Allcorp - 6.30.15 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
/X/  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015
OR
[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______ to ______ 
Commission file number 1-11840
THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
36-3871531
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois
60062
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
(847) 402-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes   X  
No ___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes   X  
No ___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”  “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
X  
Accelerated filer
____
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes        
No   X  
 
As of July 20, 2015, the registrant had 400,389,900 common shares, $.01 par value, outstanding.



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
June 30, 2015
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three-Month and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of June 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Highlights
 
Consolidated Net Income
 
Property-Liability Highlights
 
Allstate Protection Segment
 
Discontinued Lines and Coverages Segment
 
Property-Liability Investment Results
 
Allstate Financial Highlights
 
Allstate Financial Segment
 
Investments Highlights
 
Investments
 
Capital Resources and Liquidity Highlights
 
Capital Resources and Liquidity
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.
Exhibits



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance premiums
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
536

 
518

 
1,073

 
1,125

Net investment income
789

 
898

 
1,639

 
1,857

Realized capital gains and losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
(47
)
 
(44
)
 
(100
)
 
(124
)
OTTI losses reclassified to (from) other comprehensive income
4

 
(1
)
 
8

 
(2
)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
(43
)
 
(45
)
 
(92
)
 
(126
)
Sales and other realized capital gains and losses
151

 
285

 
339

 
420

Total realized capital gains and losses
108

 
240

 
247

 
294

 
8,982

 
8,860

 
17,934

 
17,544

Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
5,587

 
5,142

 
10,580

 
9,901

Life and annuity contract benefits
446

 
413

 
887

 
901

Interest credited to contractholder funds
185

 
212

 
384

 
519

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
1,086

 
1,035

 
2,156

 
2,070

Operating costs and expenses
1,061

 
1,023

 
2,151

 
2,117

Restructuring and related charges
19

 
4

 
23

 
10

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
1

 

 
1

Interest expense
73

 
84

 
146

 
171

 
8,457

 
7,914

 
16,327

 
15,690

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) on disposition of operations
1

 
9

 

 
(50
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations before income tax expense
526

 
955

 
1,607

 
1,804

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
171

 
310

 
575

 
559

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
355

 
645

 
1,032

 
1,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock dividends
29

 
31

 
58

 
44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders
$
326

 
$
614

 
$
974

 
$
1,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income available to common shareholders per common share - Basic
$
0.80

 
$
1.41

 
$
2.37

 
$
2.73

Weighted average common shares - Basic
407.0

 
434.3

 
411.4

 
440.4

Net income available to common shareholders per common share - Diluted
$
0.79

 
$
1.39

 
$
2.33

 
$
2.69

Weighted average common shares - Diluted
412.6

 
440.7

 
417.6

 
446.8

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.60

 
$
0.56






See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 (unaudited)
 
 (unaudited)
Net income
$
355

 
$
645

 
$
1,032

 
$
1,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Changes in:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses
(718
)
 
59

 
(507
)
 
504

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
(9
)
 
13

 
(36
)
 
(3
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
20

 
8

 
49

 
19

Other comprehensive (loss) income, after-tax
(707
)
 
80

 
(494
)
 
520

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive (loss) income
$
(352
)
 
$
725

 
$
538

 
$
1,765

 































See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
($ in millions, except par value data)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
(unaudited)
 
 

Investments
 

 
 

Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $57,971 and $59,672)
$
59,930

 
$
62,440

Equity securities, at fair value (cost $3,649 and $3,692)
4,000

 
4,104

Mortgage loans
4,343

 
4,188

Limited partnership interests
4,536

 
4,527

Short-term, at fair value (amortized cost $2,821 and $2,540)
2,821

 
2,540

Other
3,511

 
3,314

Total investments
79,141

 
81,113

Cash
805

 
657

Premium installment receivables, net
5,599

 
5,465

Deferred policy acquisition costs
3,708

 
3,525

Reinsurance recoverables, net
8,520

 
8,490

Accrued investment income
610

 
591

Property and equipment, net
1,038

 
1,031

Goodwill
1,219

 
1,219

Other assets
2,356

 
2,046

Separate Accounts
4,121

 
4,396

Total assets
$
107,117

 
$
108,533

Liabilities
 

 
 

Reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
$
23,702

 
$
22,923

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
12,227

 
12,380

Contractholder funds
21,968

 
22,529

Unearned premiums
11,858

 
11,655

Claim payments outstanding
820

 
784

Deferred income taxes
475

 
715

Other liabilities and accrued expenses
5,462

 
5,653

Long-term debt
5,186

 
5,194

Separate Accounts
4,121

 
4,396

Total liabilities
85,819

 
86,229

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10)


 


Shareholders’ equity
 

 
 

Preferred stock and additional capital paid-in, $1 par value, 25 million shares authorized, 72.2 thousand shares issued and outstanding, and $1,805 aggregate liquidation preference
1,746

 
1,746

Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized and 900 million issued, 402 million and 418 million shares outstanding
9

 
9

Additional capital paid-in
3,205

 
3,199

Retained income
38,567

 
37,842

Deferred ESOP expense
(23
)
 
(23
)
Treasury stock, at cost (498 million and 482 million shares)
(22,273
)
 
(21,030
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses:
 

 
 

Unrealized net capital gains and losses on fixed income securities with OTTI
62

 
72

Other unrealized net capital gains and losses
1,435

 
1,988

Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves
(78
)
 
(134
)
Total unrealized net capital gains and losses
1,419

 
1,926

Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
(38
)
 
(2
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
(1,314
)
 
(1,363
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
67

 
561

Total shareholders’ equity
21,298

 
22,304

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
107,117

 
$
108,533






See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
($ in millions)
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(unaudited)
Preferred stock par value
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
Preferred stock additional capital paid-in
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
1,746

 
780

Preferred stock issuance

 
966

Balance, end of period
1,746

 
1,746

 
 
 
 
Common stock
9

 
9

 
 
 
 
Additional capital paid-in
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
3,199

 
3,143

Forward contract on accelerated share repurchase agreement

 
(113
)
Equity incentive plans activity
6

 
5

Balance, end of period
3,205

 
3,035

 
 
 
 
Retained income
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
37,842

 
35,580

Net income
1,032

 
1,245

Dividends on common stock
(249
)
 
(249
)
Dividends on preferred stock
(58
)
 
(44
)
Balance, end of period
38,567

 
36,532

 
 
 
 
Deferred ESOP expense
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
(23
)
 
(31
)
Payments

 

Balance, end of period
(23
)
 
(31
)
 
 
 
 
Treasury stock
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
(21,030
)
 
(19,047
)
Shares acquired
(1,432
)
 
(1,129
)
Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net
189

 
191

Balance, end of period
(22,273
)
 
(19,985
)
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 
 

Balance, beginning of period
561

 
1,046

Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses
(507
)
 
504

Change in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
(36
)
 
(3
)
Change in unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
49

 
19

Balance, end of period
67

 
1,566

Total shareholders’ equity
$
21,298

 
$
22,872

 







See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in millions)
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities
(unaudited)
Net income
$
1,032

 
$
1,245

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

 
 

Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items
179

 
189

Realized capital gains and losses
(247
)
 
(294
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
1

Loss on disposition of operations

 
50

Interest credited to contractholder funds
384

 
519

Changes in:
 

 
 

Policy benefits and other insurance reserves
526

 
103

Unearned premiums
244

 
287

Deferred policy acquisition costs
(132
)
 
(77
)
Premium installment receivables, net
(158
)
 
(152
)
Reinsurance recoverables, net
(144
)
 
(39
)
Income taxes
(283
)
 
(195
)
Other operating assets and liabilities
(98
)
 
(436
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,303

 
1,201

Cash flows from investing activities
 

 
 

Proceeds from sales
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
16,012

 
14,205

Equity securities
2,074

 
2,744

Limited partnership interests
591

 
802

Mortgage loans

 
10

Other investments
132

 
81

Investment collections
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
2,243

 
1,730

Mortgage loans
357

 
726

Other investments
177

 
107

Investment purchases
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
(16,482
)
 
(15,802
)
Equity securities
(1,920
)
 
(2,668
)
Limited partnership interests
(563
)
 
(653
)
Mortgage loans
(509
)
 
(109
)
Other investments
(518
)
 
(395
)
Change in short-term investments, net
(391
)
 
(60
)
Change in other investments, net
(16
)
 
49

Purchases of property and equipment, net
(133
)
 
(124
)
Disposition of operations

 
378

Net cash provided by investing activities
1,054

 
1,021

Cash flows from financing activities
 

 
 

Repayments of long-term debt
(9
)
 
(355
)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

 
965

Contractholder fund deposits
527

 
666

Contractholder fund withdrawals
(1,152
)
 
(1,922
)
Dividends paid on common stock
(243
)
 
(238
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(58
)
 
(25
)
Treasury stock purchases
(1,424
)
 
(1,257
)
Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net
109

 
149

Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements
43

 
18

Other
(2
)
 
(9
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(2,209
)
 
(2,008
)
Net increase in cash
148

 
214

Cash at beginning of period
657

 
675

Cash at end of period
$
805

 
$
889


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5



THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.  General
Basis of presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, primarily Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”), a property-liability insurance company with various property-liability and life and investment subsidiaries, including Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Allstate”).
The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of June 30, 2015 and for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited.  The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods.  These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Adopted accounting standard
Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance which allows entities that invest in certain qualified affordable housing projects through limited liability entities the option to account for these investments using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met.  Under the proportional amortization method, the entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense or benefit.  Adoption of the new guidance in the first quarter of 2015 resulted in a one-time $45 million increase in income tax expense.
Pending accounting standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance which revises the criteria for revenue recognition.  Insurance contracts are excluded from the scope of the new guidance.  Under the guidance, the transaction price is attributed to underlying performance obligations in the contract and revenue is recognized as the entity satisfies the performance obligations and transfers control of a good or service to the customer.  Incremental costs of obtaining a contract may be capitalized to the extent the entity expects to recover those costs.  The guidance is expected to be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied retrospectively.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption, which is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period
In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies that a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award.  Compensation costs should reflect the amount attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has been rendered.  Total compensation expense recognized during and after the requisite service period (which may differ from the vesting period) should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect the number of awards that ultimately vest.  The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively.  The Company’s existing accounting policy for performance targets that affect the vesting of share-based payment awards is consistent with the proposed guidance and as such the impact of adoption is not expected to affect the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance affecting the consolidation evaluation for limited partnerships and similar entities, fees paid to a decision maker or service provider, and variable interests in a variable interest entity held by related parties of the reporting enterprise. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and may be applied either retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity at the beginning of the year of adoption.  The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of adoption which is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position. 

6



Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that amends the accounting for debt issuance costs. The amended guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented as a direct reduction in the carrying amount of the debt liability. The amortization of debt issuance costs shall be classified as interest expense. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and is to be applied retrospectively.  The impact of adoption is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts
In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring expanded disclosures for insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts. The expanded disclosures are designed to provide additional insight into an insurance entity’s ability to underwrite and anticipate costs associated with claims. The disclosures include information about incurred and paid claims development by accident year, on a net basis after reinsurance, for the number of years claims incurred typically remain outstanding, not to exceed ten years. Each period presented in the disclosure about claims development that precedes the current reporting periods is considered required supplementary information. The expanded disclosures also include information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions, a reconciliation of incurred and paid claims development to the carrying amount of the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, the total amount of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development, claims frequency information including the methodology used to determine claim frequency and any changes to that methodology, and claim duration. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively.  The new guidance affects disclosures only and will have no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
2.  Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including unvested participating restricted stock units.  Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding.  For the Company, dilutive potential common shares consist of outstanding stock options and unvested non-participating restricted stock units and contingently issuable performance stock awards.
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is presented in the following table.
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income
$
355

 
$
645

 
$
1,032

 
$
1,245

Less: Preferred stock dividends
29

 
31

 
58

 
44

Net income available to common shareholders
$
326

 
$
614

 
$
974

 
$
1,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding
407.0

 
434.3

 
411.4

 
440.4

Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock options
4.2

 
4.8

 
4.5

 
4.6

Restricted stock units (non-participating) and performance stock awards
1.4

 
1.6

 
1.7

 
1.8

Weighted average common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding
412.6

 
440.7

 
417.6

 
446.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share - Basic
$
0.80

 
$
1.41

 
$
2.37

 
$
2.73

Earnings per common share - Diluted
$
0.79

 
$
1.39

 
$
2.33

 
$
2.69

The effect of dilutive potential common shares does not include the effect of options with an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per common share because their exercise prices exceed the average market price of Allstate common shares during the period or for which the unrecognized compensation cost would have an anti-dilutive effect.  Options to purchase 2.2 million and 4.5 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $60.81 to $71.29 and $48.46 to $62.42, were outstanding for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share in those periods.  Options to purchase 2.2 million and 4.6 million Allstate common shares, with exercise prices ranging from $60.81 to $71.29 and $45.61 to $62.42, were outstanding for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share in those periods. 


7



3.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Non-cash modifications of certain mortgage loans, fixed income securities and other investments, as well as mergers completed with equity securities, totaled $54 million and $86 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Non-cash financing activities include $72 million and $45 million related to the issuance of Allstate common shares for vested restricted stock units and performance stock awards for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Liabilities for collateral received in conjunction with the Company’s securities lending program and over-the-counter (“OTC”) and cleared derivatives are reported in other liabilities and accrued expenses or other investments.  The accompanying cash flows are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows along with the activities resulting from management of the proceeds, which are as follows:
($ in millions)
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net change in proceeds managed
 

 
 

Net change in short-term investments
$
34

 
$
(284
)
Operating cash flow provided (used)
34

 
(284
)
Net change in cash
(3
)
 
1

Net change in proceeds managed
$
31

 
$
(283
)
 
 
 
 
Net change in liabilities
 

 
 

Liabilities for collateral, beginning of period
$
(782
)
 
$
(624
)
Liabilities for collateral, end of period
(751
)
 
(907
)
Operating cash flow (used) provided
$
(31
)
 
$
283

4.  Investments
Fair values
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value for fixed income securities are as follows:
($ in millions)
Amortized cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair
value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
June 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,827

 
$
110

 
$
(1
)
 
$
3,936

Municipal
8,111

 
519

 
(36
)
 
8,594

Corporate
41,153

 
1,524

 
(360
)
 
42,317

Foreign government
1,258

 
67

 
(1
)
 
1,324

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
2,081

 
21

 
(26
)
 
2,076

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)
982

 
113

 
(12
)
 
1,083

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
538

 
39

 
(2
)
 
575

Redeemable preferred stock
21

 
4

 

 
25

Total fixed income securities
$
57,971

 
$
2,397

 
$
(438
)
 
$
59,930

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
4,192

 
$
139

 
$
(3
)
 
$
4,328

Municipal
7,877

 
645

 
(25
)
 
8,497

Corporate
40,386

 
1,998

 
(240
)
 
42,144

Foreign government
1,543

 
102

 

 
1,645

ABS
3,971

 
38

 
(31
)
 
3,978

RMBS
1,108

 
112

 
(13
)
 
1,207

CMBS
573

 
44

 
(2
)
 
615

Redeemable preferred stock
22

 
4

 

 
26

Total fixed income securities
$
59,672

 
$
3,082

 
$
(314
)
 
$
62,440






8



Scheduled maturities
The scheduled maturities for fixed income securities are as follows as of June 30, 2015:
($ in millions)
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
Due in one year or less
$
4,446

 
$
4,491

Due after one year through five years
25,081

 
25,705

Due after five years through ten years
17,248

 
17,605

Due after ten years
7,595

 
8,395

 
54,370

 
56,196

ABS, RMBS and CMBS
3,601

 
3,734

Total
$
57,971

 
$
59,930

Actual maturities may differ from those scheduled as a result of calls and make-whole payments by the issuers.  ABS, RMBS and CMBS are shown separately because of the potential for prepayment of principal prior to contractual maturity dates.
Net investment income
Net investment income is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
567

 
$
584

 
$
1,135

 
$
1,289

Equity securities
31

 
35

 
54

 
63

Mortgage loans
57

 
71

 
112

 
152

Limited partnership interests
118

 
195

 
316

 
337

Short-term investments
3

 
3

 
4

 
4

Other
49

 
44

 
94

 
86

Investment income, before expense
825

 
932

 
1,715

 
1,931

Investment expense
(36
)
 
(34
)
 
(76
)
 
(74
)
Net investment income
$
789

 
$
898

 
$
1,639

 
$
1,857

Realized capital gains and losses
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
60

 
$
62

 
$
140

 
$
98

Equity securities
48

 
239

 
126

 
261

Mortgage loans
1

 
(2
)
 
1

 
1

Limited partnership interests
(3
)
 
(51
)
 
3

 
(49
)
Derivatives
5

 
(7
)
 
(20
)
 
(19
)
Other
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
2

Realized capital gains and losses
$
108

 
$
240

 
$
247

 
$
294

Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Impairment write-downs
$
(11
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
(22
)
Change in intent write-downs
(32
)
 
(39
)
 
(62
)
 
(104
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(43
)
 
(45
)
 
(92
)
 
(126
)
Sales
146

 
290

 
362

 
437

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
5

 
(5
)
 
(23
)
 
(17
)
Realized capital gains and losses
$
108

 
$
240

 
$
247

 
$
294



9



Gross gains of $194 million and $347 million and gross losses of $46 million and $27 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Gross gains of $471 million and $513 million and gross losses of $121 million and $63 million were realized on sales of fixed income and equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses by asset type are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
Corporate
(5
)
 
4

 
(1
)
 

 

 

ABS
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
RMBS

 

 

 
6

 
(1
)
 
5

Total fixed income securities
(8
)
 
4

 
(4
)
 
3

 
(1
)
 
2

Equity securities
(36
)
 

 
(36
)
 
(21
)
 

 
(21
)
Limited partnership interests

 

 

 
(26
)
 

 
(26
)
Other
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
$
(47
)
 
$
4

 
$
(43
)
 
$
(44
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(45
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 
Gross
 
Included
 in OCI
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Included
in OCI
 
Net
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$
(4
)
 
$
4

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$
(6
)
Corporate
(10
)
 
4

 
(6
)
 

 

 

ABS
(4
)
 
1

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
RMBS
1

 
(1
)
 

 
6

 
(2
)
 
4

Total fixed income securities
(17
)
 
8

 
(9
)
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
Equity securities
(75
)
 

 
(75
)
 
(86
)
 

 
(86
)
Mortgage loans

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Limited partnership interests
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
 
(39
)
 

 
(39
)
Other
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$
(3
)
 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
$
(100
)
 
$
8

 
$
(92
)
 
$
(124
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(126
)
The total amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time of impairment for fixed income securities, which were not included in earnings, are presented in the following table.  The amounts exclude $224 million and $233 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of the fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
($ in millions)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Municipal
$
(9
)
 
$
(8
)
Corporate
(4
)
 

ABS
(3
)
 
(2
)
RMBS
(106
)
 
(108
)
CMBS
(6
)
 
(5
)
Total
$
(128
)
 
$
(123
)







10



Rollforwards of the cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings for fixed income securities held as of the end of the period are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
$
(378
)
 
$
(493
)
 
$
(380
)
 
$
(513
)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired
(2
)
 
4

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
(3
)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected
8

 
7

 
14

 
33

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

 

 

 

Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows
2

 
1

 
3

 
1

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

 
59

 

 
59

Ending balance
$
(372
)
 
$
(424
)
 
$
(372
)
 
$
(424
)
The Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed income security, discounted at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, to calculate a recovery value and determine whether a credit loss exists.  The determination of cash flow estimates is inherently subjective and methodologies may vary depending on facts and circumstances specific to the security.  All reasonably available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable assumptions and forecasts, are considered when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected.  That information generally includes, but is not limited to, the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, foreign exchange rates, the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer, expected defaults, expected recoveries, the value of underlying collateral, vintage, geographic concentration, available reserves or escrows, current subordination levels, third party guarantees and other credit enhancements.  Other information, such as industry analyst reports and forecasts, sector credit ratings, financial condition of the bond insurer for insured fixed income securities, and other market data relevant to the realizability of contractual cash flows, may also be considered.  The estimated fair value of collateral will be used to estimate recovery value if the Company determines that the security is dependent on the liquidation of collateral for ultimate settlement.  If the estimated recovery value is less than the amortized cost of the security, a credit loss exists and an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the estimated recovery value and amortized cost is recorded in earnings.  The portion of the unrealized loss related to factors other than credit remains classified in accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the Company determines that the fixed income security does not have sufficient cash flow or other information to estimate a recovery value for the security, the Company may conclude that the entire decline in fair value is deemed to be credit related and the loss is recorded in earnings.
















11



Unrealized net capital gains and losses
Unrealized net capital gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
($ in millions)
Fair
value
 
Gross unrealized
 
Unrealized net
gains (losses)
June 30, 2015
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fixed income securities
$
59,930

 
$
2,397

 
$
(438
)
 
$
1,959

Equity securities
4,000

 
413

 
(62
)
 
351

Short-term investments
2,821

 

 

 

Derivative instruments (1)
7

 
7

 
(4
)
 
3

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

 
 

 
 

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

 
 

 
 

 
2,308

Amounts recognized for:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves (3)
 

 
 

 
 

 

DAC and DSI (4)
 

 
 

 
 

 
(121
)
Amounts recognized
 

 
 

 
 

 
(121
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
(768
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
1,419

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

 
$
3,082

 
$
(314
)
 
$
2,768

Equity securities
4,104

 
467

 
(55
)
 
412

Short-term investments
2,540

 

 

 

Derivative instruments (1)
2

 
3

 
(5
)
 
(2
)
EMA limited partnerships
 

 
 

 
 

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

 
 

 
 

 
3,173

Amounts recognized for:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves
 

 
 

 
 

 
(28
)
DAC and DSI
 

 
 

 
 

 
(179
)
Amounts recognized
 

 
 

 
 

 
(207
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

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

 
 

 
 

 
$
1,926

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









12



Change in unrealized net capital gains and losses
The change in unrealized net capital gains and losses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:
($ in millions)
 
Fixed income securities
$
(809
)
Equity securities
(61
)
Derivative instruments
5

Total
(865
)
Amounts recognized for:
 

Insurance reserves
28

DAC and DSI
58

Amounts recognized
86

Deferred income taxes
272

Decrease in unrealized net capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
(507
)
Portfolio monitoring
The Company has a comprehensive portfolio monitoring process to identify and evaluate each fixed income and equity security whose carrying value may be other-than-temporarily impaired.
For each fixed income security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether management with the appropriate authority has made the decision to sell or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes.  If a security meets either of these criteria, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
If the Company has not made the decision to sell the fixed income security and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed income security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  The Company calculates the estimated recovery value by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows at the security’s original or current effective rate, as appropriate, and compares this to the amortized cost of the security.  If the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income security, the credit loss component of the impairment is recorded in earnings, with the remaining amount of the unrealized loss related to other factors recognized in other comprehensive income.
For equity securities, the Company considers various factors, including whether it has the intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis.  Where the Company lacks the intent and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the equity security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings.
For fixed income and equity securities managed by third parties, either the Company has contractually retained its decision making authority as it pertains to selling securities that are in an unrealized loss position or it recognizes any unrealized loss at the end of the period through a charge to earnings.
The Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all securities to identify instances where the fair value of a security compared to its amortized cost (for fixed income securities) or cost (for equity securities) is below established thresholds.  The process also includes the monitoring of other impairment indicators such as ratings, ratings downgrades and payment defaults.  The securities identified, in addition to other securities for which the Company may have a concern, are evaluated for potential other-than-temporary impairment using all reasonably available information relevant to the collectability or recovery of the security.  Inherent in the Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment for these fixed income and equity securities are assumptions and estimates about the financial condition and future earnings potential of the issue or issuer.  Some of the factors that may be considered in evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other than temporary are: 1) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry specific market conditions and trends, geographic location and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; 2) the specific reasons that a security is in an unrealized loss position, including overall market conditions which could affect liquidity; and 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost or cost.






13



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

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
16

 
$
761

 
$
(1
)
 

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
Municipal
473

 
1,472

 
(23
)
 
9

 
60

 
(13
)
 
(36
)
Corporate
954

 
11,790

 
(274
)
 
65

 
616

 
(86
)
 
(360
)
Foreign government
10

 
53

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
ABS
56

 
801

 
(10
)
 
22

 
253

 
(16
)
 
(26
)
RMBS
81

 
51

 
(1
)
 
177

 
146

 
(11
)
 
(12
)
CMBS
7

 
31

 

 
1

 
3

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Total fixed income securities
1,597

 
14,959

 
(310
)
 
274

 
1,078

 
(128
)
 
(438
)
Equity securities
251

 
753

 
(61
)
 
1

 
13

 
(1
)
 
(62
)
Total fixed income and equity securities
1,848

 
$
15,712

 
$
(371
)
 
275

 
$
1,091

 
$
(129
)
 
$
(500
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade fixed income securities
1,225

 
$
10,917

 
$
(158
)
 
206

 
$
670

 
$
(69
)
 
$
(227
)
Below investment grade fixed income securities
372

 
4,042

 
(152
)
 
68

 
408

 
(59
)
 
(211
)
Total fixed income securities
1,597

 
$
14,959

 
$
(310
)
 
274

 
$
1,078

 
$
(128
)
 
$
(438
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
21

 
$
1,501

 
$
(3
)
 

 
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
Municipal
252

 
1,008

 
(9
)
 
19

 
116

 
(16
)
 
(25
)
Corporate
576

 
7,545

 
(147
)
 
119

 
1,214

 
(93
)
 
(240
)
Foreign government
2

 
13

 

 
1

 
19

 

 

ABS
81

 
1,738

 
(11
)
 
26

 
315

 
(20
)
 
(31
)
RMBS
75

 
70

 
(1
)
 
188

 
156

 
(12
)
 
(13
)
CMBS
8

 
33

 

 
3

 
32

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

 
11,908

 
(171
)
 
356

 
1,852

 
(143
)
 
(314
)
Equity securities
258

 
866

 
(53
)
 
1

 
11

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

 
$
12,774

 
$
(224
)
 
357

 
$
1,863

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

 
$
9,951

 
$
(71
)
 
281

 
$
1,444

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

 
1,957

 
(100
)
 
75

 
408

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

 
$
11,908

 
$
(171
)
 
356

 
$
1,852

 
$
(143
)
 
$
(314
)
As of June 30, 2015, $411 million of unrealized losses are related to securities with an unrealized loss position less than 20% of amortized cost or cost, the degree of which suggests that these securities do not pose a high risk of being other-than-temporarily impaired.  Of the $411 million, $195 million are related to unrealized losses on investment grade fixed income securities.  Investment grade is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, Kroll or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.  Unrealized losses on investment grade securities are principally related to increasing risk-free interest rates or widening credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.
As of June 30, 2015, the remaining $89 million of unrealized losses are related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost.  Investment grade fixed income securities comprising $32 million of these unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows and the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations.  Of the $89 million, $49 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities and $8 million are related to equity securities.  Of these amounts, $6 million are related to below investment grade fixed income securities that had been in an unrealized loss position greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost for a period of twelve or more consecutive months as of June 30, 2015.

