NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company ("we", "us", "our" or "parent company"), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company ("American Equity Life"), American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company of New York ("American Equity Life of New York") and Eagle Life Insurance Company ("Eagle Life"), is licensed to sell insurance products in 50 states and the District of Columbia at December 31, 2021. We operate solely in the insurance business.
We market fixed index and fixed rate annuities. Annuity deposits (net of coinsurance) collected in 2021, 2020 and 2019, by product type were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| Product Type | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Fixed index annuities | | $ | 3,026,211 | | | $ | 2,309,580 | | | $ | 4,603,490 | |
| Annual reset fixed rate annuities | | 6,000 | | | 7,846 | | | 10,665 | |
| Multi-year fixed rate annuities | | 2,452,994 | | | 1,295,843 | | | 47,016 | |
| Single premium immediate annuities (SPIA) | | 59,816 | | | 33,461 | | | 12,002 | |
| | $ | 5,545,021 | | | $ | 3,646,730 | | | $ | 4,673,173 | |
Agents contracted with us through two national marketing organizations accounted for more than 10% of annuity deposits we collected during 2021 representing 14% and 11%, individually, of the annuity deposits collected. Agents contracted with us through two national marketing organization accounted for more than 10% of annuity deposits we collected during 2020 representing 17% and 10%, individually, of the annuity deposits collected. Agents contracted with us through two national marketing organization accounted for more than 10% of annuity deposits we collected during 2019 representing 24% and 14%, individually, of the annuity deposits collected.
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and our wholly-owned subsidiaries: American Equity Life, American Equity Life of New York, Eagle Life, AERL, L.C., AE Capital, LLC., American Equity Investment Properties, L.C., High Trestle Investment Management, LLC., AEL RE Vermont, Inc., AEL Re Bermuda, Ltd, and NC Securities Holdco, LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
In addition, our consolidated financial statements include variable interest entities (VIEs) in which we are the primary beneficiary. We have relationships with various special purpose entities and other legal entities that must be evaluated to determine if the entities meet the criteria of a VIE. This assessment is performed by reviewing contractual, ownership and other rights and requires use of judgment. First, we determine if we hold a variable interest in an entity by assessing if we have the right to receive expected losses and expected residual returns of the entity. If we hold a variable interest, then the entity is assessed to determine if it is a VIE. An entity is a VIE if the equity at risk is not sufficient to support its activities, if the equity holders lack a controlling financial interest or if the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights. In addition to the previous criteria, if the entity is a limited partnership or similar entity, it is a VIE if the limited partners do not have the power to direct the entity’s most significant activities through substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. A VIE is evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the enterprise with (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When we are the primary beneficiary, we are required to consolidate the entity in our financial statements. We reassess our involvement with VIEs on a quarterly basis. For further information about VIEs, refer to Note 6 – Variable Interest Entities.
Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions are utilized in the calculation of deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, policy benefit reserves, including the liability for lifetime income benefit riders and the fair value of embedded derivatives in fixed index annuity contracts, valuation of derivatives, valuation of investments, allowances for credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, allowances for loan losses on mortgage loans and valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. A description of each critical
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
estimate is incorporated within the discussion of the related accounting policies which follow. It is reasonably possible that actual experience could differ from the estimates and assumptions utilized.
Investments
Fixed maturity securities (bonds maturing more than one year after issuance) that may be sold prior to maturity are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized gains and losses, if any, on these securities are included directly in a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of income taxes and certain adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements and policy benefit reserves. Fair values, as reported herein, of fixed maturity securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets when available, or for those fixed maturity securities not actively traded, yield data and other factors relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics are used. See Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments for more information on the determination of fair value. Premiums and discounts are amortized/accrued using methods which result in a constant yield over the securities' expected lives. Amortization/accrual of premiums and discounts on residential and commercial mortgage backed securities incorporate prepayment assumptions to estimate the securities' expected lives. Interest income is recognized as earned.
Beginning in 2020, available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are subject to an allowance for credit loss and changes in the allowance are reported in net income as a component of net realized losses on investments. Prior to 2020, the amortized cost of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities was adjusted for declines in value that were other than temporary and impairments in value deemed to be other than temporary were reported as other than temporary impairment losses on investments. See Note 4 - Investments for further discussion of the allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and other than temporary impairment losses.
Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts and net of valuation allowances. Interest income is recorded when earned; however, interest ceases to accrue for loans on which interest is more than 90 days past due based upon contractual terms and/or when the collection of interest is not considered probable. Interest income on impaired loans is recorded on a cash basis. Any changes in the loan valuation allowances are reported in net realized losses on investments. See Note 5 - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate for further discussion of the valuation allowance on the mortgage loan portfolios.
Beginning in 2021, we held residential real estate investments through consolidation of an investment company VIE. As this is an investment company VIE, the residential real estate investments are reported at fair value and the change in fair value on these investments is reported in net income as a component of net investment income. Fair values of residential real estate investments are initially based on the cost to purchase the properties and subsequently based on a discounted cash flow methodology. See Note 3 – Fair Values of Financial Instruments for more information on the determination of fair value. The residential real estate investments are leased to renters through operating lease arrangements. Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases.
Other invested assets include company owned life insurance, equity securities, limited partnerships accounted for using the equity method, short-term debt securities with maturities of greater than three months but less than twelve months when purchased, and short-term loans with maturities less than one year. Company owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the end of the reporting period, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. Dividends are recognized when declared.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification based on the trade date.
Derivative Instruments
Our derivative instruments include call options used to fund fixed index annuity credits. Prior to the redemption of our floating rate subordinated debentures in 2019 and 2020, our derivative instruments also included an interest rate swap and interest rate caps which were used to manage interest rate risk associated with the floating rate component on certain of our subordinated debentures. All of our derivative instruments are recognized in the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized immediately in operations. See Note 7 - Derivative Instruments for more information on derivative instruments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Book Overdrafts
Under our cash management system, checks issued but not yet presented to banks frequently result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes and are classified as Other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We report the changes in the amount of the overdraft balance as a financing activity in our consolidated statement of cash flows as Change in checks in excess of cash balance.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements
For annuity products, these costs are being amortized in proportion to actual and expected gross profits. Actual and expected gross profits include the the excess of net investment income earned over the interest credited or the cost of providing index credits to the policyholders, or the "investment spread"; and to a lesser extent, product charges and fees net of expected excess payments for lifetime income benefit riders and certain policy expenses. Actual and expected gross profits for fixed index annuities also include the impact of amounts recorded for the change in fair value of derivatives and the change in fair value of embedded derivatives. Current period amortization is adjusted retrospectively through an unlocking process when estimates of actual and expected gross profits (including the impact of net realized gains (losses) on investments) to be realized from a group of products are revised. Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements are also adjusted for the change in amortization that would have occurred if available for sale fixed maturity securities had been sold at their aggregate fair value at the end of the reporting period and the proceeds reinvested at current yields. The impact of this adjustment is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within consolidated stockholders' equity, net of applicable taxes. See Note 8 - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Deferred Sales Inducements and Liability for Lifetime Income Benefit Riders for more information on deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements.
Policy Benefit Reserves
Policy benefit reserves for fixed index annuities with returns linked to the performance of a specified market index are equal to the sum of the fair value of the embedded derivatives and the host (or guaranteed) component of the contracts. The host value is established at inception of the contract and accreted over the policy's life at a constant rate of interest. Future policy benefit reserves for fixed index annuities earning a fixed rate of interest and other deferred annuity products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, interest crediting rates for these products ranged from 1.45% to 2.65%.
The liability for lifetime income benefit riders is based on the actual and present value of expected benefit payments to be paid in excess of projected policy values recognizing the excess over the expected lives of the underlying policies based on the actual and present value of expected assessments including investment spreads, product charges and fees. The inputs used in the calculation of the liability for lifetime income benefit riders include actual policy values, actual income account values, actual payout factors, actual roll-up rates and our best estimate assumptions for future policy growth, expected utilization of lifetime income benefit riders, which includes the ages at which policyholders are expected to elect to begin to receive lifetime income benefit payments and the percentage of policyholders who elect to receive lifetime income benefit payments, the type of income benefit payments selected upon election and future assumptions for lapse, partial withdrawal and mortality rates. See Note 8 - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Deferred Sales Inducements and Liability for Lifetime Income Benefit Riders for more information on lifetime income benefit rider reserves.
Policy benefit reserves are not reduced for amounts ceded under coinsurance agreements which are reported as coinsurance deposits on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 9 - Reinsurance and Policy Provisions for more information on reinsurance.
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities resulting from a change in the enacted marginal tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the asset or liability from period to period. Deferred income tax assets are subject to ongoing evaluation of whether such assets will more likely than not be realized. The realization of deferred income tax assets primarily depends on generating future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making such a determination, all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations, is considered. The realization of deferred income tax assets related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities is also based upon our intent and ability to hold those securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value and not realize the unrealized loss. See Note 10 - Income Taxes for more information on deferred income taxes.
Recognition of Premium Revenues and Costs
Revenues for annuity products include surrender and living income benefit rider charges assessed against policyholder account balances during the period. Interest sensitive and index product benefits related to annuity products include interest credited or index credits to policyholder account balances pursuant to accounting by insurance companies for certain long-duration contracts. The change in fair value of the embedded derivatives for fixed index annuities equals the change in the difference between policy benefit reserves for fixed index annuities computed under the derivative accounting standard and the long-duration contracts accounting standard at each balance sheet date.
Considerations from immediate annuities and supplemental contract annuities with life contingencies are recognized as revenue when the policy is issued.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
All insurance-related revenues, including the change in the fair value of derivatives for call options related to the business ceded under coinsurance agreements (see Note 9 - Reinsurance and Policy Provisions), benefits, losses and expenses are reported net of reinsurance ceded.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in stockholders' equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to stockholders. Other comprehensive income (loss) excludes net realized investment gains (losses) included in net income which merely represents transfers from unrealized to realized gains and losses.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior years' consolidated financial statements and related footnotes thereto have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update ("ASU") that significantly changed the impairment model for most financial assets that are measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model that requires these assets be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities are recorded through an allowance account subsequent to the adoption of this ASU. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU resulted in an increase in our mortgage loan allowance for credit losses of $8.6 million and the recognition of an allowance for credit losses on our reinsurance recoverable/coinsurance deposits balances of $3.2 million on the date of adoption. Retained earnings was decreased by $9.3 million, which reflects the net of tax impact of the increase in the mortgage loan allowance for credit losses and the recognition of an allowance for credit losses on our reinsurance recoverable/coinsurance deposits balances on the date of adoption.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued an ASU that revises certain aspects of the measurement models and disclosure requirements for long duration insurance and investment contracts. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to improve, simplify, and enhance the accounting for long-duration contracts. The revisions include updating cash flow assumptions in the calculation of the liability for traditional life products, introducing the term ‘market risk benefit’ ("MRB") and requiring all contract features meeting the definition of an MRB to be measured at fair value and simplifying the method used to amortize deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements to a constant basis over the expected term of the related contracts rather than based on actual and estimated gross profits and enhancing disclosure requirements. While this ASU is effective for us on January 1, 2023, the transition date (the remeasurement date) is January 1, 2021. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Revision of Immaterial Misstatement in Prior Year Financial Statements
Management identified an error in the Company's historical financial statements as further described below. In accordance with the guidance set forth in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality, and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, management concluded that the error was not material to the consolidated financial statements as presented in the Company's quarterly and annual financial statements that had been previously filed in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. As a result, amendment of such reports is not required. The Company revised the previously issued annual consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K to correct this error.
The corrected immaterial error was in the calculation of the impact of unrealized gains and losses on lifetime income benefit reserves as of December 31, 2020 determined in the first quarter of 2021. This immaterial error resulted in an increase in the lifetime income benefit reserves which are included in policy benefit reserves in the consolidated balance sheet, an increase in the deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements and a decrease in deferred income taxes with an offsetting change in accumulated other comprehensive income which is a component of total stockholders' equity. The immaterial error had no impact on the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statement of cash flows.
The effect of the revisions on the Company's previously issued financial statements are provided in the tables below. Amounts throughout the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been adjusted to incorporate the revised amounts, where applicable. The following tables reconcile selected lines from the Company's year-end December 31, 2020 consolidated balance sheet and the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the previously reported amounts to the revised amounts.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet | Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| As Reported | | Adjustment | | As Revised |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Assets | | | | | |
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | $ | 2,045,812 | | | $ | 179,387 | | | $ | 2,225,199 | |
| Deferred sales inducements | 1,328,857 | | | 119,518 | | | 1,448,375 | |
| Total assets | 71,389,674 | | | 298,905 | | | 71,688,579 | |
| | | | | |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | | | | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | |
| Policy benefit reserves | 61,768,246 | | | 584,636 | | | 62,352,882 | |
| Deferred income taxes | 564,003 | | | (60,003) | | | 504,000 | |
| Total liabilities | 64,814,958 | | | 524,633 | | | 65,339,591 | |
| Stockholders' equity: | | | | | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,429,285 | | | (225,728) | | | 2,203,557 | |
| Total stockholders' equity | 6,574,716 | | | (225,728) | | | 6,348,988 | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 71,389,674 | | | 298,905 | | | 71,688,579 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| As Reported | | Adjustment | | As Revised |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Other comprehensive income: | | | | | |
| Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses (1) | $ | 1,162,252 | | | $ | (103,963) | | | $ | 1,058,289 | |
| Other comprehensive income before income tax | 1,178,942 | | | (103,963) | | | 1,074,979 | |
| Income tax effect related to other comprehensive income | (247,578) | | | 21,832 | | | (225,746) | |
| Other comprehensive income | 931,364 | | | (82,131) | | | 849,233 | |
| Comprehensive income | 1,602,824 | | | (82,131) | | | 1,520,693 | |
| | | | | |
| |
| Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
| As Reported | | Adjustment | | As Revised |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Other comprehensive income: | | | | | |
| Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses (1) | $ | 1,954,044 | | | $ | (188,937) | | | $ | 1,765,107 | |
| Other comprehensive income before income tax | 1,962,470 | | | (188,937) | | | 1,773,533 | |
| Income tax effect related to other comprehensive income | (412,117) | | | 39,645 | | | (372,472) | |
| Other comprehensive income | 1,550,353 | | | (149,292) | | | 1,401,061 | |
| Comprehensive income | 1,796,443 | | | (149,292) | | | 1,647,151 | |
(1)Net of related adjustments to amortization of deferred sales inducements, deferred policy acquisition costs and policy benefit reserves
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The following sets forth a comparison of the carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| Carrying
Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying
Amount | | Fair Value |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Assets | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale | $ | 51,305,943 | | | $ | 51,305,943 | | | $ | 47,538,893 | | | $ | 47,538,893 | |
| Mortgage loans on real estate | 5,687,998 | | | 5,867,227 | | | 4,165,489 | | | 4,327,885 | |
| Real estate investments | 337,939 | | | 337,939 | | | — | | | — | |
| Derivative instruments | 1,277,480 | | | 1,277,480 | | | 1,310,954 | | | 1,310,954 | |
| Other investments | 1,767,144 | | | 1,767,144 | | | 590,078 | | | 590,078 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4,508,982 | | | 4,508,982 | | | 9,095,522 | | | 9,095,522 | |
| Coinsurance deposits | 8,850,608 | | | 7,938,292 | | | 4,844,927 | | | 4,411,051 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | |
| Policy benefit reserves | 65,076,041 | | | 56,375,076 | | | 61,406,599 | | | 52,928,174 | |
| Single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) benefit reserves | 226,207 | | | 235,891 | | | 240,226 | | | 247,679 | |
| Notes payable | 496,250 | | | 569,485 | | | 495,668 | | | 567,345 | |
| Subordinated debentures | 78,421 | | | 93,721 | | | 78,112 | | | 87,951 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine that price for each financial instrument at each measurement date. We meet this objective using various methods of valuation that include market, income and cost approaches.
We categorize our financial instruments into three levels of fair value hierarchy based on the priority of inputs used in determining fair value. The hierarchy defines the highest priority inputs (Level 1) as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The lowest priority inputs (Level 3) are our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value such as estimated future cash flows. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. We categorize financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date. We do not adjust the quoted price for these financial instruments, even in situations where we hold a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.
Level 2 - Quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in markets that are not active; and models and other valuation methodologies using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable.
