before the effective date. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
We adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 and elected to apply certain of the practical expedients related to contract modifications, hedge accounting relationships, and derivative modifications pertaining to discounting, margining, or contract price alignment. The main purpose of the practical expedients is to ease the administrative burden of accounting for contracts impacted by reference rate reform, and these elections did not have, and are not expected to have, a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2022-06 amended and deferred the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024, after which we will no longer be permitted to apply the expedients provided in Topic 848. We will continue to evaluate the impact of reference rate reform on contract modifications and hedging relationships.
2. Investments
AFS Securities—Our AFS investment portfolio includes bonds, collateralized loan obligations (CLO), asset-backed securities (ABS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and redeemable preferred stock. Our AFS investment portfolio includes related party investments, primarily comprised of investments over which Apollo can exercise significant influence, which are presented as investments in related parties on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and are separately disclosed below.
The following table represents the amortized cost, allowance for credit losses, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of our AFS investments by asset type:
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Allowance for Credit Losses
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
AFS securities
US government and agencies
$
6,161
$
—
$
67
$
(829)
$
5,399
US state, municipal and political subdivisions
1,296
—
—
(250)
1,046
Foreign governments
2,083
—
71
(255)
1,899
Corporate
88,343
(129)
830
(10,798)
78,246
CLO
20,506
(2)
261
(558)
20,207
ABS
13,942
(49)
120
(630)
13,383
CMBS
7,070
(29)
52
(502)
6,591
RMBS
8,160
(381)
252
(464)
7,567
Total AFS securities
147,561
(590)
1,653
(14,286)
134,338
AFS securities – related parties
Corporate
1,423
—
1
(72)
1,352
CLO
4,367
—
21
(120)
4,268
ABS
8,665
(1)
34
(309)
8,389
Total AFS securities – related parties
14,455
(1)
56
(501)
14,009
Total AFS securities including related parties
$
162,016
$
(591)
$
1,709
$
(14,787)
$
148,347
The amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities, including related parties, are shown by contractual maturity below:
March 31, 2024
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
AFS securities
Due in one year or less
$
2,294
$
2,256
Due after one year through five years
20,196
19,366
Due after five years through ten years
25,571
23,178
Due after ten years
56,491
47,242
CLO, ABS, CMBS and RMBS
52,576
50,831
Total AFS securities
157,128
142,873
AFS securities – related parties
Due after one year through five years
911
898
Due after five years through ten years
122
114
Due after ten years
395
343
CLO and ABS
15,376
15,023
Total AFS securities – related parties
16,804
16,378
Total AFS securities including related parties
$
173,932
$
159,251
Actual maturities can differ from contractual maturities as borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Unrealized Losses on AFS Securities—The following summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses for AFS securities, including related parties, for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, aggregated by asset type and length of time the fair value has remained below amortized cost:
March 31, 2024
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total
(In millions)
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
AFS securities
US government and agencies
$
2,447
$
(189)
$
2,313
$
(813)
$
4,760
$
(1,002)
US state, municipal and political subdivisions
132
(6)
888
(246)
1,020
(252)
Foreign governments
986
(42)
735
(266)
1,721
(308)
Corporate
13,687
(532)
49,045
(10,903)
62,732
(11,435)
CLO
1,966
(7)
8,909
(417)
10,875
(424)
ABS
1,798
(45)
4,307
(389)
6,105
(434)
CMBS
552
(11)
1,927
(363)
2,479
(374)
RMBS
606
(14)
1,399
(134)
2,005
(148)
Total AFS securities
22,174
(846)
69,523
(13,531)
91,697
(14,377)
AFS securities – related parties
Corporate
241
(40)
384
(36)
625
(76)
CLO
399
(2)
2,223
(75)
2,622
(77)
ABS
4,115
(77)
2,486
(216)
6,601
(293)
Total AFS securities – related parties
4,755
(119)
5,093
(327)
9,848
(446)
Total AFS securities including related parties
$
26,929
$
(965)
$
74,616
$
(13,858)
$
101,545
$
(14,823)
December 31, 2023
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total
(In millions)
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
AFS securities
US government and agencies
$
2,013
$
(94)
$
2,389
$
(735)
$
4,402
$
(829)
US state, municipal and political subdivisions
123
(5)
888
(245)
1,011
(250)
Foreign governments
690
(13)
760
(242)
1,450
(255)
Corporate
7,752
(474)
50,028
(10,311)
57,780
(10,785)
CLO
689
(2)
11,579
(543)
12,268
(545)
ABS
2,129
(75)
4,378
(458)
6,507
(533)
CMBS
859
(12)
1,967
(406)
2,826
(418)
RMBS
467
(9)
2,057
(263)
2,524
(272)
Total AFS securities
14,722
(684)
74,046
(13,203)
88,768
(13,887)
AFS securities – related parties
Corporate
548
(35)
382
(37)
930
(72)
CLO
397
(16)
2,592
(102)
2,989
(118)
ABS
2,008
(66)
2,793
(225)
4,801
(291)
Total AFS securities – related parties
2,953
(117)
5,767
(364)
8,720
(481)
Total AFS securities including related parties
$
17,675
$
(801)
$
79,813
$
(13,567)
$
97,488
$
(14,368)
The following summarizes the number of AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position, including related parties, for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded:
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The unrealized losses on AFS securities can primarily be attributed to changes in market interest rates since the application of pushdown accounting or acquisition. We did not recognize the unrealized losses in income, unless as required for hedge accounting, as we intend to hold these securities and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost.
Allowance for Credit Losses—The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for credit losses for AFS securities including purchased credit deteriorated (PCD) securities by asset type:
Three months ended March 31, 2024
Additions
Reductions
(In millions)
Beginning balance
Initial credit losses
Initial credit losses on PCD securities
Securities sold during the period
Additions (reductions) to previously impaired securities
Ending balance
AFS securities
Corporate
$
129
$
7
$
—
$
(8)
$
(1)
$
127
CLO
2
—
—
—
(1)
1
ABS
49
2
—
—
—
51
CMBS
29
1
—
—
1
31
RMBS
381
4
—
(4)
6
387
Total AFS securities
590
14
—
(12)
5
597
AFS securities – related parties, ABS
1
—
—
—
—
1
Total AFS securities including related parties
$
591
$
14
$
—
$
(12)
$
5
$
598
Three months ended March 31, 2023
Additions
Reductions
(In millions)
Beginning balance
Initial credit losses
Initial credit losses on PCD securities
Securities sold during the period
Additions (reductions) to previously impaired securities
Ending balance
AFS securities
Foreign governments
$
27
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
27
Corporate
61
21
—
(6)
3
79
CLO
7
1
—
—
(4)
4
ABS
29
—
—
—
2
31
CMBS
5
1
—
—
(1)
5
RMBS
329
3
28
(4)
—
356
Total AFS securities
458
26
28
(10)
—
502
AFS securities – related parties, CLO
1
—
—
—
—
1
Total AFS securities including related parties
$
459
$
26
$
28
$
(10)
$
—
$
503
Net Investment Income—Net investment income by asset class consists of the following:
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Investment Related Gains (Losses)—Investment related gains (losses) by asset class consists of the following:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
AFS securities1
Gross realized gains on investment activity
$
67
$
183
Gross realized losses on investment activity
(347)
(104)
Net realized investment gains (losses) on AFS securities
(280)
79
Net recognized investment gains (losses) on trading securities
(65)
64
Net recognized investment gains (losses) on equity securities
39
(18)
Net recognized investment gains (losses) on mortgage loans
(358)
277
Derivative gains
1,431
993
Provision for credit losses
(10)
(66)
Other gains (losses)
920
(264)
Investment related gains (losses)
$
1,677
$
1,065
1Includes the effects of recognized gains or losses on AFS securities associated with designated hedges.
Proceeds from sales of AFS securities were $3,718 million and $1,140 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table summarizes the change in unrealized gains (losses) on trading and equity securities, including related parties, we held as of the respective period end:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Trading securities
$
(20)
$
66
Trading securities – related parties
—
6
Equity securities
41
(23)
Equity securities – related parties
(3)
3
Repurchase Agreements—The following table summarizes the remaining contractual maturities of our repurchase agreements, which are included in payables for collateral on derivatives and securities to repurchase on the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Less than 30 days
$
—
$
686
Greater than 1 year
2,666
3,167
Payables for repurchase agreements
$
2,666
$
3,853
The following table summarizes the securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
AFS securities
Foreign governments
$
138
$
97
$
137
$
99
Corporate
1,859
1,577
2,735
2,307
CLO
578
580
580
579
ABS
610
545
1,207
1,086
Total securities pledged under repurchase agreements
$
3,185
$
2,799
$
4,659
$
4,071
Reverse Repurchase Agreements—As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, amounts loaned under reverse repurchase agreements were $556 million and $947 million, respectively, and the fair value of the collateral, comprised primarily of commercial and residential mortgage loans, was $1,087 million and $1,504 million, respectively.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Mortgage Loans, including related parties and consolidated VIEs—Mortgage loans include both commercial and residential loans. We have elected the fair value option on our mortgage loan portfolio. See Note 5 – Fair Value for further fair value option information. The following represents the mortgage loan portfolio, with fair value option loans presented at unpaid principal balance:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Commercial mortgage loans
$
30,512
$
27,630
Commercial mortgage loans under development
1,187
1,228
Total commercial mortgage loans
31,699
28,858
Mark to fair value
(3,165)
(2,246)
Commercial mortgage loans
28,534
26,612
Residential mortgage loans
24,058
21,894
Mark to fair value
(975)
(937)
Residential mortgage loans
23,083
20,957
Mortgage loans
$
51,617
$
47,569
We primarily invest in commercial mortgage loans on income producing properties, including office and retail buildings, apartments, hotels, and industrial properties. We diversify the commercial mortgage loan portfolio by geographic region and property type to reduce concentration risk. We evaluate mortgage loans based on relevant current information to confirm if properties are performing at a consistent and acceptable level to secure the related debt.
The distribution of commercial mortgage loans, including those under development, by property type and geographic region, is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percentage of Total
Fair Value
Percentage of Total
Property type
Apartment
$
10,565
37.0
%
$
9,591
36.0
%
Office building
4,339
15.2
%
4,455
16.7
%
Industrial
4,497
15.8
%
4,143
15.6
%
Hotels
3,113
10.9
%
2,913
11.0
%
Retail
2,215
7.8
%
2,158
8.1
%
Other commercial
3,805
13.3
%
3,352
12.6
%
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
28,534
100.0
%
$
26,612
100.0
%
US region
East North Central
$
1,639
5.7
%
$
1,517
5.7
%
East South Central
514
1.8
%
523
2.0
%
Middle Atlantic
7,528
26.4
%
7,147
26.9
%
Mountain
1,161
4.1
%
1,196
4.5
%
New England
1,363
4.8
%
1,295
4.9
%
Pacific
5,516
19.3
%
4,860
18.3
%
South Atlantic
4,650
16.4
%
4,583
17.2
%
West North Central
242
0.8
%
249
0.9
%
West South Central
1,429
5.0
%
1,228
4.6
%
Total US region
24,042
84.3
%
22,598
85.0
%
International region
United Kingdom
2,540
8.9
%
2,343
8.7
%
Other international1
1,952
6.8
%
1,671
6.3
%
Total international region
4,492
15.7
%
4,014
15.0
%
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
28,534
100.0
%
$
26,612
100.0
%
1 Represents all other countries, with each individual country comprising less than 5% of the portfolio.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Our residential mortgage loan portfolio primarily consists of first lien residential mortgage loans collateralized by properties in various geographic locations and is summarized by proportion of the portfolio in the following table:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
US States
California
27.1
%
27.6
%
Florida
11.9
%
12.0
%
Texas
6.4
%
6.1
%
New York
5.8
%
5.9
%
Other1
39.1
%
39.4
%
Total US residential mortgage loan percentage
90.3
%
91.0
%
International
United Kingdom
5.3
%
4.0
%
Other1
4.4
%
5.0
%
Total international residential mortgage loan percentage
9.7
%
9.0
%
Total residential mortgage loan percentage
100.0
%
100.0
%
1 Represents all other states or countries, with each individual state or country comprising less than 5% of the portfolio.
Investment Funds—Our investment fund portfolio consists of funds that employ various strategies and include investments in origination platforms, insurance platforms, and equity, hybrid, yield and other funds. Investment funds can meet the definition of VIEs, which are discussed further in Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities. Our investment funds do not specify timing of distributions on the funds’ underlying assets.
The following summarizes our investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Carrying value
Percent of total
Carrying value
Percent of total
Investment funds
Equity
$
84
76.4
%
$
82
75.3
%
Hybrid
19
17.2
%
20
18.3
%
Other
7
6.4
%
7
6.4
%
Total investment funds
110
100.0
%
109
100.0
%
Investment funds – related parties
Strategic origination platforms
47
2.9
%
47
2.9
%
Insurance platforms
1,299
79.9
%
1,300
79.7
%
Apollo and other fund investments
Equity
249
15.3
%
254
15.6
%
Yield
7
0.4
%
8
0.5
%
Other
24
1.5
%
23
1.3
%
Total investment funds – related parties
1,626
100.0
%
1,632
100.0
%
Investment funds – consolidated VIEs
Strategic origination platforms
5,854
34.8
%
5,594
35.1
%
Insurance platforms
471
2.8
%
483
3.0
%
Apollo and other fund investments
Equity
3,591
21.4
%
3,409
21.4
%
Hybrid
4,325
25.7
%
4,242
26.7
%
Yield
1,462
8.7
%
1,356
8.5
%
Other
1,113
6.6
%
843
5.3
%
Total investment funds – consolidated VIEs
16,816
100.0
%
15,927
100.0
%
Total investment funds including related parties and funds owned by consolidated VIEs
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Non-Consolidated Securities and Investment Funds
Fixed maturity securities – We invest in securitization entities as a debt holder or an investor in the residual interest of the securitization vehicle. These entities are deemed VIEs due to insufficient equity within the structure and lack of control by the equity investors over the activities that significantly impact the economics of the entity. In general, we are a debt investor within these entities and, as such, hold a variable interest; however, due to the debt holders’ lack of ability to control the decisions within the trust that significantly impact the entity, and the fact the debt holders are protected from losses due to the subordination of the equity tranche, the debt holders are not deemed the primary beneficiary. Securitization vehicles in which we hold the residual tranche are not consolidated because we do not unilaterally have substantive rights to remove the general partner, or when assessing related party interests, we are not under common control, as defined by US GAAP, with the related parties, nor are substantially all of the activities conducted on our behalf; therefore, we are not deemed the primary beneficiary. Debt investments and investments in the residual tranche of securitization entities are considered debt instruments and are held at fair value and classified as AFS or trading securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Investment funds – Investment funds include non-fixed income, alternative investments in the form of limited partnerships or similar legal structures.
Equity securities – We invest in preferred equity securities issued by entities deemed to be VIEs due to insufficient equity within the structure.
Our risk of loss associated with our non-consolidated investments depends on the investment. Investment funds, equity securities and trading securities are limited to the carrying value plus unfunded commitments. AFS securities are limited to amortized cost plus unfunded commitments.
The following summarizes the carrying value and maximum loss exposure of these non-consolidated investments:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Carrying Value
Maximum Loss Exposure
Carrying Value
Maximum Loss Exposure
Investment funds
$
110
$
1,117
$
109
$
876
Investment in related parties – investment funds
1,626
2,404
1,632
2,377
Assets of consolidated VIEs – investment funds
16,816
23,053
15,927
22,240
Investment in fixed maturity securities
51,243
53,563
48,155
50,623
Investment in related parties – fixed maturity securities
15,804
18,245
13,495
15,608
Investment in related parties – equity securities
315
315
318
318
Total non-consolidated investments
$
85,914
$
98,697
$
79,636
$
92,042
Concentrations—The following table represents our investment concentrations in excess of 10% of stockholders’ equity:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
Atlas1
$
2,985
Wheels1
1,595
AT&T Inc.
1,517
(In millions)
December 31, 2023
Wheels1
$
1,591
AT&T Inc.
1,526
1 Related party amounts are representative of single issuer risk and may only include a portion of the total investments associated with a related party. See further discussion of these related parties in Note 11 – Related Parties.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
3. Derivative Instruments
We use a variety of derivative instruments to manage risks, primarily equity, interest rate, credit, foreign currency and market volatility. See Note 5 – Fair Value for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.
The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of derivative instruments:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Notional Amount
Fair Value
Notional Amount
Fair Value
(In millions)
Assets
Liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedges
Foreign currency hedges
Swaps
10,780
$
507
$
184
9,034
$
477
$
230
Forwards
1,044
41
7
6,294
275
102
Interest rate swaps
5,364
1
637
4,468
—
521
Forwards on net investments
224
1
—
219
—
6
Interest rate swaps
18,004
17
154
10,031
29
95
Total derivatives designated as hedges
567
982
781
954
Derivatives not designated as hedges
Equity options
77,831
5,423
106
73,881
3,809
102
Futures
40
104
—
35
72
—
Foreign currency swaps
8,281
225
202
8,072
230
244
Interest rate swaps
3,496
83
28
3,499
81
9
Other swaps
2,674
13
1
2,588
39
1
Foreign currency forwards
38,354
744
1,110
28,236
286
685
Embedded derivatives
Funds withheld including related parties
(4,085)
(34)
(4,100)
(64)
Interest sensitive contract liabilities
—
10,908
—
9,059
Total derivatives not designated as hedges
2,507
12,321
417
10,036
Total derivatives
$
3,074
$
13,303
$
1,198
$
10,990
Derivatives Designated as Hedges
Cash Flow Hedges–We use interest rate swaps to convert floating-rate interest payments to fixed-rate interest payments to reduce exposure to interest rate changes. The interest rate swaps will expire by July 2027. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized losses of $21 million and $73 million, respectively, in OCI associated with these hedges. There were no amounts deemed ineffective during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. As of March 31, 2024, no amounts were expected to be reclassified to income within the next 12 months.
Fair Value Hedges – We use foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps that are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges to hedge certain exposures to foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. The foreign currency forward price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment is made at a specified future date.
The following represents the carrying amount and the cumulative fair value hedging adjustments included in the hedged assets or liabilities:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Carrying amount of the hedged assets or liabilities1
Cumulative amount of fair value hedging gains (losses)
Carrying amount of the hedged assets or liabilities1
Cumulative amount of fair value hedging gains (losses)
AFS securities
Foreign currency forwards
$
6,149
$
(146)
$
4,883
$
(15)
Foreign currency swaps
6,769
(328)
6,820
(141)
Interest sensitive contract liabilities
Foreign currency swaps
1,945
63
1,438
19
Foreign currency interest rate swaps
4,796
479
4,010
363
Interest rate swaps
13,612
264
6,910
189
1 The carrying amount disclosed for AFS securities is amortized cost.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the gains (losses) related to the derivatives and related hedged items in fair value hedge relationships:
Amounts excluded
(In millions)
Derivatives
Hedged items
Net
Recognized in income through amortization approach
Recognized in income through changes in fair value
Three months ended March 31, 2024
Investment related gains (losses)
Foreign currency forwards
$
136
$
(132)
$
4
$
18
$
9
Foreign currency swaps
112
(114)
(2)
—
—
Foreign currency interest rate swaps
(116)
117
1
—
—
Interest rate swaps
(106)
75
(31)
—
—
Interest sensitive contract benefits
Foreign currency interest rate swaps
16
(16)
—
—
—
Three months ended March 31, 2023
Investment related gains (losses)
Foreign currency forwards
$
(70)
$
73
$
3
$
87
$
4
Foreign currency swaps
(59)
64
5
—
—
Foreign currency interest rate swaps
78
(70)
8
—
—
Interest rate swaps
102
(104)
(2)
—
—
Interest sensitive contract benefits
Foreign currency interest rate swaps
15
(15)
—
—
—
The following is a summary of the gains (losses) excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness that were recognized in OCI:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Foreign currency forwards
$
(17)
$
63
Foreign currency swaps
(38)
114
Net Investment Hedges – We use foreign currency forwards to hedge the foreign currency exchange rate risk of our investments in subsidiaries that have a reporting currency other than the US dollar. We assess hedge effectiveness based on the changes in forward rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, these derivatives had gains of $3 million and losses of $4 million, respectively. These derivatives are included in foreign currency translation and other adjustments on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the cumulative foreign currency translations recorded in AOCI related to these net investment hedges were gains of $29 million and $26 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no amounts deemed ineffective.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
Equity options – We use equity indexed options to economically hedge fixed indexed annuity products that guarantee the return of principal to the policyholder and credit interest based on a percentage of the gain in a specified market index, primarily the S&P 500. To hedge against adverse changes in equity indices, we enter into contracts to buy equity indexed options. The contracts are net settled in cash based on differentials in the indices at the time of exercise and the strike price.
Futures –Futures contracts are purchased to hedge the growth in interest credited to the customer as a direct result of increases in the related indices. We enter into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission clearing brokers who are members of a trading exchange. Under exchange-traded futures contracts, we agree to purchase a specified number of contracts with other parties and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily fair values of those contracts.
Interest rate swaps – We use interest rate swaps to reduce market risks from interest rate changes and to alter interest rate exposure arising from duration mismatches between assets and liabilities. With an interest rate swap, we agree with another party to exchange the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts tied to an agreed-upon notional principal amount at specified intervals.
Other swaps – Other swaps include total return swaps, credit default swaps and swaptions. We purchase total rate of return swaps to gain exposure and benefit from a reference asset or index without ownership. Credit default swaps provide a measure of protection against the default of an issuer or allow us to gain credit exposure to an issuer or traded index. We use credit default swaps coupled with a bond to synthetically create the characteristics of a reference bond. Swaptions give us the option to enter into an interest rate swap and are used to hedge against interest rate exposure.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Embedded derivatives – We have embedded derivatives which are required to be separated from their host contracts and reported as derivatives. Host contracts include reinsurance agreements structured on a modco or funds withheld basis and indexed annuity products.
The following is a summary of the gains (losses) related to derivatives not designated as hedges:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Equity options
$
1,597
$
350
Futures
127
34
Swaps
39
33
Foreign currency forwards
(310)
(169)
Embedded derivatives on funds withheld
(75)
603
Amounts recognized in investment related gains (losses)
1,378
851
Embedded derivatives in indexed annuity products1
(1,177)
(473)
Total gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedges
$
201
$
378
1Included in interest sensitive contract benefits on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Credit Risk—We may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance on derivative financial instruments. Generally, the current credit exposure of our derivative contracts is the fair value at the reporting date less any collateral received from the counterparty.
We manage credit risk related to over-the-counter derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties. Where possible, we maintain collateral arrangements and use master netting agreements that provide for a single net payment from one counterparty to another at each due date and upon termination. We have also established counterparty exposure limits, where possible, in order to evaluate if there is sufficient collateral to support the net exposure.
Collateral arrangements typically require the posting of collateral in connection with its derivative instruments. Collateral agreements often contain posting thresholds, some of which may vary depending on the posting party’s financial strength ratings. Additionally, a decrease in our financial strength rating to a specified level can result in settlement of the derivative position.
The estimated fair value of our net derivative and other financial assets and liabilities after the application of master netting agreements and collateral were as follows:
Gross amounts not offset on the condensed consolidated balance sheets
(In millions)
Gross amount recognized1
Financial instruments2
Collateral (received)/pledged
Net amount
Off-balance sheet securities collateral3
Net amount after securities collateral
March 31, 2024
Derivative assets
$
7,159
$
(1,704)
$
(5,479)
$
(24)
$
1
$
(23)
Derivative liabilities
(2,429)
1,704
1,188
463
—
463
December 31, 2023
Derivative assets
$
5,298
$
(1,497)
$
(3,676)
$
125
$
—
$
125
Derivative liabilities
(1,995)
1,497
848
350
—
350
1 The gross amounts of recognized derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, amounts not subject to master netting or similar agreements were immaterial.
2 Represents amounts offsetting derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement that are not netted against the gross derivative assets or gross derivative liabilities for presentation on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
3 For non-cash collateral received, we do not recognize the collateral on our balance sheet unless the obligor (transferor) has defaulted under the terms of the secured contract and is no longer entitled to redeem the pledged asset. Amounts do not include any excess of collateral pledged or received.
4. Variable Interest Entities
We determined that we are required to consolidate certain Apollo-managed investment funds and other Apollo-managed structures. Since the criteria for the primary beneficiary are satisfied by our related party group, we are deemed the primary beneficiary. In addition, we consolidate certain securitization entities where we are deemed the primary beneficiary. No arrangement exists requiring us to provide additional funding in excess of our committed capital investment, liquidity, or the funding of losses or an increase to our loss exposure in excess of our investment in any of the consolidated VIEs.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following summarizes the income statement activity of the consolidated VIEs:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Trading securities
$
35
$
23
Mortgage loans
30
24
Investment funds
21
35
Other
(9)
(2)
Net investment income
$
77
$
80
Net recognized investment gains on trading securities
$
—
$
6
Net recognized investment gains (losses) on mortgage loans
(26)
9
Net recognized investment gains on investment funds
364
226
Other losses
(4)
(40)
Investment related gains (losses)
$
334
$
201
5. Fair Value
Fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. We determine fair value based on the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.