14



ABS, RMBS and CMBS in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on actual and projected collateral losses relative to the securities’ positions in the respective securitization trusts, security specific expectations of cash flows, and credit ratings.  This evaluation also takes into consideration credit enhancement, measured in terms of (i) subordination from other classes of securities in the trust that are contractually obligated to absorb losses before the class of security the Company owns, (ii) the expected impact of other structural features embedded in the securitization trust beneficial to the class of securities the Company owns, such as overcollateralization and excess spread, and (iii) for ABS and RMBS in an unrealized loss position, credit enhancements from reliable bond insurers, where applicable.  Municipal bonds in an unrealized loss position were evaluated based on the underlying credit quality of the primary obligator, obligation type and quality of the underlying assets.  Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to temporary equity market fluctuations of securities that are expected to recover.
As of June 30, 2015, the Company has not made the decision to sell and it is not more likely than not the Company will be required to sell fixed income securities with unrealized losses before recovery of the amortized cost basis.  As of June 30, 2015, the Company had the intent and ability to hold equity securities with unrealized losses for a period of time sufficient for them to recover.
Limited partnerships
As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of equity method limited partnerships totaled $3.41 billion and $3.41 billion, respectively.  The Company recognizes an impairment loss for equity method limited partnerships when evidence demonstrates that the loss is other than temporary.  Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain a level of earnings that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.
As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value for cost method limited partnerships was $1.13 billion and $1.12 billion, respectively.  To determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the Company evaluates whether an impairment indicator has occurred in the period that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.  Impairment indicators may include: significantly reduced valuations of the investments held by the limited partnerships; actual recent cash flows received being significantly less than expected cash flows; reduced valuations based on financing completed at a lower value; completed sale of a material underlying investment at a price significantly lower than expected; or any other adverse events since the last financial statements received that might affect the fair value of the investee’s capital.  Additionally, the Company’s portfolio monitoring process includes a quarterly review of all cost method limited partnerships to identify instances where the net asset value is below established thresholds for certain periods of time, as well as investments that are performing below expectations, for further impairment consideration.  If a cost method limited partnership is other-than-temporarily impaired, the carrying value is written down to fair value, generally estimated to be equivalent to the reported net asset value of the fund.
Mortgage loans
Mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment on a specific loan basis through a quarterly credit monitoring process and review of key credit quality indicators.  Mortgage loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not collect the contractual principal and interest.  Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans to reduce the carrying value to the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell or the present value of the loan’s expected future repayment cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate.  Impaired mortgage loans may not have a valuation allowance when the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is higher than the carrying value.  Valuation allowances are adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell.  Mortgage loans are charged off against their corresponding valuation allowances when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.  The impairment evaluation is non-statistical in respect to the aggregate portfolio but considers facts and circumstances attributable to each loan.  It is not considered probable that additional impairment losses, beyond those identified on a specific loan basis, have been incurred as of June 30, 2015.
Accrual of income is suspended for mortgage loans that are in default or when full and timely collection of principal and interest payments is not probable.  Cash receipts on mortgage loans on nonaccrual status are generally recorded as a reduction of carrying value.
Debt service coverage ratio is considered a key credit quality indicator when mortgage loans are evaluated for impairment.  Debt service coverage ratio represents the amount of estimated cash flows from the property available to the borrower to meet principal and interest payment obligations.  Debt service coverage ratio estimates are updated annually or more frequently if conditions are warranted based on the Company’s credit monitoring process.






15



The following table reflects the carrying value of non-impaired fixed rate and variable rate mortgage loans summarized by debt service coverage ratio distribution.
($ in millions)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Debt service coverage ratio distribution
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
 
Fixed rate
mortgage
loans
 
Variable rate
mortgage
loans
 
Total
Below 1.0
$
87

 
$

 
$
87

 
$
110

 
$

 
$
110

1.0 - 1.25
444

 

 
444

 
424

 

 
424

1.26 - 1.50
1,185

 
1

 
1,186

 
1,167

 
1

 
1,168

Above 1.50
2,598

 
19

 
2,617

 
2,450

 
20

 
2,470

Total non-impaired mortgage loans
$
4,314

 
$
20

 
$
4,334

 
$
4,151

 
$
21

 
$
4,172

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

 
$
16

Impaired mortgage loans without a valuation allowance

 

Total impaired mortgage loans
$
9

 
$
16

Valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans
$
7

 
$
8

The average balance of impaired loans was $13 million and $36 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The rollforward of the valuation allowance on impaired mortgage loans is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
$
8

 
$
9

 
$
8

 
$
21

Net decrease in valuation allowance

 

 

 
(4
)
Charge offs
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(8
)
Ending balance
$
7

 
$
9

 
$
7

 
$
9

Payments on all loans were current as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
 
 
 
5.  Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The hierarchy for inputs used in determining fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available.  Assets and liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
Level 1:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.
Level 2:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:
(a)
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
(b)
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or
(c)
Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3:     Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.  Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the assets and liabilities.

16



The availability of observable inputs varies by instrument.  In situations where fair value is based on internally developed pricing models or inputs that are unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is typically greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.  In many instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market disruption.  In periods of market disruption, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments.
The Company is responsible for the determination of fair value and the supporting assumptions and methodologies.  The Company gains assurance that assets and liabilities are appropriately valued through the execution of various processes and controls designed to ensure the overall reasonableness and consistent application of valuation methodologies, including inputs and assumptions, and compliance with accounting standards.  For fair values received from third parties or internally estimated, the Company’s processes and controls are designed to ensure that the valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistently applied, the inputs and assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value, and the fair values are accurately recorded.  For example, on a continuing basis, the Company assesses the reasonableness of individual fair values that have stale security prices or that exceed certain thresholds as compared to previous fair values received from valuation service providers or brokers or derived from internal models.  The Company performs procedures to understand and assess the methodologies, processes and controls of valuation service providers.  In addition, the Company may validate the reasonableness of fair values by comparing information obtained from valuation service providers or brokers to other third party valuation sources for selected securities.  The Company performs ongoing price validation procedures such as back-testing of actual sales, which corroborate the various inputs used in internal models to market observable data.  When fair value determinations are expected to be more variable, the Company validates them through reviews by members of management who have relevant expertise and who are independent of those charged with executing investment transactions.
The Company has two types of situations where investments are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  The first is where specific inputs significant to the fair value estimation models are not market observable.  This primarily occurs in the Company’s use of broker quotes to value certain securities where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable, and the use of valuation models that use significant non-market observable inputs.
The second situation where the Company classifies securities in Level 3 is where quotes continue to be received from independent third-party valuation service providers and all significant inputs are market observable; however, there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset when compared to normal market activity such that the degree of market observability has declined to a point where categorization as a Level 3 measurement is considered appropriate.  The indicators considered in determining whether a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for a specific asset has occurred include the level of new issuances in the primary market, trading volume in the secondary market, the level of credit spreads over historical levels, applicable bid-ask spreads, and price consensus among market participants and other pricing sources.
Certain assets are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including investments such as mortgage loans, limited partnership interests, bank loans and policy loans.  Accordingly, such investments are only included in the fair value hierarchy disclosure when the investment is subject to remeasurement at fair value after initial recognition and the resulting remeasurement is reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  In addition, derivatives embedded in fixed income securities are not disclosed in the hierarchy as free-standing derivatives since they are presented with the host contracts in fixed income securities. 
In determining fair value, the Company principally uses the market approach which generally utilizes market transaction data for the same or similar instruments.  To a lesser extent, the Company uses the income approach which involves determining fair values from discounted cash flow methodologies.  For the majority of Level 2 and Level 3 valuations, a combination of the market and income approaches is used.
Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Level 1 measurements
Fixed income securities:  Comprise certain U.S. Treasury fixed income securities.  Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.
Equity securities:  Comprise actively traded, exchange-listed equity securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.
Short-term:  Comprise U.S. Treasury bills valued based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access and actively traded money market funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.

17



Separate account assets:  Comprise actively traded mutual funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access.  Net asset values for the actively traded mutual funds in which the separate account assets are invested are obtained daily from the fund managers.
Level 2 measurements
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government and agencies:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
Municipal:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
Corporate, including privately placed:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  Also included are privately placed securities valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses market observable inputs and inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.  The primary inputs to the discounted cash flow model include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets in markets that are not active that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.
Foreign government:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.
ABS and RMBS:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads.  Certain ABS are valued based on non-binding broker quotes whose inputs have been corroborated to be market observable.
CMBS:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.
Redeemable preferred stock:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, underlying stock prices and credit spreads.
Equity securities:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices or quoted net asset values for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.
Short-term:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  For certain short-term investments, amortized cost is used as the best estimate of fair value.
Other investments:  Free-standing exchange listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued based on quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active.
OTC derivatives, including interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, certain options and certain credit default swaps, are valued using models that rely on inputs such as interest rate yield curves, currency rates, and counterparty credit spreads that are observable for substantially the full term of the contract.  The valuation techniques underlying the models are widely accepted in the financial services industry and do not involve significant judgment.
Level 3 measurements
Fixed income securities:
Municipal:  Comprise municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies but are rated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”).  The primary inputs to the valuation of these municipal bonds include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.  Also included are municipal bonds valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.  Also includes auction rate securities (“ARS”) primarily backed by student loans that have become illiquid due to failures in the auction market and are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, including the anticipated date liquidity will return to the market.
Corporate, including privately placed:  Primarily valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.  Also included are equity-indexed notes which are valued using a discounted cash flow model that is widely accepted in the financial services industry and uses significant non-market observable inputs, such as volatility.  Other inputs include an interest rate yield curve, as well as published credit spreads for similar assets that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer.

18



ABS, RMBS and CMBS:  Valued based on non-binding broker quotes received from brokers who are familiar with the investments and where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable.
Equity securities:  The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices or quoted net asset values for identical or similar assets in markets that exhibit less liquidity relative to those markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements.
Other investments:  Certain OTC derivatives, such as interest rate caps, certain credit default swaps and certain options (including swaptions), are valued using models that are widely accepted in the financial services industry.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs such as volatility.  Other primary inputs include interest rate yield curves and credit spreads.
Contractholder funds:  Derivatives embedded in certain life and annuity contracts are valued internally using models widely accepted in the financial services industry that determine a single best estimate of fair value for the embedded derivatives within a block of contractholder liabilities.  The models primarily use stochastically determined cash flows based on the contractual elements of embedded derivatives, projected option cost and applicable market data, such as interest rate yield curves and equity index volatility assumptions.  These are categorized as Level 3 as a result of the significance of non-market observable inputs.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis
Mortgage loans written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing impairments are valued based on the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell.  Limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments are valued using net asset values. 
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Counterparty
and cash
collateral
netting
 
Balance as of June 30, 2015
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,048

 
$
883

 
$
5

 
 

 
$
3,936

Municipal

 
8,379

 
215

 
 

 
8,594

Corporate

 
41,691

 
626

 
 

 
42,317

Foreign government

 
1,324

 

 
 

 
1,324

ABS

 
1,956

 
120

 
 

 
2,076

RMBS

 
1,082

 
1

 
 

 
1,083

CMBS

 
547

 
28

 
 

 
575

Redeemable preferred stock

 
25

 

 
 

 
25

Total fixed income securities
3,048

 
55,887

 
995

 
 

 
59,930

Equity securities
3,661

 
231

 
108

 
 

 
4,000

Short-term investments
446

 
2,340

 
35

 
 

 
2,821

Other investments: Free-standing derivatives

 
74

 
2

 
$
(16
)
 
60

Separate account assets
4,121

 

 

 
 

 
4,121

Other assets

 

 
1

 
 

 
1

Total recurring basis assets
11,276

 
58,532

 
1,141

 
(16
)
 
70,933

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

 
9

 
 

 
9

Total assets at fair value
$
11,276

 
$
58,532

 
$
1,150

 
$
(16
)
 
$
70,942

% of total assets at fair value
15.9
%
 
82.5
%
 
1.6
%
 
 %
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(315
)
 
 

 
$
(315
)
Other liabilities: Free-standing derivatives
(1
)
 
(14
)
 
(9
)
 
$
5

 
(19
)
Total liabilities at fair value
$
(1
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(324
)
 
$
5

 
$
(334
)
% of total liabilities at fair value
0.3
%
 
4.2
%
 
97.0
%
 
(1.5
)%
 
100
%
_______________
(1) 
Includes $9 million of other investments written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.



19



The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2014.
($ in millions)
Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Counterparty
and cash
collateral
netting
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government and agencies
$
3,240

 
$
1,082

 
$
6

 
 

 
$
4,328

Municipal

 
8,227

 
270

 
 

 
8,497

Corporate

 
41,253

 
891

 
 

 
42,144

Foreign government

 
1,645

 

 
 

 
1,645

ABS

 
3,782

 
196

 
 

 
3,978

RMBS

 
1,206

 
1

 
 

 
1,207

CMBS

 
592

 
23

 
 

 
615

Redeemable preferred stock

 
26

 

 
 

 
26

Total fixed income securities
3,240

 
57,813

 
1,387

 
 

 
62,440

Equity securities
3,787

 
234

 
83

 
 

 
4,104

Short-term investments
692

 
1,843

 
5

 
 

 
2,540

Other investments: Free-standing derivatives

 
95

 
2

 
$
(5
)
 
92

Separate account assets
4,396

 

 

 
 

 
4,396

Other assets
2

 

 
1

 
 

 
3

Total recurring basis assets
12,117

 
59,985

 
1,478

 
(5
)
 
73,575

Non-recurring basis (1)

 

 
9

 
 

 
9

Total assets at fair value
$
12,117

 
$
59,985

 
$
1,487

 
$
(5
)
 
$
73,584

% of total assets at fair value
16.5
%
 
81.5
%
 
2.0
%
 
 %
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(323
)
 
 

 
$
(323
)
Other liabilities: Free-standing derivatives
(1
)
 
(50
)
 
(9
)
 
$
22

 
(38
)
Total liabilities at fair value
$
(1
)
 
$
(50
)
 
$
(332
)
 
$
22

 
$
(361
)
% of total liabilities at fair value
0.3
%
 
13.8
%
 
92.0
%
 
(6.1
)%
 
100
%
_______________
(1) 
Includes $6 million of mortgage loans and $3 million of limited partnership interests written-down to fair value in connection with recognizing other-than-temporary impairments.
The following table summarizes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements.
($ in millions)
Fair value
 
Valuation
technique
 
Unobservable
input
 
Range
 
Weighted
average
June 30, 2015
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts – Equity-indexed and forward starting options
$
(270
)
 
Stochastic cash flow model
 
Projected option cost
 
1.0 - 2.2%
 
1.76%
December 31, 2014
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts – Equity-indexed and forward starting options
$
(278
)
 
Stochastic cash flow model
 
Projected option cost
 
1.0 - 2.0%
 
1.76%
If the projected option cost increased (decreased), it would result in a higher (lower) liability fair value.
As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Level 3 fair value measurements include $719 million and $1.03 billion, respectively, of fixed income securities valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable and $121 million and $169 million, respectively, of municipal fixed income securities that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies.  The Company does not develop the unobservable inputs used in measuring fair value; therefore, these are not included in the table above.  However, an increase (decrease) in credit spreads for fixed income securities

20



valued based on non-binding broker quotes would result in a lower (higher) fair value, and an increase (decrease) in the credit rating of municipal bonds that are not rated by third party credit rating agencies would result in a higher (lower) fair value.
The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
 

 
Total gains (losses)
included in:
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance as of
March 31, 2015
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$
5

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Municipal
238

 
2

 
(6
)
 

 
(2
)
 
Corporate
878

 
3

 
2

 

 
(208
)
 
ABS
137

 
(1
)
 
2

 

 
(11
)
 
RMBS
1

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
28

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
1,287

 
4

 
(2
)
 

 
(221
)
 
Equity securities
93

 
1

 
2

 

 

 
Short-term investments
10

 

 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(7
)
 
1

 

 

 

 
Other assets
1

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
1,384

 
$
6

 
$

 
$

 
$
(221
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(326
)
 
$
9

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(326
)
 
$
9

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Issues
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of June 30, 2015
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
U.S. government and agencies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5

 
Municipal

 
(16
)
 

 
(1
)
 
215

 
Corporate

 

 

 
(49
)
 
626

 
ABS

 
(5
)
 

 
(2
)
 
120

 
RMBS

 

 

 

 
1

 
CMBS

 

 

 

 
28

 
Total fixed income securities

 
(21
)
 

 
(52
)
 
995

 
Equity securities
12

 

 

 

 
108

 
Short-term investments
25

 

 

 

 
35

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(7
)
(2) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 
1

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
37

 
$
(21
)
 
$

 
$
(53
)
 
$
1,132

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
(315
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
(315
)
 
_____________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $15 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $2 million in realized capital gains and losses, $4 million in net investment income and $9 million in interest credited to contractholder funds.
(2) 
Comprises $2 million of assets and $9 million of liabilities.


21



The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
 

 
Total gains (losses)
included in:
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance as of
December 31, 2014
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$
6

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Municipal
270

 
2

 
(4
)
 

 
(2
)
 
Corporate
891

 

 
(6
)
 
5

 
(208
)
 
ABS
196

 
(2
)
 
2

 
12

 
(84
)
 
RMBS
1

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
23

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
1,387

 

 
(8
)
 
17

 
(294
)
 
Equity securities
83

 
1

 
4

 

 

 
Short-term investments
5

 

 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(7
)
 
1

 

 

 

 
Other assets
1

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
1,469

 
$
2

 
$
(4
)
 
$
17

 
$
(294
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(323
)
 
$
5

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(323
)
 
$
5

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Issues
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of June 30, 2015
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
U.S. government and agencies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
5

 
Municipal

 
(49
)
 

 
(2
)
 
215

 
Corporate
60

 
(46
)
 

 
(70
)
 
626

 
ABS
10

 
(5
)
 

 
(9
)
 
120

 
RMBS

 

 

 

 
1

 
CMBS
5

 

 

 

 
28

 
Total fixed income securities
75

 
(100
)
 

 
(82
)
 
995

 
Equity securities
20

 

 

 

 
108

 
Short-term investments
30

 

 

 

 
35

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(7
)
(2) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 
1

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
125

 
$
(100
)
 
$

 
$
(83
)
 
$
1,132

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
4

 
$
(315
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
4

 
$
(315
)
 
_____________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $7 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $(4) million in realized capital gains and losses, $6 million in net investment income and $5 million in interest credited to contractholder funds.
(2) 
Comprises $2 million of assets and $9 million of liabilities.





22



The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended June 30, 2014.
($ in millions)
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
March 31, 
2014
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$
6

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Municipal
335

 

 
6

 

 
(17
)
 
Corporate
999

 
8

 
9

 

 
(12
)
 
ABS
174

 

 
1

 

 
(44
)
 
RMBS
2

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
54

 

 

 

 

 
Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
1,570

 
8

 
16

 

 
(73
)
 
Equity securities
17

 
2

 

 

 

 
Short-term investments
30

 

 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(7
)
 
3

 

 

 

 
Other assets

 
1

 

 

 

 
Assets held for sale
347

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
1,957

 
$
14

 
$
16

 
$

 
$
(73
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(319
)
 
$
(12
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Liabilities held for sale
(230
)
 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(549
)
 
$
(12
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sold in LBL disposition
 
Purchases/
Issues (2)
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of June 30, 2014
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
6

 
Municipal

 

 
(17
)
 
(5
)
 
302

 
Corporate

 
16

 
(24
)
 
(31
)
 
965

 
ABS

 
20

 

 
(9
)
 
142

 
RMBS

 

 

 
(1
)
 
1

 
CMBS

 
1

 

 

 
55

 
Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities

 
37

 
(41
)
 
(46
)
 
1,471

 
Equity securities

 
2

 
(2
)
 

 
19

 
Short-term investments

 
10

 
(40
)
 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(5
)
(3) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 
1

 
Assets held for sale
(347
)
 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
(347
)
 
$
49

 
$
(83
)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
1,486

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
2

 
$
(331
)
 
Liabilities held for sale
230

 

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
230

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
2

 
$
(331
)
 
_____________________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $2 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $9 million in realized capital gains and losses, $4 million in net investment income, $(10) million in interest credited to contractholder funds and $(1) million in life and annuity contract benefits.
(2) 
Represents purchases for assets and issues for liabilities.
(3) 
Comprises $3 million of assets and $8 million of liabilities.

23



The following table presents the rollforward of Level 3 assets and liabilities held at fair value on a recurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
($ in millions)
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of
December 31, 
2013
 
Net
income (1)
 
OCI
 
Transfers
into
Level 3
 
Transfers
out of
Level 3
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Municipal
343

 
(4
)
 
11

 

 
(17
)
 
Corporate
1,109

 
13

 
10

 

 
(37
)
 
ABS
192

 

 

 

 
(101
)
 
RMBS
2

 

 

 

 

 
CMBS
43

 

 

 
5

 

 
Redeemable preferred stock
1

 

 

 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
1,697

 
9

 
21

 
5

 
(155
)
 
Equity securities
132

 
22

 
(15
)
 

 

 
Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net
(5
)
 
1

 

 

 

 
Other assets

 
1

 

 

 

 
Assets held for sale
362

 
(1
)
 
2

 
4

 
(2
)
 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
2,186

 
$
32

 
$
8

 
$
9

 
$
(157
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
(307
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Liabilities held for sale
(246
)
 
17

 

 

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
(553
)
 
$
3

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sold in LBL disposition (3)
 
Purchases/
Issues 
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Balance as of June 30, 2014
 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
U.S. government and agencies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
6

 
Municipal

 
1

 
(26
)
 
(6
)
 
302

 
Corporate

 
32

 
(111
)
 
(51
)
 
965

 
ABS

 
64

 

 
(13
)
 
142

 
RMBS

 

 

 
(1
)
 
1

 
CMBS
4

 
5

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
55

 
Redeemable preferred stock

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
Total fixed income securities
4

 
102

 
(139
)
 
(73
)
 
1,471

 
Equity securities

 
3

 
(123
)
 

 
19

 
Short-term investments

 
40

 
(40
)
 

 

 
Free-standing derivatives, net

 
2

 

 
(3
)
 
(5
)
(2) 
Other assets

 

 

 

 
1

 
Assets held for sale
(351
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(6
)
 

 
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
(347
)
 
$
147

 
$
(310
)
 
$
(82
)
 
$
1,486

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$

 
$
(13
)
 
$

 
$
3

 
$
(331
)
 
Liabilities held for sale
230

 
(4
)
 

 
3

 

 
Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
230

 
$
(17
)
 
$

 
$
6

 
$
(331
)
 
_____________________
(1) 
The effect to net income totals $35 million and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: $29 million in realized capital gains and losses, $6 million in net investment income, $4 million in life and annuity contract benefits and $(4) million in loss on disposition of operations.
(2) 
Comprises $3 million of assets and $8 million of liabilities.
(3) 
Includes transfers from held for sale that took place in first quarter 2014 of $4 million for CMBS and $(4) million for Assets held for sale.

24



Transfers between level categorizations may occur due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs, which generally are caused by changes in market conditions such as liquidity, trading volume or bid-ask spreads.  Transfers between level categorizations may also occur due to changes in the valuation source.  For example, in situations where a fair value quote is not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price is stale or has been replaced with a broker quote whose inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable, the security is transferred into Level 3.  Transfers in and out of level categorizations are reported as having occurred at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurred.  Therefore, for all transfers into Level 3, all realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses in the quarter of transfer are reflected in the Level 3 rollforward table.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 or 2014.
Transfers into Level 3 during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 included situations where a fair value quote was not provided by the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider and as a result the price was stale or had been replaced with a broker quote where the inputs had not been corroborated to be market observable resulting in the security being classified as Level 3.  Transfers out of Level 3 during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 included situations where a broker quote was used in the prior period and a fair value quote became available from the Company’s independent third-party valuation service provider in the current period.  A quote utilizing the new pricing source was not available as of the prior period, and any gains or losses related to the change in valuation source for individual securities were not significant.
The following table provides the change in unrealized gains and losses included in net income for Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of June 30.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed income securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Municipal
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(5
)
Corporate
3

 
4

 
5

 
7

ABS
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

CMBS

 

 

 
(1
)
Total fixed income securities
2

 
3

 
3

 
1

Equity securities
1

 

 

 

Free-standing derivatives, net
1

 
6

 
1

 
6

Other assets

 
1

 

 
1

Assets held for sale

 

 

 
(1
)
Total recurring Level 3 assets
$
4

 
$
10

 
$
4

 
$
7

Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contractholder funds: Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
$
9

 
$
(12
)
 
$
5

 
$
(14
)
Liabilities held for sale

 

 

 
17

Total recurring Level 3 liabilities
$
9

 
$
(12
)
 
$
5

 
$
3

The amounts in the table above represent the change in unrealized gains and losses included in net income for the period of time that the asset or liability was determined to be in Level 3.  These gains and losses total $13 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and are reported as follows: $4 million in net investment income and $9 million in interest credited to contractholder funds.  These gains and losses total $(2) million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and are reported as follows: $3 million in realized capital gains and losses, $4 million in net investment income, $(10) million in interest credited to contractholder funds, $(1) million in life and annuity contract benefits and $2 million in loss on disposition of operations.  These gains and losses total $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and are reported as follows: $(2) million in realized capital gains and losses, $6 million in net investment income and $5 million in interest credited to contractholder funds.  These gains and losses total $10 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and are reported as follows: $6 million in net investment income and $4 million in life and annuity contract benefits. 