Level 3 - Models and other valuation methodologies using significant inputs that are unobservable for financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in Level 3 are securities for which no market activity or data exists and for which we used discounted expected future cash flows with our own assumptions about what a market participant would use in determining fair value.
Transfers of securities among the levels occur at times and depend on the type of inputs used to determine fair value of each security.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Our assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 are presented below based on the fair value hierarchy levels:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total
Fair Value | | Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1) | | Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2) | | Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | |
| Assets | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | | | | | | | |
| United States Government full faith and credit | $ | 37,793 | | | $ | 32,737 | | | $ | 5,056 | | | $ | — | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 1,040,953 | | | — | | | 1,040,953 | | | — | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 3,927,201 | | | — | | | 3,927,201 | | | — | |
| Foreign government obligations | 402,545 | | | — | | | 402,545 | | | — | |
| Corporate securities | 34,660,234 | | | 32,700 | | | 34,627,534 | | | — | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 1,125,049 | | | — | | | 1,125,049 | | | — | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 4,840,311 | | | — | | | 4,840,311 | | | — | |
| Other asset backed securities | 5,271,857 | | | — | | | 5,271,857 | | | — | |
| Other investments: equity securities | 12,226 | | | — | | | 5,877 | | | 6,349 | |
| Real estate investments | 337,939 | | | — | | | — | | | 337,939 | |
| Derivative instruments | 1,277,480 | | | — | | | 1,277,480 | | | — | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4,508,982 | | | 4,508,982 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| $ | 57,442,570 | | | $ | 4,574,419 | | | $ | 52,523,863 | | | $ | 344,288 | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | $ | 7,964,961 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 7,964,961 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | |
| Assets | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | | | | | | | |
| United States Government full faith and credit | $ | 39,771 | | | $ | 33,940 | | | $ | 5,831 | | | $ | — | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 1,039,551 | | | — | | | 1,039,551 | | | — | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 3,776,131 | | | — | | | 3,776,131 | | | — | |
| Foreign government obligations | 202,706 | | | — | | | 202,706 | | | — | |
| Corporate securities | 31,156,827 | | | 8 | | | 31,156,819 | | | — | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 1,512,831 | | | — | | | 1,512,831 | | | — | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 4,261,227 | | | — | | | 4,261,227 | | | — | |
| Other asset backed securities | 5,549,849 | | | — | | | 5,549,849 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Derivative instruments | 1,310,954 | | | — | | | 1,310,954 | | | — | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 9,095,522 | | | 9,095,522 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| $ | 57,945,369 | | | $ | 9,129,470 | | | $ | 48,815,899 | | | $ | — | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | $ | 7,938,281 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 7,938,281 | |
| | | | | | | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments during the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.
Fixed maturity securities
The fair values of fixed maturity securities in an active and orderly market are determined by utilizing independent pricing services. The independent pricing services incorporate a variety of observable market data in their valuation techniques, including:
•reported trading prices,
•benchmark yields,
•broker-dealer quotes,
•benchmark securities,
•bids and offers,
•credit ratings,
•relative credit information, and
•other reference data.
The independent pricing services also take into account perceived market movements and sector news, as well as a security's terms and conditions, including any features specific to that issue that may influence risk and marketability. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary.
The independent pricing services provide quoted market prices when available. Quoted prices are not always available due to market inactivity. When quoted market prices are not available, the third parties use yield data and other factors relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics to determine fair value for securities that are not actively traded. We generally obtain one value from our primary external pricing service. In situations where a price is not available from this service, we may obtain quotes or prices from additional parties as needed. Market indices of similar rated asset class spreads are considered for valuations and broker indications of similar securities are compared. Inputs used by the broker include market information, such as yield data and other factors relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics. Valuations and quotes obtained from third party commercial pricing services are non-binding and do not represent quotes on which one may execute the disposition of the assets.
We validate external valuations at least quarterly through a combination of procedures that include the evaluation of methodologies used by the pricing services, comparison of the prices to a secondary pricing source, analytical reviews and performance analysis of the prices against trends, and maintenance of a securities watch list. Additionally, as needed we utilize discounted cash flow models or perform independent valuations on a case-by-case basis using inputs and assumptions similar to those used by the pricing services. Although we do identify differences from time to time as a result of these validation procedures, we did not make any significant adjustments as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Mortgage loans on real estate
Mortgage loans on real estate are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of mortgage loans on real estate are calculated using discounted expected cash flows using competitive market interest rates currently being offered for similar loans. The fair values of impaired mortgage loans on real estate that we have considered to be collateral dependent are based on the fair value of the real estate collateral (based on appraised values) less estimated costs to sell. The inputs utilized to determine fair value of all mortgage loans are unobservable market data (competitive market interest rates); therefore, fair value of mortgage loans falls into Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Real estate investments
The fair values of residential real estate investments are initially calculated based on the cost to purchase the properties and subsequently calculated based on a discounted cash flow methodology. Under the discounted cash flow method, net operating income is forecasted assuming a 10-year hold period commencing as of the valuation date. An additional year is forecast in order to determine the residual sale price at the end of the hold period, using a residual (terminal) capitalization rate. The significant inputs into the fair value calculation under the discounted cash flow method include the residual capitalization rate and discount rate. These inputs are unobservable market data; therefore, fair value of residential real estate investments falls into Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2021, the residual capitalization rates used in the fair value calculations ranged from 5.00% to 6.25% with an average rate of 5.72%. At December 31, 2021, the discount rates used in the fair value calculations ranged from 6.25% to 7.50% with an average rate of 6.97%.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Derivative instruments
The fair values of derivative instruments, primarily call options, are based upon the amount of cash that we will receive to settle each derivative instrument on the reporting date. These amounts are determined by our investment team using industry accepted valuation models and are adjusted for the nonperformance risk of each counterparty net of any collateral held. Inputs include market volatility and risk free interest rates and are used in income valuation techniques in arriving at a fair value for each option contract. The nonperformance risk for each counterparty is based upon its credit default swap rate. We have no performance obligations related to the call options purchased to fund our fixed index annuity policy liabilities.
Other investments
Equity securities are the only financial instruments included in other investments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value for these securities are determined using the same methods discussed above for fixed maturity securities. Financial instruments included in other investments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis are equity method investments, short-term loans and company owned life insurance ("COLI"). The fair values of our equity method investments are obtained from third parties and are determined using a variety of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, valuation multiples analysis for comparable investments and appraisal values. As the risk spread and liquidity discount are unobservable market inputs, the fair value of our equity method investments falls within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of equity method investments was $520.1 million and $179.7 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Due to the short-term nature of the investment, the fair value of our short-term loans approximates the carrying value. The fair value of short-term loans was $320.0 million and $0 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The fair value of our COLI approximates the cash surrender value of the policies and falls within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of COLI was $384.3 million and $373.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Cash and cash equivalents
Amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments are reported at their historical cost which approximates fair value due to the nature of the assets assigned to this category.
Policy benefit reserves, coinsurance deposits and SPIA benefit reserves
The fair values of the liabilities under contracts not involving significant mortality or morbidity risks (principally deferred annuities), are stated at the cost we would incur to extinguish the liability (i.e., the cash surrender value) as these contracts are generally issued without an annuitization date. The coinsurance deposits related to the annuity benefit reserves have fair values determined in a similar fashion. For period-certain annuity benefit contracts, the fair value is determined by discounting the benefits at the interest rates currently in effect for newly issued immediate annuity contracts. We are not required to and have not estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts that are exceptions from financial instruments that require disclosures of fair value. Policy benefit reserves, coinsurance deposits and SPIA benefit reserves are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. All of the fair values presented within these categories fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as most of the inputs are unobservable market data.
Notes payable
The fair values of our senior unsecured notes are based upon quoted market prices and are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable are not remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Subordinated debentures
Fair values for subordinated debentures are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations based principally on observable inputs including our incremental borrowing rates, which reflect our credit rating, for similar types of borrowings with maturities consistent with those remaining for the debt being valued. These fair values are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Subordinated debentures are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives
We estimate the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves at each valuation date by (i) projecting policy contract values and minimum guaranteed contract values over the expected lives of the contracts and (ii) discounting the excess of the projected contract value amounts at the applicable risk free interest rates adjusted for our nonperformance risk related to those liabilities. The projections of policy contract values are based on our best estimate assumptions for future policy growth and future policy decrements. Our best estimate assumptions for future policy growth include assumptions for the expected index credit on the next policy anniversary date which are derived from the fair values of the underlying call options purchased to fund such index credits and the expected costs of annual call options we will purchase in the future to fund index credits beyond the next policy anniversary. The projections of minimum guaranteed contract values include the same best estimate assumptions for policy decrements as were used to project policy contract values.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Within this determination we have the following significant unobservable inputs: 1) the expected cost of annual call options we will purchase in the future to fund index credits beyond the next policy anniversary and 2) our best estimates for future policy decrements, primarily lapse, partial withdrawal and mortality rates. As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, we utilized an estimate of 2.10% for the expected cost of annual call options, which is based on estimated long-term account value growth and a historical review of our actual option costs.
Our best estimate assumptions for lapse, partial withdrawal and mortality rates are based on our actual experience and our outlook as to future expectations for such assumptions. These assumptions, which are consistent with the assumptions used in calculating deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements, are reviewed on a quarterly basis and are updated as our experience develops and/or as future expectations change. The following table presents average lapse rate and partial withdrawal rate assumptions, by contract duration, used in estimating the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves at each reporting date:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Average Lapse Rates | | Average Partial Withdrawal Rates |
| Contract Duration (Years) | | December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 | | December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
1 - 5 | | 3.04% | | 1.22% | | 2.19% | | 2.63% |
6 - 10 | | 2.84% | | 1.50% | | 2.26% | | 3.14% |
11 - 15 | | 4.47% | | 5.66% | | 2.14% | | 3.58% |
16 - 20 | | 8.93% | | 7.08% | | 1.33% | | 3.79% |
20+ | | 4.93% | | 7.36% | | —% | | 3.63% |
Lapse rates are generally expected to increase as surrender charge percentages decrease for policies without a lifetime income benefit rider. Lapse expectations reflect a significant increase in the year in which the surrender charge period on a contract ends.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for our Level 3 assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Other investments: equity securities | | | |
| Beginning balance | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Transfers in | 6,349 | | | — | |
| Ending balance | $ | 6,349 | | | $ | — | |
| | | |
| Real estate investments | | | |
| Beginning balance | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Purchases and sales, net | 335,767 | | | — | |
| Change in fair value | 2,172 | | | — | |
| Ending balance | $ | 337,939 | | | $ | — | |
| | | |
| Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | | | |
| Beginning balance | $ | 7,938,281 | | | $ | 9,624,395 | |
| Premiums less benefits | 1,424,372 | | | 235,971 | |
| Change in fair value, net | (876,803) | | | (1,922,085) | |
| Reserve release related to in-force ceded reinsurance | (520,889) | | | — | |
| Ending balance | $ | 7,964,961 | | | $ | 7,938,281 | |
The fair value of our fixed index annuities embedded derivatives is net of coinsurance ceded of $1,245.0 million and $655.3 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Change in fair value, net for each period in our embedded derivatives is included in change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations.
Certain derivatives embedded in our fixed index annuity contracts are our most significant financial instrument measured at fair value that are categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The contractual obligations for future annual index credits within our fixed index annuity contracts are treated as a "series of embedded derivatives" over the expected life of the applicable contracts. We estimate the fair value of these embedded derivatives at each valuation date by the method described above under fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives. The projections of minimum guaranteed contract values include the same best estimate assumptions for policy decrements as were used to project policy contract values.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The most sensitive assumption in determining policy liabilities for fixed index annuities is the rates used to discount the excess projected contract values. As indicated above, the discount rate reflects our nonperformance risk. If the discount rates used to discount the excess projected contract values at December 31, 2021, were to increase by 100 basis points, the fair value of the embedded derivatives would decrease by $546.8 million recorded through operations as a decrease in the change in fair value of embedded derivatives and there would be a corresponding decrease of $234.3 million to our combined balance for deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements recorded through operations as an increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements. A decrease by 100 basis points in the discount rates used to discount the excess projected contract values would increase the fair value of the embedded derivatives by $627.3 million recorded through operations as an increase in the change in fair value of embedded derivatives and there would be a corresponding increase of $274.1 million to our combined balance for deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements recorded through operations as a decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements.
We review these assumptions quarterly and as a result of these reviews, we made updates to assumptions in 2021, 2020 and 2019. In addition, we implemented an enhanced actuarial valuation system during 2019, and as a result, our 2019 assumption updates include model refinements resulting from the implementation.
The most significant assumption update to the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity benefit policy reserves in 2021 was changes in lapse rate assumptions. For certain annuity products without a lifetime income benefit rider, the lapse rate assumption was increased in more recent cohorts to reflect higher lapses on policies with a market value adjustment ("MVA") feature. For other annuity products with a lifetime income benefit rider, the population was bifurcated based on whether policies had utilized the rider. For those policies which had utilized the rider, the lapse rate assumption was decreased in later durations. The net impact of the updates to the lapse rate assumption resulted in a decrease in the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves as less funds ultimately qualify for excess benefits.
The most significant assumption update to the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves in 2020 was a decrease in the crediting rate/option budget to 2.10% from 2.90% as a result of a revised estimate of the cost of options. This assumption change resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves due to a reduction in the projected policy contract values over the expected lives of the contracts. During 2020, we revised the derivation of the discount rate used in calculating the fair value of embedded derivatives which increased the discount rate and resulted in a decrease in the change in fair value of embedded derivatives. The net impact of the updates to lapse and partial withdrawal assumptions resulted in an increase in the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves as more funds ultimately qualify for excess benefits.