Level 2 – Quoted prices for inactive markets or valuation techniques that require observable direct or indirect inputs for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:
•Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets,
•Observable inputs other than quoted market prices, and
•Observable inputs derived principally from market data through correlation or other means.
Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques with unobservable inputs significant to the overall fair value estimate. These valuations use critical assumptions not readily available to market participants. Level 3 valuations are based on market standard valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flows, matrix pricing or other similar techniques.
Net Asset Value (NAV) – Investment funds are typically measured using NAV as a practical expedient in determining fair value and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. Our carrying value reflects our pro rata ownership percentage as indicated by NAV in the investment fund financial statements, which we may adjust if we determine NAV is not calculated consistent with investment company fair value principles. The underlying investments of the investment funds may have significant unobservable inputs, which may include but are not limited to, comparable multiples and weighted average cost of capital rates applied in valuation models or a discounted cash flow model.
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the instrument’s fair value measurement.
We use a number of valuation sources to determine fair values. Valuation sources can include quoted market prices; third-party commercial pricing services; third-party brokers; industry-standard, vendor modeling software that uses market observable inputs; and other internal modeling techniques based on projected cash flows. We periodically review the assumptions and inputs of third-party commercial pricing services through internal valuation price variance reviews, comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades, or monitoring trading volumes.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Fair Value Valuation Methods—We used the following valuation methods and assumptions to estimate fair value:
AFS and trading securities –We obtain the fair value for most marketable securities without an active market from several commercial pricing services. These are classified as Level 2 assets. The pricing services incorporate a variety of market observable information in their valuation techniques, including benchmark yields, trading activity, credit quality, issuer spreads, bids, offers and other reference data. This category typically includes US and non-US corporate bonds, US agency and government guaranteed securities, CLO, ABS, CMBS and RMBS.
We also have fixed maturity securities priced based on indicative broker quotes or by employing market accepted valuation models. For certain fixed maturity securities, the valuation model uses significant unobservable inputs and these are included in Level 3 in our fair value hierarchy. Significant unobservable inputs used include: discount rates, issue-specific credit adjustments, material non-public financial information, estimation of future earnings and cash flows, default rate assumptions, liquidity assumptions and indicative quotes from market makers. These inputs are usually considered unobservable, as not all market participants have access to this data.
We value privately placed fixed maturity securities based on the credit quality and duration of comparable marketable securities, which may be securities of another issuer with similar characteristics. In some instances, we use a matrix-based pricing model. These models consider the current level of risk-free interest rates, corporate spreads, credit quality of the issuer and cash flow characteristics of the security. We also consider additional factors such as net worth of the borrower, value of collateral, capital structure of the borrower, presence of guarantees and our evaluation of the borrower’s ability to compete in its relevant market. Privately placed fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 or 3.
Equity securities–Fair values of publicly traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices and classified as Level 1. Other equity securities, typically private equities or equity securities not traded on an exchange, we value based on other sources, such as commercial pricing services or brokers, and are classified as Level 2 or 3.
Mortgage loans – We estimate fair value on a monthly basis using discounted cash flow analysis and rates being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The discounted cash flow model uses unobservable inputs, including estimates of discount rates and loan prepayments. Mortgage loans are classified as Level 3.
Investment funds – Certain investment funds for which we elected the fair value option are included in Level 3 and are priced based on market accepted valuation models. The valuation models use significant unobservable inputs, which include material non-public financial information, estimation of future distributable earnings and demographic assumptions. These inputs are usually considered unobservable, as not all market participants have access to this data.
Other investments – The fair values of other investments are primarily determined using a discounted cash flow model using discount rates for similar investments.
Funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives – Funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives represent the right to receive or obligation to pay the total return on the assets supporting the funds withheld at interest or funds withheld liability, respectively, and are analogous to a total return swap with a floating rate leg. The fair value of embedded derivatives on funds withheld and modco agreements is measured as the unrealized gain (loss) on the underlying assets and classified as Level 3.
Derivatives –Derivative contracts can be exchange traded or over-the-counter. Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy depending on trading activity. Over-the-counter derivatives are valued using valuation models or an income approach using third-party broker valuations. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, prepayment rates and correlation of the inputs. We consider and incorporate counterparty credit risk in the valuation process through counterparty credit rating requirements and monitoring of overall exposure. We also evaluate and include our own nonperformance risk in valuing derivatives. The majority of our derivatives trade in liquid markets; therefore, we can verify model inputs and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. These are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash – The carrying amount for cash equals fair value. We estimate the fair value for cash equivalents based on quoted market prices. These assets are classified as Level 1.
Other assets and market risk benefits liability – Other assets at fair value consist of market risk benefit assets. See Note 7 – Long-duration Contracts for additional information on market risk benefits valuation methodology and additional fair value disclosures. The estimates are classified as Level 3.
Interest sensitive contract liabilities embedded derivatives– Embedded derivatives related to interest sensitive contract liabilities with fixed indexed annuity products are classified as Level 3. The valuations include significant unobservable inputs associated with economic assumptions and actuarial assumptions for policyholder behavior.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
AmerUs Closed Block– We elected the fair value option for the future policy benefits liability in the AmerUs Closed Block. Our valuation technique is to set the fair value of policyholder liabilities equal to the fair value of assets. There is an additional component which captures the fair value of the open block’s obligations to the closed block business. This component is the present value of the projected release of required capital and future earnings before income taxes on required capital supporting the AmerUs Closed Block, discounted at a rate which represents a market participant’s required rate of return, less the initial required capital. Unobservable inputs include estimates for these items. The AmerUs Closed Block policyholder liabilities and any corresponding reinsurance recoverable are classified as Level 3.
ILICO Closed Block – We elected the fair value option for the ILICO Closed Block. Our valuation technique is to set the fair value of policyholder liabilities equal to the fair value of assets. There is an additional component which captures the fair value of the open block’s obligations to the closed block business. This component uses the present value of future cash flows which include commissions, administrative expenses, reinsurance premiums and benefits, and an explicit cost of capital. The discount rate includes a margin to reflect the business and nonperformance risk. Unobservable inputs include estimates for these items. The ILICO Closed Block policyholder liabilities and corresponding reinsurance recoverable are classified as Level 3.
Universal life liabilities and other life benefits– We elected the fair value option for certain blocks of universal and other life business ceded to Global Atlantic. We use a present value of liability cash flows. Unobservable inputs include estimates of mortality, persistency, expenses, premium payments and a risk margin used in the discount rates that reflect the riskiness of the business. These universal life policyholder liabilities and corresponding reinsurance recoverable are classified as Level 3.
Other liabilities – Other liabilities include funds withheld liability, as described above in funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives, and a ceded modco agreement of certain inforce funding agreement contracts for which we elected the fair value option. We estimate the fair value of the ceded modco agreement by discounting projected cash flows for net settlements and certain periodic and non-periodic payments. Unobservable inputs include estimates for asset portfolio returns and economic inputs used in the discount rate, including risk margin. Depending on the projected cash flows and other assumptions, the contract may be recorded as an asset or liability. The estimate is classified as Level 3.
Fair Value Option—The following represents the gains (losses) recorded for instruments for which we have elected the fair value option, including related parties and consolidated VIEs:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Trading securities
$
(60)
$
64
Mortgage loans
(400)
296
Investment funds
(24)
64
Future policy benefits
27
(26)
Other
15
(47)
Total gains (losses)
$
(442)
$
351
Gains and losses on trading securities, mortgage loans, investments of consolidated VIEs, and other are recorded in investment related gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of income. Gains and losses related to investment funds are recorded in net investment income on the condensed consolidated statements of income. We record the change in fair value of future policy benefits to future policy and other policy benefits on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The following summarizes information for fair value option mortgage loans, including related parties and consolidated VIEs:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Unpaid principal balance
$
55,757
$
50,752
Mark to fair value
(4,140)
(3,183)
Fair value
$
51,617
$
47,569
The following represents our commercial mortgage loan portfolio 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Unpaid principal balance of commercial mortgage loans 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status
$
571
$
221
Mark to fair value of commercial mortgage loans 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status
(211)
(74)
Fair value of commercial mortgage loans 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status
$
360
$
147
Fair value of commercial mortgage loans 90 days or more past due
$
183
$
64
Fair value of commercial mortgage loans in non-accrual status
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following represents our residential loan portfolio 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status
$
606
$
528
Mark to fair value of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status
(39)
(49)
Fair value of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due and/or in non-accrual status
$
567
$
479
Fair value of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due1
$
567
$
479
Fair value of residential mortgage loans in non-accrual status
460
355
1As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 includes $107 million and $124 million, respectively, of residential mortgage loans that are guaranteed by US government-sponsored agencies.
The following is the estimated amount of gains (losses) included in earnings during the period attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk on our mortgage loan portfolio:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Mortgage loans
$
(33)
$
(3)
We estimated the portion of gains and losses attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk by identifying commercial loans with loan-to-value ratios meeting credit quality criteria, and residential mortgage loans with delinquency status meeting credit quality criteria.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Level 3 Financial Instruments—The following are reconciliations for Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Transfers in and out of Level 3 are primarily based on changes in the availability of pricing sources, as described in the valuation methods above.
Significant Unobservable Inputs—Significant unobservable inputs occur when we cannot obtain or corroborate the quantitative detail of the inputs. This applies to fixed maturity securities, equity securities, mortgage loans and certain investment funds, as well as embedded derivatives in liabilities. Additional significant unobservable inputs are described below.
AFS, trading and equity securities – We usediscounted cash flow models to calculate the fair value for certain fixed maturity and equity securities. The discount rate is a significant unobservable input because the credit spread includes adjustments made to the base rate. The base rate represents a market comparable rate for securities with similar characteristics. This excludes assets for which fair value is provided by independent broker quotes, but includes assets for which fair value is provided by affiliated quotes.
Mortgage loans – We use discounted cash flow models from independent commercial pricing services to calculate the fair value of our mortgage loan portfolio. The discount rate is a significant unobservable input. This approach uses market transaction information and client portfolio-oriented information, such as prepayments or defaults, to support the valuations.
Investment funds – We use various methods of valuing our investment funds from both independent pricing services and affiliated modeling.
Interest sensitive contract liabilities – embedded derivative – Significant unobservable inputs we use in the fixed indexed annuities embedded derivative of the interest sensitive contract liabilities valuation include:
1.Nonperformance risk – For contracts we issue, we use the credit spread, relative to the US Department of the Treasury (US Treasury) curve based on our public credit rating as of the valuation date. This represents our credit risk for use in the estimate of the fair value of embedded derivatives.
2.Option budget – We assume future hedge costs in the derivative’s fair value estimate. The level of option budgets determines the future costs of the options and impacts future policyholder account value growth.
3.Policyholder behavior – We regularly review the full withdrawal (surrender rate) assumptions. These are based on our initial pricing assumptions updated for actual experience. Actual experience may be limited for recently issued products.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following summarizes the unobservable inputs for AFS, trading and equity securities, mortgage loans, investment funds and the embedded derivatives of fixed indexed annuities, including those of consolidated VIEs:
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Financial Instruments Without Readily Determinable Fair Values—We elected the measurement alternative for certain equity securities that do not have a readily determinable fair value. The equity securities are held at cost less any impairment. The carrying amount of the equity securities was $358 million, net of an impairment of $42 million, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value—The following represents our financial instruments not carried at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
March 31, 2024
(In millions)
Carrying Value
Fair Value
NAV
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Financial assets
Investment funds
$
110
$
110
$
110
$
—
$
—
$
—
Policy loans
330
330
—
—
330
—
Funds withheld at interest
26,592
26,592
—
—
—
26,592
Other investments
35
42
—
—
—
42
Investments in related parties
Investment funds
559
559
559
—
—
—
Funds withheld at interest
6,751
6,751
—
—
—
6,751
Short-term investments
556
556
—
—
556
—
Total financial assets not carried at fair value
$
34,933
$
34,940
$
669
$
—
$
886
$
33,385
Financial liabilities
Interest sensitive contract liabilities
$
167,360
$
158,042
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
158,042
Debt
5,740
5,249
—
587
4,662
—
Securities to repurchase
2,666
2,666
—
—
2,666
—
Funds withheld liability
1,365
1,365
—
—
—
1,365
Total financial liabilities not carried at fair value
$
177,131
$
167,322
$
—
$
587
$
7,328
$
159,407
December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Carrying Value
Fair Value
NAV
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Financial assets
Investment funds
$
109
$
109
$
109
$
—
$
—
$
—
Policy loans
334
334
—
—
334
—
Funds withheld at interest
27,738
27,738
—
—
—
27,738
Other investments
46
52
—
—
—
52
Investments in related parties
Investment funds
550
550
550
—
—
—
Funds withheld at interest
7,195
7,195
—
—
—
7,195
Short-term investments
947
947
—
—
947
—
Total financial assets not carried at fair value
$
36,919
$
36,925
$
659
$
—
$
1,281
$
34,985
Financial liabilities
Interest sensitive contract liabilities
$
154,095
$
146,038
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
146,038
Debt
4,209
3,660
—
—
3,660
—
Securities to repurchase
3,853
3,853
—
—
3,853
—
Funds withheld liability
350
350
—
—
350
—
Total financial liabilities not carried at fair value
$
162,507
$
153,901
$
—
$
—
$
7,863
$
146,038
We estimate the fair value for financial instruments not carried at fair value using the same methods and assumptions as those we carry at fair value. The financial instruments presented above are reported at carrying value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets; however, in the case of policy loans, funds withheld at interest and liability, short-term investments and securities to repurchase, the carrying amount approximates fair value.
Interest sensitive contract liabilities– The carrying and fair value of interest sensitive contract liabilities above includes fixed indexed and traditional fixed annuities without mortality or morbidity risks, funding agreements and payout annuities without life contingencies. The embedded derivatives within fixed indexed annuities without mortality or morbidity risks are excluded, as they are carried at fair value. The valuation of these investment contracts is based on discounted cash flow methodologies using significant unobservable inputs. The estimated fair value is determined using current market risk-free interest rates, adding a spread to reflect our nonperformance risk and subtracting a risk margin to reflect uncertainty inherent in the projected cash flows.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Debt – We obtain the fair value of debt from commercial pricing services. These are classified as Level 1 or Level 2. The pricing services use quoted market prices, if available, or incorporate a variety of market observable information in their valuation techniques including benchmark yields, trading activity, credit quality, issuer spreads, bids, offers and other reference data.
6. Deferred Acquisition Costs, Deferred Sales Inducements and Value of Business Acquired
The following represents a rollforward of DAC and DSI by product, and a rollforward of VOBA. See Note 7 – Long-duration Contracts for more information on our products.
Three months ended March 31, 2024
DAC
DSI
VOBA
Total DAC, DSI and VOBA
(In millions)
Traditional deferred annuities
Indexed annuities
Funding agreements
Other investment-type
Indexed annuities
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
890
$
1,517
$
10
$
11
$
970
$
2,581
$
5,979
Additions
147
294
18
—
177
—
636
Amortization
(51)
(39)
(2)
—
(26)
(89)
(207)
Balance at March 31, 2024
$
986
$
1,772
$
26
$
11
$
1,121
$
2,492
$
6,408
Three months ended March 31, 2023
DAC
DSI
VOBA
Total DAC, DSI and VOBA
(In millions)
Traditional deferred annuities
Indexed annuities
Funding agreements
Other investment-type
Indexed annuities
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
304
$
755
$
11
$
9
$
399
$
2,988
$
4,466
Additions
171
203
—
1
133
—
508
Amortization
(16)
(18)
(1)
—
(10)
(93)
(138)
Balance at March 31, 2023
$
459
$
940
$
10
$
10
$
522
$
2,895
$
4,836
Deferred costs related to universal life-type policies and investment contracts with significant revenue streams from sources other than investment of the policyholder funds, including traditional deferred annuities and indexed annuities, are amortized on a constant-level basis for a cohort of contracts using initial premium or deposit. Significant inputs and assumptions are required for determining the expected duration of the cohort and involves using accepted actuarial methods to determine decrement rates related to policyholder behavior for lapses, withdrawals (surrenders) and mortality. The assumptions used to determine the amortization of DAC and DSI are consistent with those used to estimate the related liability balance.
Deferred costs related to investment contracts without significant revenue streams from sources other than investment of policyholder funds are amortized using the effective interest method, which primarily includes funding agreements. The effective interest method requires inputs to project future cash flows, which for funding agreements includes contractual terms of notional value, periodic interest payments based on either fixed or floating interest rates, and duration. For other investment-type contracts which include immediate annuities and assumed endowments without significant mortality risks, assumptions are required related to policyholder behavior for lapses and withdrawals (surrenders).
▪indexed annuities consisting of fixed indexed and index-linked variable annuities,
▪funding agreements, and
▪other investment-type contracts comprising of immediate annuities without significant mortality risk (which includes pension group annuities without life contingencies) and assumed endowments without significant mortality risks.
The following represents a rollforward of the policyholder account balance by product within interest sensitive contract liabilities. Where explicit policyholder account balances do not exist, the disaggregated rollforward represents the recorded reserve.
Three months ended March 31, 2024
(In millions, except percentages)
Traditional deferred annuities
Indexed annuities
Funding agreements
Other investment-type
Total
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
64,763
$
93,147
$
32,350
$
7,629
$
197,889
Deposits
7,165
4,814
8,542
485
21,006
Policy charges
(1)
(168)
—
—
(169)
Surrenders and withdrawals
(1,328)
(3,150)
—
(20)
(4,498)
Benefit payments
(283)
(433)
(1,840)
(57)
(2,613)
Interest credited
697
641
299
49
1,686
Foreign exchange
(183)
(3)
(184)
(314)
(684)
Other
—
—
(78)
(24)
(102)
Balance at March 31, 2024
$
70,830
$
94,848
$
39,089
$
7,748
$
212,515
Weighted average crediting rate
4.1
%
2.4
%
4.0
%
2.7
%
Net amount at risk
$
425
$
14,995
$
—
$
88
Cash surrender value
66,597
86,747
—
6,542
Three months ended March 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Traditional deferred annuities
Indexed annuities
Funding agreements
Other investment-type
Total
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
43,518
$
92,660
$
27,439
$
4,722
$
168,339
Deposits
6,700
2,929
1,500
1,033
12,162
Policy charges
(1)
(158)
—
—
(159)
Surrenders and withdrawals
(1,818)
(2,712)
(70)
(3)
(4,603)
Benefit payments
(264)
(422)
(490)
(90)
(1,266)
Interest credited
369
117
206
32
724
Foreign exchange
—
—
54
(16)
38
Other
(54)
—
143
(33)
56
Balance at March 31, 2023
$
48,450
$
92,414
$
28,782
$
5,645
$
175,291
Weighted average crediting rate
3.4
%
2.3
%
2.7
%
2.9
%
Net amount at risk
$
423
$
13,903
$
—
$
66
Cash surrender value
45,994
84,047
—
2,710
The following is a reconciliation of interest sensitive contract liabilities to the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Traditional deferred annuities
$
70,830
$
48,450
Indexed annuities
94,848
92,414
Funding agreements
39,089
28,782
Other investment-type
7,748
5,645
Reconciling items1
7,719
5,809
Interest sensitive contract liabilities
$
220,234
$
181,100
1Reconciling items primarily include embedded derivatives in indexed annuities, unaccreted host contract adjustments on indexed annuities, negative VOBA, sales inducement liabilities, and wholly ceded universal life insurance contracts.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following represents policyholder account balances by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates, as well as the related range of the difference between rates being credited to policyholders and the respective guaranteed minimums:
March 31, 2024
(In millions)
At guaranteed minimum
1 basis point – 100 basis points above guaranteed minimum
Greater than 100 basis points above guaranteed minimum
Total
< 2.0%
$
29,717
$
17,187
$
110,134
$
157,038
2.0% – < 4.0%
26,736
1,712
1,672
30,120
4.0% – < 6.0%
17,125
34
1
17,160
6.0% and greater
8,197
—
—
8,197
Total
$
81,775
$
18,933
$
111,807
$
212,515
March 31, 2023
(In millions)
At guaranteed minimum
1 basis point – 100 basis points above guaranteed minimum
Greater than 100 basis points above guaranteed minimum
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Future policy benefits – Future policy benefits consist primarily of payout annuities, including single premium immediate annuities with life contingencies (which include pension group annuities with life contingencies), and whole life insurance contracts.
The following is a rollforward by product within future policy benefits:
Three months ended March 31, 2024
(In millions, except percentages and years)
Payout annuities with life contingencies
Whole life
Total
Present value of expected net premiums
Beginning balance
$
—
$
1,182
$
1,182
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
—
(45)
(45)
Effect of foreign exchange on the change in discount rate assumptions
—
(2)
(2)
Beginning balance at original discount rate
—
1,135
1,135
Interest accrual
—
6
6
Net premium collected
—
(53)
(53)
Foreign exchange
—
(77)
(77)
Ending balance at original discount rate
—
1,011
1,011
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
—
43
43
Effect of foreign exchange on the change in discount rate assumptions
—
(1)
(1)
Ending balance
$
—
$
1,053
$
1,053
Present value of expected future policy benefits
Beginning balance
$
45,001
$
3,371
$
48,372
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
6,233
(89)
6,144
Effect of foreign exchange on the change in discount rate assumptions
1
(6)
(5)
Beginning balance at original discount rate
51,235
3,276
54,511
Effect of actual to expected experience
(4)
(4)
(8)
Adjusted balance
51,231
3,272
54,503
Issuances
42
—
42
Interest accrual
453
18
471
Benefit payments
(1,126)
(19)
(1,145)
Foreign exchange
(7)
(225)
(232)
Ending balance at original discount rate
50,593
3,046
53,639
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
(6,999)
50
(6,949)
Effect of foreign exchange on the change in discount rate assumptions
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages and years)
Payout annuities with life contingencies
Whole life
Total
Present value of expected future policy benefits
Beginning balance
$
36,422
$
—
$
36,422
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
8,425
—
8,425
Effect of foreign exchange on the change in discount rate assumptions
(13)
—
(13)
Beginning balance at original discount rate
44,834
—
44,834
Effect of actual to expected experience
(29)
—
(29)
Adjusted balance
44,805
—
44,805
Issuances
88
—
88
Interest accrual
346
—
346
Benefit payments
(885)
—
(885)
Foreign exchange
14
—
14
Ending balance at original discount rate
44,368
—
44,368
Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions
(7,623)
—
(7,623)
Effect of foreign exchange on the change in discount rate assumptions
7
—
7
Ending balance
$
36,752
$
—
$
36,752
Net future policy benefits
$
36,752
$
—
$
36,752
Weighted-average liability duration (in years)
10.1
0.0
Weighted-average interest accretion rate
3.2
%
—
%
Weighted-average current discount rate
5.3
%
—
%
Expected future benefit payments, undiscounted
$
63,995
$
—
The following is a reconciliation of future policy benefits to the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Payout annuities with life contingencies
$
43,596
$
36,752
Whole life
2,042
—
Reconciling items1
6,034
5,738
Future policy benefits
$
51,672
$
42,490
1Reconciling items primarily include the deferred profit liability and negative VOBA associated with the liability for future policy benefits. Additionally, it includes term life reserves, fully ceded whole life reserves, and reserves for immaterial lines of business including accident and health and disability, as well as other insurance benefit reserves for no-lapse guarantees with universal life contracts, all of which are fully ceded.
The following is a reconciliation of premiums and interest expense relating to future policy benefits to the condensed consolidated statements of income:
Premiums
Interest expense
Three months ended March 31,
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Payout annuities with life contingencies
$
38
$
88
$
453
$
346
Whole life
55
—
12
—
Reconciling items1
8
8
—
—
Total
$
101
$
96
$
465
$
346
1Reconciling items primarily relate to immaterial lines of business including term life, fully ceded whole life, and accident and health and disability.
Significant assumptions and inputs to the calculation of future policy benefits for payout annuities with life contingencies include policyholder demographic data, assumptions for policyholder longevity and policyholder utilization for contracts with deferred lives, and discount rates. For whole life products, significant assumptions and inputs include policyholder demographic data, assumptions for mortality, morbidity, and lapse and discount rates.
We base certain key assumptions related to policyholder behavior on industry standard data adjusted to align with actual company experience, if necessary. At least annually, we review all significant cash flow assumptions and update as necessary, unless emerging experience indicates a more frequent review is necessary. The discount rate reflects market observable inputs from upper-medium grade fixed income instrument yields and is interpolated, where necessary, to conform to the duration of our liabilities.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the present value of expected future policy benefits decreased by $1,681 million, which was driven by $1,145 million of benefit payments and an $803 million change in discount rate assumptions related to an increase in market observable rates, partially offset by $471 million of interest accrual.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the present value of expected future policy benefits increased by $330 million, which was primarily driven by an $802 million change in discount rate assumptions related to a decrease in market observable rates and $346 million of interest accrual, partially offset by $885 million of benefit payments.