25



Presented below are the carrying values and fair value estimates of financial instruments not carried at fair value.
Financial assets
($ in millions)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
Mortgage loans
$
4,343

 
$
4,537

 
$
4,188

 
$
4,446

Cost method limited partnerships
1,130

 
1,482

 
1,122

 
1,488

Bank loans
1,763

 
1,754

 
1,663

 
1,638

Agent loans
404

 
393

 
368

 
361

The fair value of mortgage loans is based on discounted contractual cash flows or, if the loans are impaired due to credit reasons, the fair value of collateral less costs to sell.  Risk adjusted discount rates are selected using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar characteristics, using similar types of properties as collateral.  The fair value of cost method limited partnerships is determined using reported net asset values of the underlying funds.  The fair value of bank loans, which are reported in other investments, is based on broker quotes from brokers familiar with the loans and current market conditions.  The fair value of agent loans, which are reported in other investments, is based on discounted cash flow calculations that use discount rates with a spread over U.S. Treasury rates.  Assumptions used in developing estimated cash flows and discount rates consider the loan’s credit and liquidity risks.  The fair value measurements for mortgage loans, cost method limited partnerships, bank loans and agent loans are categorized as Level 3.
Financial liabilities
($ in millions)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
Contractholder funds on investment contracts
$
13,118

 
$
13,680

 
$
13,734

 
$
14,390

Long-term debt
5,186

 
5,707

 
5,194

 
5,835

Liability for collateral
751

 
751

 
782

 
782

The fair value of contractholder funds on investment contracts is based on the terms of the underlying contracts utilizing prevailing market rates for similar contracts adjusted for the Company’s own credit risk.  Deferred annuities included in contractholder funds are valued using discounted cash flow models that incorporate market value margins, which are based on the cost of holding economic capital, and the Company’s own credit risk.  Immediate annuities without life contingencies and fixed rate funding agreements are valued at the present value of future benefits using market implied interest rates which include the Company’s own credit risk.  The fair value measurements for contractholder funds on investment contracts are categorized as Level 3.
The fair value of long-term debt is based on market observable data (such as the fair value of the debt when traded as an asset) or, in certain cases, is determined using discounted cash flow calculations based on current interest rates for instruments with comparable terms and considers the Company’s own credit risk.  The liability for collateral is valued at carrying value due to its short-term nature.  The fair value measurements for long-term debt and liability for collateral are categorized as Level 2.
6.  Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivatives for risk reduction and to increase investment portfolio returns through asset replication. Risk reduction activity is focused on managing the risks with certain assets and liabilities arising from the potential adverse impacts from changes in risk-free interest rates, changes in equity market valuations, increases in credit spreads and foreign currency fluctuations. 
Property-Liability may use interest rate swaps, swaptions, futures and options to manage the interest rate risks of existing investments.  These instruments are utilized to change the duration of the portfolio in order to offset the economic effect that interest rates would otherwise have on the fair value of its fixed income securities.  Equity index futures and options are used by Property-Liability to offset valuation losses in the equity portfolio during periods of declining equity market values.  Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Property-Liability fixed income portfolio.  Property-Liability uses equity futures to hedge the market risk related to deferred compensation liability contracts and forward contracts to hedge foreign currency risk associated with holding foreign currency denominated investments and foreign operations.
Asset-liability management is a risk management strategy that is principally employed by Allstate Financial to balance the respective interest-rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities.  Depending upon the attributes of the assets acquired and liabilities issued, derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, swaptions and futures are utilized to change the interest rate characteristics of existing assets and liabilities to ensure the relationship is maintained within specified ranges and to reduce

26



exposure to rising or falling interest rates.  Allstate Financial uses futures and options for hedging the equity exposure contained in its equity indexed life and annuity product contracts that offer equity returns to contractholders.  In addition, Allstate Financial uses interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk inherent in funding agreements.  Allstate Financial uses foreign currency swaps and forwards primarily to reduce the foreign currency risk associated with holding foreign currency denominated investments.  Credit default swaps are typically used to mitigate the credit risk within the Allstate Financial fixed income portfolio.
The Company may also use derivatives to manage the risk associated with corporate actions, including the sale of a business.  During 2014, swaptions were utilized to hedge the expected proceeds from the disposition of Lincoln Benefit Life Company (“LBL”).
Asset replication refers to the “synthetic” creation of assets through the use of derivatives and primarily investment grade host bonds to replicate securities that are either unavailable in the cash markets or more economical to acquire in synthetic form.  The Company replicates fixed income securities using a combination of a credit default swap and one or more highly rated fixed income securities to synthetically replicate the economic characteristics of one or more cash market securities.
The Company also has derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts that are required to be separated from the host contracts and accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value of embedded derivatives reported in net income.  The Company’s primary embedded derivatives are equity options in life and annuity product contracts, which provide equity returns to contractholders; conversion options in fixed income securities, which provide the Company with the right to convert the instrument into a predetermined number of shares of common stock; credit default swaps in synthetic collateralized debt obligations, which provide enhanced coupon rates as a result of selling credit protection; and equity-indexed notes containing equity call options, which provide a coupon payout that is determined using one or more equity-based indices.
When derivatives meet specific criteria, they may be designated as accounting hedges and accounted for as fair value, cash flow, foreign currency fair value or foreign currency cash flow hedges.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts and certain investment risk transfer reinsurance agreements as fair value hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the risk of changes in the fair value of the hedged item.  Allstate Financial designates certain of its foreign currency swap contracts as cash flow hedges when the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting the exposure of variations in cash flows for the hedged risk that could affect net income.  Amounts are reclassified to net investment income or realized capital gains and losses as the hedged item affects net income.
The notional amounts specified in the contracts are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are generally not representative of the potential for gain or loss on these agreements. However, the notional amounts specified in credit default swaps where the Company has sold credit protection represent the maximum amount of potential loss, assuming no recoveries.
Fair value, which is equal to the carrying value, is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the derivative contracts at the reporting date.  The carrying value amounts for OTC derivatives are further adjusted for the effects, if any, of enforceable master netting agreements and are presented on a net basis, by counterparty agreement, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  For certain exchange traded and cleared derivatives, margin deposits are required as well as daily cash settlements of margin accounts.  As of June 30, 2015, the Company pledged $38 million of cash and securities as margin deposits.
For those derivatives which qualify for fair value hedge accounting, net income includes the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged risk, and therefore reflects any hedging ineffectiveness.  For cash flow hedges, gains and losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income and are reported in net income in the same period the forecasted transactions being hedged impact net income.
Non-hedge accounting is generally used for “portfolio” level hedging strategies where the terms of the individual hedged items do not meet the strict homogeneity requirements to permit the application of hedge accounting.  For non-hedge derivatives, net income includes changes in fair value and accrued periodic settlements, when applicable.  With the exception of non-hedge derivatives used for asset replication and non-hedge embedded derivatives, all of the Company’s derivatives are evaluated for their ongoing effectiveness as either accounting hedge or non-hedge derivative financial instruments on at least a quarterly basis.










27



The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2015.
($ in millions, except number of contracts)
 
 
Volume (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet location
 
Notional
amount
 
Number of contracts
 
Fair
value,
net
 
Gross
asset
 
Gross
liability
Asset derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency swap agreements
Other investments
 
$
18

 
n/a

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate cap agreements
Other investments
 
152

 
n/a

 
2

 
2

 

   Financial futures contracts
Other assets
 

 
950

 

 

 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options and warrants (2)
Other investments
 

 
3,110

 
55

 
55

 

Financial futures contracts
Other assets
 

 
541

 

 

 

Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other investments
 
320

 
n/a

 
2

 
5

 
(3
)
Embedded derivative financial instruments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other embedded derivative financial instruments
Other investments
 
1,000

 
n/a

 

 

 

Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps - buying protection
Other investments
 
58

 
n/a

 

 
1

 
(1
)
Credit default swaps - selling protection
Other investments
 
145

 
n/a

 
2

 
2

 

Other contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other contracts
Other assets
 
3

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Subtotal
 
 
1,678

 
4,601

 
62

 
66

 
(4
)
Total asset derivatives
 
 
$
1,696

 
4,601

 
$
65

 
$
69

 
$
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency swap agreements
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
$
56

 
n/a

 
$
4

 
$
4

 
$

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate swap agreements
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
85

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options and futures
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 

 
6,057

 
(6
)
 

 
(6
)
Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
538

 
n/a

 
1

 
2

 
(1
)
Embedded derivative financial instruments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits
Contractholder funds
 
558

 
n/a

 
(31
)
 

 
(31
)
Guaranteed withdrawal benefits
Contractholder funds
 
383

 
n/a

 
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
Equity-indexed and forward starting options in life and annuity product contracts
Contractholder funds
 
1,786

 
n/a

 
(270
)
 

 
(270
)
Other embedded derivative financial instruments
Contractholder funds
 
85

 
n/a

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps – buying protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
230

 
n/a

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Credit default swaps – selling protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
135

 
n/a

 
(8
)
 
1

 
(9
)
Subtotal
 
 
3,800

 
6,057

 
(331
)
 
4

 
(335
)
Total liability derivatives
 
 
3,856

 
6,057

 
(327
)
 
$
8

 
$
(335
)
Total derivatives
 
 
$
5,552

 
10,658

 
$
(262
)
 
 

 
 

__________________
(1) 
Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)
(2) 
In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 220 stock rights and warrants.  Stock rights and warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.








28



The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value positions of derivative instruments as well as their reporting location in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2014.
($ in millions, except number of contracts)
 
 
Volume (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet location
 
Notional
amount
 
Number
of
contracts
 
Fair
value,
net
 
Gross
asset
 
Gross
liability
Asset derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency swap agreements
Other investments
 
$
85

 
n/a

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$

Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate cap agreements
Other investments
 
163

 
n/a

 
2

 
2

 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options and warrants (2)
Other investments
 

 
3,225

 
83

 
83

 

Financial futures contracts
Other assets
 

 
2,204

 
2

 
2

 

Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other investments
 
471

 
n/a

 
(15
)
 
1

 
(16
)
Embedded derivative financial instruments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other embedded derivative financial instruments
Other investments
 
1,000

 
n/a

 

 

 

Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps - buying protection
Other investments
 
29

 
n/a

 

 

 

Credit default swaps - selling protection
Other investments
 
100

 
n/a

 
2

 
2

 

Other contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other contracts
Other assets
 
3

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Subtotal
 
 
1,766

 
5,429

 
75

 
91

 
(16
)
Total asset derivatives
 
 
$
1,851

 
5,429

 
$
78

 
$
94

 
$
(16
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability derivatives
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency swap agreements
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
$
50

 
n/a

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate swap agreements
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
85

 
n/a

 
1

 
1

 

Interest rate cap agreements
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
11

 
n/a

 

 

 

Financial futures contracts
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 

 
700

 

 

 

Equity and index contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Options and futures
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 

 
3,960

 
(23
)
 

 
(23
)
Foreign currency contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forwards
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
228

 
n/a

 
(1
)
 
2

 
(3
)
Embedded derivative financial instruments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Guaranteed accumulation benefits
Contractholder funds
 
615

 
n/a

 
(32
)
 

 
(32
)
Guaranteed withdrawal benefits
Contractholder funds
 
425

 
n/a

 
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
Equity-indexed and forward starting options in life and annuity product contracts
Contractholder funds
 
1,786

 
n/a

 
(278
)
 

 
(278
)
Other embedded derivative financial instruments
Contractholder funds
 
85

 
n/a

 

 

 

Credit default contracts
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps – buying protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
420

 
n/a

 
(6
)
 
1

 
(7
)
Credit default swaps – selling protection
Other liabilities & accrued expenses
 
205

 
n/a

 
(8
)
 
2

 
(10
)
Subtotal
 
 
3,860

 
4,660

 
(360
)
 
6

 
(366
)
Total liability derivatives
 
 
3,910

 
4,660

 
(361
)
 
$
6

 
$
(367
)
Total derivatives
 
 
$
5,761

 
10,089

 
$
(283
)
 
 

 
 

__________________
(1) 
Volume for OTC derivative contracts is represented by their notional amounts.  Volume for exchange traded derivatives is represented by the number of contracts, which is the basis on which they are traded.  (n/a = not applicable)
(2) 
In addition to the number of contracts presented in the table, the Company held 220 stock rights and warrants.  Stock rights and warrants can be converted to cash upon sale of those instruments or exercised for shares of common stock.







29



The following table provides gross and net amounts for the Company’s OTC derivatives, all of which are subject to enforceable master netting agreements.
($ in millions)
 
 
Offsets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amount
 
Counter-party netting
 
Cash collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount on balance sheet
 
Securities collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount
June 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Asset derivatives
$
19

 
$
(12
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

Liability derivatives
(16
)
 
12

 
(7
)
 
(11
)
 
8

 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Asset derivatives
$
12

 
$
(22
)
 
$
17

 
$
7

 
$
(4
)
 
$
3

Liability derivatives
(35
)
 
22

 

 
(13
)
 
8

 
(5
)
The following table provides a summary of the impacts of the Company’s foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships.  Amortization of net gains from accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges is expected to be a gain of $3 million during the next twelve months.  There was no hedge ineffectiveness reported in realized gains and losses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 or 2014.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
(Loss) gain recognized in OCI on derivatives during the period
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
7

 
$
(4
)
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives during the term of the hedging relationship
3

 
(19
)
 
3

 
(19
)
Loss reclassified from AOCI into income (net investment income)
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
(Loss) gain reclassified from AOCI into income (realized capital gains and losses)

 
(2
)
 
3

 
(2
)





















30



The following tables present gains and losses from valuation and settlements reported on derivatives not designated as accounting hedging instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had no derivatives used in fair value hedging relationships.
($ in millions)
Realized capital gains and losses
 
Life and annuity contract benefits
 
Interest credited to contractholder funds
 
Operating costs and expenses
 
Loss on disposition of operations
 
Total gain (loss) recognized in net income on derivatives
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

Equity and index contracts

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 
11

 

 

 
11

Foreign currency contracts
3

 

 

 
12

 

 
15

Other contracts

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Total
$
5

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

Equity and index contracts
(5
)
 

 
4

 
4

 

 
3

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 

 
8

 

 

 
8

Foreign currency contracts
(20
)
 

 

 
3

 

 
(17
)
Other contracts

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Total
$
(23
)
 
$

 
$
13

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
$
(4
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(4
)
Equity and index contracts
(8
)
 

 
12

 
6

 

 
10

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 

 

 
(11
)
Foreign currency contracts
5

 

 

 
2

 

 
7

Credit default contracts
2

 

 

 

 

 
2

Other contracts

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Total
$
(5
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
3

 
$
8

 
$

 
$
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate contracts
$
(8
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(12
)
Equity and index contracts
(11
)
 

 
21

 
7

 

 
17

Embedded derivative financial instruments

 
4

 
(11
)
 

 

 
(7
)
Foreign currency contracts
(1
)
 

 

 
3

 

 
2

Credit default contracts
3

 

 

 

 

 
3

Other contracts

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Total
$
(17
)
 
$
4

 
$
11

 
$
10

 
$
(4
)
 
$
4

The Company manages its exposure to credit risk by utilizing highly rated counterparties, establishing risk control limits, executing legally enforceable master netting agreements (“MNAs”) and obtaining collateral where appropriate.  The Company uses MNAs for OTC derivative transactions that permit either party to net payments due for transactions and collateral is either pledged or obtained when certain predetermined exposure limits are exceeded.  As of June 30, 2015, counterparties pledged $11 million in cash and securities to the Company, and the Company pledged $8 million in cash and securities to counterparties which includes $7 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent provisions that are in a liability position and $1 million of collateral posted under MNAs for contracts without credit-risk-contingent liabilities.  The Company has not incurred any losses on derivative financial instruments due to counterparty nonperformance.  Other derivatives, including futures and certain option contracts, are traded on organized exchanges which require margin deposits and guarantee the execution of trades, thereby mitigating any potential credit risk.
Counterparty credit exposure represents the Company’s potential loss if all of the counterparties concurrently fail to perform under the contractual terms of the contracts and all collateral, if any, becomes worthless.  This exposure is measured by the fair

31



value of OTC derivative contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date reduced by the effect, if any, of legally enforceable master netting agreements.
The following table summarizes the counterparty credit exposure by counterparty credit rating as it relates to the Company’s OTC derivatives.
($ in millions)
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Rating (1)
 
Number of
counter-
parties
 
Notional
amount (2)
 
Credit
exposure (2)
 
Exposure, net of collateral (2)
 
Number of
counter-
parties
 
Notional
amount (2)
 
Credit
exposure (2)
 
Exposure, net of collateral (2)
A+
 
1

 
$
98

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
1

 
$
164

 
$
2

 
$
1

A
 
4

 
887

 
8

 
2

 
3

 
118

 
3

 
2

A-
 
2

 
69

 
2

 

 
1

 
8

 

 

BBB+
 
1

 
11

 

 

 
1

 
11

 

 

BBB
 

 

 

 

 
1

 
52

 

 

Total
 
8

 
$
1,065

 
$
13

 
$
3

 
7

 
$
353

 
$
5

 
$
3

_______________
(1) 
Rating is the lower of S&P or Moody’s ratings.
(2) 
Only OTC derivatives with a net positive fair value are included for each counterparty.
Market risk is the risk that the Company will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices.  Market risk exists for all of the derivative financial instruments the Company currently holds, as these instruments may become less valuable due to adverse changes in market conditions.  To limit this risk, the Company’s senior management has established risk control limits.  In addition, changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments that the Company uses for risk management purposes are generally offset by the change in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged risk component of the related assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions.
Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-contingent termination events, cross-default provisions and credit support annex agreements.  Credit-risk-contingent termination events allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative agreement or a specific trade on certain dates if AIC’s, ALIC’s or Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York’s (“ALNY”) financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P fall below a certain level. Credit-risk-contingent cross-default provisions allow the counterparties to terminate the derivative agreement if the Company defaults by pre-determined threshold amounts on certain debt instruments.  Credit-risk-contingent credit support annex agreements specify the amount of collateral the Company must post to counterparties based on AIC’s, ALIC’s or ALNY’s financial strength credit ratings by Moody’s or S&P, or in the event AIC, ALIC or ALNY are no longer rated by either Moody’s or S&P.
The following summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments with termination, cross-default or collateral credit-risk-contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as the fair value of assets and collateral that are netted against the liability in accordance with provisions within legally enforceable MNAs.
($ in millions)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Gross liability fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features
$
14

 
$
16

Gross asset fair value of contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features and subject to MNAs
(5
)
 
(4
)
Collateral posted under MNAs for contracts containing credit-risk-contingent features
(7
)
 
(7
)
Maximum amount of additional exposure for contracts with credit-risk-contingent features if all features were triggered concurrently
$
2

 
$
5

Credit derivatives - selling protection
Free-standing credit default swaps (“CDS”) are utilized for selling credit protection against a specified credit event.  A credit default swap is a derivative instrument, representing an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a specified entity (or a group of entities), or an index based on the credit risk of a group of entities (all commonly referred to as the “reference entity” or a portfolio of “reference entities”), in return for a periodic premium.  In selling protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities and to complement the cash market when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when the derivative alternative is less expensive than the cash market alternative.  CDS typically have a five-year term.







32



The following table shows the CDS notional amounts by credit rating and fair value of protection sold.
($ in millions)
Notional amount
 
 
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
BB and
lower
 
Total
 
Fair
value
June 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single name
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate debt
$
20

 
$
15

 
$
65

 
$

 
$
100

 
$
1

First-to-default Basket
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Municipal

 
100

 

 

 
100

 
(8
)
Index
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Corporate debt
1

 
20

 
52

 
7

 
80

 
1

Total
$
21

 
$
135

 
$
117

 
$
7

 
$
280

 
$
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single name
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate debt
$
20

 
$
15

 
$
90

 
$

 
$
125

 
$
1

First-to-default Basket
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Municipal

 
100

 

 

 
100

 
(9
)
Index
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Corporate debt

 
22

 
52

 
6

 
80

 
2

Total
$
20

 
$
137

 
$
142

 
$
6

 
$
305

 
$
(6
)
In selling protection with CDS, the Company sells credit protection on an identified single name, a basket of names in a first-to-default (“FTD”) structure or credit derivative index (“CDX”) that is generally investment grade, and in return receives periodic premiums through expiration or termination of the agreement.  With single name CDS, this premium or credit spread generally corresponds to the difference between the yield on the reference entity’s public fixed maturity cash instruments and swap rates at the time the agreement is executed.  With a FTD basket, because of the additional credit risk inherent in a basket of named reference entities, the premium generally corresponds to a high proportion of the sum of the credit spreads of the names in the basket and the correlation between the names.  CDX is utilized to take a position on multiple (generally 125) reference entities.  Credit events are typically defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, or restructuring, depending on the nature of the reference entities.  If a credit event occurs, the Company settles with the counterparty, either through physical settlement or cash settlement.  In a physical settlement, a reference asset is delivered by the buyer of protection to the Company, in exchange for cash payment at par, whereas in a cash settlement, the Company pays the difference between par and the prescribed value of the reference asset.  When a credit event occurs in a single name or FTD basket (for FTD, the first credit event occurring for any one name in the basket), the contract terminates at the time of settlement.  For CDX, the reference entity’s name incurring the credit event is removed from the index while the contract continues until expiration.  The maximum payout on a CDS is the contract notional amount.  A physical settlement may afford the Company with recovery rights as the new owner of the asset.
The Company monitors risk associated with credit derivatives through individual name credit limits at both a credit derivative and a combined cash instrument/credit derivative level.  The ratings of individual names for which protection has been sold are also monitored.
7.  Reserve for Property-Liability Insurance Claims and Claims Expense
The Company establishes reserves for claims and claims expense on reported and unreported claims of insured losses.  The Company’s reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including the Company’s experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, changes in law and regulation, judicial decisions, and economic conditions.  In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, and other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims.  The effects of inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.
Because reserves are estimates of unpaid portions of losses that have occurred, including incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses, the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, is an inherently uncertain and complex process.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimates.  The highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for losses incurred in the current reporting period as it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled.  The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims.  Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported in property-liability insurance claims and claims expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period such changes are determined.