The most significant assumption updates to the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed index annuity policy benefit reserves in 2019 were to decrease lapse rate assumptions. We had credible lapse and utilization data based upon a comprehensive experience study spanning over 10 years on our products with lifetime income benefit riders and have experienced lapse rates that are lower than previously estimated. The impact of the lapse rate assumption changes was partially offset by a decrease in the option budget from 3.10% to 2.90% as a result of a revised estimate of the cost of options over the 20 year mean reversion period.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Investments
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized
Cost (1) | | Gross
Unrealized
Gains | | Gross
Unrealized
Losses (2) | | Allowance for Credit Losses | | Fair Value |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | | | | | | | | | |
| United States Government full faith and credit | $ | 37,109 | | | $ | 718 | | | $ | (34) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 37,793 | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 1,008,920 | | | 32,123 | | | (90) | | | — | | | 1,040,953 | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 3,495,563 | | | 437,456 | | | (3,042) | | | (2,776) | | | 3,927,201 | |
| Foreign government obligations | 380,646 | | | 22,742 | | | (843) | | | — | | | 402,545 | |
| Corporate securities | 31,084,629 | | | 3,614,047 | | | (38,442) | | | — | | | 34,660,234 | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 1,056,778 | | | 70,434 | | | (2,093) | | | (70) | | | 1,125,049 | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 4,708,878 | | | 149,152 | | | (17,719) | | | — | | | 4,840,311 | |
| Other asset backed securities | 5,226,660 | | | 95,304 | | | (50,107) | | | — | | | 5,271,857 | |
| $ | 46,999,183 | | | $ | 4,421,976 | | | $ | (112,370) | | | $ | (2,846) | | | $ | 51,305,943 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | | | | | | | | | |
| United States Government full faith and credit | $ | 37,471 | | | $ | 2,300 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 39,771 | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 995,465 | | | 44,132 | | | (46) | | | — | | | 1,039,551 | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 3,236,767 | | | 543,252 | | | (1,044) | | | (2,844) | | | 3,776,131 | |
| Foreign government obligations | 177,062 | | | 25,644 | | | — | | | — | | | 202,706 | |
| Corporate securities | 26,745,196 | | | 4,507,716 | | | (35,892) | | | (60,193) | | | 31,156,827 | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 1,399,956 | | | 117,135 | | | (2,526) | | | (1,734) | | | 1,512,831 | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 4,119,650 | | | 206,255 | | | (64,678) | | | — | | | 4,261,227 | |
| Other asset backed securities | 5,593,169 | | | 103,320 | | | (146,640) | | | — | | | 5,549,849 | |
| $ | 42,304,736 | | | $ | 5,549,754 | | | $ | (250,826) | | | $ | (64,771) | | | $ | 47,538,893 | |
(1)Amortized cost excludes accrued interest receivable of $400.7 million and $377.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2)Gross unrealized losses are net of allowance for credit losses.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2021, by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. All of our mortgage and other asset backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives and are shown below as separate lines.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Available for sale |
| Amortized
Cost | | Fair Value |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Due in one year or less | $ | 1,950,504 | | | $ | 1,968,323 | |
| Due after one year through five years | 7,573,038 | | | 7,962,521 | |
| Due after five years through ten years | 7,230,026 | | | 7,860,389 | |
| Due after ten years through twenty years | 10,119,850 | | | 12,053,093 | |
| Due after twenty years | 9,133,449 | | | 10,224,400 | |
| 36,006,867 | | | 40,068,726 | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 1,056,778 | | | 1,125,049 | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 4,708,878 | | | 4,840,311 | |
| Other asset backed securities | 5,226,660 | | | 5,271,857 | |
| $ | 46,999,183 | | | $ | 51,305,943 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity were comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 4,309,606 | | | $ | 5,297,040 | |
| Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements and policy benefit reserves | (1,993,869) | | | (2,536,251) | |
| Deferred income tax valuation allowance reversal | 22,534 | | | 22,534 | |
| Deferred income tax expense | (489,482) | | | (579,766) | |
| Net unrealized gains reported as accumulated other comprehensive income | $ | 1,848,789 | | | $ | 2,203,557 | |
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") assigns designations to fixed maturity securities. These designations range from Class 1 (highest quality) to Class 6 (lowest quality). In general, securities are assigned a designation based upon the ratings they are given by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSRO’s"). The NAIC designations are utilized by insurers in preparing their annual statutory statements. NAIC Class 1 and 2 designations are considered "investment grade" while NAIC Class 3 through 6 designations are considered "non-investment grade." Based on the NAIC designations, we had 98% and 97% of our fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The following table summarizes the credit quality, as determined by NAIC designation, of our fixed maturity portfolio as of the dates indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 |
NAIC
Designation | | Amortized
Cost | | Fair
Value | | Amortized
Cost | | Fair
Value |
| | (Dollars in thousands) |
| 1 | | $ | 26,157,531 | | | $ | 28,785,839 | | | $ | 23,330,149 | | | $ | 26,564,542 | |
| 2 | | 19,758,594 | | | 21,396,020 | | | 17,312,485 | | | 19,377,013 | |
| 3 | | 909,311 | | | 941,210 | | | 1,292,124 | | | 1,299,455 | |
| 4 | | 133,070 | | | 147,160 | | | 282,049 | | | 256,651 | |
| 5 | | 16,496 | | | 15,357 | | | 29,396 | | | 16,288 | |
| 6 | | 24,181 | | | 20,357 | | | 58,533 | | | 24,944 | |
| | $ | 46,999,183 | | | $ | 51,305,943 | | | $ | 42,304,736 | | | $ | 47,538,893 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table shows our investments' gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities (consisting of 1,427 and 843 securities, respectively) have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Less than 12 months | | 12 months or more | | Total |
| Fair Value | | Unrealized
Losses (1) | | Fair Value | | Unrealized
Losses (1) | | Fair Value | | Unrealized
Losses (1) |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| United States Government full faith and credit | $ | 1,007 | | | $ | (34) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,007 | | | $ | (34) | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 759,970 | | | (90) | | | — | | | — | | | 759,970 | | | (90) | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 168,942 | | | (2,468) | | | 15,711 | | | (3,350) | | | 184,653 | | | (5,818) | |
| Foreign government obligations | 42,861 | | | (843) | | | — | | | — | | | 42,861 | | | (843) | |
| Corporate securities | 2,375,603 | | | (30,070) | | | 116,819 | | | (8,372) | | | 2,492,422 | | | (38,442) | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 250,964 | | | (1,408) | | | 26,917 | | | (755) | | | 277,881 | | | (2,163) | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 784,464 | | | (5,500) | | | 142,224 | | | (12,219) | | | 926,688 | | | (17,719) | |
| Other asset backed securities | 1,351,324 | | | (11,345) | | | 1,771,182 | | | (38,762) | | | 3,122,506 | | | (50,107) | |
| $ | 5,735,135 | | | $ | (51,758) | | | $ | 2,072,853 | | | $ | (63,458) | | | $ | 7,807,988 | | | $ | (115,216) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | $ | 250,475 | | | $ | (46) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 250,475 | | | $ | (46) | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 31,802 | | | (3,887) | | | 868 | | | (1) | | | 32,670 | | | (3,888) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Corporate securities | 606,277 | | | (45,150) | | | 154,633 | | | (50,935) | | | 760,910 | | | (96,085) | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | 156,016 | | | (2,384) | | | 13,599 | | | (1,876) | | | 169,615 | | | (4,260) | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | 934,593 | | | (54,834) | | | 35,153 | | | (9,844) | | | 969,746 | | | (64,678) | |
| Other asset backed securities | 1,013,781 | | | (16,607) | | | 2,567,723 | | | (130,033) | | | 3,581,504 | | | (146,640) | |
| $ | 2,992,944 | | | $ | (122,908) | | | $ | 2,771,976 | | | $ | (192,689) | | | $ | 5,764,920 | | | $ | (315,597) | |
(1)Unrealized losses have not been reduced to reflect the allowance for credit losses of $2.8 million and $64.8 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The unrealized losses at December 31, 2021 are principally related to the timing of the purchases of certain securities, which carry less yield than those available at December 31, 2021, and the continued impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on credit markets. Approximately 85% and 75% of the unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities shown in the above table for December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are on securities that are rated investment grade, defined as being the highest two NAIC designations.
We expect to recover our amortized cost on all securities except for those securities on which we recognized an allowance for credit loss. In addition, because we did not have the intent to sell fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and it was not more likely than not that we would be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost, which may be maturity, we did not write down these investments to fair value through the consolidated statements of operations.
Changes in net unrealized gains/losses on investments for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Fixed maturity securities available for sale carried at fair value | $ | (987,434) | | | $ | 1,955,496 | | | $ | 3,549,007 | |
| | | | | |
| Adjustment for effect on other balance sheet accounts: | | | | | |
| Deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements and policy benefit reserves | 542,382 | | | (880,517) | | | (1,775,474) | |
| | | | | |
| Deferred income tax asset/liability | 90,284 | | | (225,746) | | | (372,472) | |
| 632,666 | | | (1,106,263) | | | (2,147,946) | |
| Change in net unrealized gains/losses on investments carried at fair value | $ | (354,768) | | | $ | 849,233 | | | $ | 1,401,061 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Components of net investment income are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Fixed maturity securities | $ | 1,772,675 | | | $ | 2,035,762 | | | $ | 2,171,768 | |
| | | | | |
| Real estate investments | 14,138 | | | — | | | — | |
| Mortgage loans on real estate | 215,138 | | | 170,749 | | | 145,344 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,385 | | | 4,871 | | | 5,164 | |
| Other investments | 96,556 | | | 3,168 | | | 7,202 | |
| 2,101,892 | | | 2,214,550 | | | 2,329,478 | |
| Less investment expenses | (64,417) | | | (32,472) | | | (21,843) | |
| Net investment income | $ | 2,037,475 | | | $ | 2,182,078 | | | $ | 2,307,635 | |
Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed maturity securities for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $0.8 billion, $5.4 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. Scheduled principal repayments, calls and tenders for available for sale fixed maturity securities for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $3.7 billion, $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively.
Net realized gains (losses) on investments for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Available for sale fixed maturity securities: | | | | | |
| Gross realized gains | $ | 10,167 | | | $ | 305,170 | | | $ | 21,449 | |
| Gross realized losses | (19,140) | | | (276,847) | | | (6,397) | |
| Net credit loss (provision) release (1) | (6,241) | | | (94,560) | | | — | |
| (15,214) | | | (66,237) | | | 15,052 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Other investments: | | | | | |
| Gross realized gains | — | | | — | | | 7,296 | |
| Gross realized losses | — | | | — | | | (14,446) | |
| | | | | |
| — | | | — | | | (7,150) | |
| Mortgage loans on real estate: | | | | | |
| Decrease (increase) in allowance for credit losses | 7,005 | | | (15,447) | | | (940) | |
| Recovery of specific allowance | — | | | 712 | | | — | |
| Gain (loss) on sale of mortgage loans | (5,033) | | | 292 | | | — | |
| 1,972 | | | (14,443) | | | (940) | |
| Total net realized (losses) gains | $ | (13,242) | | | $ | (80,680) | | | $ | 6,962 | |
(1)Prior to adopting authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020, credit losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities were classified as other than temporary impairments and reported in a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recognized $18.7 million of other than temporary impairments during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Realized losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities in 2021, 2020 and 2019 were realized primarily due to strategies to reposition the fixed maturity security portfolio that result in improved net investment income, credit risk or duration profiles as they pertain to our asset liability management. In addition, certain realized gains and losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities in 2020 were realized as a result of efforts to de-risk the portfolio. Realized gains and losses on sales are determined on the basis of specific identification of investments based on the trade date.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of our investments that have been non-income producing for 12 consecutive months:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale | $ | 4,118 | | | $ | 5,766 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
We review and analyze all investments on an ongoing basis for changes in market interest rates and credit deterioration. This review process includes analyzing our ability to recover the amortized cost basis of each investment that has a fair value that is materially lower than its amortized cost and requires a high degree of management judgment and involves uncertainty. The evaluation of securities for credit loss is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties.
We have a policy and process to identify securities that could potentially have credit loss. This process involves monitoring market events and other items that could impact issuers. The evaluation includes but is not limited to such factors as:
•the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost;
•whether the issuer is current on all payments and all contractual payments have been made as agreed;
•the remaining payment terms and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;
•the lack of ability to refinance due to liquidity problems in the credit market;
•the fair value of any underlying collateral;
•the existence of any credit protection available;
•our intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not we would be required to sell prior to recovery for debt securities;
•consideration of rating agency actions; and
•changes in estimated cash flows of mortgage and asset backed securities.
We determine whether an allowance for credit loss should be established for debt securities by assessing all facts and circumstances surrounding each security. Where the decline in fair value of debt securities is attributable to changes in market interest rates or to factors such as market volatility, liquidity and spread widening, and we anticipate recovery of all contractual or expected cash flows, we do not consider these investments to have credit loss because we do not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell these investments before a recovery of amortized cost, which may be maturity.
If we intend to sell a debt security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, credit loss has occurred and the difference between amortized cost and fair value will be recognized as a loss in operations.
If we do not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the debt security but also do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, a credit loss would be recognized in operations for the amount of the expected credit loss. We determine the amount of expected credit loss by calculating the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected discounted at each security's acquisition yield based on our consideration of whether the security was of high credit quality at the time of acquisition. The difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security is the amount of credit loss recognized in operations. The recognized credit loss is limited to the total unrealized loss on the security (i.e., the fair value floor).
The determination of the credit loss component of a mortgage backed security is based on a number of factors. The primary consideration in this evaluation process is the issuer's ability to meet current and future interest and principal payments as contractually stated at time of purchase. Our review of these securities includes an analysis of the cash flow modeling under various default scenarios considering independent third party benchmarks, the seniority of the specific tranche within the structure of the security, the composition of the collateral and the actual default, loss severity and prepayment experience exhibited. With the input of third party assumptions for default projections, loss severity and prepayment expectations, we evaluate the cash flow projections to determine whether the security is performing in accordance with its contractual obligation.
We utilize models from a leading structured product software specialist serving institutional investors. These models incorporate each security's seniority and cash flow structure. In circumstances where the analysis implies a potential for principal loss at some point in the future, we use the "best estimate" cash flow projection discounted at the security's effective yield at acquisition to determine the amount of our potential credit loss associated with this security. The discounted expected future cash flows equates to our expected recovery value. Any shortfall of the expected recovery when compared to the amortized cost of the security will be recorded as credit loss.
The determination of the credit loss component of a corporate bond is based on the underlying financial performance of the issuer and their ability to meet their contractual obligations. Considerations in our evaluation include, but are not limited to, credit rating changes, financial statement and ratio analysis, changes in management, significant changes in credit spreads, breaches of financial covenants and a review of the economic outlook for the industry and markets in which they trade. In circumstances where an issuer appears unlikely to meet its future obligation, an estimate of credit loss is determined. Credit loss is calculated using default probabilities as derived from the credit default swaps markets in conjunction with recovery rates derived from independent third party analysis or a best estimate of credit loss. This credit loss rate is then incorporated into a present value calculation based on an expected principal loss in the future discounted at the yield at the date of purchase and compared to amortized cost to determine the amount of credit loss associated with the security.
We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable as we write off any accrued interest receivable balance to net investment income in a timely manner when we have concerns regarding collectability.
Amounts on available for sale fixed maturities that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off and removed from the allowance for credit loss. A write-off may also occur if we intend to sell a security or when it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table provides a rollforward of the allowance for credit loss:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
| United States Municipalities, States and Territories | | Corporate Securities | | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities | | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities | | Other Asset Backed Securities | | Total |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Beginning balance | $ | 2,844 | | | $ | 60,193 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,734 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 64,771 | |
| Additions for credit losses not previously recorded | — | | | 705 | | | — | | | 407 | | | — | | | 1,112 | |
| Change in allowance on securities with previous allowance | (68) | | | 443 | | | — | | | (857) | | | — | | | (482) | |
| Reduction for securities with credit losses due to intent to sell | — | | | (209) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (209) | |
| Reduction for securities sold during the period | — | | | (50,758) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (50,758) | |
| Write-offs charged against the allowance | — | | | (10,032) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (10,032) | |
| Recoveries of amounts previously written off | — | | | (342) | | | — | | | (1,214) | | | — | | | (1,556) | |
| Ending balance | $ | 2,776 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 70 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,846 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| United States Municipalities, States and Territories | | Corporate Securities | | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities | | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities | | Other Asset Backed Securities | | Total |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Beginning balance (1) | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Additions for credit losses not previously recorded | 2,844 | | | 60,193 | | | 29,241 | | | 1,734 | | | 548 | | | 94,560 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Reduction for securities with credit losses due to intent to sell | — | | | — | | | (21,888) | | | — | | | (548) | | | (22,436) | |
| Reduction for securities sold during the period | — | | | — | | | (7,353) | | | — | | | — | | | (7,353) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ending balance | $ | 2,844 | | | $ | 60,193 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,734 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 64,771 | |
(1)The allowance for credit loss associated with available for sale fixed maturity securities was applied prospectively upon adoption of authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies for further details.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, cash and invested assets of $49.3 billion and $53.5 billion, respectively, were on deposit with state agencies to meet regulatory requirements. There are no restrictions on these assets.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no investment in any person or its affiliates that exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
Our financing receivables consist of the following three portfolio segments: commercial mortgage loans, agricultural mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans. Our mortgage loan portfolios are summarized in the following table. There were commitments outstanding of $370.4 million at December 31, 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Commercial mortgage loans: | | | |
| Principal outstanding | $ | 3,633,131 | | | $ | 3,580,154 | |
| Deferred fees and costs, net | (4,629) | | | (1,266) | |
| Amortized cost | 3,628,502 | | | 3,578,888 | |
| Valuation allowance | (17,926) | | | (25,529) | |
| Commercial mortgage loans, carrying value | 3,610,576 | | | 3,553,359 | |
| | | |
| Agricultural mortgage loans: | | | |
| Principal outstanding | 408,135 | | | 245,807 | |
| Deferred fees and costs, net | (1,136) | | | (634) | |
| Amortized cost | 406,999 | | | 245,173 | |
| Valuation allowance | (519) | | | (2,130) | |
| Agricultural mortgage loans, carrying value | 406,480 | | | 243,043 | |
| | | |
| Residential mortgage loans: | | | |
| Principal outstanding | 1,652,910 | | | 366,320 | |
| Deferred fees and costs, net | 1,468 | | | 925 | |
| Unamortized discounts and premiums, net | 22,143 | | | 5,212 | |
| Amortized cost | 1,676,521 | | | 372,457 | |
| Valuation allowance | (5,579) | | | (3,370) | |
| Residential mortgage loans, carrying value | 1,670,942 | | | 369,087 | |
| Mortgage loans, carrying value | $ | 5,687,998 | | | $ | 4,165,489 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists of loans collateralized by the related properties and diversified as to property type, location and loan size. Our lending policies establish limits on the amount that can be loaned to one borrower and other criteria to attempt to reduce the risk of default. The commercial mortgage loan portfolio is summarized by geographic region and property type as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| Principal | | Percent | | Principal | | Percent |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Geographic distribution | | | | | | | |
| East | $ | 614,406 | | | 16.9 | % | | $ | 699,741 | | | 19.5 | % |
| Middle Atlantic | 293,494 | | | 8.1 | % | | 281,971 | | | 7.9 | % |
| Mountain | 452,818 | | | 12.5 | % | | 391,025 | | | 10.9 | % |
| New England | 60,172 | | | 1.6 | % | | 24,774 | | | 0.7 | % |
| Pacific | 863,879 | | | 23.8 | % | | 659,743 | | | 18.4 | % |
| South Atlantic | 785,679 | | | 21.6 | % | | 832,739 | | | 23.3 | % |
| West North Central | 235,864 | | | 6.5 | % | | 266,050 | | | 7.4 | % |
| West South Central | 326,819 | | | 9.0 | % | | 424,111 | | | 11.9 | % |
| $ | 3,633,131 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,580,154 | | | 100.0 | % |
| Property type distribution | | | | | | | |
| Office | $ | 315,374 | | | 8.7 | % | | $ | 297,065 | | | 8.3 | % |
| Medical Office | 10,827 | | | 0.3 | % | | 20,584 | | | 0.6 | % |
| Retail | 1,016,101 | | | 28.0 | % | | 1,187,484 | | | 33.2 | % |
| Industrial/Warehouse | 924,779 | | | 25.4 | % | | 929,325 | | | 25.9 | % |
| Apartment | 864,580 | | | 23.8 | % | | 939,084 | | | 26.2 | % |
| Hotel | 283,500 | | | 7.8 | % | | — | | | — | % |
| Mixed Use/Other | 217,970 | | | 6.0 | % | | 206,612 | | | 5.8 | % |
| $ | 3,633,131 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 3,580,154 | | | 100.0 | % |
Our agricultural mortgage loan portfolio consists of loans with an outstanding principal balance of $408.1 million and $245.8 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These loans are collateralized by agricultural land and are diversified as to location within the United States. Our residential mortgage loan portfolio consists of loans with an outstanding principal balance of $1.7 billion and $366.3 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These loans are collateralized by the related properties and diversified as to location within the United States.