The following is a summary of remeasurement gains (losses) included within future policy and other policy benefits on the condensed consolidated statements of income:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Reserves
$
8
$
29
Deferred profit liability
(20)
(27)
Negative VOBA
—
(4)
Total remeasurement gains (losses)
$
(12)
$
(2)
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded reserve increases of $25 million and $0 million, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of income as a result of the present value of benefits and expenses exceeding the present value of gross premiums.
Market risk benefits – We issue and reinsure traditional deferred and indexed annuity products that contain guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) and guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) riders that meet the criteria to be classified as market risk benefits.
The following is a rollfoward of net market risk benefit liabilities by product:
Three months ended March 31, 2024
(In millions, except years)
Traditional deferred annuities
Indexed annuities
Total
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
192
$
3,181
$
3,373
Effect of changes in instrument-specific credit risk
2
(10)
(8)
Balance, beginning of period, before changes in instrument-specific credit risk
194
3,171
3,365
Issuances
—
93
93
Interest accrual
3
47
50
Attributed fees collected
1
86
87
Benefit payments
(2)
(15)
(17)
Effect of changes in interest rates
(8)
(220)
(228)
Effect of changes in equity
—
(73)
(73)
Effect of actual policyholder behavior compared to expected behavior
2
25
27
Balance, end of period, before changes in instrument-specific credit risk
190
3,114
3,304
Effect of changes in instrument-specific credit risk
(1)
37
36
Balance at March 31, 2024
$
189
$
3,151
$
3,340
Less: Reinsurance recoverable
—
(10)
(10)
Balance at March 31, 2024, net of reinsurance
$
189
$
3,141
$
3,330
Net amount at risk
$
425
$
14,995
Weighted-average attained age of contract holders (in years)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2023
(In millions, except years)
Traditional deferred annuities
Indexed annuities
Total
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
170
$
2,319
$
2,489
Effect of changes in instrument-specific credit risk
13
353
366
Balance, beginning of period, before changes in instrument specific credit risk
183
2,672
2,855
Issuances
—
17
17
Interest accrual
2
32
34
Attributed fees collected
1
84
85
Benefit payments
—
(6)
(6)
Effect of changes in interest rates
8
218
226
Effect of changes in equity
—
(18)
(18)
Effect of actual policyholder behavior compared to expected behavior
2
23
25
Balance, end of period, before changes in instrument-specific credit risk
196
3,022
3,218
Effect of changes in instrument-specific credit risk
(16)
(439)
(455)
Balance at March 31, 2023
$
180
$
2,583
$
2,763
Net amount at risk
$
423
$
13,903
Weighted-average attained age of contract holders (in years)
75
69
The following is a reconciliation of market risk benefits to the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Market risk benefit assets are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
March 31, 2024
March 31, 2023
(In millions)
Asset
Liability
Net liability
Asset
Liability
Net liability
Traditional deferred annuities
$
—
$
189
$
189
$
—
$
180
$
180
Indexed annuities
383
3,534
3,151
440
3,023
2,583
Total
$
383
$
3,723
$
3,340
$
440
$
3,203
$
2,763
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, net market risk benefit liabilities decreased by $33 million, which was primarily driven by a decrease of $228 million related to changes in the risk-free discount rate across the curve, offset by $93 million of issuances and $87 million in fees collected from policyholders.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, net market risk benefit liabilities increased by $274 million, which was primarily driven by a $226 million change in interest rates related to a decrease in discount rates.
The determination of the fair value of market risk benefits requires the use of inputs related to fees and assessments and assumptions in determining the projected benefits in excess of the projected account balance. Judgment is required for both economic and actuarial assumptions, which can be either observable or unobservable, that impact future policyholder account growth.
Economic assumptions include interest rates and implied volatilities throughout the duration of the liability. For indexed annuities, assumptions also include projected equity returns which impact cash flows attributable to indexed strategies, implied equity volatilities, expected index credits on the next policy anniversary date and future equity option costs. Assumptions related to the level of option budgets used for determining the future equity option costs and the impact on future policyholder account value growth are considered unobservable inputs.
Policyholder behavior assumptions are unobservable inputs and are established using accepted actuarial valuation methods to estimate withdrawals (surrender rate) and income rider utilization. Assumptions are generally based on industry data and pricing assumptions which are updated for actual experience, if necessary. Actual experience may be limited for recently issued products.
All inputs are used to project excess benefits and fees over a range of risk-neutral, stochastic interest rate scenarios. For indexed annuities, stochastic equity return scenarios are also included within the range. A risk margin is incorporated within the discount rate to reflect uncertainty in the projected cash flows such as variations in policyholder behavior, as well as a credit spread to reflect our nonperformance risk, which is considered an unobservable input. We use the credit spread, relative to the US Treasury curve based on our public credit rating as of the valuation date, as the credit spread to reflect our nonperformance risk in the estimate of the fair value of market risk benefits.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following summarizes the unobservable inputs for market risk benefits:
March 31, 2024
(In millions, except for percentages)
Fair value
Valuation technique
Unobservable inputs
Minimum
Maximum
Weighted average
Impact of an increase in the input on fair value
Market risk benefits, net
$
3,340
Discounted cash flow
Nonperformance risk
0.4
%
1.2
%
1.1
%
1
Decrease
Option budget
0.5
%
6.0
%
2.0
%
2
Decrease
Surrender rate
3.1
%
6.6
%
4.4
%
2
Decrease
Utilization rate
28.6
%
95.0
%
84.1
%
3
Increase
March 31, 2023
(In millions, except for percentages)
Fair value
Valuation technique
Unobservable inputs
Minimum
Maximum
Weighted average
Impact of an increase in the input on fair value
Market risk benefits, net
$
2,763
Discounted cash flow
Nonperformance risk
0.3
%
1.7
%
1.6
%
1
Decrease
Option budget
0.5
%
5.6
%
1.7
%
2
Decrease
Surrender rate
3.3
%
6.9
%
4.5
%
2
Decrease
Utilization rate
28.6
%
95.0
%
82.7
%
3
Increase
1The nonperformance risk weighted average is based on the cash flows underlying the market risk benefit reserve.
2 The option budget and surrender rate weighted averages are calculated based on projected account values.
3The utilization of GLWB withdrawals represents the estimated percentage of policyholders that are expected to use their income rider over the duration of the contract, with the weighted average based on current account values.
8. Debt
Senior Notes—During the first quarter of 2024, we issued $1.0 billion of 6.250% Senior Notes due April 1, 2054 (2054 Senior Notes). We will pay interest on the 2054 Senior Notes semi-annually, commencing on October 1, 2024. We may redeem the 2054 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to October 1, 2053, at a price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal and any accrued and unpaid interest and (2) an amount equal to the sum of the present values of remaining scheduled payments, discounted from the scheduled payment date to the redemption date at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) plus 30 basis points, and any accrued and unpaid interest. Thereafter, we can call the 2054 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal and any accrued and unpaid interest.
Subordinated Notes—During the first quarter of 2024, we issued $575 million of 7.250% Fixed-Rate Reset Junior Subordinated Debentures due March 30, 2064 (2064 Subordinated Notes). We will pay interest at an annual fixed rate of 7.250% on the 2064 Subordinated Notes quarterly, commencing on June 30, 2024 until March 30, 2029. On March 30, 2029, and every fifth annual anniversary thereafter, the interest rate resets to the Five-Year US Treasury Rate (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) plus 2.986%. We may defer interest payments for up to five consecutive years. We may redeem the 2064 Subordinated Notes prior to March 30, 2029, in whole but not in part, within 90 days of either a Tax Event, Regulatory Capital Event, or Rating Agency Event (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement). Thereafter, we can call the 2064 Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal and any accrued and unpaid interest; provided that if the 2064 Subordinated Notes are not redeemed in whole, at least $25 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures must remain outstanding after giving effect to such redemption.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
9. Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—The following provides the details and changes in AOCI:
(In millions)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on AFS securities without a credit allowance
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on AFS securities with a credit allowance
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging instruments
Remeasurement gains (losses) on future policy benefits related to discount rate
Remeasurement gains (losses) on market risk benefits related to credit risk
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
(8,672)
$
(289)
$
(82)
$
3,458
$
3
$
13
$
(5,569)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(545)
(145)
(58)
803
(28)
(16)
11
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) realized in net income1
47
—
18
—
—
—
65
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)
(117)
(30)
(16)
168
(6)
(3)
(4)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
(188)
—
(13)
214
(2)
(2)
9
Balance at March 31, 2024
$
(8,959)
$
(404)
$
(129)
$
3,879
$
(17)
$
2
$
(5,628)
1 Recognized in investment related gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
(In millions)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on AFS securities without a credit allowance
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on AFS securities with a credit allowance
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging instruments
Remeasurement gains (losses) on future policy benefits related to discount rate
Remeasurement gains (losses) on market risk benefits related to credit risk
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
(12,565)
$
(334)
$
47
$
5,256
$
285
$
(10)
$
(7,321)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
2,187
(119)
191
(802)
89
16
1,562
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) realized in net income1
(31)
—
87
—
—
—
56
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)
312
14
15
(73)
18
4
290
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
220
—
27
(208)
1
3
43
Balance at March 31, 2023
$
(10,879)
$
(467)
$
109
$
4,735
$
355
$
(1)
$
(6,148)
1 Recognized in investment related gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
10. Income Taxes
The income tax expense was $307 million and $163 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 17% and 12% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The UK enacted legislation in July 2023 implementing certain provisions of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s “Pillar Two” global minimum tax initiative (Pillar Two) that will apply to multinational enterprises for accounting periods beginning on or after December 31, 2023. On February 22, 2024, the UK enacted certain amendments to its Pillar Two legislation which similarly take effect for accounting periods beginning on or after December 31, 2023. We are continuing to evaluate the potential impact on future periods of Pillar Two, pending legislative adoption by individual countries, as such legislative changes could result in changes to our effective tax rate. The Company evaluated the enacted legislation and concluded there was no material impact to the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
On December 27, 2023, the Government of Bermuda enacted the Corporate Income Tax Act of 2023 (Bermuda CIT). Commencing on January 1, 2025, the Bermuda CIT will generally impose a 15% corporate income tax on in-scope entities that are resident in Bermuda or have a Bermuda permanent establishment, without regard to any assurances that have been given pursuant to the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966. We recorded material deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023 as a result of the passage of the Bermuda CIT, primarily related to an estimated opening tax loss carryforward under Bermuda CIT. Throughout 2024, we will evaluate and record any applicable adjustments to these deferred tax assets. We evaluated the existing deferred tax assets and determined that no adjustments were necessary as of March 31, 2024.
11. Related Parties
Apollo
Fee structure – Substantially all of our investments are managed by Apollo. Apollo provides us with a full suite of services for our investment portfolio, including direct investment management, asset allocation, mergers and acquisitions asset diligence and certain operational support services, including investment compliance, tax, legal and risk management support.
Apollo has extensive experience managing our investment portfolio and its knowledge of our liability profile enables it to tailor an asset management strategy to fit our specific needs. This strategy has proven responsive to changing market conditions and focuses on earning incremental yield by taking measured liquidity risk and complexity risk, rather than assuming incremental credit risk. Our partnership has enabled us to take advantage of investment opportunities that would likely not otherwise have been available to us.
Under our fee agreement with Apollo, we pay Apollo a base management fee of (1) 0.225% per year on a monthly basis equal to the lesser of (A) $103.4 billion, which represents the aggregate fair market value of substantially all of the assets in substantially all of the accounts of or relating to us (collectively, the Accounts) as of December 31, 2018 (Backbook Value), and (B) the aggregate book value of substantially all of the assets in the Accounts at the end of the respective month, plus (2) 0.15% per year of the amount, if any, by which the aggregate book value of substantially all of the assets in the Accounts at the end of the respective month exceeds the Backbook Value, subject to certain adjustments. Additionally, we pay a sub-allocation fee based on specified asset class tiers ranging from 0.065% to 0.70% of the book value of such assets, with the higher percentages in this range for asset classes that are designed to have more alpha generating abilities. Effective December 31, 2023, in addition to the base and sub-allocation fees specified above, we pay Apollo a target annual performance fee of $37.5 million, with the amount of the annual performance fee ranging from between 0% and 200% of such target amount, based on our spread related earnings for the year relative to our targets, beginning with the performance period for the second half of 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred management fees, inclusive of the base, sub-allocation and performance fees, of $289 million and $222 million, respectively. Management fees are included within net investment income on the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, management fees payable were $115 million and $101 million, respectively, and are included in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Such amounts include fees incurred attributable to Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate Holding Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, ACRA 1) and Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate Holding 2 Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, ACRA 2) including any noncontrolling interests associated with ACRA 1 and ACRA 2 (collectively, ACRA).
In addition to the assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets managed by Apollo, Apollo manages the assets underlying our funds withheld receivable. For these assets, the third-party cedants pay Apollo fees based upon the same fee construct we have with Apollo. Such fees directly reduce the settlement payments that we receive from the third-party cedant and, as such, we indirectly pay those fees. Finally, Apollo charges management fees and carried interest on Apollo-managed funds and other entities in which we invest. Neither the fees paid by such third-party cedants nor the fees or carried interest paid by such Apollo-managed funds or other entities are included in the investment management fee amounts noted above.
Governance – We have an investment and asset liability committee, which includes members of our senior management and reports to the risk committee of our board of directors. The committee focuses on strategic decisions involving our investment portfolio, such as approving investment limits, new asset classes and our allocation strategy, reviewing large asset transactions, as well as monitoring our credit risk, and the management of our assets and liabilities.
AGM owns all of our common stock and James Belardi, our Chief Executive Officer, serves as a member of the board of directors and an executive officer of AGM, and Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP (ISG), which is also a subsidiary of AGM. Mr. Belardi also owns a profit interest in ISG and in connection with such interest receives quarterly distributions equal to 3.35% of base management fees and 4.5% of subadvisory fees, as such fees are defined in our fee agreement with Apollo. Additionally, five of the eleven members of our board of directors (including Mr. Belardi) are employees of or consultants to Apollo. In order to protect against potential conflicts of interest resulting from transactions into which we have entered and will continue to enter into with the Apollo Group, our bylaws require us to maintain a conflicts committee comprised solely of directors who are not general partners, directors (other than independent directors of AGM), managers, officers or employees of any member of the Apollo Group. The conflicts committee reviews and approves material transactions between us and the Apollo Group, subject to certain exceptions.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Other related party transactions
Apollo Aligned Alternatives Aggregator, L.P. (AAA) – We consolidate AAA as a VIE and AAA holds the majority of our alternative investments portfolio. Apollo established AAA to provide a single vehicle through which investors participate in a portfolio of alternative investments, including those managed by Apollo. Additionally, we believe AAA enhances Apollo’s ability to increase alternative assets under management (AUM) by raising capital from third parties, which allows us to achieve greater scale and diversification for alternatives.
Athora Holding Ltd. (Athora) – We have a cooperation agreement with Athora, pursuant to which, among other things, (1) for a period of 30 days from the receipt of notice of a cession, we have the right of first refusal to reinsure (i) up to 50% of the liabilities ceded from Athora’s reinsurance subsidiaries to Athora Life Re Ltd. and (ii) up to 20% of the liabilities ceded from a third party to any of Athora’s insurance subsidiaries, subject to a limitation in the aggregate of 20% of Athora’s liabilities, (2) Athora agreed to cause its insurance subsidiaries to consider the purchase of certain funding agreements and/or other spread instruments issued by our insurance subsidiaries, subject to a limitation that the fair market value of such funding agreements purchased by any of Athora’s insurance subsidiaries may generally not exceed 3% of the fair market value of such subsidiary’s total assets, (3) we provide Athora with a right of first refusal to pursue acquisition and reinsurance transactions in Europe (other than the United Kingdom (UK)) and (4) Athora provides us and our subsidiaries with a right of first refusal to pursue acquisition and reinsurance transactions in North America and the UK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the cooperation agreement, Athora is only required to use its reasonable best efforts to cause its subsidiaries to adhere to the provisions set forth in the cooperation agreement and therefore Athora’s ability to cause its subsidiaries to act pursuant to the cooperation agreement may be limited by, among other things, legal prohibitions or the inability to obtain the approval of the board of directors or other applicable governing body of the applicable subsidiary, which approval is solely at the discretion of such governing body. As of March 31, 2024, we have not exercised our right of first refusal to reinsure liabilities ceded to Athora’s insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries.
We have investments in Athora’s equity, which we hold as a related party investment fund on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and non-redeemable preferred equity securities. The following table summarizes our investments in Athora:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Investment fund
$
1,067
$
1,082
Non-redeemable preferred equity securities
244
249
Total investment in Athora
$
1,311
$
1,331
Additionally, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $59 million and $61 million, respectively, of funding agreements outstanding to Athora. We also have commitments to make additional equity investments in Athora of $523 million as of March 31, 2024.
Atlas Securitized Products Holdings LP (Atlas) –We have an equity investment in Atlas, an asset-backed specialty lender, through our investment in AAA. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held $2,985 million and $1,008 million, respectively, of related party AFS securities issued by Atlas. Additionally, we held $536 million and $921 million of reverse repurchase agreements issued by Atlas as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are held as related party short-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies for further information on assurance letters issued in support of Atlas.
Catalina – We have an investment in Apollo Rose II (B) (Apollo Rose), which we consolidate as a VIE. Apollo Rose has equity interests in Catalina Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, Catalina) and is reflected as a related party investment fund in assets of consolidated VIEs on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We have a strategic modco reinsurance agreement with Catalina to cede certain inforce funding agreements. We elected the fair value option on this agreement and had a liability of $263 million and $330 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which is included in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
During the first quarter of 2024, we entered into a modco reinsurance agreement with Catalina to cede a quota share of retail deferred annuity products. As of March 31, 2024, we had a reinsurance recoverable balance of $1,125 million related to this agreement.
MidCap FinCo Designated Activity Company (MidCap Financial) – We have various investments in MidCap Financial including an investment through AAA, senior unsecured notes and redeemable preferred stock. We also hold structured securities issued by MidCap Financial affiliates. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held securities issued by MidCap Financial and its affiliates of $1,868 million and $1,844 million, respectively, which are included in related party AFS or trading securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
PK AirFinance – We have investments in PK AirFinance (PK Air), an aviation lending business with a portfolio of loans (Aviation Loans). The Aviation Loans are generally fully secured by aircraft leases and aircraft and are securitized by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for which Apollo acts as ABS manager (ABS-SPV). The ABS-SPV issues tranches of senior notes and subordinated notes, which are secured by the Aviation Loans. We have investments in PK Air through our investment in AAA. We also held PK Air notes of $1,559 million and $1,617 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are included in related party AFS on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We have commitments to make additional investments in PK Air of $1,425 million as of March 31, 2024.
Strategic Partnership – We have an agreement pursuant to which we may invest up to $2.875 billion in funds managed by Apollo entities (Strategic Partnership). This arrangement is intended to permit us to invest across the Apollo alternatives platform into credit-oriented, strategic and other alternative investments in a manner and size that is consistent with our existing investment strategy. Fees for such investments payable by us to Apollo would be more favorable to us than market rates, and consistent with our existing alternative investments, investments made under the Strategic Partnership require approval of ISG and remain subject to our existing governance processes, including approval by our conflicts committee where applicable. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held $1,753 million and $1,725 million, respectively, of investments under the Strategic Partnership and these investments are typically included as investments of consolidated VIEs or related party investment funds on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Venerable – VA Capital Company LLC (VA Capital) is owned by a consortium of investors, led by affiliates of Apollo, Crestview Partners III Management, LLC and Reverence Capital Partners L.P., and is the parent of Venerable Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, Venerable). We have a minority equity investment in VA Capital, which was $184 million and $181 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and is included in related party investment funds on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and accounted for as an equity method investment.
We also have coinsurance and modco agreements with VIAC, which is a subsidiary of Venerable. VIAC is a related party due to our investment in VA Capital. Effective July 1, 2023, VIAC recaptured $2.7 billion of reserves, which represents a portion of their business that was subject to those coinsurance and modco agreements. We recognized a gain of $555 million, which is included in other revenues on the condensed consolidated statements of income, in the third quarter of 2023 as a result of the settlement of the recapture agreement. As a result of our intent to transfer the assets supporting this business to VIAC in connection with the recapture, we were required by US GAAP to recognize the unrealized losses on these assets of $104 million as intent-to-sell impairments in the second quarter of 2023.
We also have term loans receivable from Venerable due in 2033, which are included in related party other investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The loans are held at fair value and were $336 million and $343 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. While management views the overall transactions with Venerable as favorable to us, the stated interest rate of 6.257% on the initial term loan to Venerable represented a below-market interest rate, and management considered such rate as part of its evaluation and pricing of the reinsurance transactions.
Wheels – We invest in Wheels, Inc., (Wheels) indirectly through our investment in AAA. We also own securities issued by Wheels of $980 million and $981 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are included in related party AFS securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We also have commitments to make additional investments in Wheels of $77 million as of March 31, 2024.
ACRA and Apollo/Athene Dedicated Investment Programs I and II (collectively, ADIP) – ACRA 1 is partially owned by Apollo/Athene Dedicated Investment Program (ADIP I), a series of funds managed by Apollo. ALRe currently holds 36.55% of the economic interests in ACRA 1 and all of ACRA 1’s voting interests, with ADIP I holding the remaining 63.45% of the economic interests. ACRA 2 is partially owned by Apollo/Athene Dedicated Investment Program II (ADIP II), a fund managed by Apollo. ALRe currently holds 40% of the economic interests and all of ACRA 2’s voting interests, with ADIP II holding the remaining 60% of the economic interests.
We received capital contributions and paid distributions relating to ACRA of the following:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Contributions from ADIP
$
405
$
—
Distributions to ADIP
(254)
(127)
Additionally, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $218 million and $213 million, respectively, of related party payables for contingent investment fees payable by ACRA to Apollo. ACRA is obligated to pay the contingent investment fees on behalf of ADIP and, as such, the balance is attributable to the noncontrolling interests.
Unsecured Revolving Promissory Note Receivable with AGM – AHL has an unsecured revolving promissory note with AGM which allows AGM to borrow funds from AHL. The note has a borrowing capacity of $500 million. Interest accrues at the US mid-term applicable federal rate per year and has a maturity date of December 13, 2025, or earlier at AHL’s request. The note receivable had an outstanding balance of $145 million and $109 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Unsecured Revolving Promissory Note Payable with AGM – AHL has an unsecured revolving promissory note with AGM which allows AHL to borrow funds from AGM. The note has a borrowing capacity of $500 million. Interest accrues at the US mid-term applicable federal rate per year and has a maturity date of December 13, 2025, or earlier at AGM’s request. There was no outstanding balance on the note payable as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Contingent Commitments—We had commitments to make investments, primarily capital contributions to investment funds, inclusive of related party commitments discussed previously and those of consolidated VIEs, of $24.3 billion as of March 31, 2024. We expect most of our current commitments will be invested over the next five years; however, these commitments could become due any time upon counterparty request.
Funding Agreements—We are a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) and, through membership, we have issued funding agreements to the FHLB in exchange for cash advances. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $7.6 billion and $6.5 billion, respectively, of FHLB funding agreements outstanding. We are required to provide collateral in excess of the funding agreement amounts outstanding, considering any discounts to the securities posted and prepayment penalties.
We have a funding agreement backed notes (FABN) program, which allows Athene Global Funding, a special-purpose, unaffiliated statutory trust, to offer its senior secured medium-term notes. Athene Global Funding uses the net proceeds from each sale to purchase one or more funding agreements from us. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $23.2 billion and $19.9 billion, respectively, of FABN funding agreements outstanding. We had $11.4 billion of board-authorized FABN capacity remaining as of March 31, 2024.
We also issue secured and other funding agreements. Secured funding agreements involve special-purpose, unaffiliated entities entering into repurchase agreements with a third party, the proceeds of which are used by the special-purpose entities to purchase funding agreements from us. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $8.5 billion and $6.0 billion, respectively, of secured and other funding agreements outstanding.
Pledged Assets and Funds in Trust (Restricted Assets)—The total restricted assets included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
AFS securities
$
40,467
$
32,458
Trading securities
142
139
Equity securities
146
80
Mortgage loans
16,482
14,257
Investment funds
419
409
Derivative assets
83
73
Short-term investments
45
153
Other investments
362
313
Restricted cash
1,575
1,761
Total restricted assets
$
59,721
$
49,643
The restricted assets are primarily related to reinsurance trusts established in accordance with coinsurance agreements and the FHLB and secured funding agreements described above.
Letters of Credit—We have undrawn letters of credit totaling $1,314 million as of March 31, 2024. These letters of credit were issued for our reinsurance program and have expirations through May 22, 2028.