33



Management believes that the reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, net of reinsurance recoverables, is appropriately established in the aggregate and adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported claims arising from losses which had occurred by the date of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.
8.  Reinsurance
Property-liability insurance premiums earned and life and annuity premiums and contract charges have been reduced by reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015

2014
Property-liability insurance premiums earned
$
251

 
$
262

 
$
511

 
$
520

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
85

 
84

 
170

 
237
Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense, life and annuity contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds have been reduced by the reinsurance ceded amounts shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
$
229

 
$
120

 
$
334

 
$
218

Life and annuity contract benefits
50

 
79

 
127

 
205
Interest credited to contractholder funds
7

 
9

 
13

 
15
9.  Company Restructuring
The Company undertakes various programs to reduce expenses.  These programs generally involve a reduction in staffing levels, and in certain cases, office closures.  Restructuring and related charges include employee termination and relocation benefits, and post-exit rent expenses in connection with these programs, and non-cash charges resulting from pension benefit payments made to agents in connection with the reorganization of Allstate’s multiple agency programs to a single exclusive agency program.  The expenses related to these activities are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring and related charges, and totaled $19 million and $4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $23 million and $10 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following table presents changes in the restructuring liability during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
Employee
costs
 
Exit
costs
 
Total
liability
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
4

Expense incurred
14

 

 
14

Adjustments to liability

 

 

Payments applied against liability
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$
16

 
$
1

 
$
17

The payments applied against the liability for employee costs primarily reflect severance costs, and the payments for exit costs generally consist of post-exit rent expenses and contract termination penalties.  As of June 30, 2015, the cumulative amount incurred to date for active programs totaled $83 million for employee costs and $50 million for exit costs.
10.  Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities
Shared markets and state facility assessments
The Company is required to participate in assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations in various states that provide insurance coverage to individuals or entities that otherwise are unable to purchase such coverage from private insurers.  Underwriting results related to these arrangements, which tend to be adverse, have been immaterial to the Company’s results of operations.  Because of the Company’s participation, it may be exposed to losses that surpass the capitalization of these facilities and/or assessments from these facilities.
Guarantees
The Company provides residual value guarantees on Company leased automobiles.  If all outstanding leases were terminated effective June 30, 2015, the Company’s maximum obligation pursuant to these guarantees, assuming the automobiles have no residual value, would be $41 million as of June 30, 2015.  The remaining term of each residual value guarantee is equal to the

34



term of the underlying lease that ranges from less than 1 year to 3 years.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these guarantees.
The Company owns certain investments that obligate the Company to exchange credit risk or to forfeit principal due, depending on the nature or occurrence of specified credit events for the reference entities.  In the event all such specified credit events were to occur, the Company’s maximum amount at risk on these investments, as measured by the amount of the aggregate initial investment, was $4 million as of June 30, 2015.  The obligations associated with these investments expire at various dates on or before March 11, 2018.
In the normal course of business, the Company provides standard indemnifications to contractual counterparties in connection with numerous transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures.  The types of indemnifications typically provided include indemnifications for breaches of representations and warranties, taxes and certain other liabilities, such as third party lawsuits.  The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business based on an assessment that the risk of loss would be remote.  The terms of the indemnifications vary in duration and nature.  In many cases, the maximum obligation is not explicitly stated and the contingencies triggering the obligation to indemnify have not occurred and are not expected to occur.  Consequently, the maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications is not determinable.  Historically, the Company has not made any material payments pursuant to these obligations.
Related to the sale of LBL on April 1, 2014, ALIC agreed to indemnify Resolution Life Holdings, Inc. in connection with certain representations, warranties and covenants of ALIC, and certain liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction, subject to specific contractual limitations regarding ALIC’s maximum obligation.  Management does not believe these indemnifications will have a material effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.
Related to the disposal through reinsurance of substantially all of Allstate Financial’s variable annuity business to Prudential in 2006, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, ALIC and ALNY, have agreed to indemnify Prudential for certain pre-closing contingent liabilities (including extra-contractual liabilities of ALIC and ALNY and liabilities specifically excluded from the transaction) that ALIC and ALNY have agreed to retain.  In addition, the Company, ALIC and ALNY will each indemnify Prudential for certain post-closing liabilities that may arise from the acts of ALIC, ALNY and their agents, including certain liabilities arising from ALIC’s and ALNY’s provision of transition services.  The reinsurance agreements contain no limitations or indemnifications with regard to insurance risk transfer, and transferred all of the future risks and responsibilities for performance on the underlying variable annuity contracts to Prudential, including those related to benefit guarantees.  Management does not believe this agreement will have a material effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.
The aggregate liability balance related to all guarantees was not material as of June 30, 2015.
Regulation and Compliance
The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations, administrative directives, and regulatory actions.  From time to time, regulatory authorities or legislative bodies seek to influence and restrict premium rates, require premium refunds to policyholders, require reinstatement of terminated policies, restrict the ability of insurers to cancel or non-renew policies, require insurers to continue to write new policies or limit their ability to write new policies, limit insurers’ ability to change coverage terms or to impose underwriting standards, impose additional regulations regarding agent and broker compensation, regulate the nature of and amount of investments, impose fines and penalties for unintended errors or mistakes, and otherwise expand overall regulation of insurance products and the insurance industry.  In addition, the Company is subject to laws and regulations administered and enforced by federal agencies and other organizations, including but not limited to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulation Authority, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), and the U.S. Department of Justice.  The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations, to foster prudent business operations, and to support financial reporting.  The Company routinely reviews its practices to validate compliance with laws and regulations and with internal procedures and policies.  As a result of these reviews, from time to time the Company may decide to modify some of its procedures and policies.  Such modifications, and the reviews that led to them, may be accompanied by payments being made and costs being incurred.  The ultimate changes and eventual effects of these actions on the Company’s business, if any, are uncertain.
Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries
The Company and certain subsidiaries are involved in a number of lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings arising out of various aspects of its business.
Background
These matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including the underlying facts of each matter; novel legal issues; variations between jurisdictions in which matters are being litigated, heard, or investigated; differences in applicable laws and judicial interpretations; the length of time before many of these matters might be resolved by settlement, through litigation, or otherwise; the fact that some of the lawsuits are putative class

35



actions in which a class has not been certified and in which the purported class may not be clearly defined; the fact that some of the lawsuits involve multi-state class actions in which the applicable law(s) for the claims at issue is in dispute and therefore unclear; and the current challenging legal environment faced by corporations and insurance companies.
The outcome of these matters may be affected by decisions, verdicts, and settlements, and the timing of such decisions, verdicts, and settlements, in other individual and class action lawsuits that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities and by other legal, governmental, and regulatory actions that involve the Company, other insurers, or other entities.  The outcome may also be affected by future state or federal legislation, the timing or substance of which cannot be predicted.
In the lawsuits, plaintiffs seek a variety of remedies which may include equitable relief in the form of injunctive and other remedies and monetary relief in the form of contractual and extra-contractual damages.  In some cases, the monetary damages sought may include punitive or treble damages.  Often specific information about the relief sought, such as the amount of damages, is not available because plaintiffs have not requested specific relief in their pleadings.  When specific monetary demands are made, they are often set just below a state court jurisdictional limit in order to seek the maximum amount available in state court, regardless of the specifics of the case, while still avoiding the risk of removal to federal court.  In Allstate’s experience, monetary demands in pleadings bear little relation to the ultimate loss, if any, to the Company.
In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution, and changes in business practices.  The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding.
Accrual and disclosure policy
The Company reviews its lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions.  The Company establishes accruals for such matters at management’s best estimate when the Company assesses that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company does not establish accruals for such matters when the Company does not believe both that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company’s assessment of whether a loss is reasonably possible or probable is based on its assessment of the ultimate outcome of the matter following all appeals.  The Company does not include potential recoveries in its estimates of reasonably possible or probable losses.  Legal fees are expensed as incurred.
The Company continues to monitor its lawsuits, regulatory inquiries, and other legal proceedings for further developments that would make the loss contingency both probable and estimable, and accordingly accruable, or that could affect the amount of accruals that have been previously established.  There may continue to be exposure to loss in excess of any amount accrued.  Disclosure of the nature and amount of an accrual is made when there have been sufficient legal and factual developments such that the Company’s ability to resolve the matter would not be impaired by the disclosure of the amount of accrual.
When the Company assesses it is reasonably possible or probable that a loss has been incurred, it discloses the matter.  When it is possible to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, for the matters disclosed, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed.  Disclosure is not required when an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be made.
For certain of the matters described below in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections, the Company is able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any.  In determining whether it is possible to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, the Company reviews and evaluates the disclosed matters, in conjunction with counsel, in light of potentially relevant factual and legal developments.
These developments may include information learned through the discovery process, rulings on dispositive motions, settlement discussions, information obtained from other sources, experience from managing these and other matters, and other rulings by courts, arbitrators or others.  When the Company possesses sufficient appropriate information to develop an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, that estimate is aggregated and disclosed below.  There may be other disclosed matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible but such an estimate is not possible.  Disclosure of the estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss above the amount accrued, if any, for any individual matter would only be considered when there have been sufficient legal and factual developments such that the Company’s ability to resolve the matter would not be impaired by the disclosure of the individual estimate.
The Company currently estimates that the aggregate range of reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if any, for the disclosed matters where such an estimate is possible is zero to $675 million, pre-tax.  This disclosure is not an indication of expected loss, if any.  Under accounting guidance, an event is “reasonably possible” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely” and an event is “remote” if “the chance of the future event or events occurring is slight.”  This estimate is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties.  The matters underlying the estimate will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate.  The estimate does not include matters or losses for which an

36



estimate is not possible.  Therefore, this estimate represents an estimate of possible loss only for certain matters meeting these criteria.  It does not represent the Company’s maximum possible loss exposure.  Information is provided below regarding the nature of all of the disclosed matters and, where specified, the amount, if any, of plaintiff claims associated with these loss contingencies.
Due to the complexity and scope of the matters disclosed in the “Claims related proceedings” and “Other proceedings” subsections below and the many uncertainties that exist, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted.  In the event of an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters, the ultimate liability may be in excess of amounts currently accrued, if any, and may be material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for a particular quarterly or annual period.  However, based on information currently known to it, management believes that the ultimate outcome of all matters described below, as they are resolved over time, is not likely to have a material effect on the financial position of the Company.
Claims related proceedings
Allstate is a defendant in a class action lawsuit in Montana state court challenging aspects of its claim handling practices in Montana.  The plaintiff alleges that the Company adjusts claims made by individuals who do not have attorneys in a manner that unfairly resulted in lower payments compared to claimants who were represented by attorneys.  In January 2012, the court certified a class of Montana claimants who were not represented by attorneys with respect to the resolution of auto accident claims.  The court certified the class to cover an indefinite period that commences in the mid-1990’s.  The certified claims include claims for declaratory judgment, injunctive relief and punitive damages in an unspecified amount.  Injunctive relief may include a claim process by which unrepresented claimants could request that their claims be readjusted.  No compensatory damages are sought on behalf of the class.  The Company appealed the order certifying the class.  In August 2013, the Montana Supreme Court affirmed in part, and reversed in part, the lower court’s order granting plaintiff’s motion for class certification and remanded the case for trial.  The Company petitioned for rehearing of the Montana Supreme Court’s decision, which the Court denied.  In January 2014, the Company timely filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Montana Supreme Court’s decision.  On May 5, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for a writ of certiorari.  The case continued in Montana state court.  The state trial court scheduled trial for November, 2016 and ordered the parties to mediation by May 15, 2015. On June 15, 2015, the Montana District Court preliminarily approved a settlement of this class action. A final settlement hearing is scheduled to be held September 22, 2015. The costs associated with the settlement are not expected to be material.
The Company is litigating two class action cases in California in which the plaintiffs allege off-the-clock wage and hour claims.  One case, involving two classes, is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court and was filed in December 2007.  In this case, one class includes auto field physical damage adjusters employed in the state of California from January 1, 2005 to the date of final judgment, to the extent the Company failed to pay for off-the-clock work to those adjusters who performed certain duties prior to their first assignments.  The other class includes all non-exempt employees in California from December 19, 2006 until January 2010 who received pay statements from Allstate which allegedly did not comply with California law.  The other case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in September 2010.  In April 2012, the trial court certified the class, and Allstate appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  On September 3, 2014, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the trial court’s decision to certify the class, and Allstate filed a motion for rehearing en banc.  Allstate’s motion for rehearing en banc was denied and on January 27, 2015, Allstate filed a petition for a Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 15, 2015, the Supreme Court denied Allstate’s petition for a writ of certiorari. The case is scheduled for trial in May 2016. In addition to off-the-clock claims, the plaintiffs in this case allege other California Labor Code violations resulting from purported unpaid overtime.  The class in this case includes all adjusters in the state of California, except auto field adjusters, from September 29, 2006 to final judgment.  Plaintiffs in both cases seek recovery of unpaid compensation, liquidated damages, penalties, and attorneys’ fees and costs.  In addition to the California class actions, a case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging that no-fault claim adjusters have been improperly classified as exempt employees under New York Labor Law and the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The case was filed in April 2011, and the plaintiffs are seeking unpaid wages, liquidated damages, injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.  On September 16, 2014, the court certified a class of no-fault adjusters under New York Labor Law and refused to decertify a Fair Labor Standards Act class of no-fault adjusters. In the Company’s judgment, a loss is not probable.
Other proceedings
The Company is defending certain matters in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania relating to the Company’s agency program reorganization announced in 1999.  The current focus in these matters relates to a release of claims signed by the vast majority of the former agents whose employment contracts were terminated in the reorganization program.  These matters include the following:
Romero I: In 2001, approximately 32 former employee agents, on behalf of a putative class of approximately 6,300 former employee agents, filed a putative class action alleging claims for age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), interference with benefits under ERISA, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. Plaintiffs also assert a claim for a declaratory judgment that the release of claims constitutes unlawful retaliation and should be set aside. Plaintiffs seek

37



broad but unspecified “make whole relief,” including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, liquidated damages, lost investment capital, attorneys’ fees and costs, and equitable relief, including reinstatement to employee agent status with all attendant benefits.
Romero II: A putative nationwide class action was also filed in 2001 by former employee agents alleging various violations of ERISA (“Romero II”). This action has been consolidated with Romero I. The Romero II plaintiffs, most of whom are also plaintiffs in Romero I, are challenging certain amendments to the Agents Pension Plan and seek to have service as exclusive agent independent contractors count toward eligibility for benefits under the Agents Pension Plan. Plaintiffs seek broad but unspecified “make whole” or other equitable relief, including loss of benefits as a result of their conversion to exclusive agent independent contractor status or retirement from the Company between November 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000. They also seek repeal of the challenged amendments to the Agents Pension Plan with all attendant benefits revised and recalculated for thousands of former employee agents, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The court granted the Company’s initial motion to dismiss the complaint. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that dismissal and remanded for further proceedings.
Romero I and II consolidated proceedings: In 2004, the court ruled that the release was voidable and certified classes of agents, including a mandatory class of agents who had signed the release, for purposes of effectuating the court’s declaratory judgment that the release was voidable. In 2007, the court vacated its ruling and granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment on all claims. Plaintiffs appealed and in July 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated the trial court’s entry of summary judgment in the Company’s favor, remanded the case to the trial court for additional discovery, and instructed the trial court to first address the validity of the release after additional discovery. Following the completion of discovery limited to the validity of the release, the parties filed cross motions for summary judgment with respect to the validity of the release. On February 28, 2014, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ and the Company’s motions for summary judgment, concluding that the question of whether the releases were knowingly and voluntarily signed under a totality of circumstances test raised disputed issues of fact to be resolved at trial. Among other things, the court also held that the release, if valid, would bar all claims in Romero I and II. On May 23, 2014, plaintiffs moved to certify a class as to certain issues relating to the validity of the release. The court denied plaintiffs’ class certification motion on October 6, 2014, stating, among other things, that individual factors and circumstances must be considered to determine whether each release signer entered into the release knowingly and voluntarily. The court entered an order on December 11, 2014, (a) stating that the court’s October 6, 2014 denial of class certification as to release-related issues did not resolve whether issues relating to the merits of plaintiffs’ claims may be subject to class certification at a later time, and (b) holding that the court’s October 6, 2014 order restarted the running of the statute of limitation for any former employee agent who wished to challenge the validity of the release. In an order entered January 7, 2015, the court denied reconsideration of its December 11, 2014 order and clarified that all statutes of limitations to challenge the release would resume running on March 2, 2015. Since the Court’s January 7 order, a total of 459 additional individual plaintiffs have filed separate lawsuits similar to Romero I or sought to intervene in the Romero I action. Trial proceedings have commenced to determine the question of whether the releases of the original named plaintiffs in Romero I and II were knowingly and voluntarily signed. The first trial of ten plaintiffs was completed on June 17, 2015, with the jury reaching verdicts finding that two plaintiffs signed their releases knowingly and voluntarily and eight plaintiffs did not sign their releases knowingly and voluntarily. This result is not yet final and may be subject to further proceedings. The remaining two trials for the original Romero I and II plaintiffs are scheduled to occur in the fourth quarter of 2015. No other trials are currently scheduled and the Court has not yet addressed a schedule for deciding the validity of the release signed by the new plaintiffs.
Based on the trial court’s February 28, 2014 order in Romero I and II, if the validity of the release is decided in favor of the Company for any plaintiff, that would preclude any damages or other relief being awarded to that plaintiff. If the validity of the release is decided in favor of a plaintiff, further proceedings with respect to the merits of that plaintiff’s claims relating to the reorganization would have to occur before there could be any determination of liability or award of damages in either Romero I or Romero II. The final resolution of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and complexities including how individual trials, post trial motions and possible appeals with respect to the validity of the release will be resolved. Depending upon how these issues are resolved, the Company may or may not have to address the merits of plaintiffs’ claims relating to the reorganization and amendments to the Agents Pension Plan described herein. In the Company’s judgment, a loss is not probable.
EEOC I: In 2001, the EEOC filed suit alleging that Allstate’s use of a release in the reorganization constituted retaliation under federal civil rights laws. The EEOC’s suit was consolidated with Romero I and Romero II. On March 13, 2014, the trial court denied EEOC’s motion for summary judgment and granted Allstate’s motion for summary judgment and entered final judgment in favor of Allstate. The EEOC appealed this decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s final judgment in Allstate’s favor on February 13, 2015. The EEOC did not seek further review with the U.S. Supreme Court and, therefore, EEOC I is now fully concluded.




38



Asbestos and environmental
Allstate’s reserves for asbestos claims were $977 million and $1.01 billion, net of reinsurance recoverables of $464 million and $478 million, as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Reserves for environmental claims were $190 million and $203 million, net of reinsurance recoverables of $61 million and $64 million, as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Approximately 55% and 57% of the total net asbestos and environmental reserves as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were for incurred but not reported estimated losses.
Management believes its net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines exposures are appropriately established based on available facts, technology, laws and regulations.  However, establishing net loss reserves for asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is subject to uncertainties that are much greater than those presented by other types of claims.  The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimate.  Among the complications are lack of historical data, long reporting delays, uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds with potential exposure and unresolved legal issues regarding policy coverage; unresolved legal issues regarding the determination, availability and timing of exhaustion of policy limits; plaintiffs’ evolving and expanding theories of liability; availability and collectability of recoveries from reinsurance; retrospectively determined premiums and other contractual agreements; estimates of the extent and timing of any contractual liability; the impact of bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants; and other uncertainties.  There are also complex legal issues concerning the interpretation of various insurance policy provisions and whether those losses are covered, or were ever intended to be covered, and could be recoverable through retrospectively determined premium, reinsurance or other contractual agreements.  Courts have reached different and sometimes inconsistent conclusions as to when losses are deemed to have occurred and which policies provide coverage; what types of losses are covered; whether there is an insurer obligation to defend; how policy limits are determined; how policy exclusions and conditions are applied and interpreted; and whether clean-up costs represent insured property damage.  Management believes these issues are not likely to be resolved in the near future, and the ultimate costs may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded resulting in material changes in loss reserves.  In addition, while the Company believes that improved actuarial techniques and databases have assisted in its ability to estimate asbestos, environmental, and other discontinued lines net loss reserves, these refinements may subsequently prove to be inadequate indicators of the extent of probable losses.  Due to the uncertainties and factors described above, management believes it is not practicable to develop a meaningful range for any such additional net loss reserves that may be required.
11.  Benefit Plans
The components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Pension benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
28

 
$
24

 
$
57

 
$
48

Interest cost
64

 
64

 
128

 
128

Expected return on plan assets
(106
)
 
(100
)
 
(212
)
 
(199
)
Amortization of:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
(28
)
 
(29
)
Net actuarial loss
48

 
28

 
96

 
57

Settlement loss
6

 
11

 
12

 
22

Net periodic pension cost
$
26

 
$
13

 
$
53

 
$
27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
5

Interest cost
5

 
5

 
11

 
11

Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Net actuarial gain
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
 
(11
)
Net periodic postretirement cost (credit)
$
1

 
$
(3
)
 
$
2

 
$
(6
)






39



12.  Reporting Segments
Summarized revenue data for each of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Property-Liability
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance premiums
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Auto
$
5,086

 
$
4,824

 
$
10,065

 
$
9,536

Homeowners
1,775

 
1,714

 
3,536

 
3,411

Other personal lines
423

 
414

 
843

 
826

Commercial lines
128

 
121

 
253

 
231

Other business lines
137

 
131

 
278

 
264

Allstate Protection
7,549

 
7,204

 
14,975

 
14,268

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

 

Total property-liability insurance premiums
7,549

 
7,204

 
14,975

 
14,268

Net investment income
292

 
351

 
650

 
663

Realized capital gains and losses
49

 
250

 
77

 
303

Total Property-Liability
7,890

 
7,805

 
15,702

 
15,234

Allstate Financial
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Traditional life insurance
131

 
125

 
263

 
252

Immediate annuities with life contingencies

 

 

 
5

Accident and health insurance
195

 
187

 
391

 
382

Total life and annuity premiums
326

 
312

 
654

 
639

Interest-sensitive life insurance
207

 
202

 
413

 
476

Fixed annuities
3

 
4

 
6

 
10

Total contract charges
210

 
206

 
419

 
486

Total life and annuity premiums and contract charges
536

 
518

 
1,073

 
1,125

Net investment income
489

 
538

 
973

 
1,178

Realized capital gains and losses
59

 
(10
)
 
170

 
(9
)
Total Allstate Financial
1,084

 
1,046

 
2,216

 
2,294

Corporate and Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Service fees
1

 
1

 
2

 
3

Net investment income
8

 
9

 
16

 
16

Total Corporate and Other before reclassification of service fees
9

 
10

 
18

 
19

Reclassification of service fees (1)
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
Total Corporate and Other
8

 
9

 
16

 
16

Consolidated revenues
$
8,982

 
$
8,860

 
$
17,934

 
$
17,544

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












40



Summarized financial performance data for each of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Property-Liability
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Underwriting income
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate Protection
$
(8
)
 
$
192

 
$
461

 
$
567

Discontinued Lines and Coverages
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(6
)
Total underwriting income
(10
)
 
189

 
457

 
561

Net investment income
292

 
351

 
650

 
663

Income tax expense on operations
(92
)
 
(185
)
 
(397
)
 
(410
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
31

 
161

 
49

 
195

Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax
1

 
38

 
1

 
38

Property-Liability net income available to common shareholders
222

 
554

 
760

 
1,047

Allstate Financial
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
536

 
518

 
1,073

 
1,125

Net investment income
489

 
538

 
973

 
1,178

Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative instruments

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Contract benefits and interest credited to contractholder funds
(637
)
 
(621
)
 
(1,270
)
 
(1,400
)
Operating costs and expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(180
)
 
(177
)
 
(372
)
 
(369
)
Restructuring and related charges
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
Income tax expense on operations
(67
)
 
(91
)
 
(129
)
 
(176
)
Operating income
139

 
165

 
273

 
354

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
38

 
(6
)
 
110

 
(6
)
Valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged, after-tax
4

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(14
)
DAC and DSI amortization related to realized capital gains and losses and valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged, after-tax
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

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

 
1

 

 
1

Loss on disposition of operations, after-tax

 
(12
)
 
(1
)
 
(28
)
Change in accounting for investments in qualified affordable housing projects, after-tax

 

 
(17
)
 

Allstate Financial net income available to common shareholders
179

 
145

 
362

 
307

Corporate and Other
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Service fees (1)
1

 
1

 
2

 
3

Net investment income
8

 
9

 
16

 
16

Operating costs and expenses (1)
(83
)
 
(95
)
 
(162
)
 
(192
)
Income tax benefit on operations
28

 
32

 
54

 
64

Preferred stock dividends
(29
)
 
(31
)
 
(58
)
 
(44
)
Operating loss
(75
)
 
(84
)
 
(148
)
 
(153
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax

 
(1
)
 

 

Corporate and Other net loss available to common shareholders
(75
)
 
(85
)
 
(148
)
 
(153
)
Consolidated net income available to common shareholders
$
326

 
$
614

 
$
974

 
$
1,201

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







41



13.  Other Comprehensive Income
The components of other comprehensive (loss) income on a pre-tax and after-tax basis are as follows:
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets
$
(1,003
)
 
$
350

 
$
(653
)
 
$
322

 
$
(112
)
 
$
210

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses
100

 
(35
)
 
65

 
232

 
(81
)
 
151

Unrealized net capital gains and losses
(1,103
)
 
385

 
(718
)
 
90

 
(31
)
 
59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
(13
)
 
4

 
(9
)
 
20

 
(7
)
 
13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost arising during the period
(3
)
 
2

 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
2

 
(2
)
Less: reclassification adjustment of net periodic cost recognized in operating costs and expenses
(33
)
 
12

 
(21
)
 
(15
)
 
5

 
(10
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
30

 
(10
)
 
20

 
11

 
(3
)
 
8

Other comprehensive (loss) income
$
(1,086
)
 
$
379

 
$
(707
)
 
$
121

 
$
(41
)
 
$
80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
After-tax
Unrealized net holding gains and losses arising during the period, net of related offsets
$
(528
)
 
$
184

 
$
(344
)
 
$
1,039

 
$
(363
)
 
$
676

Less: reclassification adjustment of realized capital gains and losses
251

 
(88
)
 
163

 
265

 
(93
)
 
172

Unrealized net capital gains and losses
(779
)
 
272

 
(507
)
 
774

 
(270
)
 
504

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
(55
)
 
19

 
(36
)
 
(5
)
 
2

 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost arising during the period
8

 
(1
)
 
7

 

 
1

 
1

Less: reclassification adjustment of net periodic cost recognized in operating costs and expenses
(65
)
 
23

 
(42
)
 
(28
)
 
10

 
(18
)
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost
73

 
(24
)
 
49

 
28

 
(9
)
 
19

Other comprehensive (loss) income
$
(761
)
 
$
267

 
$
(494
)
 
$
797

 
$
(277
)
 
$
520


42



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
The Allstate Corporation
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2015, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and of shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial position of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 19, 2015, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
August 3, 2015

43



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015 AND 2014
OVERVIEW
The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated financial position and results of operations of The Allstate Corporation (referred to in this document as “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” or “Allstate”).  It should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found under Part I. Item 1. contained herein, and with the discussion, analysis, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part I. Item 1. and Part II. Item 7. and Item 8. of The Allstate Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2014.  Further analysis of our insurance segments is provided in the Property-Liability Operations (which includes the Allstate Protection and the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segments) and in the Allstate Financial Segment sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”).  The segments are consistent with the way in which we use financial information to evaluate business performance and to determine the allocation of resources.  Resources are allocated by the chief operating decision maker and performance is assessed for Allstate Protection, Discontinued Lines and Coverages and Allstate Financial.  Allstate Protection and Allstate Financial performance and resources are managed by committees of senior officers of the respective segments.
Allstate is focused on the following priorities:
grow insurance policies in force;
maintain the underlying combined ratio;
proactively manage investments to generate attractive risk adjusted returns;
modernize the operating model; and
build long-term growth platforms.
HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated net income available to common shareholders was $326 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $614 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $974 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $1.20 billion in the first six months of 2014.  Net income available to common shareholders per diluted common share was $0.79 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $1.39 in the second quarter of 2014, and $2.33 in the first six months of 2015 compared to $2.69 in the first six months of 2014
Property-Liability net income available to common shareholders was $222 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $554 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $760 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $1.05 billion in the first six months of 2014.
The Property-Liability combined ratio was 100.1 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 97.4 in the second quarter of 2014, and 96.9 in the first six months of 2015 compared to 96.1 in the first six months of 2014.
Allstate Financial net income available to common shareholders was $179 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $145 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $362 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $307 million in the first six months of 2014.
Total revenues were $8.98 billion in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $8.86 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $17.93 billion in the first six months of 2015 compared to $17.54 billion in the first six months of 2014.
Property-Liability premiums earned totaled $7.55 billion in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of 4.8% from $7.20 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $14.98 billion in the first six months of 2015, an increase of 5.0% from $14.27 billion in the first six months of 2014.
Investments totaled $79.14 billion as of June 30, 2015, decreasing from $81.11 billion as of December 31, 2014.  Net investment income was $789 million in the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 12.1% from $898 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $1.64 billion in the first six months of 2015, a decrease of 11.7% from $1.86 billion in the first six months of 2014.
Net realized capital gains were $108 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $240 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $247 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $294 million in the first six months of 2014.
Book value per diluted common share (ratio of common shareholders’ equity to total common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares outstanding) was $47.96 as of June 30, 2015, comparable to $47.97 as of June 30, 2014, and a decrease of 0.6% from $48.24 as of December 31, 2014.