Mortgage loans on real estate are generally reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts, computed using the interest method and net of valuation allowances. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the loan's contractual interest rate. Interest income is included in Net investment income on our consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest receivable, which was $37.0 million and $16.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, is included in Accrued investment income on our consolidated balance sheets.
Loan Valuation Allowance
We establish a valuation allowance to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in our mortgage loan portfolios. The valuation allowance is maintained at a level believed to be adequate by management to absorb estimated expected credit losses. The valuation allowance is based on amortized cost, which excludes accrued interest receivable. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable as we write off any uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances to net investment income in a timely manner. We did not charge off any uncollectible accrued interest receivable on our commercial, agricultural or residential mortgage loan portfolios for the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020, respectively.
The valuation allowances for each of our mortgage loan portfolios are estimated by deriving probability of default and recovery rate assumptions based on the characteristics of the loans in each portfolio, historical economic data and loss information, and current and forecasted economics conditions. Key loan characteristics impacting the estimate for our commercial mortgage loan portfolio include the current state of the borrower’s credit quality, which considers factors such as loan-to-value (“LTV”) and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios, loan performance, underlying collateral type, delinquency status, time to maturity, and original credit scores. Key loan characteristics impacting the estimate for our agricultural and residential mortgage loan portfolios include delinquency status, time to maturity, original credit scores and LTV ratios.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table represents a rollforward of the valuation allowance on our mortgage loan portfolios:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
| Commercial | | Agricultural | | Residential | | Total |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Beginning allowance balance | $ | (25,529) | | | $ | (2,130) | | | $ | (3,370) | | | $ | (31,029) | |
| Charge-offs | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Recoveries | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Change in provision for credit losses | 7,603 | | | 1,611 | | | (2,209) | | | 7,005 | |
| Ending allowance balance | $ | (17,926) | | | $ | (519) | | | $ | (5,579) | | | $ | (24,024) | |
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| Commercial | | Agricultural | | Residential | | Total |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Beginning allowance balance (1) | $ | (17,579) | | | $ | (200) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (17,779) | |
| Charge-offs | 1,485 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,485 | |
| Recoveries | 712 | | | — | | | — | | | 712 | |
| Change in provision for credit losses | (10,147) | | | (1,930) | | | (3,370) | | | (15,447) | |
| Ending allowance balance | $ | (25,529) | | | $ | (2,130) | | | $ | (3,370) | | | $ | (31,029) | |
(1)Upon adoption of authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020, we updated our accounting policies and methodology for calculating the general loan loss allowance, resulting in an adjustment to our mortgage loan valuation allowance. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies for further details.
Charge-offs include allowances that have been established on loans that were satisfied either by taking ownership of the collateral or by some other means such as discounted pay-off or loan sale. When ownership of the property is taken it is recorded at the lower of the loan's carrying value or the property's fair value (based on appraised values) less estimated costs to sell. The real estate owned is recorded as a component of Other investments and the loan is recorded as fully paid, with any allowance for credit loss that has been established charged off. Fair value of the real estate is determined by third party appraisal. There is no real estate held in Other investments as of December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. Recoveries are situations where we have received a payment from the borrower in an amount greater than the carrying value of the loan (principal outstanding less specific allowance).
Credit Quality Indicators
We evaluate the credit quality of our commercial and agricultural mortgage loans by analyzing LTV and DSC ratios and loan performance. We evaluate the credit quality of our residential mortgage loans by analyzing loan performance.
LTV and DSC ratios for our commercial mortgage loans are originally calculated at the time of loan origination and are updated annually for each loan using information such as rent rolls, assessment of lease maturity dates and property operating statements, which are reviewed in the context of current leasing and in place rents compared to market leasing and market rents. A DSC ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that a property's operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. An LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the value of the underlying collateral. All of our commercial mortgage loans that have a debt service coverage ratio of less than 1.0 are performing under the original contractual loan terms at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The amortized cost of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio by LTV and DSC ratios based on the most recent information collected was as follows at December 31, 2021 and 2020 (by year of origination):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | Prior | Total |
| As of December 31, 2021: | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV |
| Debt Service Coverage Ratio: | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Greater than or equal to 1.5 | $ | 260,623 | | 64 | % | $ | 454,828 | | 60 | % | $ | 464,059 | | 61 | % | $ | 344,170 | | 58 | % | $ | 246,854 | | 52 | % | $ | 758,494 | | 45 | % | $ | 2,529,028 | | 55 | % |
Greater than or equal to 1.2 and less than 1.5 | 12,836 | | 67 | % | 58,960 | | 66 | % | 128,301 | | 70 | % | 89,293 | | 66 | % | 135,818 | | 66 | % | 129,833 | | 57 | % | 555,041 | | 65 | % |
Greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.2 | 318,636 | | 45 | % | 17,762 | | 82 | % | 69,684 | | 72 | % | 11,937 | | 75 | % | 6,343 | | 60 | % | 42,125 | | 58 | % | 466,487 | | 53 | % |
| Less than 1.0 | — | | — | % | 3,289 | | 61 | % | 26,147 | | 63 | % | 14,051 | | 76 | % | 13,385 | | 73 | % | 21,074 | | 54 | % | 77,946 | | 65 | % |
| Total | $ | 592,095 | | 54 | % | $ | 534,839 | | 61 | % | $ | 688,191 | | 64 | % | $ | 459,451 | | 60 | % | $ | 402,400 | | 58 | % | $ | 951,526 | | 47 | % | $ | 3,628,502 | | 56 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | Prior | Total |
| As of December 31, 2020: | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV |
| Debt Service Coverage Ratio: | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Greater than or equal to 1.5 | $ | 364,574 | | 63 | % | $ | 442,370 | | 66 | % | $ | 399,193 | | 62 | % | $ | 316,738 | | 57 | % | $ | 359,321 | | 54 | % | $ | 715,706 | | 47 | % | $ | 2,597,902 | | 57 | % |
| Greater than or equal to 1.2 and less than 1.5 | 161,779 | | 66 | % | 226,166 | | 70 | % | 124,267 | | 72 | % | 124,564 | | 67 | % | 52,513 | | 62 | % | 111,690 | | 55 | % | 800,979 | | 66 | % |
| Greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.2 | 17,638 | | 82 | % | 22,917 | | 67 | % | 2,769 | | 71 | % | 7,597 | | 66 | % | — | | — | % | 32,327 | | 65 | % | 83,248 | | 69 | % |
| Less than 1.0 | — | | — | % | 64,131 | | 58 | % | 1,441 | | 89 | % | 10,156 | | 80 | % | — | | — | % | 21,031 | | 60 | % | 96,759 | | 61 | % |
| Total | $ | 543,991 | | 65 | % | $ | 755,584 | | 67 | % | $ | 527,670 | | 64 | % | $ | 459,055 | | 60 | % | $ | 411,834 | | 55 | % | $ | 880,754 | | 49 | % | $ | 3,578,888 | | 59 | % |
LTV and DSC ratios for our agricultural mortgage loans are calculated at the time of loan origination and are evaluated annually for each loan using land value averages. A DSC ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that a property's operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. An LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the value of the underlying collateral. All of our agricultural mortgage loans that have a debt service coverage ratio of less than 1.0 are performing under the original contractual loan terms at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The amortized cost of our agricultural mortgage loan portfolio by LTV and DSC ratios based on the most recent information collected was as follows at December 31, 2021 and 2020 (by year of origination):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | Prior | Total |
| As of December 31, 2021: | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV |
| Debt Service Coverage Ratio: | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Greater than or equal to 1.5 | $ | 62,548 | | 54 | % | $ | 80,919 | | 56 | % | $ | 11,645 | | 49 | % | $ | 25,000 | | 11 | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | 180,112 | | 49 | % |
Greater than or equal to 1.2 and less than 1.5 | 95,738 | | 55 | % | 102,958 | | 43 | % | 3,335 | | 22 | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | 202,031 | | 48 | % |
Greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.2 | 7,478 | | 44 | % | 4,092 | | 36 | % | 4,734 | | 50 | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | 16,304 | | 44 | % |
| Less than 1.0 | — | | — | % | 8,552 | | 59 | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | 8,552 | | 59 | % |
| Total | $ | 165,764 | | 54 | % | $ | 196,521 | | 49 | % | $ | 19,714 | | 45 | % | $ | 25,000 | | 11 | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | 406,999 | | 48 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | Prior | Total |
| As of December 31, 2020: | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV | Amortized
Cost | Average
LTV |
| Debt Service Coverage Ratio: | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Greater than or equal to 1.5 | $ | 78,631 | | 52 | % | $ | 13,985 | | 47 | % | $ | 25,000 | | 11 | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | 117,616 | | 43 | % |
| Greater than or equal to 1.2 and less than 1.5 | 101,879 | | 44 | % | 3,425 | | 23 | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | 105,304 | | 44 | % |
| Greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.2 | 4,213 | | 37 | % | 6,573 | | 43 | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | 10,786 | | 41 | % |
| Less than 1.0 | 11,467 | | 48 | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | — | | — | % | 11,467 | | 48 | % |
| Total | $ | 196,190 | | 47 | % | $ | 23,983 | | 42 | % | $ | 25,000 | | 11 | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | — | | — | % | $ | 245,173 | | 43 | % |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
We closely monitor loan performance for our commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loan portfolios. Aging of financing receivables is summarized in the following table (by year of origination):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | Prior | | Total |
| As of December 31, 2021: | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Commercial mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | $ | 592,095 | | | $ | 534,839 | | | $ | 688,191 | | | $ | 459,451 | | | $ | 402,400 | | | $ | 951,526 | | | $ | 3,628,502 | |
| 30 - 59 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| 60 - 89 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Over 90 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Total commercial mortgage loans | $ | 592,095 | | | $ | 534,839 | | | $ | 688,191 | | | $ | 459,451 | | | $ | 402,400 | | | $ | 951,526 | | | $ | 3,628,502 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agricultural mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | $ | 165,764 | | | $ | 196,521 | | | $ | 19,714 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 406,999 | |
| 30 - 59 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| 60 - 89 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Over 90 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Total agricultural mortgage loans | $ | 165,764 | | | $ | 196,521 | | | $ | 19,714 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 406,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | $ | 1,092,438 | | | $ | 454,532 | | | $ | 67,380 | | | $ | 16,898 | | | $ | 751 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,631,999 | |
| 30 - 59 days past due | 10,284 | | | 12,363 | | | 11,373 | | | 427 | | | — | | | — | | | 34,447 | |
| 60 - 89 days past due | 1,838 | | | 1,090 | | | 102 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,030 | |
| Over 90 days past due | 679 | | | 5,459 | | | 907 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7,045 | |
| Total residential mortgage loans | $ | 1,105,239 | | | $ | 473,444 | | | $ | 79,762 | | | $ | 17,325 | | | $ | 751 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,676,521 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Prior | | Total |
| As of December 31, 2020: | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Commercial mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | $ | 543,991 | | | $ | 755,584 | | | $ | 527,670 | | | $ | 459,055 | | | $ | 411,834 | | | $ | 880,754 | | | $ | 3,578,888 | |
| 30 - 59 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| 60 - 89 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Over 90 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Total commercial mortgage loans | $ | 543,991 | | | $ | 755,584 | | | $ | 527,670 | | | $ | 459,055 | | | $ | 411,834 | | | $ | 880,754 | | | $ | 3,578,888 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agricultural mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | $ | 196,190 | | | $ | 23,983 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 245,173 | |
| 30 - 59 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| 60 - 89 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Over 90 days past due | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Total agricultural mortgage loans | $ | 196,190 | | | $ | 23,983 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 245,173 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | $ | 321,779 | | | $ | 24,951 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 346,730 | |
| 30 - 59 days past due | 25,150 | | | 299 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 25,449 | |
| 60 - 89 days past due | 111 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 111 | |
| Over 90 days past due | 167 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 167 | |
| Total residential mortgage loans | $ | 347,207 | | | $ | 25,250 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 372,457 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans are considered nonperforming when they become 90 days or more past due. When loans become nonperforming, we place them on non-accrual status and discontinue recognizing interest income. If payments are received on a nonperforming loan, interest income is recognized to the extent it would have been recognized if normal principal and interest would have been received timely. If payments are received to bring a nonperforming loan back to less than 90 days past due, we will resume accruing interest income on that loan. There were 13 loans in non-accrual status at December 31, 2021 and one loan in non-accrual status at December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021 we recognized interest income of $65 thousand on loans which were in non-accrual status at the respective period end. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized no interest income on loans which were in non-accrual status at the respective period end.
Troubled Debt Restructuring
A Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") is a situation where we have granted a concession to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties that we would not otherwise consider. A mortgage loan that has been granted new terms, including workout terms as described previously, would be considered a TDR if it meets conditions that would indicate a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the new terms constitute a concession on our part. We analyze all loans where we have agreed to workout terms and all loans that we have refinanced to determine if they meet the definition of a TDR. We consider the following factors in determining whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty:
•borrower is in default,
•borrower has declared bankruptcy,
•there is growing concern about the borrower's ability to continue as a going concern,
•borrower has insufficient cash flows to service debt,
•borrower's inability to obtain funds from other sources, and
•there is a breach of financial covenants by the borrower.
If the borrower is determined to be in financial difficulty, we consider the following conditions to determine if the borrower is granted a concession:
•assets used to satisfy debt are less than our recorded investment,
•interest rate is modified,
•maturity date extension at an interest rate less than market rate,
•capitalization of interest,
•delaying principal and/or interest for a period of three months or more, and
•partial forgiveness of the balance or charge-off.
Mortgage loan workouts, refinances or restructures that are classified as TDRs are individually evaluated and measured for impairment. There were no mortgage loans that we determined to be a TDR at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
6. Variable Interest Entities
We have relationships with various types of entities which may be VIEs. Certain VIEs are consolidated in our financial results. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies for further details on our consolidation accounting policies.
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
We are invested in one investment company real estate limited partnership which owns various limited liability companies that invest in residential real estate properties. This entity is a VIE as the legal entity’s equity investors have insufficient equity at risk and lack of power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance. We determined we are the primary beneficiary as a result of our power to control the entity through our significant ownership. Due to the nature of these real estate investments, the investment balance will fluctuate based on changes in the fair value of the properties as well as when purchases and sales of properties are made.