Assurance Letter—In connection with our, Apollo and Credit Suisse AG’s (CS) previously announced transaction, Atlas acquired certain assets of the CS Securitized Products Group and agreed to pay CS $3.3 billion, of which $0.4 billion is deferred until February 8, 2026, and $2.9 billion is deferred until February 8, 2028. In March 2024, in connection with Atlas concluding its investment management agreement with CS, the deferred purchase obligation amount was reduced to $2.5 billion. In addition, certain strategic investors have made equity commitments to Atlas which therefore obligates these investors for a portion of the deferred purchase obligation. This deferred purchase price is an obligation first of Atlas, and (as a result of additional guarantees provided by AAA, Apollo Asset Management, Inc. (AAM) and AHL) second of AAA, third of AAM, fourth of AHL and fifth of AARe. AARe and AAM have each issued an assurance letter to CS to guarantee the full amount. Our guarantees are not probable of payment, hence there are no liabilities recorded for the guarantees on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We are a leading financial services company that specializes in issuing, reinsuring and acquiring retirement savings products designed for the increasing number of individuals and institutions seeking to fund retirement needs. AGM is the beneficial owner of 100% of our common stock and controls all of the voting power to elect members to our board of directors. We focus on generating spread income by combining our two core competencies of (1) sourcing long-term, persistent liabilities and (2) using the global scale and reach of Apollo’s asset management business to actively source or originate assets with our preferred risk and return characteristics. Our steady and significant base of earnings generates capital that we opportunistically invest across our business to source attractively priced liabilities and capitalize on opportunities.
We have established a significant base of earnings and, as of March 31, 2024, have an expected annual net investment spread, which measures our investment performance plus strategic capital management fees less the total cost of our liabilities, of 1–2% over the estimated 8.3 year weighted-average life of our net reserve liabilities. The weighted-average life includes deferred annuities, pension group annuities, funding agreements, payout annuities, life insurance and other products.
Our total assets have grown to $320.6 billion as of March 31, 2024. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we generated an annualized net investment spread of 1.83%.
The following table presents the inflows and outflows generated from our organic and inorganic channels as well as the breakout between Athene, the ACRA noncontrolling interests and third-party reinsurers:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Retail
$
9,663
$
8,578
Flow reinsurance
2,390
1,793
Funding agreements1
8,041
1,500
Pension group annuities
—
56
Gross organic inflows
20,094
11,927
Gross inorganic inflows
—
—
Total gross inflows
20,094
11,927
Gross outflows2
(8,035)
(6,879)
Net flows
$
12,059
$
5,048
Inflows attributable to Athene3
$
14,591
$
11,896
Inflows attributable to ACRA noncontrolling interests3
4,437
31
Inflows ceded to third-party reinsurers4
1,066
—
Total gross inflows
$
20,094
$
11,927
Outflows attributable to Athene
$
(6,748)
$
(5,531)
Outflows attributable to ACRA noncontrolling interests
(1,287)
(1,348)
Total gross outflows2
$
(8,035)
$
(6,879)
1 Funding agreements are comprised of funding agreements issued under our FABN program, secured and other funding agreements, funding agreements issued to the FHLB and long-term repurchase agreements.
2 Gross outflows include full and partial policyholder withdrawals on deferred annuities, death benefits, pension group annuity benefit payments, payments on payout annuities, funding agreement repurchases and maturities and block reinsurance outflows.
3 Effective July 1, 2023, ALRe sold 50% of ACRA 2’s economic interests to ADIP II. Effective December 31, 2023, ACRA 2 repurchased a portion of its shares held by ALRe, which increased ADIP II’s ownership of economic interests in ACRA 2 to 60%, with ALRe owning the remaining 40% of the economic interests.
4 During the first quarter of 2024, we entered into a modco reinsurance agreement with Catalina to cede a quota share of our retail deferred annuity business issued on or after January 1, 2024.
Our organic channels, including retail, flow reinsurance and institutional products, provided gross inflows of $20.1 billion and $11.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which were underwritten to attractive returns. Gross organic inflows increased $8.2 billion, or 68% from the prior year, reflecting the strength of our multi-channel distribution platform and our ability to quickly pivot into optimal and profitable channels as opportunities arise. Withdrawals on our deferred annuities, death benefits, pension group annuity benefit payments, payments on payout annuities, funding agreement repurchases and maturities and block reinsurance outflows (collectively, gross outflows), in the aggregate were $8.0 billion and $6.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in gross outflows, which was within our range of expectations, was primarily related to an increase in funding agreement maturities in 2024 compared to 2023 as well as an increase in annuity policies which have reached the end of the surrender charge period in a higher rate environment, partially offset by a decrease in outflows related to policies underlying certain reinsurance blocks compared to 2023. We believe that our credit profile, current product offerings and product design capabilities as well as our growing reputation as both a seasoned funding
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
agreement issuer and a reliable pension group annuity counterparty will continue to enable us to grow our existing organic channels and source additional volumes of profitably underwritten liabilities in various market environments. We intend to continue to grow organically by expanding each of our retail, flow reinsurance and institutional distribution channels. We believe that we have the right people, infrastructure, scale and capital discipline to position us for continued growth.
Within our retail channel, we had fixed annuity sales of $9.7 billion and $8.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in our retail channel was driven by record sales of our fixed indexed annuity (FIA) products, partially offset by a decrease in multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) sales. Overall sales were strong across our bank, independent marketing organization (IMO) and broker-dealer channels, exhibiting strong sales execution, the current rate environment and our continued expansion into large financial institutions. We have maintained our disciplined approach to pricing and our targeted underwritten returns. We aim to continue to grow our retail channel by deepening our relationships with our approximately 42 IMOs and with our growing network of 18 banks and 149 broker-dealers, collectively representing approximately 127,000 independent agents. Our strong financial position and diverse, capital-efficient products allow us to be dependable partners with IMOs, banks and broker-dealers as well as consistently write new business. We expect our retail channel to continue to benefit from our credit profile, product launches and continuous product enhancements. We believe this can support growth in sales at our targeted returns through increased volumes via existing IMO relationships and allow us to continue to expand our bank and broker-dealer channels. Additionally, we continue to focus on hiring and training a specialized sales force and creating products to capture new potential distribution opportunities.
Within our flow reinsurance channel, we target reinsurance business consistent with our preferred liability characteristics, which provides us another opportunistic channel to source liabilities with attractive crediting rates. We generated inflows through our flow reinsurance channel of $2.4 billion and $1.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in our flow reinsurance channel from 2023 was primarily driven by strong volumes related to new partners added in both the US and Japan in the second quarter of 2023. We expect that our credit profile and our reputation as a solutions provider will help us continue to source additional reinsurance partners, which will further diversify our flow reinsurance channel.
Within our institutional channel, we generated inflows of $8.0 billion and $1.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in our institutional channel was driven by higher funding agreement inflows, partially offset by lower pension group annuity inflows. We issued funding agreements in the aggregate principal amount of $8.0 billion and $1.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in our funding agreement channel from the prior year was driven by record quarterly inflows related to a resurgence in public FABN issuance amid more favorable market conditions as well as an increase in secured and other funding agreement issuances. Funding agreement inflows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 consisted of $5.0 billion of FABN issuances, $1.9 billion of secured and other funding agreement issuances, $1.1 billion of FHLB issuances and no long-term repurchase agreement issuances. As of March 31, 2024, we had funding agreements outstanding of $23.2 billion under our FABN program, $8.5 billion of secured and other funding agreements, $7.6 billion with the FHLB and $2.7 billion of long-term repurchase agreements. We issued group annuity contracts in the aggregate principal amount of $0 million and $56 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Since entering the pension group annuity market in 2017, we have closed 47 deals resulting in the issuance or reinsurance of group annuities of $51.8 billion with more than 555,000 plan participants as of March 31, 2024. We expect to grow our institutional channel by continuing to engage in pension group annuity transactions and programmatic issuances of funding agreements.
Our inorganic channel has contributed significantly to our growth through both acquisitions and block reinsurance transactions. We completed our first block reinsurance transaction in the Japanese market in the fourth quarter of 2023. On November 6, 2023 we entered into an agreement with FWD Life Insurance Company, Ltd., a subsidiary of FWD Group Holdings Ltd. (FWD), effective October 1, 2023, pursuant to which we agreed to reinsure a small block of whole life insurance policies on a coinsurance basis. In conjunction with the transaction, we also entered into an agreement to retrocede the mortality risk related to this block of business to Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd., a leading mortality reinsurer, on a yearly renewable term basis. We plan to continue to grow and diversify our business, both organically and inorganically, with a focus on international expansion, particularly in Asia. We believe our corporate development team, with support from Apollo, has an industry-leading ability to source, underwrite and expeditiously close transactions. With support from Apollo, we are a solutions provider with a proven track record of closing transactions, which we believe makes us the ideal partner to insurance companies seeking to restructure their business. We expect that our inorganic channel will continue to be an important source of profitable growth in the future.
Executing our growth strategy requires that we have sufficient capital available to deploy. We believe that we have significant capital available to support our growth aspirations. As of March 31, 2024, we estimate that we had approximately $9.3 billion in capital available to deploy, consisting of approximately $3.6 billion in excess equity capital, $3.2 billion in untapped leverage capacity (assuming an adjusted leverage ratio of not more than 30%, subject to maintaining a sufficient level of capital required to maintain our desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies), and $2.5 billion in available undrawn capital at ACRA, including additional commitments to ADIP II completed subsequent to quarter-end.
To support our growth strategies and capital deployment opportunities, we established ACRA 1 as a long-duration, on-demand capital vehicle. We own 36.55% of the economic interests in ACRA 1, with the remaining 63.45% of the economic interests being owned by ADIP I, a series of funds managed by Apollo. During the commitment period, ACRA 1 participated in certain transactions by drawing a portion of the required capital for such transactions from third-party investors equal to ADIP I’s proportionate economic interest in ACRA 1. The commitment period for ACRA 1 expired in August 2023.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
To further support our growth and capital deployment opportunities following the deployment of capital by ACRA 1, we funded ACRA 2 in December 2022 as another long-duration, on-demand capital vehicle. Effective July 1, 2023, ALRe sold 50% of its non-voting, economic interests in ACRA 2 to ADIP II for $640 million, while maintaining all of ACRA 2’s voting interests. Effective December 31, 2023, ACRA 2 repurchased a portion of its shares held by ALRe, which increased ADIP II’s ownership of economic interests in ACRA 2 to 60%, with ALRe owning the remaining 40% of the economic interests. ACRA 2 participates in certain transactions by drawing a portion of the required capital for such transactions from third-party investors equal to ADIP II’s proportionate economic interest in ACRA 2.
These stockholder-friendly, strategic capital solutions allow us the flexibility to simultaneously deploy capital across multiple accretive avenues, while maintaining a strong financial position.
Industry Trends and Competition
Economic and Market Conditions
As a leading financial services company specializing in retirement services, we are affected by the condition of global financial markets and the economy. Price fluctuations within equity, credit, commodity and foreign exchange markets, as well as interest rates and global inflation, which may be volatile and mixed across geographies, can significantly impact the performance of our business, including, but not limited to, the valuation of investments, and related income we may recognize.
Adverse economic conditions may result from domestic and global economic and political developments, including plateauing or decreasing economic growth and business activity, civil unrest, geopolitical tensions or military action, such as the armed conflicts in the Middle East and between Ukraine and Russia, and corresponding sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other countries, and new or evolving legal and regulatory requirements on business investment, hiring, migration, labor supply and global supply chains.
We carefully monitor economic and market conditions that could potentially give rise to global market volatility and affect our business operations, investment portfolios and derivatives, which includes global inflation. US inflation eased but remained elevated in 2023 as the US Federal Reserve continued its interest rate hiking cycle, given that the Consumer Price Index persisted above the 2% target. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the annual US inflation rate increased modestly to 3.5% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 3.4% as of December 31, 2023. The US Federal Reserve finished the quarter with a benchmark interest rate target range of 5.25% to 5.50%, unchanged from its July 2023 meeting.
Equity market performance was strong during the first quarter of 2024, despite reduced expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. In the US, the S&P 500 Index increased by 10.2% in the first quarter of 2024, following an increase of 11.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023. In terms of economic conditions in the US, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported real GDP increased at an annual rate of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2024, following an increase of 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023. As of April 2024, the International Monetary Fund estimated that the US economy will expand by 2.7% in 2024 and 1.9% in 2025. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the US unemployment rate increased to 3.8% as of March 31, 2024, compared to 3.7% as of December 31, 2023. Oil finished the first quarter of 2024 up 16.1% from the fourth quarter of 2023.
Foreign exchange rates can materially impact the valuations of our investments and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the US dollar. The US dollar strengthened in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the euro and Japanese yen. Relative to the US dollar, the euro depreciated 2.3% in the first quarter of 2024, after appreciating 4.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Relative to the US dollar, the Japanese yen depreciated 6.9% in the first quarter of 2024, after appreciating 6.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023. We generally undertake hedging activities to eliminate or mitigate foreign exchange currency risk.
Interest Rate Environment
Rates increased during the first quarter of 2024 with the US 10-year Treasury yield at 4.20% compared to 3.88% at the end of 2023. The US 2-year and 10-year Treasury yield curves remain inverted.
Our investment portfolio consists predominantly of fixed maturity investments. See –Investment Portfolio. If prevailing interest rates were to rise, we believe the yield on our new investment purchases may also rise and our investment income from floating rate investments would increase, while the value of our existing investments may decline. If prevailing interest rates were to decline significantly, the yield on our new investment purchases may decline and our investment income from floating rate investments would decrease, while the value of our existing investments may increase.
We address interest rate risk through managing the duration of the liabilities we source with assets we acquire through asset liability management (ALM) modeling. As part of our investment strategy, we purchase floating rate investments, which we expect would perform well in a rising interest rate environment and which we expect would underperform in a declining rate environment. We manage our interest rate risk in a declining rate environment through hedging activity or the issuance of additional floating rate liabilities in order to lower our overall net floating rate position. As of March 31, 2024, our net invested asset portfolio included $44.5 billion of floating rate investments, or 20% of our net invested assets, and our net reserve liabilities included $28.4 billion of floating rate liabilities at notional, or 13% of our net invested assets, resulting in $16.1 billion of net floating rate assets, or 7% of our net invested assets.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
If prevailing interest rates were to rise, we believe our products would be more attractive to consumers and our sales would likely increase. If prevailing interest rates were to decline, it is likely that our products would be less attractive to consumers and our sales would likely decrease. In periods of prolonged low interest rates, the net investment spread may be negatively impacted by reduced investment income to the extent that we are unable to adequately reduce policyholder crediting rates due to policyholder guarantees in the form of minimum crediting rates or otherwise due to market conditions. As of March 31, 2024, most of our products were deferred annuities with 16% of our FIAs at the minimum guarantees and 18% of our fixed rate annuities at the minimum crediting rates. As of March 31, 2024, minimum guarantees on all of our deferred annuities, including those with crediting rates already at their minimum guarantees, were, on average, greater than 220 basis points below the crediting rates on such deferred annuities, allowing us room to reduce rates before reaching the minimum guarantees. Our remaining liabilities are associated with immediate annuities, pension group annuity obligations, funding agreements and life contracts for which we have little to no discretionary ability to change the rates of interest payable to the respective policyholder or institution. A significant majority of our deferred annuity products have crediting rates that we may reset annually upon renewal, following the expiration of the current guaranteed period. While we have the contractual ability to lower these crediting rates to the guaranteed minimum levels, our willingness to do so may be limited by competitive pressures.
See Part I—Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks in this report and Part II—Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks in our 2023 Annual Report, which include a discussion regarding interest rate and other significant risks and our strategies for managing these risks.
Demographics
Over the next four decades, the retirement-age population is expected to experience unprecedented growth. Technological advances and improvements in healthcare are projected to continue to contribute to increasing average life expectancy, and aging individuals must be prepared to fund retirement periods that will last longer than ever before. Further, many working households in the US do not have adequate retirement savings. As a tool for addressing the unmet need for retirement planning, we believe that many Americans have begun to look to tax-efficient savings products with low-risk or guaranteed return features and potential equity market upside. Our tax-efficient savings products are well positioned to meet this increasing customer demand.
Competition
We operate in highly competitive markets. We face a variety of large and small industry participants, including diversified financial institutions, insurance and reinsurance companies and private equity firms. These companies compete in one form or another for the growing pool of retirement assets driven by a number of external factors such as the continued aging of the population and the reduction in safety nets provided by governments and private employers. In the markets in which we operate, scale and the ability to provide value-added services and build long-term relationships are important factors to compete effectively. We believe that our leading presence in the retirement market, diverse range of capabilities and broad distribution network uniquely position us to effectively serve consumers’ increasing demand for retirement solutions, particularly in the fixed annuity market.
According to the Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA), total annuity market sales in the US were $385.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, a 23.2% increase from the same time period in 2022, as higher interest rates spurred continued growth in the US annuity market. In the total annuity market, for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the most recent period for which specific market share data is available), we were the largest provider of annuities based on sales of $35.5 billion, translating to a 9.2% market share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we were the second largest provider of annuities based on sales of $20.7 billion, translating to a 6.6% market share.
According to LIMRA, total fixed annuity market sales in the US were $286.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, a 36.5% increase from the same time period in 2022. In the total fixed annuity market, for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the most recent period for which specific market share data is available), we were the largest provider of fixed annuities based on sales of $34.7 billion, translating to a 12.1% market share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we were the largest provider of fixed annuities based on sales of $19.8 billion, translating to a 9.4% market share.
According to LIMRA, total fixed indexed annuity market sales in the US were $95.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, a 20.2% increase from the same time period in 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023 (the most recent period for which specific market share data is available), we were the second largest provider of FIAs based on sales of $10.8 billion, translating to an 11.2% market share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we were the largest provider of FIAs based on sales of $10.1 billion, translating to a 12.6% market share.
According to LIMRA, total registered indexed linked annuity (RILA) market sales in the US were $47.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, a 15.6% increase from the same time period in 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023 (the most recent period for which specific market share data is available), we were the eleventh largest provider of RILAs based on sales of $851 million, translating to a 1.8% market share. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we were the eleventh largest provider of RILAs based on sales of $903 million, translating to a 2.2% market share. We believe RILAs represent a significant growth opportunity for Athene.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Key Operating and Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to our results presented in accordance with US GAAP, we present certain financial information that includes non-GAAP measures. Management believes the use of these non-GAAP measures, together with the relevant US GAAP measures, provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our business. The majority of these non-GAAP measures are intended to remove from the results of operations the impact of market volatility (other than with respect to alternative investments), which consists of investment gains (losses), net of offsets, and non-operating change in insurance liabilities and related derivatives, both defined below, as well as integration, restructuring, stock compensation and certain other expenses which are not part of our underlying profitability drivers, as such items fluctuate from period to period in a manner inconsistent with these drivers. These measures should be considered supplementary to our results in accordance with US GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for the corresponding US GAAP measures. See Non-GAAP Measure Reconciliations for the appropriate reconciliations to the most directly comparable US GAAP measures.
Spread Related Earnings (SRE)
Spread related earnings is a pre-tax non-GAAP measure used to evaluate our financial performance including the impact of any reinsurance transactions and excluding market volatility and expenses related to integration, restructuring, stock compensation and other expenses. Our spread related earnings equals net income (loss) available to AHL common stockholder adjusted to eliminate the impact of the following:
•Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Offsets—Consists of the realized gains and losses on the sale of AFS securities, the change in fair value of reinsurance assets, unrealized gains and losses, changes in the provision for credit losses and other investment gains and losses. Unrealized, allowances and other investment gains and losses are comprised of the fair value adjustments of trading securities (other than certain equity tranche securities) and mortgage loans, investments held under the fair value option, derivative gains and losses not hedging FIA index credits, foreign exchange impacts and the change in provision for credit losses recognized in operations net of the change in AmerUs Closed Block fair value reserve related to the corresponding change in fair value of investments. Investment gains and losses are net of offsets related to the market value adjustments (MVA) associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts.
•Non-operating Change in Insurance Liabilities and Related Derivatives
•Change in Fair Values of Derivatives and Embedded Derivatives – FIAs—Consists of impacts related to the fair value accounting for derivatives hedging the FIA index credits and the related embedded derivative liability fluctuations from period to period. The index reserve is measured at fair value for the current period and all periods beyond the current policyholder index term. However, the FIA hedging derivatives are purchased to hedge only the current index period. Upon policyholder renewal at the end of the period, new FIA hedging derivatives are purchased to align with the new term. The difference in duration between the FIA hedging derivatives and the index credit reserves creates a timing difference in earnings. This timing difference of the FIA hedging derivatives and index credit reserves is included as a non-operating adjustment.
We primarily hedge with options that align with the index terms of our FIA products (typically 1–2 years). On an economic basis, we believe this is suitable because policyholder accounts are credited with index performance at the end of each index term. However, because the term of an embedded derivative in an FIA contract is longer-dated, there is a duration mismatch which may lead to mismatches for accounting purposes.
•Non-operating Change in Funding Agreements—Consists of timing differences caused by changes to interest rates on variable funding agreements and funding agreement backed notes and the associated reserve accretion patterns of those contracts. Further included are adjustments for gains associated with our repurchases of funding agreement backed notes.
•Change in Fair Value of Market Risk Benefits—Consists primarily of volatility in capital market inputs used in the measurement at fair value of our market risk benefits, including certain impacts from changes in interest rates, equity returns and implied equity volatilities.
•Non-operating Change in Liability for Future Policy Benefits—Consists of the non-economic loss incurred at issuance for certain pension group annuities and other payout annuities with life contingencies when valuation interest rates prescribed by US GAAP are lower than the net investment earned rates, adjusted for profit, assumed in pricing. For such contracts with non-economic US GAAP losses, the SRE reserve accretes interest using an imputed discount rate that produces zero gain or loss at issuance.
•Integration, Restructuring, and Other Non-operating Expenses—Consists of restructuring and integration expenses related to acquisitions and block reinsurance costs as well as certain other expenses, which are not predictable or related to our underlying profitability drivers.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
•Stock Compensation Expense—Consists of stock compensation expenses associated with our share incentive plans, including long-term incentive expenses, which are not related to our underlying profitability drivers and fluctuate from time to time due to the structure of our plans.
•Income Tax (Expense) Benefit—Consists of the income tax effect of all income statement adjustments and is computed by applying the appropriate jurisdiction’s tax rate to all adjustments subject to income tax.
We consider these adjustments to be meaningful adjustments to net income (loss) available to AHL common stockholder for the reasons discussed in greater detail above. Accordingly, we believe using a measure which excludes the impact of these items is useful in analyzing our business performance and the trends in our results of operations. Together with net income (loss) available to AHL common stockholder, we believe spread related earnings provides a meaningful financial metric that helps investors understand our underlying results and profitability. Spread related earnings should not be used as a substitute for net income (loss) available to AHL common stockholder.
Net Investment Spread
Net investment spread is a key measure of profitability used in analyzing the trends of our core business operations. Net investment spread measures our investment performance plus our strategic capital management fees, less our total cost of funds. Net investment earned rate is a key measure of our investment performance while cost of funds is a key measure of the cost of our policyholder benefits and liabilities. Strategic capital management fees consist of management fees received by us for business managed for others.
Net investment earned rate is a non-GAAP measure we use to evaluate the performance of our net invested assets. Net investment earned rate is computed as the income from our net invested assets divided by the average net invested assets, for the relevant period. To enhance the ability to analyze these measures across periods, interim periods are annualized. The adjustments to net investment income to arrive at our net investment earnings add (a) alternative investment gains and losses, (b) gains and losses related to certain equity securities, (c) net VIE impacts (revenues, expenses and noncontrolling interests), (d) forward points gains and losses on foreign exchange derivative hedges, (e) amortization of premium/discount on held-for-trading securities and (f) the change in fair value of reinsurance assets, and remove the proportionate share of the ACRA net investment income associated with the noncontrolling interests. We include the income and assets supporting our change in fair value of reinsurance assets by evaluating the underlying investments of the funds withheld at interest receivables and we include the net investment income from those underlying investments which does not correspond to the US GAAP presentation of change in fair value of reinsurance assets. We exclude the income and assets on business related to ceded reinsurance transactions. We believe the adjustments for reinsurance provide a net investment earned rate on the assets for which we have economic exposure. We believe a measure like net investment earned rate is useful in analyzing the trends of our core business operations, profitability and pricing discipline. While we believe net investment earned rate is a meaningful financial metric and enhances our understanding of the underlying profitability drivers of our business, it should not be used as a substitute for net investment income presented under US GAAP.
Cost of funds includes liability costs related to cost of crediting on both deferred annuities and institutional products as well as other liability costs, but does not include the proportionate share of the ACRA cost of funds associated with the noncontrolling interests. Cost of crediting on deferred annuities is the interest credited to the policyholders on our fixed strategies as well as the option costs on the indexed annuity strategies. With respect to FIAs, the cost of providing index credits includes the expenses incurred to fund the annual index credits, and where applicable, minimum guaranteed interest credited. Cost of crediting on institutional products is comprised of (1) pension group annuity costs, including interest credited, benefit payments and other reserve changes, net of premiums received when issued, and (2) funding agreement costs, including the interest payments and other reserve changes. Additionally, cost of crediting includes forward points gains and losses on foreign exchange derivative hedges. Other liability costs include DAC, DSI and VOBA amortization, certain market risk benefit costs, the cost of liabilities on products other than deferred annuities and institutional products, premiums and certain product charges and other revenues. We include the costs related to business added through assumed reinsurance transactions and exclude the costs on business related to ceded reinsurance transactions. Cost of funds is computed as the total liability costs divided by the average net invested assets for the relevant period. To enhance the ability to analyze these measures across periods, interim periods are annualized. We believe a measure like cost of funds is useful in analyzing the trends of our core business operations, profitability and pricing discipline. While we believe cost of funds is a meaningful financial metric and enhances our understanding of the underlying profitability drivers of our business, it should not be used as a substitute for total benefits and expenses presented under US GAAP.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses excludes integration, restructuring and other non-operating expenses, stock compensation and long-term incentive plan expenses, interest expense, policy acquisition expenses, net of deferrals, and the proportionate share of the ACRA operating expenses associated with the noncontrolling interests. We believe a measure like other operating expenses is useful in analyzing the trends of our core business operations and profitability. While we believe other operating expenses is a meaningful financial metric and enhances our understanding of the underlying profitability drivers of our business, it should not be used as a substitute for policy and other operating expenses presented under US GAAP.