44



For the twelve months ended June 30, 2015, return on the average of beginning and ending period common shareholders’ equity of 12.4% increased by 1.0 points from 11.4% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2014.
As of June 30, 2015, shareholders’ equity was $21.30 billion.  This total included $3.40 billion in deployable assets at the parent holding company level comprising cash and investments that are generally saleable within one quarter.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance premiums
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
536

 
518

 
1,073

 
1,125

Net investment income
789

 
898

 
1,639

 
1,857

Realized capital gains and losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses
(47
)
 
(44
)
 
(100
)
 
(124
)
OTTI losses reclassified to (from) other comprehensive income
4

 
(1
)
 
8

 
(2
)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
(43
)
 
(45
)
 
(92
)
 
(126
)
Sales and other realized capital gains and losses
151

 
285

 
339

 
420

Total realized capital gains and losses
108

 
240

 
247

 
294

Total revenues
8,982

 
8,860

 
17,934

 
17,544

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
(5,587
)
 
(5,142
)
 
(10,580
)
 
(9,901
)
Life and annuity contract benefits
(446
)
 
(413
)
 
(887
)
 
(901
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(185
)
 
(212
)
 
(384
)
 
(519
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(1,086
)
 
(1,035
)
 
(2,156
)
 
(2,070
)
Operating costs and expenses
(1,061
)
 
(1,023
)
 
(2,151
)
 
(2,117
)
Restructuring and related charges
(19
)
 
(4
)
 
(23
)
 
(10
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Interest expense
(73
)
 
(84
)
 
(146
)
 
(171
)
Total costs and expenses
(8,457
)
 
(7,914
)
 
(16,327
)
 
(15,690
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) on disposition of operations
1

 
9

 

 
(50
)
Income tax expense
(171
)
 
(310
)
 
(575
)
 
(559
)
Net income
355

 
645

 
1,032

 
1,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock dividends
(29
)
 
(31
)
 
(58
)
 
(44
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
326

 
$
614

 
$
974

 
$
1,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property-Liability
$
222

 
$
554

 
$
760

 
$
1,047

Allstate Financial
179

 
145

 
362

 
307

Corporate and Other
(75
)
 
(85
)
 
(148
)
 
(153
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
326

 
$
614

 
$
974

 
$
1,201

PROPERTY-LIABILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Property-Liability net income available to common shareholders was $222 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $554 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $760 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $1.05 billion in the first six months of 2014.
Property-Liability premiums written totaled $7.88 billion in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of 4.4% from $7.55 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $15.18 billion in the first six months of 2015, an increase of 4.6% from $14.52 billion in the first six months of 2014.
The Property-Liability loss ratio was 74.0 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 71.4 in the second quarter of 2014, and 70.6 in the first six months of 2015 compared to 69.4 in the first six months of 2014.
Catastrophe losses were $797 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $936 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $1.09 billion in the first six months of 2015 compared to $1.38 billion in the first six months of 2014.

45



Property-Liability prior year reserve reestimates totaled $28 million unfavorable in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $6 million favorable in the second quarter of 2014, and $65 million unfavorable in the first six months of 2015 compared to $19 million favorable in the first six months of 2014
Property-Liability underwriting loss was $10 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $189 million in the second quarter of 2014, and underwriting income of $457 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $561 million in the first six months of 2014.  Underwriting income, a measure not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), is defined below.
Property-Liability investments were $38.15 billion as of June 30, 2015, a decrease of 2.4% from $39.08 billion as of December 31, 2014.  Net investment income was $292 million in the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 16.8% from $351 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $650 million in the first six months of 2015, a decrease of 2.0% from $663 million in the first six months of 2014.
Net realized capital gains were $49 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $250 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $77 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $303 million in the first six months of 2014.
PROPERTY-LIABILITY OPERATIONS
Overview Our Property-Liability operations consist of two reporting segments: Allstate Protection and Discontinued Lines and Coverages.  Allstate Protection comprises three brands where we accept underwriting risk: Allstate, Esurance and Encompass.  Allstate Protection is principally engaged in the sale of personal property and casualty insurance, primarily private passenger auto and homeowners insurance, to individuals in the United States and Canada.  Discontinued Lines and Coverages includes results from property-liability insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  These segments are consistent with the groupings of financial information that management uses to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of resources.
Underwriting income, a measure that is not based on GAAP and is reconciled to net income available to common shareholders below, is calculated as premiums earned, less claims and claims expense (“losses”), amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), operating costs and expenses and restructuring and related charges, as determined using GAAP.  We use this measure in our evaluation of results of operations to analyze the profitability of the Property-Liability insurance operations separately from investment results.  It is also an integral component of incentive compensation.  It is useful for investors to evaluate the components of income separately and in the aggregate when reviewing performance.  Net income available to common shareholders is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to underwriting income.  Underwriting income should not be considered as a substitute for net income available to common shareholders and does not reflect the overall profitability of the business.
The table below includes GAAP operating ratios we use to measure our profitability.  We believe that they enhance an investor’s understanding of our profitability.  They are calculated as follows:
Claims and claims expense (“loss”) ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  Loss ratios include the impact of catastrophe losses.
Expense ratio - the ratio of amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.
Combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense, amortization of DAC, operating costs and expenses, and restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.  The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.  The difference between 100% and the combined ratio represents underwriting income as a percentage of premiums earned, or underwriting margin.
We have also calculated the following impacts of specific items on the GAAP operating ratios because of the volatility of these items between fiscal periods.
Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio - the percentage of catastrophe losses included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.
Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio - the percentage of prior year reserve reestimates included in claims and claims expense to premiums earned.  This ratio includes prior year reserve reestimates of catastrophe losses.
Effect of amortization of purchased intangible assets on combined and expense ratio - the percentage of amortization of purchased intangible assets to premiums earned.
Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio - the percentage of restructuring and related charges to premiums earned.

46



Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio - the ratio of claims and claims expense and operating costs and expenses in the Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment to Property-Liability premiums earned.  The sum of the effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on the combined ratio and the Allstate Protection combined ratio is equal to the Property-Liability combined ratio.
Summarized financial data, a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income available to common shareholders, and GAAP operating ratios for our Property-Liability operations are presented in the following table.
($ in millions, except ratios)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Premiums written
$
7,877

 
$
7,547

 
$
15,183

 
$
14,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Premiums earned
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

Net investment income
292

 
351

 
650

 
663

Realized capital gains and losses
49

 
250

 
77

 
303

Total revenues
7,890

 
7,805

 
15,702

 
15,234

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and claims expense
(5,587
)
 
(5,142
)
 
(10,580
)
 
(9,901
)
Amortization of DAC
(1,021
)
 
(969
)
 
(2,021
)
 
(1,930
)
Operating costs and expenses
(934
)
 
(901
)
 
(1,896
)
 
(1,869
)
Restructuring and related charges
(17
)
 
(3
)
 
(21
)
 
(7
)
Total costs and expenses
(7,559
)
 
(7,015
)
 
(14,518
)
 
(13,707
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition of operations

 
17

 
1

 
17

Income tax expense
(109
)
 
(253
)
 
(425
)
 
(497
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
222

 
$
554

 
$
760

 
$
1,047

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting (loss) income
$
(10
)
 
$
189

 
$
457

 
$
561

Net investment income
292

 
351

 
650

 
663

Income tax expense on operations
(92
)
 
(185
)
 
(397
)
 
(410
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
31

 
161

 
49

 
195

Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax
1

 
38

 
1

 
38

Net income available to common shareholders
$
222

 
$
554

 
$
760

 
$
1,047

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe losses (1)
$
797

 
$
936

 
$
1,091

 
$
1,381

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP operating ratios
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and claims expense ratio
74.0

 
71.4

 
70.6

 
69.4

Expense ratio
26.1

 
26.0

 
26.3

 
26.7

Combined ratio
100.1

 
97.4

 
96.9

 
96.1

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio (1)
10.6

 
13.0

 
7.3

 
9.7

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio (1) 
0.3

 
(0.1
)
 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
Effect of amortization of purchased intangible assets on    combined ratio
0.2

 
0.3

 
0.1

 
0.2

Effect of restructuring and related charges on combined ratio
0.2

 

 
0.1

 

Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio

 
0.1

 

 
0.1

_______________
(1) 
Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $8 million unfavorable or 0.1 points and $3 million unfavorable or zero points in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $36 million unfavorable or 0.5 points and $38 million unfavorable or 0.3 points in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.





47



Premiums written is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during a fiscal period.  Premiums are considered earned and are included in the financial results on a pro-rata basis over the policy period.  The portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of the policies is recorded as unearned premiums on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
A reconciliation of premiums written to premiums earned is shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Premiums written:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate Protection
$
7,877

 
$
7,547

 
$
15,183

 
$
14,516

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

 

Property-Liability premiums written
7,877

 
7,547

 
15,183

 
14,516

Increase in unearned premiums
(370
)
 
(397
)
 
(204
)
 
(285
)
Other
42

 
54

 
(4
)
 
37

Property-Liability premiums earned
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate Protection
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

Discontinued Lines and Coverages

 

 

 

Property-Liability
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

ALLSTATE PROTECTION SEGMENT
Premiums written by brand are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Allstate
brand
 
Esurance
brand
 
Encompass
brand
 
Allstate
Protection
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Auto
$
4,588

 
$
4,375

 
$
363

 
$
338

 
$
173

 
$
176

 
$
5,124

 
$
4,889

Homeowners
1,819

 
1,765

 
7

 
1

 
136

 
136

 
1,962

 
1,902

Other personal lines (1)
424

 
416

 
1

 
1

 
29

 
29

 
454

 
446

Subtotal – Personal lines
6,831

 
6,556

 
371

 
340

 
338

 
341

 
7,540

 
7,237

Commercial lines
138

 
130

 

 

 

 

 
138

 
130

Other business lines (2)
199

 
180

 

 

 

 

 
199

 
180

Total
$
7,168

 
$
6,866

 
$
371

 
$
340

 
$
338

 
$
341

 
$
7,877

 
$
7,547

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Allstate
brand
 
Esurance
brand
 
Encompass
brand
 
Allstate
Protection
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Auto
$
9,123

 
$
8,667

 
$
797

 
$
742

 
$
320

 
$
327

 
$
10,240

 
$
9,736

Homeowners
3,198

 
3,107

 
12

 
2

 
247

 
246

 
3,457

 
3,355

Other personal lines (1)
781

 
767

 
3

 
2

 
53

 
54

 
837

 
823

Subtotal – Personal lines
13,102

 
12,541

 
812

 
746

 
620

 
627

 
14,534

 
13,914

Commercial lines
266

 
246

 

 

 

 

 
266

 
246

Other business lines (2)
383

 
356

 

 

 

 

 
383

 
356

Total
$
13,751

 
$
13,143

 
$
812

 
$
746

 
$
620

 
$
627

 
$
15,183

 
$
14,516

_______________
(1) 
Other personal lines include renter, condominium, landlord and other personal lines.
(2) 
Other business lines include Allstate Roadside Services, Allstate Dealer Services and other business lines.









48



Premiums earned by brand are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Allstate
brand
 
Esurance
brand
 
Encompass
brand
 
Allstate
Protection
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Auto
$
4,524

 
$
4,297

 
$
397

 
$
365

 
$
165

 
$
162

 
$
5,086

 
$
4,824

Homeowners
1,645

 
1,594

 
4

 

 
126

 
120

 
1,775

 
1,714

Other personal lines
395

 
387

 
1

 
1

 
27

 
26

 
423

 
414

Subtotal – Personal lines
6,564

 
6,278

 
402

 
366

 
318

 
308

 
7,284

 
6,952

Commercial lines
128

 
121

 

 

 

 

 
128

 
121

Other business lines
137

 
131

 

 

 

 

 
137

 
131

Total
$
6,829

 
$
6,530

 
$
402

 
$
366

 
$
318

 
$
308

 
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Allstate
brand
 
Esurance
brand
 
Encompass
brand
 
Allstate
Protection
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Auto
$
8,956

 
$
8,506

 
$
779

 
$
707

 
$
330

 
$
323

 
$
10,065

 
$
9,536

Homeowners
3,276

 
3,174

 
7

 

 
253

 
237

 
3,536

 
3,411

Other personal lines
786

 
772

 
3

 
2

 
54

 
52

 
843

 
826

Subtotal – Personal lines
13,018

 
12,452

 
789

 
709

 
637

 
612

 
14,444

 
13,773

Commercial lines
253

 
231

 

 

 

 

 
253

 
231

Other business lines
278

 
264

 

 

 

 

 
278

 
264

Total
$
13,549

 
$
12,947

 
$
789

 
$
709

 
$
637

 
$
612

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

Premium measures and statistics that are used to analyze the business are calculated and described below.
Policies in force (“PIF”):  Policy counts are based on items rather than customers.  A multi-car customer would generate multiple item (policy) counts, even if all cars were insured under one policy.
Average premium-gross written (“average premium”):  Gross premiums written divided by issued item count.  Gross premiums written include the impacts from discounts, surcharges and ceded reinsurance premiums and exclude the impacts from mid-term premium adjustments and premium refund accruals.  Average premiums represent the appropriate policy term for each line.  Allstate and Esurance brands policy terms are 6 months for auto and 12 months for homeowners.  Encompass brand policy terms are 12 months for auto and homeowners.
Renewal ratio:  Renewal policies issued during the period, based on contract effective dates, divided by the total policies issued 6 months prior for auto (12 months prior for Encompass brand) or 12 months prior for homeowners.
New issued applications:  Item counts of automobiles or homeowners insurance applications for insurance policies that were issued during the period, regardless of whether the customer was previously insured by another Allstate Protection brand.  Allstate brand includes automobiles added by existing customers when they exceed the amount allowed on a policy, which is currently four or ten depending on the state.

















49



Auto premiums written totaled $5.12 billion in the second quarter of 2015, a 4.8% increase from $4.89 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $10.24 billion in the first six months of 2015, a 5.2% increase from $9.74 billion in the first six months of 2014.
 
Allstate brand
 
Esurance brand
 
Encompass brand
 
2015
 

2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIF (thousands)
20,258

 

19,605

 
1,458

 
1,399

 
767

 
788

Average premium (1)
$
488

 
$
478

 
$
506

 
$
497

 
$
925

 
$
888

Renewal ratio (%)
88.9

 
89.1

 
80.4

 
80.1

 
78.0

 
80.3

Approved rate changes (2):

 


 


 


 


 


# of locations
34

(6 
) 
25

(6) 
13

 
15

 
16

 
12

   Total brand (%) (3)
1.5

 

 
1.5

 
1.7

 
4.8

 
2.4

   Location specific (%) (4) (5)
3.6

  
(0.2
)
 
5.9

 
4.4

 
8.5

 
7.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIF (thousands)
20,258

 
19,605

 
1,458

 
1,399

 
767

 
788

Average premium (1)
$
486

 
$
475

 
$
514

 
$
503

 
$
919

 
$
890

Renewal ratio (%)
88.8

 
89.1

 
80.1

 
80.3

 
78.2

 
79.8

Approved rate changes (2):


 

 


 


 


 


# of locations
40

(6) 
36

(6) 
25

 
31

 
19

 
14

   Total brand (%) (3)
1.8

 
0.7

 
2.8

 
3.9

 
6.1

 
2.9

   Location specific (%) (4) (5)
3.9

 
1.4

 
5.1

 
6.0

 
9.2

 
6.9

____________
(1) 
Policy term is six months for Allstate and Esurance brands and twelve months for Encompass brand.
(2) 
Rate changes that are indicated based on loss trend analysis to achieve a targeted return will continue to be pursued.  Rate changes do not include rating plan enhancements, including the introduction of discounts and surcharges that result in no change in the overall rate level in the state.  These rate changes do not reflect initial rates filed for insurance subsidiaries initially writing business in a state. 
(3) 
Represents the impact in the states and Canadian provinces where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of total brand prior year-end premiums written.
(4) 
Represents the impact in the states and Canadian provinces where rate changes were approved during the period as a percentage of its respective total prior year-end premiums written in those same locations.
(5) 
Based on historical premiums written in those states and Canadian provinces, rate changes approved for auto totaled $312 million and $406 million (approximately 80% relate to Allstate brand) in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $30 million and $196 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.
(6) 
Includes 4 Canadian provinces in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. Includes 3 Canadian provinces in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.
Allstate brand auto premiums written totaled $4.59 billion in the second quarter of 2015, a 4.9% increase from $4.38 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $9.12 billion in the first six months of 2015, a 5.3% increase from $8.67 billion in the first six months of 2014.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
3.3% or 653 thousand increase in PIF as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014. Allstate brand auto PIF increased in 45 states, including our largest 10 states, as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014.
6.2% increase in new issued applications to 818 thousand in the second quarter of 2015 from 770 thousand in the second quarter of 2014, and 8.5% increase to 1,610 thousand in the first six months of 2015 from 1,484 thousand in the first six months of 2014. A change was implemented this year allowing a greater number of autos on a single policy, which reduced new issued application growth rates for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 by 2.6 and 1.9 points, respectively.
2.1% and 2.3% increase in average premium in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.
0.2 point and 0.3 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.
Profit improvement actions include rate increases, underwriting guideline adjustments, and targeted expense reductions.
We regularly monitor profitability trends and take appropriate underwriting and pricing actions to maintain adequate returns. Given current loss cost trends, we anticipate increasing the level of rate increases being pursued. Approximately 47% of the Allstate brand auto rates approved through June 2015 are estimated to be earned in the second half of 2015.

50



Esurance brand auto premiums written totaled $363 million in the second quarter of 2015, a 7.4% increase from $338 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $797 million in the first six months of 2015, a 7.4% increase from $742 million in the first six months of 2014.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
4.2% or 59 thousand increase in PIF as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014
16.4% decrease in new issued applications to 148 thousand in the second quarter of 2015 from 177 thousand in the second quarter of 2014, and 13.8% decrease to 343 thousand in the first six months of 2015 from 398 thousand in the first six months of 2014.  Quote volume declined reflecting lower advertising spend. The conversion rate (the percentage of actual issued policies to completed quotes) for the first six months of 2015 remained consistent with prior year. 
1.8% and 2.2% increase in average premium in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014
0.3 point increase in the renewal ratio in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily due to an increase in the amount of business past its first renewal, partially offset by growth in states with lower retention.  The renewal ratio decreased 0.2 points in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily due to growth in states with lower retention and a continued impact of rate increases.  
Profit improvement actions include rate increases, underwriting guideline adjustments, and decreased marketing in select geographies to manage risks.
Encompass brand auto premiums written totaled $173 million in the second quarter of 2015, a 1.7% decrease from $176 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $320 million in the first six months of 2015, a 2.1% decrease from $327 million in the first six months of 2014.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
2.7% or 21 thousand decrease in PIF as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014
42.5% decrease in new issued applications to 23 thousand in the second quarter of 2015 from 40 thousand in the second quarter of 2014, and 37.0% decrease to 46 thousand in the first six months of 2015 from 73 thousand in the first six months of 2014
4.2% and 3.3% increase in average premium in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014
2.3 point and 1.6 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. Because Encompass sells a high percentage of package policies that include both auto and homeowners, declines in one coverage can contribute to declines in the other.
Profit improvement actions include rate increases, underwriting guideline adjustments, and agency-level actions to manage risks.























51



Homeowners premiums written totaled $1.96 billion in the second quarter of 2015, a 3.2% increase from $1.90 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $3.46 billion in the first six months of 2015, a 3.0% increase from $3.36 billion in the first six months of 2014.  Excluding the cost of catastrophe reinsurance, premiums written increased 2.9% and 2.7% in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.
 
Allstate brand
 
Esurance brand
 
Encompass brand
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIF (thousands)
6,141

 
6,069

 
20

 
2

 
355

 
364

Average premium (12 months)
$
1,150

 
$
1,135

 
$
814

 
$
822

 
$
1,532

 
$
1,437

Renewal ratio (%) (12 months)
88.4

 
88.3

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
83.2

 
86.2

Approved rate changes (1):


 


 


 


 


 


# of locations
9

(3 
) 
11

(3) 
N/A

 
N/A

 
15

 
12

Total brand (%)
0.7

 
0.4

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
3.2

 
1.5

   Location specific (%) (2)
3.5

 
5.7

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
8.8

 
7.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PIF (thousands)
6,141

 
6,069

 
20

 
2

 
355

 
364

Average premium (12 months)
$
1,149

 
$
1,136

 
$
832

 
$
805

 
$
1,526

 
$
1,438

Renewal ratio (%) (12 months)
88.4

 
88.3

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
83.2

 
86.4

Approved rate changes (1):


 


 


 


 


 


# of locations
17

(3) 
17

(3) 
N/A

 
N/A

 
18

 
12

Total brand (%)
0.9

 
0.6

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
3.6

 
1.6

   Location specific (%) (2)
3.7

 
4.4

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
9.4

 
7.4

_______________
(1) 
Includes rate changes approved based on our net cost of reinsurance. 
(2) 
Based on historical premiums written in those states and Canadian provinces, rate changes approved for homeowners totaled $69 million and $83 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $38 million and $51 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.
(3) 
Three and six months ended June 30, 2015 includes 1 and 2 Canadian provinces, respectively. Includes 2 Canadian provinces in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.
N/A reflects not applicable.
Allstate brand homeowners premiums written totaled $1.82 billion in the second quarter of 2015, a 3.1% increase from $1.77 billion in the second quarter of 2014, and $3.20 billion in the first six months of 2015, a 2.9% increase from $3.11 billion in the first six months of 2014.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
1.2% or 72 thousand increase in PIF as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014 due primarily to increases in new issued applications and retention. Allstate brand homeowners PIF increased in 33 states, including 7 out of our largest 10 states, as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014.
10.4% increase in new issued applications to 212 thousand in the second quarter of 2015 from 192 thousand in the second quarter of 2014, and 12.4% increase to 389 thousand in the first six months of 2015 from 346 thousand in the first six months of 2014.
1.3% and 1.1% increase in average premium in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014, primarily due to rate changes as well as changes in rating variables such as increasing insured home valuations due to inflationary costs.
0.1 point increase in the renewal ratio in both the second quarter and first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.
$3 million decrease in the cost of our catastrophe reinsurance program to $94 million in the second quarter of 2015 from $97 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $5 million decrease to $190 million in the first six months of 2015 from $195 million in the first six months of 2014. Catastrophe reinsurance premiums are recorded primarily in Allstate brand and are a reduction of premium.
Premiums written for Allstate’s House and Home® product, our redesigned homeowners new business offering currently available in 37 states, totaled $386 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $233 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $647 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $384 million in the first six months of 2014


52



Esurance brand homeowners premiums written totaled $7 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $1 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $12 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $2 million in the first six months of 2014.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
New issued applications totaled 7 thousand in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 1 thousand in the second quarter of 2014, and 13 thousand in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2 thousand in the first six months of 2014
As of June 30, 2015, Esurance is writing homeowners insurance in 19 states with lower hurricane risk that have lower average premium.
Encompass brand homeowners premiums written totaled $136 million in the second quarter of 2015, comparable to the second quarter of 2014, and Encompass brand homeowners premiums written totaled $247 million in the first six months of 2015, a 0.4% increase from $246 million in the first six months of 2014.  Factors impacting premiums written were the following:
2.5% or 9 thousand decrease in PIF as of June 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2014
30.0% decrease in new issued applications to 14 thousand in the second quarter of 2015 from 20 thousand in the second quarter of 2014, and 29.7% decrease to 26 thousand in the first six months of 2015 from 37 thousand in the first six months of 2014
6.6% and 6.1% increase in average premium in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014, primarily due to rate changes. 
3.0 point and 3.2 point decrease in the renewal ratio in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.
Profit improvement actions include rate increases, underwriting guideline adjustments, and agency-level actions to manage risks.
Other personal lines  Allstate brand other personal lines premiums written totaled $424 million in the second quarter of 2015, a 1.9% increase from $416 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $781 million in the first six months of 2015, a 1.8% increase from $767 million in the first six months of 2014.  The increase primarily relates to renter insurance.
Commercial lines premiums written totaled $138 million in the second quarter of 2015, a 6.2% increase from $130 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $266 million in the first six months of 2015, a 8.1% increase from $246 million in the first six months of 2014.  The increase was driven by higher renewals and increased average premiums.
Other business lines premiums written totaled $199 million in the second quarter of 2015, a 10.6% increase from $180 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $383 million in the first six months of 2015, a 7.6% increase from $356 million in the first six months of 2014.  The increase was primarily due to increased sales of vehicle service contracts and other products at Allstate Dealer Services, partially offset by a decline in Allstate Roadside Services premiums.
