We are invested in one limited partnership which invests in a limited partnership fund that holds infrastructure credit assets. The feeder fund limited partnership is a VIE, and we determined we are the primary beneficiary as a result of our significant ownership of the limited partnership and our obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the VIE. We have consolidated the assets and liabilities of the limited partnership, which primarily consist of an equity interest in the infrastructure fund.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The carrying amounts of our consolidated VIE assets, which can only be used to settle obligations of the consolidated VIEs, and liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| Total
Assets | | Total
Liabilities | | Total
Assets | | Total
Liabilities |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Real estate investments | $ | 363,229 | | | $ | 20,168 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Infrastructure credit fund | 168,711 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| $ | 531,940 | | | $ | 20,168 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
We provided debt funding to special purpose vehicles, which is used to acquire and hold loans made to middle market companies. These legal entities are deemed VIEs because there is insufficient equity at risk. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary as we do not control the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs. Our investments in these VIEs are reported in Fixed maturity securities, available for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We provided funding to a limited partnership which purchased a residential business purpose loan originator. The limited partnership was deemed a VIE, however, we are not the primary beneficiary due to our lack of control of the limited partnership. Our investment in this VIE is reported in Other investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The carrying value and maximum loss exposure for our unconsolidated VIEs were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| Asset
Carrying Value | | Maximum
Exposure to Loss | | Asset
Carrying Value | | Maximum
Exposure to Loss |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale | $ | 459,681 | | | $ | 459,681 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Other investments | 345,000 | | | 345,000 | | | — | | | — | |
7. Derivative Instruments
None of our derivatives qualify for hedge accounting, thus, any change in the fair value of the derivatives is recognized immediately in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of our derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in fixed index annuity contracts, presented in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Assets | | | |
| Derivative instruments | | | |
| Call options | $ | 1,276,574 | | | $ | 1,310,954 | |
| Warrants | 906 | | | — | |
| $ | 1,277,480 | | | $ | 1,310,954 | |
| | | |
| Liabilities | | | |
| Policy benefit reserves - annuity products | | | |
| Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives, net | $ | 7,964,961 | | | $ | 7,938,281 | |
| Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities | | | |
| Reinsurance related embedded derivative | (2,362) | | | — | |
| $ | 7,962,599 | | | $ | 7,938,281 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The changes in fair value of derivatives included in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Change in fair value of derivatives: | | | | | |
| Call options | $ | 1,347,925 | | | $ | 34,604 | | | $ | 908,556 | |
| Warrants | 810 | | | — | | | — | |
| Interest rate swap | — | | | — | | | (1,059) | |
| Interest rate caps | — | | | 62 | | | (591) | |
| $ | 1,348,735 | | | $ | 34,666 | | | $ | 906,906 | |
| Change in fair value of embedded derivatives: | | | | | |
| Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | $ | (876,803) | | | $ | (1,922,085) | | | $ | 562,302 | |
Other changes in difference between policy benefit reserves computed using derivative accounting vs. long-duration contracts accounting | 520,863 | | | 635,298 | | | 891,740 | |
| Reinsurance related embedded derivative | (2,362) | | | — | | | — | |
| $ | (358,302) | | | $ | (1,286,787) | | | $ | 1,454,042 | |
The amounts presented as "Other changes in difference between policy benefit reserves computed using derivative accounting vs. long-duration contracts accounting" represents the total change in the difference between policy benefit reserves for fixed index annuities computed under the derivative accounting standard and the long-duration contracts accounting standard at each balance sheet date, less the change in fair value of our fixed index annuities embedded derivatives that is presented as Level 3 liabilities in Note 3 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments.
We have fixed index 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. When fixed index annuity deposits are received, a portion of the deposit is used to purchase derivatives consisting of call options on the applicable market indices to fund the index credits due to fixed index annuity policyholders. Substantially all such call options are one year options purchased to match the funding requirements of the underlying policies. The call options are marked to fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of revenues. The change in fair value of derivatives includes the gains or losses recognized at the expiration of the option term and the changes in fair value for open positions. On the respective anniversary dates of the index policies, the index used to compute the index credit is reset and we purchase new call options to fund the next index credit. We manage the cost of these purchases through the terms of our fixed index annuities, which permit us to change caps, participation rates, and/or asset fees, subject to guaranteed minimums on each policy's anniversary date. By adjusting caps, participation rates, or asset fees, we can generally manage option costs except in cases where the contractual features would prevent further modifications.
Our strategy attempts to mitigate any potential risk of loss due to the nonperformance of the counterparties to these call options through a regular monitoring process which evaluates the program's effectiveness. We do not purchase call options that would require payment or collateral to another institution and our call options do not contain counterparty credit-risk-related contingent features. We are exposed to risk of loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties and, accordingly, we purchase our option contracts from multiple counterparties and evaluate the creditworthiness of all counterparties prior to purchase of the contracts. All non-exchange traded options have been purchased from nationally recognized financial institutions with a Standard and Poor's credit rating of A- or higher at the time of purchase and the maximum credit exposure to any single counterparty is subject to concentration limits. We also have credit support agreements that allow us to request the counterparty to provide collateral to us when the fair value of our exposure to the counterparty exceeds specified amounts.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The notional amount and fair value of our call options by counterparty and each counterparty's current credit rating are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | December 31, |
| | | | | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Counterparty | | Credit Rating (S&P) | | Credit Rating (Moody's) | | Notional
Amount | | Fair Value | | Notional
Amount | | Fair Value |
| | | | | | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Bank of America | | A+ | | Aa2 | | $ | 3,556,256 | | | $ | 99,229 | | | $ | 2,835,420 | | | $ | 95,378 | |
| Barclays | | A | | A1 | | 4,213,658 | | | 157,865 | | | 5,710,978 | | | 277,692 | |
| Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | | A+ | | Aa2 | | 3,956,329 | | | 141,540 | | | 6,593,815 | | | 279,053 | |
| Citibank, N.A. | | A+ | | Aa3 | | 3,190,833 | | | 115,860 | | | 3,118,979 | | | 96,757 | |
| Credit Suisse | | A+ | | A1 | | 3,716,868 | | | 113,295 | | | 4,422,798 | | | 78,823 | |
| J.P. Morgan | | A+ | | Aa2 | | 4,482,832 | | | 105,899 | | | 3,600,636 | | | 54,762 | |
| Morgan Stanley | | A+ | | Aa3 | | 2,223,743 | | | 47,950 | | | 2,856,466 | | | 62,969 | |
| Royal Bank of Canada | | AA- | | A2 | | 3,567,972 | | | 100,472 | | | 1,289,699 | | | 32,753 | |
| Societe Generale | | A | | A1 | | 2,548,072 | | | 86,494 | | | 1,494,904 | | | 34,394 | |
| Truist | | A | | A2 | | 2,547,808 | | | 94,924 | | | 2,375,124 | | | 96,573 | |
| Wells Fargo | | A+ | | Aa2 | | 5,820,381 | | | 206,403 | | | 4,848,541 | | | 196,801 | |
| Exchange traded | | | | | | 266,601 | | | 6,643 | | | 214,819 | | | 4,999 | |
| | | | | | $ | 40,091,353 | | | $ | 1,276,574 | | | $ | 39,362,179 | | | $ | 1,310,954 | |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we held $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents and other investments from counterparties for derivative collateral, which is included in Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. This derivative collateral limits the maximum amount of economic loss due to credit risk that we would incur if parties to the call options failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts to $8.5 million and $35.1 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The future index credits on our fixed index annuities are treated as a "series of embedded derivatives" over the expected life of the applicable contract. We do not purchase call options to fund the index liabilities which may arise after the next policy anniversary date. We must value both the call options and the related forward embedded options in the policies at fair value.
The reinsurance agreement with North End Re (Cayman) SPC (“North End Re”) to cede certain fixed index annuity product liabilities on a modified coinsurance basis contains an embedded derivative. The obligation to pay the total return on the assets supporting liabilities associated with this reinsurance agreement represents a total return swap. The fair value of the total return swap is based on the unrealized gains and losses of the underlying assets held in the modified coinsurance portfolio. The reinsurance related embedded derivative is reported in Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative is reported in Change in fair value of embedded derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 – Reinsurance and Policy Provisions for further discussion on this reinsurance agreement.
We entered into an interest rate swap and interest rate caps to manage interest rate risk associated with the floating rate component on certain of our subordinated debentures. See Note 12 - Subordinated Debentures for more information on our subordinated debentures. As of December 31, 2021, all of our floating rate subordinated debentures have been redeemed and the interest rate swap and interest rate caps have been terminated. The terms of the interest rate swap provided that we paid a fixed rate of interest and received a floating rate of interest. The terms of the interest rate caps limited the three month LIBOR to 2.50%. The interest rate swap and caps were not effective hedges under accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Therefore, we recorded the interest rate swap and caps at fair value and any net cash payments received or paid were included in the change in fair value of derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Deferred Sales Inducements and Liability for Lifetime Income Benefit Riders
Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 2,225,199 | | | $ | 3,033,649 | | | $ | 3,529,855 | |
| | | | | |
| Costs deferred during the year: | | | | | |
| Commissions | 303,192 | | | 251,428 | | | 419,166 | |
| Policy issue costs | 4,665 | | | 3,725 | | | 3,351 | |
| Amortization: | | | | | |
| Amortization | (313,990) | | | (2,769) | | | (280,699) | |
| Impact of unlocking | 45,662 | | | (646,785) | | | 192,982 | |
| Effect of net unrealized gains/losses | 299,478 | | | (414,049) | | | (831,006) | |
| Write-off related to in-force ceded reinsurance | (341,437) | | | — | | | — | |
| Balance at end of year | $ | 2,222,769 | | | $ | 2,225,199 | | | $ | 3,033,649 | |
Sales inducements deferred and amortized are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 1,448,375 | | | $ | 2,042,060 | | | $ | 2,512,590 | |
| | | | | |
| Costs deferred during the year | 95,160 | | | 93,610 | | | 177,941 | |
| Amortization: | | | | | |
| Amortization | (197,799) | | | (10,063) | | | (193,292) | |
| Impact of unlocking | 45,107 | | | (428,101) | | | 104,707 | |
| Effect of net unrealized gains/losses | 155,230 | | | (249,131) | | | (559,886) | |
| Balance at end of year | $ | 1,546,073 | | | $ | 1,448,375 | | | $ | 2,042,060 | |
The following table presents a rollforward of the liability for lifetime income benefit riders (net of coinsurance ceded):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 2,485,123 | | | $ | 1,670,750 | | | $ | 790,884 | |
| Benefit expense accrual | 206,180 | | | 311,211 | | | 179,901 | |
| Impact of unlocking | 243,658 | | | 285,825 | | | 315,383 | |
| Effect of net unrealized gains/losses | (101,848) | | | 217,337 | | | 384,582 | |
| Reduction related to in-force ceded reinsurance | (38,484) | | | — | | | — | |
| Claim payments | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Balance at end of year | $ | 2,794,629 | | | $ | 2,485,123 | | | $ | 1,670,750 | |
We periodically update the key assumptions used in the calculation of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements retrospectively through an unlocking process when estimates of current or future gross profits/margins (including the impact of realized investment gains and losses) to be realized from a group of products are revised. In addition, we periodically update the assumptions used in determining the liability for lifetime income benefit riders.
We review these assumptions quarterly and as a result of these reviews, we made updates to assumptions in 2021, 2020 and 2019. In addition, we implemented an enhanced actuarial valuation system during 2019, and as a result, our 2019 assumption updates include model refinements resulting from the implementation.
In 2021, American Equity Life entered into a reinsurance agreement which ceded in-force fixed index annuity product liabilities. As a result, there was a write-off of deferred acquisition costs and a reduction of the liability for lifetime income benefit riders associated with this block of in-force liabilities ceded under the agreement. See Note 9 - Reinsurance and Policy Provisions for further discussion of this reinsurance agreement.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2021 Assumption Updates
The most significant assumption updates made in 2021 were to investment spread assumptions, including the net investment earned rate and crediting rate on policies, lifetime income benefit rider utilization assumptions, mortality assumptions, and lapse rate assumptions as discussed below.
Due to the continued low interest rate environment, we updated our assumption for investment spread for American Equity Life to 2.25% in the near term and increasing to 2.50% over an eight-year reversion period and our assumption for crediting/discount rate to 1.55% increasing to 2.10% over an eight-year reversion period. Prior to these assumption updates, our long-term assumption for aggregate investment spread was at 2.60% at then end of an eight-year reversion period, with a near term crediting/discount rate of 1.60% increasing to 2.10% over an eight-year reversion period. The assumption change to decrease aggregate investment spread resulted in lower expected future gross profits as compared to previous estimates and a decrease in the balances of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements.
We updated lapse rate and mortality assumptions based on historical experience. For certain annuity products without a lifetime income benefit rider, the lapse rate assumption was increased in more recent cohorts to reflect higher lapses on polices with a market value adjustment ("MVA") feature. For other annuity products with a lifetime income benefit rider, the population was bifurcated based on whether policies had utilized the rider. For those policies which had utilized the rider, the lapse rate assumption was decreased in later durations. The overall mortality assumption was lowered to reflect historical experience. The net impact of the updates to the lapse rate and mortality assumptions resulted in higher expected future gross profits as compared to previous estimates and an increase in the balances of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements. The net impact of the updates to lapse rate and mortality assumptions resulted in an increase in the liability for lifetime income benefit riders due to a greater amount of expected benefit payments in excess of account values.
We updated the lifetime income benefit rider utilization assumption based on historical experience. The ultimate utilization assumption was lowered for policies with a fee rider and certain policies with a no-fee rider. In addition, the utilization assumption was changed to reflect seasonality with higher utilization rates during the first quarter of each year. The net impact of the updates to the utilization assumption resulted in a decrease in the liability for lifetime income benefit riders due to a lower amount of expected benefits payments due to lower expected utilization. The net impact of the updates to the utilization assumption resulted in higher expected future gross profits as compared to previous estimates and an increase in the balances of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements.
2020 Assumption Updates
The most significant assumption updates made in 2020 were to investment spread assumptions, including the net investment earned rate and crediting rates on policies, as well as updates to lapse rate and partial withdrawal assumptions.
Due to the economic and low interest rate environments, we updated our assumption for aggregate investment spread to 2.40% in the near-term increasing to 2.60% over an eight-year reversion period and our assumption for crediting/discount rate to 1.60% increasing to 2.10% over an eight-year reversion period. Prior to these assumption updates, our long-term assumption for aggregate investment spread was steady at 2.60%, with a near term crediting/discount rate of 1.90% increasing to 2.90% over a 20 year reversion period. The assumption update to decrease aggregate investment spread resulted in lower expected future gross profits as compared to previous estimates and a decrease in the balances of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements. The decrease in the crediting rate, which is used as the discount rate in the calculation of the liability for lifetime income benefit riders, resulted in an increase in the liability for lifetime income benefit riders.
We updated lapse rate and partial withdrawal assumptions based on actual historical experience. For certain annuity products without a lifetime income benefit rider, lapse rate and partial withdrawal assumptions were increased while for certain annuity products with a lifetime income benefit rider, lapse rate and partial withdrawal assumptions were decreased. The net impact of the updates to lapse rate and partial withdrawal assumptions resulted in lower expected future gross profits as compared to previous estimates and a decrease in the balances of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements. The net impact of the updates to lapse rate and partial withdrawal assumptions resulted in an increase in the liability for lifetime income benefit riders due to a greater amount of expected benefit payments in excess of account values.
2019 Assumption Updates
The most significant assumption updates made during 2019 were to lapse and utilization assumptions. We had credible lapse and utilization data based upon a comprehensive experience study spanning over 10 years on our products with lifetime income benefit riders and have experienced lapse rates that are lower than previously estimated.
Lower lapse assumptions resulted in an expectation that more policyholders will turn on their lifetime income benefit than previously anticipated which results in a greater amount of benefit payments in excess of account value and the need for a greater liability for lifetime income benefit riders. The decrease in lapse rate assumptions also resulted in policies being in force for a longer period of time and an increase in expected gross profits as compared to previous estimates. The higher level of expected future gross profits resulted in an increase in the balances of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Our historical experience also indicated that the ultimate utilization of certain lifetime income benefit riders was expected to be less than our prior assumptions and the timing of utilization of lifetime income benefit riders is later than in our prior assumptions. We reduced our ultimate utilization assumptions for fee riders from 75% to 60% and for no-fee riders from 37.5% to 30%, for policies issued in 2014 and prior years. The net effect of the utilization assumption revisions resulted in a decrease in the liability for lifetime income benefit riders and partially offset the increase in the reserve for lifetime income benefit riders from the change in lapse assumptions.