Adjusted Senior Debt-to-Capital Ratio
Adjusted senior debt-to-capital ratio is a non-GAAP measure used to evaluate our capital structure excluding the impacts of AOCI and the cumulative changes in fair value of funds withheld and modco reinsurance assets as well as mortgage loan assets, net of tax. Adjusted senior
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
debt-to-capital ratio is calculated as senior debt at notional value divided by adjusted capitalization. Adjusted capitalization includes our adjusted AHL common stockholder’s equity, preferred stock and the notional value of our total debt. Adjusted AHL common stockholder’s equity is calculated as the ending AHL stockholders’ equity excluding AOCI, the cumulative changes in fair value of funds withheld and modco reinsurance assets and mortgage loan assets as well as preferred stock. These adjustments fluctuate period to period in a manner inconsistent with our underlying profitability drivers as the majority of such fluctuation is related to the market volatility of the unrealized gains and losses associated with our AFS securities, reinsurance assets and mortgage loans. Except with respect to reinvestment activity relating to acquired blocks of businesses, we typically buy and hold investments to maturity throughout the duration of market fluctuations, therefore, the period-over-period impacts in unrealized gains and losses are not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance. Adjusted senior debt-to-capital ratio should not be used as a substitute for the debt-to-capital ratio. However, we believe the adjustments to stockholders’ equity and debt are significant to gaining an understanding of our capitalization, debt utilization and debt capacity.
Adjusted Leverage Ratio
Adjusted leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure used to evaluate our capital structure excluding the impacts of AOCI and the cumulative changes in fair value of funds withheld and modco reinsurance assets as well as mortgage loan assets, net of tax. Adjusted leverage ratio is calculated as total debt at notional value adjusted to exclude 50% of the notional value of subordinated debt as an equity credit plus 50% of preferred stock divided by adjusted capitalization. Adjusted capitalization includes our adjusted AHL common stockholder’s equity, preferred stock and the notional value of our total debt. Adjusted AHL common stockholder’s equity is calculated as the ending AHL stockholders’ equity excluding AOCI, the cumulative changes in fair value of funds withheld and modco reinsurance assets and mortgage loan assets as well as preferred stock. These adjustments fluctuate period to period in a manner inconsistent with our underlying profitability drivers as the majority of such fluctuation is related to the market volatility of the unrealized gains and losses associated with our AFS securities, reinsurance assets and mortgage loans. Except with respect to reinvestment activity relating to acquired blocks of businesses, we typically buy and hold investments to maturity throughout the duration of market fluctuations, therefore, the period-over-period impacts in unrealized gains and losses are not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance. Adjusted leverage ratio should not be used as a substitute for the leverage ratio. However, we believe the adjustments to stockholders’ equity and debt are significant to gaining an understanding of our capitalization, debt and preferred stock utilization and overall leverage capacity, because they provide insight into how rating agencies measure our capitalization, which is a consideration in how we manage our leverage capacity.
Net Invested Assets
In managing our business, we analyze net invested assets, which does not correspond to total investments, including investments in related parties, as disclosed in our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Net invested assets represent the investments that directly back our net reserve liabilities as well as surplus assets. Net invested assets is used in the computation of net investment earned rate, which allows us to analyze the profitability of our investment portfolio. Net invested assets include (a) total investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, with AFS securities, trading securities and mortgage loans at cost or amortized cost, excluding derivatives, (b) cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, (c) investments in related parties, (d) accrued investment income, (e) VIE assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest adjustments, (f) net investment payables and receivables, (g) policy loans ceded (which offset the direct policy loans in total investments) and (h) an adjustment for the allowance for credit losses. Net invested assets exclude the derivative collateral offsetting the related cash positions. We include the underlying investments supporting our assumed funds withheld and modco agreements and exclude the underlying investments related to ceded reinsurance transactions in our net invested assets calculation in order to match the assets with the income received. We believe the adjustments for reinsurance provide a view of the assets for which we have economic exposure. Net invested assets include our proportionate share of ACRA investments, based on our economic ownership, but do not include the proportionate share of investments associated with the noncontrolling interests. Our net invested assets are averaged over the number of quarters in the relevant period to compute our net investment earned rate for such period. While we believe net invested assets is a meaningful financial metric and enhances our understanding of the underlying drivers of our investment portfolio, it should not be used as a substitute for total investments, including related parties, presented under US GAAP.
Net Reserve Liabilities
In managing our business, we also analyze net reserve liabilities, which does not correspond to total liabilities as disclosed in our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Net reserve liabilities represent our policyholder liability obligations net of reinsurance and are used to analyze the costs of our liabilities. Net reserve liabilities include (a) interest sensitive contract liabilities, (b) future policy benefits, (c) net market risk benefits, (d) long-term repurchase obligations, (e) dividends payable to policyholders and (f) other policy claims and benefits, offset by reinsurance recoverable, excluding policy loans ceded. Net reserve liabilities include our proportionate share of ACRA reserve liabilities, based on our economic ownership, but do not include the proportionate share of reserve liabilities associated with the noncontrolling interests. Net reserve liabilities are net of the ceded liabilities to third-party reinsurers as the costs of the liabilities are passed to such reinsurers and, therefore, we have no net economic exposure to such liabilities, assuming our reinsurance counterparties perform under our agreements. The majority of our ceded reinsurance is a result of strategic reinsurance transactions as well as reinsuring large blocks of life insurance business following acquisitions. For such transactions, US GAAP requires the ceded liabilities and related reinsurance recoverables to continue to be recorded in our consolidated financial statements despite the transfer of economic risk to the counterparty in connection with the reinsurance transaction. We include the underlying liabilities assumed through modco reinsurance agreements in our net reserve liabilities calculation in order to match the liabilities with the expenses incurred. While we believe net reserve liabilities is a meaningful financial metric and enhances our understanding of the underlying profitability drivers of our business, it should not be used as a substitute for total liabilities presented under US GAAP.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Sales
Sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under US GAAP but are used as relevant measures to understand our business performance as it relates to inflows generated during a specific period of time. Our sales statistics include inflows for fixed rate annuities and FIAs and align with the LIMRA definition of all money paid into an individual annuity, including money paid into new contracts with initial purchase occurring in the specified period and existing contracts with initial purchase occurring prior to the specified period (excluding internal transfers). We believe sales is a meaningful metric that enhances our understanding of our business performance and is not the same as premiums presented in our condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).
Results of Operations
The following summarizes the condensed consolidated results of operations:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Revenues
$
5,721
$
4,060
Benefits and expenses
3,939
2,674
Income before income taxes
1,782
1,386
Income tax expense
307
163
Net income
1,475
1,223
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
283
455
Net income attributable to Athene Holding Ltd. stockholders
1,192
768
Less: Preferred stock dividends
45
47
Net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder
$
1,147
$
721
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
In this section, references to 2024 refer to the three months ended March 31, 2024 and references to 2023 refer to the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Net Income Available to Athene Holding Ltd. Common Stockholder
Net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder increased by $426 million, or 59%, to $1.1 billion in 2024 from $721 million in 2023. The increase in net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder was driven by a $1.7 billion increase in revenues and a $172 million decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, partially offset by a $1.3 billion increase in benefits and expenses and a $144 million increase in income tax expense.
Revenues
Revenues increased by $1.7 billion to $5.7 billion in 2024 from $4.1 billion in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in net investment income, an increase in investment related gains (losses) and an increase in VIE investment related gains (losses).
Net investment income increased by $885 million to $3.3 billion in 2024 from $2.4 billion in 2023, primarily driven by significant growth in our investment portfolio attributed to strong net flows during the previous twelve months, higher rates on new deployment related to the higher interest rate environment and higher floating rate income. These increases were partially offset by higher investment management fees driven by the significant growth in our investment portfolio.
Investment related gains (losses) increased by $612 million to $1.7 billion in 2024 from $1.1 billion in 2023, primarily due to the change in FIA hedging derivatives and favorable net foreign exchange impacts, partially offset by changes in the fair value of reinsurance assets, mortgage loans and trading securities. The change in fair value of FIA hedging derivatives increased $1.3 billion, primarily driven by the favorable performance of the equity indices upon which our call options are based, with the 2024 impact amplified by the strong growth in our FIA block of business over the previous twelve months. The largest percentage of our call options are based on the S&P 500 index, which increased 10.2% in 2024, compared to an increase of 7.0% in 2023. The favorable net foreign exchange impacts were primarily related to the strengthening of the US dollar against foreign currencies in comparison to 2023 and the continued growth in foreign denominated business. The change in fair value of reinsurance assets decreased $678 million, the change in fair value of mortgage loans decreased $635 million and the change in fair value of trading securities decreased $129 million primarily driven by an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
VIE investment related gains (losses) increased by $133 million to $334 million in 2024 from $201 million in 2023, primarily driven by unrealized gains on assets held by AAA, partially offset by an unfavorable change in the fair value of mortgage loans held in VIEs related to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023.
Benefits and Expenses
Benefits and expenses increased by $1.3 billion to $3.9 billion in 2024 from $2.7 billion in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in interest sensitive contract benefits and an increase in future policy and other policy benefits, partially offset by a decrease in market risk benefits remeasurement (gains) losses.
Interest sensitive contract benefits increased by $1.6 billion to $2.9 billion in 2024 from $1.3 billion in 2023, primarily driven by an increase in the change in our fixed indexed annuity reserves, an increase in rates on deferred annuity and funding agreement issuances, as well as on existing floating rate funding agreements, driven by higher US Treasury rates, and significant growth in our deferred annuity and funding agreement blocks of business. The change in our fixed indexed annuity reserves includes the impact from changes in the fair value of FIA embedded derivatives. The increase in the change in fair value of FIA embedded derivatives of $704 million was primarily due to the performance of the equity indices to which our FIA policies are linked, with the 2024 impact amplified by the strong growth in our FIA block of business over the previous twelve months. The largest percentage of our FIA policies are linked to the S&P 500 index, which increased 10.2% in 2024, compared to an increase of 7.0% in 2023. The change in fair value of FIA embedded derivatives was also driven by the unfavorable impact of rates on policyholder projected benefits. These impacts were partially offset by the favorable change in discount rates used in our embedded derivative calculations as 2024 experienced an increase in discount rates compared to a decrease in 2023.
Future policy and other policy benefits increased by $77 million to $543 million in 2024 from $466 million in 2023, primarily driven by a $260 million increase in benefit payments as well as additional life reserves related to premiums, partially offset by a $56 million decrease in pension group annuity obligations compared to 2023 and a decrease in the AmerUs Closed Block fair value liability. The change in the AmerUs Closed Block fair value liability was primarily due to the increase in US Treasury rates in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023.
Market risk benefits remeasurement (gains) losses decreased by $500 million to $(154) million in 2024 from $346 million in 2023. The gains in 2024 compared to losses in 2023 were primarily driven by a favorable change in the fair value of market risk benefits. The change in fair value of market risk benefits was $454 million favorable compared to 2023 due to an increase in the risk-free discount rate across the curve, which is used in the fair value measurement of the liability for market risk benefits, and $55 million favorable related to more favorable equity market performance compared to 2023.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased by $144 million to $307 million in 2024 from $163 million in 2023, primarily driven by the increase in net investment income, a favorable change in the fair value of market risk benefits and a favorable change in net FIA embedded derivatives, partially offset by the unfavorable change in fair value of reinsurance assets and mortgage loans and additional policyholder and other reserve liability costs. Our effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2024 was 17% compared to 12% in 2023. The income tax expense was calculated by applying the 21% US statutory rate to the income of our US and foreign subsidiaries, net of noncontrolling interests.
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $172 million to $283 million in 2024 from $455 million in 2023, primarily due to the unfavorable change in fair value of reinsurance assets related to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023, partially offset by income attributable to the ACRA 2 noncontrolling interest, which was established in the third quarter of 2023, and a higher allocation of income to the AAA noncontrolling interest due to the continued increase in the noncontrolling interest ownership of AAA.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Summary of Non-GAAP Earnings
The following summarizes our spread related earnings:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Fixed income and other net investment income
$
2,455
$
1,958
Alternative net investment income
266
185
Net investment earnings
2,721
2,143
Strategic capital management fees
25
14
Cost of funds
(1,723)
(1,235)
Net investment spread
1,023
922
Other operating expenses
(116)
(126)
Interest and other financing costs
(91)
(109)
Spread related earnings
$
816
$
687
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
In this section, references to 2024 refer to the three months ended March 31, 2024 and references to 2023 refer to the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Spread Related Earnings
SRE increased by $129 million, or 19%, to $816 million in 2024 from $687 million in 2023. The increase in SRE was primarily driven by higher net investment earnings and lower interest and other financing costs, partially offset by higher cost of funds.
Net investment earnings increased $578 million, primarily driven by $20.8 billion of growth in our average net invested assets, higher rates on new deployment related to the higher interest rate environment, higher floating rate income and favorable alternative investment performance. The favorable alternative investment performance compared to 2023 was primarily driven by favorable performance from Challenger Life Company Limited (Challenger) related to a share price increase in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023, higher returns on our investment in Wheels related to strong performance and accelerated integration post-merger and more favorable performance from our investment in Redding Ridge attributed to continued strong growth. These impacts were partially offset by less favorable returns on our investment in Athora attributable to higher debt costs and operating expenses compared to 2023.
Cost of funds increased $488 million, primarily driven by higher rates on deferred annuity and funding agreement issuances, an increase in rates on existing floating rate funding agreements, significant growth in our retail, funding agreement and pension group annuity channels and an increase in the institutional block of business at higher crediting rates.
Interest and other financing costs decreased $18 million primarily related to lower interest expense resulting from a significant decrease in short-term repurchase agreements outstanding in 2024 compared to 2023, partially offset by interest expense related to our debt issuances in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
Net Investment Spread
Three months ended March 31,
2024
2023
Fixed income and other net investment earned rate
4.66
%
4.13
%
Alternative net investment earned rate
9.10
%
6.12
%
Net investment earned rate
4.89
%
4.25
%
Strategic capital management fees
0.04
%
0.03
%
Cost of funds
(3.10)
%
(2.45)
%
Net investment spread
1.83
%
1.83
%
Net investment spread of 1.83% in 2024, in line with 2023, primarily driven by a higher net investment earned rate, offset by higher cost of funds.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Net investment earned rate increased 64 basis points to 4.89% in 2024 from 4.25% in 2023, primarily due to higher returns in our fixed income portfolio and favorable performance in our alternative investment portfolio. Fixed income and other net investment earned rate was 4.66% in 2024, an increase from 4.13% in 2023, primarily driven by higher rates on new deployment related to the higher interest rate environment and higher floating rate income. Alternative net investment earned rate was 9.10% in 2024, an increase from 6.12% in 2023, primarily driven by favorable performance from Challenger related to a share price increase in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023, higher returns on our investment in Wheels related to strong performance and accelerated integration post-merger and more favorable performance from our investment in Redding Ridge attributed to continued strong growth. These impacts were partially offset by less favorable returns on our investment in Athora attributable to higher debt costs and operating expenses compared to 2023.
Cost of funds increased 65 basis points to 3.10% in 2024 from 2.45% in 2023, primarily driven by higher rates on deferred annuity and funding agreement issuances, an increase in rates on existing floating rate funding agreements and an increase in the institutional block of business at higher crediting rates.
Adjustments to Net Income Available to Athene Holding Ltd. Common Stockholder
The adjustments to net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder are comprised of investment gains (losses), net of offsets; non-operating change in insurance liabilities and related derivatives; integration, restructuring and other non-operating expenses; stock compensation expense and the non-operating income tax expense related to these adjustments. The increase in adjustments to net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily driven by the increase in non-operating change in insurance liabilities and related derivatives, partially offset by the decrease in investment gains (losses), net of offsets.
Non-operating change in insurance liabilities and related derivatives increased $808 million due to the increase in the change in fair value of market risk benefits and the increase in net FIA derivatives. The $472 million favorable change in fair value of market risk benefits was primarily driven by an increase in the risk-free discount rate across the curve, which is used in the fair value measurement of the liability for market risk benefits, as well as favorable equity market performance compared to 2023. The $341 million favorable change in net FIA derivatives was primarily due to the favorable performance of the equity indices to which our FIA policies are linked, with the 2024 impact amplified by the strong growth in our FIA block of business over the previous twelve months. The largest percentage of our FIA policies are linked to the S&P 500 index, which increased 10.2% in 2024, compared to an increase of 7.0% in 2023. The change in net FIA derivatives was also driven by the favorable change in discount rates used in our embedded derivative calculations as 2024 experienced an increase in discount rates compared to a decrease in 2023, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of rates on policyholder projected benefits.
Investment gains (losses), net of offsets, decreased $419 million, primarily due to the changes in fair value of mortgage loans and reinsurance assets, partially offset by favorable net foreign exchange impacts primarily related to the strengthening of the US dollar against foreign currencies in comparison to 2023 and the continued growth in foreign denominated business. The unfavorable changes in fair value of mortgage loans of $475 million and reinsurance assets of $392 million were primarily driven by an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024 compared to a decrease in 2023.
Investment Portfolio
We had total investments, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, of $275.4 billion and $259.3 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Our investment strategy seeks to achieve sustainable risk-adjusted returns through the disciplined management of our investment portfolio against our long-duration liabilities, coupled with the diversification of risk. The investment strategies utilized by our investment manager focus primarily on a buy and hold asset allocation strategy that may be adjusted periodically in response to changing market conditions and the nature of our liability profile. Substantially all of our investment portfolio is managed by Apollo, which provides a full suite of services for our investment portfolio, including direct investment management, asset allocation, mergers and acquisitions asset diligence and certain operational support services, including investment compliance, tax, legal and risk management support. Our relationship with Apollo allows us to take advantage of our generally persistent liability profile by identifying investment opportunities with an emphasis on earning incremental yield by taking measured liquidity and complexity risk rather than assuming incremental credit risk. Apollo’s investment team and credit portfolio managers utilize their deep experience to assist us in sourcing and underwriting complex asset classes. Apollo has selected a diverse array of primarily high-grade fixed income assets including corporate bonds, structured securities and commercial and residential real estate loans, among others. We also maintain holdings in floating rate and less rate-sensitive instruments, including CLOs, non-agency RMBS and various types of structured products. In addition to our fixed income portfolio, we opportunistically allocate approximately 5% of our portfolio to alternative investments where we primarily focus on fixed income-like, cash flow-based investments.
Net investment income on the condensed consolidated statements of income included management fees under our investment management arrangements with Apollo. We incurred management fees, inclusive of base, sub-allocation and performance fees, of $289 million and $222 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The total amounts we incurred, directly and indirectly, from Apollo and its affiliates were $317 million and $303 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Such amounts include (1) fees associated with investment management agreements (excluding sub-advisory fees paid to ISG for the benefit of third-party sub-advisors), which include fees charged by Apollo to third-party cedants with respect to assets supporting obligations reinsured to us but exclude fees charged by Apollo to third-party reinsurers supporting ceded obligations, (2) fees associated with fund investments (including those fund investments held by AAA), which include management fees, carried interest (including unrealized but accrued carried interest fees) and other
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
fees on Apollo-managed funds and our other alternative investments and (3) other fees resulting from shared services, advisory and other agreements with Apollo or its affiliates; net of fees incurred directly and indirectly attributable to ACRA, based upon the economic ownership of the noncontrolling interests in ACRA.
Our net invested assets, which are those that directly back our net reserve liabilities as well as surplus assets, were $227.4 billion and $217.4 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Apollo’s knowledge of our funding structure and regulatory requirements allows it to design customized strategies and investments for our portfolio. Apollo manages our asset portfolio within the limits and protocols set forth in our Investment and Credit Risk Policy. Under this policy, we set limits on investments in our portfolio by asset class, such as corporate bonds, emerging markets securities, municipal bonds, non-agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, commercial mortgage whole loans and mezzanine loans and investment funds. We also set credit risk limits for exposure to a single issuer, which vary based on the issuer’s ratings. Our strategic investments are also governed by our Strategic Investment Risk Policy which provides for special governance and risk management procedures for these transactions. In addition, our investment portfolio is constrained by its scenario-based capital ratio limits and its liquidity limits.
The following table presents the carrying values of our total investments, including related parties and VIEs:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
AFS securities, at fair value
$
142,873
51.9
%
$
134,338
51.8
%
Trading securities, at fair value
1,685
0.6
%
1,706
0.7
%
Equity securities
1,651
0.6
%
1,293
0.5
%
Mortgage loans, at fair value
48,207
17.5
%
44,115
17.0
%
Investment funds
110
0.1
%
109
0.1
%
Policy loans
330
0.1
%
334
0.1
%
Funds withheld at interest
23,230
8.4
%
24,359
9.4
%
Derivative assets
7,159
2.6
%
5,298
2.1
%
Short-term investments, at fair value
340
0.1
%
341
0.1
%
Other investments
1,371
0.5
%
1,206
0.5
%
Total investments
226,956
82.4
%
213,099
82.3
%
Investments in related parties
AFS securities, at fair value
16,378
5.9
%
14,009
5.4
%
Trading securities, at fair value
781
0.3
%
838
0.3
%
Equity securities, at fair value
315
0.1
%
318
0.1
%
Mortgage loans, at fair value
1,263
0.5
%
1,281
0.5
%
Investment funds
1,626
0.6
%
1,632
0.6
%
Funds withheld at interest
6,028
2.2
%
6,474
2.5
%
Short-term investments
556
0.2
%
947
0.4
%
Other investments, at fair value
336
0.1
%
343
0.1
%
Total related party investments
27,283
9.9
%
25,842
9.9
%
Total investments, including related parties
254,239
92.3
%
238,941
92.2
%
Investments of consolidated VIEs
Trading securities, at fair value
2,034
0.7
%
2,136
0.8
%
Mortgage loans, at fair value
2,147
0.8
%
2,173
0.8
%
Investment funds, at fair value
16,816
6.1
%
15,927
6.2
%
Other investments, at fair value
121
0.1
%
103
—
%
Total investments of consolidated VIEs
21,118
7.7
%
20,339
7.8
%
Total investments, including related parties and consolidated VIEs
$
275,357
100.0
%
$
259,280
100.0
%
The increase in our total investments, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, as of March 31, 2024 of $16.1 billion compared to December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by significant growth from gross organic inflows of $20.1 billion in excess of gross liability outflows of $8.0 billion and an increase in derivative assets primarily related to the impact of favorable equity market performance on our call options and the purchase of additional derivatives to hedge equity market performance and foreign exchange impacts. Additionally, total investments, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, increased due to the issuance of debt in the first quarter of 2024, an increase in VIE investment funds attributable to contributions from third-party investors into AAA and favorable performance of the underlying assets, and reinvestment of
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
earnings, partially offset by unrealized losses on AFS securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $737 million, as well as unrealized losses on mortgage loans, attributable to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024.
Our investment portfolio consists largely of high quality fixed maturity securities, loans and short-term investments, as well as additional opportunistic holdings in investment funds and other instruments, including equity holdings. Fixed maturity securities and loans include publicly issued corporate bonds, government and other sovereign bonds, privately placed corporate bonds and loans, mortgage loans, CMBS, RMBS, CLOs and ABS.
While the substantial majority of our investment portfolio has been allocated to corporate bonds and structured credit products, a key component of our investment strategy is the opportunistic acquisition of investment funds with attractive risk and return profiles. Our investment fund portfolio consists of funds or similar equity structures that employ various strategies including equity, hybrid and yield funds. We have a strong preference for alternative investments that have some or all of the following characteristics, among others: (1) investments that constitute a direct investment or an investment in a fund with a high degree of co-investment; (2) investments with credit- or debt-like characteristics (for example, a stipulated maturity and par value), or alternatively, investments with reduced volatility when compared to pure equity; or (3) investments that we believe have less downside risk.
We hold derivatives for economic hedging purposes to reduce our exposure to the cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, equity market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign exchange risk. Our primary use of derivative instruments relates to providing the income needed to fund the annual index credits on our FIA products. We primarily use fixed indexed options to economically hedge indexed annuity products that guarantee the return of principal to the policyholder and credit interest based on a percentage of the gain in a specific market index.
With respect to derivative positions, we transact with highly rated counterparties, and expect the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the contracts. We generally use industry standard agreements and annexes with bilateral collateral provisions to further reduce counterparty credit exposure.