53



Underwriting results are shown in the following table.
($ in millions) 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Premiums written
$
7,877

 
$
7,547

 
$
15,183

 
$
14,516

Premiums earned
$
7,549

 
$
7,204

 
$
14,975

 
$
14,268

Claims and claims expense
(5,585
)
 
(5,140
)
 
(10,577
)
 
(9,896
)
Amortization of DAC
(1,021
)
 
(969
)
 
(2,021
)
 
(1,930
)
Other costs and expenses
(934
)
 
(900
)
 
(1,895
)
 
(1,868
)
Restructuring and related charges
(17
)
 
(3
)
 
(21
)
 
(7
)
Underwriting (loss) income
$
(8
)
 
$
192

 
$
461

 
$
567

Catastrophe losses
$
797

 
$
936

 
$
1,091

 
$
1,381

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting (loss) income by line of business
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Auto
$
(111
)
 
$
130

 
$
(35
)
 
$
313

Homeowners
91

 
(12
)
 
457

 
185

Other personal lines
24

 
54

 
61

 
48

Commercial lines
(17
)
 
8

 
(28
)
 
3

Other business lines
8

 
15

 
11

 
23

Answer Financial
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Underwriting (loss) income
$
(8
)
 
$
192

 
$
461

 
$
567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting (loss) income by brand
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allstate brand
$
86

 
$
299

 
$
612

 
$
777

Esurance brand
(41
)
 
(45
)
 
(110
)
 
(138
)
Encompass brand
(50
)
 
(59
)
 
(36
)
 
(67
)
Answer Financial
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Underwriting (loss) income
$
(8
)
 
$
192

 
$
461

 
$
567

Allstate Protection had an underwriting loss of $8 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $192 million in the second quarter of 2014.  Auto underwriting loss was $111 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $130 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes, increased expenses and unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned and decreased catastrophe losses. Homeowners underwriting income was $91 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to an underwriting loss of $12 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes.  Other personal lines underwriting income was $24 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $54 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes and unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned. Commercial lines underwriting loss was $17 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $8 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes.
Allstate Protection had underwriting income of $461 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $567 million in the first six months of 2014.  Auto underwriting loss was $35 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $313 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes and unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned and decreased catastrophe losses. Homeowners underwriting income was $457 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $185 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes.  Other personal lines underwriting income was $61 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $48 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes. Commercial lines underwriting loss was $28 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to underwriting income of $3 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes and unfavorable reserve reestimates.
Allstate brand underwriting income was $86 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $299 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes, increased expenses and unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned and decreased catastrophe losses. Esurance brand underwriting loss was $41 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $45 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increased premiums earned, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes and increased expenses.  Encompass brand underwriting loss was $50 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $59 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes.

54



Allstate brand underwriting income was $612 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $777 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to increased losses excluding catastrophes, increased expenses and unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned and decreased catastrophe losses. Esurance brand underwriting loss was $110 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $138 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to increased premiums earned and decreased expenses, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes.  Encompass brand underwriting loss was $36 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $67 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned, partially offset by increased losses excluding catastrophes.
Catastrophe losses were $797 million and $1.09 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to $936 million and $1.38 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.
We define a “catastrophe” as an event that produces pre-tax losses before reinsurance in excess of $1 million and involves multiple first party policyholders, or a winter weather event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event.  Catastrophes are caused by various natural events including high winds, winter storms and freezes, tornadoes, hailstorms, wildfires, tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes.  We are also exposed to man-made catastrophic events, such as certain types of terrorism or industrial accidents.  The nature and level of catastrophes in any period cannot be reliably predicted.
Catastrophe losses by the size of event are shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 
Number of events
 
 
 
Claims and claims expense
 
 
 
Combined
ratio
impact
 
Average catastrophe loss per event
Size of catastrophe loss
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than $250 million

 
%
 
$

 
 %
 

 
$

$101 million to $250 million 
1

 
3.0

 
130

 
16.3

 
1.7

 
130

$50 million to $100 million
5

 
15.2

 
316

 
39.6

 
4.2

 
63

Less than $50 million
27

 
81.8

 
348

 
43.7

 
4.6

 
13

Total
33

 
100.0
%
 
794

 
99.6

 
10.5

 
24

Prior year reserve reestimates
 

 
 

 
8

 
1.0

 
0.1

 
 

Prior quarter reserve reestimates
 
 
 
 
(5
)
 
(0.6
)
 

 
 
Total catastrophe losses
 

 
 

 
$
797

 
100.0
 %
 
10.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Number of events
 
 
 
Claims and claims expense
 
 
 
Combined
ratio
impact
 
Average catastrophe loss per event
Size of catastrophe loss
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than $250 million

 
%
 
$

 
 %
 

 
$

$101 million to $250 million 
2

 
4.5

 
233

 
21.4

 
1.6

 
117

$50 million to $100 million
7

 
15.9

 
430

 
39.4

 
2.9

 
61

Less than $50 million
35

 
79.6

 
425

 
38.9

 
2.8

 
12

Total
44

 
100.0
%
 
1,088

 
99.7

 
7.3

 
25

Prior year reserve reestimates
 

 
 

 
3

 
0.3

 

 
 
Total catastrophe losses
 

 
 

 
$
1,091

 
100.0
 %
 
7.3

 
 
Catastrophe losses by the type of event are shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
Number
of events
 
2014
 
Number
of events
 
2015
 
Number
of events
 
2014
 
Number
of events
Hurricanes/Tropical storms
$
15

 
1

 
$

 

 
$
15

 
1

 
$

 

Tornadoes

 

 
94

 
2

 
27

 
1

 
94

 
2

Wind/Hail
775

 
30

 
782

 
26

 
810

 
35

 
846

 
32

Wildfires
4

 
2

 
1

 
1

 
6

 
3

 
6

 
2

Other events

 

 

 

 
230

 
4

 
397

 
6

Prior year reserve reestimates
8

 
 

 
36

 
 

 
3

 
 
 
38

 
 

Prior quarter reserve reestimates
(5
)
 
 
 
23

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
Total catastrophe losses
$
797

 
33

 
$
936

 
29

 
$
1,091

 
44

 
$
1,381

 
42



55



Loss ratios by brand and line of business are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Auto
 
Homeowners
 
Other personal lines
 
Commercial lines
 
Total
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Allstate brand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
75.9

 
70.1

 
69.7

 
76.1

 
65.6

 
58.4

 
82.0

 
64.5

 
73.3

 
70.3

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
3.2

 
4.1

 
32.1

 
38.7

 
11.9

 
12.4

 
9.4

 
8.3

 
10.7

 
13.1

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
0.4

 
(0.6
)
 

 
2.1

 
1.1

 
(3.4
)
 
3.1

 
(0.8
)
 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
   year reserve reestimates on combined ratio

 
(0.1
)
 
0.5

 
2.4

 

 
(0.3
)
 
2.3

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Esurance brand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
75.6

 
75.3

 
75.0

 

 
100.0

 
100.0

 

 

 
75.6

 
75.4

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
1.8

 
2.7

 
25.0

 

 

 

 

 

 
2.0

 
2.7

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
(0.8
)
 
(1.4
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(0.7
)
 
(1.4
)
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Encompass brand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
78.2

 
82.7

 
92.8

 
98.3

 
100.0

 
80.8

 

 

 
85.8

 
88.7

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
3.0

 
9.3

 
41.3

 
46.7

 
7.4

 
7.7

 

 

 
18.6

 
23.7

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
(1.2
)
 
(3.7
)
 
2.3

 
6.7

 
7.4

 
3.8

 

 

 
0.9

 
1.0

Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio

 
(0.6
)
 

 
1.7

 
3.7

 

 

 

 
0.3

 
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate Protection
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
75.9

 
70.9

 
71.4

 
77.6

 
67.8

 
59.9

 
82.0

 
64.5

 
74.0

 
71.3

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
3.1

 
4.2

 
32.7

 
39.3

 
11.6

 
12.1

 
9.4

 
8.3

 
10.6

 
13.0

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
0.2

 
(0.7
)
 
0.2

 
2.4

 
1.4

 
(2.9
)
 
3.1

 
(0.8
)
 
0.3

 
(0.1
)
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio
(0.1
)
 

 
0.4

 
2.4

 
0.3

 
(0.3
)
 
2.3

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

56



 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Auto
 
Homeowners
 
Other personal lines
 
Commercial lines
 
Total
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Allstate brand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
73.8

 
69.0

 
62.3

 
69.5

 
64.0

 
65.4

 
80.3

 
68.8

 
70.0

 
68.5

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
1.7

 
2.3

 
23.0

 
30.0

 
9.7

 
12.6

 
6.7

 
8.2

 
7.4

 
9.8

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
0.6

 
(0.7
)
 
0.1

 
1.4

 
0.2

 
0.3

 
5.5

 
(0.9
)
 
0.5

 
(0.1
)
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio
(0.1
)
 

 
0.2

 
1.5

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.3
)
 
1.5

 
0.4

 

 
0.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Esurance brand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
76.6

 
75.7

 
57.1

 

 
66.7

 
50.0

 

 

 
76.4

 
75.6

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
0.9

 
1.6

 
14.2

 

 

 

 

 

 
1.0

 
1.6

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
(0.9
)
 
(1.1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(0.9
)
 
(1.1
)
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Encompass brand
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
74.2

 
76.8

 
75.5

 
86.1

 
92.6

 
80.8

 

 

 
76.3

 
80.7

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
1.5

 
5.0

 
27.7

 
36.3

 
7.4

 
9.6

 

 

 
12.4

 
17.5

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
(3.0
)
 
(4.0
)
 
0.4

 
5.5

 
9.3

 
1.9

 

 

 
(0.6
)
 
0.1

Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.7
)
 
0.4

 
1.9

 

 

 

 
(0.3
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate Protection
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
74.0

 
69.7

 
63.2

 
70.7

 
65.9

 
66.3

 
80.3

 
68.8

 
70.6

 
69.3

Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio
1.7

 
2.3

 
23.4

 
30.5

 
9.5

 
12.3

 
6.7

 
8.2

 
7.3

 
9.7

Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on
   combined ratio
0.3

 
(0.9
)
 
0.1

 
1.7

 
0.9

 
0.4

 
5.5

 
(0.9
)
 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior
year reserve reestimates on combined ratio

 
(0.1
)
 
0.1

 
1.4

 

 
(0.4
)
 
1.5

 
0.4

 

 
0.3

_______________
(1) 
Ratios are calculated using the premiums earned for the respective line of business. Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio are included in both the effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio and the effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio.
Auto loss ratio for the Allstate brand increased 5.8 points and 4.8 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014, primarily due to higher claim frequency and severity and unfavorable reserve reestimates, partially offset by increased premiums earned.
Gross frequency is calculated as the number of claim notices received in the period divided by the average earned policies in force of the respective insurance coverage in force. The rate of change in gross frequency is the year over year percent increase or decrease in gross frequency for the period.
Gross frequency in the bodily injury coverage increased 6.8% in both the second quarter and first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014. Approximately 85% of individual states experienced a year over year increase in their rate of bodily injury gross frequency and approximately half of individual states increased in excess of 6.8% in second quarter 2015 when compared to second quarter 2014. Quarterly fluctuations in bodily injury gross frequency can be volatile. On a 12 month moving basis, for the period ended June 30, 2015, the year over year increase was 4.0%. For bodily injury gross frequency, the rate of claim notices received in second quarter 2015 is in line on a seasonal basis. The number of pending claims increased but has remained consistent as a percent of notice counts, which has increased with growth. The mix of notice counts closed without a payment has remained consistent with seasonal trends in prior years.
Gross frequency in the property damage coverage increased 6.9% and 4.4% in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. Approximately 90% of individual states experienced a year over year increase in their rate of property damage gross frequency and approximately half of individual states increased in excess of 6.9% in second quarter 2015 when compared to second quarter 2014.
Favorable gross frequency results in the prior year period contributed to the quarter over quarter increases in bodily injury and property damage gross frequencies. Bodily injury and property damage gross frequency in the second quarter of 2015 increased approximately 4% from the second quarter of 2013, which did not experience a decline, or an average of 2% per year. We continue

57



to see an increase in miles driven. Higher gross frequency occurred in widespread geographies, as well as within multiple risk classes of customers, rating plans, and both new and renewal business, including business written prior to 2011.
Bodily injury and property damage coverage paid claim severities (average cost per claim) increased 0.6% and 3.7%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to second quarter of 2014, and increased 2.2% and 4.2%, respectively, in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. Bodily injury severity results in the first six months of 2015 increased in line with historical medical Consumer Price Index trends.
Esurance brand auto loss ratio increased 0.3 points and 0.9 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014, primarily due to higher claim frequency and severity across several coverages, partially offset by increases in average premiums earned.
Encompass brand auto loss ratio decreased 4.5 points and 2.6 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014, primarily due to lower catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned. 
Homeowners loss ratio for the Allstate brand decreased 6.4 points to 69.7 in the second quarter of 2015 from 76.1 in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower catastrophe losses.  Homeowners loss ratio for the Allstate brand decreased 7.2 points to 62.3 in the first six months of 2015 from 69.5 in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to lower catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned. Claim frequency excluding catastrophe losses increased 0.4% and decreased 3.7% in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.  Paid claim severity excluding catastrophe losses increased 3.6% and 5.0% in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014
Encompass brand homeowners loss ratio decreased 5.5 points and 10.6 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, primarily due to lower catastrophe losses and increased premiums earned.  In the first six months of 2014, several catastrophes occurred in areas where Encompass has a concentration of policyholders.  Excluding the impact of catastrophe losses, the Encompass brand homeowners loss ratio decreased 0.1 points and 2.0 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.
Expense ratio for Allstate Protection increased 0.1 points and decreased 0.4 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.  The impact of specific costs and expenses on the expense ratio are shown in the following table.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Allstate
brand
 
Esurance
brand
 
Encompass brand
 
Allstate Protection
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Amortization of DAC
13.9

 
13.8

 
2.3

 
2.7

 
18.6

 
19.2

 
13.5

 
13.5

Advertising expenses
2.4

 
2.7

 
12.4

 
14.5

 
0.6

 
0.6

 
2.8

 
3.2

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

 
2.2

 
3.3

 

 

 
0.2

 
0.2

Other costs and expenses
8.9

 
8.6

 
17.7

 
16.4

 
10.4

 
10.4

 
9.4

 
9.1

Restructuring and related charges
0.2

 

 

 

 
0.3

 
0.3

 
0.2

 

Total expense ratio
25.4

 
25.1

 
34.6

 
36.9

 
29.9

 
30.5

 
26.1

 
26.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Allstate
brand
 
Esurance
brand
 
Encompass brand
 
Allstate Protection
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Amortization of DAC
13.9

 
13.9

 
2.5

 
2.7

 
18.5

 
18.9

 
13.5

 
13.6

Advertising expenses
2.3

 
2.6

 
14.8

 
21.2

 
0.6

 
0.7

 
2.9

 
3.4

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

 

 
2.3

 
3.3

 

 

 
0.1

 
0.2

Other costs and expenses
9.1

 
9.0

 
17.9

 
16.7

 
10.1

 
10.4

 
9.7

 
9.5

Restructuring and related charges
0.2

 

 

 

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.1

 

Total expense ratio
25.5

 
25.5

 
37.5

 
43.9

 
29.4

 
30.2

 
26.3

 
26.7

Allstate brand expense ratio increased 0.3 points in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014 primarily due to restructuring and related charges. Allstate brand expense ratio of 25.5 in the first six months of 2015 was comparable to the first six months of 2014. Amortization of DAC primarily includes agent remuneration and premium taxes. Allstate agency total incurred base commissions, variable compensation and bonus in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were higher than the same periods of 2014. Advertising expenses in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were lower than the same periods of 2014. Restructuring and related charges in second quarter 2015 primarily relate to changes in the technology organization.

58



Expense improvement actions include reductions in advertising, technology, professional services, employee related, and other costs. Targeted expense reductions represent approximately 0.4 points of the annualized Allstate brand expense ratio.
Esurance brand expense ratio decreased 2.3 points and 6.4 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. A significant portion of Esurance’s expense ratio relates to customer acquisition. Customer acquisition costs include amortization of DAC, advertising expenses and a portion of other costs and expenses and totaled 21.6 points and 24.4 points in second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to 24.0 points and 30.8 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively. Esurance advertising expenses decreased in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014 in conjunction with our profitability actions. Other costs and expenses, including salaries of telephone sales personnel and other underwriting costs related to customer acquisition, were higher in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 than the same periods of 2014. Esurance continued to invest in geographic expansion and additional products and capabilities. The expenses related to expansion initiatives, excluding customer acquisition costs which occur prior to premiums being written, contributed approximately 2.9 points to the expense ratio in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2.4 points in the second quarter of 2014, and 2.8 points in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2.2 points the first six months of 2014. Expenses related to expansion initiatives includes costs incurred to expand beyond our initial 30 states at acquisition, adding new products such as homeowners, motorcycle, and usage based insurance and expanding into the Canadian market. We manage the business so that it is profitable over the life of the business, taking rate increases as appropriate. Expense improvement actions include reductions in advertising costs.
Encompass brand expense ratio decreased 0.6 points and 0.8 points in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014, primarily due to lower sales incentive program costs. Expense improvement actions include reductions in technology and other costs, as well as improving operating efficiency.
Income tax expense included $28 million related to our adoption of new accounting guidance for investments in qualified affordable housing projects in first quarter 2015.
Allstate Protection catastrophe reinsurance Our catastrophe reinsurance program supports our goal to have no more than a 1% likelihood of exceeding average annual aggregate catastrophe losses by $2 billion, net of reinsurance, from hurricanes and earthquakes, based on modeled assumptions and applications currently available. Our program provides reinsurance protection for catastrophes resulting from multiple perils, including hurricanes, windstorms, hail, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires following earthquakes, riots, freeze, and wildfires. These reinsurance agreements are part of our catastrophe management strategy, which is intended to provide our shareholders an acceptable return on the risks assumed in our property business, and to reduce variability of earnings while providing protection to our customers. For a complete summary of the 2015 reinsurance placement, please read this in conjunction with the discussion and analysis in Part I. Item 2. of The Allstate Corporation Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015.
During the second quarter of 2015, we completed the Florida component of the program that is designed to address the distinct needs of our separately capitalized companies in that state. Our 2015 Florida program provides $707 million of reinsurance limits per occurrence subject to a $15 million retention. The Florida program includes reinsurance agreements placed with the traditional market, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”), and the Insurance Linked Securities (“ILS”) market as follows:
The traditional market placement comprises $344 million of limits of coverage for losses to personal lines property in Florida arising out of multiple perils.
The FHCF contracts provide 90% of $181 million in limits or approximately $163 million of limits for qualifying losses to personal lines property in Florida caused by storms the National Hurricane Center declares to be hurricanes.
The ILS placement provides $200 million of limits of coverage for qualifying losses to personal lines property in Florida caused by a Named Storm Event, a Severe Thunderstorm Event, or an Earthquake.
The total cost of our property catastrophe reinsurance programs during the first and second quarters of 2015 was $111 million and $109 million, respectively. The total cost of our catastrophe reinsurance programs during 2014 was $448 million or an average quarterly cost of $112 million.







59



Reserve reestimates  The tables below show reserves, net of reinsurance, representing the estimated cost of outstanding claims as they were recorded at the beginning of years 2015 and 2014 and the effect of reestimates in each year.
($ in millions)
January 1 reserves
 
2015
 
2014
Auto
$
11,698

 
$
11,616

Homeowners
1,849

 
1,821

Other personal lines
1,502

 
1,512

Commercial lines
549

 
576

Other business lines
19

 
22

Total Allstate Protection
$
15,617

 
$
15,547

($ in millions, except ratios)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Reserve
reestimate (1)
 
Effect on
combined ratio (2)
 
Reserve
reestimate (1)
 
Effect on
combined ratio (2)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Auto
$
11

 
$
(36
)
 
0.2

 
(0.5
)
 
$
35

 
$
(84
)
 
0.2

 
(0.6
)
Homeowners
4

 
41

 

 
0.6

 
5

 
59

 

 
0.4

Other personal lines
6

 
(12
)
 
0.1

 
(0.2
)
 
7

 
3

 
0.1

 

Commercial lines
4

 
(1
)
 

 

 
14

 
(2
)
 
0.1

 

Other business lines
1

 

 

 

 
1

 

 

 

Total Allstate Protection (3)
$
26

 
$
(8
)
 
0.3

 
(0.1
)
 
$
62

 
$
(24
)
 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate brand
$
26

 
$
(6
)
 
0.3

 
(0.1
)
 
$
73

 
$
(17
)
 
0.5

 
(0.1
)
Esurance brand
(3
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(0.1
)
 
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Encompass brand
3

 
3

 

 
0.1

 
(4
)
 
1

 

 

Total Allstate Protection
$
26

 
$
(8
)
 
0.3

 
(0.1
)
 
$
62

 
$
(24
)
 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
_______________
(1) 
Favorable reserve reestimates are shown in parentheses.
(2) 
Ratios are calculated using Property-Liability premiums earned.
(3) 
Prior year reserve reestimates included in catastrophe losses totaled $8 million and $3 million unfavorable in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $36 million and $38 million unfavorable in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.  The effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates on the combined ratio totaled 0.1 unfavorable and zero in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to 0.5 and 0.3 unfavorable in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.
DISCONTINUED LINES AND COVERAGES SEGMENT
Overview  The Discontinued Lines and Coverages segment includes results from property-liability insurance coverage that we no longer write and results for certain commercial and other businesses in run-off.  Our exposure to asbestos, environmental and other discontinued lines claims is reported in this segment.  We have assigned management of this segment to a designated group of professionals with expertise in claims handling, policy coverage interpretation, exposure identification and reinsurance collection.  As part of its responsibilities, this group may at times be engaged in policy buybacks, settlements and reinsurance assumed and ceded commutations.
Summarized underwriting results are presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Premiums written
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums earned
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Claims and claims expense
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(5
)
Operating costs and expenses

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Underwriting loss
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(6
)

60



PROPERTY-LIABILITY INVESTMENT RESULTS
Net investment income  The following table presents net investment income.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
221

 
$
212

 
$
436

 
$
427

Equity securities
23

 
29

 
41

 
52

Mortgage loans
3

 
4

 
7

 
9

Limited partnership interests
45

 
102

 
171

 
177

Short-term investments
1

 
2

 
2

 
3

Other
20

 
19

 
37

 
33

Investment income, before expense
313

 
368

 
694

 
701

Investment expense
(21
)
 
(17
)
 
(44
)
 
(38
)
Net investment income
$
292

 
$
351

 
$
650

 
$
663

The average pre-tax investment yields are presented in the following table.  Pre-tax yield is calculated as annualized investment income before investment expense (including dividend income in the case of equity securities) divided by the average of the investment balances at the end of each quarter during the year.  Investment balances, for purposes of the pre-tax yield calculation, exclude unrealized capital gains and losses.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities: tax-exempt
2.3
%
 
2.7
%
 
2.4
%
 
2.7
%
Fixed income securities: tax-exempt equivalent
3.4

 
3.9

 
3.5

 
3.9

Fixed income securities: taxable
3.1

 
3.0

 
3.0

 
3.0

Equity securities
3.4

 
3.2

 
3.0

 
2.8

Mortgage loans
4.1

 
4.9

 
4.2

 
4.6

Limited partnership interests
7.0

 
15.3

 
13.5

 
12.9

Total portfolio
3.3

 
3.9

 
3.7

 
3.7

Net investment income decreased 16.8% or $59 million to $292 million in the second quarter of 2015 from $351 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower limited partnership income.  Net investment income decreased 2.0% or $13 million to $650 million in the first six months of 2015 from $663 million in the first six months of 2014, primarily due to lower prepayment fee income and litigation proceeds and lower limited partnership income, partially offset by higher portfolio yields.
Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Impairment write-downs
$
(6
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(18
)
Change in intent write-downs
(28
)
 
(25
)
 
(55
)
 
(85
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized
   in earnings
(34
)
 
(31
)
 
(73
)
 
(103
)
Sales
77

 
289

 
176

 
428

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
6

 
(8
)
 
(26
)
 
(22
)
Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax
49

 
250

 
77

 
303

Income tax expense
(18
)
 
(89
)
 
(28
)
 
(108
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
31

 
$
161

 
$
49

 
$
195

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

61



ALLSTATE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Allstate Financial net income available to common shareholders was $179 million and $362 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to $145 million and $307 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.
Allstate Financial premiums and contract charges on underwritten products, including traditional life, interest-sensitive life and accident and health insurance, totaled $533 million in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of 3.7% from $514 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $1.07 billion in the first six months of 2015, a decrease of 3.9% from $1.11 billion in the first six months of 2014.
Allstate Financial investments totaled $37.80 billion as of June 30, 2015, reflecting a decrease of $1.01 billion from $38.81 billion as of December 31, 2014.  Net investment income decreased 9.1% to $489 million in the second quarter of 2015 and 17.4% to $973 million in the first six months of 2015 from $538 million and $1.18 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.
Allstate Financial net realized capital gains totaled $59 million and $170 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to net realized capital losses of $10 million and $9 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.
Allstate Financial contractholder funds totaled $21.97 billion as of June 30, 2015, reflecting a decrease of $561 million from $22.53 billion as of December 31, 2014.
On April 1, 2014, we sold Lincoln Benefit Life Company’s (“LBL”) life insurance business generated through independent master brokerage agencies, and all of LBL’s deferred fixed annuity and long-term care insurance business to Resolution Life Holdings, Inc.
ALLSTATE FINANCIAL SEGMENT
Summary analysis   Summarized financial data is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Life and annuity premiums and contract charges
$
536