In addition, we updated our assumptions regarding future crediting/discount rates. We assumed a 3.80% U.S. Treasury rate with a 20 year mean revision period. Our assumption for aggregate investment spread was 2.60% which translated to an ultimate discount rate of 2.90%. While the aggregate spread of 2.60% did not change from prior estimates, our estimates of the profitability of individual cohorts changed with the use of an aggregate portfolio yield across all cohorts. This assumption update resulted in a change in the allocation of profitability by cohort, which caused a reduction in the deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements assets and partially offset the increase in the deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements assets from the change in lapse assumptions.
9. Reinsurance and Policy Provisions
Coinsurance
We have two coinsurance agreements with EquiTrust Life Insurance Company ("EquiTrust"), covering 70% of certain of American Equity Life's fixed index and fixed rate annuities issued from August 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001, 40% of those contracts issued during 2002 and 2003, and 20% of those contracts issued from January 1, 2004 to July 31, 2004. The business reinsured under these agreements may not be recaptured. Coinsurance deposits (aggregate policy benefit reserves transferred to EquiTrust under these agreements) were $381.4 million and $428.0 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We remain liable to policyholders with respect to the policy liabilities ceded to EquiTrust should EquiTrust fail to meet the obligations it has coinsured. The balance due under these agreements to EquiTrust was $7.8 million and $9.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and represents the fair value of call options held by us to fund index credits related to the ceded business net of cash due to or from EquiTrust related to monthly settlements of policy activity and other expenses.
We have three coinsurance agreements with Athene Life Re Ltd. ("Athene"), an unauthorized life reinsurer domiciled in Bermuda. One agreement ceded 20% of certain of American Equity Life's fixed index annuities issued from January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. The second agreement ceded 80% of American Equity Life's multi-year rate guaranteed annuities issued from July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2013 and 80% of Eagle Life's multi-year rate guaranteed annuities issued from November 20, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The third agreement ceded 80% of certain of American Equity Life's and Eagle Life's multi-year rate guaranteed annuities issued on or after January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2020, 80% of Eagle Life's fixed index annuities issued prior to January 1, 2017, 50% of certain of Eagle Life's fixed index annuities issued from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, 20% of certain of Eagle Life's fixed index annuities issued on or after January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020 and 80% of certain of American Equity Life's fixed index annuities issued from August 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Effective January 1, 2021, no new business is being ceded to Athene. The business reinsured under any of the Athene agreements may not be recaptured. Coinsurance deposits (aggregate policy benefit reserves transferred to Athene under these agreements) were $3.7 billion and $4.4 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. American Equity Life is an intermediary for reinsurance of Eagle Life's business ceded to Athene. American Equity Life and Eagle Life remain liable to policyholders with respect to the policy liabilities ceded to Athene should Athene fail to meet the obligations it has coinsured. The annuity deposits that have been ceded to Athene are secured by assets held in trusts and American Equity Life is the sole beneficiary of the trusts. The assets in the trusts are required to remain at a value that is sufficient to support the current balance of policy benefit liabilities of the ceded business on a statutory basis. If the value of the trust accounts would ever be less than the amount of the ceded policy benefit liabilities on a statutory basis, Athene is required to either establish a letter of credit or deposit securities in the trusts for the amount of any shortfall. The balance due under these agreements to Athene was $74.8 million and $105.8 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and represents the fair value of call options held by us to fund index credits related to the ceded business net of cash due from Athene related to monthly settlements of policy activity. Effective January 1, 2021, no new business is being ceded to Athene.
Effective July 1, 2021 American Equity Life entered into a reinsurance agreement with North End Re (North End Re reinsurance treaty), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (“Brookfield Reinsurance” or “Brookfield”) to reinsure approximately $4.3 billion of in-force fixed indexed annuity product liabilities as of the effective date of the reinsurance agreement, 70% on a modified coinsurance (“modco”) basis and 30% on a coinsurance basis. The liabilities reinsured on a coinsurance basis are secured by assets held in both a statutory and supplemental trust (collectively referred to as the “trusts”). The liabilities reinsured on a modco basis are secured by a segregated modco account in which the assets are maintained by American Equity Life. American Equity Life transferred cash of $2.6 billion to the segregated modco account and $1.1 billion to the statutory trust at close of this reinsurance agreement on October 8, 2021. American Equity Life will receive an annual ceding commission equal to 49 basis points and the Company will receive an annual asset liability management fee equal to 30 basis points calculated based on the initial cash surrender value of liabilities ceded. Such fees are fixed and contractually guaranteed for six years with the additional and final seventh year payment partially contingent on certain performance obligations for both parties. The initial net present value of the ceding commission related to the in-force business was $114.1 million.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As part of the North End Re reinsurance treaty, American Equity Life is also ceding 75% of certain fixed index annuities issued after the effective date of the agreement, 70% on a modco basis and 30% on a coinsurance basis to North End Re. On sales subsequent to the effective date of the North End Re reinsurance treaty, American Equity Life will receive an annual ceding commission equal to 140 basis points and the Company will receive an annual asset liability management fee equal to 30 basis points calculated based on the initial cash surrender value of liabilities ceded. Such fees are fixed and contractually guaranteed for six years with the additional and final seventh year payment being contingent on certain performance obligations for both parties. The initial net present value of the ceding commission related to the flow business ceded in 2021 was $27.1 million. The asset liability management fee recognized in Other revenue in 2021 was $5.5 million.
In addition, American Equity Life will receive certain acquisition cost reimbursements and an on-going annual expense reimbursement on each policy subject to the reinsurance agreement for the entirety of the policy duration.
As a result of the North End Re reinsurance treaty, there is a deferred gain of $321.7 million which is recorded in Other liabilities as of December 31, 2021. This deferred gain represents the unamortized portion of the cost of reinsurance related to the in-force business and new business in the third and fourth quarter which will be amortized over the life of the underlying reinsured policies. The deferred gain consists primarily of the difference between liabilities ceded and assets transferred as part of the reinsurance agreement and the present value of the ceding commissions previously noted offset by a reduction in deferred policy acquisition costs associated with the the in-force business ceded. The amortization of the deferred gain recognized in Other revenue in 2021 was $10.2 million.
American Equity Life remains liable to policyholders with respect to the policy liabilities ceded to North End Re should North End Re fail to meet the obligations it has reinsured.
The assets in the trusts and modco account are required to remain at a value that is sufficient to support the current balance of policy benefit liabilities of the ceded business on a statutory basis. The assets in the trusts and modco account are subject to investment management agreements between American Equity Life and North End Re.
As of December 31, 2021, coinsurance deposits (aggregate policy benefits reserves transferred to North End Re under these agreements) were $4.6 billion. The balance due under these agreements to North End Re was $127.9 million which is recorded in Other liabilities at December 31, 2021.
Separate from the reinsurance transaction, Brookfield Reinsurance, has an approximate 9.8% interest in the Company's outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2021. See Note 16 - Earnings Per Common Share and Stockholders' Equity for further discussion of Brookfield's ownership.
Amounts ceded to EquiTrust, Athene and North End Re under these agreements are as follows:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | | | | | |
| Annuity product charges | $ | 20,351 | | | $ | 7,021 | | | $ | 7,792 | |
| Change in fair value of derivatives | 140,641 | | | 43,080 | | | 97,195 | |
| $ | 160,992 | | | $ | 50,101 | | | $ | 104,987 | |
| | | | | |
| Interest sensitive and index product benefits | $ | 303,035 | | | $ | 152,485 | | | $ | 132,127 | |
| Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (76,915) | | | 4,352 | | | 109,002 | |
| Other operating costs and expenses | 16,440 | | | 17,663 | | | 18,778 | |
| $ | 242,560 | | | $ | 174,500 | | | $ | 259,907 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | | | | |
| Annuity deposits | $ | (424,819) | | | $ | (35,667) | | | $ | (290,040) | |
| Cash payments to policyholders | 984,260 | | | 466,311 | | | 381,276 | |
| $ | 559,441 | | | $ | 430,644 | | | $ | 91,236 | |
We calculate estimated losses on reinsurance recoverable balances by determining an expected loss ratio. The expected loss ratio is based on industry historical loss experience and expected recovery timing adjusted for certain current and forecasted environmental factors management believes to be relevant. Estimated losses related to our reinsurance recoverable balances were $2.3 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
We monitor concentration of reinsurance risk with third party reinsurers and monitor concentration as well as financial strength ratings of our reinsurers.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Financing Arrangements
Effective April 1, 2019, we entered into a reinsurance agreement with Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America ("Hannover"), which was treated as reinsurance under statutory accounting practices and as a financing arrangement under GAAP. The statutory surplus benefit under this agreement was eliminated under GAAP and the associated charges were recorded as risk charges and included in Other operating costs and expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The 2019 Hanover Agreement was a coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance agreement for statutory purposes covering 80% of lifetime income benefit rider payments in excess of policy fund values and waived surrender charges related to penalty free withdrawals on certain business.
The reserve credit recorded on a statutory basis by American Equity Life under the 2019 Hannover agreement was $1.4 billion at December 31, 2020. We paid a quarterly risk charge based on the pretax statutory benefit as of the end of each calendar quarter. Risk charges attributable to our 2019 agreement with Hannover were $33.1 million, $44.7 million, and $37.8 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Effective October 1, 2021, we recaptured the 2019 Hannover agreement.
Intercompany Reinsurance Agreements
Effective October 1, 2021, American Equity Life entered into a reinsurance agreement with AEL Re Vermont, a wholly-owned captive reinsurance company, to cede a portion of lifetime income benefit rider payments in excess of policy fund values on a funds withheld basis ("The AEL Re Vermont Agreement"). In connection with the agreement, AEL Re Vermont entered into an excess of loss ("XOL") reinsurance agreement with Hannover to retrocede the lifetime income benefit rider payments in excess of the policy fund values ceded under the AEL Re Vermont Agreement after the funds withheld account balance is exhausted. AEL Re Vermont is permitted to carry the XOL treaty as an admitted asset on the AEL Re Vermont statutory balance sheet. The effects of this agreement are not accounted for as reinsurance as it does not satisfy the risk transfer requirements for GAAP. AEL Re Vermont incurred risk charges of $2.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 in relation to this XOL agreement with Hannover. The risk charges are included in other Operating costs and expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Effective December 31, 2021, American Equity Life executed a coinsurance agreement with AEL Re Bermuda, an affiliated Bermuda reinsurer wholly owned by American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, to reinsure a quota share of fixed index annuities issued from January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2007. The treaty is maintained on a funds withheld basis. American Equity Life ceded $3.8 billion of statutory reserves and interest maintenance reserves.
All intercompany balances have been eliminated in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements.
10. Income Taxes
We file consolidated federal income tax returns that include all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Our income tax expense as presented in the consolidated financial statements is summarized as follows:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Consolidated statements of operations: | | | | | |
| Current income taxes | $ | 332 | | | $ | 3,430 | | | $ | 12,528 | |
| Deferred income taxes | 128,423 | | | 141,071 | | | 56,947 | |
| Total income tax expense included in consolidated statements of operations | 128,755 | | | 144,501 | | | 69,475 | |
| Stockholders' equity: | | | | | |
| Expense (benefit) relating to: | | | | | |
| Adoption of expected credit loss model | — | | | (2,543) | | | — | |
| Change in net unrealized investment losses | (90,284) | | | 225,746 | | | 372,472 | |
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| | | | | |
| Total income tax expense included in consolidated financial statements | $ | 38,471 | | | $ | 367,704 | | | $ | 441,947 | |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations differed from the amount computed at the applicable statutory federal income tax rates of 21% for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 as follows:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Income before income taxes | $ | 602,747 | | | $ | 815,961 | | | $ | 315,565 | |
| | | | | |
| Income tax expense on income before income taxes | $ | 126,577 | | | $ | 171,352 | | | $ | 66,269 | |
| Tax effect of: | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| State income taxes | 5,239 | | | 5,749 | | | 5,111 | |
| Tax exempt net investment income | (4,715) | | | (4,602) | | | (4,385) | |
| Tax rate differential on net operating loss carryback | — | | | (30,041) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Other | 1,654 | | | 2,043 | | | 2,480 | |
| Income tax expense | $ | 128,755 | | | $ | 144,501 | | | $ | 69,475 | |
| Effective tax rate | 21.4 | % | | 17.7 | % | | 22.0 | % |
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was positively impacted by $30.0 million related to the provision of the CARES ACT which allowed net operating losses for 2018 through 2020 to be carried back to previous tax years in which a 35% statutory tax rate was in effect.
Deferred income tax assets or liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in deductible or taxable amounts, respectively, in future years. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020, are as follows:
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| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Deferred income tax assets: | | | |
| Policy benefit reserves | $ | 1,373,485 | | | $ | 1,586,000 | |
| Credit losses/Impairments | 15,275 | | | 28,519 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Other policyholder funds | 3,332 | | | 3,789 | |
| | | |
| Deferred compensation | 3,434 | | | 2,161 | |
| Share-based compensation | 5,171 | | | 2,189 | |
| | | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | 87,314 | | | — | |
| Other | 1,140 | | | 3,569 | |
| Gross deferred tax assets | 1,489,151 | | | 1,626,227 | |
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | | | |
| Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements | (1,170,859) | | | (1,268,790) | |
| Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities | (489,290) | | | (579,766) | |
| | | |
| Derivative instruments | (107,717) | | | (119,444) | |
| Policy benefit reserves | (98,616) | | | (123,270) | |
| Investment income items | (56,285) | | | (28,719) | |
| Amounts due reinsurer | (103,234) | | | (5,636) | |
| Other | (5,122) | | | (4,602) | |
| Gross deferred tax liabilities | (2,031,123) | | | (2,130,227) | |
| Net deferred income tax liability | $ | (541,972) | | | $ | (504,000) | |
Included in deferred income taxes is the expected income tax benefit attributable to unrealized losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities. There is no valuation allowance provided for the deferred income tax asset attributable to unrealized losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities. Management expects that the passage of time will result in the reversal of these unrealized losses due to the fair value increasing as these securities near maturity. We have the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity and do not believe it would be necessary to liquidate these securities at a loss. In addition, we have the ability to sell fixed maturity securities in unrealized gain positions to offset realized deferred income tax assets attributable to unrealized losses on available for sale fixed maturity securities.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Realization of our deferred income tax assets is more likely than not based on expectations as to our future taxable income and considering all other available evidence, both positive and negative. Therefore, no valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets has been established as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
There were no material income tax contingencies requiring recognition in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021. Our tax returns are subject to audit by various federal, state and local tax authorities. The Company's income tax returns are subject to examination by the IRS and state tax authorities, generally for three years after they are due or filed, whichever is later. Tax years ended before December 31, 2018 are no longer open to examination by the IRS.
At December 31, 2021, we have $87.3 million of net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes.
11. Notes Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements
Notes payable includes the following:
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| | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Senior notes due 2027 | | | |
| Principal | $ | 500,000 | | | $ | 500,000 | |
| Unamortized debt issue costs | (3,537) | | | (4,086) | |
| Unamortized discount | (213) | | | (246) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| $ | 496,250 | | | $ | 495,668 | |
On June 16, 2017, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2027 which bear interest at 5.0% per year and will mature on June 15, 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). The 2027 Notes were issued at a $0.3 million discount, which is being amortized over the term of the 2027 Notes using the effective interest method. Contractual interest is payable semi-annually in arrears each June 15th and December 15th. The initial transaction fees and costs totaling $5.8 million were capitalized as deferred financing costs and are being amortized over the term of the 2027 Notes using the effective interest method.
On September 30, 2016, we entered into a credit agreement with six banks that provided for a $150 million unsecured revolving line of credit (the "Revolving Facility") that terminated on September 30, 2021 and a $100 million term loan that was scheduled to terminate on September 30, 2019 but was repaid on June 16, 2017 without penalty. No amounts were outstanding under the Revolving Facility at December 31, 2020.