Related Party Investments
We hold investments in related party assets primarily comprised of AFS securities, trading securities, funds withheld at interest receivables, mortgage loans within our triple net lease investment, short-term investments, and investment funds, which primarily include investments over which Apollo can exercise influence. As of March 31, 2024, these investments totaled $44.7 billion, or 13.9% of our total assets. Related party AFS and trading securities primarily consist of structured securities for which Apollo is the manager of the underlying securitization vehicle and securities issued by Apollo direct origination platforms including Wheels and MidCap Financial. In each case, the underlying collateral, borrower or other credit party is generally unaffiliated with us. The funds withheld at interest related party amounts are comprised of the Venerable reinsurance portfolios, which are considered related party even though a significant majority of the underlying assets within the investment portfolios do not have a related party affiliation. Related party investment funds include strategic investments in direct origination platforms and insurance companies and investments in Apollo managed funds. Short-term investments include reverse repurchase agreements in Atlas, which is owned by AAA.
A summary of our related party investments reflecting the nature of the affiliation is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Carrying Value
Percent of Total Assets
Carrying Value
Percent of Total Assets
Venerable funds withheld reinsurance portfolio
$
6,027
1.9
%
$
6,474
2.2
%
Securitizations of unaffiliated assets where Apollo is manager
17,934
5.6
%
16,072
5.3
%
Investments in Apollo funds
11,331
3.5
%
10,683
3.6
%
Strategic investments in Apollo direct origination platforms
6,764
2.1
%
6,464
2.2
%
Investments in insurance companies
2,556
0.8
%
2,575
0.9
%
Other
98
—
%
81
—
%
Total related party investments
$
44,710
13.9
%
$
42,349
14.2
%
As of March 31, 2024, a $6.0 billion funds withheld reinsurance asset with Venerable was included in our US GAAP related party investments. Venerable is a related party due to our minority equity investment in its holding company’s parent, VA Capital. For US GAAP, each funds withheld and modified coinsurance reinsurance portfolio is treated as one asset rather than reporting the underlying investments in the portfolio. For our non-GAAP measure of net invested assets, we provide visibility into the underlying assets within these reinsurance portfolios. The below table looks through to the underlying assets within our reinsurance portfolios to determine the related party status. As of March 31, 2024, $30.9 billion, or 13.6% of our total net invested assets were related party investments. Of these, approximately $18.5 billion, or 8.1% of our net invested assets, were structured securities for which Apollo or an affiliated direct origination platform was the manager of the underlying securitization vehicle, but the underlying collateral, borrower or other credit party is generally unaffiliated with us. Related party investments in strategic affiliated companies or Apollo funds represented $12.4 billion, or 5.5% of our net invested assets.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A summary of our related party net invested assets reflecting the nature of the affiliation is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Net Invested Asset Value
Percent of Net Invested Assets
Net Invested Asset Value
Percent of Net Invested Assets
Securitizations of unaffiliated assets where Apollo is manager
$
18,454
8.1
%
$
16,759
7.7
%
Investments in Apollo funds
6,048
2.7
%
5,928
2.7
%
Strategic investments in Apollo direct origination platforms
3,911
1.7
%
3,518
1.6
%
Investments in insurance companies
2,480
1.1
%
2,459
1.1
%
Other
13
—
%
13
—
%
Total related party net invested assets
$
30,906
13.6
%
$
28,677
13.1
%
AFS Securities
We invest in AFS securities and attempt to source investments that match our future cash flow needs. However, we may sell any of our investments in advance of maturity to timely satisfy our liabilities as they become due or to respond to a change in the credit profile or other characteristics of the particular investment.
AFS securities are carried at fair value, less allowances for expected credit losses, on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value of our AFS securities are charged or credited to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. All changes in the allowance for expected credit losses, whether due to passage of time, change in expected cash flows, or change in fair value are recorded through the provision for credit losses within investment related gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The distribution of our AFS securities, including related parties, by type is as follows:
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Amortized Cost
Allowance for Credit Losses
Unrealized Gains
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Percent of Total
AFS securities
US government and agencies
$
6,161
$
—
$
67
$
(829)
$
5,399
3.6
%
US state, municipal and political subdivisions
1,296
—
—
(250)
1,046
0.7
%
Foreign governments
2,083
—
71
(255)
1,899
1.3
%
Corporate
88,343
(129)
830
(10,798)
78,246
52.8
%
CLO
20,506
(2)
261
(558)
20,207
13.6
%
ABS
13,942
(49)
120
(630)
13,383
9.0
%
CMBS
7,070
(29)
52
(502)
6,591
4.4
%
RMBS
8,160
(381)
252
(464)
7,567
5.1
%
Total AFS securities
147,561
(590)
1,653
(14,286)
134,338
90.5
%
AFS securities – related parties
Corporate
1,423
—
1
(72)
1,352
0.9
%
CLO
4,367
—
21
(120)
4,268
2.9
%
ABS
8,665
(1)
34
(309)
8,389
5.7
%
Total AFS securities – related parties
14,455
(1)
56
(501)
14,009
9.5
%
Total AFS securities, including related parties
$
162,016
$
(591)
$
1,709
$
(14,787)
$
148,347
100.0
%
We maintain a diversified AFS portfolio of corporate fixed maturity securities across industries and issuers and a diversified portfolio of structured securities. The composition of our AFS securities, including related parties, is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Corporate
Industrial other1
$
33,826
21.2
%
$
27,272
18.4
%
Financial
27,661
17.4
%
26,854
18.1
%
Utilities
15,904
10.0
%
16,048
10.9
%
Communication
4,034
2.5
%
5,063
3.4
%
Transportation
3,354
2.1
%
4,361
2.9
%
Total corporate
84,779
53.2
%
79,598
53.7
%
Other government-related securities
US government and agencies
5,803
3.6
%
5,399
3.6
%
Foreign governments
1,784
1.1
%
1,899
1.3
%
US state, municipal and political subdivisions
1,031
0.6
%
1,046
0.7
%
Total non-structured securities
93,397
58.5
%
87,942
59.3
%
Structured securities
CLO
26,844
16.9
%
24,475
16.5
%
ABS
24,447
15.4
%
21,772
14.7
%
CMBS
6,936
4.4
%
6,591
4.4
%
RMBS
Agency
1,016
0.6
%
962
0.6
%
Non-agency
6,611
4.2
%
6,605
4.5
%
Total structured securities
65,854
41.5
%
60,405
40.7
%
Total AFS securities, including related parties
$
159,251
100.0
%
$
148,347
100.0
%
1 Includes securities within various industry segments including capital goods, basic industry, consumer cyclical, consumer non-cyclical, industrial and technology.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The fair value of our AFS securities, including related parties, was $159.3 billion and $148.3 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The increase was mainly driven by the deployment of strong organic inflows in excess of liability outflows, partially offset by unrealized losses on AFS securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $737 million attributable to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024.
The Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is responsible for the credit quality assessment and valuation of securities owned by state regulated insurance companies. Insurance companies report ownership of securities to the SVO when such securities are eligible for filing on the relevant schedule of the NAIC Financial Statement. The SVO conducts credit analysis on these securities for the purpose of assigning an NAIC designation and/or unit price. Generally, the process for assigning an NAIC designation varies based upon whether a security is considered “filing exempt” (General Designation Process). Subject to certain exceptions, a security is typically considered “filing exempt” if it has been rated by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). For securities that are not “filing exempt,” insurance companies assign temporary designations based upon a subjective evaluation of credit quality. The insurance company generally must then submit the securities to the SVO within 120 days of acquisition to receive an NAIC designation. For securities considered “filing exempt,” the SVO utilizes the NRSRO rating and assigns an NAIC designation based upon the following system:
NAIC designation
NRSRO equivalent rating
1 A-G
AAA/AA/A
2 A-C
BBB
3 A-C
BB
4 A-C
B
5 A-C
CCC
6
CC and lower
An important exception to the General Designation Process occurs in the case of certain loan-backed and structured securities (LBaSS). The NRSRO ratings methodology is focused on the likelihood of recovery of all contractual payments, including principal at par, regardless of an investor’s carrying value. In effect, the NRSRO rating assumes that the holder is the original purchaser at par. In contrast, the SVO’s LBaSS methodology is focused on determining the risk associated with the recovery of the amortized cost of each security. Because the NAIC’s methodology explicitly considers amortized cost and the likelihood of recovery of such amount, we view the NAIC’s methodology as the most appropriate means of evaluating the credit quality of our fixed maturity portfolio since a portion of our holdings were purchased and are carried at significant discounts to par.
The SVO has developed a designation process and provides instruction on modeled LBaSS. For modeled LBaSS, the process is specific to the non-agency RMBS and CMBS asset classes. To establish ratings at the individual security level, the SVO obtains loan-level analysis of each RMBS and CMBS using a selected vendor’s proprietary financial model. The SVO ensures that the vendor has extensive internal quality-control processes in place and the SVO conducts its own quality-control checks of the selected vendor’s valuation process. The SVO has retained the services of Blackrock, Inc. (Blackrock) to model non-agency RMBS and CMBS owned by US insurers for all years presented herein. Blackrock provides five prices (breakpoints), based on each US insurer’s statutory book value price, to utilize in determining the NAIC designation for each modeled LBaSS.
The NAIC designation determines the associated level of risk-based capital that an insurer is required to hold for all securities owned by the insurer. In general, under the modeled LBaSS process, the larger the discount to par value at the time of determination, the higher the NAIC designation the LBaSS will have.
A summary of our AFS securities, including related parties, by NAIC designation is as follows:
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A significant majority of our AFS portfolio, 96.9% and 96.5% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, was invested in assets considered investment grade with an NAIC designation of 1 or 2.
A summary of our AFS securities, including related parties, by NRSRO ratings is set forth below:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
NRSRO rating agency designation
AAA/AA/A
$
76,596
48.1
%
$
71,887
48.5
%
BBB
62,833
39.4
%
58,010
39.1
%
Non-rated1
13,293
8.3
%
11,427
7.7
%
Total investment grade
152,722
95.8
%
141,324
95.3
%
BB
3,110
2.0
%
3,421
2.3
%
B
769
0.5
%
826
0.6
%
CCC
1,049
0.7
%
1,037
0.6
%
CC and lower
715
0.4
%
739
0.5
%
Non-rated1
886
0.6
%
1,000
0.7
%
Total below investment grade
6,529
4.2
%
7,023
4.7
%
Total AFS securities, including related parties
$
159,251
100.0
%
$
148,347
100.0
%
1 Securities denoted as non-rated by the NRSRO were classified as investment or non-investment grade according to the security’s respective NAIC designation. With respect to modeled LBaSS, the NAIC designation methodology differs in significant respects from the NRSRO rating methodology.
Consistent with the NAIC Process and Procedures Manual, an NRSRO rating was assigned based on the following criteria: (a) the equivalent S&P rating when the security is rated by one NRSRO; (b) the equivalent S&P rating of the lowest NRSRO when the security is rated by two NRSROs; and (c) the equivalent S&P rating of the second lowest NRSRO when the security is rated by three or more NRSROs. If the lowest two NRSRO ratings are equal, then such rating will be the assigned rating. NRSRO ratings available for the periods presented were S&P, Fitch, Moody’s Investor Service, DBRS, and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc.
The portion of our AFS portfolio that was considered below investment grade based on NRSRO ratings was 4.2% and 4.7%, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The primary driver of the difference in the percentage of securities considered below investment grade by NRSRO as compared to the securities considered below investment grade by the NAIC is the difference in methodologies between the NRSRO and NAIC for RMBS due to investments acquired and/or carried at a discount to par value, as previously discussed.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, non-rated securities were comprised 54% and 64%, respectively, of corporate private placement securities for which we have not sought individual ratings from an NRSRO, and 20% and 22%, respectively, of RMBS, many of which were acquired at a discount to par. We rely on internal analysis and designations assigned by the NAIC to evaluate the credit risk of our portfolio. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 94% and 92%, respectively, of the non-rated securities were designated NAIC 1 or 2.
Asset-backed Securities– We invest in ABS which are securitized by pools of assets such as consumer loans, automobile loans, student loans, insurance-linked securities, operating cash flows of corporations and cash flows from various types of business equipment. Our ABS holdings were $24.4 billion and $21.8 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A summary of our AFS ABS portfolio, including related parties, by NAIC designations and NRSRO quality ratings is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
NAIC designation
1 A-G
$
15,954
65.3
%
$
13,180
60.5
%
2 A-C
7,445
30.5
%
7,438
34.2
%
Total investment grade
23,399
95.8
%
20,618
94.7
%
3 A-C
722
2.9
%
802
3.7
%
4 A-C
232
0.9
%
257
1.2
%
5 A-C
4
—
%
4
—
%
6
90
0.4
%
91
0.4
%
Total below investment grade
1,048
4.2
%
1,154
5.3
%
Total AFS ABS, including related parties
$
24,447
100.0
%
$
21,772
100.0
%
NRSRO rating agency designation
AAA/AA/A
$
13,657
55.9
%
$
12,104
55.6
%
BBB
7,546
30.9
%
8,499
39.0
%
Non-rated1
2,196
9.0
%
15
0.1
%
Total investment grade
23,399
95.8
%
20,618
94.7
%
BB
741
3.0
%
824
3.8
%
B
213
0.9
%
236
1.1
%
CCC
4
—
%
4
—
%
CC and lower
5
—
%
4
—
%
Non-rated1
85
0.3
%
86
0.4
%
Total below investment grade
1,048
4.2
%
1,154
5.3
%
Total AFS ABS, including related parties
$
24,447
100.0
%
$
21,772
100.0
%
1Securities denoted as non-rated by the NRSRO were classified as investment or non-investment grade according to the security’s respective NAIC designation. The NAIC designation methodology differs in significant respects from the NRSRO rating methodology.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, a substantial majority of our AFS ABS portfolio, 95.8% and 94.7%, respectively, was invested in assets considered to be investment grade based upon both the application of the NAIC’s methodology and NRSRO ratings. The increase in our ABS portfolio was mainly driven by the deployment of strong organic inflows in excess of liability outflows.
Collateralized Loan Obligations– We also invest in CLOs which pay principal and interest from cash flows received from underlying corporate loans. These holdings were $26.8 billion and $24.5 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A summary of our AFS CLO portfolio, including related parties, by NAIC designations and NRSRO quality ratings is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
NAIC designation
1 A-G
$
17,252
64.3
%
$
15,803
64.5
%
2 A-C
9,449
35.2
%
8,517
34.8
%
Total investment grade
26,701
99.5
%
24,320
99.3
%
3 A-C
124
0.4
%
137
0.6
%
4 A-C
19
0.1
%
18
0.1
%
5 A-C
—
—
%
—
—
%
6
—
—
%
—
—
%
Total below investment grade
143
0.5
%
155
0.7
%
Total AFS CLO, including related parties
$
26,844
100.0
%
$
24,475
100.0
%
NRSRO rating agency designation
AAA/AA/A
$
17,244
64.3
%
$
15,803
64.5
%
BBB
9,449
35.2
%
8,517
34.8
%
Non-rated1
8
—
%
—
—
%
Total investment grade
26,701
99.5
%
24,320
99.3
%
BB
124
0.4
%
137
0.6
%
B
19
0.1
%
18
0.1
%
CCC
—
—
%
—
—
%
CC and lower
—
—
%
—
—
%
Non-rated1
—
—
%
—
—
%
Total below investment grade
143
0.5
%
155
0.7
%
Total AFS CLO, including related parties
$
26,844
100.0
%
$
24,475
100.0
%
1Securities denoted as non-rated by the NRSRO were classified as investment or non-investment grade according to the security’s respective NAIC designation. The NAIC designation methodology differs in significant respects from the NRSRO rating methodology.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 99.5% and 99.3%, respectively, of our AFS CLO portfolio was invested in assets considered to be investment grade based upon both the application of the NAIC’s methodology and NRSRO ratings. The increase in our CLO portfolio was mainly driven by the deployment of strong organic inflows in excess of liability outflows.
Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities– A portion of our AFS portfolio is invested in CMBS which are constructed from pools of commercial mortgages. These holdings were $6.9 billion and $6.6 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A summary of our AFS CMBS portfolio by NAIC designations and NRSRO quality ratings is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
NAIC designation
1 A-G
$
5,531
79.7
%
$
5,231
79.4
%
2 A-C
799
11.5
%
970
14.7
%
Total investment grade
6,330
91.2
%
6,201
94.1
%
3 A-C
242
3.5
%
231
3.5
%
4 A-C
300
4.3
%
93
1.4
%
5 A-C
31
0.5
%
30
0.5
%
6
33
0.5
%
36
0.5
%
Total below investment grade
606
8.8
%
390
5.9
%
Total AFS CMBS
$
6,936
100.0
%
$
6,591
100.0
%
NRSRO rating agency designation
AAA/AA/A
$
5,019
72.4
%
$
4,718
71.6
%
BBB
935
13.5
%
905
13.7
%
Non-rated1
237
3.4
%
230
3.5
%
Total investment grade
6,191
89.3
%
5,853
88.8
%
BB
503
7.3
%
497
7.5
%
B
129
1.9
%
142
2.2
%
CCC
111
1.5
%
97
1.5
%
CC and lower
2
—
%
2
—
%
Non-rated1
—
—
%
—
—
%
Total below investment grade
745
10.7
%
738
11.2
%
Total AFS CMBS
$
6,936
100.0
%
$
6,591
100.0
%
1Securities denoted as non-rated by the NRSRO were classified as investment or non-investment grade according to the security’s respective NAIC designation. The NAIC designation methodology differs in significant respects from the NRSRO rating methodology.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 91.2% and 94.1%, respectively, of our AFS CMBS portfolio was invested in assets considered to be investment grade based upon application of the NAIC’s methodology, while 89.3% and 88.8%, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of securities were considered investment grade based upon NRSRO ratings. The increase in our CMBS portfolio was mainly driven by the deployment of strong organic inflows in excess of liability outflows.
Residential Mortgage-backed Securities– A portion of our AFS portfolio is invested in RMBS, which are securities constructed from pools of residential mortgages. These holdings were $7.6 billion as of each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A summary of our AFS RMBS portfolio by NAIC designations and NRSRO quality ratings is as follows:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
NAIC designation
1 A-G
$
6,690
87.7
%
$
6,645
87.9
%
2 A-C
275
3.6
%
245
3.2
%
Total investment grade
6,965
91.3
%
6,890
91.1
%
3 A-C
279
3.7
%
281
3.7
%
4 A-C
225
3.0
%
235
3.1
%
5 A-C
71
0.9
%
74
1.0
%
6
87
1.1
%
87
1.1
%
Total below investment grade
662
8.7
%
677
8.9
%
Total AFS RMBS
$
7,627
100.0
%
$
7,567
100.0
%
NRSRO rating agency designation
AAA/AA/A
$
2,501
32.8
%
$
2,405
31.9
%
BBB
525
6.9
%
562
7.4
%
Non-rated1
2,415
31.7
%
2,356
31.1
%
Total investment grade
5,441
71.4
%
5,323
70.4
%
BB
63
0.8
%
101
1.3
%
B
148
1.9
%
124
1.7
%
CCC
903
11.8
%
915
12.1
%
CC and lower
698
9.2
%
715
9.4
%
Non-rated1
374
4.9
%
389
5.1
%
Total below investment grade
2,186
28.6
%
2,244
29.6
%
Total AFS RMBS
$
7,627
100.0
%
$
7,567
100.0
%
1Securities denoted as non-rated by the NRSRO were classified as investment or non-investment grade according to the security’s respective NAIC designation. The NAIC designation methodology differs in significant respects from the NRSRO rating methodology.
A significant majority of our RMBS portfolio, 91.3% and 91.1% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, was invested in assets considered to be investment grade based upon application of the NAIC’s methodology. The NAIC’s methodology with respect to RMBS gives explicit effect to the amortized cost at which an insurance company carries each such investment. Because we invested in RMBS after the stresses related to US housing had caused significant downward pressure on prices of RMBS, we carry some of our investments in RMBS at significant discounts to par value, which results in an investment grade NAIC designation. In contrast, our understanding is that in setting ratings, the NRSRO focuses on the likelihood of recovering all contractual payments including principal at par value. As a result of this fundamental difference in approach, NRSRO characterized 71.4% and 70.4% of our RMBS portfolio as investment grade as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Unrealized Losses
Our investments in AFS securities, including related parties, are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Certain of our AFS securities, including related parties, have experienced declines in fair value that we consider temporary in nature. These investments are held to support our product liabilities, and we currently have the intent and ability to hold these securities until recovery of the amortized cost basis prior to sale or maturity. As of March 31, 2024, our AFS securities, including related parties, had a fair value of $159.3 billion, which was 8.4% below amortized cost of $173.9 billion. As of December 31, 2023, our AFS securities, including related parties, had a fair value of $148.3 billion, which was 8.4% below amortized cost of $162.0 billion. Our fair value of AFS securities as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were below amortized cost due to the investment portfolio being marked to fair value on January 1, 2022 in conjunction with purchase accounting, with subsequent losses driven by the significant increase in US Treasury rates.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following tables reflect the unrealized losses on the AFS portfolio, including related parties, for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded, by NAIC designations:
March 31, 2024
(In millions, except percentages)
Amortized Cost of AFS Securities with Unrealized Loss
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value of AFS Securities with Unrealized Loss
Fair Value to Amortized Cost Ratio
Fair Value of Total AFS Securities
Gross Unrealized Losses to Total AFS Fair Value
NAIC designation
1 A-G
$
63,059
$
(8,069)
$
54,990
87.2
%
$
86,887
(9.3)
%
2 A-C
49,766
(6,369)
43,397
87.2
%
67,476
(9.4)
%
Total investment grade
112,825
(14,438)
98,387
87.2
%
154,363
(9.4)
%
3 A-C
2,700
(255)
2,445
90.6
%
3,269
(7.8)
%
4 A-C
474
(55)
419
88.4
%
1,090
(5.0)
%
5 A-C
103
(32)
71
68.9
%
144
(22.2)
%
6
266
(43)
223
83.8
%
385
(11.2)
%
Total below investment grade
3,543
(385)
3,158
89.1
%
4,888
(7.9)
%
Total
$
116,368
$
(14,823)
$
101,545
87.3
%
$
159,251
(9.3)
%
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Amortized Cost of AFS Securities with Unrealized Loss
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value of AFS Securities with Unrealized Loss
Fair Value to Amortized Cost Ratio
Fair Value of Total AFS Securities
Gross Unrealized Losses to Total AFS Fair Value
NAIC designation
1 A-G
$
60,105
$
(7,627)
$
52,478
87.3
%
$
81,549
(9.4)
%
2 A-C
47,893
(6,334)
41,559
86.8
%
61,664
(10.3)
%
Total investment grade
107,998
(13,961)
94,037
87.1
%
143,213
(9.7)
%
3 A-C
3,026
(283)
2,743
90.6
%
3,544
(8.0)
%
4 A-C
533
(61)
472
88.6
%
1,013
(6.0)
%
5 A-C
79
(25)
54
67.1
%
129
(19.4)
%
6
223
(38)
185
82.5
%
448
(8.5)
%
Total below investment grade
3,861
(407)
3,454
89.4
%
5,134
(7.9)
%
Total
$
111,859
$
(14,368)
$
97,491
87.2
%
$
148,347
(9.7)
%
The gross unrealized losses on AFS securities, including related parties, were $14.8 billion and $14.4 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The increase in unrealized losses on AFS securities was primarily attributable to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024.
Provision for Credit Losses
For our credit loss accounting policies and the assumptions used in the allowances, see Note 1 – Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies and Note 2 – Investments to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held an allowance for credit losses on AFS securities of $598 million and $591 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded an increase in the allowance for credit losses on AFS securities of $7 million, of which $10 million had an income statement impact and $(3) million related to PCD securities and other changes. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recorded an increase in provision for credit losses on AFS securities of $44 million, of which $19 million had an income statement impact and $25 million related to PCD securities and other changes. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on AFS securities was primarily related to impacts from the Silicon Valley Bank failure. The intent-to-sell impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $2 million and $41 million, respectively. The decrease in our intent-to-sell impairments was primarily driven by the impacts from the Silicon Valley Bank failure in the first quarter of 2023.
International Exposure
A portion of our AFS securities is invested in securities with international exposure. As of each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 34% of the carrying value of our AFS securities, including related parties, was comprised of securities of issuers based outside of the US and debt
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
securities of foreign governments. These securities generally are either denominated in US dollars or do not expose us to significant foreign currency risk as a result of foreign currency swap arrangements.
The following table presents our international exposure in our AFS portfolio, including related parties, by country or region of issuance:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Country
Ireland
$
8,163
$
7,879
14.4
%
$
7,350
$
7,099
13.9
%
Other Europe
15,062
13,507
24.7
%
13,670
12,245
24.0
%
Total Europe
23,225
21,386
39.1
%
21,020
19,344
37.9
%
Non-US North America
26,233
25,288
46.2
%
24,041
23,044
45.1
%
Australia & New Zealand
3,652
3,273
6.0
%
3,504
3,153
6.2
%
Asia/Pacific
2,298
2,074
3.8
%
2,348
2,219
4.3
%
Central & South America
1,636
1,433
2.6
%
1,630
1,438
2.8
%
Africa & Middle East
1,570
1,244
2.3
%
2,276
1,911
3.7
%
Total
$
58,614
$
54,698
100.0
%
$
54,819
$
51,109
100.0
%
Approximately 98.2% and 97.9% of these securities are investment grade by NAIC designation as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, 10% of our AFS securities, including related parties, were invested in CLOs of Cayman Islands issuers (included in Non-US North America) for which the underlying investments are largely loans to US issuers and 25% were invested in securities of other non-US issuers.