 
$
518

 
$
1,073

 
$
1,125

Net investment income
489

 
538

 
973

 
1,178

Realized capital gains and losses
59

 
(10
)
 
170

 
(9
)
Total revenues
1,084

 
1,046

 
2,216

 
2,294

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Life and annuity contract benefits
(446
)
 
(413
)
 
(887
)
 
(901
)
Interest credited to contractholder funds
(185
)
 
(212
)
 
(384
)
 
(519
)
Amortization of DAC
(65
)
 
(66
)
 
(135
)
 
(140
)
Operating costs and expenses
(118
)
 
(112
)
 
(241
)
 
(230
)
Restructuring and related charges
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
Total costs and expenses
(816
)
 
(804
)
 
(1,649
)
 
(1,793
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) on disposition of operations
1

 
(8
)
 
(1
)
 
(67
)
Income tax expense
(90
)
 
(89
)
 
(204
)
 
(127
)
Net income available to common shareholders
$
179

 
$
145

 
$
362

 
$
307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
68

 
$
59

 
$
123

 
$
130

Accident and health insurance
23

 
27

 
48

 
54

Annuities and institutional products
88

 
59

 
191

 
123

Net income available to common shareholders
$
179

 
$
145

 
$
362

 
$
307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate Life
$
63

 
$
55

 
$
116

 
$
126

Allstate Benefits
28

 
31

 
55

 
58

Allstate Annuities
88

 
59

 
191

 
123

Net income available to common shareholders
$
179

 
$
145

 
$
362

 
$
307

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments as of June 30
 
 
 
 
$
37,798

 
$
39,534

Net income available to common shareholders was $179 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $145 million in the second quarter of 2014.  The increase was primarily due to net realized capital gains in second quarter 2015 compared to net

62



realized capital losses in second quarter 2014, lower interest credited to contractholder funds, and higher life and annuity premiums and contract charges, partially offset by lower net investment income and higher life and annuity contract benefits.
Net income available to common shareholders was $362 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $307 million in the first six months of 2014. The increase primarily relates to net realized capital gains in the first six months of 2015 compared to net realized capital losses in the first six months of 2014 and lower loss on disposition related to the LBL sale, partially offset by the reduction in business due to the sale of LBL on April 1, 2014. Net income available to common shareholders in the first six months of 2014 included an after-tax loss on disposition of LBL totaling $31 million. Excluding the loss on disposition for the first six months of 2014 as well as the net income of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $28 million, net income available to common shareholders increased $52 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014, primarily due to net realized capital gains in the first six months of 2015 compared to net realized capital losses in the first six months of 2014, lower interest credited to contractholder funds, and higher life and annuity premiums and contract charges, partially offset by lower net investment income and higher life and annuity contract benefits.
Analysis of revenues   Total revenues increased 3.6% or $38 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to net realized capital gains in the second quarter of 2015 compared to net realized capital losses in the second quarter of 2014 and higher life and annuity premiums and contract charges, partially offset by lower net investment income. Total revenues decreased 3.4% or $78 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $211 million, total revenues increased 6.4% or $133 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014, primarily due to net realized capital gains in the first six months of 2015 compared to net realized capital losses in the first six months of 2014 and higher life and annuity premiums and contract charges, partially offset by lower net investment income.
Life and annuity premiums and contract charges   Premiums represent revenues generated from traditional life insurance, immediate annuities with life contingencies, and accident and health insurance products that have significant mortality or morbidity risk.  Contract charges are revenues generated from interest-sensitive and variable life insurance and fixed annuities for which deposits are classified as contractholder funds or separate account liabilities.  Contract charges are assessed against the contractholder account values for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance and surrender prior to contractually specified dates.
The following table summarizes life and annuity premiums and contract charges by product.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Underwritten products
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Traditional life insurance premiums
$
124

 
$
117

 
$
248

 
$
237

Accident and health insurance premiums

 

 
1

 
6

Interest-sensitive life insurance contract charges
180

 
177

 
360

 
427

Subtotal – Allstate Life
304

 
294

 
609

 
670

Traditional life insurance premiums
7

 
8

 
15

 
15

Accident and health insurance premiums
195

 
187

 
390

 
376

Interest-sensitive life insurance contract charges
27

 
25

 
53

 
49

Subtotal – Allstate Benefits
229

 
220

 
458

 
440

Total underwritten products
533

 
514

 
1,067

 
1,110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annuities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Immediate annuities with life contingencies premiums

 

 

 
5

Other fixed annuity contract charges
3

 
4

 
6

 
10

Total – Allstate Annuities
3

 
4

 
6

 
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life and annuity premiums and contract charges (1)
$
536

 
$
518

 
$
1,073

 
$
1,125

____________________
 (1) 
Contract charges related to the cost of insurance totaled $138 million and $135 million for the second quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $276 million and $322 million in the first six months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Premiums and contract charges increased 3.5% or $18 million and decreased 4.6% or $52 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $85 million, premiums and contract charges increased $33 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. The increases in both periods were primarily due to increased traditional life insurance renewal premiums as well as growth in Allstate Benefits accident and health insurance business. The growth at Allstate Benefits primarily relates to accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity products.

63



Contractholder funds represent interest-bearing liabilities arising from the sale of products such as interest-sensitive life insurance, fixed annuities and funding agreements.  The balance of contractholder funds is equal to the cumulative deposits received and interest credited to the contractholder less cumulative contract benefits, surrenders, withdrawals, maturities and contract charges for mortality or administrative expenses.  The following table shows the changes in contractholder funds.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Contractholder funds, beginning balance
$
22,267

 
$
23,989

 
$
22,529

 
$
24,304

Contractholder funds classified as held for sale, beginning balance

 
10,661

 

 
10,945

Total contractholder funds, including those classified as held for sale
22,267

 
34,650

 
22,529

 
35,249

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-sensitive life insurance
253

 
246

 
502

 
564

Fixed annuities
53

 
56

 
104

 
183

Total deposits
306

 
302

 
606

 
747

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest credited
185

 
212

 
384

 
520

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, withdrawals, maturities and other adjustments
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Benefits
(285
)
 
(289
)
 
(558
)
 
(669
)
Surrenders and partial withdrawals
(303
)
 
(554
)
 
(608
)
 
(1,266
)
Maturities of and interest payments on institutional products
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

Contract charges
(203
)
 
(199
)
 
(406
)
 
(480
)
Net transfers from separate accounts
2

 
1

 
3

 
4

Other adjustments (1)

 
11

 
19

 
29

Total benefits, withdrawals, maturities and other adjustments
(790
)
 
(1,030
)
 
(1,551
)
 
(2,382
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds sold in LBL disposition

 
(10,662
)
 

 
(10,662
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds, ending balance
$
21,968

 
$
23,472

 
$
21,968

 
$
23,472

_______________
(1) 
The table above illustrates the changes in contractholder funds, which are presented gross of reinsurance recoverables on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The table above is intended to supplement our discussion and analysis of revenues, which are presented net of reinsurance on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  As a result, the net change in contractholder funds associated with products reinsured to third parties is reflected as a component of the other adjustments line.
Contractholder funds decreased 1.3% and 2.5% in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, primarily due to the continued runoff of our deferred fixed annuity business.
Contractholder deposits increased 1.3% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to higher deposits on interest-sensitive life insurance. Contractholder deposits decreased 18.9% in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014, primarily due to lower additional deposits on fixed annuities and lower deposits on interest-sensitive life insurance due to the LBL sale.
Surrenders and partial withdrawals on deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products decreased 45.3% to $303 million in the second quarter of 2015 and 52.0% to $608 million in the first six months of 2015 from $554 million and $1.27 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 6.7% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 9.5% in the first six months of 2014.
Net investment income decreased 9.1% or $49 million to $489 million in the second quarter of 2015 from $538 million in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower average investment balances, lower limited partnership income, and lower prepayment fee income and litigation proceeds. Net investment income decreased 17.4% or $205 million to $973 million in the first six months of 2015 from $1.18 billion in the first six months of 2014. Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter for 2014 of $126 million, net investment income decreased $79 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily due to lower average investment balances and lower prepayment fee income and litigation proceeds. In the Allstate Financial portfolio, we are reducing the risk of rising interest rates by selling longer term fixed income securities and investing the proceeds in shorter duration fixed income securities and in equities. While the dispositions generate net realized capital gains, investment income will be reduced prospectively by the lower yield on the reinvested proceeds.




64



Net realized capital gains and losses are presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Impairment write-downs
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
(12
)
 
$
(4
)
Change in intent write-downs
(4
)
 
(14
)
 
(7
)
 
(19
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(9
)
 
(14
)
 
(19
)
 
(23
)
Sales
69

 
1

 
186

 
9

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
(1
)
 
3

 
3

 
5

Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax
59

 
(10
)
 
170

 
(9
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(21
)
 
4

 
(60
)
 
3

Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
38

 
$
(6
)
 
$
110

 
$
(6
)
For further discussion of realized capital gains and losses, see the Investments section of the MD&A.
Analysis of costs and expenses  Total costs and expenses increased 1.5% or $12 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to higher life and annuity contract benefits, partially offset by lower interest credited to contractholder funds. Total costs and expenses decreased 8.0% or $144 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $168 million, total costs and expenses increased $24 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily due to higher life and annuity contract benefits and higher operating costs and expenses, partially offset by lower interest credited to contractholder funds.
Life and annuity contract benefits increased 8.0% or $33 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to higher life insurance mortality experience. Life and annuity contract benefits decreased 1.6% or $14 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $65 million, life and annuity contract benefits increased $51 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily due to higher life insurance mortality experience.
We analyze our mortality and morbidity results using the difference between premiums and contract charges earned for the cost of insurance and life and annuity contract benefits excluding the portion related to the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies (“benefit spread”).  This implied interest totaled $127 million and $256 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to $130 million and $260 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.
The benefit spread by product group is disclosed in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Life insurance
$
59

 
$
82

 
$
122

 
$
153

Accident and health insurance
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Subtotal – Allstate Life
56

 
79

 
118

 
149

Life insurance
6

 
4

 
11

 
7

Accident and health insurance
100

 
100

 
208

 
203

Subtotal – Allstate Benefits
106

 
104

 
219

 
210

Allstate Annuities
(17
)
 
(19
)
 
(38
)
 
(39
)
Total benefit spread
$
145

 
$
164

 
$
299

 
$
320

Benefit spread decreased 11.6% or $19 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to higher life insurance mortality experience, partially offset by higher life insurance premiums. Benefit spread decreased 6.6% or $21 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $(1) million, benefit spread decreased $22 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily due to higher life insurance mortality experience, partially offset by higher life insurance premiums and growth in Allstate Benefits accident and health insurance.
Interest credited to contractholder funds decreased 12.7% or $27 million in the second quarter of 2015 and 26.0% or $135 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $90 million, interest credited to contractholder funds decreased $45 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. The decreases in both periods were primarily due to lower average contractholder funds and lower interest crediting rates. Valuation changes on derivatives embedded in equity-indexed annuity contracts that are not hedged

65



decreased interest credited to contractholder funds by $6 million in second quarter 2015 compared to an increase of $4 million in second quarter 2014, and increased interest credited to contractholder funds by $1 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to an increase of $21 million in the first six months of 2014.
In order to analyze the impact of net investment income and interest credited to contractholders on net income, we monitor the difference between net investment income and the sum of interest credited to contractholder funds and the implied interest on immediate annuities with life contingencies, which is included as a component of life and annuity contract benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (“investment spread”).
The investment spread by product group is shown in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Life insurance
$
30

 
$
23

 
$
61

 
$
51

Accident and health insurance
1

 
2

 
3

 
6

Net investment income on investments supporting capital
19

 
31

 
39

 
60

Subtotal – Allstate Life
50

 
56

 
103

 
117

Life insurance
3

 
3

 
5

 
5

Accident and health insurance
3

 
2

 
5

 
5

Net investment income on investments supporting capital
4

 
4

 
8

 
8

Subtotal – Allstate Benefits
10

 
9

 
18

 
18

Annuities and institutional products
77

 
98

 
146

 
208

Net investment income on investments supporting capital
34

 
37

 
67

 
77

Subtotal – Allstate Annuities
111

 
135

 
213

 
285

Investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged
171

 
200

 
334

 
420

Valuation changes on derivatives embedded in equity-indexed annuity contracts that are not hedged
6

 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(21
)
Total investment spread
$
177

 
$
196

 
$
333

 
$
399

Investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged decreased 14.5% or $29 million in the second quarter of 2015 and 20.5% or $86 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $46 million, investment spread before valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged decreased $40 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. The decreases in both periods were primarily due to lower net investment income, partially offset by lower credited interest.















66



To further analyze investment spreads, the following table summarizes the weighted average investment yield on assets supporting product liabilities and capital, interest crediting rates and investment spreads.  For purposes of these calculations, investments, reserves and contractholder funds classified as held for sale were included for periods prior to April 1, 2014.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Weighted average
investment yield
 
Weighted average
interest crediting rate
 
Weighted average
investment spreads
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Interest-sensitive life insurance
5.1
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.9
%
 
4.0
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.3
%
Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products
4.4

 
4.4

 
2.8

 
2.8

 
1.6

 
1.6

Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies
7.5

 
8.0

 
5.9

 
5.9

 
1.6

 
2.1

Investments supporting capital, traditional life and other products
4.1

 
4.8

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Weighted average
investment yield
 
Weighted average
interest crediting rate
 
Weighted average
investment spreads
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Interest-sensitive life insurance
5.1
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.9
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.4
%
Deferred fixed annuities and institutional products
4.4

 
4.4

 
2.8

 
2.9

 
1.6

 
1.5

Immediate fixed annuities with and without life contingencies
7.4

 
7.8

 
5.9

 
6.0

 
1.5

 
1.8

Investments supporting capital, traditional life and other products
4.2

 
4.4

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

The following table summarizes our product liabilities and indicates the account value of those contracts and policies for which an investment spread is generated.
($ in millions)
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Immediate fixed annuities with life contingencies
$
8,751

 
$
8,916

Other life contingent contracts and other
3,476

 
3,772

Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits
$
12,227

 
$
12,688

 
 
 
 
Interest-sensitive life insurance
$
7,932

 
$
7,812

Deferred fixed annuities
10,329

 
11,778

Immediate fixed annuities without life contingencies
3,346

 
3,559

Institutional products
85

 
85

Other
276

 
238

Contractholder funds
$
21,968

 
$
23,472

Amortization of DAC   The components of amortization of DAC are summarized in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Amortization of DAC before amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses, valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged and changes in assumptions
$
62

 
$
65

 
$
131

 
$
139

Amortization relating to realized capital gains and losses (1) and valuation changes on embedded derivatives that are not hedged
3

 
1

 
4

 
1

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

 

 

 

Total amortization of DAC
$
65

 
$
66

 
$
135

 
$
140

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

67



Amortization of DAC decreased 1.5% or $1 million in the second quarter of 2015 and 3.6% or $5 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $5 million, amortization of DAC in the first six months of 2015 was comparable to the same period of 2014.
Operating costs and expenses increased 5.4% or $6 million in the second quarter of 2015 and 4.8% or $11 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014.  Excluding results of the LBL business for first quarter 2014 of $8 million, operating costs and expenses increased $19 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. The following table summarizes operating costs and expenses.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Non-deferrable commissions
$
25

 
$
22

 
$
51

 
$
53

General and administrative expenses
80

 
77

 
164

 
148

Taxes and licenses
13

 
13

 
26

 
29

Total operating costs and expenses
$
118

 
$
112

 
$
241

 
$
230

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring and related charges
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allstate Life
$
53

 
$
56

 
$
111

 
$
116

Allstate Benefits
55

 
49

 
110

 
101

Allstate Annuities
10

 
7

 
20

 
13

Total operating costs and expenses
$
118

 
$
112

 
$
241

 
$
230

General and administrative expenses increased 3.9% or $3 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increased expenses at Allstate Benefits relating to employee costs, technology costs and acquisition expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 10.8% or $16 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014, primarily due to increased expenses at Allstate Benefits relating to employee costs and acquisition expenses, reinsurance expense allowances paid to LBL for business reinsured to Allstate Life Insurance Company (“ALIC”) after the sale, and a guaranty fund accrual release in the prior year period.
Income tax expense included $17 million related to our adoption of new accounting guidance for investments in qualified affordable housing projects in first quarter 2015.

68



INVESTMENTS HIGHLIGHTS
Investments totaled $79.14 billion as of June 30, 2015, decreasing from $81.11 billion as of December 31, 2014.
Unrealized net capital gains totaled $2.31 billion as of June 30, 2015, decreasing from $3.17 billion as of December 31, 2014.
Net investment income was $789 million in the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 12.1% from $898 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $1.64 billion in the first six months of 2015, a decrease of 11.7% from $1.86 billion in the first six months of 2014.
Net realized capital gains were $108 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $240 million in the second quarter of 2014 and $247 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to $294 million in the first six months of 2014.
INVESTMENTS
The composition of the investment portfolios as of June 30, 2015 is presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Property-Liability (5)
 
Allstate Financial (5)
 
Corporate and Other (5)
 
Total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
 
 
 
Percent
to total
Fixed income securities (1)
$
29,610

 
77.6
%
 
$
27,791

 
73.5
%
 
$
2,529

 
79.1
%
 
$
59,930

 
75.7
%
Equity securities (2)
3,018

 
7.9

 
979

 
2.6

 
3

 
0.1

 
4,000

 
5.1

Mortgage loans
343

 
0.9

 
4,000

 
10.6

 

 

 
4,343

 
5.5

Limited partnership interests (3)
2,466

 
6.5

 
2,066

 
5.5

 
4

 
0.1

 
4,536

 
5.7

Short-term investments (4)
1,108

 
2.9

 
1,053

 
2.8

 
660

 
20.7

 
2,821

 
3.6

Other
1,602

 
4.2

 
1,909

 
5.0

 

 

 
3,511

 
4.4

Total
$
38,147

 
100.0
%
 
$
37,798

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,196

 
100.0
%
 
$
79,141

 
100.0
%
____________________
(1) 
Fixed income securities are carried at fair value. Amortized cost basis for these securities was $29.35 billion, $26.12 billion, $2.50 billion and $57.97 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.
(2) 
Equity securities are carried at fair value. Cost basis for these securities was $2.70 billion, $947 million, $3 million and $3.65 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.
(3) 
We have commitments to invest in additional limited partnership interests totaling $1.22 billion, $1.24 billion and $2.46 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, and in Total, respectively.
(4) 
Short-term investments are carried at fair value. Amortized cost basis for these investments was $1.11 billion, $1.05 billion, $660 million and $2.82 billion for Property-Liability, Allstate Financial, Corporate and Other, and in Total, respectively.
(5) 
Balances reflect the elimination of related party investments between segments.
Investments totaled $79.14 billion as of June 30, 2015, decreasing from $81.11 billion as of December 31, 2014 primarily due to common share repurchases, dividends paid to shareholders and a decline in fixed income valuations resulting from an increase in risk-free interest rates.
The Property-Liability investment portfolio totaled $38.15 billion as of June 30, 2015, decreasing from $39.08 billion as of December 31, 2014 primarily due to dividends paid by Allstate Insurance Company (“AIC”) to The Allstate Corporation (the “Corporation”) and a decline in fixed income valuations, partially offset by positive operating cash flows.
The Allstate Financial investment portfolio totaled $37.80 billion as of June 30, 2015, decreasing from $38.81 billion as of December 31, 2014 primarily due to net reductions in contractholder funds and a decline in fixed income valuations.
The Corporate and Other investment portfolio of $3.20 billion as of June 30, 2015 is comparable to $3.22 billion as of December 31, 2014.








69



Fixed income securities by type are listed in the following table.
($ in millions)
Fair value as of June 30, 2015
 
Percent to
total
investments
 
Fair value as of December 31, 2014
 
Percent to
total
investments
U.S. government and agencies
$
3,936

 
5.0
%
 
$
4,328

 
5.3
%
Municipal
8,594

 
10.8

 
8,497

 
10.5

Corporate
42,317

 
53.5

 
42,144

 
52.0

Foreign government
1,324

 
1.7

 
1,645

 
2.0

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
2,076

 
2.6

 
3,978

 
4.9

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)
1,083

 
1.4

 
1,207

 
1.5

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
575

 
0.7

 
615

 
0.8

Redeemable preferred stock
25

 

 
26

 

   Total fixed income securities
$
59,930

 
75.7
%
 
$
62,440

 
77.0
%
As of June 30, 2015, 85.3% of the consolidated fixed income securities portfolio was rated investment grade, which is defined as a security having a rating of Aaa, Aa, A or Baa from Moody’s, a rating of AAA, AA, A or BBB from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Fitch, Dominion, Kroll or Realpoint, a rating of aaa, aa, a or bbb from A.M. Best, or a comparable internal rating if an externally provided rating is not available.  All of our fixed income securities are rated by third party credit rating agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and/or are internally rated.  Our initial investment decisions and ongoing monitoring procedures for fixed income securities are based on a thorough due diligence process which includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the credit quality, sector, structure, and liquidity risks of each issue.
The following table summarizes the fair value and unrealized net capital gains and losses for fixed income securities by credit rating as of June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
Investment grade
 
Below investment grade
 
Total
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
gain/(loss)
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
gain/(loss)
 
Fair
value
 
Unrealized
gain/(loss)
U.S. government and agencies
$
3,936

 
$
109

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,936

 
$
109

Municipal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax exempt
4,948

 
78

 
62

 
(5
)
 
5,010

 
73

Taxable
3,516

 
405

 
68

 
5

 
3,584

 
410

Corporate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public
25,969

 
828

 
4,798

 
(14
)
 
30,767

 
814

Privately placed
8,837

 
399

 
2,713

 
(49
)
 
11,550

 
350

Foreign government
1,324

 
66

 

 

 
1,324

 
66

ABS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)
727

 
(3
)
 
136

 
(14
)
 
863

 
(17
)
Consumer and other asset-backed securities (“Consumer and other ABS”)
1,192

 
12

 
21

 

 
1,213

 
12

RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government sponsored entities (“U.S. Agency”)
238

 
9

 

 

 
238

 
9

Non-agency
85

 
2

 
760

 
90

 
845

 
92

CMBS
332

 
11

 
243

 
26

 
575

 
37

Redeemable preferred stock
25

 
4

 

 

 
25

 
4

Total fixed income securities
$
51,129

 
$
1,920

 
$
8,801

 
$
39

 
$
59,930

 
$
1,959

Municipal bonds, including tax exempt and taxable securities, totaled $8.59 billion as of June 30, 2015 with an unrealized net capital gain of $483 million.  The municipal bond portfolio includes general obligations of state and local issuers and revenue bonds (including pre-refunded bonds, which are bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest).
Corporate bonds, including publicly traded and privately placed, totaled $42.32 billion as of June 30, 2015, with an unrealized net capital gain of $1.16 billion.  Privately placed securities primarily consist of corporate issued senior debt securities that are directly negotiated with the borrower or are in unregistered form.
ABS, RMBS and CMBS are structured securities that are primarily collateralized by consumer or corporate borrowings and residential and commercial real estate loans.  The cash flows from the underlying collateral paid to the securitization trust are generally applied in a pre-determined order and are designed so that each security issued by the trust, typically referred to as a “class”, qualifies for a specific original rating.  For example, the “senior” portion or “top” of the capital structure, or rating class,

70



which would originally qualify for a rating of Aaa typically has priority in receiving principal repayments on the underlying collateral and retains this priority until the class is paid in full.  In a sequential structure, underlying collateral principal repayments are directed to the most senior rated Aaa class in the structure until paid in full, after which principal repayments are directed to the next most senior Aaa class in the structure until it is paid in full.  Senior Aaa classes generally share any losses from the underlying collateral on a pro-rata basis after losses are absorbed by classes with lower original ratings.  The payment priority and class subordination included in these securities serves as credit enhancement for holders of the senior or top portions of the structures.  These securities continue to retain the payment priority features that existed at the origination of the securitization trust.  Other forms of credit enhancement may include structural features embedded in the securitization trust, such as overcollateralization, excess spread and bond insurance.  The underlying collateral can have fixed interest rates, variable interest rates (such as adjustable rate mortgages) or may contain features of both fixed and variable rate mortgages.
ABS, including CDO and Consumer and other ABS, totaled $2.08 billion as of June 30, 2015, with 92.4% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital loss of $5 million.  Credit risk is managed by monitoring the performance of the underlying collateral.  Many of the securities in the ABS portfolio have credit enhancement with features such as overcollateralization, subordinated structures, reserve funds, guarantees and/or insurance.
CDO totaled $863 million as of June 30, 2015, with 84.2% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital loss of $17 million.  CDO consist of obligations collateralized by cash flow CDO, which are structures collateralized primarily by below investment grade senior secured corporate loans.
Consumer and other ABS totaled $1.21 billion as of June 30, 2015, with 98.3% rated investment grade.  Consumer and other ABS consists of $531 million of consumer auto, $354 million of credit card and $328 million of other ABS with unrealized net capital gains of $0 million, $1 million and $11 million, respectively.
RMBS totaled $1.08 billion as of June 30, 2015, with 29.8% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $101 million.  The RMBS portfolio is subject to interest rate risk, but unlike other fixed income securities, is additionally subject to prepayment risk from the underlying residential mortgage loans.  RMBS consists of a U.S. Agency portfolio having collateral issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and a non-agency portfolio consisting of securities collateralized by Prime, Alt-A and Subprime loans.  The non-agency portfolio totaled $845 million as of June 30, 2015, with 10.1% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $92 million.
CMBS totaled $575 million as of June 30, 2015, with 57.7% rated investment grade and an unrealized net capital gain of $37 million.  The CMBS portfolio is subject to credit risk and has a sequential paydown structure.  Of the CMBS investments, 95.2% are traditional conduit transactions collateralized by commercial mortgage loans, broadly diversified across property types and geographical area.  The remainder consists of non-traditional CMBS.
Mortgage loans, which are primarily held in the Allstate Financial portfolio, totaled $4.34 billion as of June 30, 2015 and primarily comprise loans secured by first mortgages on developed commercial real estate.  Key considerations used to manage our exposure include property type and geographic diversification.  For further detail on our mortgage loan portfolio, see Note 4 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Limited partnership interests consist of investments in private equity/debt, real estate and other funds.  The limited partnership interests portfolio is diversified across a number of characteristics including fund managers, vintage years, strategies, geography (including international), and company/property types.  The following table presents information about our limited partnership interests as of June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
Private
equity/debt
funds (1)
 