As part of our investment strategy, we enter into securities repurchase agreements (short-term collateralized borrowings). When we do borrow cash on these repurchase agreements, we pledge collateral in the form of debt securities with fair values approximately equal to the amount due and we use the cash to purchase debt securities ahead of the time we collect the cash from selling annuity policies to avoid a lag between the investment of funds and the obligation to credit interest to policyholders. We earn investment income on the securities purchased with these borrowings at a rate in excess of the cost of these borrowings. We had no borrowings under repurchase agreements during the year ended December 31, 2021. Such borrowings averaged $14.3 million and $33.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The maximum amount borrowed during 2020 and 2019 was $186.4 million and $243.6 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on amounts due under repurchase agreements was 1.73% and 2.99% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
12. Subordinated Debentures
Our wholly-owned subsidiary trusts (which are not consolidated) have issued fixed rate and floating rate trust preferred securities and have used the proceeds from these offerings to purchase subordinated debentures from us. We also issued subordinated debentures to the trusts in exchange for all of the common securities of each trust. The sole assets of the trusts are the subordinated debentures and any interest accrued thereon. The interest payment dates on the subordinated debentures correspond to the distribution dates on the trust preferred securities issued by the trusts. The trust preferred securities mature simultaneously with the subordinated debentures. Our obligations under the subordinated debentures and related agreements provide a full and unconditional guarantee of payments due under the trust preferred securities. All subordinated debentures are callable by us at any time, except for the Trust II subordinated debt obligations.
Following is a summary of subordinated debt obligations to the trusts at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
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| December 31, | | | | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | Interest Rate | | Due Date |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | | | | |
| American Equity Capital Trust II | $ | 78,421 | | | $ | 78,112 | | | 5% | | June 1, 2047 |
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AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The principal amount of the subordinated debentures issued by us to American Equity Capital Trust II ("Trust II") is $100.0 million. These debentures were assigned a fair value of $74.7 million at the date of issue (based upon an effective yield-to-maturity of 6.8%). The difference between the fair value at the date of issue and the principal amount is being accreted over the life of the debentures. The trust preferred securities issued by Trust II were issued to Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, which owns more than 50% of the voting capital stock of FBL Financial Group, Inc. ("FBL"). The consideration received by Trust II in connection with the issuance of its trust preferred securities consisted of fixed income securities of equal value which were issued by FBL.
We redeemed subordinated debentures issued to American Equity Capital Trust IV and American Equity Capital Trust XII during January 2020 and subordinated debentures issued to American Equity Capital Trust III during February 2020.
13. Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans
We have adopted a contributory defined contribution plan which is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan covers substantially all of our full-time employees subject to minimum eligibility requirements. Employees can contribute a percentage of their annual salary (up to a maximum annual contribution of $19,500 in 2021, $19,500 in 2020 and $19,000 in 2019) to the plan. We contribute an additional amount, subject to limitations, based on the voluntary contribution of the employee. Further, the plan provides for additional employer contributions based on the discretion of the Board of Directors. Plan contributions charged to expense were $2.7 million, $2.4 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following table summarizes compensation expense recognized for employees and directors as a result of share-based compensation:
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| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| ESOP | $ | 3,377 | | | $ | 2,908 | | | $ | 2,547 | |
| Employee Incentive Plans | 22,886 | | | 7,855 | | | 6,559 | |
| Director Equity Plans | 1,262 | | | 1,056 | | | 922 | |
| $ | 27,525 | | | $ | 11,819 | | | $ | 10,028 | |
The principal purpose of the American Equity Investment Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") is to provide each eligible employee with an equity interest in us. Employees become eligible once they have completed a minimum of six months of service. Employees become 100% vested after two years of service. Our contribution to the ESOP is determined by the Board of Directors.
During 2020, the 2016 Employee Incentive Plan ("2016 Plan") was amended and renamed the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan ("Amended Plan"). The Amended Plan increased the number of shares of Common stock reserved for issuance by 3,000,000 shares to 5,500,000 shares of our Common stock which may be issued in the form of grants of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. In addition, the Amended Plan allows for awards to be granted to members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
At December 31, 2021, we had 1,924,101 shares of common stock available for future grant under the Amended Plan.
We have a long-term performance incentive plan under which certain members of our management team are granted performance-based restricted stock units pursuant to the Amended Plan or the 2016 Plan. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, we granted 186,091, 217,781 and 152,678 restricted stock units under these plans, respectively. For the 2021 grant, vesting is tied to threshold, target and maximum performance goals for the three year period ending December 31, 2023. Fifty percent of the restricted stock units will vest if we meet threshold goals, 100% of the restricted stock units will vest if we meet target performance goals and 200% of the restricted stock units will vest if we meet maximum performance goals. For the 2020 and 2019 grants, vesting is tied to threshold, target and maximum performance goals for the three year periods ending December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Fifty percent of the restricted stock units will vest if we meet threshold goals, 100% of the restricted stock units will vest if we meet target performance goals and 150% of the restricted stock units will vest if we meet maximum performance goals. Compensation expense is recognized over the three year vesting period based on the likelihood of meeting threshold, target and maximum goals. Restricted stock units that ultimately vest are payable in an equal number of shares of our common stock. Restricted stock units are accounted for as equity awards and the estimated fair value of restricted stock units is based upon the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.
During 2021, 2020 and 2019 we granted 199,597, 133,429 and 72,696, respectively, time-based restricted stock units to employees under the Amended Plan or the 2016 Plan. These grants vest one to three years following the grant date provided the participant remains employed with us. Shares will vest early upon an employee reaching 65 years of age with 10 years of service with us. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period. Restricted stock units that ultimately vest are payable in an equal number of shares of our common stock. Restricted stock units are accounted for as equity awards and the estimated fair value of restricted stock units is based upon the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
During 2021 and 2020, we granted 391,553 and 105,809 options to employees under the Amended Plan or the 2016 Plan at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. These options vest over a period of one to five years and expire 10 years after the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period.
During 2021 and 2020, we granted 855,052 and 709,958 performance-based options ("Performance Options") to employees under the Amended Plan at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. These Performance Options vest based upon the timing of meeting the market condition of a 30-day volume weighted average common stock price of $37.00 per common share. Fifty percent of the Performance Options granted vest upon the later of: (i) the market condition noted above being met; and (ii) the one year anniversary of the Grant Date. The remaining fifty percent of the Performance Options granted vest on the one year anniversary of the vesting of the initial fifty percent of the Performance Options. The market condition for these performance options was met on January 4, 2022. Compensation expense for the Performance Options is recognized over the requisite service period.
During 2021 and 2020, we issued 39,273 and 51,450 shares of common stock under the Amended Plan to our Directors, all of which are restricted stock, and which vest on the earlier of the next annual meeting date or one year from the grant date provided the individual remains a Director during that time period.
The 2013 Director Equity and Incentive Plan authorized the grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units convertible into or based upon our common stock of up to 250,000 shares to our Directors. During 2019, we issued 32,000 shares of common stock, respectively, all of which are restricted stock, and which vested on the earlier of the next annual meeting date or one year from the grant date provided the individual remains a Director during that time period. At December 31, 2021, there were no shares of common stock available for future grant under the 2013 Director and Equity Incentive Plan.
During 2014, we established the 2014 Independent Insurance Agent Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan, which was amended during 2016. Under the amended plan, agents of American Equity Life received grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units based upon their individual sales. The plan authorized grants of up to 1,800,000 shares of our common stock. At December 31, 2021, there were no shares of common stock available for future grant under the amended 2014 Independent Insurance Agent Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan. We recognized commission expense and an increase to additional paid-in capital as share-based compensation equal to the fair value of the restricted stock and restricted stock units as they were earned.
In January 2017, American Equity Life's agents were granted 363,624 restricted stock units based on their production during 2016. In January 2020, agents vested in 58,617 restricted stock units granted in January 2017 based on their continued service as an independent agent and their 2019 individual sales of our products, and for which we recorded commission expense (capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs) of $1.4 million in 2019. In January 2021, agents vested in 41,735 restricted stock units granted in January 2017 based on their continued service as an independent agent and their 2020 individual sales of our products, and for which we recorded commission expense (capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs) of $0.9 million in 2020. In January 2022, agents vested in 3,568 restricted stock units granted in January 2017 based on their continued service as an independent agent and their 2021 individual sales of our products, and for which we recorded commission expense (capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs) of $0.2 million in 2021.
In January 2016, American Equity Life's agents were granted 650,683 restricted stock units based on their production during 2015. In January 2020, agents vested in 89,382 restricted stock units granted in January 2016 based on their continued service as an independent agent and their 2019 individual sales of our products, and for which we recorded commission expense (capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs) of $2.2 million in 2019. In January 2021, agents vested in 4,042 restricted stock units granted in January 2016 based on their continued service as an independent agent and their 2020 individual sales of our products, and for which we recorded commission expense (capitalized as deferred policy acquisition costs) of $0.1 million in 2020.
For the restricted stock units granted to agents in January of 2017 and 2016, 20% of the restricted stock units vested one year from the grant date if the agent was in good standing with American Equity Life at that date. The remaining 80% of the restricted stock units granted to retirement eligible individuals vest over a three year period if the agent remains in good standing with American Equity Life. The remaining 80% of the restricted stock units granted to non-retirement eligible individuals vest based on the agent's individual sales and continued service as an independent agent over a period of time not to exceed five years.
Our 2000 Director Stock Option Plan, 2009 Employee Incentive Plan and 2011 Director Stock Option Plan authorized grants of options to officers, directors and employees for an aggregate of up to 2,975,000 shares of our common stock. All options granted under these plans have ten year terms and a six month or three year vesting period after which they become fully exercisable immediately. As of December 31, 2021, there were no options available for grant under these plans.
During 2007, 2010 and 2012 we established Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option plans. Under these plans, agents of American Equity Life received grants of options to acquire shares of our common stock based upon their individual sales. The plans authorized grants of options to agents for an aggregate of up to 8,000,000 shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2021, there were no options available for future grant under these plans. We recognized commission expense and an increase to additional paid-in capital as share-based compensation equal to the fair value of the options as they were earned.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Changes in the number of stock options granted to employees and agents outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of
Shares | | Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
per Share | | Total
Exercise
Price |
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |
| Outstanding at January 1, 2019 | 1,221,865 | | | $ | 17.41 | | | $ | 21,273 | |
| Granted | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Canceled | (22,600) | | | 18.14 | | | (410) | |
| Exercised | (370,352) | | | 11.76 | | | (4,357) | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | 828,913 | | | 19.91 | | | 16,506 | |
| Granted | 815,767 | | | 26.70 | | | 21,778 | |
| Canceled | (31,200) | | | 21.50 | | | (670) | |
| Exercised | (355,563) | | | 16.98 | | | (6,038) | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | 1,257,917 | | | 25.10 | | | 31,576 | |
| Granted | 1,246,605 | | | 29.15 | | | 36,336 | |
| Canceled | (146,803) | | | 25.44 | | | (3,735) | |
| Exercised | (295,000) | | | 22.88 | | | (6,749) | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 2,062,719 | | | 27.84 | | | $ | 57,428 | |
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Stock Options Outstanding | | Stock Options Vested |
| Range of Exercise Prices | Number of
Awards | | Remaining
Life (yrs) | | Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Per Share | | Number of
Awards | | Remaining
Life (yrs) | | Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Per Share |
$10.52 | 42,000 | | | 0.43 | | $ | 10.52 | | | 42,000 | | | 0.43 | | $ | 10.52 | |
$21.89 - $26.72 | 398,320 | | | 8.84 | | 26.11 | | | — | | | 0.00 | | — | |
$27.05 - $32.58 | 1,622,399 | | | 9.10 | | 28.71 | | | — | | | 0.00 | | — | |
$10.52 - $32.58 | 2,062,719 | | | 8.87 | | 27.84 | | | 42,000 | | | 0.43 | | 10.52 | |
The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and vested awards was $22.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the total intrinsic value of options exercised by officers, directors and employees was $1.2 million, $2.2 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Intrinsic value for stock options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the price of our common stock as of the reporting date. Cash received from stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $6.7 million, $6.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
We have deferred compensation arrangements with certain officers, directors, and consultants, whereby these individuals agreed to take our common stock at a future date in lieu of cash payments at the time of service. The common stock is to be issued in conjunction with a "trigger event," as that term is defined in the individual agreements. At both December 31, 2021 and 2020, these individuals have earned, and we have reserved for future issuance, 4,500 shares of common stock pursuant to these arrangements. No equity-based deferred compensation arrangements were in effect during 2021, 2020 or 2019.
We have deferred compensation agreements with certain former officers whereby these individuals have deferred certain salary and bonus compensation which is deposited into the American Equity Officer Rabbi Trust (Officer Rabbi Trust). The assets of the Officer Rabbi Trust are included in our assets and a corresponding deferred compensation liability is recorded. The deferred compensation liability is recorded at the fair market value of the assets in the Officer Rabbi Trust with the change in fair value included as a component of compensation expense. The deferred compensation liability related to these agreements was $1.0 million and $0.8 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Officer Rabbi Trust held 26,011 shares and 27,661 shares of our common stock at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which are treated as treasury shares.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. Statutory Financial Information and Dividend Restrictions
Statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities for our life insurance subsidiaries differ from GAAP. Net income (loss) for our primary life insurance subsidiary as determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| American Equity Life | $ | (863,818) | | | $ | (34,467) | | | $ | 143,309 | |
Statutory capital and surplus for our primary life insurance subsidiary was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| American Equity Life | $ | 4,078,532 | | | $ | 3,728,732 | |
The net loss realized by American Equity Life in accordance with statutory accounting practices for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily due to the impact of the recapture of the 2019 Hannover Agreement. American Equity Life is domiciled in the State of Iowa and is regulated by the Iowa Insurance Division. In some instances, the Iowa Insurance Division has adopted prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices that differ from the required accounting outlined in National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") Statutory Accounting Principles ("SAP"). For the year ended December 31, 2021, American Equity Life's use of prescribed statutory accounting practices resulted in lower statutory capital and surplus of $210.2 million relative to NAIC SAP due to its accounting for call option derivative instruments and fixed index annuity reserves. For the year ended December 31, 2020, American Equity Life's use of the same prescribed statutory accounting practice resulted in lower statutory capital and surplus of $366.3 million. We purchase call options to hedge the growth in interest credited on fixed index products. The Iowa Insurance Division allows an insurer to elect (1) to use an amortized cost method to account for such call options and (2) to use a fixed index annuity reserve calculation methodology under which call options associated with the current index interest crediting term are valued at zero.
Life insurance companies are subject to the NAIC risk-based capital (RBC) requirements which are intended to be used by insurance regulators as an early warning tool to identify deteriorating or weakly capitalized insurance companies for the purpose of initiating regulatory action. Calculations using the NAIC formula indicated that American Equity Life's ratio of total adjusted capital to the highest level of required capital at which regulatory action might be initiated (Company Action Level) is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Dollars in thousands) |
| Total adjusted capital | $ | 4,437,574 | | | $ | 3,978,901 | |
| Company Action Level RBC | 1,108,796 | | | 1,069,434 | |
| Ratio of adjusted capital to Company Action Level RBC | 400 | % | | 372 | % |
Prior approval of regulatory authorities is required for the payment of dividends to the parent company by American Equity Life which exceed an annual limitation. American Equity Life may pay dividends without prior approval, unless such payments, together with all other such payments within the preceding twelve months, exceed the greater of (1) net gain from operations before net realized capital gains/losses for the preceding calendar year or, (2) 10% of the American Equity Life's surplus at the preceding year-end. The amount of dividends permitted to be paid by American Equity Life to its parent company without prior approval of regulatory authorities is $407.9 million as of December 31, 2021.
The Parent Company relies on its subsidiaries for cash flow, which has primarily been in the form of investment management fees and dividends. Retained earnings in our consolidated financial statements primarily represent undistributed earnings of American Equity Life. As such, our ability to pay dividends is limited by the regulatory restriction placed upon insurance companies as described above. In addition, American Equity Life retains funds to allow for sufficient capital for growth.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Commitments and Contingencies
We lease our home office space and certain equipment under various operating leases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 totaled $3.8 million, $4.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2021, the aggregate future minimum lease payments are $12.6 million. The following represents payments due by period for operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | |
| Year Ending December 31: | |
| 2022 | $ | 2,509 | |
| 2023 | 2,296 | |
| 2024 | 2,268 | |
| 2025 | 2,154 | |
| 2026 | 1,780 | |
| 2027 and thereafter | 1,567 | |
We are occasionally involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. In addition, state and federal regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Department of Labor, regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, we establish an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. As a litigation or regulatory matter is developing we, in conjunction with outside counsel, evaluate on an ongoing basis whether the matter presents a loss contingency that meets conditions indicating the need for accrual and/or disclosure, and if not, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments. If and when the loss contingency related to litigation or regulatory matters is deemed to be both probable and estimable, we will establish an accrued liability with respect to that matter and will continue to monitor the matter for further developments that may affect the amount of the accrued liability.