The majority of our investments in Ireland are comprised of Euro denominated CLOs, for which the SPV is domiciled in Ireland, but the underlying leveraged loans involve borrowers from the broader European region.
Trading Securities
Trading securities, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, were $4.5 billion and $4.7 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Trading securities are primarily comprised of AmerUs Closed Block securities for which we have elected the fair value option valuation, certain equity tranche securities, structured securities with embedded derivatives and investments which support various reinsurance arrangements. The decrease in trading securities was primarily driven by unrealized losses during the three months ended March 31, 2024attributable to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024.
Mortgage Loans
The following is a summary of our mortgage loan portfolio by collateral type, including assets held by related parties and consolidated VIEs:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Fair Value
Percent of Total
Property type
Apartment
$
10,565
20.5
%
$
9,591
20.2
%
Office building
4,339
8.4
%
4,455
9.4
%
Industrial
4,497
8.7
%
4,143
8.7
%
Hotels
3,113
6.0
%
2,913
6.1
%
Retail
2,215
4.3
%
2,158
4.5
%
Other commercial1
3,805
7.4
%
3,352
7.0
%
Total commercial mortgage loans
28,534
55.3
%
26,612
55.9
%
Residential loans
23,083
44.7
%
20,957
44.1
%
Total mortgage loans, including related parties and consolidated VIEs
$
51,617
100.0
%
$
47,569
100.0
%
1Other commercial loans include investments in nursing homes, other healthcare institutions, parking garages, storage facilities and other commercial properties.
We invest a portion of our investment portfolio in mortgage loans, which are generally comprised of high quality commercial first lien and mezzanine real estate loans. Our mortgage loan holdings, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, were $51.6 billion and $47.6 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. This included $1.4 billion of mezzanine mortgage loans as of each of March 31,
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
2024 and December 31, 2023. We have acquired mortgage loans through acquisitions and reinsurance arrangements, as well as through an active program to invest in new mortgage loans. We invest in commercial mortgage loans (CML) on income producing properties including hotels, apartments, retail and office buildings, and other commercial and industrial properties. Our residential mortgage loan (RML) portfolio primarily consists of first lien RMLs collateralized by properties located in the US. Loan-to-value ratios at the time of loan approval are generally 75% or less.
We have elected the fair value option on our mortgage loan portfolio; therefore, we have no allowance for credit losses for commercial and residential mortgage loans. Interest income on mortgage loans is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income and prepayment fees are reported in net investment income on the condensed consolidated statements of income. Changes in the fair value of the mortgage loan portfolio are reported in investment related gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
It is our policy to cease to accrue interest on loans that are over 90 days delinquent. For loans less than 90 days delinquent, interest is accrued unless it is determined that the accrued interest is not collectible. If a loan becomes over 90 days delinquent, it is our general policy to initiate foreclosure proceedings unless a workout arrangement to bring the loan current is in place. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $750 million and $543 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that were 90 days past due, of which $192 million and $125 million, respectively, were in the process of foreclosure. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $107 million and $124 million of mortgage loans that were 90 days past due were related to Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) early buyouts that are fully or partially guaranteed and are accruing interest.
Investment Funds
Our investment funds investment strategy primarily focuses on funds with core holdings of strategic origination and insurance platforms and equity, hybrid, yield and other funds. Our investment funds generally meet the definition of a VIE, and in certain cases, these investment funds are consolidated in our financial statements because we meet the criteria of the primary beneficiary.
The following table illustrates our investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
Investment funds
Equity
$
84
0.5
%
$
82
0.5
%
Hybrid
19
0.1
%
20
0.1
%
Other
7
—
%
7
—
%
Total investment funds
110
0.6
%
109
0.6
%
Investment funds – related parties
Strategic origination platforms
47
0.3
%
47
0.3
%
Insurance platforms
1,299
7.0
%
1,300
7.4
%
Apollo and other fund investments
Equity
249
1.3
%
254
1.4
%
Yield
7
—
%
8
—
%
Other
24
0.1
%
23
0.1
%
Total investment funds – related parties
1,626
8.7
%
1,632
9.2
%
Investment funds owned by consolidated VIEs
Strategic origination platforms
5,854
31.6
%
5,594
31.7
%
Insurance platforms
471
2.5
%
483
2.7
%
Apollo and other fund investments
Equity
3,591
19.4
%
3,409
19.3
%
Hybrid
4,325
23.3
%
4,242
24.0
%
Yield
1,462
7.9
%
1,356
7.7
%
Other
1,113
6.0
%
843
4.8
%
Total investment funds owned by consolidated VIEs
16,816
90.7
%
15,927
90.2
%
Total investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs
$
18,552
100.0
%
$
17,668
100.0
%
Overall, total investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, were $18.6 billion and $17.7 billion, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. See Note 2 – Investments to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
how we account for our investment funds. Our investment fund portfolio is subject to a number of market-related risks including interest rate risk and equity market risk. Interest rate risk represents the potential for changes in the investment fund’s net asset values resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. Equity market risk represents potential for changes in the investment fund’s net asset values resulting from changes in equity markets or from other external factors which influence equity markets. These risks expose us to potential volatility in our earnings period-over-period. We actively monitor our exposure to these risks. The increase in investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, was primarily driven by additional contributions from third-party investors into AAA, a consolidated VIE, and favorable performance of the underlying investment funds held in AAA.
Funds Withheld at Interest
Funds withheld at interest represent a receivable for amounts contractually withheld by ceding companies in accordance with modco and funds withheld reinsurance agreements in which we act as the reinsurer. Generally, assets equal to statutory reserves are withheld and legally owned by the ceding company. We hold funds withheld at interest receivables, including those held with Venerable, Lincoln and Jackson. As of March 31, 2024, the majority of the ceding companies holding the assets pursuant to such reinsurance agreements had a financial strength rating of A or better (based on an A.M. Best scale).
The funds withheld at interest is comprised of the host contract and an embedded derivative. We are subject to the investment performance on the withheld assets with the total return directly impacting the host contract and the embedded derivative. Interest accrues at a risk-free rate on the host receivable and is recorded as net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The embedded derivative in our reinsurance agreements is similar to a total return swap on the income generated by the underlying assets held by the ceding companies. The change in the embedded derivative is recorded in investment related gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Although we do not legally own the underlying investments in the funds withheld at interest, in each instance, the ceding company has hired Apollo to manage the withheld assets in accordance with our investment guidelines.
The following summarizes the underlying investment composition of the funds withheld at interest, including related parties:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
Carrying Value
Percent of Total
Fixed maturity securities
Corporate
$
14,165
48.4
%
$
14,840
48.1
%
ABS
3,192
10.9
%
3,285
10.6
%
CLO
2,228
7.6
%
2,612
8.5
%
CMBS
681
2.3
%
688
2.2
%
RMBS
542
1.9
%
580
1.9
%
Foreign governments
312
1.1
%
328
1.1
%
US state, municipal and political subdivisions
189
0.7
%
188
0.6
%
Mortgage loans
5,005
17.1
%
5,277
17.1
%
Investment funds
852
2.9
%
827
2.7
%
Equity securities
372
1.3
%
351
1.1
%
Short-term investments
233
0.8
%
228
0.7
%
Derivative assets
156
0.5
%
113
0.4
%
Cash and cash equivalents
1,476
5.0
%
1,622
5.3
%
Other assets and liabilities
(145)
(0.5)
%
(106)
(0.3)
%
Total funds withheld at interest, including related parties
$
29,258
100.0
%
$
30,833
100.0
%
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held $29.3 billion and $30.8 billion, respectively, of funds withheld at interest receivables, including related parties. Approximately 94.9% and 95.0% of the fixed maturity securities within the funds withheld at interest are investment grade by NAIC designation as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The decrease in funds withheld at interest, including related parties, was primarily driven by run-off of the underlying blocks of business and unrealized losses during the three months ended March 31, 2024 attributable to an increase in US Treasury rates in 2024.
Derivative Instruments
We hold derivative instruments for economic hedging purposes to reduce our exposure to the cash flow variability of assets and liabilities, equity market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign exchange risk. The types of derivatives we may use include interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps and forward contracts, total return swaps, credit default swaps, variance swaps, futures and equity options.
A discussion regarding our derivative instruments and how such instruments are used to manage risk is included in Note 3 – Derivative
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Instruments to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
As part of our risk management strategies, management continually evaluates our derivative instrument holdings and the effectiveness of such holdings in addressing risks identified in our operations.
Net Invested Assets
The following summarizes our net invested assets:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Net Invested Asset Value1
Percent of Total
Net Invested Asset Value1
Percent of Total
Corporate
$
86,528
38.1
%
$
82,883
38.1
%
CLO
21,466
9.4
%
20,538
9.4
%
Credit
107,994
47.5
%
103,421
47.5
%
CML
27,008
11.9
%
25,977
11.9
%
RML
19,859
8.7
%
18,021
8.3
%
RMBS
7,741
3.4
%
7,795
3.6
%
CMBS
5,805
2.6
%
5,580
2.6
%
Real estate
60,413
26.6
%
57,373
26.4
%
ABS
23,897
10.5
%
22,202
10.2
%
Alternative investments
11,747
5.2
%
11,659
5.4
%
State, municipal, political subdivisions and foreign government
3,373
1.5
%
3,384
1.5
%
Equity securities
1,979
0.9
%
1,727
0.8
%
Short-term investments
859
0.4
%
1,048
0.5
%
US government and agencies
4,420
1.9
%
4,052
1.9
%
Other investments
46,275
20.4
%
44,072
20.3
%
Cash and equivalents
10,294
4.5
%
10,467
4.8
%
Policy loans and other
2,379
1.0
%
2,094
1.0
%
Net invested assets
$
227,355
100.0
%
$
217,427
100.0
%
1See Key Operating and Non-GAAP Measures for the definition of net invested assets.
Our net invested assets were $227.4 billion and $217.4 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, corporate securities included $23.5 billion of private placements, which represented 10.3% of our net invested assets. The increase in net invested assets was primarily driven by growth from net organic inflows of $14.6 billion in excess of net liability outflows of $6.7 billion, the issuance of debt in the first quarter of 2024 and the reinvestment of earnings.
In managing our business, we utilize net invested assets as presented in the above table. Net invested assets do not correspond to total investments, including related parties, on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, as discussed previously in Key Operating and Non-GAAP Measures. Net invested assets represent the investments that directly back our net reserve liabilities and surplus assets. We believe this view of our portfolio provides a view of the assets for which we have economic exposure. We adjust the presentation for assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions to include or exclude the underlying investments based upon the contractual transfer of economic exposure to such underlying investments. We also adjust for VIEs to show the net investment in the funds, which are included in the alternative investments line above as well as adjusting for the allowance for credit losses. Net invested assets include our proportionate share of ACRA investments, based on our economic ownership, but exclude the proportionate share of investments associated with the noncontrolling interests.
Net invested assets is utilized by management to evaluate our investment portfolio. Net invested assets is used in the computation of net investment earned rate, which allows us to analyze the profitability of our investment portfolio. Net invested assets is also used in our risk management processes for asset purchases, product design and underwriting, stress scenarios, liquidity and ALM.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Net Alternative Investments
The following summarizes our net alternative investments:
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In millions, except percentages)
Net Invested Asset Value
Percent of Total
Net Invested Asset Value
Percent of Total
Strategic origination platforms
Wheels
$
683
5.8
%
$
691
5.9
%
Redding Ridge
564
4.8
%
571
4.9
%
MidCap Financial
495
4.2
%
528
4.5
%
NNN Lease
428
3.6
%
459
3.9
%
Aqua Finance
269
2.3
%
215
1.8
%
PK AirFinance
241
2.1
%
251
2.2
%
Foundation Home Loans
229
1.9
%
242
2.1
%
Other
230
2.0
%
243
2.1
%
Total strategic origination platforms
3,139
26.7
%
3,200
27.4
%
Retirement services platforms
Athora
1,116
9.5
%
1,106
9.5
%
Catalina
372
3.2
%
382
3.3
%
FWD
358
3.0
%
358
3.1
%
Challenger
298
2.5
%
274
2.4
%
Venerable
184
1.6
%
181
1.5
%
Total retirement services platforms
2,328
19.8
%
2,301
19.8
%
Apollo and other fund investments
Equity
Traditional private equity
1,140
9.7
%
1,157
9.9
%
Real estate
884
7.5
%
969
8.3
%
Other
190
1.6
%
189
1.6
%
Total equity
2,214
18.8
%
2,315
19.8
%
Hybrid
Real estate
1,069
9.1
%
1,123
9.6
%
Other
1,465
12.5
%
1,479
12.7
%
Total hybrid
2,534
21.6
%
2,602
22.3
%
Yield
887
7.6
%
867
7.5
%
Total Apollo and other fund investments
5,635
48.0
%
5,784
49.6
%
Other1
645
5.5
%
374
3.2
%
Net alternative investments
$
11,747
100.0
%
$
11,659
100.0
%
1Other primarily includes cash and royalties.
Net alternative investments were $11.7 billion as of each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, representing 5.2% and 5.4% of our net invested asset portfolio as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, we hold approximately 70% of our net alternative investments through AAA and have a gross ownership percentage in AAA of approximately 66%.
Net alternative investments do not correspond to the total investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As previously discussed in the net invested assets section, we adjust the US GAAP presentation for assumed and ceded reinsurance as well as VIEs. We include certain equity securities in alternative investments due to their underlying characteristics and equity-like features.
Through our relationship with Apollo, we have indirectly invested in companies that meet the key characteristics we look for in net alternative investments. Athora, our largest alternative investment, is a strategic investment.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Athora
Athora is a specialized insurance and reinsurance group fully focused on the European market. Athora’s principal operational subsidiaries are Athora Netherlands N.V. in the Netherlands, Athora Belgium SA in Belgium, Athora Lebensversicherung AG in Germany, Athora Ireland plc in Ireland and Athora Life Re Ltd. in Bermuda. Athora deploys capital and resources to further its mission to build a stand-alone independent and integrated insurance and reinsurance business. Athora’s growth is achieved primarily through acquisitions, portfolio transfers and reinsurance. Athora is building a European insurance brand and has successfully acquired, integrated and transformed multiple insurance companies.
Our alternative investment in Athora had a carrying value of $1.1 billion as of each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Our investment in Athora represents our proportionate share of its net asset value, which largely reflects any contributions to and distributions from Athora and changes in its fair value. Athora returned a net investment earned rate of 3.56% and 11.68% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Alternative investment income from Athora was $10 million and $31 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in alternative investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily driven by higher debt costs and operating expenses compared to 2023.
Non-GAAP Measure Reconciliations
The reconciliation of net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder to spread related earnings is as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Net income available to Athene Holding Ltd. common stockholder
$
1,147
$
721
Preferred stock dividends
45
47
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
283
455
Net income
1,475
1,223
Income tax expense
307
163
Income before income taxes
1,782
1,386
Investment gains (losses), net of offsets
(22)
397
Non-operating change in insurance liabilities and related derivatives
673
(135)
Integration, restructuring and other non-operating expenses
(30)
(29)
Stock compensation expense
(13)
(16)
Preferred stock dividends
45
47
Noncontrolling interests – pre-tax income and VIE adjustments
313
435
Less: Total adjustments to income before income taxes
966
699
Spread related earnings
$
816
$
687
The reconciliation of total AHL stockholders’ equity to total adjusted AHL common stockholder’s equity is as follows:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Total AHL stockholders’ equity
$
14,760
$
13,838
Less: Preferred stock
3,154
3,154
Total AHL common stockholder’s equity
11,606
10,684
Less: Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(5,628)
(5,569)
Less: Accumulated change in fair value of reinsurance assets
(1,880)
(1,882)
Less: Accumulated change in fair value of mortgage loan assets
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The reconciliation of total investments, including related parties, to net invested assets is as follows:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Total investments, including related parties
$
254,239
$
238,941
Derivative assets
(7,159)
(5,298)
Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash)
16,825
14,781
Accrued investment income
2,332
1,933
Net receivable (payable) for collateral on derivatives
(4,293)
(2,835)
Reinsurance impacts
(1,358)
(572)
VIE assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests
14,979
14,818
Unrealized (gains) losses
17,809
16,445
Ceded policy loans
(171)
(174)
Net investment receivables (payables)
(950)
11
Allowance for credit losses
615
608
Other investments
(31)
(41)
Total adjustments to arrive at gross invested assets
38,598
39,676
Gross invested assets
292,837
278,617
ACRA noncontrolling interests
(65,482)
(61,190)
Net invested assets
$
227,355
$
217,427
The reconciliation of total investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs, to net alternative investments within net invested assets is as follows:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Investment funds, including related parties and consolidated VIEs
$
18,552
$
17,668
Equity securities
436
430
Certain equity securities included in AFS or trading securities
205
201
Investment funds within funds withheld at interest
852
827
Royalties
10
14
Net assets of the VIE, excluding investment funds
(5,178)
(4,508)
Unrealized (gains) losses
53
26
ACRA noncontrolling interests
(3,011)
(2,829)
Other assets
(172)
(170)
Total adjustments to arrive at net alternative investments
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The reconciliation of total liabilities to net reserve liabilities is as follows:
(In millions)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Total liabilities
$
297,423
$
279,344
Debt
(5,740)
(4,209)
Derivative liabilities
(2,429)
(1,995)
Payables for collateral on derivatives and securities to repurchase
(5,481)
(4,370)
Other liabilities
(4,195)
(2,590)
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs
(1,082)
(1,115)
Reinsurance impacts
(9,277)
(8,574)
Policy loans ceded
(171)
(174)
Market risk benefit asset
(383)
(377)
ACRA noncontrolling interests
(60,142)
(56,651)
Total adjustments to arrive at net reserve liabilities
(88,900)
(80,055)
Net reserve liabilities
$
208,523
$
199,289
Liquidity and Capital Resources
There are two forms of liquidity relevant to our business: funding liquidity and balance sheet liquidity. Funding liquidity relates to the ability to fund operations. Balance sheet liquidity relates to our ability to liquidate or rebalance our balance sheet without incurring significant costs from fees, bid-offer spreads, or market impact. We manage our liquidity position by matching projected cash demands with adequate sources of cash and other liquid assets. Our principal sources of liquidity, in the ordinary course of business, are operating cash flows and holdings of cash, cash equivalents and other readily marketable assets.
Our investment portfolio is structured to ensure a strong liquidity position over time to permit timely payment of policy and contract benefits without requiring asset sales at inopportune times or at depressed prices. In general, liquid assets include cash and cash equivalents, highly rated bonds, short-term investments, unaffiliated preferred stock and public common stock, all of which generally have liquid markets with a large number of buyers, but excludes pledged assets, mainly associated with funding agreement and repurchase agreement liabilities. The carrying value of these assets, excluding assets within modified coinsurance and funds withheld portfolios, as of March 31, 2024 was $116.2 billion. Assets included in modified coinsurance and funds withheld portfolios, including assets held in reinsurance trusts, are available to fund the benefits for the associated obligations but are restricted from other uses. The carrying value of the underlying assets in these modified coinsurance and funds withheld portfolios that we consider liquid as of March 31, 2024 was $14.6 billion. Although our investment portfolio does contain assets that are generally considered illiquid for liquidity monitoring purposes (primarily mortgage loans, policy loans, real estate, investment funds and affiliated common stock), there is some ability to raise cash from these assets if needed. In periods of economic downturn, we may maintain higher cash balances than required to manage our liquidity risk and to take advantage of market dislocations as they arise. We have access to additional liquidity through our credit facility and liquidity facility. The credit facility has a borrowing capacity of $1.25 billion, subject to being increased up to $1.75 billion in total on the terms described in the credit facility. The credit facility has a commitment termination date of June 30, 2028, subject to up to two one-year extensions, and was undrawn as of March 31, 2024. The liquidity facility has a borrowing capacity of $2.6 billion, subject to being increased up to $3.1 billion in total on the terms described in the liquidity facility. The liquidity facility has an initial 364-day term, subject to additional 364-day extensions, and was undrawn as of March 31, 2024. We also have access to $2.0 billion of committed repurchase facilities. Our registration statement on Form S-3 ASR (Shelf Registration Statement) provides us with access to the capital markets, subject to market conditions and other factors. We are also the counterparty to repurchase agreements with several different financial institutions, pursuant to which we may obtain short-term liquidity, to the extent available. In addition, through our membership in the FHLB, we are eligible to borrow under variable rate short-term federal funds arrangements to provide additional liquidity.
We proactively manage our liquidity position to meet cash needs while minimizing adverse impacts on investment returns. We analyze our cash-flow liquidity over the upcoming 12 months by modeling potential demands on liquidity under a variety of scenarios, taking into account the provisions of our policies and contracts in force, our cash flow position, and the volume of cash and readily marketable securities in our portfolio.
Liquidity risk is monitored, managed and mitigated through a number of stress tests and analyses to assess our ability to meet our cash flow requirements, as well as the ability of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries to meet their collateral obligations, under various stress scenarios. We further seek to mitigate liquidity risk by maintaining access to alternative, external sources of liquidity as described below.
Our liquidity risk management framework is codified in the company’s Liquidity Risk Policy that is reviewed and approved by our board of directors.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Insurance Subsidiaries’ Liquidity
Operations
The primary cash flow sources for our insurance subsidiaries include retirement services product inflows (premiums and deposits), investment income, principal repayments on our investments, net transfers from separate accounts and financial product inflows. Uses of cash include investment purchases, payments to policyholders for surrenders, withdrawals and payout benefits, interest and principal payments on funding agreements, payments to satisfy pension group annuity obligations, policy acquisition and general operating costs and payment of cash dividends.
Our policyholder obligations are generally long-term in nature. However, policyholders may elect to withdraw some, or all, of their account value in amounts that exceed our estimates and assumptions over the life of an annuity contract. We include provisions within our annuity policies, such as surrender charges and MVAs, which are intended to protect us from early withdrawals. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately 80% and 79%, respectively, of our deferred annuity liabilities were subject to penalty upon surrender. In addition, as of each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately 64% of policies contained MVAs that may also have the effect of limiting early withdrawals if interest rates increase but may encourage early withdrawals by effectively subsidizing a portion of surrender charges when interest rates decrease. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 29% of our net reserve liabilities were generally non-surrenderable, including buy-out pension group annuities other than those that can be withdrawn as lump sums, funding agreements and payout annuities, while 56% were subject to penalty upon surrender.
Membership in Federal Home Loan Bank
Through our membership in the FHLB, we are eligible to borrow under variable rate short-term federal funds arrangements to provide additional liquidity. The borrowings must be secured by eligible collateral such as mortgage loans, eligible CMBS or RMBS, government or agency securities and guaranteed loans. As of each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding borrowings under these arrangements.
We have issued funding agreements to the FHLB. These funding agreements were issued in an investment spread strategy, consistent with other investment spread operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had funding agreements outstanding with the FHLB in the aggregate principal amount of $7.6 billion and $6.5 billion, respectively.
The maximum FHLB indebtedness by a member is determined by the amount of collateral pledged and cannot exceed a specified percentage of the member’s total statutory assets dependent on the internal credit rating assigned to the member by the FHLB. As of March 31, 2024, our total maximum borrowing capacity under the FHLB facilities was limited to $47.8 billion. However, our ability to borrow under the facilities is constrained by the availability of assets that qualify as eligible collateral under the facilities and certain other limitations. Considering these limitations, as of March 31, 2024, we had the ability to draw up to an estimated $12.1 billion, inclusive of borrowings then outstanding. This estimate is based on our internal analysis and assumptions and may not accurately measure collateral which is ultimately acceptable to the FHLB.
Securities Repurchase Agreements
We engage in repurchase transactions whereby we sell fixed income securities to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms or commercial banks, with a concurrent agreement to repurchase such securities at a determined future date. We require that, at all times during the term of the repurchase agreements, we maintain sufficient cash or other liquid assets sufficient to allow us to fund substantially all of the repurchase price. Proceeds received from the sale of securities pursuant to these arrangements are generally invested in short-term investments or maintained in cash, with the offsetting obligation to repurchase the security included within payables for collateral on derivatives and securities to repurchase on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As per the terms of the repurchase agreements, we monitor the market value of the securities sold and may be required to deliver additional collateral (which may be in the form of cash or additional securities) to the extent that the value of the securities sold decreases prior to the repurchase date.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the payables for repurchase agreements were $2.7 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively, while the fair value of securities and collateral held by counterparties backing the repurchase agreements was $2.8 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, payables for repurchase agreements were comprised of no short-term and $2.7 billion of long-term repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2023, payables for repurchase agreements were comprised of $686 million of short-term and $3.2 billion of long-term repurchase agreements.