Real estate
funds
 
Other
funds
 
Total
Cost method of accounting (“Cost”)
$
935

 
$
195

 
$

 
$
1,130

Equity method of accounting (“EMA”)
2,077

 
969

 
360

 
3,406

Total
$
3,012

 
$
1,164

 
$
360

 
$
4,536

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of managers
100

 
36

 
13

 
149

Number of individual funds
184

 
78

 
18

 
280

Largest exposure to single fund
$
107

 
$
99

 
$
150

 
$
150

______________
(1) 
Includes $692 million of infrastructure and real asset funds.





71



The following tables show the earnings from our limited partnership interests by fund type and accounting classification.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Cost
 
EMA
 
Total
income
 
Impairment
write-downs
 
Cost
 
EMA
 
Total
income
 
Impairment
write-downs
Private equity/debt funds
$
57

 
$
56

 
$
113

 
$

 
$
50

 
$
73

 
$
123

 
$
(2
)
Real estate funds
18

 
(8
)
 
10

 

 
14

 
41

 
55

 
(4
)
Other funds

 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 

 
2

 
15

 
17

 

Total
$
75

 
$
43

 
$
118

 
$

 
$
66

 
$
129

 
$
195

 
$
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Cost
 
EMA
 
Total
income
 
Impairment
write-downs
 
Cost
 
EMA
 
Total
income
 
Impairment
write-downs
Private equity/debt funds
$
80

 
$
113

 
$
193

 
$
(3
)
 
$
86

 
$
143

 
$
229

 
$
(12
)
Real estate funds
37

 
96

 
133

 
(2
)
 
28

 
65

 
93

 
(7
)
Other funds

 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 

 
2

 
13

 
15

 

Total
$
117

 
$
199

 
$
316

 
$
(5
)
 
$
116

 
$
221

 
$
337

 
$
(19
)
Limited partnership interests produced income, excluding impairment write-downs, of $118 million and $316 million in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $195 million and $337 million in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, primarily due to lower EMA limited partnership valuations. Economic conditions and equity market performance continue to be reflected in limited partnership results, and we continue to expect this income to vary significantly between periods. Income on EMA limited partnerships is generally recognized on a delay due to the availability of the related financial statements.  The recognition of income on private equity/debt funds and real estate funds are generally on a three month delay.  Income on cost method limited partnerships is recognized only upon receipt of amounts distributed by the partnerships.
Unrealized net capital gains totaled $2.31 billion as of June 30, 2015 compared to $3.17 billion as of December 31, 2014.  The decrease for fixed income securities was primarily due to an increase in risk-free interest rates and the realization of unrealized net capital gains through sales.  The following table presents unrealized net capital gains and losses.
($ in millions) 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
U.S. government and agencies
$
109

 
$
136

Municipal
483

 
620

Corporate
1,164

 
1,758

Foreign government
66

 
102

ABS
(5
)
 
7

RMBS
101

 
99

CMBS
37

 
42

Redeemable preferred stock
4

 
4

Fixed income securities
1,959

 
2,768

Equity securities
351

 
412

Derivatives
3

 
(2
)
EMA limited partnerships
(5
)
 
(5
)
Unrealized net capital gains and losses, pre-tax
$
2,308

 
$
3,173

The unrealized net capital gain for the fixed income portfolio totaled $1.96 billion, comprised of $2.40 billion of gross unrealized gains and $438 million of gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2015.  This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the fixed income portfolio totaling $2.77 billion, comprised of $3.08 billion of gross unrealized gains and $314 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2014.








72



Gross unrealized gains and losses on fixed income securities by type and sector as of June 30, 2015 are provided in the following table.
($ in millions)
Amortized
cost
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair
value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Corporate:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Energy
$
5,063

 
$
148

 
$
(69
)
 
$
5,142

Consumer goods (cyclical and non-cyclical)
11,042

 
292

 
(55
)
 
11,279

Basic industry
2,355

 
57

 
(40
)
 
2,372

Banking
3,210

 
54

 
(38
)
 
3,226

Communications
3,088

 
95

 
(37
)
 
3,146

Capital goods
3,845

 
163

 
(33
)
 
3,975

Utilities
4,864

 
420

 
(29
)
 
5,255

Technology
2,638

 
50

 
(28
)
 
2,660

Transportation
1,616

 
108

 
(18
)
 
1,706

Financial services
2,870

 
100

 
(11
)
 
2,959

Other
562

 
37

 
(2
)
 
597

Total corporate fixed income portfolio
41,153

 
1,524

 
(360
)
 
42,317

U.S. government and agencies
3,827

 
110

 
(1
)
 
3,936

Municipal
8,111

 
519

 
(36
)
 
8,594

Foreign government
1,258

 
67

 
(1
)
 
1,324

ABS
2,081

 
21

 
(26
)
 
2,076

RMBS
982

 
113

 
(12
)
 
1,083

CMBS
538

 
39

 
(2
)
 
575

Redeemable preferred stock
21

 
4

 

 
25

Total fixed income securities
$
57,971

 
$
2,397

 
$
(438
)
 
$
59,930

The energy, consumer goods, basic industry, banking and communications sectors had the highest concentration of gross unrealized losses in our corporate fixed income securities portfolio as of June 30, 2015.  In general, the gross unrealized losses are related to increasing risk-free interest rates or widening credit spreads since the time of initial purchase.
The unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaled $351 million, comprised of $413 million of gross unrealized gains and $62 million of gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2015.  This is compared to an unrealized net capital gain for the equity portfolio totaling $412 million, comprised of $467 million of gross unrealized gains and $55 million of gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2014.
Global oil prices have declined significantly since September 30, 2014. Within the energy sector, we continue to monitor the impact to our investment portfolio for those companies that may be adversely affected, both directly and indirectly. If oil prices remain at depressed levels for an extended period or decline further, certain issuers and investments may come under duress. Corporate fixed income and equity securities with gross unrealized losses that have direct exposure to the energy sector, have an aggregate carrying value of $2.03 billion and gross unrealized losses of $82 million as of June 30, 2015. Approximately 80% of the $5.14 billion of corporate fixed income securities with direct exposure to the energy sector were investment grade as of June 30, 2015.
Net investment income  The following table presents net investment income.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
567

 
$
584

 
$
1,135

 
$
1,289

Equity securities
31

 
35

 
54

 
63

Mortgage loans
57

 
71

 
112

 
152

Limited partnership interests
118

 
195

 
316

 
337

Short-term investments
3

 
3

 
4

 
4

Other
49

 
44

 
94

 
86

Investment income, before expense
825

 
932

 
1,715

 
1,931

Investment expense
(36
)
 
(34
)
 
(76
)
 
(74
)
Net investment income
$
789

 
$
898

 
$
1,639

 
$
1,857

Net investment income decreased 12.1% or $109 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower limited partnership income and lower average investment balances. Net investment income decreased 11.7% or $218 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014, primarily due to lower average

73



investment balances relating to the sale of LBL on April 1, 2014, and lower prepayment fee income and litigation proceeds.  Net investment income in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 includes $19 million and $34 million, respectively, related to prepayment fee income and litigation proceeds compared to $36 million and $77 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively.  These items may vary significantly from period to period and may not recur.  Economic conditions and equity market performance continue to be reflected in limited partnership results, and we continue to expect this income to vary significantly between periods.
Realized capital gains and losses  The following table presents the components of realized capital gains and losses and the related tax effect.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Impairment write-downs
$
(11
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
(22
)
Change in intent write-downs
(32
)
 
(39
)
 
(62
)
 
(104
)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(43
)
 
(45
)
 
(92
)
 
(126
)
Sales
146

 
290

 
362

 
437

Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments
5

 
(5
)
 
(23
)
 
(17
)
Realized capital gains and losses, pre-tax
108

 
240

 
247

 
294

Income tax expense
(39
)
 
(86
)
 
(88
)
 
(105
)
Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax
$
69

 
$
154

 
$
159

 
$
189

Impairment write-downs, which include changes in the mortgage loan valuation allowance, are presented in the following table.
($ in millions)
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed income securities
$
(4
)
 
$
2

 
$
(9
)
 
$
(4
)
Equity securities
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(13
)
 
(3
)
Mortgage loans

 

 

 
4

Limited partnership interests

 
(6
)
 
(5
)
 
(19
)
Other investments
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 

Impairment write-downs
$
(11
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
(22
)
Impairment write-downs on fixed income securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were primarily driven by corporate fixed income securities impacted by issuer specific circumstances. Equity securities were written down primarily due to the length of time and extent to which fair value was below cost, considering our assessment of the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends. Limited partnership write-downs primarily related to cost method limited partnerships that experienced declines in portfolio valuations deemed to be other-than-temporary. 
Change in intent write-downs totaling $32 million and $62 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, were primarily related to the repositioning and ongoing portfolio management of our equity securities. For certain equity securities managed by third parties, we do not retain decision making authority as it pertains to selling securities that are in an unrealized loss position and therefore we recognize any unrealized loss at the end of the period through a charge to earnings.
Sales generated $146 million and $362 million of net realized capital gains in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. Sales primarily included fixed income securities with longer maturity dates to reduce the risk of rising interest rates and equity securities in connection with ongoing portfolio management.
Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments generated net realized capital gains of $5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and net realized capital losses of $23 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 primarily related to foreign currency contracts due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and a weakening of the Canadian dollar for the six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.

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CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY HIGHLIGHTS
Shareholders’ equity as of June 30, 2015 was $21.30 billion, a decrease of 4.5% from $22.30 billion as of December 31, 2014.
On January 2, 2015 and April 1, 2015, we paid common shareholder dividends of $0.28 and $0.30, respectively.  On May 19, 2015, we declared a common shareholder dividend of $0.30 payable on July 1, 2015. On July 14, 2015, we declared a common shareholder dividend of $0.30 payable on October 1, 2015.
As of June 30, 2015, there was $1.9 billion remaining on the $3 billion common share repurchase program.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Capital resources consist of shareholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations or for general corporate purposes.  The following table summarizes our capital resources.
($ in millions)
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Preferred stock, common stock, retained income and other     shareholders’ equity items
$
21,231

 
$
21,743

Accumulated other comprehensive income
67

 
561

Total shareholders’ equity
21,298

 
22,304

Debt
5,186

 
5,194

Total capital resources
$
26,484

 
$
27,498

Ratio of debt to shareholders’ equity
24.3
%
 
23.3
%
Ratio of debt to capital resources
19.6
%
 
18.9
%
Shareholders’ equity decreased in the first six months of 2015, primarily due to common share repurchases, decreased unrealized net capital gains on investments and dividends paid to shareholders, partially offset by net income.  In the six months ended June 30, 2015, we paid dividends of $243 million and $58 million related to our common and preferred shares, respectively.
Debt In May 2015, Federal Home Loan Bank advances of $8 million were repaid. We have no debt maturities until 2018.
Common share repurchases  As of June 30, 2015, there was $1.9 billion remaining on the common share repurchase program.
In March 2015 we commenced a $3 billion common share repurchase program that is expected to be completed by July 2016. In February 2015, we completed a $2.5 billion common share repurchase program that commenced in February 2014.
In March 2015, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR Agreement”) with Goldman, Sachs & Co. to purchase $500 million of our outstanding stock. This ASR agreement settled on May 8, 2015.
During the first six months of 2015, we repurchased 20.6 million common shares for $1.43 billion in the market and under the ASR Agreement that settled on May 8, 2015.
Financial ratings and strength  Our ratings are influenced by many factors including our operating and financial performance, asset quality, liquidity, asset/liability management, overall portfolio mix, financial leverage (i.e., debt), exposure to risks such as catastrophes and the current level of operating leverage.  As anticipated, the preferred stock and subordinated debentures have been viewed as having a common equity component by certain rating agencies and are given equity credit up to a pre-determined limit in our capital structure as determined by their respective methodologies. These respective methodologies consider the existence of certain terms and features in the instruments such as the noncumulative dividend feature in the preferred stock. In February 2015, A.M. Best affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and short-term issuer ratings of a- and AMB-1, respectively, and the insurance financial strength ratings of A+ for AIC and ALIC.  The outlook for the ratings remained stable.  In June 2015, Moody’s affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and short-term issuer ratings of A3 and P-2, respectively, and the insurance financial strength ratings of Aa3 for AIC and A1 for ALIC.  The outlook for the ratings remained stable. In July 2015, S&P affirmed The Allstate Corporation’s debt and short-term issuer ratings of A- and A-1, respectively, and the insurance financial strength ratings of AA- for AIC and A+ for ALIC. The outlook for the ratings remained stable.
ALIC, AIC and The Allstate Corporation are party to an Amended and Restated Intercompany Liquidity Agreement (“Liquidity Agreement”) which allows for short-term advances of funds to be made between parties for liquidity and other general corporate purposes.  The Liquidity Agreement does not establish a commitment to advance funds on the part of any party.  ALIC and AIC each serve as a lender and borrower and the Corporation serves only as a lender.  AIC also has a capital support agreement with ALIC.  Under the capital support agreement, AIC is committed to provide capital to ALIC to maintain an adequate capital level.  The maximum amount of potential funding under each of these agreements is $1.00 billion.
In addition to the Liquidity Agreement, the Corporation also has an intercompany loan agreement with certain of its subsidiaries, which include, but are not limited to, AIC and ALIC.  The amount of intercompany loans available to the Corporation’s subsidiaries

75



is at the discretion of the Corporation.  The maximum amount of loans the Corporation will have outstanding to all its eligible subsidiaries at any given point in time is limited to $1.00 billion.  The Corporation may use commercial paper borrowings, bank lines of credit and securities lending to fund intercompany borrowings.
Liquidity sources and uses  We actively manage our financial position and liquidity levels in light of changing market, economic, and business conditions.  Liquidity is managed at both the entity and enterprise level across the Company, and is assessed on both base and stressed level liquidity needs.  We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet these needs.  Additionally, we have existing intercompany agreements in place that facilitate liquidity management across the Company to enhance flexibility.
Parent company capital capacity  At the parent holding company level, we have deployable assets totaling $3.40 billion as of June 30, 2015 comprising cash and investments that are generally saleable within one quarter.  The substantial earnings capacity of the operating subsidiaries is the primary source of capital generation for the Corporation.  This provides funds for the parent company’s fixed charges and other corporate purposes.
In the first six months of 2015, AIC paid dividends totaling $1.70 billion to its parent, Allstate Insurance Holdings, LLC (“AIH”), which then paid $1.69 billion of dividends to the Corporation. 
Dividends may not be paid or declared on our common stock and shares of common stock may not be repurchased unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on our preferred stock have been declared and paid or provided for.  We are prohibited from declaring or paying dividends on our preferred stock if we fail to meet specified capital adequacy, net income or shareholders’ equity levels, except out of the net proceeds of common stock issued during the 90 days prior to the date of declaration.  As of June 30, 2015, we satisfied all of the tests with no current restrictions on the payment of preferred stock dividends.
The terms of our outstanding subordinated debentures also prohibit us from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on our common or preferred stock or redeeming, purchasing, acquiring, or making liquidation payments on our common stock or preferred stock if we have elected to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures, subject to certain limited exceptions.  In the first six months of 2015, we did not defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures.
Additional borrowings to support liquidity are as follows:
The Corporation has access to a commercial paper facility with a borrowing limit of $1.00 billion to cover short-term cash needs.  As of June 30, 2015, there were no balances outstanding and therefore the remaining borrowing capacity was $1.00 billion; however, the outstanding balance can fluctuate daily.
The Corporation, AIC and ALIC have access to a $1.00 billion unsecured revolving credit facility that is available for short-term liquidity requirements.  In April 2015, we extended the maturity date of this facility to April 2020.  The facility is fully subscribed among 11 lenders with the largest commitment being $115 million.  The commitments of the lenders are several and no lender is responsible for any other lender’s commitment if such lender fails to make a loan under the facility.  This facility contains an increase provision that would allow up to an additional $500 million of borrowing.  This facility has a financial covenant requiring that we not exceed a 37.5% debt to capitalization ratio as defined in the agreement.  This ratio was 11.8% as of June 30, 2015.  Although the right to borrow under the facility is not subject to a minimum rating requirement, the costs of maintaining the facility and borrowing under it are based on the ratings of our senior unsecured, unguaranteed long-term debt.  There were no borrowings under the credit facility during the second quarter or the first six months of 2015
The Corporation has access to a universal shelf registration statement that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015.  We can use this shelf registration to issue an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock (including 498 million shares of treasury stock as of June 30, 2015), preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and securities of trust subsidiaries.  The specific terms of any securities we issue under this registration statement will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplements.












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Liquidity exposure  Contractholder funds were $21.97 billion as of June 30, 2015.  The following table summarizes contractholder funds by their contractual withdrawal provisions as of June 30, 2015.
($ in millions)
 
 
Percent
to total
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal
$
3,545

 
16.1
%
Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustments:
 
 
 
Specified surrender charges (1)
5,900

 
26.9

Market value adjustments (2)
2,175

 
9.9

Subject to discretionary withdrawal without adjustments (3)
10,348

 
47.1

Total contractholder funds (4)
$
21,968

 
100.0
%
_______________
(1) 
Includes $2.13 billion of liabilities with a contractual surrender charge of less than 5% of the account balance.
(2) 
$1.53 billion of the contracts with market value adjusted surrenders have a 30-45 day period at the end of their initial and subsequent interest rate guarantee periods (which are typically 5, 7 or 10 years) during which there is no surrender charge or market value adjustment.
(3) 
87% of these contracts have a minimum interest crediting rate guarantee of 3% or higher.
(4) 
Includes $844 million of contractholder funds on variable annuities reinsured to The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc., in 2006.
Retail life and annuity products may be surrendered by customers for a variety of reasons.  Reasons unique to individual customers include a current or unexpected need for cash or a change in life insurance coverage needs.  Other key factors that may impact the likelihood of customer surrender include the level of the contract surrender charge, the length of time the contract has been in force, distribution channel, market interest rates, equity market conditions and potential tax implications.  In addition, the propensity for retail life insurance policies to lapse is lower than it is for fixed annuities because of the need for the insured to be re-underwritten upon policy replacement.  The annualized surrender and partial withdrawal rate on deferred fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance products, based on the beginning of year contractholder funds, was 6.7% and 9.5% in the first six months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Allstate Financial strives to promptly pay customers who request cash surrenders; however, statutory regulations generally provide up to six months in most states to fulfill surrender requests.
Our asset-liability management practices enable us to manage the differences between the cash flows generated by our investment portfolio and the expected cash flow requirements of our life insurance and annuity product obligations.
The following table summarizes consolidated cash flow activities by segment for the first six months ended June 30.
($ in millions)
Property-Liability (1)
 
Allstate Financial (1)
 
Corporate and Other (1)
 
Consolidated
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net cash provided by (used in):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating activities
$
1,187

 
$
954

 
$
199

 
$
355

 
$
(83
)
 
$
(108
)
 
$
1,303

 
$
1,201

Investing activities
628

 
342

 
405

 
1,602

 
21

 
(923
)
 
1,054

 
1,021

Financing activities
43

 
(26
)
 
(627
)
 
(1,263
)
 
(1,625
)
 
(719
)
 
(2,209
)
 
(2,008
)
Net increase in consolidated cash
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
148

 
$
214

_______________
(1)    Business unit cash flows reflect the elimination of intersegment dividends, contributions and borrowings.
Property-Liability  Higher cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 was primarily due to increased premiums, partially offset by higher claim payments.
Higher cash provided by investing activities in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 was primarily due to decreases in purchases of securities, partially offset by decreases in sales of securities and increased purchases of short-term investments. 
Allstate Financial  Lower cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 was primarily due to lower net investment income and higher income tax payments, partially offset by higher premiums on accident and health and traditional life insurance products.
Lower cash provided by investing activities in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 was the result of lower cash used in financing activities due to lower contractholder fund disbursements.
Lower cash used in financing activities in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 was primarily due to lower contractholder benefits and withdrawals on fixed annuities and interest-sensitive life insurance, partially offset by lower deposits.

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Corporate and Other  Fluctuations in the Corporate and Other operating cash flows were primarily due to the timing of intercompany settlements.  Investing activities primarily relate to investments in the parent company portfolio.  Financing cash flows of the Corporate and Other segment reflect actions such as fluctuations in short-term debt, repayment of debt, proceeds from the issuance of debt and preferred stock, dividends to shareholders of The Allstate Corporation and common share repurchases; therefore, financing cash flows are affected when we increase or decrease the level of these activities.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings. We believe these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements include risks related to: (1) adverse changes in the nature and level of catastrophes and severe weather events; (2) impacts of catastrophe management strategy on premium growth; (3) regulatory changes, including limitations on rate increases and requirements to underwrite business and participate in loss sharing arrangements; (4) market convergence and regulatory changes on our risk segmentation and pricing; (5) the cyclical nature of the property and casualty business; (6) unexpected increases in the severity or frequency of claims; (7) reestimates of reserves for claims; (8) adverse legal determinations regarding discontinued product lines and other legal and regulatory actions; (9) changes in underwriting and actual experience; (10) the influence of changes in market interest rates on spread-based products; (11) changes in estimates of profitability on interest-sensitive life products; (12) reducing our concentration in spread-based business and exiting certain distribution channels; (13) changes in tax laws; (14) our ability to mitigate the capital impact associated with statutory reserving requirements; (15) compliance and operational issues relating to dispositions and acquisitions of businesses; (16) market risk and declines in credit quality relating to our investment portfolio; (17) our subjective determination of the fair value of our fixed income and equity securities and the amount of realized capital losses recorded for impairments of our investments; (18) competition in the insurance industry; (19) conditions in the global economy and capital markets; (20) losses from legal and regulatory actions; (21) restrictive regulation and regulatory reforms; (22) the availability of reinsurance at current levels and prices; (23) credit risk of our reinsurers; (24) a downgrade in our financial strength ratings; (25) the effect of adverse capital and credit market conditions; (26) failure in cyber or other information security systems; (27) the impact of a large scale pandemic, the threat of terrorism or military action; (28) possible impairments in the value of goodwill; (29) changes in accounting standards; (30) the realization of deferred tax assets; (31) restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; (32) restrictions under the terms of certain of our securities on our ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; (33) changing climate conditions; (34) loss of key vendor relationships or failure of a vendor to protect confidential information; and (35) failure to protect intellectual property. Additional information concerning these and other factors may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act is made known to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

78



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussion under the heading “Regulation and Compliance” and under the heading “Legal and regulatory proceedings and inquiries” in Note 10 of the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total number
of shares
(or units)
purchased (1)
 
Average price
paid per share
(or unit) 
 
Total number
of shares (or units)
purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans or
programs (3)
 
Maximum number
(or approximate dollar
value) of shares
(or units) that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs (4)
April 1, 2015 -
April 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Open Market Purchases
674,155

 
$71.3325
 
673,493

 
 
May 1, 2015 -
May 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      May 2015 ASR
1,089,848

(2) 
$70.3267
(2) 
1,089,848

(2) 
 
      Open Market Purchases
2,286,634

 
$67.7754
 
2,282,936

 
 
June 1, 2015 -
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Open Market Purchases
3,590,476

 
$66.6539
 
3,589,970

 
 
Total
7,641,113

 
$67.9261
 
7,636,247

 
$1.9 billion
_______________
(1) 
In accordance with the terms of its equity compensation plans, Allstate acquired the following shares in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock awards and the exercise of stock options held by employees and/or directors.  The shares were acquired in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon exercise or vesting and in payment of the exercise price of the options.
April:   662
May:  3,698
June: 506
(2) 
On March 19, 2015, Allstate entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) with Goldman, Sachs & Co. to purchase $500 million of our outstanding shares of common stock, which was settled on May 8, 2015. Under the ASR Agreement, we repurchased a total of 7.1 million shares at an average repurchase price of $70.3267.
(3) From time to time, repurchases under our programs are executed under the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(4) 
On February 4, 2015, we announced the approval of an additional common share repurchase program for $3 billion, to be completed by July 31, 2016.


79



Item 6.  Exhibits
(a)
Exhibits
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Form 10-Q.
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
Exhibit 
 Number
Exhibit Description
Form
File 
 Number
Exhibit
Filing Date
Filed or
Furnished
Herewith
4
The Allstate Corporation hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission, upon request, the instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of it and its consolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
15
Acknowledgment of awareness from Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated August 3, 2015, concerning unaudited interim financial information
 
 
 
 
X
31(i)
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
X
31(i)
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
X
32
Section 1350 Certifications
 
 
 
 
X
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
X
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
X
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
X



80



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
The Allstate Corporation
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 3, 2015
By
/s/ Samuel H. Pilch
 
 
Samuel H. Pilch
 
 
(chief accounting officer and duly
 
 
authorized officer of Registrant)

81