There can be no assurance that any pending or future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
In addition to our commitments to fund mortgage loans, we have unfunded commitments at December 31, 2021 to limited partnerships of $439.6 million and to fixed maturity securities of $26.4 million.
16. Earnings Per Common Share and Stockholders' Equity
Earnings Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per common share and earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |
| Numerator: | | | | | |
| Net income available to common stockholders - numerator for earnings per common share | $ | 430,317 | | | $ | 637,945 | | | $ | 246,090 | |
| | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | 93,860,378 | | | 92,055,035 | | | 91,139,453 | |
| Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | |
| Stock options and deferred compensation agreements | 271,422 | | | 93,014 | | | 304,196 | |
| Restricted stock and restricted stock units | 359,359 | | | 244,447 | | | 338,593 | |
| Denominator for earnings per common share - assuming dilution | 94,491,159 | | | 92,392,496 | | | 91,782,242 | |
| | | | | |
| Earnings per common share | $ | 4.58 | | | $ | 6.93 | | | $ | 2.70 | |
| Earnings per common share - assuming dilution | $ | 4.55 | | | $ | 6.90 | | | $ | 2.68 | |
There were no options to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, as the exercise price of all options outstanding was less than the average market price of our common shares for those periods.
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Stockholders' Equity
On June 10, 2020, we issued 12,000 shares of 6.625% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B ("Series B") with a $1.00 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $290.3 million.
On November 21, 2019 we issued 16,000 shares of 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A ("Series A") with a $1.00 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $388.9 million. We used a portion of the proceeds to redeem all of our floating rate subordinated debentures. See Note 12 - Subordinated Debentures for more information on the redemption of our subordinated debentures.
Dividends on the Series A and Series B preferred stock are payable on a non-cumulative basis only when, as and if declared, quarterly in arrears on the first day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing on March 1, 2020 for Series A and on December 1, 2020 for Series B. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we paid dividends totaling $23.8 million and $19.9 million on the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we paid dividends totaling $24.5 million and $9.0 million on the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, respectively. The Series A and Series B preferred stock rank senior to our common stock with respect to dividends, to the extent declared, and in liquidation, to the extent of the liquidation preference. The Series A and Series B preferred stock are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund, retirement fund, purchase fund or similar provisions.
Brookfield Equity Investment
On October 18, 2020, we announced an agreement with Brookfield under which Brookfield will acquire up to a 19.9% ownership interest of common stock in the Company. The equity investment by Brookfield will take place in two stages: an initial purchase of a 9.9% equity interest at $37.00 per share which closed on November 30, 2020 with Brookfield purchasing 9,106,042 shares, and a second purchase of up to an incremental 10.0% equity interest, at the greater value of $37.00 per share or adjusted book value per share (excluding AOCI and the net impact of fair value accounting for derivatives and embedded derivatives). The second equity investment is subject to finalization of a reinsurance transaction that closed on October 8, 2021, receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Regulatory approval related to the second equity investment was received on December 29, 2021 and an additional 6,775,000 shares were issued to Brookfield at $37.33 per share in January of 2022. Brookfield also received one seat on the Company’s Board of Directors following the initial equity investment.
Share Repurchase Program
On October 18, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase program. The purpose of the share repurchase program is to both offset dilution from the issuance of shares to Brookfield and to institute a regular cash return program for shareholders. We started the buyback program on October 30, 2020 and repurchased 5.1 million shares of our common stock for $149.4 million in the open market as of December 31, 2021. On November 19, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $500 million of Company common stock.
On November 30, 2020 we entered into an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement with Citibank, N.A. to repurchase an aggregate of $115 million of our common stock. Under the ASR agreement, we received an initial share delivery of approximately 3.5 million shares. The final settlement of 0.5 million shares, which was based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock during the term of the transaction, less a discount and subject to customary adjustments, was delivered on February 25, 2021. The average price paid for shares repurchased under the ASR was $28.45 per common share. The ASR agreement was determined to be an equity contract.
As of December 31, 2021, we had repurchased approximately 9.1 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $29.04 per common share. As of December 31, 2021, we had $736 million of Company stock authorized for repurchase by the Company's Board of Directors.
Through February 25, 2022, we have repurchased approximately 11.6 million shares of our common shares at an average price of $31.78 per common share and have approximately $630 million remaining under our share repurchase program.
Treasury Stock
As of December 31, 2021, we held 9,936,715 shares of treasury stock with a carrying value of $260.6 million. As of December 31, 2020, we held 6,516,525 shares of treasury stock with a carrying value of $151.6 million.
Schedule I—Summary of Investments—
Other Than Investments in Related Parties
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
December 31, 2021
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Column A | | Column B | | Column C | | Column D |
| Type of Investment | | Amortized
Cost (1) | | Fair
Value | | Amount at
which shown
in the balance
sheet |
| | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Fixed maturity securities: | | | | | | |
| Available for sale: | | | | | | |
| United States Government full faith and credit | | $ | 37,109 | | | $ | 37,793 | | | $ | 37,793 | |
| United States Government sponsored agencies | | 1,008,920 | | | 1,040,953 | | | 1,040,953 | |
| United States municipalities, states and territories | | 3,495,563 | | | 3,927,201 | | | 3,927,201 | |
| Foreign government obligations | | 380,646 | | | 402,545 | | | 402,545 | |
| Corporate securities | | 31,084,629 | | | 34,660,234 | | | 34,660,234 | |
| Residential mortgage backed securities | | 1,056,778 | | | 1,125,049 | | | 1,125,049 | |
| Commercial mortgage backed securities | | 4,708,878 | | | 4,840,311 | | | 4,840,311 | |
| Other asset backed securities | | 5,226,660 | | | 5,271,857 | | | 5,271,857 | |
| Total fixed maturity securities | | 46,999,183 | | | 51,305,943 | | | 51,305,943 | |
| Mortgage loans on real estate | | 5,687,998 | | | 5,867,227 | | | 5,687,998 | |
| Real estate investments | | 335,767 | | | 337,939 | | | 337,939 | |
| Derivative instruments | | 402,877 | | | 1,277,480 | | | 1,277,480 | |
| Other investments | | 1,764,016 | | | | | 1,767,144 | |
| Total investments | | $ | 55,189,841 | | | | | $ | 60,376,504 | |
(1)On the basis of cost adjusted for repayments and amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts for fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, original cost for derivative instruments and unpaid principal balance less allowance for credit losses for mortgage loans.
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
Condensed Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| Assets | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 362,245 | | | $ | 486,670 | |
| Equity securities of subsidiary trusts | 2,353 | | | 2,343 | |
| Receivable from subsidiaries | 2,783 | | | 2,418 | |
| | | |
| Notes receivable from subsidiaries | 165,000 | | | — | |
| Federal income tax recoverable, including amount from subsidiaries | 217,174 | | | — | |
| Other assets | 20,134 | | | 3,078 | |
| 769,689 | | | 494,509 | |
| Investment in and advances to subsidiaries | 6,387,912 | | | 6,448,924 | |
| Total assets | $ | 7,157,601 | | | $ | 6,943,433 | |
| | | |
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | | | |
| Liabilities: | | | |
| Notes payable | $ | 496,250 | | | $ | 495,668 | |
| Subordinated debentures payable to subsidiary trusts | 78,421 | | | 78,112 | |
| Deferred income taxes | 223,304 | | | 590 | |
| Federal income tax payable | — | | | 5,395 | |
| Other liabilities | 36,499 | | | 14,680 | |
| Total liabilities | 834,474 | | | 594,445 | |
| Stockholders' equity: | | | |
| Preferred stock, Series A | 16 | | | 16 | |
| Preferred stock, Series B | 12 | | | 12 | |
| Common stock | 92,514 | | | 95,721 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,614,374 | | | 1,681,127 | |
| | | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,848,789 | | | 2,203,557 | |
| Retained earnings | 2,767,422 | | | 2,368,555 | |
| Total stockholders' equity | 6,323,127 | | | 6,348,988 | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 7,157,601 | | | $ | 6,943,433 | |
See accompanying note to condensed financial statements.
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Continued)
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
Condensed Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Revenues: | | | | | |
| Net investment income | $ | 114 | | | $ | 1,115 | | | $ | 1,755 | |
| Dividends from subsidiary trusts | 159 | | | 167 | | | 469 | |
| Dividends from subsidiaries | 250,000 | | | — | | | — | |
| Investment advisory fees | 126,643 | | | 114,228 | | | 107,945 | |
| Surplus note interest from subsidiary | 4,080 | | | 4,080 | | | 4,080 | |
| Change in fair value of derivatives | — | | | 62 | | | (1,650) | |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | | | (2,024) | | | (2,001) | |
| Other revenue | 8,511 | | | 346 | | | — | |
| Total revenues | 389,507 | | | 117,974 | | | 110,598 | |
| | | | | |
| Expenses: | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Interest expense on notes payable | 25,581 | | | 25,552 | | | 25,525 | |
| Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to subsidiary trusts | 5,324 | | | 5,557 | | | 15,764 | |
| Other operating costs and expenses | 72,435 | | | 46,686 | | | 28,357 | |
| Total expenses | 103,340 | | | 77,795 | | | 69,646 | |
| Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | 286,167 | | | 40,179 | | | 40,952 | |
| Income tax expense | 11,565 | | | 13,142 | | | 11,586 | |
| Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | 274,602 | | | 27,037 | | | 29,366 | |
| Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | 199,390 | | | 644,423 | | | 216,724 | |
| Net income | 473,992 | | | 671,460 | | | 246,090 | |
| Less: Preferred stock dividends | 43,675 | | | 33,515 | | | — | |
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 430,317 | | | $ | 637,945 | | | $ | 246,090 | |
See accompanying note to condensed financial statements.
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Continued)
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Operating activities | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 473,992 | | | $ | 671,460 | | | $ | 246,090 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
| Provision for depreciation and amortization | 1,232 | | | 1,138 | | | 1,136 | |
| Accrual of discount on equity security | (10) | | | (3) | | | (8) | |
| Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | (199,390) | | | (644,423) | | | (216,724) | |
| Non cash dividend from subsidiaries | (80,000) | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Change in fair value of derivatives | — | | | (62) | | | 945 | |
| | | | | |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | | | 2,024 | | | 2,001 | |
| Accrual of discount on debenture issued to subsidiary trust | 309 | | | 289 | | | 270 | |
| Share-based compensation | 10,235 | | | 3,303 | | | 2,923 | |
| | | | | |
| Deferred income taxes | 222,714 | | | 6,408 | | | 2,087 | |
| | | | | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | |
| Receivable from subsidiaries | (365) | | | (1,208) | | | (40) | |
| Federal income tax recoverable/payable | (222,569) | | | (3,879) | | | 382 | |
| Other assets | (5,054) | | | (320) | | | (1,229) | |
| Other liabilities | 21,819 | | | 7,617 | | | (1,846) | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 222,913 | | | 42,344 | | | 35,987 | |
| | | | | |
| Investing activities | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Notes receivable from subsidiaries | $ | (165,000) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Repayment of equity securities | — | | | 2,445 | | | 2,660 | |
| Contribution to subsidiaries | — | | | (210,000) | | | (50,000) | |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (12,642) | | | (48) | | | (117) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (177,642) | | | (207,603) | | | (47,457) | |
| | | | | |
| Financing activities | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Repayment of subordinated debentures | $ | — | | | $ | (81,450) | | | $ | (88,160) | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 4,844 | | | 338,061 | | | 1,691 | |
| Acquisition of treasury stock | (99,415) | | | (165,094) | | | — | |
| Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net | — | | | 290,260 | | | 388,893 | |
| | | | | |
| Dividends paid on common stock | (31,450) | | | (28,859) | | | (27,304) | |
| Dividends paid on preferred stock | (43,675) | | | (33,515) | | | — | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (169,696) | | | 319,403 | | | 275,120 | |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (124,425) | | | 154,144 | | | 263,650 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 486,670 | | | 332,526 | | | 68,876 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 362,245 | | | $ | 486,670 | | | $ | 332,526 | |
| | | | | |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information | | | | | |
| Cash paid during the year for: | | | | | |
| Interest on notes payable | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | |
| Interest on subordinated debentures | 5,000 | | | 6,181 | | | 16,891 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
See accompanying note to condensed financial statements.
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Continued)
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
Note to Condensed Financial Statements
December 31, 2021
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (Parent Company).
In the Parent Company financial statements, its investment in and advances to subsidiaries are stated at cost plus equity in undistributed income (losses) of subsidiaries since the date of acquisition and net unrealized gains/losses on the subsidiaries' fixed maturity securities classified as "available for sale" and equity securities.
See Note 11- Notes Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements and Note 12 - Subordinated Debentures to our audited consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for a description of the Parent Company's notes payable and subordinated debentures payable to subsidiary trusts.
Schedule III—Supplementary Insurance Information
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Column A | | Column B | | Column C | | Column D | | Column E |
| | Deferred policy
acquisition
costs | | Future policy
benefits,
losses, claims
and loss
expenses | | Unearned
premiums | | Other policy
claims and
benefits
payable |
| | (Dollars in thousands) |
As of December 31, 2021: Life insurance | | $ | 2,222,769 | | | $ | 65,477,778 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 226,844 | |
| As of December 31, 2020: Life insurance | | $ | 2,225,199 | | | $ | 62,352,882 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 240,904 | |
| As of December 31, 2019: Life insurance | | $ | 3,033,649 | | | $ | 62,261,244 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 256,105 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Column A | | Column F | | Column G | | Column H | | Column I | | Column J |
| | Premium
revenue | | Net
investment
income | | Benefits,
claims,
losses and
settlement
expenses | | Amortization
of deferred
policy
acquisition
costs | | Other
operating
expenses |
| | (Dollars in thousands) |
For the year ended December 31, 2021: Life insurance | | $ | 300,833 | | | $ | 2,037,475 | | | $ | 2,543,779 | | | $ | 268,328 | | | $ | 274,617 | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2020: Life insurance | | $ | 290,609 | | | $ | 2,182,078 | | | $ | 744,389 | | | $ | 649,554 | | | $ | 214,745 | |
| For the year ended December 31, 2019: Life insurance | | $ | 263,569 | | | $ | 2,307,635 | | | $ | 2,865,621 | | | $ | 87,717 | | | $ | 195,442 | |
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Schedule IV—Reinsurance
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Column A | | Column B | | Column C | | Column D | | Column E | | Column F |
| | Gross amount | | Ceded to
other
companies | | Assumed
from
other
companies | | Net amount | | Percent of
amount
assumed
to net |
| | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Life insurance in force, at end of year | | $ | 48,943 | | | $ | 5,131 | | | $ | 46,119 | | | $ | 89,931 | | | 51.28 | % |
| Insurance premiums and other considerations: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Annuity product charges | | $ | 262,982 | | | $ | 20,351 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 242,631 | | | — | |
| Traditional life, accident and health insurance, and life contingent immediate annuity premiums | | 58,150 | | | 117 | | | 169 | | | 58,202 | | | 0.29 | % |
| | $ | 321,132 | | | $ | 20,468 | | | $ | 169 | | | $ | 300,833 | | | 0.06 | % |
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Life insurance in force, at end of year | | $ | 52,234 | | | $ | 5,925 | | | $ | 49,577 | | | $ | 95,886 | | | 51.70 | % |
| Insurance premiums and other considerations: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Annuity product charges | | $ | 258,248 | | | $ | 7,021 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 251,227 | | | — | |
| Traditional life, accident and health insurance, and life contingent immediate annuity premiums | | 39,323 | | | 139 | | | 198 | | | 39,382 | | | 0.50 | % |
| | $ | 297,571 | | | $ | 7,160 | | | $ | 198 | | | $ | 290,609 | | | 0.07 | % |
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Life insurance in force, at end of year | | $ | 56,451 | | | $ | 6,722 | | | $ | 52,653 | | | $ | 102,382 | | | 51.43 | % |
| Insurance premiums and other considerations: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Annuity product charges | | $ | 247,827 | | | $ | 7,792 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 240,035 | | | — | |
| Traditional life, accident and health insurance, and life contingent immediate annuity premiums | | 23,395 | | | 145 | | | 284 | | | 23,534 | | | 1.21 | % |
| | $ | 271,222 | | | $ | 7,937 | | | $ | 284 | | | $ | 263,569 | | | 0.11 | % |
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.