We have a $1.0 billion committed repurchase facility with BNP Paribas. The facility has an initial commitment period of 12 months and automatically renews for successive 12-month periods until terminated by either party. During the commitment period, we may sell and BNP Paribas is required to purchase eligible investment grade corporate bonds pursuant to repurchase transactions at pre-agreed discounts in exchange for a commitment fee. As of March 31, 2024, we had no outstanding payables under this facility.
We have a $1.0 billion committed repurchase facility with Societe Generale. The facility has a commitment term of 5 years, however, either party may terminate the facility upon 24-months’ notice, in which case the facility will end upon the earlier of (1) such designated termination date, or (2) July 26, 2026. During the commitment period, we may sell and Societe Generale is required to purchase eligible investment grade
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
corporate bonds pursuant to repurchase transactions at pre-agreed rates in exchange for an ongoing commitment fee for the facility. As of March 31, 2024, we had no outstanding payables under this facility.
Cash Flows
Our cash flows were as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
(In millions)
2024
2023
Net income
$
1,475
$
1,223
Non-cash revenues and expenses
(1,290)
(1,148)
Net cash provided by operating activities
185
75
Sales, maturities and repayments of investments
9,546
5,770
Purchases of investments
(26,218)
(12,096)
Other investing activities
297
407
Net cash used in investing activities
(16,375)
(5,919)
Inflows on investment-type policies and contracts
20,803
12,006
Withdrawals on investment-type policies and contracts
(4,786)
(2,707)
Other financing activities
2,214
3,419
Net cash provided by financing activities
18,231
12,718
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2)
3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents1
$
2,039
$
6,877
1Includes cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents of consolidated variable interest entities.
Cash flows from operating activities
The primary cash inflows from operating activities include net investment income, annuity considerations and insurance premiums. The primary cash outflows from operating activities are comprised of benefit payments and operating expenses. Our operating activities generated cash flows totaling $185 million and $75 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in net investment income, partially offset by greater pension group annuity benefit payments, net of cash inflows, and an increase in cash paid for policy acquisition and other operating expenses.
Cash flows from investing activities
The primary cash inflows from investing activities are the sales, maturities and repayments of investments. The primary cash outflows from investing activities are the purchases and acquisitions of new investments. Our investing activities used cash flows totaling $16.4 billion and $5.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in the purchases of investments due to the deployment of greater cash inflows from strong organic growth compared to 2023, partially offset by an increase in sales, maturities and repayments of investments.
Cash flows from financing activities
The primary cash inflows from financing activities are inflows on our investment-type policies and contracts, changes of cash collateral posted for derivative transactions, capital contributions and proceeds from debt and preferred stock issuances. The primary cash outflows from financing activities are withdrawals on our investment-type policies and contracts, changes of cash collateral posted for derivative transactions, capital distributions, repayments of outstanding borrowings and payment of preferred and common stock dividends. Our financing activities provided cash flows totaling $18.2 billion and $12.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily attributed to higher cash received from funding agreement, flow reinsurance and retail inflows, net of cash outflows, the issuance of $1.6 billion of debt in 2024, a favorable change in cash collateral posted for derivative transactions related to more favorable equity market performance in 2024 compared to 2023, an increase in net capital contributions from noncontrolling interests and the payment of less common stock dividends as 2023 included the payment of the fourth quarter 2022 common stock dividend. These increases were partially offset by cash paid to settle some of the outstanding short-term and long-term repurchase agreements in 2024 compared to cash received from the issuance of significant short-term repurchase agreements in 2023.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Material Cash Obligations
The following table summarizes estimated future cash obligations as of March 31, 2024:
Payments Due by Period
(In millions)
2024
2025-2026
2027-2028
2029 and thereafter
Total
Interest sensitive contract liabilities
$
15,242
$
41,741
$
63,983
$
99,268
$
220,234
Future policy benefits
2,013
5,485
5,284
38,890
51,672
Market risk benefits
—
—
—
5,597
5,597
Other policy claims and benefits
108
—
—
—
108
Dividends payable to policyholders
6
14
13
60
93
Debt1
198
585
1,565
8,891
11,239
Securities to repurchase2
113
1,631
1,302
—
3,046
Total
$
17,680
$
49,456
$
72,147
$
152,706
$
291,989
1 The obligations for debt payments include contractual maturities of principal and estimated future interest payments based on the terms of the debt agreements.
2 The obligations for securities to repurchase payments include contractual maturities of principal and estimated future interest payments based on the terms of the agreements. Future interest payments on floating rate repurchase agreements were calculated using the March 31, 2024 interest rate.
Atlas Securitized Products Holdings LP
In connection with our, Apollo and CS’s previously announced transaction, certain subsidiaries of Atlas, which is owned by AAA, acquired certain assets of the CS Securitized Products Group (the Transaction). Under the terms of the Transaction, Atlas originally agreed to pay CS $3.3 billion by February 8, 2028. In March 2024, in connection with Atlas concluding its investment management agreement with CS, the deferred purchase obligation amount was reduced to $2.5 billion. In addition, certain strategic investors have made equity commitments to Atlas which therefore obligates these investors for a portion of the deferred purchase price obligation. This deferred purchase price is an obligation first of Atlas, and (as a result of additional guarantees provided by AAA, AAM and AHL) second of AAA, third of AAM, fourth of AHL and fifth of AARe. AARe and AAM have each issued an assurance letter to CS for the full deferred purchase obligation amount of $3.3 billion. Our guarantees are not probable of payment, hence there are no liabilities recorded for the guarantees on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In exchange for the purchase price, Atlas originally received approximately $0.4 billion in cash and a portfolio of senior secured warehouse assets, subject to debt, with approximately $1 billion of tangible equity value. These warehouse assets are senior secured assets at industry standard loan-to-value ratios, structured to investment grade-equivalent criteria, and were approved by Atlas in connection with this Transaction. Atlas will collect $0.4 billion of fees under the investment management agreement with CS through June 2024, including payments already received and transition and termination payments. Finally, Atlas also benefits generally from the net spread earned on its assets in excess of its cost of financing.
Holding Company Liquidity
Common Stock Dividends
We intend to pay regular common stock dividends to our parent company of $750 million per year, generally paid at the end of each quarter; provided that the declaration and payment of any dividends are at the sole discretion of our board of directors, which may change the dividend policy at any time, including, without limitation, to eliminate the dividend entirely.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we declared common stock cash dividends of $187 million on February 15, 2024, payable to the holder of AHL’s common stock with a record date of March 12, 2024 and payment date of March 15, 2024.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we declared and paid common stock cash dividends of $374 million, including payment of the fourth quarter 2022 dividend in the first quarter of 2023.
Dividends from Subsidiaries
AHL is a holding company whose primary liquidity needs include the cash-flow requirements relating to its corporate activities, including its day-to-day operations, debt servicing, preferred and common stock dividend payments and strategic transactions, such as acquisitions. The primary source of AHL’s cash flow is dividends from its subsidiaries, which are expected to be adequate to fund cash flow requirements based on current estimates of future obligations.
The ability of AHL’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions where the subsidiaries are domiciled, as well as agreements entered into with regulators. These laws and regulations require, among other things, the insurance subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Subject to these limitations and prior notification to the appropriate regulatory agency, the US insurance subsidiaries are permitted to pay ordinary dividends based on calculations specified under insurance laws of the relevant state of domicile. Any distributions above the amount permitted by statute in any twelve-month period are considered to be extraordinary dividends, and require the approval of the appropriate regulator prior to payment. AHL does not currently plan on having the US subsidiaries pay any dividends to their parents.
Dividends from subsidiaries are projected to be the primary source of AHL’s liquidity. Under the Bermuda Insurance Act, each of our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries is prohibited from paying a dividend in an amount exceeding 25% of the prior year’s statutory capital and surplus, unless at least two members of the board of directors of the Bermuda insurance subsidiary and its principal representative in Bermuda sign and submit to the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) an affidavit attesting that a dividend in excess of this amount would not cause the Bermuda insurance subsidiary to fail to meet its relevant margins. In certain instances, the Bermuda insurance subsidiary would also be required to provide prior notice to the BMA in advance of the payment of dividends. In the event that such an affidavit is submitted to the BMA in accordance with the Bermuda Insurance Act, and further subject to the Bermuda insurance subsidiary meeting its relevant margins, the Bermuda insurance subsidiary is permitted to distribute up to the sum of 100% of statutory surplus and an amount less than 15% of its total statutory capital. Distributions in excess of this amount require the approval of the BMA.
The maximum distribution permitted by law or contract is not necessarily indicative of our actual ability to pay such distributions, which may be further restricted by business and other considerations, such as the impact of such distributions on surplus, which could affect our ratings or competitive position and the amount of premiums that can be written. Specifically, the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from rating agencies, including S&P, AM Best, Fitch and Moody’s, is of particular concern when determining the amount of capital available for distributions. AHL believes its insurance subsidiaries have sufficient statutory capital and surplus, combined with additional capital available to be provided by AHL, to meet their financial strength ratings objectives. Finally, state insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries following any dividend or distribution must be reasonable in relation to their outstanding liabilities and adequate for the insurance subsidiaries’ financial needs.
Other Sources of Funding
We may seek to secure additional funding at the holding company level by means other than dividends from subsidiaries, such as by drawing on our undrawn $1.25 billion credit facility, drawing on our undrawn $2.6 billion liquidity facility or by pursuing future issuances of debt or preferred stock to third-party investors. Certain other sources of liquidity potentially available at the holding company level are discussed below. Our credit facility contains various standard covenants with which we must comply, including maintaining a consolidated debt-to-capitalization ratio of not greater than 35%, maintaining a minimum consolidated net worth of no less than $14.8 billion and restrictions on our ability to incur liens, with certain exceptions. Rates, ratios and terms are as defined in the credit facility. Our liquidity facility also contains various standard covenants with which we must comply, including maintaining an ALRe minimum consolidated net worth of no less than $8.8 billion and restrictions on our ability to incur liens, with certain exceptions. Rates and terms are as defined in the liquidity facility.
Shelf Registration – Under our Shelf Registration Statement, subject to market conditions, we have the ability to issue, in indeterminate amounts, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and units.
Debt – The following summarizes our outstanding long-term senior and subordinated notes (in millions, except percentages):
Issuance
Issue Date
Maturity Date
Interest Rate
Principal Balance
2028 Senior Notes
January 12, 2018
January 12, 2028
4.125%
$1,000
2030 Senior Notes
April 3, 2020
April 3, 2030
6.150%
$500
2031 Senior Notes
October 8, 2020
January 15, 2031
3.500%
$500
2051 Senior Notes
May 25, 2021
May 25, 2051
3.950%
$500
2052 Senior Notes
December 13, 2021
May 15, 2052
3.450%
$500
2033 Senior Notes
November 21, 2022
February 1, 2033
6.650%
$400
2034 Senior Notes
December 12, 2023
January 15, 2034
5.875%
$600
2064 Subordinated Notes
March 7, 2024
March 30, 2064
7.250%1
$575
2054 Senior Notes
March 22, 2024
April 1, 2054
6.250%
$1,000
1 The 2064 Subordinated Notes bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 7.250% until March 30, 2029. On March 30, 2029, and every fifth annual anniversary thereafter, the interest rate resets to the five-year US Treasury rate (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) plus 2.986%.
See Note 8 – Debt to the condensed consolidated financial statements and Note 12 – Debt to the consolidated financial statements in our 2023 Annual Report for further information on debt.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Preferred Stock – The following summarizes our perpetual non-cumulative preferred stock issuances (in millions, except share, per share data and percentages):
Issuance
Fixed/Floating
Rate
Issue Date
Optional Redemption Date1
Shares Issued
Par Value Per Share
Liquidation Value Per Share
Aggregate Net Proceeds
Series A
Fixed-to-Floating Rate
6.350%
June 10, 2019
June 30, 2029
34,500
$1.00
$25,000
$839
Series B
Fixed-Rate
5.625%
September 19, 2019
September 30, 2024
13,800
$1.00
$25,000
$333
Series C
Fixed-Rate Reset
6.375%
June 11, 2020
Variable2
24,000
$1.00
$25,000
$583
Series D
Fixed-Rate
4.875%
December 18, 2020
December 30, 2025
23,000
$1.00
$25,000
$557
Series E
Fixed-Rate Reset
7.750%
December 12, 2022
Variable3
20,000
$1.00
$25,000
$487
1 We may redeem preferred stock anytime on or after the dates set forth in this column, subject to the terms of the applicable certificate of designations.
2We may redeem during a period from and including June 30 of each year in which there is a Reset Date to and including such Reset Date. Reset Date means September 30, 2025 and each date falling on the fifth anniversary of the preceding Reset Date.
3 We may redeem during a period from and including December 30 of each year in which there is a Reset Date to and including such Reset Date. Reset Date means December 30, 2027 and each date falling on the fifth anniversary of the preceding Reset Date.
See Note 13 – Equity to the consolidated financial statements in our 2023 Annual Report for further information on preferred stock.
Unsecured Revolving Promissory Note Payable with AGM – AHL has an unsecured revolving promissory note with AGM which allows AHL to borrow funds from AGM. The note has a borrowing capacity of $500 million and maturity date of December 13, 2025, or earlier at AGM’s request. There was no outstanding balance on the note payable as of March 31, 2024.
Intercompany Note – AHL has an unsecured revolving note payable with ALRe, which permits AHL to borrow up to $4.0 billion with a fixed interest rate of 2.29% and a maturity date of December 15, 2028. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the revolving note payable had an outstanding balance of $886 million and $486 million, respectively.
Capital
We believe we have a strong capital position and are well positioned to meet policyholder and other obligations. We measure capital sufficiency using an internal capital model which reflects management’s view on the various risks inherent to our business, the amount of capital required to support our core operating strategies and the amount of capital necessary to maintain our current ratings in a recessionary environment. The amount of capital required to support our core operating strategies is determined based upon internal modeling and analysis of economic risk, as well as inputs from rating agency capital models and consideration of both NAIC risk-based capital (RBC) and Bermuda capital requirements. Capital in excess of this required amount is considered excess equity capital, which is available to deploy.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our US insurance companies’ total adjusted capital (TAC), as defined by the NAIC, was $5.8 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively, and our US RBC ratio was 392% and 387%, respectively. Each US domestic insurance subsidiary’s state of domicile imposes minimum RBC requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for determining the amount of RBC specify various weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of TAC to its authorized control level RBC. Our TAC was significantly in excess of all regulatory standards as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Bermuda statutory capital and surplus for our Bermuda insurance companies in aggregate was $14.6 billion and $14.8 billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our Bermuda insurance companies adhere to BMA regulatory capital requirements to maintain statutory capital and surplus to meet the minimum margin of solvency and maintain minimum economic balance sheet (EBS) capital and surplus to meet the enhanced capital requirement. Under the EBS framework, assets are recorded at market value and insurance reserves are determined by reference to nine prescribed scenarios, with the scenario resulting in the highest reserve balance being ultimately required to be selected. For the Bermuda group, which includes the capital and surplus of AARe and all of its subsidiaries, including Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company (AADE) and its subsidiaries, EBS capital and surplus was $26.6 billion and $21.9 billion, resulting in a Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement (BSCR) ratio of 291% and 278% as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. An insurer must have a BSCR ratio of 100% or greater to be considered solvent by the BMA. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our Bermuda insurance companies held the appropriate capital to adhere to these regulatory standards. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our Bermuda RBC ratio was 400% and 407%, respectively. The Bermuda RBC ratio is calculated by applying the NAIC RBC factors to the statutory financial statements of our non-US reinsurance subsidiaries on an aggregate basis with certain adjustments made by management as described in the glossary. The statutory capital and surplus and RBC of our Bermuda insurance companies presented herein exclude the impact of any deferred taxes that may be recorded on a statutory basis as a result of the Bermuda CIT. We are currently assessing deferred taxes that may be recorded on a statutory basis as a result of the Bermuda CIT, which could have a positive impact on the statutory capital and surplus of our Bermuda insurance companies.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our consolidated statutory capital and surplus in the aggregate was $21.8 billion and $20.1 billion, respectively, and our consolidated RBC ratio was 412% and 416%, respectively. Our consolidated regulatory capital represents the aggregate capital of our US and Bermuda insurance entities, determined with respect to each insurance entity by applying the statutory accounting
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
principles applicable to each such entity with adjustments made to, among other things, assets and expenses at the holding company level. The consolidated RBC ratio is calculated by applying the NAIC RBC factors to the statutory financial statements of our non-US reinsurance and US reinsurance subsidiaries on an aggregate basis, including interests in other non-insurance subsidiary holding companies, with certain adjustments made by management to our Bermuda and non-insurance holding companies. See Glossary of Selected Terms – Consolidated RBC for further information.
ACRA 1 – ACRA 1 provided us with access to on-demand capital to support our growth strategies and capital deployment opportunities. ACRA 1 provided a capital source to fund both our inorganic and organic channels.
ACRA 2 – Similar to ACRA 1, we funded ACRA 2 in December 2022 as another long-duration, on-demand capital vehicle. Effective July 1, 2023, ALRe sold 50% of its non-voting, economic interests in ACRA 2 to ADIP II for $640 million, while maintaining all of ACRA 2’s voting interests. Effective December 31, 2023, ACRA 2 repurchased a portion of its shares held by ALRe, which increased ADIP II’s ownership of economic interests in ACRA 2 to 60%, with ALRe owning the remaining 40% of the economic interests. ACRA 2 participates in certain transactions by drawing a portion of the required capital for such transactions from third-party investors equal to ADIP II’s proportionate economic interest in ACRA 2.
These strategic capital solutions allow us the flexibility to simultaneously deploy capital across multiple accretive avenues, while maintaining a strong financial position.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Amounts based on such estimates involve numerous assumptions subject to varying and potentially significant degrees of judgment and uncertainty, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business, and will likely change in the future as additional information becomes available. Critical estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis based on historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that is reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to estimates and assumptions and that reported results of operations will not be materially affected by the need to make future accounting adjustments to reflect periodic changes in these estimates and assumptions. Critical accounting estimates are impacted significantly by our methods, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our significant accounting policies described in Note 1 – Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements of our 2023 Annual Report. The most critical accounting estimates and judgments include those used in determining:
•fair value of investments;
•impairment of investments and allowances for expected credit losses;
•derivatives valuation, including embedded derivatives;
•future policy benefits;
•market risk benefits;
•consolidation of VIEs; and
•income taxes.
The above critical accounting estimates and judgments are discussed in detail in Part II—Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments of our 2023 Annual Report.
For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements affecting us, see Note 1 – Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks
We regularly analyze our exposure to market risks, which reflect potential losses in value due to credit and counterparty risk, interest rate risk, currency risk, commodity price risk, equity price risk and inflation risk. As a result of that analysis, we have determined that we are primarily exposed to credit risk, interest rate risk, equity price risk and inflation risk. A description of our market risk exposures, including strategies used to manage our exposure to market risk, may be found under Part II—Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks of our 2023 Annual Report.
There have been no material changes to our market risk exposures from those previously disclosed in our 2023 Annual Report, except as described below.
We assess interest rate exposure for financial assets and liabilities using hypothetical stress tests and exposure analyses. Assuming all other factors are constant, if there was an immediate parallel increase in interest rates of 100 basis points from levels as of March 31, 2024, we estimate a net decrease to our point-in-time income before income taxes from changes in the fair value of these financial instruments of $2.5 billion, net of offsets. If there was a similar parallel increase in interest rates from levels as of December 31, 2023, we estimate a net decrease to our point-in-time income before income taxes from changes in the fair value of these financial instruments of $2.5 billion, net of offsets. The financial instruments included in the sensitivity analysis are carried at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. These financial instruments include derivative instruments, embedded derivatives, mortgage loans, certain fixed maturity securities and market risk benefits. The sensitivity analysis excludes those financial instruments carried at fair value for which changes in fair value are recognized in equity, such as AFS fixed maturity securities.
Assuming a 25 basis point increase in interest rates that persists for a 12-month period, the estimated impact to spread related earnings due to the change in net investment spread from floating rate assets and liabilities would be an increase of approximately $30 – $40 million, and a 25 basis point decrease would generally result in a similar decrease. This is calculated without regard to future changes to assumptions. The decrease in sensitivity to spread related earnings due to the change in net investment spread from floating rate assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2024, when compared to December 31, 2023, was driven by the decrease in our net floating rate position related to hedging actions as well as additional issuances of floating rate funding agreements.
We are unable to make forward-looking estimates regarding the impact on net income or spread related earnings of changes in interest rates that persist for a longer period of time, or changes in the shape of the yield curve over time, as a result of an inability to determine how such changes will affect certain of the items that we characterize as “adjustments to income before income taxes” in our reconciliation between net income available to AHL common stockholder and spread related earnings. See Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Measure Reconciliations for the reconciliation of net income available to AHL common stockholder to spread related earnings. The impact of changing rates on these adjustments is likely to be significant. See above for a discussion regarding the estimated impact on income before income taxes of an immediate, parallel increase in interest rates of 100 basis points from levels as of March 31, 2024, which discussion encompasses the impact of such an increase on certain of the adjustment items.
The models used to estimate the impact of changes in market interest rates incorporate numerous assumptions, require significant estimates and assume an immediate change in interest rates without any discretionary management action to counteract such a change. Consequently, potential changes in our valuations indicated by these simulations will likely be different from the actual changes experienced under any given interest rate scenarios and these differences may be material. Because we actively manage our assets and liabilities, the net exposure to interest rates can vary over time. However, any such decreases in the fair value of fixed maturity securities, unless related to credit concerns of the issuer requiring recognition of credit losses, would generally be realized only if we were required to sell such securities at losses to meet liquidity needs.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and our management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. We have carried out an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at attaining the level of reasonable assurance noted above.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We are subject to litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business, including litigation principally relating to our FIA business. We cannot assure you that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover all liabilities arising out of such claims. The outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against us are subject to significant uncertainty. There is significant judgment required in assessing both the probability of an adverse outcome and the determination as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. In management’s opinion, the ultimate disposition of any current legal proceeding or claim brought against us will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Litigation is, however, inherently uncertain and an adverse outcome from such litigation could have a material effect on the operating results of a particular reporting period.
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business and like others in the insurance and financial services industries, we receive requests for information from government agencies in connection with such agencies’ regulatory or investigatory authority. Such requests can include financial or market conduct examinations, subpoenas or demand letters for documents to assist the government in audits or investigations. We and each of our US insurance subsidiaries review such requests and notices and take appropriate action. We have been subject to certain requests for information and investigations in the past and could be subject to them in the future.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following should be read in conjunction with the risk factors that may affect our business or operations described in Part I–Item 1A. Risk Factors of our 2023 Annual Report. Other than as described in this Item 1A, there have been no material changes to our risk factors from those previously disclosed in our 2023 Annual Report.
The following updates and supplements the risk factors described in our 2023 Annual Report:
We or our business may be the target or subject of, and we may be required to defend against or respond to, litigation, regulatory investigations, enforcement actions or reputational harm.
We operate in an industry in which various practices are subject to potential litigation, including class actions and regulatory scrutiny. We, like other financial services companies, are involved in litigation and arbitration in the ordinary course of business and may be the subject of regulatory proceedings (including investigations and enforcement actions). Plaintiffs may seek large or indeterminate amounts of damages in litigation and regulators may seek large fines in enforcement actions. Given the large or indeterminate amounts sometimes sought, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation and enforcement actions, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more matters could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See Item 1. Legal Proceedings and Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the condensed consolidated financial statements for certain matters to which we are a party, if any. Even if we ultimately prevail in any litigation or receive positive results from investigations, we could incur material legal costs, or our reputation could be materially adversely affected.
Beginning in March 2024, four putative class actions were filed in federal courts in the United States against certain of our customers, in their respective capacities as plan sponsors, alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in connection with their transfer of pension obligations under defined benefit plans governed under ERISA and their purchase of pension group annuity (PGA) contracts from us. The lawsuits seek, inter alia, that defendants guarantee the annuities purchased from us and disgorge any profits earned from the transactions. Although we are not a named defendant, the lawsuits make several negative allegations about us and our business, which we believe to be untrue. Negative public perceptions of us and our business could adversely affect (and may have already adversely affected) our ability to attract and retain customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, these lawsuits could lead to increased regulatory and governmental scrutiny of our business and the industry overall, and/or result in us becoming involved in these lawsuits or even being named as a defendant in future lawsuits related to our PGA business, which could result in additional expenses, adverse regulations and oversight, and/or additional reputational harm. These lawsuits could also spur similar copycat lawsuits, which could further impact our PGA business. To the extent that the inflows in our PGA business are negatively impacted by these lawsuits and any related regulatory and governmental scrutiny, we may seek to increase our inflows in our other distribution channels, including by issuing additional funding agreements within our institutional channel. However, there are no assurances that we would be successful in replacing any PGA inflows with inflows from other distribution channels or that such other inflows would result in comparable spreads.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of AHL adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately below are filed as part of this report, which Exhibit Index is incorporated by reference herein.
XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
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.
ATHENE HOLDING LTD.
Date: May 7, 2024
/s/ Martin P. Klein
Martin P. Klein
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer and duly authorized signatory)